Evil outside and inside church

14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. ^c Do not be conceited.

17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” ^d says the Lord. 20On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;

if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.

In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” ^e

21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12)

Thoughts: There are two kinds of evil noted here.  The evil outside the church that persecutes those on the inside; then the evil inside the church that divides the church.  The basic message is to not treat people as they deserve.  Instead of a never ending "eye for an eye" (until everyone is blind), there is a stop to the ongoing retaliation and revenge.  Instead of revenge, we are called to peace. 
    In our day of civil unrest, the only way to stop this from igniting like gas into a terrible struggle is for someone to be the "bigger man" and treat people with mercy instead of simple justice. 
    But there is inferred here another evil- evil inside the church.  This evil divides us from one another.  We think our opinion is the best and we cannot listen to anyone else.  Thus Paul admonishes us to "live in harmony with one another."  In our consumer culture- it is easier to leave each other in schism than to do the hard work of reconciliation, living in harmony, and forgiving seventy times seven.  We too often think of theological evil without thinking of the evil devoid of forgiveness, grace, mercy, and love. 
     In both cases- we should not be overcome by the evil of another.  So we do not give up the faith or give up the church.  Instead we overcome evil with good.  

Prayer: Lord, help me to treat others- not as they deserve, but as you treat me.  Give me grace, mercy, adn hope in my relationships with others.  

Out of darkness into light

14“Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. 15Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

16“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you ^a this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”

17The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life. (Revelation 22) 

Thoughts: Sorcery, witchcraft (all kinds), deception, magic arts are here classified as outside of heaven.  Those who practice and continue to practice these things without repentance are also outside.  Why?  Because it deceives people- keeping them from loving God with heart, soul, mind, and strength and to truly experience His grace and joy.  In contrast to the deeds of darkness- is the bright and morning star of Jesus.  He invites us to come into the light and leave dark spells, dark deeds, and evil practices behind us.  

Prayer: Lord, let me come fully to you, leaving the darkness behind.  

The Hateful Act in Pittsburgh

19The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (Gal. 5)

Thoughts: The act of hate and death against the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh is not just a tragedy- it is evil.  The Spirit would not approve of this kind of prejudice, hate, and truly an effort to divide our country along racial and religious lines.  It is the same kind of evil that the shooter committed in Charleston against Emmanuel AME.  It is evil inspired by hate, discord- dividing the nation; jealousy- of the Jews; fits of rage- which led to the killing of 11 people.  It is important that we recognize that life matters- the deaths of these eleven is a part of our own legacy in our generation- a stain and a dark spot- to indicate something is wrong with us.  This is not just a political or legal thing- it is far deeper.  Instead, we are called to a way of love and peace, forbearance (patience), kindness, goodness, gentleness and self-control.  We need to pray for the people of Pittsburgh that there would be comfort and healing.  We need to pray for our land that there would be less hatred and prejudice.  We need to act in love and teach love and care for those different from us.  

Prayer: Lord, help me to act with kindness and care toward those different from me.  

Getting the Ego Off the Throne

9Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, 10and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, “This man is rightly called the Great Power of God.” 11They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his sorcery. 12But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw. (Acts 8)

Thoughts: Simon Magus boasted he was someone great.  He became a believer because of the popularity of Christianity by the crowd.  But his ego never got under control.  To grow as a Christian we must get God on the throne of our heart and take our ego off.  We do not pray, "My kingdom come, my will be done."  We pray instead, "Not my will, but thine be done."  On the surface Simon was a believer.  Philip was right to receive him upon his profession of faith.  Only God is the true judge of a person's heart.  But later Simon showed his ego was still a problem, and he only wanted to manipulate God for his own selfish ends.  

Prayer: Lord, help me to honor you on the inside and not just on the outside.  Help me to humble myself before you as Lord.  

Simon Magus

9Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, 10and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, “This man is rightly called the Great Power of God.” 11They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his sorcery. 12But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.

14When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. 15When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

18When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money 19and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

20Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! 21You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God.22Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. 23For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.”

24Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me.” (Acts 8)

Thoughts: This is a real life confrontation between a famous sorcerer and the apostles.  In some ways it is about power.  The Apostles had tremendous power- doing miracles and having God answer prayers.  Simon the sorcerer was amazed and joined the crowd in following Christ.  But he was not sincere.  He ended up falling away.  He did not really submit to God, and in fact wanted to use God and the gospel to help him become even more powerful.  There is a scene in Aladdin where the evil Jafar wanted to be turned into the most powerful creature of all- which meant he would be a jeanie in a lamp.  So Simon wanted to be more powerful and it ended up hurting him- making him lose his fragile faith.  We will absolutely lose faith if we only want to believe in God in order for Him to make us more powerful or more money.  

