Archive for August 2017

Focus on God

2017-08-07 Devotional with Hymn No comments

Lord, you have been our dwelling place
throughout all generations.
Before the mountains were born
or you brought forth the earth and the world,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God. 

You turn men back to dust…
You sweep men away in the sleep of death;
they are like the new grass of the morning—
though in the morning it springs up new,
by evening it is dry and withered. 

The length of our days is seventy years—
or eighty, if we have the strength;
yet their span is but trouble and sorrow,
for they quickly pass, and we fly away. 

Teach us to number our days aright,
that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
(Psalm 90:1-3, 5-6, 10, 12, NIV)

Do you want to spend your life wisely? Do you want to stay humble and not become the victim of foolish pride? Do you want to remember your true glory as a God-made individual? In short, do you want to maintain a true perspective in the constant push and pull and deception of daily life?

Keep your eyes on God. Practice simple prayer throughout the day. Turn to Him and trust Him in every need. Thank Him immediately for every blessing and every little joy. Nurture your relationship with Him.

For with You is the fountain of life.
When we see You,
we see everything else more clearly.
(Psalm 36:9, paraphrase)

Our past, our present, our future are all in Him. The only way to keep life in focus is to keep God in focus.

Listen and sing:
Hymn: Always in You
Recording
Printed Music & Lyrics

from Prepare Yourself for Worship

2017-08-04 Devotional with Hymn, Prepare Yourself for Worship No comments

Wholehearted Support
1 Chronicles 29:1-9

King David had deeply desired to build a temple for You, Father,
but You told him he was not Your person for the job.
His son, Solomon, would build the temple.

David didn’t sulk.
He didn’t complain.
He did everything he could to help Solomon prepare for this enormous task.
He supported Solomon wholeheartedly with all his
creative energy,
his resources,
his contacts,
his influence, and
his enthusiasm.
He poured himself as completely into his support position
as he would have into the leadership position.

Father, as we gather to worship, help me to
enthusiastically,
wholeheartedly
support those You have chosen for leadership.
Help me to get behind them with all the
help,
prayer, and
joyful involvement
that I owe You,
my Creator,
my Redeemer, and
my Lord. 

Listen and sing:
Hymn: We Will Be Your People
Recording
Printed Music & Lyrics

Examine My Motives

2017-08-02 Devotional with Hymn No comments

Father, examine me.
When I share Your Word with people,
what are my motives?
When I speak in Your name,
what hopes truly drive me?

Am I hoping to feed my hungry ego?
Further my career?
Fatten my pocketbook?

Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God. (2 Corinthians 2:17, NIV)

Am I hoping to gain from them, or
will I eagerly spend and be spent for them?

I will very gladly spend for you everything I have and expend myself as well. (2 Corinthians 12:15a, NASB)

Even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice. (Philippians 2:17, NASB)

Am I a smart business person seeking their money, or
am I a shepherd laying down my life for the sheep?

Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God bur our lives as well. (1 Thessalonians 2:8, NIV)

In my heart, are they a “market,” sources of profit, or
are they souls for whom Christ died?

I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory. (2 Timothy 2:10, NASB) 

Listen and sing:
Hymn: One in Purpose, One in Passion
Recording
Printed Music & Lyrics

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