Hebrews 10:19-25
"So, friends, we can now—without hesitation—walk right up to God, into "the Holy Place." Jesus has cleared the way by the blood of his sacrifice, acting as our priest before God. The "curtain" into God's presence is his body. So let's do it—full of belief, confident that we're presentable inside and out. Let's keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let's see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching."
The Holy of Holies: The place where God dwells. The glorious and magnificent throne room where for years we have confidently been entering to find His undeserved and undying mercy and grace for the days, the months and the years ahead of us. The form and the songs may have changed and evolved over the years but the beauty and adoration that flows out of a heart that has been loved back to life by Jesus, is as miraculous and captivating today as it was when the first person knelt at the feet of Jesus way back at the beginning of time. Because the precious intimate Saviour King we get to walk with and worship today is the same saviour who rescued the hearts of our grandparents and our parents. We worship the same Jesus - the same Precious and Holy Spirit as you, as me, as the thousands of generations who have gone before us, who have paved the way, and the same Jesus for those ones who are to come.
Our generation has had the privilege of looking back. We grew up watching and learning from our parents and grandparents of the faith, sing and love on the King. We stand in awe as we watch these pillars of the church with loyalty and faithfulness clutch the hand of Jesus in worship and adoration. It is because of this fierce love for Him - a love that sticks by Jesus despite all the obstacles and weathers of life -that we know He must be real. It is because we have held the hands of previous generations that we have dared to enter for ourselves the throne room of the Almighty King. Because of what has gone before us we know that He is real, and further more, we ourselves have fallen in love with Him in our own unique and deep way.
And so we look ahead. We take where we have come from, and the thread that makes us 21st Century “twenty –somethings” unique to the Father, we look into His eyes, find all the love that we need in this loveless, broken world, and we, too, bow in awe before our personal and wonderful King. We sing our songs, we express to Him our love, and once again, just as He captivated the hearts of those before us, He takes our hearts for Him alone.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Thursday, June 24, 2010
149
Psalm 145:4 (nkj)
"One generation shall praise Your works to another, And shall declare Your mighty acts."
Our God is so perfect and wonderful, and His goodness is for years and years and years. You're loving Jesus from where you're standing (age, place...) and other people - young, old and inbetween - are loving Jesus in their own way, in their own lifetime and at the age they happen to be. It's a nice thought, all the ages loving Jesus in different seasons and styles. We've all seen His love and greatness span over the course of our own lives and we're all seeing Him move across the earth from our own perspective and context's. It's exciting to know that His love and strong hands stretch across the generations, and we have the honor of living a life and serving a King whose love and miracles span distances much wider and longer than we can possibly conceive in our mind and contain in one lifetime.
So, all this to say: tell all the people around you about what He has done. Keep His name pure and lovely around the earth by telling people about all the good things Jesus has done in your life and in the world. It's a beautiful act of worship to express the love and delight we have in Him to those that have gone before us, to those beside us, and to those who are to come. We must hold each other's hands' and tell them what He means to us, and what He has done for us. Tell people that God does good things. This will strengthen those around you and not to mention your own soul.
Take some time to write a little list - literally - of all the good things he has done in your life, in the history of your family, and in the history of the human race. Read over the list, praise HIm for it, then tell young and old all about what He has done. As you sit with your friends or family and hang out, maybe say a couple things that you've seen God do in you, the world and in the lives of those around you. You will be encouraged knowing that no matter how dark things get down here on this earth, God is moving. He is real, and He is mighty!
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"One generation shall praise Your works to another, And shall declare Your mighty acts."
Our God is so perfect and wonderful, and His goodness is for years and years and years. You're loving Jesus from where you're standing (age, place...) and other people - young, old and inbetween - are loving Jesus in their own way, in their own lifetime and at the age they happen to be. It's a nice thought, all the ages loving Jesus in different seasons and styles. We've all seen His love and greatness span over the course of our own lives and we're all seeing Him move across the earth from our own perspective and context's. It's exciting to know that His love and strong hands stretch across the generations, and we have the honor of living a life and serving a King whose love and miracles span distances much wider and longer than we can possibly conceive in our mind and contain in one lifetime.
