Today I will share a great story I was told recently:
There was a religious woman who had to do a lot of traveling for her business. Flying made her very nervous, so she always took her Bible along with her.
One time, she was sitting next to a man. When he saw her pull out her Bible, he gave a little chuckle and smirk and went back to what he was doing.
After awhile, he turned to her and asked, "You don't really believe all that stuff in there do you?"
The woman replied, "Of course I do. It is the Bible."
He said, "Well, what about that guy that was swallowed by that whale?"
She replied, "Oh, Jonah. Yes, I believe that; it is in the Bible."
He asked, "Well, how do you suppose he survived all that time inside the whale?"
The woman said, "Well, I don't really know. I guess when I get to heaven, I will ask him."
"What if he isn't in heaven?" the man asked sarcastically.
"Then you can ask him," replied the woman.
Showing posts with label Worship. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Worship. Show all posts
20110723
20080103
JOY
I stood with Mother, my sisters and my brother beside the casket. We shared a deep sadness, for we loved my father deeply. However, as we stood together, there was something much more deeply felt than our tears.
In spite of our sorrows, we knew God’s peace, and we knew a profound joy. Joy is totally different than happiness. We weren’t happy, but we felt the assurance of God's loving presence with us that day. And that brought joy.
Some who read these words may be finding life hard to live. Sorrow, illness, depression may be taking their toll. But there is hope! Stop to think about all God has done for you. As you do, you’ll feel His joy, His peace.
And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation. Psalm 35:9 (KJV)
In spite of our sorrows, we knew God’s peace, and we knew a profound joy. Joy is totally different than happiness. We weren’t happy, but we felt the assurance of God's loving presence with us that day. And that brought joy.
Some who read these words may be finding life hard to live. Sorrow, illness, depression may be taking their toll. But there is hope! Stop to think about all God has done for you. As you do, you’ll feel His joy, His peace.
And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation. Psalm 35:9 (KJV)
20080102
HAPPY PEOPLE
Two things happen at Wednesday night prayer meetings at my church: prayer and Bible study. After a prayer time for those who are ill and for the many spiritual needs in our church and community, Jackie Brem, my pastor usually leads the Bible study. Recently he has been teaching from Psalms and last night the study was from Psalm 144.
But last night Jackie did something unusual. He started his study with the final verse of the chapter rather than the first. The reason, he said, was that the entire chapter leads up to the final, most important verse. He didn’t want us to miss the climactic verse, so he discussed it first.
That final, most important verse talks of happiness—a kind of happiness experienced only through knowing God.
Happy is that people . . . yea, happy is that people, whose God is the Lord. Psalm 144:15 (KJV)
But last night Jackie did something unusual. He started his study with the final verse of the chapter rather than the first. The reason, he said, was that the entire chapter leads up to the final, most important verse. He didn’t want us to miss the climactic verse, so he discussed it first.
That final, most important verse talks of happiness—a kind of happiness experienced only through knowing God.
Happy is that people . . . yea, happy is that people, whose God is the Lord. Psalm 144:15 (KJV)
20071203
WHAT KIND OF PICKLES?
Marion and I were given the “grand tour” of our neighbor’s garden. She proudly showed us her cucumbers, saying “These are our pickles, but I can’t remember which kind.” Then she saw her husband coming out to join us. “Joe,” she called, “are these sweet or sour pickles?”
It is easy to speak with false authority on subjects about which we know little. For example, we sometimes encounter persons who have developed their own ideas about God and what it means to know Him.
Some have said it doesn’t matter what one believes, so long as he is sincere in his beliefs. But Jesus declared only one way of salvation when he said, “I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the father, but by me.” John 14:6 (KJV)
When it comes to a relationship with God, our man-made ideas just won’t do. We must turn to the supreme authority: the word of God.
It is easy to speak with false authority on subjects about which we know little. For example, we sometimes encounter persons who have developed their own ideas about God and what it means to know Him.
Some have said it doesn’t matter what one believes, so long as he is sincere in his beliefs. But Jesus declared only one way of salvation when he said, “I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the father, but by me.” John 14:6 (KJV)
When it comes to a relationship with God, our man-made ideas just won’t do. We must turn to the supreme authority: the word of God.
20071202
LONELINESS
In Corrie Ten Boom’s book, “Clippings From My Notebook,” she writes of her loneliness in prison. She and her family were placed in concentration camps in World War Two Holland because of their work helping Jews. She tells of being in a dark cell alone for four months.
One day a beam of sunlight entered her cell. She stood so the beam fell on her face. As the beam moved, she moved, to enjoy it as long as possible. She says that moment she realized her loneliness as never before.
But, she says, God spoke to her through a remembered scripture: “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” Matthew 28:20 (KJV)
Loneliness sometimes may be almost unbearable. But join Corrie Ten Boom and countless others in the assurance of God’s never ending presence.
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. Joshua 1:9 (KJV)
One day a beam of sunlight entered her cell. She stood so the beam fell on her face. As the beam moved, she moved, to enjoy it as long as possible. She says that moment she realized her loneliness as never before.
But, she says, God spoke to her through a remembered scripture: “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” Matthew 28:20 (KJV)
Loneliness sometimes may be almost unbearable. But join Corrie Ten Boom and countless others in the assurance of God’s never ending presence.
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. Joshua 1:9 (KJV)
20071125
SINGING GOD'S PRAISES
Just over a week ago I stood with about thirty-five other men to sing a concert of praise to the Lord. The Singing Men of West Texas is a choir composed of ministers of music in churches from throughout a large area of west Texas.
People who attended the concert told me later they enjoyed the music; but there’s no way they could have enjoyed it more than we, the singers, did. You see there’s something exhilarating about being a participant in a concerted effort to praise the Lord.
We all have that same privilege from week to week as we come together for worship. When you worship, join in and sing praises to God. Be a participant in worship. For this you will be blessed.
O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. Psalm 95:1-2 (KJV)
To learn more about The Singing Men of West Texas, click here.
People who attended the concert told me later they enjoyed the music; but there’s no way they could have enjoyed it more than we, the singers, did. You see there’s something exhilarating about being a participant in a concerted effort to praise the Lord.
We all have that same privilege from week to week as we come together for worship. When you worship, join in and sing praises to God. Be a participant in worship. For this you will be blessed.
O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. Psalm 95:1-2 (KJV)
To learn more about The Singing Men of West Texas, click here.
20071120
CRYING STONES
Sometimes we just have to praise the Lord! That is how Jesus’ disciples felt the day He rode into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey. As He approached the city, his followers began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice. They shouted, “blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord.” Luke 10:38 (KJV)
Of course there were those who wanted everyone to be silent. They said, “Master, rebuke thy disciples.” Jesus’ answer is classic: “I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.” Luke 10:40 (KJV)
We always have something to be thankful for. As the song says, “Count your blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.” Don’t wait for the stones to cry out. Praise Him yourself.
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Of course there were those who wanted everyone to be silent. They said, “Master, rebuke thy disciples.” Jesus’ answer is classic: “I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.” Luke 10:40 (KJV)
We always have something to be thankful for. As the song says, “Count your blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.” Don’t wait for the stones to cry out. Praise Him yourself.
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