Ch. 637 - Word.

I listen to music a lot.
Now, when I say a lot, I mean a lot.
And I listen to all kinds of music.

Well. I don't really like bluegrass-y music. Or polka.
Oh, I'm also not a huge fan of country - with the exception of Johnny Cash [thanks, Mom!] and Josh Turner.

But anyway... I'll listen to just about anything and everything.

However, I will admit that I do listen to a lot of worship music, especially as of late. I don't like all the styles of worship that are out there, but there's definitely some really great stuff. I'm always really critical of the people who say they only listen to Christian music. I think that's kind of ridiculous and I tend to group them in the goody-goody, Christian-by-works group.

Yes.
I know.
I am a jerk.

I'm trying to break myself of that particular judgment, but it's a slow process. Probably because I haven't particularly asked God to help me out. I just don't feel like it... Maaaaaan. Now that I've said that - written it down, even - it'll probably happen without my technical consent. But He's God, He does what He wants.

Anyway, going back to worship music... I've been listening to a lot of it lately, as I previously stated. And for the past week or so, it seems like every other song I listen to includes the word 'hosanna' in it. Alright, cool. But I found myself thinking, 'So what does that even mean? I mean, we hear it all the time. We read it in the Bible. Something about save? Yeah.' I wanted to learn more, so I busted out - ok, typed in - Blue Letter Bible [the best!]. I checked out Strong's lexicon for hosanna, and I was excited to learn more. So here's what I found out: hosanna is of Hebrew origin; it comes from a combination of יָשַׁע [yasha'] and נָא [na']. Yasha' means "to save" or "be saved" and na' means "I/we pray", "now", or "please". So, in essence, hosanna means "please save!" or "save now!"

I really like that. At first I thought it was odd, because I played the part of an ignorant Christian girl and thought, 'Well. God has already saved us. So to be saying 'hosanna' now is kind of pointless.' No. It's not. Because while God has already chosen those whom He has written in the Book of Life, not all of them have come to know Christ as their Lord and Savior. They have not technically been saved, at least not to their knowledge or in the act of believing and confessing. So it's truly not pointless to cry up to God for salvation, because we should be interceding for the lost and desiring for them to be found.

God has saved.
God is saving.
God will save.

The word is used to praise God, and He is so worthy of that praise.

Another word I found myself wondering more about is 'hallelujah'. We also see this word in the Bible, and hear it thrown around an awful lot - by believers and nonbelievers alike. I've heard it said that the word hallelujah represents the highest praise one can give to God. I found the quick research I did on this word to be quite interesting. Also of Hebrew origin, it is a combination of הָלַל [halal] and יָהּ [Yahh]. Halal can mean a number of things, depending on the verb form. All my Hebrew from last spring came rushing back to me as I looked these things up, and let me tell you... I do not miss it. I miss taking a language, but not Hebrew. Arabic was so much cooler... ANYWAY. Halal can mean "to shine", "to praise", "to boast", "to make a fool of", or "to act madly". Yahh is the abbreviated form of Jehovah. Yahweh. God. So really, hallelujah can mean a few things. It can be a joyous praise to/of God, it can be a boast in God, and it could even mean to act madly or foolishly for/in God.

I think so many people simply think of hallelujah to mean 'praise God!' or something like that. But personally? I really like the last interpretation I mentioned. Obviously nobody wants to look like a fool in front of others.

"Lookin' like a fool with yo' pants on the ground!"
[I couldn't help myself. Please forgive me. I'm not even an American Idol fan or anything... that was the first episode I've watched in literally years. If you don't know what I'm talking about, click here. You will not be disappointed. Or if you are, I apologize.]

Okay. So. Recap: we don't like to be called foolish. The Bible says we shouldn't call others fools, anyway. But the definition of fool, according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary can be "ridiculous" or even "simple". So really, to be a fool for God is not such a terrible thing. In a way, we should be fools for God, or act madly in regards to Him. Not so much in a "foolish" or radical sense... but more so in a manner of utter devotion, saying, "Use me, God!" We shouldn't be afraid of what others think of us in regards to our faith or how we live our lives worshiping our Lord God.

"Hosanna! God saves! Hosanna!"
"Hallelujah! Praise be to God!"
He is our Savior.
He is our Rock.
Act like a madman! Proclaim His name! Rant of His love!
And out of your love for Him, give praise.


'Save us, O Lord our God,
and gather us from the nations,
that we may give thanks to your holy
name
and glory in your praise.

Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,
from everlasting to everlasting.
Let all the people say, "Amen!"

Praise the Lord.'
[Psalm 106:47-48]

Ch. 636 - Desire to Death

How often do we attempt to cover up our sins or make excuses for them?

