blessed be Your name

I was at a Newsboys concert the other evening. It was a fantastic concert. These guys really know how to entertain yet bring us back to the reality that there is only one way, one truth and one life and that is found in Jesus Christ. They began to play the song “Blessed Be Your Name” and everyone in the audience was singing along. The mood was upbeat and joyous and then I began to really consider the lyrics of the song.

I began to wonder how many of us at the concert, were really thinking about the lyrics? Do we just sing along to anything we hear and not ponder the words we are singing? When life deals us those low blows, how many of us would really “choose to say blessed be Your name?” Are we really willing to bless His name when the circumstances that come our way are less than perfect? Or will we turn our backs and try to handle things in our own flesh? If we are believers we are all too familiar with Romans 8:28 “All things work together for good…” Have we really taken that to heart or is it only head knowledge. We need to ask the Lord to take those things we know and make them things that we really believe, heart, mind and soul.

Here are the song lyrics.

Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name

Blessed Be Your name
When I’m found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I’ll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be Your name
When the sun’s shining down on me
When the world’s ‘all as it should be’
Blessed be Your name

Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there’s pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name

words & music: Matt & Beth Redman

on forgiveness

‘And forgive us our sins, For we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.’ ” Luke 11:14

A couple of days ago I posted a quote from Corrie Ten Boom on forgiveness. That post has been the most visited post I have on my blog. So I began to ask myself why. First and foremost, it’s a great quote. And if you are familiar with Corrie Ten Boom’s life story you would be even more astonished as to when and to whom she was referring when she said it. But I’ll leave the research part up to you.

Secondly, I believe that as a society we suffer from the condition of unforgiveness. We want to take matters into our own hands and we won’t allow a just God the opportunity to work. Forgiveness is such an important subject to the Lord that it is one of the primary themes in the “Lord’s Prayer.” We are so accustomed to hearing the prayer that it has lost it’s effectiveness in our lives. God, however, knows that unforgiveness in the life of a believer is like a cancer. When we allow that cancer to spread we are led into temptation. What kinds of temptation…revenge, scheming, trickery. We are consumed with how to get back at the person that hurt us. In our minds we become obsessed with the situation. In the meantime, the person that wronged us is going around life as chipper as can be without an inkling as to what we are going through. The honest truth is that they may not even realize that they have wronged us.

The Lord knows that in order for us to get on with our own lives we need to forgive. Healing occurs in our own hearts and lives when we finally trust God to deal with those wrongs. He is just and faithful, and all things will be revealed sooner or later. Trust that the Lord has it all under control. Allow Him to help you forgive those indebted to you.

simple truths

If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. Colossians 3:1-2

In this passage of scripture we are exhorted to seek those things which are above, and set our mind on things above, not on the things of this earth. The Christian life is simple yet not easy. Our natural “default” setting is to think and reach for the earthly things. Once we give our lives to Christ and our spiritual person is born, we have to constantly struggle with the natural man to make the right heavenly choices. You see setting our minds on the things of this earth will never satisfy, they will never fulfill. They are sure to lead us in a direction that will put us far from God. But those things which are above are certain, they are true, they are everlasting. Only those things will satisfy us because in them we will find the only thing that will fill the empty void we all have and that is, a relationship with God the Father through Jesus Christ. We must, then, make a conscious effort to daily seek and set our minds on those things which are above.

So, how do we do practically seek and set our minds on things above? We have to be willing to choose to spend time in the Word of God. Spend time in prayer. Spend time with things that build us up in God instead of merely entertain us. And finally we have to take time to gather together with others in the Lord. These truths will always point us in the right direction. The question then becomes will we take time to follow these simple truths?

serve with gladness

Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
Psalm 100:2

God has a specific plan and purpose for each one of our lives. When we are in that perfect plan, our service to the Lord is done with gladness. We are able to come before Him with singing. When we have been compelled to do something that is outside of God’s will for us, we will find ourselves doing things out of duty rather than devotion. Our activities become dull and lifeless. We lose the joy and gladness.

If your service to the Lord has lost its flavor ask the Lord to reveal whether you are in His perfect plan or if you have decided to do something that He doesn’t even want you involved in. Let Him be the one to direct your steps and your life as you live the life of faith.

personal deliverance

This morning I read this devotional and, although it does not correspond to today’s date, it was in God’s perfect timing for me to read it. I hope it ministers to you as it did me. It comes out of O.C. Chamber’s “Utmost for His Highest” dated June 27.

The Overshadowing of God’s Personal Deliverance
. . . I am with you to deliver you,’ says the Lord — Jeremiah 1:8

God promised Jeremiah that He would deliver him personally— “. . . your life shall be as a prize to you . . .” (Jeremiah 39:18). That is all God promises His children. Wherever God sends us, He will guard our lives. Our personal property and possessions are to be a matter of indifference to us, and our hold on these things should be very loose. If this is not the case, we will have panic, heartache, and distress. Having the proper outlook is evidence of the deeply rooted belief in the overshadowing of God’s personal deliverance.

