Praise, Part 3

Psalm 33:1, "Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright." (KJV)

Psalm 33:1, "Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous! For praise from the upright is beautiful." (NJKV)

Psalm 33:1, "Let the godly sing for joy to the Lord; it is fitting for the pure to praise him." (NLT)

I have shared three (3) different translations of Psalm 33:1 today. I felt the Lord placed this passage of scripture in my heart this morning. I truly desire to be known as a "man of praise." I want to be able to offer my sincere praise to God regardless of the circumstances that I may be facing. I have heard the word "when" used in connection with "future praise" during my journey of life. Let me share with you a couple of examples. "When I get out of the hospital Preacher, you can look for me in church. When I get a better job Preacher you can count on me to financially support the church. When I get a "few things" straightened out you will see me in the altar giving my life to Christ."  I could go but I think you can see where I am going with this post. Sadly I can say that many of these who made those statements or ones similar to them have not made it to church yet much less to the altar.

My next question is this one; "What are we waiting on? TODAY is the right day to offer our praise to God. Stop putting off to tomorrow what you need to be doing TODAY!!! Do you remember this line from an old song, "God's been so good to me I cannot, cannot tell it all, He's opened doors for me I cannot, cannot tell it all. He's made a way for me, I cannot, cannot tell it all. He supplies my every need I cannot, I cannot tell it all." (Jonathan McReynolds) Is there anyone who feels that way today? There is no way that any one of us can fully tell it all. But we can attempt to show our sincere appreciation to God through the offering of our praise and thanksgiving.

This Psalm reminds us that praise is "comely, beautiful, and fitting" for those who are followers of God. I encourage each of us to take advantage of the wonderful opportunity and offer our praise God TODAY. Don't keep putting it off; He is listening for your voice TODAY!!!

Praise, Part 2

Yesterday's post reminded us of the need to live a life that recognizes the importance of thankfulness. We need to be willing to offer our sincere appreciation to God but also be willing to offer our appreciation to those people around us that God uses on a daily basis. Have you ever noticed the smile that will come over the face of a soldier, policeman, firemen, or any other "servant" when you offer words of appreciation and thankfulness to them? The words we speak reminds them that someone has taken notice of their service and I believe those words also remind them that their service was and is appreciated. 

Is it possible that we can "forget" God and begin to take his blessings for granted? Is it possible that we can begin to live a life that demonstrates an attitude of "spiritual entitlement?" We begin to act as though God "owes" us His blessings or that He already knows that I am thankful without me having to express those feelings to Him? I am merely sharing these questions to cause us to stop and think about our attitudes toward God. Have you ever heard these words from a song that I have heard as well as sang? "When I think of His goodness and what He has done for me..." I fully understand that we can not remember it all or tell it all but there are those times in which we need to allow the feelings of thankfulness to be expressed through the words that we speak.

Yesterday I shared a scripture passage that referenced a wonderful encounter with Jesus Christ that came to a group of lepers. Earlier today I read some words that gives insight to the disease of leprosy. Let me share them with you.

Leprosy is a debilitating, snarly and a painful disease from a slow growing bacteria causing a loss of feeling in the arms and legs, along with muscle weakness. In Jesus’ day not only was this condition hideous to the eyes—an inflicted person was ostracized from the community. At the very moment the sick individual needed care and support—they were isolated. So, healing by Jesus was an extraordinary relief for the ten lepers—an event that pricked a scared society’s soul. A hug from a healthy person felt awkward—aches were replaced by joy! Remarkably, the twice shunned foreigner took time to thank Jesus. Love enjoys the gift, but also thanks the gift giver! (Emphasis added)

Yes, we need to be thankful for the blessings that God shares with us but we also need to be thankful for the source of those blessings!! Will you take some time today and turn your attention away from the blessings and turn your attention to God? 

Wednesday's Praises

Luke 17:15-19, “And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, ¹⁶ and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan. ¹⁷ So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? ¹⁸ Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” ¹⁹ And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.” (NKJV)

I don't think that any of us would want to classify ourselves as people who are not thankful, The lack of thankfulness is not something that we would even promote and certainly not put into practice. Yet it is easy to fail to put this action into practice into our lives. The Apostle Paul did remind us that there would be "unthankful" people (possibly Christians) in what the Bible classifies as "perilous" (dangerous) days (2 Timothy 3). 