Prayer: Lord, help me to want you more than anything.  Help me to want to serve you more than want your help.  

Thoughts on Witchcraft

16So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever ^c you want. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5) 

Thoughts: I used to brush off that witchcraft was still alive in America. But as people fall away from God, lack faith, they turn somewhere.  When I lived in Asheville, NC pastors would tell me about converts from Wicca who said there were covens there of 13 each praying against the pastors.  Again, I dismissed such talk.  However, more and more there was an anti-Christian bias.  City zoning laws were passed saying churches could not have food pantries or care for the homeless. Most were struck down in courts.  However, shortly after I left, a new mayor, Leni Sitnick, was elected who made a proclamation in 1999 for "Earth Based Religions Awareness Week."  Such a proclamation immediately divided the Christian community into those who did not care, those who took offense, and those who held up religious tolerance.  Many quoted from the Old Testament Israelite theocratic proclamation of the nation that did not tolerate other faiths in their borders.  But the main point was missed.  There are many growing practitioners of neo-pagan earth based religion.  The Apostle Paul pointed to the gravity of witchcraft speaking of it as simply what is proclaimed by them- an earth-based religion- that does not care (or want to) go to heaven.  There is a way of the Holy Spirit and there is a way of the flesh.  Earth based religions like Wicca and Druidism seek to manipulate earthly things to achieve their will.  Some witches proclaim that they are "good witches" but that is left undefined.  When we turn away from God to other gods- developing our own way- we are putting other gods before the One who made heaven and earth.  This is a breaking of the very first commandment (Thou shalt have no other gods before me).  Paul (and the early Christians) ministered in the midst of paganism.  They did not call for the death of pagans or witches but they did not shrink back from saying there is a better way.  What we believe matters.  We can focus on magic, spells, drugs (associated with some earth based religions) where the emphasis is on feeling and manipulating nature; or we can focus on the God who loves us and offers us eternal life.  Many have turned to Christ from paganism and witchcraft before.  They found it inadequate and more harmful than helpful.  We would do well to remember Druidism's child sacrifice to the Lord of the dead (the basis of the fear of witches grabbing children) and throwing them into the bonefire (bonfire).   In Ephesus millions of dollars of spells were burned as people realized that such things were powerless compared to the power of Christ to forgive, give meaning, give hope, strengthen, give life and heal (Acts 19).  Such things have been repeated many times- and today in other countries (like South Sudan) the shamans/witches are fading into the darkness. Strange that we forget the lessons of history and we go back to find that manipulating earth and others is not the way to go.  We do not pray "My kingdom come, my will be done" or "may the kingdom of my witch come and their will be done."  Rather we pray, "Father, thy kingdom come, thy will be done."  The will of the Father is that we know Him and know of His love for us, not being distracted by false gods and spells. 

Prayer: Lord, there are many who choose earth and darkness over heaven and light.  Let me not be among them.  Let me choose spirit over flesh, love over manipulation, eternal life over this temporary life.  

After thought: The Real St. Patrick is a great one to study in terms of the contrast between Christianity and druidism/earth-based religions.  Christians long ago replaced the pagan "Samhain" with its tricks, spells, threats of death and darkness with "All Hallow's Eve" (shortened to Hallow'een or Halloween).  

ST. PATRICK'S BREASTPLATE PRAYER (Against the spells of Druids)

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
of the Creator of creation.

I arise today
Through the strength of Christ's birth with His baptism,
Through the strength of His crucifixion with His burial,
Through the strength of His resurrection with His ascension,
Through the strength of His descent for the judgment of doom.

I arise today
Through the strength of the love of cherubim,
In the obedience of angels,
In the service of archangels,
In the hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In the prayers of patriarchs,
In the predictions of prophets,
In the preaching of apostles,
In the faith of confessors,
In the innocence of holy virgins,
In the deeds of righteous men.

I arise today, through
The strength of heaven,
The light of the sun,
The radiance of the moon,
The splendor of fire,
The speed of lightning,
The swiftness of wind,
The depth of the sea,
The stability of the earth,
The firmness of rock.

