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"Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him; bless His name" (Psalm 100:4)
Thanksgiving is so much more than a holiday, beloved! It is personally my favorite time of year, yet inherent in the celebration itself is something timeless. Thanksgiving should be for each one of us a way of life. And no more clearly can this truth be seen than in the words of the psalmist as he described how the people of Israel were to approach God in worship.
"Enter His gates with thanksgiving" - The gates of the temple were those access points into the place where was represented for the people the presence of Jehovah. The psalmist here pointed out to all potential worshipers that worship began with a thankful heart even before the gate was reached. How often today do we as worshipers drive into the church parking lot excited about what is about to take place, beloved? How often do we say to ourselves: "I can't wait to get to church today!"? The focus of the psalmist's words, then, seems to be more about the attitude of the heart leading up to worship than about the order of the worship service printed in the church bulletin.
"And His courts with praise" - The courts of the temple were the open places in which the people gathered for worship. In those courts the people of Israel praised and glorified God. Thus, they entered with an attitude of thanksgiving and that enabled them to worship with a heart full of praise.
"Bless His name" - Only through a heart of thankfulness could those worshipers truly "bless" the name of Jehovah, beloved. As they reflected upon His deliverance of them in the past, of His loving watch-care over them, could they praise Him and thank Him and trust Him in their present circumstances. How important, then, to worshipers of every generation is that attitude of thanksgiving with which we approach the presence of God!
How thankful is your heart today? What has He done for you that fills your heart with hope and peace and joy and love? Thanksgiving is more than a holiday, beloved! It is the very atmosphere of heaven and because it is, it is to be the pervasive atmosphere of our living as Christians. Have a glorious and Christ-honoring Thanksgiving season!
Ron
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Thursday, November 18, 2010
That Loving Line in the Sand
"If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up" (Daniel 3:17-18)
Everyone has undoubtedly heard the term "drawing a line in the sand," beloved. This phrase speaks descriptively of one who takes a stand on an issue and refuses to back down from it or cross it in violation of his conscience. As Christians today, we are often called upon to "draw a line in the sand" and take a stand for what is right.
In the familiar account of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego in the fiery furnace, we find three servants of God who definitely drew their own line in the sand! Given the ultimatum to either bow down and worship an idolatrous image in Babylon or to suffer the wrath of the king, they made their position clear in a way that left everyone present, including Nebuchadnezzar, with no doubt whatsoever about where they stood. And it is in their example that we find wonderful lessons for those lines in the sand that we at times are called upon to draw today.
Note first that in responding to the king of Babylon, they showed him the courtesy and respect his position deserved. The problem with far too many "lines in the sand" today, beloved, is that they lack the loving attitude which every believer ought to present. Very simply, we do not have to be mean-spirited in taking a stand for Jesus Christ! The three Hebrew servants of Jehovah were not and we must not be today either.
Note next that they made clear that their trust was in God's "ability" and not in His actions. As I heard one preacher describe it, they "left room for God to be God." Imagine how embarrassed they would have been had they declared that God would never allow them to be cast into the furnace! They chose not to presume upon God's actions, but rather to trust in His ability. God may just have a different plan than the one you are imagining, beloved! Leave room for Him to "be God" in your life.
Note also that they exhibited to those present an unswerving resolve as to what they would and would not do. Leaving room for God to be God - "even if He does not" - they declared to the king that they would absolutely not bow down in obedience to to a wrongful edict and worship a false god. We simply cannot ever put a price-tag on our commitment to Jesus Christ, beloved! Our faithfulness must become for us a "non-negotiable" issue.
And though they went into the furnace as threatened, God did a work in and through them that was far greater than if He had simply kept them from the furnace in the first place. The king recanted, admitted his error, and declared Jehovah to be "the Most High God." Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego had drawn a loving line in the sand and God honored their devotion and used their faithfulness to bring Himself great glory.
In every generation, beloved, lines in the sand will have to be drawn. Perhaps you have some experience already with drawing them. But how we draw them and whom we honor in doing so is of paramount importance! Draw loving lines, beloved. God will work through you as He did through them.
Ron
Everyone has undoubtedly heard the term "drawing a line in the sand," beloved. This phrase speaks descriptively of one who takes a stand on an issue and refuses to back down from it or cross it in violation of his conscience. As Christians today, we are often called upon to "draw a line in the sand" and take a stand for what is right.
In the familiar account of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego in the fiery furnace, we find three servants of God who definitely drew their own line in the sand! Given the ultimatum to either bow down and worship an idolatrous image in Babylon or to suffer the wrath of the king, they made their position clear in a way that left everyone present, including Nebuchadnezzar, with no doubt whatsoever about where they stood. And it is in their example that we find wonderful lessons for those lines in the sand that we at times are called upon to draw today.