STOP.

And don't try to blame others for your own sin.

Confess.
Repent.
Be restored. Renewed.


'When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.'
[James 1:13-15]

Ch. 635 - The Bride

John 11 has come up a few times over the last couple of days, so I thought I would make sure to set aside some time to read over it today. And I am very glad that I did. Now, about three-quarters of John 11 consists of the story of Jesus raising Lazarus [brother of Mary and Martha] from the dead. The last quarter of John 11 tells of a meeting of the Sanhedrin. Chief priests and Pharisees speak of their contempt for Jesus. While John does not mention anything about 'fear' in these verses, I can easily imagine that they are, indeed, fearful - not to mention jealous of their positions of power. This feeling comes from verse forty-eight, which says, ' "If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation." ' They then go on to plot the death of Jesus.

... If they knew then what I know now...

Anyway, the foolish thoughts of the priests and Pharisees were not what caught my attention, really. Rather, it was the following verses that I felt God spoke to me through:

'He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one.'
[John 11:51-52]

'Jesus would die... for the scattered children of God... to make them one.'

What a beautiful truth.

The Son of God would come to earth, living as a man, and die for sinners - chosen by God - to bring them together. And, as it is revealed throughout God's word, these truly devoted children of God are, united, the bride of Christ.

He died for His bride.

And she is beautiful.

Ch. 634 - I do hate.

'Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the Lord God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is. Hate evil, love good; maintain justice in the courts...'
[Amos 5:14-15]

I appreciate the fact that the verse says to hate evil. "Hate" may be a strong word, but in this case it is not strong enough, I feel.

Ch. 633 - Humbled and Healed

' "... if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there." '
[2 Chronicles 7:14-15]

Ch. 632 - A Great Shout

'With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the Lord,

"He is good;
his love to Israel endures
forever."

And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.'
[Ezra 3:11]

Ch. 631 - Sanctuary

I have this fascination with abandoned buildings. I don't know why. I simply do. They have a beauty to them within their ugliness. But they are empty. Useless. Once lived in or used for multiple purposes, they rot and come to shambles, falling apart. I think people can be the same way. And that is a heartbreaking realization. I pray that I never reflect those buildings that I love to look upon. I have great hope in this never happening, because of what my Lord God has done for me.

My sins have been paid for.
Death has no hold on me.
I have the indwelling Holy Spirit.

If I am obedient to Him, then I have no fear of becoming empty or useless.
I need to let Him fill me and use me, pouring me out unto others...
It will happen.

He loves me.

And I need not fear abandonment.


'Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?'
[1 Corinthians 6:19]

Ch. 630 - Changed

I am alive in Christ.


'... and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.'
[Ephesians 4:24]

Ch. 629 - "the evil one"

While I believe we can't ignore the fact that the devil is real, and there are evil presences in the world, I want to say that it seems he becomes as big a deal as we make him - at least in some cases. He is not as big as our God. He is not as powerful. His "authority" is quickly and easily undermined. He may be able to place obstacles in our paths, but our Lord God places ladders right next to them. And God gives us a helping hand to stabilize our steps, allowing us to journey onwards over the obstacles we face.


'The great dragon was hurled down - that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him. Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: "Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down." '
[Revelation 12:9-10]

Note: Our school president noted to pray against "the Evil One" yesterday in chapel. I'm not going to lie - I laughed when I read those words on the slip of paper. I don't know why. I just did. Also, I don't think he even deserves to have a title capitalized, but that's just me.

Ch. 628 - No Shame in Christ

PRAISE GOD THE FATHER!

For He has given us His one and only Son, to save the world and redeem our souls. He delights in us. He loves us. We are worthy of Him. Who are we, simple man, to argue against His word and believe or say that we are not? Realizing how greatly He loves you will free you. He knows of no guilt. He knows of no shame. And speaking of shame... ... I hate that transition, but it works. ... I think the only shame that we should ever let ourselves be afflicted with is that which comes from our not accepting what our Lord God offers us. "Shame on you," indeed.

So turn around. Drop that shame, as you run to Christ. He will welcome you with open arms, full of love. Using the nail that held Him to the cross, He will pick open the chains that weigh you down.

Trust me on this one. I am able to testify of this experience.

[Turn. Run. Be free.]


' "Do not be afraid; you will not suffer
shame.
Do not fear disgrace; you will not be
humiliated.
You will forget the shame of your youth
and remember no more the
reproach of your widowhood.
For your Maker is your husband -
the Lord Almighty is his name -
the Holy One of Israel is your
Redeemer;
he is called the God of all the earth." '
[Isaiah 54:4-5]

In this passage, the Lord is speaking through Isaiah of the future glory of Zion - the bride of Christ. She is beautiful. Worthy. Wise. Give thanks.