I arise today, through
God's strength to pilot me,
God's might to uphold me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye to look before me,
God's ear to hear me,
God's word to speak for me,
God's hand to guard me,
God's shield to protect me,
God's host to save me
From snares of devils,
From temptation of vices,
From everyone who shall wish me ill,
afar and near.

I summon today
All these powers between me and those evils,
Against every cruel and merciless power
that may oppose my body and soul,
Against incantations of false prophets,
Against black laws of pagandom,
Against false laws of heretics,
Against craft of idolatry,
Against spells of witches and smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge that corrupts man's body and soul;
Christ to shield me today
Against poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against wounding,
So that there may come to me an abundance of reward.

Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,

  

Hope Keeps us From Being Stingy

24One person gives freely, yet gains even more;

another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.

25A generous person will prosper;

whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.

26People curse the one who hoards grain,

but they pray God’s blessing on the one who is willing to sell.

27Whoever seeks good finds favor,

but evil comes to one who searches for it.

28Those who trust in their riches will fall,

but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.  (Proverbs 11:24-27)

Thoughts: These verses contrast a stingy person with a generous person.  A generous person has hope.  But a stingy person has a fear of losing what they have.  Hope for the future enables us to let go of the present.  Fear of the future makes us want to keep things just in case.  For several years our youth have been visiting people who would be described as hoarders.  They don't throw things away, and consequently they almost smother themselves with stuff.  They cannot have anyone over.  They do not feel good about themselves.  Their lack of hope becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.  Sometimes these folks have had something happen in their lives with which they cannot cope.  Sometimes they are just stingy. But a generous person is healthy and prosperous and has more friends.  

Prayer: Lord, give me grace to have hope and be generous.

hope Helps Us Persevere

And we ^b boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3Not only so, but we ^c also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope.5And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. (Romans 5:3-5)

Thoughts: The hope in the glory of God helps us to endure our sufferings now, but also gives us a goal and strength to ease the sufferings of others.  Hope of relief enables us to hang on.  Hope in God is not disappointing- but it is fulfilling.  Hope in God gives meaning to both suffering and perseverance.  There is a reason to not give up.  Hope in a life to come means that this life is not all there is, and we can more easily let go of our tight hold of today.  There is a tomorrow, and it is better than now- if we have faith.  There are those who long after this hope even though they do not want to have faith.   

Prayer: Lord, help me to persevere and endure pain with hooe. 

Good News on the Mountains

6Therefore my people will know my name;

therefore in that day they will know

that it is I who foretold it.

Yes, it is I.”

7How beautiful on the mountains

are the feet of those who bring good news,

who proclaim peace,

who bring good tidings,

who proclaim salvation,

who say to Zion,

“Your God reigns!”

8Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices;

together they shout for joy.

When the Lord returns to Zion,

they will see it with their own eyes.

9Burst into songs of joy together,

you ruins of Jerusalem,

for the Lord has comforted his people,

he has redeemed Jerusalem.  (Isaiah 52:7-9)

Thoughts: On the surface this is a prophecy of God restoring  Jerusalem from captivity- bring her back- saving her- redeeming her.  But this is also a Messianic passage leading right up to the suffering servant of Isaiah 53. 
     I am on a mountain retreat with about 50 of my church folks and their friends.  This phrase- "How beautiful on the mountains"  is intriguing while on the mountains.  Back in the day, there were no cell phones, telephones, telegraphs- no way to communicate good or bad news quickly.  Often signal towers or mountaintops were used to signal important news.  The mountains are bringing good news. I remember seeing "Lord of the Rings- the Return of the King." The Beacon signal was a signal for help.  So Judah had on its mountains a way to warn of danger but also tell of awaited good news- the Lord has come and saved His people!  So the Christmas carol says, "Go tell it on the mountains... that Jesus Christ is born."  Romans 10 quotes this passage but leaves out the mountains- emphasizing the feet of those who bring good news.  But the mountains, trees and hills shall also clap their hands with singing- "Joy to the world the Lord has come!"  In our dreary hum drum meaningless and hopeless world there is hope and truth and real joy.  The Lord has come.  

Prayer: Lord, let me tell your good news over the hills and everywhere.   

