BE STILL

Still can mean calm, quiet, unmoving, or at rest. There are passages in the Bible that instruct us to ‘be still’ or to ‘be silent.’

This instruction may have several purposes: 1) to require our silence, so that we will focus upon God, alone; 2) to instruct us to be tranquil and at peace; and 3) to direct us to subdue every instinct to God’s will.

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. (Ps 46:10 ASV)

But the Lord is in his holy temple. Let all the earth be silent before him. (Hab 2:20 CEB)

Be silent, all flesh, before the Lord, for he has roused himself from his holy dwelling. (Zech 2:13 ESV)

Being still, silent, and at peace will bring about a great ability to focus upon the Lord. It’s a good time for prayer and thanksgiving, as well as for a reverential form of worship. Obviously, there’s definitely a time for joyful, loud, expressive worship, too. But when the Holy Spirit leads us into a still and tranquil time of prayer, we should be sensitive and responsive to that leading.

One form of “being still” is to step away from our busy lives in order to connect with God. This is a time to stay focused on God’s vision for our lives and to listen for His direction and guidance. The obvious follow-through is our obedience to what we hear the Lord saying to our hearts.

What is the purpose of stillness? Being still before the Lord brings us clarity. It draws us into the moment and gives us time to clear the clutter and clamor out of our minds and hearts. It helps us to hear God’s voice more accurately. Stilling our hearts before the Lord helps us to stop striving and to surrender our circumstances to the Lord. In whatever situation you find yourself today, take some time alone with the Lord.

What’s Your Delight?

But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. (Ps 1:2)

Do you find delight in the Bible? This Psalmist declares that he delights in the word so much that he meditates upon it and thinks about it all of the time—literally!

Most of us can find delight in our children; or in a certain sports team; or a wonderful movie . . . even a favorite meal. But have we trained our appetite in such a way that we derive great pleasure from reading the word and meditating upon it?

We can prime ourselves to love and rejoice in God’s word by drawing closer to God. That can be achieved through prayer, praise and worship, and simply quietly listening for His voice and His wisdom to be imparted to us after we have spent time in the word.

After accustoming ourselves with the word, and receiving answered prayer because of praying according what we know the word says, then we will definitely begin to have a deep appreciation for God’s word.

Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. (Ps 37:4)

As for the saints who are on the earth, “They are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.” (Ps 16:3)

As Psalm 16:3 says, God delights in His saints and God notices when we delight in His word and in Him! When we delight in Him, he gives us the desires of our heart.

Note: This is a copy of our blog article dated 05/18/2017.

God Holds Us

The Word of God tells us that the Lord has engraved [inscribed, imprinted, etched] us on the palms of His own hands! Wow! What a concept! That’s worth meditating upon.

Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands . . . (Isa 49:16a ESV)

God also tells us that He holds us by the hand, and He reminds us that He is the One who helps us. What an honor and a blessing to be helped by the all-powerful, living God! He is not only “close” to us, but He is actually holding us by the hand. Glory!

For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.” (Isa 41:13 ESV)

Even if people who are blood relatives of ours desert us, our Savior God holds us close to His heart. He will never leave us nor disown [reject] us. (Hebrews 13:5) God’s love is constant, enduring and unfailing. (Ps 136:26; Rom 8:39)

Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close. (Ps 27:10 NLT)

NO ONE has the strength, might or power to be able to take us out of our Father God’s hand. Praise the Lord!

My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. (Joh 10:29 ESV, emphasis added)

The Lord says that He is our God for our entire lives. Once we accept Christ as our Savior and Lord, He cares for us and will carry us and save us—even into eternity!

I will be your God throughout your lifetime – until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you. (Isa 46:4 NLT) The Lord upholds [sustains] our very lives. (Isa 54:4 NLT)

Did you realize that? Return His perfect love and worship Him today!