Ch. 627 - Hearts for God

I talked with a friend this afternoon. A good friend. I always enjoy talking with him. I learn something new every time we interact. And it's easy to see that God is working in and through him. He cares deeply for God and people, and I love hearing about his dreams and visions for the body of Christ. He and I both desire something great for our brothers and sisters, especially at school: change.

Now, I'm not going to pull an 'Obama' on you and go into a drawn-out albeit inspiring spiel on the fact that we need change and why and how it will happen and that we 'can' do it, etc.* But we do. Need it, I mean. And I think other people are finally beginning to realize that. The best part? They're taking action. Praise God!

One thing I'm excited about is the fact that I think many hearts are truly set on serving God and His people this semester. Something my friend said that I really appreciated was, "You can do good for God anywhere... if you have a heart for God." There's truth to this statement.


'Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.'
[Romans 12:11]

*Disclaimer: Ummm, to clarify... I have nothing against Obama. Also, I don't claim association with either political party. And I do believe that God has put President Obama into office for a reason. Just sayin'.

Ch. 626 - The Judge

'The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? "I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve." '
[Jeremiah 17:9-10]

Ch. 625 - Application of Learning

I've said before that God is the greatest Teacher. The world is our classroom. I don't think you can make the choice to stop learning. Whether we realize it or not, we are constantly learning. However, I do think that you can make the choice to apply what you learn over time to your life and what it contains. Yet I believe it's especially important to choose to do exactly that in regards to ministry. I mean, that will automatically happen for a lot of people in their jobs and such - they won't even get/have to choose to do so... but for some people, it's the same thing over and over, year after year after year. Nothing changes. Some do their job the same way they did when they first started.

But people change.

So do cultures.
Points of view.
The way things are done changes.

I think it's safe to say that because things such as these change, we can conclude that people are complex. Yet they're simple at the same time, you know? For the most part, all of mankind desires the same things. We all have the same emotions. We all have strengths and weaknesses. We all have dreams and goals. There's a way to connect with everyone. It's just figuring out where and how we can link with others that can be difficult. But I think the more time and effort we put into learning about people and putting others before ourselves, the easier it becomes. And we need to make those connections with people, developing relationships, so that they may come to know Christ and have eternal life.


'We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.'
[1 John 1:3]

Ch. 624 - All That is Good

'Righteousness and justice are the
foundation of your throne;
love and faithfulness go before you.'
[Psalm 89:14]

Ch. 623 - Give and Take

We don't always have it all together. Sometimes we need to give ourselves to God in such a way that He can take what we don't need and give us what we do need. Don't be afraid to speak with God. Offer yourself. God has a plan. Don't shy away from letting Him reveal it to you. Be in communion with Him. Pour yourself out and be filled with His Spirit.


'In the morning, O Lord, you hear my
voice;
in the morning I lay my requests
before you
and wait in expectation.'
[Psalm 5:3]

Ch. 622 - Because of Grace

'Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God's sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.'
[Romans 3:20]

Just exactly how conscious are we of sin?

I feel that we aren't very conscious. We know that if we accept Christ and His act of saving us through His death and resurrection, we are good to go. "Saved by grace." So we often set sin aside and don't take it seriously, because all we have to do is as forgiveness and at least say we'll repent. This is not good. I was never more conscious of my sin than when I claimed Islam as my faith, because it is a faith heavily centered on deeds. The less you do good, the greater chance there is that you will sin. The more you sin, the less likely you are to enter heaven. It's a points system, really, and I'm glad that I don't have to keep track of points as I follow Christ.

Ch. 621 - The Tempted Priest

This was a devotional I received today and I really like it. I thought it'd be good to share with others:

'For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-yet was without sin.
[Hebrews 4:15]

Our High Priest, Jesus Christ, was trained — perfected, as it were — for the position He now holds. The Bible says that we will be priests and kings under Him (Revelation 5:10). God had never experienced life as a human being until He became flesh, when He was encompassed with the same kind of frame we are. He then also had a mind that was subject to the devil, if He would allow it.

He suffered many things: He went through difficulties and angers. He felt and endured pain as we do. He took care of a mother. He worked with a father. He had younger brothers and sisters. When His father died, it appears that He became responsible for the family and running the family business. He ran a business as a stone maker - a construction worker - and He did it, undoubtedly, very well.

He learned to work with His hands. He became hungry. He fasted and prayed. He experienced hatred. He learned to trust God and walked with Him, hand in hand, through His own periods in the valley of the shadow of deep gloom. He experienced, in principle, everything in life.

