Sing Praises To God

A reading from Psalm 68:4-6 KJV; Rejoice and sing praises to God.

Sing To God

Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name Jah, and rejoice before him. A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation. (Psalm 68:4-5 KJV)

It never hurts to sings praises. But, it does hurt to be negative all of the time and refrain from singing songs of praise and thanksgiving.

When we think we have nothing; we have something. When we think we have no one. We have someone. We have our Father in heaven who will cover the hurts of those who call upon him that we may rejoice and sing to God songs of praise and thanksgiving. We have Jesus the Christ who has come to save us from our sins. Praise the Lord!

Praise ye the Lord. O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. (Psalm 106:1)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

A Peculiar People

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

                                                                                  (1 Peter 2:9-10 KJV)

I dislike having to check the box for my race as is required on so many forms. I especially dislike having to check a box if it is related to something within the church. That may be partly due to the fact that I am a "mutt." But, more than that is the fact that no matter what blood lines I have inherited through family; I am a child of God; adopted into the holy nation the blood of Jesus. If there is a blank line for other, I usually write in "Holy Nation."

Each race has it's own culture and even within the various races the culture varies depending on the geographical region. That is also true for the people of a "Holy Nation." There may be variances in the way we live and worship; but, together we make up one truly awesome spiritual house. The differences really make no difference. What is important to understand is that we belong to the spiritual house built on the precious cornerstone, who is Jesus the Christ; the one who gave himself for us.

Since, we are members of this spiritual house, this "Holy Nation", we also ought to live as members of the holy priesthood, living in reverence and loving service to the King of all kings. According to St. Peter that means to live in loving service to one another. It's not about us. It's about all of us together living in reverence to God our Father and our Lord, Jesus the Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Rejoice And Sing Praises

 PSALM 96 (KJV)

O sing unto the Lord a new song: sing unto the Lord, all the earth.

Sing unto the Lord, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day.

Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.

For the Lord is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods.

For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the Lord made the heavens.

Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

Give unto the Lord, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the Lord glory and strength.

Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts.

O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.

Say among the heathen that the Lord reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously.

Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof.

Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice

Before the Lord: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.

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There is only one God worthy to be praised. All of creation knows this; except maybe humankind. May the Almighty God, Creator of heaven and earth open all ears to hear; our eyes to see; and our hearts to love and worship Him.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

A Holy Nation; A Royal Priesthood

"The Lord has made proclamation
    to the ends of the earth:
“Say to Daughter Zion,
    ‘See, your Savior comes!
See, his reward is with him,
    and his recompense accompanies him.’”
They will be called the Holy People,
    the Redeemed of the Lord;
and you will be called Sought After,     the City No Longer Deserted."
                                  (Isa 62:11-12 NIV)

The LORD declares through Isaiah the Savior comes! And... through Him the people will be reconciled to God. Through him it is as St. Peter wrote: "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.  Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. (1 Peter 2:9-10)

How awesome is that! You are a member of a royal priesthood, a holy nation! You belong to God and because you have been called out of the darkness into His marvelous light, you desire to declare praises of Him! That's what those who have been called into relationship with God, those who have been called into His kingdom, do. They proclaim the Good News! That's what Isaiah did! That is what St. Peter did! That is what all members of that holy nation are called to do. How could anyone who has received their inheritance in the holy nation, the kingdom of God, do otherwise?!

So... the question is: are you proclaiming the kingdom of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord, our  Savior, and our King?

God's Peace - Pr. J

With Great Joy!

"And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God." (Luke 24:50-53 NIV)

You watched your friend executed and then a few days later you see him walking around. You talk with him. He is risen! Can you imagine the joy in your heart at seeing your friend who was dead now lives? If that's not enough to give you joy that overflows your heart and mind, now you are outside of the city and you witnessing him being carried up into heaven. No wonder scripture tells us that the disciples "returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God."

So what's changed for us today? Jesus is still risen! He has ascended to our heavenly home; the home that he has prepared for us! This is great news! Receive the reality of this promise and share it with the people around you. Help them to know the joy that comes from knowing that Jesus lives and he lives for you and all people. Make a joyful noise, sing His praises, as you bless the Lord, your God

God's Peace - Pr. J

Chosen!

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9 NIV

You are God's beloved child, God's special possession. You belong to Him and He is yours. You've probably heard it said that, "God doesn't make junk." He doesn't! So, if you're treating yourself or others like junk, please, stop. You and all who believe belong to the family of God. We are children of our Heavenly Father and so we declare the praises of Him who has called us into His wonderful light.

He has called all who believe in Him to be priests, members of a holy nation. We have been set apart to live in this world to proclaim the Good News of His love for all; proclaiming the Good News of His Kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Live then not as children cowering in darkness; but, live life as children in the light of Christ. Live life fully as children of our heavenly Father. Live life boldly as priests who are called to lift up the name of God our Father who has made us His own through Jesus the Christ our Lord and brother by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Live life in Christ, dear child of God!

God's Peace - Pr. J