“I will praise the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.” — Psalm 146:2
There is a small island in the Gulf of Mexico that calls me back from time to time to enjoy the splendor of God’s creation. There on this tiny strip of land, I find respite for my soul.
There’s something magical about rising early, just before daylight, and heading for the beach, barefoot, with the high anticipation of watching God paint one of His special sunrises.
It takes about an hour for Him to unveil the full picture. The sky is His canvas; and the paint is the lavish morning colors in another glorious sunrise. They are different every day. I’m not sure how He does that—seems a sunrise is a sunrise—but not on this island. There, God paints a different one every single day!
As I walk along the beach, I marvel at the skill of a small bird (called a Skimmer) that flies just above the rolling waves skimming the water for its daily food. I always catch my breath fearful a wave will take one of the small creatures under, but it never does. It’s as though they have sensors in their wings. You see, God created them to catch their food just before daylight, skimming along just above the water line, beak in the water, snatching tiny aquatic delights for their breakfast.
I can hardly wait for evening to enjoy dinner at a quaint little restaurant that floats on the water on the opposite side of the island. I order my food, find a table next to the water, and watch as a different specie of bird dives deep in the channel for its food. Again, I find myself holding my breath, watching in anticipation for it to surface.
Another kind of bird flies near the restaurant deck, hoping someone will toss it food. This group of beggars hangs out just beyond a boundary of fishing line stretched to keep them from annoying the paying customers while the birds vie for “people food.” We’ve all been annoyed by these birds from time to time.
Still another large bird stands in the shallow water across the channel waiting for its next meal to swim by. The herons stab fish with their pointy beaks, holding it until it stops wiggling; then they toss it in the air, catching it so that it enters their open mouth head first—they swallow it whole. Each fish takes several minutes to swallow. They will eat three fish each time they feed and no more (some of us need a dose of their self control).
Enjoying these sights, I ponder the different ways God has designed these birds to feed; the way the undulating ocean waves continue to roll in, and even the sand fleas that sometimes swarm and bite the back of my legs.
I am smitten by the fact that all of these things do what God has created them to do—without question. Day after day the birds feed in their own way, the sand fleas bite, and the waves just keep rolling in. There is no question and no choice.
The heron does not decide to dive in the channel for its food, nor does the skimmer decide to stand in shallow water and stab a fish or dive in the channel for shrimp. Each of them knows the way they are designed to live—and they do it.
The sun doesn’t make the decision to shine at night, nor does the moon decide to shine during the day or not shine at all. All of God’s creation does the thing for which they were created—with one exception.
God has given humans a choice—to do what we were created to do—or not!
The LORD has said, “Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made” (Isaiah 43:7).
We humans have the awesome privilege of choosing to glorify our Creator when we do what we are created to do. It is a daily choice to live for Christ—or live for self. Do what the Bible tells me to do—or do what I want to do. Serve others—serve self.
But we belong to Elohim, the Almighty God. We have been purchased by the precious blood of His Son, and our life is to be lived in worship of Him.
The great Bible Teacher, Kay Arthur said, “His Name is Elohim, the Almighty God, our Creator. We have been created for His glory, for His pleasure. Our life is to be lived in such a way as to reflect Him. To show the world the character of God, His love, His peace, His mercy, His gentleness. We are to live for Him, to accomplish His will. To miss this is to miss fulfillment. It is to have existed rather than to have lived.”2
The question is—do you want to live?
“I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. Everyday I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever. Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.” — Psalm 145:1, 2; 150:6
Further Study
Philippians 2
Philippians 4:1-9
Job 38-42
Isaiah 42:5-9
Isaiah 43:1-5
Isaiah 45:2-7
Daniel 2:20-23
Showing posts with label Praise. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Praise. Show all posts
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009
The Prisoner
“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” (Ephesians 4:1)
The cell is small, cold and dark—barely wide enough to lie down—not high enough to stand up. The dampness penetrates the old man’s bones. He shivers, suffering greatly, deprived of even the barest necessities.
