Worship Sets Us Free
And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed. (Acts 16:23-26)
Worship sets people free. How much do you worship? When do you worship? Are you able to worship when your circumstances are the very worst, your patience has failed and your confusion is maxed out? Do praise songs come to your mind at the most stressful times? We need to assess our ability to worship because worship will change our lives. We need to train ourselves to worship in all circumstances.
Paul and Silas were beaten, thrown in the inner prison and their feet were fastened in stocks. They were probably in too much pain to sleep, so ?at midnight? they broke out in worship. They did not have a worship leader, instruments, power point, or a radio to sing along to. They probably could not even tap their feet to keep the beat. Paul and Silas may not even have had good singing voices. But from the wellspring of their hearts, their mouths worshipped the Lord despite their circumstances. As a result, other prisoners listened to them and even better, everyone¹s chains were loosed. Worship set prisoners free.
In many ways, you may feel like a prisoner. You may have habits that you cannot break, you may find yourself in circumstances that have not changed, you may feel that God isn¹t answering your prayers. What are you to do? Worship. Worship when you are sad, feel bad, and after you were mad. Worship every day, at work and at play, worship any way. Worship will change your life and if you sing loud enough for others to listen, your worship may set them free as well.
Lord, teach me to worship. Lord, bring songs to my mind so that worship can be my way of life. Change me through worship and allow me to see the fruit of worship in the lives of others around me. Amen.
This blessed me today! No matter what you are facing, no matter what lies before you, worship, worship, worship!! Sing unto The Lord a new song, great is The Lord and greatly to be praised!! Lift up your eyes unto the hills from whence cometh your help and believe He can. Sing your heart out, unto The Lord, He is listening. Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise (Psalm 98:4).
Today’s Reading is Psalm 48:1, Psalm 96:1, Psalm 121:1-2
Highest of Heavens and the Humblest of Hearts
For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. (Isaiah 57:15)
How can it be that God dwells in the highest of the heavens but also in the humblest of hearts? How can the God of the Universe, who created all things and by Him everything exists, want to be a part of us?
From the beginning of creation, God created man to work and tend the Garden of Eden while in close relationship with Him. God then formed the animals and brought them to Adam so he could name them. God wanted Adam to have a partner, so He created Eve. Over and over in Genesis, we read about God’s love, concern and willingness to have a relationship with man as well as God’s desire to care for his needs. There was only one rule to follow. Everything else was burden free. God knew that man needed to have free will, for God wanted a relationship based on choice, not force. With the freedom to choose, Adam and Eve chose to disobey God. From that time moment on, Adam and Eve died in two ways: physically in time and spiritually that day. Sin entered into the heart of man that day and severed our relationship with Lord. Today, we are all born spiritually dead.
This broke God’s heart. He created us to have a relationship with Him; He created us to dwell with Him. From Genesis chapter 3 until Revelation 21, the Bible is about God’s plan to get the world back, reversing the destruction of sin. The answer was prophesied in Genesis 3:15 as being Jesus. Jesus is the One who came to restore sinful man back to a Holy God. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” The wages of sin is death but Jesus came to bring life so we can live abundantly.
So whose heart does God dwell with today? He dwells with those humble of heart. He dwells with those who prayed and said,
Lord, I know that I am a sinner and in need of a savior. I know that You sent Your Son to die on the cross, shedding His blood for my sins. I ask You, Jesus, to come into my heart and save me. I surrender control of my life to You. Please fill me with Your Holy Spirit and lead me in Your ways. Thank You for saving me.”
Every day I am in need of my Savior. He sacrificed it all that I might have life and that more abundantly. I have been saved the majority of my life and yet even now when I read a devotion such as this it brings tears to my eyes and conviction to my heart. Find me ready Lord, every moment of every day, find me ready. I don’t know about you but I don’t want to miss the opportunity to spend eternity with The One who sent His Son to die for me that I might live with Him for eternity. What a love beyond measure. He doesn’t force me to love Him, He allows me to choose, wow! Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Amen!!