The Sermon on the Mount indicates that when we are on a mission for Jesus Christ, there is no time to stand up for ourselves. Jesus says, in effect, “Don’t worry about whether or not you are being treated justly.” Looking for justice is actually a sign that we have been diverted from our devotion to Him. Never look for justice in this world, but never cease to give it. If we look for justice, we will only begin to complain and to indulge ourselves in the discontent of self-pity, as if to say, “Why should I be treated like this?” If we are devoted to Jesus Christ, we have nothing to do with what we encounter, whether it is just or unjust. In essence, Jesus says, “Continue steadily on with what I have told you to do, and I will guard your life. If you try to guard it yourself, you remove yourself from My deliverance.” Even the most devout among us become atheistic in this regard— we do not believe Him. We put our common sense on the throne and then attach God’s name to it. We do lean to our own understanding, instead of trusting God with all our hearts (see Proverbs 3:5-6).

the Lord’s Prayer

Our Father Who Art In Heaven.
Yes?
Don’t interrupt me. I’m praying.
But — you called ME!
Called you? No, I didn’t call you. I ‘m praying. Our Father who art in Heaven.
There — you did it again!
Did what?
Called ME. You said,”Our Father who art in Heaven.” Well, here I am. What’s on your mind?
But I didn’t mean anything by it. I was, you know, just saying my prayers for the day. I always say the Lord’s Prayer. It makes me feel good, kind of like fulfilling a duty.
Well, all right. Go on.
Okay, Hallowed be thy name.
Hold it right there. What do you mean by that?
By what?
By “Hallowed be thy name”?
It means, it means … good grief, I don’t know what it means. How in the world should I know? It’s just a part of the prayer. By the way, what does it mean?
It means honored, holy, wonderful.
Hey, that makes sense. I never thought about what ‘hallowed’ meant before. Thanks. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.
Do you really mean that?
Sure, why not?
What are you doing about it?
Doing? Why, nothing, I guess. I just think it would be kind of neat if you got control, of everything down here like you have up there. We’re kinda in a mess down here you know.
Yes, I know; but, have I got control of you?
Well, I go to church.
That isn’t what I asked you. What about your bad temper? You’ve really got a problem there, you know. And then there’s the way you spend your money — all on yourself. And what about the kind of books you read?
Now hold on just a minute! Stop picking on me! I’m just as good as some of the rest of those people at church!
Excuse ME. I thought you were praying for my will to be done. If that is to happen, it will have to start with the ones who are praying for it. Like you — for example.
Oh, all right. I guess I do have some hang-ups. Now that you mention it, I could probably name some others.
So could I.
I haven’t thought about it very much until now, but I really would like to cut out some of those things. I would like to, you know, be really free.
Good. Now we’re getting somewhere. We’ll work together — You and ME. I’m proud of You.
Look, Lord, if you don’t mind, I need to finish up here. This is taking a lot longer than it usually does. Give us this day, our daily bread.
You need to cut out the bread. You’re overweight as it is.
Hey, wait a minute! What is this? Here I was doing my religious duty, and all of a sudden you break in and remind me of all my hang-ups.
Praying is a dangerous thing. You just might get what you ask for. Remember, you called ME — and here I am. It’s too late to stop now. Keep praying. Well, go on.
I’m scared to.
Scared? Of what?
I know what you’ll say.
Try ME.
Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.
What about Ann?
See? I knew it! I knew you would bring her up! Why, Lord, she’s told lies about me, spread stories. She never paid back the money she owes me. I’ve sworn to get even with her!
But — your prayer — What about your prayer?
I didn’t — mean it.
Well, at least you’re honest. But, it’s quite a load carrying around all that bitterness and resentment isn’t it?
Yes, but I’ll feel better as soon as I get even with her. Boy, have I got some plans for her. She’ll wish she had never been born.
No, you won’t feel any better. You’ll feel worse. Revenge isn’t sweet. You know how unhappy you are — Well, I can change that.
You can? How?
Forgive Ann. Then, I’ll forgive you; And the hate and the sin, will be Ann’s problem — not yours. You will have settled the problem as far as you are concerned.
Oh, you know, you’re right. You always are. And more than I want revenge, I want to be right with You (sigh). All right all right. I forgive her.
There now! Wonderful! How do you feel?
Hmmmm. Well, not bad. Not bad at all! In fact, I feel pretty great! You know, I don’t think I’ll go to bed uptight tonight. I haven’t been getting much rest, you know.
Yeah, I know. But, you’re not through with your prayer are you? Go on.
Oh, all right. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Good! Good! I’ll do that. Just don’t put yourself in a place where you can be tempted.
What do you mean by that?
You know what I mean.
Yeah. I know.
Okay. Go ahead. Finish your prayer.
For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
Do you know what would bring me glory — What would really make me happy?
No, but I’d like to know. I want to please you now. I’ve really made a mess of things. I want to truly follow you. I can see now how great that would be. So, tell me. How do I make you happy?
YOU just did.