The food is almost inedible, gruel mostly. Moldy bread when he is lucky. Nothing to drink. No coat. No blanket. No pen or parchments. Deserted by friends and family, it is dangerous to be seen with him now. The dungeon at best—death sentence at worst.
Paul, the prisoner of Christ, is alone.
He is counting on Timothy, his son in the faith, to come for a visit. Timothy will bring his coat and his parchments, and John Mark. He can hardly wait to see them.
Paul is lonely. He has had only the Roman Elite Guard for company, to whom he is chained 24/7. There are the other prisoners, a few of whom are still violent, but many of whom are converted now. If you are fortunate enough to be in Paul’s company you will learn about his Lord—the gospel of Jesus Christ.
“Will Timothy and Mark make it before I go?” he ponders audibly, longing to see them one last time. The Lord has made it clear to Paul that he will soon make his final move—to heaven.
Ah, the blessedness of that thought. He’s been there—to the third heaven. Saw inexpressible things. Things that mortal man cannot utter (II Corinthians 12:1-10). Any day now he will go to be with the Lord, and-he-can-hardly-wait. To see the Lord Jesus and hear the angels sing again . . . ah, the rapture of it.
He shivers again from the cold and dampness.
He has nearly finished his race. He has written the letters the Lord Jesus instructed him to write. He has corrected doctrine, encouraged the brethren, and rebuked those who were leaving grace and returning to Law. He has reminded everyone to live a life worthy of the high calling of Christ Jesus.
Yeah, he has completed his course.
Life is behind him now. He will soon be poured out like a drink offering. The anticipation is welling up in his heart. Any day now, he-will-see-Jesus. He would not have to return to this old world again. This time, he will remain in the Presence of the Lord—forever.
He shivers again. This time it is not from the cold, but from the sheer glory of knowing that he will soon leave his old body behind and make his final move.
He begins to hum. Then he breaks out in a song. The other prisoners come to full consciousness. Even though Paul’s voice is old and raspy now, it sounds beautiful to them. They can hardly believe what they’re hearing. This old man is a Christian. All Christians have a death sentence on their head. . . .
Why on earth is he singing?
The guards and the prisoners try to join in. They are new to the Way, so they don’t know the words—but they try to hum along.
They can’t quite believe how joyful he is. But they know this old gentleman, and they have learned to love him and admire his amazing courage. They are now personally acquainted with Paul’s God.
The prisoner of Christ is ready to go home.
What about you, my friend—are you ready to go home? Have you lived a life worthy of the calling you have received? If today was your last day on earth, would you be able to meet the Lord Jesus with a clear conscience that you had completed all that He had given you to do?
Are you a prisoner of Christ—seeking His kingdom—first? We all belong to someone. Whose prisoner are you? Who pulls your chain? Someone has you shackled and firmly in their grip.
Is it Christ Jesus? Or is it the enemy?
You can tell who you’re serving by whom or what occupies the majority of your time and thought. You can tell by how much joy you have in your heart—or how much turmoil.
Are you in a spiritual prison? An emotional prison? Are you shackled by unforgiveness and bitterness? Maybe your prison is an abusive spouse who continually batters and bruises you, physically, emotionally, or both. Are you in the prison of financial difficulties? Is your prison a job you don’t like or a boss you can’t follow?
You may be in the prison of mediocrity. You know the one. You do your own thing and wonder why God isn’t blessing you. You don’t give appropriately. You don’t attend church regularly. You aren’t involved. You don’t work in your gifted area—you don’t even know what your spiritual gift is.
Ah, someone else will volunteer. . . .
Whatever your prison, God is able to give you a song. He doesn’t always deliver us out of our prisons. But He will always give us strength to overcome them. He will always give us a song in the night. And when you can’t find God, remember, He hasn’t moved. You will find Him when you seek Him with all of your heart (Jeremiah 29:11-13).
God doesn’t play second fiddle!
Paul never complained about the cold, the dampness, or the bad food. We gain insight into the conditions he suffered from historical writings.
While Paul was enduring the extremely severe conditions of a Roman prison, and shackled 24/7 to the Roman Elite Guards, he wrote several epistles, and shared the gospel with everyone within hearing, including those in Caesar’s household. And as a result all of them came to believe in the Jesus Paul knew.
