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Posts Tagged ‘worship’

Thankful for What is Instore for 2025

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , on January 6, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Chatting with Jesus

Monday, January 6, 2025

Lord, what’s do you have instore for 2025? Most folks are ready to forget the happenings of 2024. Many well-intentioned folks couldn’t wait until January 1 to make a new beginning. The truth is, with you we don’t have to wait till January 1. We can start over anytime. Nonetheless, many make New Year’s resolutions. Count me in. Usually, I’m sincere when I make these “I solemnly swear” promises of change, but honestly, I know I’m kidding myself. Who out there in reader-land feels the same?

Lord, because you blessed me with a speech impediment, this year I made the same resolution as last year: In 2025, I refuse to stutter again. And like last year, I broke that resolution within fifteen minutes after midnight.

I don’t know if the psalmist made New Year’s resolutions, but scripture suggests he needed to make some changes. Much like us, the psalmist was far from having life all together. His life was a daily challenge to stay close to you. He records his “New Year’s” resolutions in Psalm 101.

He begins with praise and worship.

(Verse 1) “I will sing of your love and justice, Lord. I will praise you with songs,”

Scripture says when we worship, we “enter your presence with praise” (Psalm 100:4). This is something we all can do. You already know our needs, but you love hearing us praise you for all you have done for us. What amazes me is you love my praise singing even if I sound like a cat in distress.

Lord, may all your followers sing loudly the new “song” you put in our heart. I’ll join the psalmist in singing your praises even if it makes those around me cringe. Amen, Jesus.

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Thankful for the Company of Other Believers

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , on May 13, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Chatting with Jesus

Monday, May 13, 2024

Lord, as Christ followers, having your Spirit living within us opens the door to commune with you 24/7. Even so, there is something special that happens when we worship with other believers. Your presence is manifested through us and fills the room with your sweet presence. The psalmist wrote of this experience of worshipping with others of like faith.

“Praise the Lord! I will thank the Lord with all my heart as I meet with his godly people” (Psalm 111:1 NLT)

The energy and spiritual awareness of other worshippers energizes us more. Your presence, Lord, is felt in tangible ways, and opens the door to worship you without restraint.

Like the “fire” described in Matthew 5:15, one does not light a fire and then hides it under a bucket, where it gives little light to their surroundings. Lord, help us share this light you have given us with those you bring across our path. When enjoying the company of fellow believers, we speak openly of your goodness and how you are working in our lives. Faith is increased as we detail how in our troubles and problems, you’ve been faithful and brought us through.

When in the presence of people without faith, when you open the opportunity, help us tell how you changed our life, and as only you can, made us a new person. Our story is that of your power that changed us in ways we never imagined, freed us of addictions and harmful habits, and gave us a life of meaning and purpose. We now have a new love for others we never knew before meeting you.

Lord, nothing encourages us more than hanging out with you and other believers, talking about your faithfulness and goodness.

Amen, Jesus.

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