Opened Windows

30 SECOND SCRIPTURE ENCOURAGEMENT: Ever feel those moments when life circumstances seem to hold you captive?  Daniel of the Bible was up against such moments. Bad, conspiring, and long, day in - day out moments. Yet DAILY he went to his room “where the windows opened toward Jerusalem” and he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God (Daniel 6:10). Don’t you love the detail of scripture? It could have just read, “Daniel went home and prayed.”  But it speaks of opened windows. God too will provide open windows for us.  Windows giving us refreshment and a view of promise.  And just like Daniel, we will find them when we are heading to HIM!  Look for the detail of God in your life.

Voluntarily Lifting

This week in our women’s study we looked at King David’s Psalm 23:2, “He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.” We were taken to Matthew 11:28-30, paralleling 'leading and surrendering' principles. “Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens and I will give you rest. Take My yoke
upon you. Let Me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you
will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” (NLT). Additional yoking notes: When fitting the ox with the yoke, it is BEST that the ox raises its head up into the yoke for the most comfortable and easy fit. This comes with time and trust, that the animal is willing to voluntarily lift their head to the master. If the yoke is forced down, the fit could cause irritation, causing the ox to lean, favoring one side, and not working with partnered ox at full potential. Jesus says, "Take My yoke... for My yoke is easy to bear." May we rise up into His yoke and allow His ‘making’ and ‘leading’.

He helps me do what honors Him the most

"He gives me new strength. He helps me do what honors Him the most." (Psalm 23:3, paraphrased - The Living Bible).  I love the simplicity.  God not only commands, but He helps! Have a God-leadeth and helps to honor, day.

He is

I am noticing something. Anyone else? As I study the Attributes of God, I am having to go further back. Back a few years to some of the old theologians (i.e. Tozer, Pink, Murray, Spurgeon, Chambers) to get PAST... us. In today's current society - it is all about us. How God affects us. And He does, blessedly so. But can we stop and take a true 'Selah' (Hang it up for a moment) and just take in how sovereign God is. How HOLY He is. How powerful He is. BEFORE we start with the list of how cool it is that "I am now..." > He is.

Coram Deo

We've heard the phrase 'Carpe Diem' (Latin for 'Seize the day') invoking excitement, energy - conveying a battle cry of sorts. Yet I would offer - 'Coram Deo', it too is Latin. It basically means "Before the face of God." I cannot imagine what my life would look like if I considered this prior to beginning each day, each conversation, each action. Making myself aware that whatever I am doing (reading, watching, listening to) wherever I am going and how I am acting is under the gaze of God. Not with the mindset, "OH, better not - God is watching" - but the heart attitude of being so profoundly aware of His sovereignty, that I live my life under the authority of God - to the glory of God. "Coram Deo!"

Wise Indeed

30 SECOND BIBLE STUDY: 1 Kings 4, speaks of Solomon being stinkin wise. Then it lists those he was wiser than. In this list: 'Ethan the Ezrahite'. Can you imagine going down in permanent ink history, basically being said of you, “not so wise guy.”   Some might say, overshadowed by another. BUT. Scholars believe Psalm 89 is attributed to this same Ethan the Ezrahite. He writes of God's steadfast love & faithfulness of covenant, with strong worship-filled words, "I will sing of the LORD's great love forever; with my mouth, I will make Your faithfulness known through all generations.  I will declare that Your love stands firm forever.” (vv1-2). Overshadowed? No! He sings.  He declares.  Wise indeed! Happy Wednesday.

YOU!

"O God, thou art my God; EARLY will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee..." – King David, Psalm 63:1 (emphasis mine). I love the Psalms. So poetic. So HONEST! David starts this song with the echo of divine passionate longing, “O God, thou art my God!”  He then states ‘early’ I seek thee. This early isn't just a time frame mentioned, but a declaration of discipline. Literally, David is saying, EARNESTLY I will seek YOU! Painstakingly I will set aside all things and YOU will be my focus. My ‘in the moment – first thing’ before I take off running... YOU! May we too make it a 'YOU' day! 

How often do we burst forth in excitement when we are thrilled and easily applaud performers, sports figures, musicians, and actors.  But in church? YES! Wait!  What?  Psalm 47:1 "Come, everyone! Clap your hands! Shout to God with joyful praise!" Why urge people to clap and shout to God? Because "…the LORD, the Most High is awesome, a great King over all the earth." (v2).  It is an ancient traditional symbol of royal acceptance within a coronation ceremony. We find this in 2 Kings 11, the coronation of Joash. They brought out, “the king’s son, placed the crown on his head and presented him with a copy of God’s laws. They anointed him and proclaimed him king, and everyone clapped their hands and shouted, “Long live the king!”  (v12).  Doing so, shows approval, agreement, and recognition. The next time we are in church (YAY!) and clapping during worship, remember you are giving physical recognition to ROYAL SOVEREIGNTY. King Jesus.