Praise Ye The Lord For His Mighty Works

Psalm 111 KJV - All His works are glorious - give Him thanks and praise glorifying His Holy Name.

Praise God!

Psalm 149 KJV

Praise ye the Lord. Sing unto the Lord a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.

Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.

Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.

For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.

Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.

Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand;

To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people;

To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron;

To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the Lord.

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Praise ye the Lord for He is an almighty God. He lifts up His children. He takes pleasure in them. Let all of the saints joyfully give thanks to God and give Him all glory for all that He has done and will do.

Trust that His promises are and have been fulfilled. He loves you now and will love you always. Rejoice in His glory!

God's Peace - Pr. J. 

All God's Creature Praise The Lord!

Psalm 145:10-22 KJV

All thy works shall praise thee, O Lord; and thy saints shall bless thee.

They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power;

To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom.

Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.

The Lord upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down.

The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season.

Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.

The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.

The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.

He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.

The Lord preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy.

My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord: and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.

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Let all of God's creation praise the Lord!!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Praise Ye The Lord

PSALM 111 KJV

Praise ye the Lord. I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.

The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.

His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever.

He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the Lord is gracious and full of compassion.

He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant.

He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen.

The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure.

They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.

He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.

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The works of the Lord are glorious. When you consider all that He has done for you, you will praise Him with your whole heart!

Trust in the Lord for He has and will do marvelous things. He alone has power and wisdom and strength above all things. This God is your God. He has saved you. Give Him praise and thanks!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Today He Died For You

For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night. (Psalm 90:4 KJV)

Was it two thousand years that our Lord Jesus suffered and died on that cross for us? Or, was it just yesterday? 

I often think that we tend to write off what Jesus has done for us as mere history from long ago; a history that is slightly relevant to our time or maybe it is not relevant at all. It has become almost a myth for many who actually profess to be Christian. 

Jesus' death and resurrection was a reality. It is a reality. It is as real today as it was two thousand years ago. It is not just ancient history. 

God's time is not our time. He does not count days like we count days. St. Peter wrote "But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." (2 Peter 3:8)

In your devotions today and tomorrow consider this: today is the Lord's day; everyday is the Lord's day. Today is the day that Jesus died for you. It is the day that he rose from the grave for you. It is the day that he lives for and with and through you. May God grant us all fuller appreciation of this glorious day. 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

A Joyful Noise In Thanksgiving

 

O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.

Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.

For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.

In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also.

The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land.

O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker.

For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.                                                                         

(Psalm 95:1-7a KJV)

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord!

It is way too easy to get stuck focusing on the things that we desire and on those things that we don't have and fail to appreciate the wonderful gifts the Lord of all of creation has given us. Sometimes we get so stuck feeling sorry for ourselves that we fail to see and enjoy the gifts that God has given us.

Make a list today of what you have to be grateful for and be honest with yourself. Be honest. Thank Him for the people around you; for fruitful labor; for a home;  for creation; for life; and for love. Look around and see the glorious works that God has already done for you! Look around and see the gifts that God has given you! Then give thanks making a joyful noise to the Lord our rock and salvation!

Abundant life is experienced when we can appreciate and build upon what God has already given us. Anger and depression are experienced when we only focus on tearing apart the gifts of God. Rejoice and give thanks for the life God has given you!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

According To His Purpose

We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.. (Rom 8:28 NRSV)

Let's just remember that it says for those who are called according to his purpose. God does call each and everyone of us. However, we must remember that he will gifts us individually gifts to serve according to his purpose. To take on a call that we have not been called to is not in the least bit fruitful. To say no to a call that He has called us to is also not fruitful.

Many congregations are on the decline. Could it be that many who attend have chosen to ignore the call to serve? Could it be that others are answering a call that they may not be gifted for?

All things work together for good when we work together according to the gifts that God has given us according to his purpose.

Just something to consider on this glorious God-given day...

