Sing a New Song!
Father thank You for a wonderful day! An unexpected snow day, then the opportunity to do a little unanticipated celebrating of Karen’s birthday! My gratitude for Your wonderful love in which overflows us all !
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I’m eager to continue in John but a recommended video popped up on YouTube. I have never heard these groups before, but I took a moment and listened. I am so glad that I did!
I regularly listen to music as I type. Most of the time it is just a background filler for me but not tonight. I kept stopping to see who was singing. The video is almost four hours long(!) and as I write I am a little over 20 minutes in but already it has brought tears to my eyes as I have listened…and watched! (OK, by the time I was done, I had gone through over an hour.) It is an amalgamation of different acapella groups, comprised of people of all ages, races, and backgrounds. They are singing some old traditional things and some newer things, as well – it’s a great mix!
I, for one, often feel the need to be rejuvenated. I need to be fed, too. I am grateful that God can use me to feed those to whom He chooses the message He gives me to reach. But I am also grateful that He feeds me with the ministry of others.
I am writing nothing more but would encourage my faithful readers (and even if this is the first thing you ever looked at of my blog), take time to listen to at least a portion of this video. I pray it rejuvenates and feeds you, too!
Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him. The LORD has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations. He has remembered his love and his faithfulness to Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music… Psalm 98:1-4 NIV
Feb 9th, 2021, Tues, 8:09 pm
I’m Your Moon!
Taste and see that the Lord is good.
….Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him! Psalm 34:8 NLT
John 1:6-9 (<<click here to read the passage)
Many, many years ago when I was but a little tike, my dad remembers me exclaiming, “Dad, I’m your moon.” I quickly back peddled and said, “I mean, I’m your son!”
That’s probably one of the shortest stories I’ve ever shared about myself, but it drives home a point for today’s passage.
There came a man commissioned and sent from God, whose name was John [that is, John the Baptist – not the Apostle John]. This man came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe [in Christ, the Light] through him. John was not the Light, but came to testify about the Light.
There it was—the true Light [the genuine, perfect, steadfast Light] which, coming into the world, enlightens everyone. John 1:6-9 AMP
Most of us learned in grade school that though the moon shines brightly in our night sky, that it does not radiate its own light but reflects the light of the sun. Interestingly enough, despite the fact that it sometimes seems to shine very brightly, the moon reflects only between 3 and 12 percent of the sunlight that hits it. (livescience.com)
Also, with a bit more research, I discovered that the moon is one of the dimmest objects in our solar system. Planets (Earth included) and other planet’s moons reflect light much more efficiently, mainly because of what is on the surface of those celestial bodies. Our moon consists mostly of rock dust and dark rocks that are similar in composition to rocks on earth. Because of this, it’s not as bright as other things in the heavens. (Science Questions with Surprising Answers)
In essence, we all are moons that reflect the Son. And as John the Baptist did, we are not the Light but our responsibility as followers of Christ is to testify about the Light.
And one thing that needs stressing, is the fact that we don’t have to be the shiniest light around to point others to Christ. I’ve never heard anyone complain about the moon not being the best “reflector” in the night sky. Many times, I have stood in awe of its beauty, doing what it does the way it does it.
From our perspective, there are lots of nights, when the moon is not obstructed by the earth, that its brilliance literally overwhelms our ability to see other lights shining in the night sky. All we see clearly is the moon!
As followers of Christ, we must give ourselves over to the sheer power of the Son and in so doing we can – and will be – used by Him to bring others into a closer relationship with Him…all that while doing what we do the way we do it.
And one more thing that the Lord is showing us. The moon is at its best when not obstructed by the world. We can learn from that, too. The less influence the world has on us, the more we can shine for Him! Lord, may it be so!
Feb 8th, 2021, Mon, 7:24 pm
The Light Shines on in the Darkness
Father today has been full of variety and we’ve been going from the very beginning. Calm my mind and heart to see and hear what You would have to lay on my heart this quiet evening. Amen.
John 1:3-5 (<<click here to read the passage)
One of my favorite things in this world is lighthouses! When I was a children’s pastor at the end of the 20th century (now that sounds funny…but it’s true!) my office at the church was decorated in a lighthouse theme and the same is true for our office at home. I have a decorative lighthouse border at the top of the walls. I have a beautiful puzzle in the shape of a lighthouse made up of different lighthouses. I have pictures, figurines, a mirror in a life preserver frame, and I try every year to get a calendar for my door with a different lighthouse for every month (there is also a small one above the computer monitor). Lighthouses are beautifully inspiring, and I think they communicate a lot about what it means to be a follower of Christ.
As I read through these verses several thoughts came to me. First, the Amplified Bible capitalizes the word Light and tells me that it is not referring to some random light but is speaking of Christ – the Word – the Light.
It says in verse 4, “In Him [that is, Christ] was life [and the power to bestow life], and the life was the Light of men.”
Jesus is Light! And verse 5 continues with this line of thought when it says, “The Light shines on in the darkness…”
Now I understand John’s reference to darkness but for whatever reason, the Amplified Bible’s note on it just jumped out at me! It states that the meaning of the word darkness is to be understood as the world immersed in sin: all that stands in opposition to God and biblical truth.
And in the middle of all the sin of the world, there stands the Light, strong, and true! And as I thought along those lines the image of a lighthouse in the midst of a storm came to mind. It is easy to picture a lighthouse on a beautiful sunny day as it sits serenely on the shoreline with the sound of gulls echoing across the expanse in their flight. But it takes on a whole other frame of mind to picture that same lighthouse with waves crashes against its stone walls while still putting forth its light. It is not overwhelmed. It does not stop doing its job because the storm is fierce. It continues to shine regardless of what the world has to throw at it!