What are you doing for the Lord in your prison?
Are you fulfilling your calling? Are you sharing Christ with those in your sphere of influence? Are you teaching? Helping with the children? Cleaning the church? Giving, perhaps to those who are less fortunate? Writing cards of encouragement to others who are hurting? Are you praying for the needs of others? Are you doing whatever you can. . . ?
I learned many years ago that encouraging others is wonderful therapy and an antidote for suffering. I was house bound for six years as caregiver for my mom, my husband, and then his mom.
There were days that I was so lonely for outside fellowship, but I couldn’t leave the house and my ailing charges. I learned to sit down at my desk, open my Bible to the Psalms, and write cards of encouragement to those I knew were struggling.
It is impossible to write cards of encouragement from the Word and remain in a prison of discouragement. When I had finished, my heart was singing and I was joyful in the Lord. My circumstances had not changed, but my shackles were loosed and my prison doors had flown open.
I was free—and soaring like an eagle!
And so, my friend, unlock those shackles that have you bound. You are a prisoner of the Lord Jesus Christ! That is a high and lofty calling that sets you free from the cares of this old world. Go ahead, pour your life into others—and give God praise for setting you free.
Praise the Name of the Lord. Praise Him for Who He is. Praise Him for His wonders. Praise Him for His plans for you—they are wonderful plans.
Praise the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary; Praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; Praise him for his surpassing greatness. Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, Praise him with the harp and lyre, Praise him with tambourine and dancing, Praise him with the strings and flute, Praise him with the clash of cymbals, Praise him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.
(Psalm 150)
Recommended Reading
Ephesians 1:1-11
Ephesians 2:1-10
Ephesians 3:1, 7, 14-21
Ephesians 4:1-6, 24-32
Copyright © 2009 by Peggy Britt. All rights reserved worldwide. Used by permission.
The cell is small, cold and dark—barely wide enough to lie down—not high enough to stand up. The dampness penetrates the old man’s bones. He shivers, suffering greatly, deprived of even the barest necessities.
The food is almost inedible, gruel mostly. Moldy bread when he is lucky. Nothing to drink. No coat. No blanket. No pen or parchments. Deserted by friends and family, it is dangerous to be seen with him now. The dungeon at best—death sentence at worst.
Paul, the prisoner of Christ, is alone.
He is counting on Timothy, his son in the faith, to come for a visit. Timothy will bring his coat and his parchments, and John Mark. He can hardly wait to see them.
Paul is lonely. He has had only the Roman Elite Guard for company, to whom he is chained 24/7. There are the other prisoners, a few of whom are still violent, but many of whom are converted now. If you are fortunate enough to be in Paul’s company you will learn about his Lord—the gospel of Jesus Christ.
“Will Timothy and Mark make it before I go?” he ponders audibly, longing to see them one last time. The Lord has made it clear to Paul that he will soon make his final move—to heaven.
Ah, the blessedness of that thought. He’s been there—to the third heaven. Saw inexpressible things. Things that mortal man cannot utter (II Corinthians 12:1-10). Any day now he will go to be with the Lord, and-he-can-hardly-wait. To see the Lord Jesus and hear the angels sing again . . . ah, the rapture of it.
He shivers again from the cold and dampness.
He has nearly finished his race. He has written the letters the Lord Jesus instructed him to write. He has corrected doctrine, encouraged the brethren, and rebuked those who were leaving grace and returning to Law. He has reminded everyone to live a life worthy of the high calling of Christ Jesus.
Yeah, he has completed his course.
Life is behind him now. He will soon be poured out like a drink offering. The anticipation is welling up in his heart. Any day now, he-will-see-Jesus. He would not have to return to this old world again. This time, he will remain in the Presence of the Lord—forever.
He shivers again. This time it is not from the cold, but from the sheer glory of knowing that he will soon leave his old body behind and make his final move.
He begins to hum. Then he breaks out in a song. The other prisoners come to full consciousness. Even though Paul’s voice is old and raspy now, it sounds beautiful to them. They can hardly believe what they’re hearing. This old man is a Christian. All Christians have a death sentence on their head. . . .