Meaning in Athletics

For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. (1 Timothy 4:8)

Thoughts: In our culture we value athletics.  But it is clearly losing its appeal,  The real push for athletics in the late 1800s (when both football and baseball truly caught on in America) was to see athletics and bodily enhancement as part of a three legged stool of 1) Mind, 2) Body, and 3) Soul.  Education had taken hold in the rise of the university in the Renaissance and Reformation (yes many universities were founded in the reformation- Geneva for example).  But the body was devalued in the Middle Ages as the part of us that causes lusts for earthly things- including sex, money, and power.  But movements like the Young Men's Christian Association and later Youth For Christ fueled not only the mission movement but also a growing value of the body as a good thing created by God. The Greek and Roman Olympics were revived.  Especially in the South football and religion were wedded with prayers and chaplains.  Now the pendulum has swung the other direction.  Players in the NFL can get fined for a religious gesture of prayer in the end zone (but dances are okay).  The purpose of sports appears to be fame, scholarships (the mind), and maybe big money int he pros.  In the end, if we cannot appreciate the God who made the body, the appreciation of the body grows selfish and shallow.  But there is a real joy and purpose when we not just glorify ourselves with our bodies, but glorify God. 
    Paul had his priorities right- physical training is of some value.  It is temporal and short.  Education also has value.  But one day we will have to give up our minds and give up our great bodies.  We will lose our minds and we will lose our bodies.  But let us not lose our souls.  Godliness has values in all things- enhancing our minds with a purpose here and now;  enhancing our bodies so that we do all our training for a higher purpose - to point upward.  There is a complete joy when we add the joy of spirit to the joy of mind and body.  We knew that in the early 1900s, and have somehow squandered and squelched that joy today.  But the joy of living a life of purpose and meaning is still there for those who would claim it in Jesus.  

Prayer: Lord, thank you that you made me, body-mind- and soul.  Let all that I am point to you.  May my life be a life of meaning and love that reflects your call and your love for me. 

Not Giving Up on Trusting God

41Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.

43Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” (Mark 12:41-44)

Thoughts: One of the amazing things of this real life story is that the widow gave and did not give up.  Some would say you can only trust God is life goes well for you.  But this widow knew a deeper secret: in the tough times- God is there- and we especially need to trust Him then.  In our success oriented culture, we almost say we will worship God if He "works" for us.  But it is not about our having more worldly success.  Eternal success is being able to trust God no matter what.  To only trust Him in the good times indicates a shallow faith.  This widow could have stopped trusting God when her husband died.  She could have given up on God when she put her last two coins in.  But God saw her gift.  In perhaps the greatest compliment, God preserved her faith in the Bible.  Do not give up on trusting God.  We show our trust in concrete ways like coming to worship (even if we have a disagreement with the church), or giving to the church.  The widow did not hold back.  She put in her last two coins- to almost say to God- "I am trusting you all the way- with everything I have."  God sees this and rewards such trust. 

Prayer: Lord, help me to have faith no matter what.  Help me to trust you in the valley of the shadow as well as in the green pastures and still waters.  

The Widow vs the Monument

1As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. 2He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. 3“Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 4All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

5Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, 6“As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down." (Luke 21)

Thoughts: These are two scenarios of the Temple- back to back focusing on hope.  The widow's story is a reminder of someone who had almost nothing- but gave the little she had completely to God hoping He would care for her.  He did and does.  God saw how much she gave, the spirit of her sacrificial gift, and He sought to bless her.  In fact, she was written of in the New Testament forever.

     The second story of hope is more of a worldly story.  The disciples were in awe with the structure and beauty of the Temple.  It was one of the seven wonders of the world in that day.  The Temple was given by gifts from God.  It was a holy place given by offerings.  But it also became a symbol of status and even of status quo.  Jesus said, however, that this magnificent human building would one day be overturned.  Within a generation (40  years- 70 AD), the Romans literally did that.  

Jesus seemed to show approval for the widow's gift.  He was less impressed with man-made efforts of luxury and self-created awe.  What counts in God's eyes are our heart.  Those giving at the Temple gave out of their surplus.  The widow gave all- not even knowing where she would eat.  

Prayer: Lord, let my eyes be fixed on you.  Let me not be over-awed by the world.  Let me be in awe of you.  

The Resurrection Affects How We Give

56The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15)

Thoughts:  1 Corinthians 15 is a chapter of the Bible that focuses on the resurrection.  It speaks of the evidence (eyewitnesses) and reasons to believe (giving us hope in the face of death).  He ends the chapter saying that we should thank God who gives us the victory and then says let nothing move us from doing good. 
    The resurrection means that the way we give or sacrifice our lives for God and others is not in vain.   God redeems our giving.  We cannot outgive God.  In the life to come, God will for sure make our measly gifts seem small.  We can give of ourselves fully to God and to His work.  We can be all in- fully invested because we are assured our investment will be returned to us with interest and more.  Whatever we do- our giving, our time, our work is not in vain in the Lord because of the resurrection. 

