Something to do

  Something to do

The Psalmist states,

Praise the LORD. 

Praise God in his sanctuary; 

praise him in his mighty heavens. 

Praise him for his acts of power; 

praise him for his surpassing greatness. 

Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, 

praise him with the harp and lyre, 

praise him with tambourine and dancing, 

praise him with the strings and flute, 

praise him with the clash of cymbals, 

praise him with resounding cymbals. 

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. 

Praise the LORD. 

                                       Psalm 150.

Why not take sometime fight now to praise the Lord. You may not have any instruments or a great singing voice but everyone can praise The Lord in someway. Even if it’s simply saying the words silently or vocally.

Please think about it.

I will Praise The LORD

I will Praise The LORD
The Psalmist writes,

“I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart;

I will tell of all your wonders. 

I will be glad and rejoice in you; 

I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.” 

                                                         Psalm 2:1,2.

I firmly believe that as Christians. As a true believers in Christ Jesus we must take time as often as possible to praise The Lord.
In Psalm 150 we read,

“Praise the LORD. 

Praise God in his sanctuary; 

praise him in his mighty heavens. 

Praise him for his acts of power; 

praise him for his surpassing greatness. 

Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, 

praise him with the harp and lyre, 

praise him with tambourine and dancing,

 praise him with the strings and flute, 

praise him with the clash of cymbals, 

praise him with resounding cymbals. 

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. 

Praise the LORD.” 

                            Psalm 150.

If you claim to be a believer in Christ Jesus a believer in God why don’t you take sometime right now and praise God.
Please don’t just think about it. Do it.

Do You?

Do you?
The Psalmist writes,

“Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. 

Worship the LORD with gladness; 

come before him with joyful songs. 

Know that the LORD is God. 

It is he who made us, and we are his; 

we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. 

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; 

give thanks to him and praise his name. 

For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; 

his faithfulness continues through all generations.” 

                                                                                  Psalm 100.

If you consider yourself a Christian. A believer in Christ Jesus do you shout for joy to the Lord?
Do you worship the Lord with gladness?
Do you come before God with joyful sons?
Do you truly believe the Lord is God and it is He who made us?
Do you truly believe you are one of His people?
Do you enter His gates with thanksgiving and praise?
Do you believe God’s love endures forever?
Do you believe His love endures forever?
Do you believe His faithfulness continues through all generations?

Please think about it.

It seems crazy

It seems crazy
The Psalmist writes

“Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. 

Worship the LORD with gladness; 

come before him with joyful songs. 

Know that the LORD is God.

 It is he who made us, and we are his; 

we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. 

Enter his gates with thanksgiving 

and his courts with praise; 

give thanks to him and praise his name. 

For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; 

his faithfulness continues through all generations.”

                                                                      Psalm 100.

I know it may seem crazy to some to say praise The Lord in the midst of the worst pandemic in modern history. But as Christians we should be praising the Lord.
The apostle Paul and Silas praised God in bad times. The book of Acts records,
“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.  
Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody’s chains came loose.  
The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped.  
But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!” 
The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas.  
He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 
They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” Acts 16:25-31.
While Paul and Silas were not in the midst of a pandemic. They were in a Roman jail in what was most probably very miserable circumstances not counting the earthquake they went through. Yet these men of God were praising The Lord.
Another man of God Job. A man who endured a lot of hardship, who had unwavering faith in God said,

“Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him;...”

                                                                Job 13:15a.

So it should be with all who call themselves Christians. Amidst our troubles we should be not only putting all our trust in God but taking time to praise God also. Not for the bad things that are happening. But for all that God is and the Salvation He has sent into our lives through His One and Only Son Christ Jesus.
Please think about it. 

Give Thanks

Give Thanks
The Psalmist wrote,

"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. 

Let Israel say: "His love endures forever." 

Let the house of Aaron say: "His love endures forever." 

Let those who fear the LORD say: "His love endures forever." 

                                                                                           Psalm 118:1-4.

I you consider yourself a Christian. A follower of Christ Jesus. Why not take time right now to thank God for his love toward you.
Please think about it.

Give Praise

Give Praise
The Psalmist writes,
“O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!” Psalm 8:9.

I believe in God. I do not apologize for what I believe. My faith in God and the saving grace of Jesus Christ has been a part of my life since I was nineteen.
Today with this blog I simply want to express my praise to God and encourage others who believe as I do to praise God.
Psalm 111 states,

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; 

all who follow his precepts have good understanding.

 To him belongs eternal praise.” 

                                          Psalm 111: 10

In Psalm 100 we read,

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; 

give thanks to him and praise his name. 

For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; 

his faithfulness continues through all generations.” 

                                                            Psalm 100:4,5 

Psalm 150 tells us,

“Praise the LORD. 

Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. 

Praise him for his acts of power; 

praise him for his surpassing greatness. 

Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, 

praise him with the harp and lyre, 

praise him with tambourine and dancing,

 praise him with the strings and flute, 

praise him with the clash of cymbals, 

praise him with resounding cymbals. 

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. 

Praise the LORD.” 

                      Psalm 150.

If you truly believe in God take time today to praise Him.
Please think about it.

On Faith

On Faith
The Psalmist wrote,

“Praise the LORD, all you nations; 

extol him, all you peoples. 

For great is his love toward us,

 and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. 

Praise the LORD.” 

                           Psalm 117:1,2.

Written above is Psalm 117 in it’s entirety. It make it clear that all nations and all peoples should praise God.
The choice however is up to you. God in creating mankind did not make robots programmed to do his bidding.
He made individuals with complete freedom of choice.
He gave each individual the same option. Believe in Him by faith or reject him. The writer of Hebrews stating,

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, 

because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists 

and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” 

                                                          Hebrews 11:6

The writer of Hebrews defining faith as,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for

 and certain of what we do not see.”  