We can think about being thankful but do we speak out loud about being thankful? We are living in a world that is full of negativity, full of harsh words, and full of broken people who are looking for a way out of their circumstances. I understand that someone may disagree with me and say that my perspective is very shallow and weak. But I do believe that there is strength when we offer our vocal and verbal thanksgiving to God. The shouts of praises, and the offering of worship, honor and glory to God have always been a part of Christianity. It is sad to say, but sport fans celebrate a touchdown in a football game, a dunk in a basketball game, or a home run in a baseball game more than some Christians celebrate their relationship with Christ. Yes, there is a time to be quiet, still and calm in the presence of God but there are also times in which God is waiting to hear your voice. 

Will God hear your voice of thanksgiving today? Your voice and your words are important to Him. Today's scripture passage reveals that Christ asked these words; "...But where are the nine?..." Christ was looking for their voice and their words of praise. Let these words of Christ challenge your heart today. Christ is worthy of our praise, adoration and worship. And remember no one can take your place at the altar of praise. 

Tuesday's Thoughts

It is a beautiful, clear, cloud free and cool morning in Kentucky. It is another wonderful day to offer praise and thanksgiving to our God. Isn't God worthy of our praise this morning? We need to stop waiting for "another blessing" to come our way. God has already revealed His faithfulness to us and to His Word many times in our lives. I trust that this post will encourage you to shout out "Praise the Lord" in recognition of God's goodness and His graciousness.

A little over ten years ago God began to deal with my heart about the need for another great Spiritual Awakening in America. That inspiration was so challenging to me that I resigned the church that I was serving in Louisville, Kentucky and set in motion a journey that I continue to this very day. I arose and prayed this morning with that same desire/same dream/same sense of urgency and same desperate prayer in my heart. I sense the need for this "Spiritual Awakening" ever more today than I did in late 2005 and early 2006. In my opinion our nation has traveled further down the slippery slope of rebellion and disobedience to God. BUT I STILL BELIEVE AND STILL PREACH THAT JESUS CHRIST IS STILL THE ANSWER FOR OUR NATION!!!

I confess that I still preach that message with a sense of urgency, compassion, concern and faith. I believe that God is at work and I have witnessed snippets of that Awakening at various intervals over the past ten years. I am seeing "snippets" of His Awakening during this time in my life. These moments of confirmation serve as an impetus to continue this pursuit of God and the pursuit of people who will respond to that call from God. I want to share one of those "moments" with you from this past Sunday morning.

I made a statement in the message that I don't remember ever making before in my many years of preaching. This is the gist of what I said. I declared that I was praying for people to awaken after a night's sleep and feel a very strong sense of hunger in their body. But the hunger would not be satisfied with food but only "more of God's presence" would satisfy the hunger that was in their hearts. As soon as I said those words, I heard the enemy whisper these words to my spirit. "That is the most foolish thing that you have ever said. This group of people with think that you are crazy offering this concept to them." All of these thoughts were travelling through my mind as I was sharing the remainder of the message. Needless to say, but we were blessed with a powerful outpouring of His Spirit in the altar service.

I was still standing the area of the altar when a young man from the congregation approached me and shared these words with me. "Pastor Mike, I got up this morning hungry but I did not want food. I knew that I was hungry for more of God in my life. I knew that I was hungry to draw closer to God. I knew that I was hungry to learn more about God."

I will put you on notice; THERE IS A SPIRITUAL AWAKENING HEADED TO YOUR LIFE IF YOU WILL JUST OPEN YOUR HEART TO HIM!!

Who or What is on Your Prayer List?

Matthew 6:32-34, "For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." (NKJV)

The people that know me understand that I am a man who believes in the power of prayer and that I am a person committed to prayer. In my opinion, prayer is an "under-used" tool in the Christian's spiritual tool box.  But I am also recognize that God is calling forth a spiritual army that is reconnecting with the importance and prominence of prayer. 

Prayer will reconnect us God which will then lead us into living a life that is pleasing to God. We have to be careful and not just pray to get "things" from God. Yes, God is a God of generosity, care and concern for His children. But He is also a God of relationship. I believe that God is calling us to draw near to Him and in doing so we will find our needs met through the awesome power that God possesses. 

Jesus reminds us that our Heavenly Father is aware of all that we have need of in our lives. I fully believe that God knows us better than we know ourselves. Let me remind you of the words that Jesus spoke as we review this passage in Matthew. Jesus issues a challenge and call to His children; "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness..." Do those specific words grab your attention? Jesus is revealing to us the plan of God when it comes to prayer. We are to seek His Kingdom first then all the things that we need shall be added to our lives.