So, all this to say: tell all the people around you about what He has done. Keep His name pure and lovely around the earth by telling people about all the good things Jesus has done in your life and in the world. It's a beautiful act of worship to express the love and delight we have in Him to those that have gone before us, to those beside us, and to those who are to come. We must hold each other's hands' and tell them what He means to us, and what He has done for us. Tell people that God does good things. This will strengthen those around you and not to mention your own soul.
Take some time to write a little list - literally - of all the good things he has done in your life, in the history of your family, and in the history of the human race. Read over the list, praise HIm for it, then tell young and old all about what He has done. As you sit with your friends or family and hang out, maybe say a couple things that you've seen God do in you, the world and in the lives of those around you. You will be encouraged knowing that no matter how dark things get down here on this earth, God is moving. He is real, and He is mighty!
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Tuesday, June 22, 2010
148
Psalm 121:7-8 (nkj)
"The LORD shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore."
People (including myself) talk about self-preservation. We go about life trying to keep hurt and harm at an arms length, trying to prevent ourselves from getting damaged. If we have been hurt, or we fear being hurt, we behave and relate to people in a way that protects and guards the heart and soul from getting hurt and broken. The thing is, though, we don't really have to live like this. We can love people with an open hand and heart having full confidence that God is preserving our souls for us. He preserves your "going out and your coming in": everywhere you go and everywhere you are - driving your car, walking out your front door, walking back in your front door, going about your business throughout the day - he is preserving every step you take. The things that matter to your life, the soul things, He watches over and preserves in all you do. And the writer of this psalm must really 'get' it. He must get that we need to be looked after so we don't shrivel up and die like a piece of old neglected fruit. He says the word "preserve" three times. You need to be held, guarded and protected as you live in this broken world.
You may actually feel like a shriveled up piece of fruit left out in the sun, not remembered and preserved at all. You may have just lost a job (your income), the person you loved, a best friend, or maybe over the years loneliness and grief have left you discouraged and hopeless. Perhaps your mind is breaking under the pressures of work and family responsibilities. But, sweet soul, He is watching over you forevermore. You are still alive because of His-preservation. And He preserves you for great things.
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"The LORD shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore."
People (including myself) talk about self-preservation. We go about life trying to keep hurt and harm at an arms length, trying to prevent ourselves from getting damaged. If we have been hurt, or we fear being hurt, we behave and relate to people in a way that protects and guards the heart and soul from getting hurt and broken. The thing is, though, we don't really have to live like this. We can love people with an open hand and heart having full confidence that God is preserving our souls for us. He preserves your "going out and your coming in": everywhere you go and everywhere you are - driving your car, walking out your front door, walking back in your front door, going about your business throughout the day - he is preserving every step you take. The things that matter to your life, the soul things, He watches over and preserves in all you do. And the writer of this psalm must really 'get' it. He must get that we need to be looked after so we don't shrivel up and die like a piece of old neglected fruit. He says the word "preserve" three times. You need to be held, guarded and protected as you live in this broken world.
You may actually feel like a shriveled up piece of fruit left out in the sun, not remembered and preserved at all. You may have just lost a job (your income), the person you loved, a best friend, or maybe over the years loneliness and grief have left you discouraged and hopeless. Perhaps your mind is breaking under the pressures of work and family responsibilities. But, sweet soul, He is watching over you forevermore. You are still alive because of His-preservation. And He preserves you for great things.
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Sunday, June 20, 2010
147
Proverbs 22:29 (nkj)
"Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before unknown men."
Be really really good at what you do. Work hard to be the best version of you that you can be. If you are good at something (or if you want to be), take that piece of talent, spend hours on it, and be brilliant at it. This is such a beautiful promise and piece of wisdom all wrapped up in two small sentences: Your talent, and quiet dedication to that talent will not go unnoticed. People will pay attention, and people in high places will take notice of you. You will be found, I promise. God sees it all and He will find you, and get the right people to notice you. Right now you may be very discouraged- sitting in a room practicing your instrument until your hands hurt; trying to perfect a recipe you created with the ingredients in front of you; cooped up in a classroom trying to love and educate children from the bottom of your heart while receiving no recognition or support; sitting in an office filing someone else's life on paper, and you may be thinking "what's the point, no one even knows I'm alive..." It doesn't matter- commit everything that you do - your gifts and work - to God, get REALLY good at them, like, stand-out-from-the-crowd good, and then He will open doors that can never be closed.
