Find a quiet place this morning, and turn to Psalm 8. Before you read, think of some of the most beautiful places you’ve seen on earth. Think of some of the most beautiful creations you’ve seen. Take a moment and bask in the wonder of those creations. Now, read Psalm 8:1-2.
O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.
Take a moment now to bask in our Creator. Think of the Names of the Lord, or adjectives to describe Him. Fill your lips and your hearts with praise and adoration of Him. If you need some help getting started: Almighty God, Beautiful, Comforter, our Deliverer, Everlasting, Faithful…keep going….
After you’ve taken a moment to adore and praise Him, continue on: Psalm 8:3-5
When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him? You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.
The God of the Universe crowned us with glory and honor. The God who set the moon and stars in place… The God who created the mountains and the oceans, who commands the lightning to strike and who created light... He is mindful of us! And He crowns us! What an awesome thought! Read on: Psalm 8:6-8
You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet; all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.
With one word, He brought incredible things into being, and yet, He makes us ruler over His creation. He trusts us to care for it. Wow! What a responsibility, but even more so, what an honor!!! Praise with your whole heart the last verse of this great Psalm:
O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
Take the opportunity today to see some of the works of His hand. Enjoy today the sweet fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ. We have the highest, most wonderful opportunity today—and that is to worship Him. Make today a day of worship. May our hearts be abandoned in everything to His praise!
O Lord, OUR LORD, How MAJESTIC is Your NAME in ALL the Earth!
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Salt and Light Version 2
Matthew 5:13-16 says,
You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
As I was reading this originally, I was thinking, “Yes…of course we are to be salt and light. That’s our whole purpose in life.” But, then I began thinking about what people actually SEE when they see us. What do our facial expressions show? Our demeanor as we encounter bad drivers, busy schedules, slow waiters, etc? What to people think who have never spoken to us, but just see our outward appearance? My prayer is that we radiate with joy as we “minister” through our days—that they don’t see another grumpy, dissatisfied, joyless, faceless person...but that we make an impact.
I remember being in Cuba last summer (July). It was so hot there that every time we drank a bottle of water, it just ran out our pores. It felt like hydration was futile! But, there was one night that this woman came up to me. I could tell by the look on her face that she was blessed by the service, and in her broken English, she said to me, “I come here every night, and I see your face—and the sweat that pours off of you. You are so hot and sweaty….” Okay…at this point I was thinking “You came all the way over here to tell me that? Thanks for pointing out the obvious.” But then she continued, “…but God has blessed us through your music and through the worship here. The joy is evident in your face.” Whew….she hadn’t just seen me sweat! She had worshiped God & seen joy.
The fact of the matter is, each one of us is being observed, even when we don’t realize it. We may be observed by another team church member, a neighbor, a child or a stranger. We need to protect our witness at every turn. As you make that extra effort each day to be a witness, remember that your touch or hug to a person may be the only one he/she receives today. As your voice is tired, or your arms ache from playing, remember that the message that you sing and play may fall on ears that are opened to the Gospel for the first time. As you keep your cool during a frustrating traffic jam, remember that you may be just the person to help calm another soul. As you bring a Christmas gift to an orphan or a person less fortunate, remember that you may be the only “Jesus with skin on” that they see this Christmas. Souls can be won to Christ even today through your everyday living of life.
Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. You know…I didn’t mind that the Cuban woman saw me sweat, as long as she was somehow pointed to my Father in Heaven, and blessed because of it.
Father, help us to serve you with joy today. As we ache, fill us with Your strength. As our minds and attitudes grow weary, fill us with Your joy. Help us to be aware that we are witnesses 24/7, and help the people everywhere to see You through our daily lives. All of the glory is Yours, Father. We love You! Amen.
You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
As I was reading this originally, I was thinking, “Yes…of course we are to be salt and light. That’s our whole purpose in life.” But, then I began thinking about what people actually SEE when they see us. What do our facial expressions show? Our demeanor as we encounter bad drivers, busy schedules, slow waiters, etc? What to people think who have never spoken to us, but just see our outward appearance? My prayer is that we radiate with joy as we “minister” through our days—that they don’t see another grumpy, dissatisfied, joyless, faceless person...but that we make an impact.
I remember being in Cuba last summer (July). It was so hot there that every time we drank a bottle of water, it just ran out our pores. It felt like hydration was futile! But, there was one night that this woman came up to me. I could tell by the look on her face that she was blessed by the service, and in her broken English, she said to me, “I come here every night, and I see your face—and the sweat that pours off of you. You are so hot and sweaty….” Okay…at this point I was thinking “You came all the way over here to tell me that? Thanks for pointing out the obvious.” But then she continued, “…but God has blessed us through your music and through the worship here. The joy is evident in your face.” Whew….she hadn’t just seen me sweat! She had worshiped God & seen joy.
The fact of the matter is, each one of us is being observed, even when we don’t realize it. We may be observed by another team church member, a neighbor, a child or a stranger. We need to protect our witness at every turn. As you make that extra effort each day to be a witness, remember that your touch or hug to a person may be the only one he/she receives today. As your voice is tired, or your arms ache from playing, remember that the message that you sing and play may fall on ears that are opened to the Gospel for the first time. As you keep your cool during a frustrating traffic jam, remember that you may be just the person to help calm another soul. As you bring a Christmas gift to an orphan or a person less fortunate, remember that you may be the only “Jesus with skin on” that they see this Christmas. Souls can be won to Christ even today through your everyday living of life.
Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. You know…I didn’t mind that the Cuban woman saw me sweat, as long as she was somehow pointed to my Father in Heaven, and blessed because of it.
Father, help us to serve you with joy today. As we ache, fill us with Your strength. As our minds and attitudes grow weary, fill us with Your joy. Help us to be aware that we are witnesses 24/7, and help the people everywhere to see You through our daily lives. All of the glory is Yours, Father. We love You! Amen.
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On Top of Pecos Baldy
...what a memory!