Jesus Shall Stand Upon Earth

This topic is dealing with what is called the End Times; End of Times; the Last Days; or the Final Days. This is a complex and difficult topic, which I don’t typically address. There are different approaches and different conclusions offered by various Bible scholars on this subject.

This article is going to focus on just one facet of this broad and complicated subject. We’ll be contemplating the statement that Jesus shall surely stand upon the earth at some point in the future of mankind.

For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. (Job 19:25 ESV)

This verse clearly says that our Redeemer (at the last) WILL stand upon the earth.

And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, from east to west, making a very large valley; half of the mountain shall move toward the north and half of it toward the south. (Zech 14:4)

In this passage, the Bible tells us that one day Jesus will stand upon the Mount of Olives—a very specific location on this earth. This area of the map may serve as a focus for our attention in coming months and years.

For behold, the Lord is coming out of His place; He will come down and tread on the high places of the earth. (Mic 1:3)

This is a poetic verse from the Bible informing us that Jesus, the Lord, will come from His place (Heaven) and walk upon the “high places” of the earth. When the Bible refers to “high places,” it is referring to places of worship on elevated areas of ground.

The truth is that wherever the Lord Jesus will stand upon the earth shall instantly become a “high place” because Jesus is worthy of all praise, worship, honor, glory, and power forever and ever. (Jude 1:25; Rev 4:11; 5:12)

Jesus is the Savior, Redeemer, and Deliverer sent to earth by God the Father. When He does, indeed, stand upon the earth again, Jesus’ presence will stimulate and provoke uncontrollable worship and praise from all over the earth. (Rev 15:4) All who have served the kingdom of God will rejoice in that day. Glory to God!

Praise at the Sound of God’s Word

Today I’m meditating upon the importance of the Word of God. Let us continuously praise the Lord for His Word.

In the day when I cried out, You answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul. ⁴All the kings of the earth shall praise You, O Lord, when they hear the words of Your mouth. ⁵Yes, they shall sing of the ways of the Lord, for great is the glory of the Lord. (Ps 138:3-5, emphasis added)

When the kings of the earth hear the words of God’s mouth, they will praise the Lord and sing of His ways. What an image!

All the ends of the world shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall worship before You. (Ps 22:27) All the people of the earth shall remember the Lord and turn to Him and worship Him. There is no doubt that this shall come to pass.

Yes, all kings shall fall down before Him; all nations shall serve Him. (Ps 72:11, emphasis added) People shall be in such awe of God, that they will actually FALL DOWN BEFORE HIM in order to worship Him and to pay Him honor. This also reminds us that, one day, everyone shall serve the Lord.

Here are several Bible passages that talk about the wisdom of the Word of God:

The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple . . . (Ps 19:7) God’s Word makes us wise.

You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies; for they are ever with me. (Ps 119:98) God’s Word gives us wisdom that enables us to be wiser than our enemies—and to thereby gain the victory. When we have memorized God’s Word, it is forever with us. Hallelujah!

The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken. Behold, they have rejected the word of the Lord; so what wisdom do they have? (Jer 8:9) This verse rightly asks the question: “Since they have rejected God’s word, what wisdom do they have?” The unspoken answer is: none.

Be sure to avail yourself of the wisdom of the ages and the wisdom that will cause all kings and all nations on earth to serve the Lord. Read and meditate upon God’s praiseworthy Word every day.

My Defense is of God

In the Bible, the Lord is shown again and again to be our defense in times of trouble or difficulties. Defense means protection, security, cover, or shield. It can also mean justification or vindication. Assuredly, Jesus Christ is our justification!

My defense is of God, Who saves the upright in heart. (Ps 7:10)

I will wait for You, O You his Strength; for God is my defense. (Ps 59:9)

He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved. (Ps 62:2)

But the Lord has been my defense, and my God the rock of my refuge. (Ps 94:22)

The Lord is our protection; and this is something that we all need to recognize and to trust in, since we live in an increasingly hostile world—one that is growing even more antagonistic to the message of the gospel. Let us remember to confess, along with the Psalmist, “My defense is of God.”

