|
Posted on 12/31/2018 8:06:30 PM PST by JustAmy
|
They are a special gift to humans from God. I am convinced of that! :-)
Bible in a Year: Joshua 16–18; Luke 2:1–24
Be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Ephesians 5:18–19
During the Welsh Revivals of the early twentieth century, Bible teacher and author G. Campbell Morgan described what he observed. He believed the presence of God’s Holy Spirit was moving on “billowing waves of sacred song.” Morgan wrote that he had seen the unifying influence of music in meetings that encouraged voluntary prayers, confession, and spontaneous singing. If someone got carried away by their feelings and prayed too long, or spoke in a way that didn’t resonate with others, someone would begin to softly sing. Others would gently join in, the chorus swelling in volume until drowning out all other sound.
The renewal in song that Morgan describes has its story in the Scriptures, where music plays a prominent role. Music was used to celebrate victories (Exodus 15:1–21); in worshipful dedication of the temple (2 Chronicles 5:12–14); and as a part of military strategy (20:21–23). At the center of the Bible we find a songbook (Psalms 1–150). And in Paul’s New Testament letter to the Ephesians we read this description of life in the Spirit: “[Speak] to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:19).
In conflict, in worship, in all of life, the music of our faith can help us find one voice. In harmonies old and new we’re renewed again and again, not by might, nor by power, but the Spirit and songs of our God.
What song has spoken to your heart recently? How can music encourage you in your relationship with God?
Bible in a Year: Joshua 19–21; Luke 2:25–52
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9
A friend and I went for a walk with her grandkids. While pushing the stroller, she commented that her steps were being wasted—they weren’t being counted on the activity tracker she wore on her wrist because she wasn’t swinging her arm. I reminded her that those steps were still helping her physical health. “Yeah,” she laughed. “But I really want that electronic gold star!”
I understand how she feels! Working toward something without immediate results is disheartening. But rewards aren’t always immediate or immediately visible.
When that’s the case, it’s easy to feel that the good things we do are useless, even helping a friend or being kind to a stranger. Paul explained to the church in Galatia, however, that “a man reaps what he sows” (Galatians 6:7). But we must “not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest” (v. 9). Doing good isn’t the way to gain salvation, and the text doesn’t specify whether what we reap will be now or in heaven, but we can be assured that there will be “a harvest of blessing” (6:9 nlt).
Doing good is difficult, especially when we don’t see or know what the “harvest” will be. But as with my friend who still gained the physical benefit from walking, it’s worth continuing to do good because the blessing is coming!
Are you discouraged? Ask God to help you trust Him to be faithful in what He’s called you to do. What good thing can you do for someone today?
|
Spring has sprung....getting difficult to find snow now.
Have seen mosquitoes already. Boo!
EEUUWW! I hope it’s a while before we have mosquitoes. i hat them and they love me. LOL!
Glad the snow is gone! Bet the pup is glad, too!
Moose has had the works this past week. A bath, new collar and ID tag. Seems The Moose outgrew his collar by a teensie bit, and his old tag had our old address on it, so that had to go. Was started on heartwormer March 1 and Frontline today. Hate to use that stuff but it works.
Cheers
Sounds like he’s a brand new doggie for Spring!
Bible in a Year: Joshua 22–24; Luke 3
They did not listen to him because of their discouragement and harsh labor. Exodus 6:9
Winnie the Pooh famously said, “If the person you are talking to doesn’t appear to be listening, be patient. It may simply be that he has a small piece of fluff in his ear.”
I’ve learned over the years that Winnie might be on to something. When someone won’t listen to you even though following your counsel would be to their advantage, it may be that their reticence is nothing more than a small piece of fluff in their ear. Or there may be another hindrance: Some folks find it hard to listen well because they’re broken and discouraged.
Moses said he spoke to the people of Israel but they didn’t listen because their spirits were broken and their lives were hard (Exodus 6:9). The word discouragement in the Hebrew text is literally “short of breath,” the result of their bitter enslavement in Egypt. That being the case, Israel’s reluctance to listen to Moses’s instruction called for understanding and compassion, not censure.
What should we do when others won’t listen? Winnie the Pooh’s words enshrine wisdom: “Be patient.” God says, “Love is patient, love is kind” (1 Corinthians 13:4); it’s willing to wait. He’s not finished with that individual. He’s working through their sorrow, our love, and our prayers. Perhaps, in His time, He’ll open their ears to hear. Just be patient.
What can you learn about your relationship with God from those who won’t listen to you? How do love and patience fit together in a loving relationship?
|
|
Yep! Saw 2 more robins today! HUZZAH!!!!
Woohoo!!
|
Bunneh on the right looks quite smug.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