And that is Jesus – the Light of the world!
But there is one last thing that John puts forth. We understand that Jesus is the Light and that despite everything He stands, and His Light is not quelled.
Jesus the Light shines in spite of the fact that the darkness doesn’t understand Him. And try as it might, the darkness cannot overpower the Light! It cannot appropriate it, that is, as Merriam-Webster defines the word it cannot take or make use of that Light without authority or right nor can it absorb it. And lastly, darkness is unreceptive to Light.
Long has the world attempted to eliminate the Light…but it has not succeeded nor will it ever be able to! Many despise the fact that the Light makes visible every aspect of our lives. We cannot hide who we are from Him. Yet…He loves us still, warts and all. And we can surely rejoice in that! Amen!
Feb 7th, 2021, Sun, 7:12 pm
Get Your Own Dirt!
In addition to the snow we still have on the ground, we gained a hoary frost from heavy fog in the wee hours this morning! Father, Your handiwork simply cannot be matched! All praise to our Creator God!
John 1:2-3 (<<click here to read the passage)
This is an oldie but a goodie!
God was once approached by a scientist who said, “Listen, God, we’ve decided we don’t need you anymore. These days we can clone people, transplant organs, and do all sorts of things that used to be considered miraculous.”
God replied, “Don’t need me huh? How about we put your theory to the test. Why don’t we have a competition to see who can make a human being.”
The scientist agrees, so God declares they should do it as he did in the good old days when he created Adam.
“Fine,” says the scientist as he bends down to scoop up a handful of dirt.
“Whoa!” says God, shaking his head in disapproval. “Not so fast. You get your own dirt.”
Now I have the utmost of regard for scientists and so much of what their God-given talent and ability have brought into the world, however, that joke can give you a bit of a chuckle.
But the mentality at which it pokes fun is not just made up to bring a smile to our face. It most certainly exists. And it applies to a great cross-section of humanity…not just scientists. It has been around from pretty much the very beginning, but it seems to be a big part of the modern mindset.
We don’t need God. That kind of stuff is just a crutch. We can do whatever we want when we want! Humanity has accomplished all kinds of things. We can take care of ourselves! …sound familiar?
My study Bible* provides a very pointed statement.
When God created, he made something from nothing. Because we are created beings, we have no basis for pride. Remember that you exist only because God made you, and you have special gifts only because God gave them to you. With God you are something valuable and unique; apart from God you are nothing, and if you try to live without him, you will be abandoning the purpose for which you were made.
Seeking that “purpose” is what drives us. Many may not attribute any of it to God, but He is most definitely at the core of it all. Unfortunately for many, that acknowledgment will not come until we stand face-to-face with our Creator on that great and mighty Day of Judgement.
Lord Jesus, we might just need to take a hard look at ourselves. Our world breeds self-sustainability. We give ourselves credit far too often when we should give credit to where credit is due. You are the Creator, and we are Your creation.
He was [continually existing] in the beginning [co-eternally] with God. All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him not even one thing was made that has come into being. John 1:2-3 AMP
*Life Application Study Bible New Living Translation
Feb 4th, 2021, Thurs, 7:26 pm
WORD!
It felt a little off-kilter getting back to school after a weekend and two snow days all in a row. But Father I am grateful for Your watch-care over us all. Roads this morning were not in the best condition, but we had no accidents, and no one got stuck. All praise to You!
John 1:1 (<<click here to read the passage)
I’m not sure how to even ask this but have you ever heard the term “word” used as a slang addition to a statement? It’s been around for a few years. A couple of examples would probably be helpful.
It can mean okay or just to acknowledge that you heard someone.
“I’ll be there in 5 minutes.” “Word.”
“I’m going to the store; I’ll be back later.” “Word.”
It can also mean cool, like:
“I got an A on my test.” “Word.”
I realize for many of us its use is a little strange but it’s a part of our culture. From a little reading I did “word” is actually a shortened form of the phrase: “my word is my bond”. Eventually, it was shortened to “word is bond” before becoming simply “word”. It basically means “truth” or “to speak the truth.”
In one more thought from verse 1 of John chapter one, let’s look at what John meant when he used the phrase, “the Word.”
Right off, he didn’t use it to communicate “okay” or acknowledgment and he wasn’t trying to be cool. But…he was most definitely expressing truth. In fact, he was proclaiming the Truth, as in the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6) Jesus Christ Himself!
One of my Life Application Study Bible New Living Translation’s notes on this verse reads,
What does John mean by “the Word”? The Word was a term used by theologians and philosophers, both Jews and Greeks, in many different ways. In Hebrew Scripture, the Word was an agent of creation (Psalm 33:6), the source of God’s message to his people through the prophets (Hosea 4:1), and God’s law, his standard of holiness (Psalm 119:11). In Greek philosophy, the Word was the principle of reason that governed the world, or the thought still in the mind, while in Hebrew thought, the Word was another expression for God…To Jewish readers, to say this man Jesus “was God” was blasphemous. To Greek readers, “the Word became human” (John 1:14) was unthinkable. To John, this new understanding of the Word was the Good News of Jesus Christ. [If you’d like to read any of these passages just click on them.]
In the beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself. John 1:1 AMP
And that, my friends, is the Good News proclaimed! Word!
Feb 3rd, 2021, Wed, 7:14 pm