Why on earth is he singing?
The guards and the prisoners try to join in. They are new to the Way, so they don’t know the words—but they try to hum along.
They can’t quite believe how joyful he is. But they know this old gentleman, and they have learned to love him and admire his amazing courage. They are now personally acquainted with Paul’s God.
The prisoner of Christ is ready to go home.
What about you, my friend—are you ready to go home? Have you lived a life worthy of the calling you have received? If today was your last day on earth, would you be able to meet the Lord Jesus with a clear conscience that you had completed all that He had given you to do?
Are you a prisoner of Christ—seeking His kingdom—first? We all belong to someone. Whose prisoner are you? Who pulls your chain? Someone has you shackled and firmly in their grip.
Is it Christ Jesus? Or is it the enemy?
You can tell who you’re serving by whom or what occupies the majority of your time and thought. You can tell by how much joy you have in your heart—or how much turmoil.
Are you in a spiritual prison? An emotional prison? Are you shackled by unforgiveness and bitterness? Maybe your prison is an abusive spouse who continually batters and bruises you, physically, emotionally, or both. Are you in the prison of financial difficulties? Is your prison a job you don’t like or a boss you can’t follow?
You may be in the prison of mediocrity. You know the one. You do your own thing and wonder why God isn’t blessing you. You don’t give appropriately. You don’t attend church regularly. You aren’t involved. You don’t work in your gifted area—you don’t even know what your spiritual gift is.
Ah, someone else will volunteer. . . .
Whatever your prison, God is able to give you a song. He doesn’t always deliver us out of our prisons. But He will always give us strength to overcome them. He will always give us a song in the night. And when you can’t find God, remember, He hasn’t moved. You will find Him when you seek Him with all of your heart (Jeremiah 29:11-13).
God doesn’t play second fiddle!
Paul never complained about the cold, the dampness, or the bad food. We gain insight into the conditions he suffered from historical writings.
While Paul was enduring the extremely severe conditions of a Roman prison, and shackled 24/7 to the Roman Elite Guards, he wrote several epistles, and shared the gospel with everyone within hearing, including those in Caesar’s household. And as a result all of them came to believe in the Jesus Paul knew.
What are you doing for the Lord in your prison?
Are you fulfilling your calling? Are you sharing Christ with those in your sphere of influence? Are you teaching? Helping with the children? Cleaning the church? Giving, perhaps to those who are less fortunate? Writing cards of encouragement to others who are hurting? Are you praying for the needs of others? Are you doing whatever you can. . . ?
I learned many years ago that encouraging others is wonderful therapy and an antidote for suffering. I was house bound for six years as caregiver for my mom, my husband, and then his mom.
There were days that I was so lonely for outside fellowship, but I couldn’t leave the house and my ailing charges. I learned to sit down at my desk, open my Bible to the Psalms, and write cards of encouragement to those I knew were struggling.
It is impossible to write cards of encouragement from the Word and remain in a prison of discouragement. When I had finished, my heart was singing and I was joyful in the Lord. My circumstances had not changed, but my shackles were loosed and my prison doors had flown open.
I was free—and soaring like an eagle!
And so, my friend, unlock those shackles that have you bound. You are a prisoner of the Lord Jesus Christ! That is a high and lofty calling that sets you free from the cares of this old world. Go ahead, pour your life into others—and give God praise for setting you free.
Praise the Name of the Lord. Praise Him for Who He is. Praise Him for His wonders. Praise Him for His plans for you—they are wonderful plans.
Praise the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary; Praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; Praise him for his surpassing greatness. Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, Praise him with the harp and lyre, Praise him with tambourine and dancing, Praise him with the strings and flute, Praise him with the clash of cymbals, Praise him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.
(Psalm 150)
Recommended Reading
Ephesians 1:1-11
Ephesians 2:1-10
Ephesians 3:1, 7, 14-21
Ephesians 4:1-6, 24-32
Copyright © 2009 by Peggy Britt. All rights reserved worldwide. Used by permission.
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