His Word Brings Praise and Worship

Psalms 138:1-4

1 I will praise You with my whole heart; Before the gods I will sing praises to You.   2 I will worship toward Your holy temple, And praise Your name For Your lovingkindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your word above all Your name.   3 In the day when I cried out, You answered me, And made me bold with strength in my soul.   4 All the kings of the earth shall praise You, O Lord, When they hear the words of Your mouth.

God deserves my praise for His love, mercy, and His Word, who is Jesus Christ - God come as a man, the living Word (John 1:1, 14).  His word is above all, and the world hears and will praise Him also.  So I call to Him for strength to let them know clearly. 

Singing Praises in a Fallen World

Psalms 137:4 
How shall we sing the Lord's song In a foreign land?

Knowing we are not in the kingdom of God in Christ yet, this question sometimes comes up - if things are so violent, painful, and immoral with life so cheap and love so scarce, how do we sing praises to our Lord?   By remembering that He will keep His promises to judge rightly and swiftly in His time, and completely.  This is the God who is true and the life He gives us.

1 John 5:20  And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. 

His Mercy is Unending!

Psalms 136:1 
Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!   For His mercy endures forever.   2 Oh, give thanks to the God of gods!   For His mercy endures forever.   3 Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords!   For His mercy endures forever:

Why should we thank God for everything?  Because He made all, is in control of all, and rules over all.   He delivers those who are His, and protects us because He is faithful and able.  So we who are in Christ should thank Him always, remembering all He has done as well as who He is!  Give thanks to The Lord! 

Pleasant Praising of the Everlasting One

Psalms 135:3, 6; 13-14

3 Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; sing praises to His name, for it is pleasant.   6 Whatever the Lord pleases He does, In heaven and in earth, In the seas and in all deep places.  13 Your name, O Lord, endures forever, Your fame, O Lord, throughout all generations.  14 For the Lord will judge His people, and He will have compassion on His servants.

Continuing from Psalm 133 & 134, unity is speaking truth (not compromise) in love.  So we worship together, knowing The Lord does as He pleases - so must we do as He says and demonstrates to us, especially in Christ's example.  He is our judge with compassion.  We must discern without passing judgement; humility before God and love for our brothers and enemies alike is necessary. 

Worship Him at All Hours

Psalms 134:1

1 Behold, bless the Lord,  all you servants of the Lord,  who by night stand in the house of the Lord!  2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, And bless the Lord.  3 The Lord who made heaven and earth.  Bless you from Zion!

God deserves our acknowledgement that He is Lord, deserving our honor, praise, and obedience.  This is one reason to worship together - blessing Him by name, the one God revealed in Jesus Christ and no other way, truth, or life.   All was made by God's Word who became man, and all is held together by and in Him.

Colossians 1:16-18  For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. 

Unity’s Eternal Blessing

Psalms 133:1  
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! ... For there the Lord commanded the blessing — life forevermore.

Getting along in spiritual and other matters is the sum of the second greatest commandment, to love others as ourselves.  Of course, His blessing of eternal life only comes through the Truth and Way of Jesus.  Speaking the truth with each other in love is how true unity happens, not compromising the essential for comfort. 

Clothed With Righteousness in Joy

Psalms 132:9, 16 
Let Your priests be clothed with righteousness, and let Your saints shout for joy.    I will also clothe her priests with salvation, and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.

We who are Christ's are both priests and saints to God (1 Cor.1:2, Rev.1:6, 5:10), called out and set aside to live for Him - holy.  We serve as priests and become as Jesus as we walk with Him.   This is why we should shout loudly with joy for all He has done in grace and mercy to reconcile us to Himself! 

Humbly Satisfied as a Child

Psalms 131:1
Lord, my heart is not haughty, Nor my eyes lofty. Neither do I concern myself with great matters, Nor with things too profound for me.  2 Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul, Like a weaned child with his mother; Like a weaned child is my soul within me.  3 O Israel, hope in the Lord. From this time forth and forever.

Hope and trust in Jesus Christ.  As a baby is fed until he can eat food, so must we depend on God for sustenance and comfort.  Instead of thinking we know everything or wanting to be important (pride in both), we must trust God's Spirit and Word to teach us (Heb.5:14, Gen.3). 

Forgiveness for Fear of the Lord

Psalms 130:3-4, 7  
If You, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?  But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared.   O Israel, hope in the Lord; for with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption.

God forgives, forgetting the wrongs of our sin.  So we should fear Him who has the power to take vengeance on our sin, but chooses not to, and do so ourselves.  This is our hope - mercy and redemption from our sin in place of what we deserve. 

Mockers of Sin’s Judgement

Jude 1:14-19

Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, 15 to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.  16 These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage. 17 But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ:18 how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. 19 These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit.

