The Highest Praise

As I sit down to write this post, I am aware that so many of my thoughts offered here center around our Sunday morning music. Today is another in that series. :)

I am sure that Pastor Fred is guided by the Spirit as he makes plans for our corporate worship. Whether he bows his head and forms a prayer or not, God is guiding him, I know.

Here's how I know: So many of the songs seem designed just for me. I'm not suggesting by any means that I am the most important person in the auditorium; rather, God's Spirit works among us--in all our spirits--to bring about the worship He is due.

Inasmuch as many of our songs are directed to God, they are really prayers. One recent example that stirred my soul has a chorus that says the following:

            You alone can rescue; You alone can save.
            You alone can lift us from the grave.

As we sang, the faces of loved ones who need God's rescue flashed across my mind, and the song became a prayer not only of worship but of supplication to God to rescue those I love. Then the next two lines:

            You came down to find us, led us out of death.
            To You alone belongs the highest praise!

I long for the day I get to see my dear ones praising God along with me because of His mercy and power in their lives.

Today's song service (May 27) couldn't have been better if I'd designed it myself! The praises directed to God for His blessing and love in the "desert place" and in "the wilderness" as well as when "the world's all as it should be" are powerful reminders that God has a plan, and that His plan is a good one. He is "the Everlasting God" Who does not faint or grow weary; we are all in His loving hands.

Even when tragedy hits or we can't really see any good thing happening, we trust Him, our King, and we sing praises to Him--and those praises are also prayers.

--Sherry Poff

Be Nice

                                            

                                 May 13, 2018

(Before I give my thoughts, I would like to honor our daughter, Gillian Holladay Lopez, who went to Heaven on May 11, 2017. She was a wonderful wife and mother to her husband Ralph and their son Kai. Thank you for your prayers.)

Ephesians 4:32 “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.”

“Be nice” - If my dear mother said that once, she said it a thousand times. AND

guess what???? I did the same thing with my son and daughter. In fact, Brant and I spent six months taking a church in Fiji. One of the projects I had there was to stitch quotes for our children. And my mom and I both loved to quote Ephesians 4:32. Such a practical, powerful verse!

What an honor to get to “blog” on Mother’s Day! If this blog were to be totally about my mother, and I told you why so many loved that little lady, you would be excited to meet her in Heaven. She was so much fun, so kind, thoughtful, compassionate, unselfish...

BUT she would say: “Sis, talk about the Lord Jesus.” She would tell you that the verse - Ephesians 4:32 - is NOT an option. “Be kind (be nice), be tenderhearted (be compassionate), forgive others as God did because of Jesus.” Those are not choices but “musts” for Christians who wants to please the Lord.

HOW can we consistently “show” all these remarkable traits? Just look right down from Ephesians 4:32 to the next chapter...Ephesians 5. Read the whole chapter sometime. For now, we will use just a few ideas to help us to “be nice.”

Ephesians 5:1 - Follow God’s example. Study His Word to learn about His character.

                 5:2 - Walk in love as Christ loved us. BUT HOW can we do that? Study the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) for many examples of how Christ walked in love towards so many different people.

                5:8 - Realize you are no longer in darkness but are children of light. Shine for the Lord. Kindness is a way to shine.

                  5:15/18 - Walk circumspectly (I loved to teach Latin...the etymology of this word: “circum” = around/”spectare” = to watch or look), be alert, be careful to use God’s Word and His Holy Spirit to help you to walk the right way.

                  5:19/20 - Be joyful in the Lord. Joy is contagious! Some wise person said:

“Life is too short to live as a grouch.”

Have you memorized this verse?

Ephesians 4:32 “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.”

If not, d o it soon. It will help you to “be nice.”

--Maylou Holladay

Brace Yourself

According to “The Truth About Cancer” people, Louis Pasteur’s contemporaries disagreed with him regarding germs making people sick. They argued that it was people’s inability to resist germs that made people sick. They contended that if people would prepare their bodies for the attack of germs, they would not get sick. This concept can be true for other areas of life.

Years ago, I worked in a local Baptist ministry and endured relentless spiritual
attacks the whole time. The Enemy recognized a good work and schemed to
divide and discourage the staff. Sadly, he succeeded.

After being gone for 16 years, I'm back working there. This time, the Lord has
matured and prepared me spiritually, emotionally, and mentally for the onslaught.
I expect it. I don’t want to be destroyed by the Enemy, nor do I want to be an
instrument in his hands. I bet you don’t either, in whatever your calling is.

Most of us are familiar with the armor of God outlined for us in Ephesian 6, but
do we take it seriously? Do we really believe in principalities and powers and
rulers of darkness?

Verse 12, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

I don’t know about you, but I’m not strong enough to face the powers of
darkness. I’m “skeered” to step foot into that arena without God’s armor
protecting me. Have you put on His truth, righteousness, and salvation? Are you
ready to share the gospel? Are you lifting your shield of faith? Is the Sword of
God’s Word strapped to your side? Have you prayed for Spirit-filling? That God
would fill your mouth with His words?

Whether you’re a stay-at-home mom (especially if you’re a stay-at-home mom),
a career woman, or an empty-nester does not matter. Our Enemy wants to
destroy us. He literally wants to kill us.

We must be confident, but not arrogant, in our position in Christ. He chose us.
Restored us. We are His children, saved from the bondage of sin and made holy.
He is our Good, Good Father. We prepare ourselves by learning the truth of Who
He is and what He expects of us. We have faith that God is in control and will
handle our problems according to His good purposes. He is for us. Who can be
against us?

Brace yourself. Expect to be attacked. It's coming.

joyce hague