Note first that in responding to the king of Babylon, they showed him the courtesy and respect his position deserved. The problem with far too many "lines in the sand" today, beloved, is that they lack the loving attitude which every believer ought to present. Very simply, we do not have to be mean-spirited in taking a stand for Jesus Christ! The three Hebrew servants of Jehovah were not and we must not be today either.
Note next that they made clear that their trust was in God's "ability" and not in His actions. As I heard one preacher describe it, they "left room for God to be God." Imagine how embarrassed they would have been had they declared that God would never allow them to be cast into the furnace! They chose not to presume upon God's actions, but rather to trust in His ability. God may just have a different plan than the one you are imagining, beloved! Leave room for Him to "be God" in your life.
Note also that they exhibited to those present an unswerving resolve as to what they would and would not do. Leaving room for God to be God - "even if He does not" - they declared to the king that they would absolutely not bow down in obedience to to a wrongful edict and worship a false god. We simply cannot ever put a price-tag on our commitment to Jesus Christ, beloved! Our faithfulness must become for us a "non-negotiable" issue.
And though they went into the furnace as threatened, God did a work in and through them that was far greater than if He had simply kept them from the furnace in the first place. The king recanted, admitted his error, and declared Jehovah to be "the Most High God." Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego had drawn a loving line in the sand and God honored their devotion and used their faithfulness to bring Himself great glory.
In every generation, beloved, lines in the sand will have to be drawn. Perhaps you have some experience already with drawing them. But how we draw them and whom we honor in doing so is of paramount importance! Draw loving lines, beloved. God will work through you as He did through them.
Ron
Thursday, November 11, 2010
The Wonderful Work of the Word!
"And all the people went away to eat, to drink, to send portions and to celebrate a great festival, because they understood the words which had been made known to them" (Nehemiah 8:12)
The book of Nehemiah has rightly been called the book of "revival," beloved! In the example of the children of Israel and the rebuilding of the city of Jerusalem we find glorious principles of personal revival that work in and through our lives today.
What is so vital for us to see is what the attitude of those returned Jews was to the Word of God. In the first verse of this eighth chapter we discover that the people "asked Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses." They revered the truth of God so much that they wanted to have it read and taught to them. And as it was read to them, they stood in respect for it as the truth of God.
Not only did they ask for it, however, but when it was read they were attentive to it. They listened intently as Ezra the scribe read to them for hours. Why is it that we have such difficulty today listening to a Sunday morning sermon that is certainly far shorter in duration than what the children of Israel gladly heard that day? I fear that it is often because we do not truly revere the Word of God and its place in our lives!
Then, as they listened carefully, they studied and understood what they had heard. The Levites sat them down in groups and methodically explained the meaning of what was read to them. As they were taught, their hearts were opened by God's Spirit and they understood.
Once they came to understand God's truth for their lives, they hearts were pierced through and they felt sorrow for their sins and disobedience. Guilt and shame flooded over them all and they began to weep publicly in response to the moving of God's Spirit.
It was at this point that Nehemiah spoke those words now so well known and repeated by so many believers today. Urging them to replace their sorrow with joy over the reality of heartfelt repentance, he declared to them: "The joy of the Lord is your strength" (v.10). That was a great day, a holy day, a day for national rejoicing and celebration. They had heard God's Word and it had changed their lives! Is that what happens to you in church today, beloved? If not, why not?
Nehemiah sent them away with instructions to reach out to others who had nothing and to share their abundance with them. Thus, all had equal reason to celebrate and worship the goodness of God together as His restored people. What a picture of how the church of Jesus Christ ought to be ministering and worshiping today!
Ron
The book of Nehemiah has rightly been called the book of "revival," beloved! In the example of the children of Israel and the rebuilding of the city of Jerusalem we find glorious principles of personal revival that work in and through our lives today.
What is so vital for us to see is what the attitude of those returned Jews was to the Word of God. In the first verse of this eighth chapter we discover that the people "asked Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses." They revered the truth of God so much that they wanted to have it read and taught to them. And as it was read to them, they stood in respect for it as the truth of God.
Not only did they ask for it, however, but when it was read they were attentive to it. They listened intently as Ezra the scribe read to them for hours. Why is it that we have such difficulty today listening to a Sunday morning sermon that is certainly far shorter in duration than what the children of Israel gladly heard that day? I fear that it is often because we do not truly revere the Word of God and its place in our lives!
Then, as they listened carefully, they studied and understood what they had heard. The Levites sat them down in groups and methodically explained the meaning of what was read to them. As they were taught, their hearts were opened by God's Spirit and they understood.