thought of the day

After the death of Jehoiada, the officials of Judah came and paid homage to the king, and he listened to them. They abandoned the temple of the Lord, the God of their fathers, and worshiped Asherah poles and idols. Because of their guilt, God’s anger came upon Judah and Jerusalem. Although the Lord sent prophets to the people to bring them back to him, and though they testified against them, they would not listen. 2 Chronicles 24:17-19

Jehoiada was the “spiritual father” of Joash. Once he died, Joash was approached by the officials of Judah. It says in the text that they paid homage to the king and he listened. If Joash would not have listened the trouble that comes the way of Judah could have been avoided.

I think this short passage of scripture is rich with insight for our daily lives. So what can we learn… One, if our children’s spiritual walk (whether they are biological children or new believer’s God has placed under our care) is dependent on us, as soon as we are gone, they will “listen” to the advice of the world. We need to make sure that we are always allowing them to mature in the things of the Lord. How do we allow that? We offer guidance and advice and then get out of the way. We cannot make every decision for them and we cannot allow them to make sorry excuses for bad decisions. They must learn to choose and reap the consequences of their own choices.

Two, we need to learn to discern between sincere compliments and mere flattery. I am always weary of people who come to me with alot of honey. You know the kind, they want to butter you up before they move in for the kill. We need to have a right assessment of ourselves through God’s eyes. There was only one perfect man and that was Jesus. Our good actions should point people to Him. Don’t be led astray by people who will say anything to get what they want.

Three, don’t let anyone ever lead you to abandon the temple of the Lord and worship to Him. Sometimes we become distracted by relationships and think that if we miss church one time there will not be any consequences. The problem comes, that if we are willing to miss out once to spend more time with the person, we will continue to miss. Our relationship with that person might grow but our most important relationship, our relationship with God will grow cold and, unless we repent, we will grow stale.

Finally, we need to listen to those godly people that God sends our way. God uses people to speak the truth to us. If we will listen it will save us much heartache.

thought of the day

I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit–fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other.
John 15:15-17

Jesus has made the knowledge of our Heavenly Father’s “business” available to us. He is our Friend and wants to make known to us His thoughts and plans for our lives. Normally what happens, however, is that we are not available to Him. We are too busy “running our own business” to listen to what He has and wants for us.

“How do I know God’s will for my life?” Simple, abide in the branch. Read His Word, pray and seek His face daily. His will comes as naturally as an apple tree bearing apples. You never see an apple tree struggling to bear fruit. The fruit is the natural by-product of the tree. Our fruit should come just as naturally by the supernatural work of God living in us. By spending time with the Lord and in the Lord, He will put you in places and situations where you will be able to share the fruit of your personal devotions with those around you. Stop struggling to find God’s will. Abide in Him and you will bear fruit that lasts. It’s His promise to us!

on being an example

After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? You call me `Teacher’ and `Lord,’ and you are right, because it is true. And since I, the Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. How true it is that a servant is not greater than the master. Nor are messengers more important than the one who sends them. You know these things-now do them! That is the path of blessing. John 13:12-17

Jesus is our ultimate example. We know that unless we have His Spirit living inside of us it is impossible for us to accomplish those tasks that He prepared for us before the foundations of the world. One of the main things we are supposed to do as believers is “wash one another’s feet,” that is, to serve one another in love. If we are not doing that we have missed one of the highest callings of our lives. Our desire alot of times is to accomplish great things for the Lord, yet, we fail miserably on the greater thing and that is to serve one another. In that is the path of blessing!

Thought of the Day

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 (NIV)

In our family we don’t use the word coincidence. We have replaced the word coincidence with “God”incidence. We have realized that everything that happens in our lives and in the lives of people around us has a God-ordained purpose. I am amazed at how God has embroidered this tapestry we call life. I’m fascinated by stories of how people give their lives to the Lord. This girl met that girl who knows this girl and got invited to this church or this event, and so on, and so on.

Our God is a God of details. He fashioned and formed us from our mother’s womb. He knows exactly what it will take for us to come running to Him. Be encouraged. God knows each one of those friends and family members you have been praying for. Continue to pray for them. Continue to invite them to church and church events. Don’t grow weary. In God’s perfect time those whom we think are totally out of the reach of God will give their lives to Him.