Why I Worship

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

I Have The Evidence!

by Leave a Comment

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?

What would YOU do to see the promise of god?

by Leave a Comment

I love to read the story of Jesus’ birth. There are so many things in that story that just speak to me.

I was reading this morning and this jumped out at me.

When the angels came to make the announcement to the shepherds, they were doing their normal thing. They were living in the fields, watching the sheep. Look at what happened after they received the news of what was taking place:

Luke 1:15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.”

They left what was their normal daily routine and went after the promise that had been told to them. Pretty radical, huh? I wonder what would happen in our lives if we would go after the things God has promised us.

The shepherds did not sit on the hillside with their hands folded and say “Ok, great. That’s so awesome. We’ll be right here waiting to see it.” They got up from where they were, left what they were doing, and, the next verse says: “they went with haste to see this thing that had been told to them.” They positioned themselves for what they had been promised.

Do you have a promise from God for your life? Is there some special miracle you’re believing for? Maybe there is a new job you’ve been asking God for, or maybe you’ve been praying for a son or daughter to be saved.

What are you doing to position yourself for what God has promised you? I dare say that if the shepherds on that hillside long ago had decided to stay where they were, we would never have heard about them and they certainly would have never seen the promise of the angels on that night.

What are you holding on to that is keeping you from seeing the promises of God in your life? Is it reputation, past failure, hurt or disappointment?

There’s an old saying that goes like this: “If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got.”

Father, help me today to be bold enough to get up from where I am, leave what is comfortable and familiar, and go with haste after what you have promised me. I turn away from anything that pulls my attention away from you and your plan for my life. I will pursue. I will seek. I will do whatever it takes to see your promise fulfilled in me. Thank you for choosing me for such a time as this.

Be Blessed Today!

Sometimes You’ve Just Gotta Sing!

by Leave a Comment

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.