Be really good at what you do. It will pay off, and you will be noticed. Get busy!
"Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before unknown men."
Be really really good at what you do. Work hard to be the best version of you that you can be. If you are good at something (or if you want to be), take that piece of talent, spend hours on it, and be brilliant at it. This is such a beautiful promise and piece of wisdom all wrapped up in two small sentences: Your talent, and quiet dedication to that talent will not go unnoticed. People will pay attention, and people in high places will take notice of you. You will be found, I promise. God sees it all and He will find you, and get the right people to notice you. Right now you may be very discouraged- sitting in a room practicing your instrument until your hands hurt; trying to perfect a recipe you created with the ingredients in front of you; cooped up in a classroom trying to love and educate children from the bottom of your heart while receiving no recognition or support; sitting in an office filing someone else's life on paper, and you may be thinking "what's the point, no one even knows I'm alive..." It doesn't matter- commit everything that you do - your gifts and work - to God, get REALLY good at them, like, stand-out-from-the-crowd good, and then He will open doors that can never be closed.
Be really good at what you do. It will pay off, and you will be noticed. Get busy!
Saturday, June 19, 2010
146
Psalm 33:13-15 (nkj)
"The LORD looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men. From the place of His dwelling He looks on all the inhabitants of the earth; He fashions their hearts individually; He considers all their works."
This verse brings the relationship we have with our Father to a very small intimate point where God is so close, so close you can feel his breath on your skin, and he is watching over you constantly. Your sweet little heart is in the palm of his hand, being perfectly groomed and adored, and he thinks about all the things that you do on a day to day basis, and over the course of your life.
Maybe think about it like this: the other day you applied to a job and you were driving around all day delivering resumes and you were frustrated and about to cry or punch someone because it all got to be too much. The next day you're at the grocery store comparing prices between two brands of condiments. The next day you have a fight with your loved one and you're really upset about it, and your mind and heart won't stop thinking about it. My point is this: He is watching you and your heart as you go about your business throughout your day- the good, the bad, the mundane and the fireworks. He thinks about all that you're doing - He watches over your car rides, your chats with friends and your interaction with your co-workers at the office. He thinks about you as you drive your car and put gas in it, He thinks about you and your heart ALL the time. He is excited about the new house that you bought, and He is sad when you're in pain, and someone has hurt you. Everything that is related to you, He cares about and thinks about. He carries your heart- He is making it beautiful.
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"The LORD looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men. From the place of His dwelling He looks on all the inhabitants of the earth; He fashions their hearts individually; He considers all their works."
This verse brings the relationship we have with our Father to a very small intimate point where God is so close, so close you can feel his breath on your skin, and he is watching over you constantly. Your sweet little heart is in the palm of his hand, being perfectly groomed and adored, and he thinks about all the things that you do on a day to day basis, and over the course of your life.
Maybe think about it like this: the other day you applied to a job and you were driving around all day delivering resumes and you were frustrated and about to cry or punch someone because it all got to be too much. The next day you're at the grocery store comparing prices between two brands of condiments. The next day you have a fight with your loved one and you're really upset about it, and your mind and heart won't stop thinking about it. My point is this: He is watching you and your heart as you go about your business throughout your day- the good, the bad, the mundane and the fireworks. He thinks about all that you're doing - He watches over your car rides, your chats with friends and your interaction with your co-workers at the office. He thinks about you as you drive your car and put gas in it, He thinks about you and your heart ALL the time. He is excited about the new house that you bought, and He is sad when you're in pain, and someone has hurt you. Everything that is related to you, He cares about and thinks about. He carries your heart- He is making it beautiful.
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Thursday, June 17, 2010
145
Romans 2:1-3
"Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God?"
