Dance Like David

"...I will celebrate before the Lord. I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes..." 2 Samuel 6:21-22

This is David's reply when one of Saul's daughters questioned him about dancing for the Lord. David is the ultimate example of praise and worship. He served the Lord willingly and praised Him unabashedly. When God blesses you and keeps you, how do you praise him? Does it shallowly depend on what song is playing at church? Let's honor God by sending up praise offerings often. Happy Monday! 

"Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe!" Psalm 150:4

"Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!" Psalm 100:2

What Can I Do

In honor of #WorshipWednesday, I wanted to share some of the lyrics of my favorite song- What Can I Do by KJ Scriven and Tye Tribbett. The lyrics are: "I can't walk, talk, sing without you. I'm nothing without you.

I can't live, breathe, be without you.There's no me without you." 

If we can't do anything without Christ, shouldn't we be consulting him prior to decision making? Shouldn't we be in constant praise for seeing another day to serve him? Let's meditate on that on this fine Wednesday :)

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you." Psalm 32:8

Created to Worship

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." 1 Peter 2:9 

People were created to worship. We were put on this earth to bring glory to God, our creator. Although we were made this way, it may seem awkward to raise our hands in church, sing loudly, or even clap our hands. However, we have no problem loudly singing the lyrics to our favorite song, jumping up in excitement when our team scores, or losing our minds when we see/ meet a celebrity. Just as naturally as those expressions of praise come, we should practice extolling our king in a similar manner. Challenge yourself to increase your praise and to worship like nobodies watching. Happy Thursday! :) 

"Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!" Psalm 95:6

God's Faithfulness

"Teach me your way, LORD, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name." Psalm 86:11

Today, think about how God has shown his faithfulness. Meditate on all that he has blessed you with- health, mobility, employment, education, family, friends... I'm sure you'll find that you're blessed beyond measure and that God's faithfulness is not disrupted by your fickle emotions and sinful ways. Although material things make life more "comfortable," we are to rely on God's faithfulness and not what he can provide for us. He's holy and there's none like him. 

"Now therefore, our God, we thank you, and praise your glorious name." 1 Chronicles 29:13

Happy Thursday! :)

Emotion led vs. Spirit led

"...make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 1:5-8

There will be times where we're following Christ, operating in his will, and getting tested. Those thoughts of feeling unworthy, inferior, under qualified, over qualified, etc, can end up fueling our actions. They can cast doubt on past decisions. Once we get off track and possibly quit, the enemy has won. Being emotion led vs being spirit led can cause us to make rash decisions that lead us away from our purpose. In the end, Christ wants people sold out for Him. If you are unable to complete the assignment, he will raise someone else up to do it. Before making decisions seek God for his blessing. 

(Original post: November 22)

Boasting in The Lord

"Thus says the Lord: 'Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.'” Jeremiah 9:23-24

Jesus tells us in the book of John that the only way to eternal life is through Him. It doesn't matter how "good deeds" a person does, how much money they do or don't have, or their level of education; a personal relationship with Christ is needed. We are nothing without Him, so let's share the light with the world. 

(Original post: November 21)

Not forgotten

"How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?" Psalm 13:1 

At that moment, David felt like God was so far away and his enemies were winning as he suffered. How many times has it appeared that we were doing everything right but non-believers or our sworn enemies are doing better than us? That place can be confusing and frustrating, but God knows his children. It's ok to tell The Lord how you feel at that moment, as David did. But further along in the psalm he realized he couldn't wallow in self pity forever stating "I have trusted in your mercy; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will song to The Lord because he has dealt bountifully with me" Psalm 13:5-6. 

No, his situation did not change, but his perspective did. He praised and prayed through his emotions and feelings. Instead of constantly focusing on something you're not pleased with, give it to God, make a change in your control, and be positive. 

(Original post: November 20)

A way out of no way

"But The Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one" 2 Thessalonians 3:3 

No matter what circumstances we find ourselves in, The Lord will protect us. Though at times things seem impossible (see yesterday's post), The Lord will make a way out of no way. He will make things occur that were out of the question or not an option. Daily, I am blown away by his faithfulness! Even if there's a little doubt mixed in with faith; He always provides for his children. Worried about something? Give it to God and rest. 

"Blessed be The Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation." Psalm 68:19

(Original Post: November 19)