We have to remember that we are being trained to work under Him. Some of the fruit that is produced as a result of our going through these valleys will be helpful to others, even here and now. However, it will be extremely helpful when we are in the Kingdom of God. We need to understand, however, that always, no matter how dark, shadowy, or painful our experiences, we have the very best management that any spiritual sheep could ever possibly have.

Ch. 620 - Not a One

'There is not a righteous man on earth
who does what is right and never
sins.'
[Ecclesiastes 7:20]

Ch. 619 - Expression

'... The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.'
[Galatians 5:6]

How often do you express your faith in this way?

Ch. 618 - No Greater Joy

'I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.'
[3 John 1:4]

Imagine God saying this of us, His children.

I like it.
A lot.

Ch. 617 - Loving Father and Son

'Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.'
[1 John 5:1]

Ch. 616 - Consecration

Living as a disciple of Christ is difficult. It is challenging. Because of this fact, we often fall away from God and turn to worship other gods. We also tend to have a spirit of tradition and religion.

Henry Varley said, "The world has yet to see what God will do with a man who is fully consecrated to him." Dwight L. Moody responded to this with a boldness that changed many people's lives, and he saw many give themselves to Christ.

What would a response to Varley's statement look like?

We have to give our lives fully over to Christ, turning away from the gods that hinder us from responding to His callings, in order to find out.


' "And the Lord drove out before us all the nations, including the Amorites, who lived in the land. We too will serve the Lord, because he is our God." Joshua said to the people, "You are not able to serve the Lord. He is a holy God; he is a jealous God. He will not forgive your rebellion and your sins. If you forsake the Lord and serve foreign gods, he will turn and bring disaster on you and make an end of you, after he has been good to you." But the people said to Joshua, "No! We will serve the Lord." Then Joshua said, "You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen to serve the Lord." "Yes, we are witnesses," they replied. "Now then," said Joshua, "throw away the foreign gods that are among you and yield your hearts to the Lord, the God of Israel." And the people said to Joshua, "We will serve the Lord our God and obey him." '
[Joshua 24:18-24]

Ch. 615 - Flee

'But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.'
[1 Timothy 6:11]

Ch. 614 - Let's Go Fishing

'For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon's partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men." So they pulled up their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.'
[Luke 5:9-11]

Ch. 613 - Man's Delight

'Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.'
[Psalm 1:1-3]

Ch. 612 - Live by Your Faith

' "Behold, as for the proud one, His soul is not right within him; But the righteous will live by his faith."
[Habakkuk 2:4, NASB]

Ch. 611 - His Desire

' "For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him..." '
[2 Chronicles 16:9]

My God is big.
He is all encompassing.
He sees everything, hears everything.
He is powerful.
Wise and knowledgeable.
And He loves.
He is love.

"The Lord never forsakes His saints."

His eyes range the earth...

He desires to make us strong in Him. He desires to be our Refuge. He desires to help us grow. He desires to anoint us with His Spirit.

Let Him.

Ch. 610 - New Plans

'But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.'
[Romans 8:25]

Perseverance.

Ch. 609 - Examples

With feelings of fear and apprehension, we need to ask ourselves, "Who do we trust?" There's a great lack of trust in the world... we must stand as children of God, trusting in Him.

When all else fails, we have the answer. We [believers] know Who to trust.

Be an example to the world!

We need, however, to be changed before we can set a good example. Otherwise, when we attempt to reach out to people as disciples of Christ, they won't see Him in us; it simply won't work. But we have power in Christ Jesus. And if we have the Spirit in us, the Kingdom of Heaven is near, wherever we go.

Be willing to be used by Him. Great things will happen.


'And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.'
[Romans 13:11]

Ch. 608 - Renovation

I am devastated. My heart hurts for hundreds of people I am surrounded by most of the year, because it is a true case of the blind leading the blind. People are running into walls, stumbling, falling down, and burning their hands again and again. The only way these things will stop happening is if we let God remove obstacles, guide us, lead us, and discipline us. Change needs to happen, but nobody can see that. Or if they do, they're not willing to ask God to work and move, to help that change occur. Or they're afraid to admit that everything is not okay.

In the midst of the confusion, lies, and injustice, there is nothing but darkness. There can be no darkness among that which is surrounded by light, especially in the Light that is Jesus Christ.

Doesn't that say something?
Where is He in all this?

Isn't that what needs to be addressed more than anything?

Help, Lord God.


' "This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God." '
[John 3:19-21]

A bit harsh, yet legitimate at the same time.

Ch. 607 - Tired of Obligation

Sing because you love Him.
Sing because He has done good.
And created you.
And given you His Son, sent to die for you.


' "My servants will sing out of the joy of their hearts..." '
[Isaiah 65:14a]