Once they came to understand God's truth for their lives, they hearts were pierced through and they felt sorrow for their sins and disobedience. Guilt and shame flooded over them all and they began to weep publicly in response to the moving of God's Spirit.
It was at this point that Nehemiah spoke those words now so well known and repeated by so many believers today. Urging them to replace their sorrow with joy over the reality of heartfelt repentance, he declared to them: "The joy of the Lord is your strength" (v.10). That was a great day, a holy day, a day for national rejoicing and celebration. They had heard God's Word and it had changed their lives! Is that what happens to you in church today, beloved? If not, why not?
Nehemiah sent them away with instructions to reach out to others who had nothing and to share their abundance with them. Thus, all had equal reason to celebrate and worship the goodness of God together as His restored people. What a picture of how the church of Jesus Christ ought to be ministering and worshiping today!
Ron
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Push 'em to the Front!
"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor" (Romans 12:10)
As human beings, no one usually has to urge us to "grab the spotlight," beloved! We love the "center ring" of man's attention, the place of prominence in the public eye. As we used to say to each other in high school whenever a buddy wanted to cut in line at lunch - "After me, you're first!"
The problem for us as Christians, however, is that such an attitude is diametrically opposed to the attitude that is to typify those who are members of God's eternal family. Note in the latter half of this verse of Scripture that the Apostle Paul urged believers of his day to "give preference" to one another, and not preference through gritted teeth, but rather preference in honor! The Greek verb proegeomai (pro-ay-geh'-om-ahee) means literally "lead forward" or "go before" in the sense of taking the lead in something. Now I know what you are thinking! You are saying to yourself, "Didn't he just say that the family of God stands opposed to such an attitude?" And you are right, I did! But Paul's use of this word here, beloved, carries the meaning of leading by example.
But in what precisely are we to lead the way or lead by example? The descriptive phrase "in honor" answers that question for us. The Greek noun time (tee-may') can mean "honor" or "respect" or "reverence" or even "esteem." We are, thus, to take the lead in honoring every other follower of Jesus Christ. That is precisely what Paul had in mind when he wrote to the saints in Philippi:
"Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves" (2:3)
The apostle's thought here is that, instead of grabbing the preeminence ourselves, we are to push others toward the spotlight by recognizing and commending their worth to others. As someone much wiser than me once said, beloved, the humble Christian does not think poorly of himself in his relationships with others because he does not think of himself at all!
If you would serve other believers effectively, then, consider them as more important than yourself and look for ways to commend them to others. Look for the activity of the Holy Spirit in them and "push" them toward the front. Devote yourself to their spiritual growth and maturity and encourage them in their walk with the Lord Jesus Christ. You cannot imagine what God can and will do with the church in which such an attitude takes over!
Ron
As human beings, no one usually has to urge us to "grab the spotlight," beloved! We love the "center ring" of man's attention, the place of prominence in the public eye. As we used to say to each other in high school whenever a buddy wanted to cut in line at lunch - "After me, you're first!"
The problem for us as Christians, however, is that such an attitude is diametrically opposed to the attitude that is to typify those who are members of God's eternal family. Note in the latter half of this verse of Scripture that the Apostle Paul urged believers of his day to "give preference" to one another, and not preference through gritted teeth, but rather preference in honor! The Greek verb proegeomai (pro-ay-geh'-om-ahee) means literally "lead forward" or "go before" in the sense of taking the lead in something. Now I know what you are thinking! You are saying to yourself, "Didn't he just say that the family of God stands opposed to such an attitude?" And you are right, I did! But Paul's use of this word here, beloved, carries the meaning of leading by example.
But in what precisely are we to lead the way or lead by example? The descriptive phrase "in honor" answers that question for us. The Greek noun time (tee-may') can mean "honor" or "respect" or "reverence" or even "esteem." We are, thus, to take the lead in honoring every other follower of Jesus Christ. That is precisely what Paul had in mind when he wrote to the saints in Philippi:
"Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves" (2:3)
The apostle's thought here is that, instead of grabbing the preeminence ourselves, we are to push others toward the spotlight by recognizing and commending their worth to others. As someone much wiser than me once said, beloved, the humble Christian does not think poorly of himself in his relationships with others because he does not think of himself at all!
If you would serve other believers effectively, then, consider them as more important than yourself and look for ways to commend them to others. Look for the activity of the Holy Spirit in them and "push" them toward the front. Devote yourself to their spiritual growth and maturity and encourage them in their walk with the Lord Jesus Christ. You cannot imagine what God can and will do with the church in which such an attitude takes over!
Ron
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