It is essential for us to remain in a strong and vital relationship with the Lord. The Word of God feeds us and increases our faith. It reminds us who we are and of the One we serve. Don’t allow yourself to become complacent, or to wander away from daily Bible reading and contemplation.

Continue to worship with other like-minded believers on a regular basis because we’re encouraged to have fellowship with our brethren. (Heb 10:25) As we fellowship with other believers, they will support us and encourage us, spurring us on to good works! Glory to God!

God Is Jealous Over You

So glad that you’ve joined us! Did you know that God is jealous over you?

. . . For I the Lord your God, am a jealous God. . . (Exodus 20:5 NKJV)

. . (for you shall worship no other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God) . . . (Exodus 34:14 NKJV)

Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously?” (James 4:5 NKJV)

The Lord LOVES you and yearns jealously for a deep relationship with you. He wants your mind, heart, emotions, will, and your worship. He is your Beloved, and wants to have time with YOU.

Make time to seek, praise, and listen to Him today!

How Do You Worship God? Part 2

(This is a continuation of my most recently posted blog article on how to worship the Lord.) Here are additional ways to worship God:

Worship God in the assembly while the singers sing and the musicians play their instruments (2 Chronicles 29:28)
Sing praises to God with joy and bow down and worship Him. (2 Chronicles 29:30) Joy is an essential component of worship! Bowing down in worship is a sign of humbling ourselves before the Lord, out of respect and reverence.
Worship the Lord with reverence and rejoice with trembling. (Psalm 2:11 NKJV) Worship includes reverence (respect, admiration, awe, and astonishment) as well as celebration, cheer, and joy with trembling. The trembling is an outward manifestation of the reverence of the worshipper.
Worship the Lord and glorify His Name. (Psalm 86:9) Glorify means to adore, exalt, elevate, praise, or venerate. When we elevate and exalt the Name of Jesus, we are partaking in worship.
Worship at Jesus’ feet (Matthew 28:9)
True worshippers worship the Father in spirit and in truth (John 4:23)
God is spirit and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. (John 4:24 NKJV)
Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. (Romans 12:1 NKJV) Offering your entire life for service and all that you do to the Lord as an offering is worship!

Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy; For ALL THE NATIONS WILL COME AND WORSHIP BEFORE YOU, FOR YOUR RIGHTEOUS ACTS HAVE BEEN REVEALED. (Rev 15:4 NKJV)

How Do You Worship God? Part I

There are a number of ways to worship God! Here are several mentioned in the Bible:

Bow low and worship God (Genesis 24:26, 48; 47:31; Exodus 4:31; 12:27; 34:8; Judges 7:15)
Arise and worship (Exodus 33:10)
Arise early in the morning and worship (1 Samuel 1:19)
Go to the house of the Lord and worship (2 Samuel 12:20; 2 Chron. 29:20)
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His Name. Worship the Lord in holy array. (1 Chronicles 16:29; Psalm 29:2; 96:9) Ascribe means to credit someone with something they deserve; to give recognition, acknowledgment, tribute, or acclaim. Glory means splendor, beauty, wonder, brilliance, fame, praise, success, or magnificence. So this verse instructs us to give the Lord recognition and acclaim because He deserves to receive it due to His splendor, beauty, brilliance, and wonderful attributes. We’re to offer our worship to the Lord in beautiful and holy clothing and finery!
Bow down with your face to the ground and worship (2 Chronicles 7:3; 20:18; Nehemiah 8:6)
Worship and give praise to the Lord saying, “Truly He is good, truly His lovingkindness is everlasting.” (2 Chronicles 7:3) Worship is essentially acknowledging all of God’s beautiful qualities and personality traits! When we acknowledge God’s righteousness, power, and holiness, and marvel in His presence—that is worship!

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