As we see here in Jude, God will judge the world, and those opposed to Him, who live for pleasure and mock Christ and all the good of God, will all face the consequences forever.  So beware those who flatter, claim Christianity, yet live as if sin is normal and run after all God says He hates.  When these go to church, they cause disruption and try to deny the truth in the Bible.  Hold fast and fight the good fight for the absolutes of the truth in love! 

Contend for the Faith!

Jude 1:3-4

Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. 4 For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Jude warned Christians that those who do not know Him work their way into church assemblies to live in and promote sin (disobedience to God) and deny Jesus Christ is the only way to God and the only truth.  We do not always see them immediately, and they blend in if we do not pay attention.  This is why the truth matters; false believers will tell another gospel or change the truth to excuse immorality or our accountability, often substituting entertaining stories or psychology for truth.  Acts 17:11 reminds us to go to the source for what is true and right. 

God’s Preservation in Affliction

Psalms 129:2

Many a time they have afflicted me from my youth; Yet they have not prevailed against me.

When the Enemy attacks, when he pulls you away from Christ, remember what this Psalm tells you - God protects and keeps you as He keeps them from overcoming you.  If God is for you, who can be against you? 

Fear and Follow in Grace

If you want to be happy and at peace with God and others, start by fearing The Lord who bought you at a price out of the death and Hell you rightly earned by sin.  Live as He told us in His word - and find the peace as you trust (Isaiah 26:3).  His grace preserves us. 

Psalms 128:1

Blessed is every one who fears the Lord, who walks in His ways. 

God’s Work in the Church

God must setup the house - both my life and the church.  If we attempt this in our own effort or wisdom, it will be a wasted effort, and will not succeed.  He alone can protect and watch over me; my strength and that of the greatest military comes to fail if God is not watching the watchmen...

Psalms 127:1

Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. 

Sow Seeds for the Harvest

Just as captive Israel had faith and hope in fruitfulness returning, so we as His people must continue to look for a harvest to rejoice over, even when all seems futile and fruitless.  Joy in planting seeds will lead to joy in bringing it in as well.  Patience and long suffering!

Psalms 126:5-6

Those who sow in tears Shall reap in joy.  He who continually goes forth weeping, Bearing seed for sowing, Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, Bringing his sheaves with him. 

Joyfully Receive Each Other in Christ!

Do we joyfully receive each other in Christ as Paul in Christ commanded here?  This is how we experience the grace of God.  Next time you speak with other believers, really greet them!

Philippians 4:21-23

21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you. 22 All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar's household.

23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. 

Acceptable Sacrifices

We find many things, glorious rewards, when serving others and meeting their needs.  Yet if we do not live for God's glory, to serve and please Him, we can become selfish in desiring the reward for its own sake.  Rather, we must do His good will out of love for the one who first loved us, knowing the lack of reward is disobedience.  The Bible shows us reward to show the better He has for us, not to drive all we do for selfish gain.  Godliness with contentment is the great gain.

Philippians 4:18-20

Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet- smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. 19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. 

Share in the Labor

Do we give to help those bringing the Gospel and serving us?  This rewards us by fruit that lasts, as long as we do all to serve the server and not to get a reward...

Philippians 4:14-17

Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. 15 Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. 16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. 

Sufficiency to Do All God’s Will

Are we of a happy state of mind - content, satisfied?  No matter how little or how much we have?  All our sufficiency is found in Christ, the one who owns everything and gives so liberally to us who do not deserve anything.  It is the Father's GOOD PLEASURE to give us the Kingdom...

Philippians 4:11-13

Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. 

Care in Action

Do we look to meet others' needs, especially those ministering God's word and shepherding care to us?  Let us look for the opportunities!

Philippians 4:10

10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. 

Meditate on Things of God

Things that are true and real, honest or honorable, righteous and virtuous, pure and clean, acceptable and pleasing, well spoken of, good and morally excellent, commendable to God and others - these we must spend put time thinking on and about.  These should fill our thoughts and conversations.  These will then be the right examples for others as well.

Philippians 4:8-9

8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. 

Worry or Prayer?

Do we choose to worry, or to pray?  Know He will hear and give peace as the overriding answer, no matter if His answer is 'yes' or 'no' or 'wait'.  This quiets the heart and mind in Christ.

Philippians 4:6-7

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 

Rejoice, He is Near!

Joy in Jesus.  Not a feel good fad or religious positive thinking phrase, but a reality to live in.  We must find the only real gladness and well-being in our Lord and God.  And so then should we be patient, gentle, and forbearing.  This is not automatic nor easy, but is the goal we are called to in Christ...

Philippians 4:4-5

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.