Sunday August 22, 2010
Wow, what a Sunday! Our pre-service pray and worship time totally spilled over into our Sunday gathering and it was so sweet and fun!!! I think Sundays are always fun, but that's also because of how I approach them. Even those difficult topic Sundays.
Well if you missed this past Sunday we went swimming in the river of rejoicing!!
Our primary text was Jeremiah 33:1-9. The Israelites have wandered again and the goodness of our Lord is leading them back through Jeremiah.
What the Lord says here to Israel, and us, in verse 3, "call to me and I will answer you and show great and hidden things which you have not know" (ESV) is meant to be received in faith and as a promise, even in our darkened prisons. What do I have to do to find out the truth, secret path, hidden mystery? I have to call out to Him, and then listen to His response. But wait, it's His response that's most amazing and sometimes the stumbling block. He's going to show us things so great and hidden, we just might not believe it. It's amazing how many promises go unfulfilled because they were so great and mysterious we just did know what to do with them, so rather than attempt and fail, we just don't attempt.
So what if we just decided that if God is going to show us some amazing things,then He'll also provide the way and strength.
The Lord goes on to give us a few names. Some names that are meant to help us believe the great and hidden things He just got done showing us. If we believe these names and begin to walk in who we are according to the righteousness of Christ, our lives are going to look a whole lot different.
The names are found in Jer 3:9, we will be known as joy, praise and glory. The Lord is looking at us in our city and saying to us joy, praise and glory. Why, because we are His children, redeemed by the blood of His Son. As joy, praise and glory - other (nations) are going to tremble with fear and at our prosperity. I don't know about you, but how many people/nations are looking at you and trembling with fear and awe?
Maybe not yet, but they will right. Now the prosperity here is physical, but not just monetary. The Lord desires to bless you to the point that you're overflowing. This overflow becomes as sign and a wonder for others.
Where does it all start. In the river of rejoicing. As Paul puts it in Philippians 4:4 - "Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say rejoice." Our abundance is linked to our rejoicing. Our rejoicing is link to our abundance in Him. It's a cycle that is overwhelming once we start live by it.
So, what do you need to start doing? I'd suggest calling upon the Lord, and when He says "yes, joy, praise, and glory," He's talking about you!!!
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Friday, August 13, 2010
Sing to the Lord a New Song
Our current teaching series is titled, Surprised By Joy. As we look around today there are a lot of people (Christians) who aren't living in the joy of their salvation. I won't go into why, as the possibilities are numerous. But just stop and think of your own life.
Nehemiah 8:10 reveals to us that, "the joy of the Lord is your strength." Where is the strength of the Church today? We are in need of a new song, one that comes from the River of God.
Take a look at these scriptures and let's find our joy, strength, hope and that new song.
Psalm 46:4 There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. NKJV
Psalm 36:7-9 How precious is Your loving kindness, O God!Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings. They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, and You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures. For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light. NKJV
Psalm 149:1 Sing to the Lord a new song,and His praise in the assembly of saints. NKJV
These Psalms are worthy of a full reading, but just these few verses speak of something that is surprising and amazing. Picture the psalmist sitting in worship before the Lord and seeing this incredible river, whose streams make glad (joyful) the city of God, you and me His temple, vessels, fields, workmanship.
Not only does this river fill us with joy, but it is the river of His pleasures. All of God's glory is in His river, it is our fountain of life where revelation and wisdom feed and nurture us.
God and His glory are to be our source of joy. Let us be found in His river of pleasure (joy) and be fully satisfied that it causes the hurting, hopeless world to jump in with us.
We have been invited to swim, soak and be carried away by this river of joy. While abiding in the river, sing a new song. No matter how often you visit the same spot on the river the water will never be the same. It's long gone. The same is true if you find yourself in the river, only this time the shore is never the same. So whether your still on the shore or you're in the river, things are new every morning. That newness is worthy of a new song. Drink it up today, and do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength (Neh 8:10).
Nehemiah 8:10 reveals to us that, "the joy of the Lord is your strength." Where is the strength of the Church today? We are in need of a new song, one that comes from the River of God.
Take a look at these scriptures and let's find our joy, strength, hope and that new song.
Psalm 46:4 There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. NKJV
Psalm 36:7-9 How precious is Your loving kindness, O God!Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings. They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, and You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures. For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light. NKJV
Psalm 149:1 Sing to the Lord a new song,and His praise in the assembly of saints. NKJV
These Psalms are worthy of a full reading, but just these few verses speak of something that is surprising and amazing. Picture the psalmist sitting in worship before the Lord and seeing this incredible river, whose streams make glad (joyful) the city of God, you and me His temple, vessels, fields, workmanship.
Not only does this river fill us with joy, but it is the river of His pleasures. All of God's glory is in His river, it is our fountain of life where revelation and wisdom feed and nurture us.
God and His glory are to be our source of joy. Let us be found in His river of pleasure (joy) and be fully satisfied that it causes the hurting, hopeless world to jump in with us.
We have been invited to swim, soak and be carried away by this river of joy. While abiding in the river, sing a new song. No matter how often you visit the same spot on the river the water will never be the same. It's long gone. The same is true if you find yourself in the river, only this time the shore is never the same. So whether your still on the shore or you're in the river, things are new every morning. That newness is worthy of a new song. Drink it up today, and do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength (Neh 8:10).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
