Sing Unto the Lord a New Song
(Today is my last day off from the blog – I’ll see you bright and early Monday morning!)
Father, today, as is every day, is a day to lift Your name in praise. A reading yesterday brought to mind Psalm 98 and that in turn reminded me of a singing group from my early days in college by the name of CHALICE. They had set this psalm to music and I just loved it. (I still have in on vinyl, as they say, today.) They used the King James and it is absolutely beautiful. Father, I lift Your name in praise this morning!
♪♫♪ Psalm 98 ♫♪♫
O sing unto the Lord a new song;
For he hath done marvelous things
His right hand and his holy arm,
Hath gotten Him the victory.
O sing unto the Lord a new song.
The Lord hath made known his salvation:
His righteousness hath he openly shewed
In the sight of the heathen.
In the sight of the heathen
He hath remembered his mercy and his truth
Toward the house of Israel:
All the ends of the earth
Have seen the salvation of our God.
Of our God.
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord,
All the earth: make a loud noise,
And rejoice, and sing praise.
Make a loud noise,
And rejoice, and sing praise.
O sing unto the Lord a new song;
For he hath done marvelous things
His right hand and his holy arm,
Hath gotten Him the victory.
O sing unto the Lord a new song.
May 24th, 2016, Tues, 6:26 am
Valiant Warrior
(I’m taking a few days off and decided to repost some of the more well-received “More Than Useless” posts.)
Father, so much has transpired since we were last together in this setting. Thank You for all of Your guidance and I am profoundly grateful for Your presence, especially in my time with Beth following the sudden loss of her husband. I could not have done it on my own. Thank You, for helping me get through work yesterday and for Your presence at Bible Study last night. I would ask for Your blessing on our time together this morning.
Colossians 2:1-5 (<< click here)
Lord, humanity likes to think that we are so smart and that we have everything figured out. Things that the Church has held to for centuries are now being questioned. As a pastor, and more importantly as Your child, I need to be planted firmly in my relationship with You. Truth does not change. We cannot tweak it because it not P.C. or because it no longer fits the mindset of society. Only a very small percentage of society is yielded to following Your directives, so it cannot be trusted. Our selfish desires do not build up Your kingdom. We claim great wisdom and knowledge but only in You, Lord, do we find “all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” v3. We are deceived if we think otherwise. We are only strong when we place our faith in You.
Lord, strengthen my faith; fill me with Your wisdom. I would ask that You would enable me to discern Your will in all aspects of life. Help me to remember that we do not fight “against flesh and blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12 Help me to be a valiant warrior of LOVE. To be strong and courageous, to not give up or give in but to fight bravely and to love mightily!
June 9th, 2015, Tue, 10:32 am
No Rose Garden Promised
(I’m taking a few days off and decided to repost some of the more well-received “More Than Useless” posts.)
A new week lies ahead, Father. May I do and say and be what is pleasing in Your eyes. May I find my strength to do so in Your strength, in Your wisdom, and with Your love. Amen.
Revelation 2:8-9 (<<click green)
Lord, the Christian culture in which we live has developed, erroneously, the idea that if we are truly faithful believers in You that pain, suffering and earthly poverty should have no part in our lives. If we just have enough “faith” we should not be plagued by these difficulties in life. But that is not the case.
It reminds me of a song from my childhood, “(I Never Promised You A) Rose Garden”) made famous by Lynn Anderson. The first lines read,
I beg your pardon I never promised you a rose garden
Along with the sunshine there’s gotta be a little rain sometime
There will be hardship and heartache in this life – not that that was God’s intention. We brought those things upon ourselves when we invited sin into the world. But the one thing that will get us through these difficulties is the fact that we do not have to go this life alone. Lord, You are with us every step of the way, if we will but ask. You “know about [our] suffering and poverty – but [we] are rich” in You.
Lord, I thank You for the blessings I experience in life – for these are from Your bounteous hand. I realize that trials will come because of sin and the enemy of my soul is out to undermine all the good You bring my way. But with Your strength…and wisdom…and love, I will stand strong. Amen!
July 3rd, 2017, Mon, 6:30 am
Discipline
(I’m taking a few days off and decided to repost some of the more well-received “More Than Useless” posts.)
Father, this has been a crazy week. Thank You for enabling Karen and me to get so much done. But it has sure worn me out! Thank You for watching over us and for the much needed extra sleep. Help me, as we come together this morning, to hear what You have to say.
Hebrews 12:5-11 (<<click here)
Discipline… some like the word, but many frown when they hear it. Those who dislike it associate it with images of being made to do something we don’t want to do or being corrected (dare I say punished!?) in regards to something we were doing wrong or for something we were dong incorrectly. Those who “like” it, if you will, are those who understand the benefits of discipline. If we are to attain a set goal it takes discipline. In life self-discipline factors in but quite often a coach or a teacher is necessary – one with knowledge and experience will help push us to even greater heights.
Lord, its’ a fact You discipline us. But even more important is the fact that You love us! You know us to the core – our weaknesses and our tendencies but You know what we can be. You know what You created us to be. And, for the most part, it’s more than we are now and more than we will be if it is left up to us.
Lord, You discipline me because You love me. Help me heed Your direction. Help me to embrace it. Help me to learn from it. Enable me to be what You created me to be.
June 3rd, 2016, Fri, 7:35 am
Stand Tall
(I’m taking a few days off and decided to repost some of the more well-received “More Than Useless” posts.)
Even at this early hour Father, my mind is starting to roll. Help me to put the brakes on and to stop smack dab in the middle of Your presence. I need Your guiding hand or who knows where I’ll end up! Thank You, Father, for Your steadfast love for me. I am so grateful that You never give up on me.
2 Timothy 4:13-18 (<<click here)
Reading this passage, Lord, I am made aware that the end is very near for Paul. This is his second and final imprisonment in Rome and he knew it. It must have been evident because even his supporters are much fewer in number. It sounds like things had moved pretty fast – no time to gather his things – not even his coat – just hauled off. And when he stood before the judge the first time he was alone. Scary stuff! But he is quick to share that truly he wasn’t by himself but You stood with him.
I’m sure when Timothy read this letter it was scary for him, too – I mean who wouldn’t be! This wasn’t going to end with a reprimand and a slap on the wrist. Death was looming ever closer. But Paul writes, “Timothy, please come as soon as you can” v.9
In the midst of everything, Paul stood tall and he was extending an invitation for Timothy to do the same.
I cannot help but think, Lord, would I do the same? I would like to think that I would. Help me, Jesus, to invest in our relationship – the stronger it is the stronger I will be. And absolutely nothing in this world is a fair trade – not even my life.
Lord, my life is Yours – do with it as You will. Help me to stand tall, each and every day. May I not slip into the shadows but step decisively into the light of Your will. My life may not be on the line but the advancement to Your kingdom, relies on my willingness – and those like me – to step up to the call! Use me this day as You will!
Jan 8th, 2016, Fri, 6:26 am