Holy Holy Holy

In our contemporary worship music, we often focus on Jesus being loving (which He is!) and that there is joy in being filled with the Holy Spirit (Thank God!) that is a part of our worship, but in all the clamor, we rarely pause to recognize the Holiness of the God we serve. The song Holy Holy Holy, written by missionary Bishop Reginald Heber, was not widely known during his lifetime, but his wife collected this and various other hymns which he had composed and found a publisher for them the year after his death. The testimony of this young and dedicated follower of Jesus, whose life goals had nothing to do with fame or popularity are a challenge for us today. The first three words and often repeated throughout the hymn are “Holy – Holy – Holy.” These words are found in the Bible in both the Old and New Testaments, and they remind us that we serve a perfectly Holy God who exists in Three Persons. As I was listening to the words again today, I realized that God’s triune nature is also reflected in the final words of verse three: “Perfect in power, in love and purity.” As I thought on that line I could see how they reflect the awesome wonder of God’s holiness. First our Father, “Perfect in power,” the creator of the Heavens and the Earth who holds all things together in the universe simply by the power of His word. Then a second Holy for the Son, who came to us in the manger of Bethlehem and left us after suffering for our sins on the Cross of Calvary, He is certainly Perfect in love. Last of all, the Holy Spirit, who fill convicts of sin, disciplines, guides, comforts and helps, all in His perfect purity. Together as we sing through the stanzas of this hymn, we begin to get just a glimpse of what the angels see as they continually worship before the throne day and night for ever and ever and ever!

No Such Thing as Bad Ice Cream!

I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word. Psalm 119:16 NKJV

“There’s no such thing as bad ice cream!” is our friend George’s favorite saying (and he stays skinny!). On any given day, George will take chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, or peach, whether in a cone or a cup, and is ready to sit down and take a moment to enjoy it. I think it would be safe to say that George delights in ice cream.

When the writer of today’s verse tells us that he delights in God’s word, he reminds me of George. He is saying, that, just like the flavors of ice cream, no matter the situation handed to us this morning, we can choose to continue delighting in the promises of God. Just as with George’s ice cream, there is no such thing as a bad promise of God. Every promise is perfect, pure, eternal, and though sometimes hard to swallow; always sweet! What special promises has God given you? Do you have a favorite? So, as you head out today, try to remember that there’s no such thing as bad ice cream, and no such thing as a bad promise of God!

For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. 
2 Corinthians 1:20
Photo by Kevin Malik on Pexels.com

Jesus our Hope

The Lord is high above all nations, His glory above the heavens.Who humbles Himself to behold The things that are in the heavens and in the earth? PSALMS 113:4

What a great and amazing hope we have in our mighty Lord Jesus Christ. Yet the Bible says that He bends down to look at the Heavens and He inclines His ear to hear our prayers. When we can’t even begin to understand what is happening He already knows the end of our life from the first breath we take. He is our refuge, strength, shield. In fact, Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life.” John 14:6a

If Jesus is all these, then no matter what challenge, danger or difficulty, He makes the way. No matter what manipulation, discouragement or trickery of men, He remains the truth. No matter the disability, sickness or even death, He is our life, our Hope and our Great Shepherd and the Bishop of our soul!