Prayer:  Lord, Help me to remember your sacrifice and the resurrection that redeemed it.  Help me to believe you will redeem any sacrifice I make for you.  

Hope in Giving

1While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. 2Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins.^a

3“I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. 4For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.” (Luke 21)

Thoughts: Hope and trust in God plays a very key role in giving.  In fact, we will only give out of our plenty and extra if we do not really trust God.  Hope is an anchor for the soul.  It is an anchor in the way that we give too. 
     This widow gave more than all the rest- not in quantity or in quality but in quiet trust in God.  She gave all she had.   She was only able to do that because she recognized that even the little she had was given to her by God.  For this reason her action gives her a permanent place in the Bible.  She clearly believed God would give her more. 
       I can remember that when we first went to seminary we sold everything we had to pay my tuition and to make deposits on our apartment.  Any money we got we continued to tithe on.  It seems like it is easier to tithe on the little we had then than to tithe on the enough we have now.  We had to live on faith and hope for there was nothing else to depend on.  The laundromat was in the basement and we lived on the third floor of these very old and rundown apartments.  Kay was going to the grocery store and remembered something she left.  She left our basket of laundry along with our last ten dollars we were going to use for food.  When she came back the ten dollars was gone.  We felt devastated!  We had no more money for even beans and rice.  We had taken a huge step of faith to go to so far away and some in our families had thought we were foolish to give up two good jobs to go to seminary (especially without jobs waiting on us).  Now we could not call back to our families for help or the Lord's call would be questioned.  So all night we prayed.  The next morning a check for over a thousand dollars came in the mail from Kay's retirement.  God had provided.  I am a deep believer that God provides.  It is not always immediate or when we want it.  But just as this widow trusted in God to provide, we are called to hope in God's provision- and live in that hope.  

Prayer: Lord, help me to live in your hope and be anchored to it.    

The Praiseworthiness of God Elicits Worship

1Sing to the Lord a new song;

sing to the Lord, all the earth.

2Sing to the Lord, praise his name;

proclaim his salvation day after day.

3Declare his glory among the nations,

his marvelous deeds among all peoples.

4For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;

he is to be feared above all gods.

5For all the gods of the nations are idols,

but the Lord made the heavens.

6Splendor and majesty are before him;

strength and glory are in his sanctuary.

7Ascribe to the Lord, all you families of nations,

ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.

8Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;

bring an offering and come into his courts.

9Worship the Lord in the splendor of his ^a holiness;

tremble before him, all the earth. (Psalm 96)

Thoughts: This is a Psalm celebrating the experience of the reality of God.  He is the deliverer from sin, from trouble, from evil, from hopelessness.  God is real and He helps us and delivers us. His awe is real.  His greatness cannot be imagined.  He is greater than the greatest star.  His care goes to the smallest atom.  We need to recognize (ascribe) God's glory and strength.  He is the strongest of all beings, and in gratitude to God we worship Him and give to Him.  He does not need our time or our money.  But He desires our hearts- symbolized by time and offering.  You cannot say "My heart is God's" but not give Him time in worship or in offering- if you are able to do so.  God is great and worthy.  If we focused on His awesomeness, we could not stop ourselves from wroship. 

Prayer: Lord, you are worthy of my worship- my time, my best self, my gifts.  

Music Brings Peace

15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.  (Colossians 3)

Thoughts: The peace of Christ in our hearts and the message of Christ dwelling in us occur in part through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs as well as through teaching.  Singing brings us peace.  There are now 23 different studies that confirm that music has the capability of easing our minds and anxieties- lowering our blood pressure and heart rate.  Some only come to church to be inspired and motivated.  But others come to have a place of sanctuary and respite from the worries and trials of life.  Singing lifts up our hearts to God and that also brings us peace. The old adage is that music calms the savage beast.  This is true. 
    Some try to distinguish psalms from hymns or spiritual songs.  But the difference is purposefully nebulous.  The Psalms are the old scriptures of the church.  The hymns are classic musical pieces.  The spiritual songs are more contemporary.  But the lines are a bit fuzzy.  There is room for all kinds of music in church.  We should make room for it in our hearts as well.  