                                                Hebrews 11:1

To my way of thinking God asks us to have faith in Him because it is one of the hardest things for an individual to do.
It is very easy to believe in someone or something you see but it is incredibly hard for many people to believe in things they do not see.
Please think about it.

A Believers Duty

A Believers Duty

“Sing to the LORD a new song; 

sing to the LORD, all the earth. 

Sing to the LORD, praise his name; 

proclaim his salvation day after day. 

Declare his glory among the nations, 

his marvelous deeds among all peoples. 

For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; 

he is to be feared above all gods. 

For all the gods of the nations are idols, 

but the LORD made the heavens. 

Splendor and majesty are before him;

 strength and glory are in his sanctuary.”

                                                                   Psalm 96:1-6.

It is the duty of believers in Christ Jesus to declare God’s glory among the nations.
Jesus said,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20.
As believers in Christ. As believers in God. We must present our faith and belief in God to all the world in word and in deed.
Francis of Assisi said,

“The deeds you do

 may be the only sermon some persons will hear today” 

                                                                         Francis of Assisi.

The book of acts speaking of the early church records,
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.  
Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.  
All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.  
Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,  praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. 
And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” Acts 2:42-47.
Believers in Christ Jesus have a great responsibility. We are called to tell the world about the Saving Grace that comes through Christ Jesus. As such we should be following the words of the apostle Peter who wrote,
“Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:11,12.
People whether we like it or not are watching anyone who calls themselves Christians. Who claim to be a follower of Christ.
It is through the lense of our life as believers that people will see Christ. Thus it is incumbent on us to present the Gospel of Christ in word, in deed and above all in Love.
Please think about it.

Your words and deeds

Your words and deeds
The apostle Peter writes,
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.  
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 
Dear friends,
 I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:9-12.
Here is some simple truths that anyone who claims to be a follower of Christ Jesus needs to keep in mind.
1. We “are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God.”
2. We are to “...declare the praises of him (God) who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
3. We are “ aliens and strangers in the world,”
4. We are to “to abstain from sinful desires.”
5. We are to “Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 
We as Christians must remember the world is watching us. That it is through the lense of our words and deed that the people around us will see Christ Jesus.
 As Francis of Assisi said,

“The deeds you do 

may be the only sermon 

some persons will hear today” 

                                             Francis of Assisi 

Question, What are your words and deeds telling the world around you?
  Please think about it.

Proclaim God

Proclaim God
Jesus speaking to his disciples said,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20.
Long before Jesus spoke these words the writer of Chronicles said,
“Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. 
Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. 
Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. 
Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. 
Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,...” 1 Chronicles 16:8-12.
As believers in Christ Jesus. As believers in God. We are to tell the nations about Him. We are to sing God’s praises. To glorify God in word and in deed. It is only by doing this that the nations and the peoples of the world will come to know the Living God.
It is important as we do this, to remember the world is watching us. That it is through the lense of our lives that those around us will see God.
The apostle Peter telling us,
“Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:11,12
The writer of Hebrews noting,
“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14.
Francis of Assisi wrote a prayer I believe we as believers in Christ Jesus should put into practice. He wrote,

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace, 

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

where there is sadness, joy;

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; 

to be understood as to understand; 

to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive; 

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; 

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

                                                     The Prayer of St Francis of Assisi

It is my opinion that if we do this many people will see God working in us and come to know Him in a personal way.
Please think about it.

Why Not?

Why not?
The Psalmist writes,

“Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous;

 it is fitting for the upright to praise him. 

Praise the LORD with the harp; 

make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. 

Sing to him a new song; 

play skillfully, and shout for joy.” 

                                           Psalm 33:1-3.

In our very busy world even believers in God I think quite often forget to take time to praise God. We pray and ask God for various things. We thank God for what he has done for us but we forget to take time to specifically praise Him.
So here is a simple suggestion for this moment. Why not spend the next few minutes and lift your voice in praise of God.
Please think about it.  

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving

“Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name;

 make known among the nations what he has done. 

Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. 

Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. 

Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. 

Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,...”                                                                                                                    1 Chronicles 16:8-12 

Here David is singing praises because the Ark of the Covenant has been returned. He thanking God, praising Him and calling on the Israelites to praise God also. Verse fifteen even says David danced he was that happy.
Here in Canada October 11th is Thanksgiving Sunday and we have a lot to be thankful for.
We have freedom to worship, freedom of speech we have freedom to be who we are.
Canada is truly multicultural. In the small city where I live we have every ethnic and religious group one can imagine living in harmony. Such groups can even have open and honest discussions with one another with our fear. Such is the freedoms we enjoy.
 Canada is a great country to live in. While my wife and family were born here, I came by choice and have fallen in love with it.
God has truly blessed Canada and I praise him for brining me here.
Apart from that I can praise God for all He has done in my life. For getting me through everything from a house fire to cancer to blood clots on my lungs that almost killed me, to living with Bi-polar disorder and dozens of other minor things I have long forgotten about.
I can thank him for all he has provided me with. While I may not be rich my needs are met and I haven’t gone hungry.
I have a wonderful family and friends most of whom will be celebrating thanksgiving with us as you read this.
I think at this thanksgiving time we need to look to God and thank him for all we have.
The psalmist wrote,

“Praise the LORD. 

Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. 

Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. 

Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, 

praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute, 

praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals. 

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. 

Praise the LORD.” 

                                                                                       Psalm 150
Think about it.