Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV
Rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks put the circumstances of our lives, both good and bad into God’s hands and help us see them through His eyes. Last night our beloved daughter-in-law Melinda slipped from this world into the presence of Jesus. And while we are overwhelmed with grief and shock, these words are promises to which we cling. Melinda has finished her race. Her battle with cancer is finished. And while that pernicious disease claimed her physical life, it could not touch her soul. That remained fully and exclusively in the hands of Jesus with whom she now lives. Nancy and I didn’t know how to process the news that came in three words. “She is gone.” Yet as sadness rolls over my heart I sense the message echo back from Heaven, ” She has arrived!”
I was in the spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet. Revelation 1:10 NRSV
In Hebrew, the word translated as trumpet was a ram’s horn called a shofar and God chose the shofar to be used for many important occasions. The shofar was blown at the beginning and ending of religious festivals, called the people together for meetings and its blast was also used as a signal for armies to advance in battle. When God blows a trumpet in our lives, we should not be afraid because it is HIs sign that we are His people and that He has a message we need to hear.
At the time of the writing of the book of Revelation, the apostle John had been exiled to an island used for prisoners called Patmos. On that island, John was as far from home as he had ever been in his life. But even in his isolation, instead of surrendering to despair, John chose to worship. Though very few of us will ever experience circumstances, like John did, all of us have our own times of difficulty, isolation and even despair. But Gd, even at those worst of times, is still with us and wants us to hear his voice. We never know what unusual ways He may choose to speak, so we need to be always ready listening. Then when we least expect it God just may come to us today and blow a trumpet and bring us news from Heaven.
Prayer: Father recently I have been battling fears and feelings of isolation. Thank you for remembering where I am and blowing a trumpet so I can hear your voice in my life today!
“If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear. Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you – and even more.” Mark 4:23-24 NIV
Today, God is moving in great and exciting ways, on college campuses, including Ohio State, Florida State, and most recently at Samford University in Alabama. But the devil is also at work in our society, stirring passions through social media, the speeches of politicians and television. Because we live in an age of such political and social polarization; we Christians need to be careful about what we are listening to and remember to whom we belong. In today’s passage Jesus tells His disciples to listen carefully and to focus on the spiritual meaning behind His words. Just as there was a spiritual meaning behind the teachings of Jesus, so there is also a spiritual meaning behind the words of popular figures, such as Bruce Springsteen, Tucker Carlson, Taylor Swift, and Candace Owens. I recall once when our church was going through a leadership crisis, a sectional elder of our denomination came to speak and what he said has stuck with me all these years, “What’s happening is NOT what’s going on!” So today, before flipping on the news, listening to a podcast, or scrolling through YouTube shorts, remember that our identity as a Christian is not with any nation, ethnic group, or political persuasion. Jesus explicitly told Pilate, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest.” (John 18:36) God has given us a citizenship in Heaven, and if we are to carry out the assignment that Jesus has for us today, we must be careful who we are listening to. That means taking serious time every morning, not just to have a little talk with Jesus, but to spend a sweet hour in prayer. As Jesus admonished his disciples we need to watch and pray because events may turn in a moment that could change a life for eternity.
This is the day that the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it! Psalm 118:24 NKJV
Those who only observe nursing home ministry from a distance, may think that we pass our time as in the words of the hymn, “Softly and tenderly,” And yes, that would be accurate for that small part of each service when we slow down and come humbly into God’s presence. But were we to plan the entire song service with only the slow and hushed hymns, half our residents would be sound asleep! So, here is one of our opening songs at Friday’s church service at Life Care. We sang a Sunday school song about a happy day, when I am “livin’ it for my Lord!” I do hope you will listen carefully for their voices and ask yourself if God might be calling you to also consider volunteering for nursing home ministry in your own community. After all, it’s a happy day when, “I’m living each day on the promises in God’s word!”
It's a happy day, and I thank God for the weather It's a happy day, when I'm livin' it for my Lord It's a happy day, and things are gonna get better When I'm livin' each day on the promises in God's word!
BUT It's a grumpy day and I don't like the weather It's a grumpy day, when I'm livin' it for myself It's a grumpy day And nothin's gettin' any better Cause I'm livin' today With my Bible on the shelf
BUT It's a happy day, when I'm livin' it for my Lord It's a happy day, when I'm livin' it for my Lord It's a happy day, and things are gonna get better When I'm livin' each day on the promises in God's word!
praise2worshipdotnet 
You must be logged in to post a comment.