Don't judge people. The very thing for which you judge and criticize people, it plainly warns us, you'll end up doing yourself. And that makes sense, really. The things you are condemning others of doing, you neglect to see in your own life, or perhaps the thing in the person that really bothers you (enough to judge them), is actually just hitting a nerve in your own self. Or, maybe you just reap what you sow... There is a serious warning here of living this kind of life (a mean, grumpy life full of judgment and criticism). Also, you will be miserable.
The verse is hard-core, and it doesn't leave too much room for guessing. There is no excuse for a forgiven child of the King to judge other people for the way they live. No one will see the love of God in this kind of double-standard behavior, and honestly, it's just not pretty. You are no better than anyone else, and you have no place to judge. God has been very kind to you, and you don't deserve his grace and forgiveness over your own beautiful life. So, how much more should you walk in love and compassion towards other people around you? If you judge others, you, yourself, will be judged by God. I'm not making this up, it's what it says here in the letter to the church in Rome.
Remember that everyone is a little (or a lot) broken. Don't judge people. It's not attractive or like-able, and God doesn't let you get away with it.
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"Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God?"
Don't judge people. The very thing for which you judge and criticize people, it plainly warns us, you'll end up doing yourself. And that makes sense, really. The things you are condemning others of doing, you neglect to see in your own life, or perhaps the thing in the person that really bothers you (enough to judge them), is actually just hitting a nerve in your own self. Or, maybe you just reap what you sow... There is a serious warning here of living this kind of life (a mean, grumpy life full of judgment and criticism). Also, you will be miserable.
The verse is hard-core, and it doesn't leave too much room for guessing. There is no excuse for a forgiven child of the King to judge other people for the way they live. No one will see the love of God in this kind of double-standard behavior, and honestly, it's just not pretty. You are no better than anyone else, and you have no place to judge. God has been very kind to you, and you don't deserve his grace and forgiveness over your own beautiful life. So, how much more should you walk in love and compassion towards other people around you? If you judge others, you, yourself, will be judged by God. I'm not making this up, it's what it says here in the letter to the church in Rome.
Remember that everyone is a little (or a lot) broken. Don't judge people. It's not attractive or like-able, and God doesn't let you get away with it.
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Monday, June 14, 2010
144
Romans 8:39 (nkj)
"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
The love of Jesus is the strongest, most immovable and extravagant life force that will ever grip your heart and life- ever. You may have met Him and fallen in love with Him immediately, or you may have met Him and grown to love Him and understand His love for you more slowly. I just want to quickly say: don't forget that Jesus loves you more than you can possibly imagine in your mind. He is crazy about you, and really cares about everything that you're thinking about. Nothing you do today, and nothing that you've ever done can ever be enough to push away the love of God. You may have heard that He loves you a million times before, or it may be something that is still a new concept to you. Either way, His love is real and true.
At a few points throughout your day today, stop yourself and say, "I love you, Jesus, and you love me." As you go about your day - work, friends, family and everything else on your mind - remember that Jesus thinks about it and how it effects your life, more than you do. NOTHING can change how much He loves you, and nothing can separate you from His love.
Bring Him into your day today, and first and foremost remember how much He loves you, and soak it up! His love is healing and makes your life worth while.
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"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
The love of Jesus is the strongest, most immovable and extravagant life force that will ever grip your heart and life- ever. You may have met Him and fallen in love with Him immediately, or you may have met Him and grown to love Him and understand His love for you more slowly. I just want to quickly say: don't forget that Jesus loves you more than you can possibly imagine in your mind. He is crazy about you, and really cares about everything that you're thinking about. Nothing you do today, and nothing that you've ever done can ever be enough to push away the love of God. You may have heard that He loves you a million times before, or it may be something that is still a new concept to you. Either way, His love is real and true.
At a few points throughout your day today, stop yourself and say, "I love you, Jesus, and you love me." As you go about your day - work, friends, family and everything else on your mind - remember that Jesus thinks about it and how it effects your life, more than you do. NOTHING can change how much He loves you, and nothing can separate you from His love.
Bring Him into your day today, and first and foremost remember how much He loves you, and soak it up! His love is healing and makes your life worth while.
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