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Psalm 51:10-17
God’s Ways Can be Hard to Understand
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9)
I learned these verses in my early years as a Christian. I have heard them quoted often, and I have spoken them many times, either to others or to myself. I am not always sure if they are comforting words or if they are confounding words. Intellectually, I know that God’s thoughts and ways are not like mine. Of course my ways are not like God’s, God is God and I am not. But when I go down a path that seems to make so much sense to me, then out of nowhere, the course dramatically changes: I must admit that I am more confounded than comforted. There are times when we pray for things or people and our prayers are answered just as we prayed them. Then, there are times when we pray and our prayers seem to go unheard, with no answer at all. We can usually handle both extremes because God is God and He can act as He pleases
But what about those times when we pray about something specifically, and we clearly see God’s hand in it? We pray, God leads and we are getting it. We can even see what is coming as God reveals things to us. Our faith is being increased and we are finally gaining some spiritual strength and understanding. Even though the course is tough, we are making steady progress. But… then… out of the blue, something happens that changes our course so drastically that we feel the air has been knocked out of us. All of sudden, we find ourselves in a place of desolation and despair. What happened? It seemed like everything was moving along so well.
It is in these moments that we all must glean a deeper understanding that God’s thoughts and ways are not ours. God does not play by our rules and God is never in a rush. Keep one thing in mind today as you meditate on these verses. Our Lord loves us more than we can ever comprehend and everything He does is in our best interest. His main desire for us is that we are His, totally and completely. Do you feel as though God has abandoned you or maybe has just forgotten about your needs? Ask Him to help you understand more of His ways. Ask Him to open your mind to comprehend the Scriptures. Go to Him, repent if you have un-confessed sin and trust that His higher ways will always be what is best.
As I read this I was reminded of O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. What an example in scripture of today’s verse. They knew in whom they believed and nothing or no one could change that and although they were faithful to God, they were still thrown into the fire but in the midst of the fire God was faithful. God sent a fourth, that was like the Son of God and when they came out of the fire, that is key, they came out, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them. Remember this when you are facing a giant, when your path seems unclear, remember, He is faithful that promised! You be faithful to Him and watch how you come out from the fire. He is the same God yesterday, today and forever. If He did it then He can and will do it today!!! Don’t be afraid of the fire, trust Him to walk hand in hand with you in the midst of the fire. He will never fail you!! What a relief that His thoughts are not my thoughts, neither are my ways His ways for He is far greater than I. God’s ways can be hard to understand at times but that’s okay, we don’t always have to understand, we just have to trust Him and His ways.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Daniel 3:13-30
You Are Irresistible!
And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake. (Acts 6:8,10)
We need to realize how often we affect those around us just by our expressions and attitude. It is amazing to think about how contagious our attitudes and behaviors can be to others. As Christians, we are to be lights in this dark world. We are called to share the good news of Jesus Christ and to proclaim His love, joy and peace to everyone. If we truly have His Spirit, as Stephen did, then we will be irresistible to those listening to us.
Think about your behavior and attitude today as you go about your activities, especially how you express yourself. A smile goes a long way, and there is something contagious about laughter. Before you start your day, stop and ask the Lord to fill you with His wisdom and Spirit. Ask for His joy to be your strength and for His peace to prevail over all of your circumstances. And, if you keep smiling long enough, eventually people will want to know your secret. Then you get to tell them all about Jesus because He is truly the only reason any of us can smile and have real joy.
When I read this it blessed me. We all need to be reminded of this from time to time. Life can get heavy and situation bombard us emotionally and without even thinking we walk around with our candle half light, some of us are so negative and although we truly love God, we are not showing any signs of life, life that God gives us each and every day. We have a reason to say every single day, no matter what we are facing or have faced, this is the day which the Lord hath made; I will rejoice and be glad in it. Make today beautiful!! Let your smile change the world but don’t let the world change your smile.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is 1 Thessalonians 5
It Takes Time to Grow
But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ. (Ephesians 4:15)
On her first day in preschool, young Charlotte was asked to draw a picture of herself. Her artwork featured a simple orb for a body, an oblong head, and two circle eyes. On her last day of preschool, Charlotte was again directed to draw a self-portrait. This one showed a little girl in a colorful dress, a smiling face with distinct features, and a cascade of beautiful red tresses. The school had used a simple assignment to demonstrate the difference that time can make in the level of maturity.
While we accept that it takes time for children to mature, we may grow impatient with ourselves or fellow believers who show slow spiritual growth. We rejoice when we see the “fruit of the Spirit” (Gal. 5:22–23), but are disheartened when we observe a sinful choice. The author of Hebrews spoke of this when he wrote to the church: “For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat” (Heb. 5:12).
