Faithful Forever Love

Meditate: Acts 2:47

Typically, we go through this and while there’s some extra reading there’s no paperwork.

Today’s different. So get ready to do some writing (or at least some heavy thinking). It’s review time!

See, throughout history one of the ways we praise God is just to review our history with Him. To look back at what God has been up to in our lives, families, or nations and give Him credit, to give Him praise.

If you’ve been doing the “Digging Deeper” segments this week, you’ve already seen some of this. Today it’s your turn. But don’t worry I’m going to walk you through this.

Start simple.

Read Psalm 136 then copy verses 1-3. That’ll get you warmed up.

Now list an attribute or characteristic of God that especially strikes you, and list it.

Begin by saying “You are…” and follow this with the line: “Your faithful love endures forever.“

Next, think of something God has made that you’re particularly amazed by. Begin with “You made…” and follow it with “Your faithful love endures forever.“

Next think of something that God has rescued you from or, like Esther, a disaster that He’s prevented. Write it and follow with “Your faithful love endures forever.“

Name a tough place or time that God got you through. “Your faithful love endures forever.“

Has there been a time God provided for you? List it. “Your faithful love endures forever.“

Something that used to control you that God has freed you from or a particular way that God’s redefined you? “Your faithful love endures forever.“

Keep going. Spend some time thinking about God and let your mind and your heart race. Take your time and enjoy. Make as many lines as you want.

When you’re done you’ll have a psalm of praise, a record of God’s work in your life. Take it out from time to time as a reminder, as an argument against darkness and doubt.

Now for extra credit, get together with your family or a group you’re close to and do this together. Review God’s history with your family or your group. Make some history together and pass it along.

Let me know how it goes.

Pray:
Praise: You are the Lord of Lords, the God of Gods.
Confess: You are faithful through all generations.
Thank: Your love endures forever.
Ask: Fix in my heart and mind the truth of your never-ending love.

Digging Deeper: Psalm 136

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Do… or do not. There is no try.

Meditate: Acts 2:47

We often forget that our actions speak so loudly. It’s not what we say that shows what we believe most deeply, it’s what we do. For instance, Americans say we value integrity but too often we wink when you cheat on taxes.

It’s common to say that we value worshipping God. But are we really there, ready in our hearts and minds to come before Almighty God and express His worth? (worship = worth-ship, expressing the value of someone)

Are we there as participants or spectators? Are we expressing or holding back? Does it come from my heart or just from my mouth? Some churches are in a running battle over music and form. Is our worship about God or about asserting our preferences? Is it praise or nostalgia? Is it about God or is it about me?

Speaking of battles, are we living in unity with our Christian brothers and sisters? That’s a form of praise. It shows we value God as Father enough to care about getting along with His children.

Are we trusting God with our resources? The Bible spends a lot of time talking about God as Provider. Trusting is praising.

Are we living in obedience to His Word and His Spirit? “I respect you but I won’t listen to you” doesn’t fly anywhere that matters. Why would God accept that kind of praise?

• Is my praise acceptable to God?

Pray:
Praise: You are God. How mighty are Your wonders!
Confess: I often like the idea of following more than really following You.
Thank: You made me and I am Yours.
Ask: Help me to listen to You so that I become a true Jesus follower.

Digging Deeper: Psalm 106

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Actions Speak

Meditate: Acts 2:47

Jesus tells us that God knows about our need for food, water, shelter, clothing and so forth. He points out that birds and flowers seem to be doing all right and that the same God who looks after them, is looking after us so we should just lighten up about that stuff and focus on God’s Kingdom instead of this world.

David says, “I was young and now I’m old, yet I’ve never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.”

Now, I’m not as young as I once was either and I know as I write this that some of y’all are already twitching with those “God help’s those who help themselves” thoughts. (It’s like there’s a button that’s pressed every time someone starts talking about trusting God.)

What’s that got to do with “praising God?” Well, we can go down through history looking at nations, individuals, families, tribes, all levels across the board.

And we’ll find history littered with the wreckage of those who thought God needed their help.

Or thought they had a better idea.

And we’ll just as consistently find that those who truly praised God, trusting Him and obeying Him (is there any higher praise?) have been kept and provided for.

See, “God helps those who help themselves” isn’t in the Bible, not even as a general principle. But “Sanctify yourselves-tomorrow the Lord will do great things among you” is. “I’ve never seen the righteous forsaken” is.

“Helping” ourselves distracts us - it makes us compromise - but seeking God’s kingdom enables us to stand before kings and say, “We do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O King, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, praise God for what He’s doing right now, and don’t get wound up about what may or may not happen.

God, our God, the one worthy to receive all praise, glory, and honor, has it covered.

• How do my actions praise God?
• Am I trusting and obeying or am I “helping?”

Pray:
Praise: You are my Light and my Salvation. No other God can save.
Confess: I have trusted in my own hands more than Your love.
Thank: You will never leave me or forsake me.
Ask: I believe in You, help my unbelief. Fix my mind on You.

Digging Deeper: Psalm 107

Posted by email from Ferndale Tonight (posterous)

Reasons for Praise

Meditate: Acts 2:47

Ever heard of George Leile?

There’s a guy who knew something about praising God. See, I don’t know about you but sometimes I can let my circumstances determine how much I feel I have to praise God about. I think “This is just too much.” But not George.

George Leile was born a slave in Virginia in 1750.  As a young man, he was sold to a man in Georgia and in 1773, he became a Christian. Almost at once he began to preach and had a great ministry to his fellow slaves.

His “owner” saw what God was doing and gave him liberty to go from plantation to plantation taking the Gospel to the slaves. Eventually, he was ordained and in 1777 he became the founding pastor of the First African Baptist Church in Savannah, Georgia, the oldest Black church in North America. The church is still going, by the way.

But his story doesn’t end there.

In 1783 as the war was ending, (read this carefully) Rev. Leile sold himself back into slavery (indentured service, in this case) in order to travel to Jamaica and preach and plant churches and build schools there.

By the time the first British missionary showed up, he had been there 31 years! Today over 300 churches with over 40,000 members have grown out of his work.

Praise God!

• Do my circumstances determine my praise for God?
• What am I willing to do to obey God’s calling?

Pray:
Praise: You know the end from the beginning and You’re always working for the good of those who love You.
Confess: My own past suggests I’d have just become bitter and angry in Rev. Leile’s circumstances instead of responding in faith.
Thank: You fulfill Your purpose for me and save me.
Ask: Help me to focus on You and look beyond my circumstances.

Digging Deeper: Psalm 138

Posted by email from Ferndale Tonight (posterous)