Prayer: Lord, fill me with praise for you and music in my heart.  

Singing an Old Song to Revive the Heart

25He stationed the Levites in the temple of the Lord with cymbals, harps and lyres in the way prescribed by David and Gad the king’s seer and Nathan the prophet; this was commanded by the Lordthrough his prophets. 26So the Levites stood ready with David’s instruments, and the priests with their trumpets.

27Hezekiah gave the order to sacrifice the burnt offering on the altar. As the offering began, singing to the Lord began also, accompanied by trumpets and the instruments of David king of Israel. 28The whole assembly bowed in worship, while the musicians played the trumpets sounded. All this continued until the sacrifice of the burnt offering was completed.

29When the offerings were finished, the king and everyone present with him knelt down and worshiped. 30King Hezekiah and his officials ordered the Levites to praise the Lord with the words of David and of Asaph the seer. So they sang praises with gladness and bowed down and worshiped. (2 Chronicles 29)

Thoughts: This is a record of a revival of the faith going on in the Old Testament.  Keep in mind, Hezekiah's father desecrated the Temple by making sacrifices to the gods of Syria.  He then cut up the furnishings of the Temple and even had the Temple locked so people could not go in to worship the Lord.  In punishment, the land of Judah was decimated and made weak and disunited.  It seemed the nation was dead and the faith was dead too. 
     But God was not through.  He raised up Ahaz's son, Hezekiah, to be a good king.  Hezekiah began a great revival.  The people came back to God.  The passage above describes the worship. Hezekiah, once more opened up the Temple and even reinstated the Passover. 
      But what is especially important here is the use of song.  Songs have happened whenever there has been revival.  Music is important.  Music is inspired by the Holy Spirit, and praising God lifts up our hearts to Him.  When our focus is on God in song, it is hard to be self-centered.  Often new songs are written in revivals.  The verse, "Sing to the Lord a new song" is often made during revivals.  But here, they were trying to re-introduce the Temple worship and Temple songs.  The old songs of David and Asaph (29:30) were the core.  Asaph wrote 12 psalms 50, 73-83, and was David's chief Temple musician. 
     Today praise songs of Hillsong, and Passion musicians are the rage and attract large crowds.  But you can look at our hymn book and see songs of the Reformation (which was a revival of the 1500-1600s), the Great Awakening (1700s- Wesleys, Newton), the Civil War revival (mid 1800s) reflect movements of the Spirit.  Once a Presbyterian minister named Ivester was riding horseback from the Swananoa Valley in the mountains (near Asheville) to the coast of N.C. He wrote "Spirit of the Living God Fall Afresh on Me" on horseback on the way.  They sang this song over and over and over and revival broke out.  Praising God changes hearts and draws us to God- whether old tunes or new.  So let us sing joyfully to the Lord. 

Prayer: Lord, may your praise reflect on me.  Let me love to sing your praises.    

Sing a New Song

1Sing to the Lord a new song,

for he has done marvelous things;

his right hand and his holy arm

have worked salvation for him.

2The Lord has made his salvation known

and revealed his righteousness to the nations.

3He has remembered his love

and his faithfulness to Israel;

all the ends of the earth have seen

the salvation of our God.

4Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth,

burst into jubilant song with music;

5make music to the Lord with the harp,

with the harp and the sound of singing,

6with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn—

shout for joy before the Lord, the King. (Psalm 98)

Thoughts: Five different times scripture tells us to "sing a new song" to the Lord (Psalm 33:3, 96:1, 98:1, 144:9; Isa. 42:10). In some ways the same old song should work.  God has worked in the past, and that should be good enough for us to put our trust in Him.  But it is a wonderful thing when God works now.  When God does a new thing- performs a new miracle, answers a new prayer, it elicits a new song.  In Psalm 98 is deep, sincere, overflowing joy that God has acted and revealed His love, power, faithfulness to His people.  He is worthy of adoration and thanksgiving for His great love.  Praise and music lifts up our heads.  It keeps us from naval gazing and thinking life is all about our comfort and situation.  Praise enables us to rise above circumstance and focus on the One who can save us.  Life changes.  Usually that is uncomfortable.  Sometimes that is devastating.  But God is still at work- enabling us to sing a new song to His praise. 

Prayer: Lord, let my eyes be fixed on you in praise and song.  May my life, my words, my very thoughts be a song to you.