As we continue to pursue intimacy with Jesus ourselves, let’s pray for each other and patiently come alongside those who love God but who seem to struggle with spiritual growth. “Speaking the truth in love,” let’s continue to encourage one another, so that together we may “grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ” (Eph. 4:15).
Lord, we love You! In our walk with You, help us to receive and give encouragement and to speak the truth in love. Amen.
When I read this I was reminded of a sermon I once heard. It is important that we as the children of God always speak the truth in love. How simple and yet so vital, not only to those we face but to our spiritual walk and relationship with God. Words of truth spoken in love can guide us all toward maturity in Christ.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Ephesians 4:11-16
Divine Interruptions
And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him, Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight. (Luke 18:40-41)
Experts agree that a staggering amount of time is consumed each day by interruptions. Whether at work or at home, a phone call or an unexpected visit can easily deflect us from what we feel is our main purpose.
Not many of us like disruptions in our daily lives, especially when they cause inconvenience or a change of plans. But Jesus treated what appeared to be interruptions in a far different way. Time after time in the Gospels, we see the Lord stop what He is doing to help a person in need.
While Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem where He would be crucified, a blind man begging by the side of the road called out, “Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me!” (Luke 18:35–38). Some in the crowd told him to be quiet, but he kept calling out to Jesus. Jesus stopped and asked the man, “What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight. And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee” (vv. 41–42).
When our plans are interrupted by someone who genuinely needs help, we can ask the Lord for wisdom in how to respond with compassion. What we call an interruption may be a divine appointment the Lord has scheduled for that day.
Lord Jesus, fill us with Your wisdom and compassion that we may respond as You did to people in need. Amen.
When I read this I smiled. If anyone knows me, they know I most often have a plan for my days and weeks, I’m a planner. But, as I reflected on this devotion I couldn’t help but recall the many times God has interrupted my day with His plans and I wouldn’t have had it any other way. In the moment I may have felt a bit frazzled and even a little frustrated but He has always used those as opportunities to teach me and to bless me and to show me His mighty Hand at work in my life and in those He unexpectedly places in my life that day. I can’t help but be in awe of His hand at work in my life. It’s important as we go through our day that we allow God’s plans to take precedence over any plans we have because His plans are far greater and far more important than we could ever imagine.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Luke 18:35-43
Patience with Perspective
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31)
Are there ever times when you become tired of trying? From work to your family, the list of needs seem endless with all fingers pointing to you. You know the promises of God and know that He is absolutely working in your life, but the “flesh” part of you becomes worn out and on edge.
The other night, at dinner time, I was trying to cook…and help with homework…and talk to my mother who was visiting. In addition, the phone was ringing, the news was on and my youngest child was singing for everyone to hear. I could sense the tension rising within me. The noise seemed too loud and the night was becoming too long. Because I recognized these feelings and knew how poorly I have handled them before, with all the self control I could muster, I prayed to the Lord and said, “Please help me do all this with an attitude and with words that would please You.” Immediately I sensed the Lord say to me, “Enjoy it; find peace right now.” That thought was the furthest thing from my mind but those words pierced my heart.
It just doesn’t matter if everything gets done on time or in the right order. It just does not matter if there are grease stains on my daughter’s homework paper and there are dishes left in the sink when I go to bed. What does matter is that I honor the Lord by pouring out His love through me especially in the times that push and pull on my nerves. What matters is that I find the joy of the Lord in everyday challenges and appreciate every passing moment of the day. It is in these most challenging times, when you feel as if everyone is looking to you, that you can only endure by continuing to look to the Lord. God hears and answers the smallest of prayers when they are dripping with honesty. He knows us and understands us. Today, when the anxiety is increasing and your patience is decreasing, turn to the Lord so that you can soar above the circumstances while renewing your perspective and strength.
I can’t even begin to express how I and I’m certain many of you reading this, can relate. Four words resounded off the page at me as I read this, it just doesn’t matter. It’s so important that we find perspective in our daily lives and “Enjoy it; and find peace”. How simple and yet so difficult at times. The next time you start to feel overwhelmed, frustrated or just stretched to your max, stop, look up and say it just doesn’t matter, I’m going to enjoy this moment and find peace. What a reminder!! I know I needed this today and I’m going to challenge myself in those moments to stop, enjoy it and find peace. He is faithful. Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts (Zechariah 4:6).
