Ponder Jesus - Worship Will Follow

There are no secret formulas for worship. It can’t be categorized by hitting certain marks as we move through a service.

It can’t be worked up or manipulated, but it can be achieved.

David challenged the people to ponder the marvelous works of God.

One of the greatest ways to obtain worship is simply to consider the Lord. I assure you, if we earnestly ponder the Lord and His mighty works, we will be compelled to worship.

1 Chronicles 16:12  Remember his marvelous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;

Those who are saved can’t honestly consider the sacrifice Jesus made and the great provision He affords us apart from worship. If you begin to ponder Jesus, worship will follow!

Adversity And Comfort

Surely we have all felt at some point that no one knows how we feel. I can assure you Jesus knows how you feel.

2 Corinthians 1:4  Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

We are comforted by the Lord in adversity so we can comfort others as they face similar situations.

None of us enjoy adversity, but it’s in the trials of life that we grow and mature as Christians.

Rather than immediately seeking God to remove the trial, try to learn through it. We are not there by accident. God has allowed it and He has a plan and purpose for it.

Restored Joy And Faith

Job lost his health, wealth, and family. He hurt. His wife hurt. His friends hurt. He was knocked down but not out.

Sure, he lost some of his enthusiasm. but he never stopped trusting God.

Job 13:15 "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him."

How did Job do that? The same way we can do it -- through faith. Faith  in God is the only thing that can heal our hurts.

Job had scars that hurt, but his life was put back together. Strong belief in God was the medicine.

Job 42:2  "I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee."

If you have accumulated some scars along the way, scars that are sapping your spiritual life, stealing your joy, and causing you pain -- believe that God can restore your joy and faith.

Goodness, Righteousness, And Truth

If believers are walking in the light – spiritual fruit will shine forth from their lives.

Ephesians 5:9-10 For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth; Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

The Apostle Paul says the “fruit of the Spirit” is seen in three ways.

GOODNESS – being God-like toward others as we treat them like God treats us.

RIGHTEOUSNESS – living the righteousness of Christ given to all believers --  a godliness that makes a life different because it belongs to the Lord.

TRUTH --  Personal integrity, honesty, reliability, trustworthiness.

Goodness, righteousness, and truth are proof of the presence of the righteousness of the Lord in us.
When we truly know Jesus, we will be like Him.

Fear Not, I Am With You

No matter how weak believers are spiritually, we can call on God and know that He hears and He cares about our problem.  He comforts us with His presence.  

When we seek Him with all our hearts He gives us strength and peace and calms our fears.

The Lord assures us that he is near. We don't have to fear anything when God is with us. Even at our lowest point, God is with us.

God is with us on icy roads, cancer, floods, the good, the bad, and the ugly – always quick to reply to our call at our lowest point.

Isaiah 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Suffering, Pain And Loss

Today there are people who suffer, hiding their pain and heartache from others.

Some are unhappy and lonely for various reasons. Jesus can help them.  There are victims of disasters  suffering great loss and facing bleak, uncertain futures.

Almighty God in Heaven knows who and where these people are. He is touched with compassion by their pain and loss. He even knows what the future holds for them. He wants them to seek Him.

Hebrews 4:15-16  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Comprehending God

I serve an amazing and marvelous God.

Romans 11:33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

A lot of people are looking for direction in their lives, but sadly, few look to the source of real truth and wisdom.

No one possess the wisdom or mind of God.

Who better to seek than our Creator and Lord? His wisdom is beyond our ability to comprehend; it's unfathomable.

That’s not to say that we can’t know Him or fellowship with Him. We just can’t comprehend all that He is.

God’s holiness and very essence is beyond human ability to obtain or predict. I'll never understand why He loves me so.

Hurricane Harvey Prayers

A lot of prayers have gone up tagged to Hurricane Harvey.

The prayer to turn my electricity back on seems shallow compared to prayers for those who lost everything in the flood.

The Apostle Paul was a prayer warrior!

Romans 1:9  For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;

Prayer opens doors, hinders evil, touches sickness, convicts sinners, comforts and helps victims of hurricanes.

Literally everything we do must be bathed in a sea of prayer.