I am concerned about some of our modern day praying. Yes, we are make our requests known to God. Yes, we are cast our cares on Him. Yes, we are to bring our heavy burdens to the Lord and yes, He will provide the rest that we need. BUT, we are also told to seek the Kingdom of God. 

Can you imagine the power and presence of God that would be released in the church if every believer accepted this mandate of God and chose to follow His commands regarding our prayer life? I would like to encourage you to spend a significant portion of your prayer time seeking God. Is it possible that we come to our prayer time burdened with so many needs that we are overwhelmed and so we spend very little time talking to God about our relationship with Him? 

We can change this by taking a simple action. Let us come focused and committed to spending time drawing closer to God. Is it possible that type of praying may hold the key to our needs and the needs of others being met? I encourage you to make this adjustment for a period of time and see if there is any difference in your life!!

Thoughts on Thursday

Hebrews 12:1, "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us," (NKJV)

My heart was challenged last night as I sat and listened to our Student Ministries Pastor challenge our 2016 High School graduates concerning their future decisions of life. The challenge was being issued to them but many of the other adults as well as young people who were sitting in that room had to be inspired as we listened to the presentation of the Word of God. I would like to take a moment and summarize what I felt the Lord place in my heart. These thoughts were resonating in my heart as I awoke this morning and they were confirmed to me as I prayed this morning.

Pastor John opened his discourse by reminding us of a graduation speech that Winston Churchill had shared at Oxford University in England. This great leader of Great Britain had been asked to inspire and challenge the graduating class. The crowd undoubtedly was awaiting a major address from this powerful leader as well as a riveting speaker. He stepped to the podium and removed his cigar from his mouth, removed his hat and placed his cane near the podium. I can sense the anticipation of the crowd as they are awaiting the words from this very famous statesman from Great Britain. He opens with this declaration, "Never give up." He pauses for a few moments and then declares these words, "Never give up." He may have declared these words once more, "Never give up." He then pauses for a moment and then picks up his cigar, his hat and his cane and walks out of the building. Those words, "Never give up" was the "speech" that he shared with the graduating class of Oxford University. 

Has it ever crossed your mind to give up when you have faced certain challenges in your life? Have you ever said these words to yourself, "What's the use? I am a failure. I might as well as quit." Many of us have probably declared those words either out loud or at least in the privacy of our minds. We were discouraged at that moment and our hopes and dreams seemed to be disappearing right before our eyes. 

But our resolve to live a life that was pleasing to God began to provide the strength and courage that we needed to continue our journey of life. The writer to the Hebrews reminds us that we have a race to run. No one else can run our race. No one else can finish our course. No one else can have courage, boldness and passion for us. We have to be willing to run with endurance, persistence, tenacity, commitment and dedication. But I believe that God will provide the strength that each of us need if we will be willing to trust in Him and also be willing to follow His guidance.

Let me close with these words, "NEVER GIVE UP." This plan has worked before and it will work again!!

Presence of God

Exodus 33:13-15, "Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in Your sight. And consider that this nation is Your people.” 14 And He said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” 15 Then he said to Him, “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here." (NKJV)

This passage of scripture keeps resonating in my heart during prayer time over the past several days. This passage is one that God is reminding me about on a personal level but I also feel that it is worthy of your consideration. We certainly need the presence of God in our daily lives as we travel the road of life.

We are living in a very "unique" time to say the least. It seems that when you think that you have heard or seen it all something new and different appears on the horizon. I may not be able to stop those things from happening but I can make sure that I respond in the correct manner. After all, I can only answer for myself regarding my personal relationship with God. I fully understand that I have "ministerial responsibilities" and I will give an account of my activity in that area of my life. But each of us as individuals will be called on to answer for our individual life and give an account of our responses to the daily challenges that we face.

Moses was facing a call to follow God's direction and guidance in his life. His obedience would not only affect his personal life but it would also have an effect on the lives of Israel. Your personal decisions do have an effect on those people that are connected with you. Moses knew that his successful journey depended on the presence of God accompanying him and the people on their future journey. 

Let us notice the conclusion that Moses reached and he boldly shared his conclusion with God. Verse 15 reveals this conclusion to us and Moses proceeds to make this courageous declaration. "Then he said to Him, “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here." Moses realized that His life was dependent on the presence of God to direct His steps. 

What are we depending on today? Are we depending on the fickleness of people? Are we depending on the weakness of the flesh? Are we depending on our abilities, talents, or skills? I WANT TO DEPEND ON THE PRESENCE OF GOD TO LEAD ME IN THE RIGHT WAY!!!