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Isaiah 40:28-31
The “Why’s” of Life
And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? (Mark 15:34)
Isn’t it wrong to ask God “why?” Isn’t it wrong to question God? One day I was reading this verse, and suddenly I realized that Jesus asked God “why?” While Jesus was on the cross, dying for the sins of the world, He asked God, “Why have You forsaken Me?” We all know that God did not forsake Jesus. We also know that Jesus never sinned, so asking God “why” does not have to be wrong. Just by including the Lord in our thoughts shows a step of faith. It shows faith because we are praying, acknowledging that He is listening, and God will reward our faith.
By being honest with the Lord, our hearts are softened to receive His wisdom involving the things of the past, while helping us to move forward in faith for future decisions. God tells us in James 1:5-8:
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
So the “why” questions are not the sin, but receiving an answer to those questions and then doubting the answer is the sin.
Today, start asking “why” about things you do not understand and ask the Lord to help you to go forward in faith. Ask the Lord to give you wisdom in how to receive His answers to the “why” questions in your life. Pray for faith, as we know that without faith, it is impossible to please God. As our faith grows, we will move forward to make decisions as the Lord leads us and we will trust in His guidance and direction for all things. The goal is to get past the “why’s” and move on to the “what’s”–trust, obey and get going.
When I read this I couldn’t help but think, He desires for us to be so real with Him and to talk with Him and share our thought’s with Him, even the Why’s. He won’t become angry with us, He already knows our thoughts and He desires to have a real relationship with us. So go to God in prayer, in conversation and ask the Why’s, then be patient and wait for the answer and continue moving forward, knowing He’s got you, He’s faithful and He won’t fail you. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1).
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Colossians 2, Psalm 46
Conceived in Crisis
Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast. (Psalm 57:1)
Marc recalls a moment from his childhood when his father called the family together. Their car had broken down, and the family would run out of money by the end of the month. Marc’s dad paused and prayed. Then he asked the family to expect God’s answer.
Today Marc recalls how God’s help arrived in surprising ways. A friend repaired their car; unexpected checks arrived; food showed up at the door. Praising God came easily. But the family’s gratitude had been forged in a crisis.
Psalm 57 has long provided rich inspiration for worship songs. When David declared, “Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all the earth” (v. 11), we might imagine him gazing up at a magnificent Middle Eastern night sky or perhaps singing in a tabernacle worship service. But in reality David, fearful for his life, was hiding in a cave.
“My soul is among lions” David said in the psalm, and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword” (v. 4). David’s praise was conceived in crisis. Although he was cornered by enemies who wanted him dead, David could write these amazing words: “My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise” (v. 7).
Whatever crisis we face today, we can run to God for help. Then, we can praise Him as we wait expectantly, confident in His infinitely creative care for us.
This devotion uplifted me today. It caused me to reflect back on times past and even present when God has proven Himself faithful. Even in the darkest of times when all hope had seemed lost, I learned something valuable during those times, my hope is in Him. Greater is He that is within me than he that’s in this world. Remember, Your next crisis is your next opportunity to trust our unfailing God.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Psalm 57
How Long?
O Lord, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save! (Habakkuk 1:2)
When I married, I thought I would have children immediately. That did not happen, and the pain of infertility brought me to my knees. I often cried out to God, “How long?” I knew God could change my circumstance. Why wasn’t He?
Are you waiting on God? Are you asking, How long, Lord, before justice prevails in our world? Before there is a cure for cancer? Before I am no longer in debt?
The prophet Habakkuk was well acquainted with that feeling. In the seventh century bc, he cried out to the Lord: “O Lord, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save! Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention” (Hab. 1:2–3). He prayed for a long time, struggling to reconcile how a just and powerful God could allow wickedness, injustice, and corruption to continue in Judah. As far as Habakkuk was concerned, God should have already intervened. Why was God doing nothing?
There are days when we too feel as if God is doing nothing. Like Habakkuk, we have continuously asked God, “How long?”
Lord, thank You for bearing my burdens. I know that You hear my cries and will answer in accordance to Your perfect plan and purposes. Amen.
No matter what your facing and questioning today, never loose hope in The One who in His time will give an answer. As I read this the key point that stood out to me was when it said, His perfect plan and His purpose, not our own. Even when we don’t understand don’t get discouraged, the answer may not be no but not yet and if the answer is no just rest assured that God has something even greater in store for you. I’ve seen it time and again in my own life and I’ve looked back and been so grateful God said no at the time. How different my life would have been. Trust His timing, it truly is absolute perfection.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Habakkuk 1:2-11