God's Peace - Pr. J  

Last Of All

“Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.” (Mark 9:35-37 NRSV)

So who exactly does the world want to welcome: Jesus, God the Father. the little child? 

For a whole lot of the world, these words from Jesus are absolutely worthless. A large part of the world thinks more of themselves than any of these. Believing and following Jesus calls us to be last in the world. Following Jesus means to open our arms to all and that includes the little children. Our comfort; our convenience does not come before serving others according to their needs. 

Jesus was a servant to all. He healed those who were sick. He raised them from the dead. He fed the hungry. He washed his followers' feet. Our Lord, was willing to die that we might live. Our Lord and our King; was willing and even desirous of serving humankind that we might be welcomed by our Father into His presence; not just for life after death; but, so that we could live in His glorious presence even today.

The firstborn of creation; the firstborn from the dead (Col 1:15, 18) became last; the servant of all for all of God's children.  

May God help us to put the lives of all God's children, young and old, before our own comfort and convenience.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Boast Only Of The Lord

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God— not the result of works, so that no one may boast. (Eph 2:8-9 NRSV)

Because we have done nothing to earn our own salvation; let us quit with the boasting. There is no reason for any of us to boast. Christ has done it all for us. Christ is our all in everything. 

One of the most common things that will set off my cringe reaction is seeing someone within the visible church doing something for no reason other than to boast about how wonderful they are. They do this. They do that. They have to be the center of things. They will not lend a hand to the ministry unless they can be at the front and center in order to receive the most attention; the most applause. 

Oh, yes, that applause for something someone has just done or said or sang would be a cringe factor; one of my serious pet peeves. I really don't have a problem if Sunday School children do special music or a program and receive applause. But, I do have a big problem with applauding adults, those who ought to be a little more mature in their faith, by now. I do take issue with people who are feigning to worship God when they are merely looking to be worshipped for their gifts, themselves. I take issue with those who serve within the church so that they may boast of themselves. 

Consider this: have you ever heard anyone applaud after the scripture lessons were read? Have you ever heard anyone applaud after absolution is pronounced or the Good News is read? I certainly have never heard anyone applaud what God has done for us; only what people do within the worship setting. Is not what God has done for us worthy of our applause; given that we would consider applauding the talent of one whom he has created?

I know that we are Lutherans and we don't normally say things like Amen or Hallelujah or Praise the Lord spontaneously during worship. But, praising the Lord spontaneously when we are reminded what God has done for us is appropriate; whether that reminder of what he has done is in a reading, a prayer, a sermon, or a hymn. Praising people for using the gifts that God has given them really sets off, not just my cringe factor, but; the cringe (that just felt so yucky) factor in others, as well. Praising God during a worship setting is most appropriate; praising God's creation at worship is not. We worship the giver not the gifts.

Worship is not about being entertained. It is about worshipping God; about giving thanks and praise and glory and honor to the one who is above all things; the one who has saved us from ourselves. Those who would entertain you with the gifts that God has given them cannot save you. You are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. All applause; all glory and honor, belongs to God, not to humankind. Applause for a particular word or act may be appropriate in a secular setting or even at a Christian concert; but, I definitely question whether it is appropriate to applaud anyone other than God in a worship setting.

Stop the boasting... It only reveals our false god. Sadly, we are usually the false god that we reveal. Praise belongs only to the Lord, for in him is our salvation.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Praise The Lord!

I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws. (Psalm 119:7 NIV)

Praise, ye the Lord! He has done marvelous things for us. From the very beginning until today and for all of eternity, he cares for his creation. 

We have an awesome Lord and Savior. He was willing to give his life that we might live. What will we do in response? Will we praise him at all times and in all places? Will we take the time to learn of the Way that he has prepared for us. He commands us to go and make disciples, to teach others what he has taught us; and to love one another. 

Of course, we are not bound by the law. The blood of Christ has set us free. Yet, what has it set us free to do? What shall we do for one who loves us so much that he would die for us? 

