Why I Worship

What Is Worship, Why Do We Worship, How to Worship

I Stopped… Dreaming.

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Jill and I have been married for a little over 30 years. I remember a conversation we had shortly after we started dating. It was a conversation about dreams… dreams we had for our future together… dreams for the life we would live together and the things we would accomplish together.

It’s funny to me how things look so much different now than they did then. There are some things that we dreamed about that we’ve accomplished, but many of those dreams still remain… dreams.

So, what happened?

Well, I guess LIFE happened. You know… marriage, children, jobs, careers… life. I mean, that is the adult answer, right? We give up our dreams to live responsible, adult lives. The question is “Is that really how we were created to live?”

Psalm 37, 4-5 says this; “Delight yourself also in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.”

I’ve decided to let myself dream again. I’ve decided that, as I worship, I will allow God to touch those areas of my life that I have let die and bring them back to life. I will allow Him to awaken the dreams He gave me so long ago. It will be an adventure and I’m not sure where this journey will take me, but I’ve decided to trust Him. After all, He did promise me that His plans for me are good.

Will you allow Him to awaken your dreams?

Be encouraged today!

 

 

I Have The Evidence!

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Hebrews 11:1 says “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for; the evidence of things not seen.”

This time of the year brings feelings from all ranges of the emotional spectrum. We spend time thinking about the year that is passing (either with regret or fulfillment) and we look to the year that is to come (either with excitement or dread).

Which will you be this year? If you know Jesus, you have a choice.

You can look at the year that is passing with the assurance that whatever mistakes you’ve made are covered by the blood of Jesus and the grace of our Father.You can also know that those mistakes and failures will ultimately be woven into the fabric of the destiny and purpose that God has designed for you. Romans 8:28 tells us that “All things” good and bad, work together for a good outcome for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

Then you can look at the coming year with the knowledge that God has a plan for your life and whatever current circumstance you find yourself in is only temporary. You can know that, since you are a citizen of the Kingdom of God, you have hope that there is a future for you. In Jeremiah 29:11 God says to His children, “for I know the plans I have for you; plans for good and not evil; to give you a future and a hope.”

As you come to this time of seeing the old year leave and the new year come, remember this; there can be no faith without hope. Faith can only be “the substance” of the things you have hope for.

What are you hoping for in the coming months?

I encourage you to allow the hope of God to rise up within you for the things He has designed for you and then exercise the faith He has given you to see those things come to pass in the coming year.

Your thoughts?

Sometimes You’ve Just Gotta Sing!

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Imagine with me, if you will, the strangest or most exciting  news you could possibly receive… “You’ve won the lottery!” “You got the job!” “You’re getting a raise.” “We’re going to be parents!”

How about this…”Do not be afraid. You have found favor with God. The Holy Spirit will come upon you and His power will overshadow you. You will conceive a son and he will be called the Son of God.”

Ummm… Ok?

You’re not married. You have not been intimate with a man. You are engaged but… this is NOT going to look good to the locals. There will be questions. There will be curious looks. There will be gossip. There will be doubts.

What do you do? Well, in Mary’s case, you sing!

In Luke 1:46-48, Mary sings “My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; for behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed.”

Mary must have known how this was going to be perceived. She must have known that this was going to be a hard story for most people to swallow. She must have even known that for the man she had promised herself to for life, Joseph, this was going to really be a test. Still she sings… a song of faith… a song of gratitude… a song of trust that there is a plan that is much greater than the temporary hardships she faces.

What is God asking of you? What has He spoken to you that, in your mind, you cannot comprehend? What is your reaction? Do you fear the possible hardships and testing that it will take to attain the promise He has set before you? Do you complain that this will cause too much trouble? Or do you say as Mary did in verse 38 of Luke 1: “Let it be unto me according to your word.”

“Father, You are most faithful. I trust you with my life. Let it be unto me (TODAY) according to your word. Have your way in me today. I will sing of your faithfulness and goodness and I will tell of your favor toward me, you servant. Thank you for choosing this broken vessel to be used in the service of your kingdom.”

Where ever you find yourself today, know that God is looking on you with favor. He sees and he knows every trial, every hardship, every time you’ve cried and every time you’ve wondered if you could really make it. Sing your song to Him. Sing of His faithfulness to you.

Open your mouth and lift your voice… because sometimes you’ve just gotta sing!!!

Be blessed today.