Let us praise the Lord for all that he has done in all that we say and think and do!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Praise Ye The Lord!

May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine on us—
so that your ways may be known on earth,
your salvation among all nations.

May the peoples praise you, God;
may all the peoples praise you.
May the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for you rule the peoples with equity
and guide the nations of the earth.
May the peoples praise you, God;
may all the peoples praise you.

The land yields its harvest;
God, our God, blesses us.
May God bless us still,
so that all the ends of the earth will fear him.

Psalm 67

Oh.... if only... if only His ways would be known upon the whole earth, the peoples would certainly be blessed and the whole world would live in peace.

Oh.... if only... if only humankind could away their self-centeredness; their false gods, and worship  the one true God; the land and all of the people would be blessed so greatly that we would hear joyful songs of praise unto the Lord.

May all the people praise the Lord!

God's Peace - Pr. J

We See Dimly

"When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love."
1 Corinth 13:11-13 NRSV


What a glorious day it will be when we shall see the Lord face to face. But, for now we have faith, hope and love as we wait for the day when the shadow is gone; the shroud is removed and the fog is lifted so that we will see His full glory as we stand before Him.

No matter how dimly we might see now; it is better than not seeing or knowing Him at all. May God open our eyes that we might see and know Him more clearly each and every day.

God's Peace - Pr. J

To Know Him

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. Eph 1:17

That is the goal... that we might know Him better. Here is our Father in heaven. Here is the one who created us. Here is the one who saves us. Why would we not want to get to know Him better? The purpose of being reconciled to God our Father through the blood shed by our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ, is so that we can come before God's presence. It is so that we might walk with Him, not just in this world, but for all eternity. The gates to Paradise were closed. Humanity was exiled. But, now the gates to Paradise have been flung wide open. Your sins are forgiven. Enter into the Kingdom that has been prepared for you. Enter into His presence and get to know Him better. He is; after all, your Father in Heaven!

May God give to all the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that we might know Him and His good will for all people better.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Experience Peaceful Waters

"He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters." Psalm 23:2

Some of us really enjoy green pastures and still waters. It is a place where we can experience God's presence and His peace more fully. Others do not do not appreciate it so much. Others prefer the chaos so often found in the world.

Like a descended, the things of this world often attempt to descend upon the glory of God's Kingdom so that we cannot see or experience clearly the gift of peace that comes with following Jesus. But, God is always there for us; to lead us out of the fog and into His glorious light.

May God grant that the fog be lifted for all who would believe that we might live in His peace.

God's Peace - Pr. J

The Trees Sing For Joy!

Let the trees of the forest sing, 
let them sing for joy before the Lord,
    for he comes to judge the earth.

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    his love endures forever.

1 Chronicles 16:33-34 NIV

It is no secret that I love wooded areas and the water! Their majestic nature reminds me that God created all things beautiful. We have so much to be thankful for. Let us rejoice in those things rather than dwell on the things that we may not appreciate so much. We give thanks not just for the beauty of His creation; but, for the gift of His most beautiful Son, who gave his life for us. Through his blood we have been promised the gift of eternal life in His Kingdom; in His glorious presence!

Let not just the trees sing for joy; but, let us all rejoice before the Lord! Give thanks to Him, for he is good; his love endures forever.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Weathering Storms

   One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.
   The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”
   He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples."  (Luke 8:22-15 NIV)

Storms will come and go in all of our lives. Some of us seem to endure more than others. In the story from Luke, Jesus is with the disciples when the storm arises. His presence does not mean that the storms will not come. In fact, it may mean more storms. But, we know that, with a little patience and a whole lot of faith that Jesus is with us no matter how rough the storm gets, we will pass through the storms into the glorious light of the Son.

God grant us the faith and the patience to weather the storms until You decide that it is time for the storms to be stilled. Amen  

God's Peace - Pr. J