“About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray.”
Luke 9:28

As we lifted off the runway and made a turn to the South over Puget Sound, I could see it in the hazy distance. As we got closer, it got bigger and more visibly clear. Suddenly we were there and as we flew around the peak of Mt. Rainer, so close that it seemed we could almost touch it. I reached for my camera.

There’s just something spiritual and spectacular about being on a mountaintop. Have you ever thought about how many significant Biblical events occurred on a mountain top? Moses got the Ten Commandments on Mt. Sinai and later saw the Promised Land from Mt. Moab. Jesus was gloriously transfigured on the Mt. of Transfiguration.

We see God’s handiwork all around us, but perhaps in a greater way in His spectacular creation of the mighty mountain peaks around the world. But mountains are also a symbol of challenge, as they remind us that the best view is always from the top.  In our spiritual growth, we should never stop halfway up, as the real reward is at the peak. We gain our real strength, both spiritual and physical, when we press to reach the pinnacle.

Caleb is one of my Biblical heroes. When God was dividing up the land among the Israelites, the people were asking for the lush valleys and grassy plains, but Caleb asked for a mountain, for it was there that their enemies had been chased and built their fortresses. That did not intimidate Caleb, as he wanted a challenge. He trusted not in his own strength, but in God’s presence. He wanted to see God at work and choose a place where he would have to trust in God. He refused to allow the difficulty to stop him from enjoying all that God had promised him.

If you always choose the easy way, asking for peaceful valleys, you will never see God’s full power displayed to enable you to take a mountain. Seek out the mountains, and you will witness God doing things through your life that can be explained only by His mighty presence.

by John Grant
used by permission
John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney

FURTHER READING

The Mountain Top and the Valley

Mountaintops

A Moving Mountain

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“You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’” Matthew 13:7-9

How would you describe your worship experience? In today’s modern church context, many believers describe worship as a contemporary musical liturgy that precedes the traditional Sunday sermon. For many congregants, including me, modern and traditional worship songs captivate and arouse our souls — evoking an emotional euphoria that manifests as a physical and verbal expression of exultation. This experience is common, but is authentic worship more than just our emotional response to creative compositions that glorify God?

In Matthew 15, Jesus reminds us that true worship is more than just lip service. He reprimands the Pharisees and teachers of the law, calling them hypocrites because their pretentious posturing prioritized tradition over the non-negotiable truth of God’s word. To emphasize their error, Jesus quotes Isaiah 29:13 — clearly and unapologetically exposing their hypocrisy. Jesus’ observation reiterates that authentic worship transcends emotional expression and the superficial veneer of outward worship. Sincere worship is a matter of a heart obedient to God’s will and word — reflecting submission, sacrifice, and service.

Are you just going through the motions when you worship the Lord? Are you honoring God with your lips and not your heart? Worship without obedience is vanity. Worship is for God’s pleasure. Let us humbly and reverently come before Him and embrace the true heart of worship.

Dear Heavenly Father, Lord I don’t want to go through the motions when I come before you in worship. May my faith walk, inwardly and outwardly, reflect a sincere heart obedient to your will and word. May I always offer you sweet worship that honors and glorifies your name. Amen.

By Allan Mitchell
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

Pure and Unadulterated Worship

Who or What Do You Worship?

Some Thoughts on Worship

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The post More Than Euphoria can be found at Thoughts about God.

“The name of the Lord is a strong tower. The righteous run into it and are safe.” Proverbs 18:10

In Hebrew and Greek, each personal name communicated something indispensable for distinguishing that person’s character and personality. Names were so important that when the person’s character changed, the person’s name changed, like Jacob to Israel, Simon to Peter, Saul to Paul. Their new name corresponded to their new nature and the purposes of God in their life.

The many names of God present some aspect of His inexhaustible, awesome glory. God made a big deal of making His name known to Israel, and Jesus said that making the Father’s name known was one of His continuing functions, so that we will love Him more and receive His abiding presence (John 17:26). Knowing the names of God causes us to know the riches we have in Him, and we rejoice His heart when we know Him.

God intends for us to see Him through His names. There are 37 names and 120 ways and attributes of God in Revelation. Can you find the 61 names or titles and 300 attributes of God in Psalms?  How about the 64 names and titles of God and 150 attributes in Isaiah?  Knowing the names of God leads me to know the riches we have in Him. What we call God says a lot about our relationship with Him. As we pray, do we call Him Lord? Abba-Father? King?

For every need and circumstance you are facing there is a name of God to meet that need. Focus your attention on the overcoming God of the universe, rather than on your problem or need. Worship God in any way that is meaningful to you, as His Spirit leads you. Make it your ambition to glorify God and enjoy Him in his many names. The King of kings wants you to personally know Him in all His fullness.  Think of it!  You are privileged to walk with the Lord of hosts. Think of it! The Living Water invites you to drink deeply of Him. The Bread of Life invites you to feast upon His Word.

by Sylvia Gunter
used by permission

FURTHER READING

The Names of God

The Names of Christ

Names of Jesus

The post Praying the Names of God can be found at Thoughts about God.

“Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you the most joyful news ever announced, and it is for everyone!  The Savior — yes, the Messiah, the Lord, has been born tonight in Bethlehem” Luke 2: 10 -11

We are celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ on December 25th and I have been wondering what I should give Him for His birthday this year. What would He like?

The Wise Men brought tangible gifts — gold, frankincense and myrrh. But we can’t give material gifts to Him, so I have to think of something else, something He would value.

What can I give Him?

LOVE? I know He would appreciate more love from me.

OBEDIENCE? The Bible tells us that we show our love to Him by our obedience.

THANKFULNESS? To many times I take His blessings for granted.  Family, health, nature, home, lots of food, forgiveness of sins. Yes, I need to thank Him (and others) more often.

PRAISE? He really appreciates our praise. Not just on Sunday morning, or during quiet times, but many times–all the day long.

TELL OTHERS ABOUT HIM? Yes, because after all, He promised us His power to be His witnesses.

GIVE TO THE POOR? He wants us to remember and help those less fortunate than we are.  OK, Lord, direct me to the poor that you want me to help.

Thanks for the Bible, Lord! It tells us what You appreciate. Now which one of these gifts will I make my focus this year?

What are YOU going to give Jesus for His birthday?

Lord Jesus, we really want to please you on your birthday celebration this year.  What can we give you? Would you please let us know what would please you the most?  Thank you.  We love you. Amen.

by Katherine Kehler
used by permission

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Listen to the Word of God for you in Song of Solomon 7:6. “How beautiful you are and how pleasing, O love, with your delights!”

Set your spiritual compass heading to these words of God to you. You are his precious one, and he takes pleasure in you. Be blessed to be enlarged with his deep love. Be blessed with knowing that you delight his heart.

Listen as the Love of your life tells you again from the Song of Solomon 4:1,9-10 that you are his beautiful one. “How beautiful you are, my beloved! Oh, how beautiful! All beautiful you are, my beloved; there is no flaw in you. You have ravished my heart, my sister, my bride with one look of your eyes… How fair is your love, my sister, my bride! How much better than wine is your love, and the scent of your perfumes is better than all spices!”

Now is the time for you to receive how deeply God cares for you. Listen to his words to you in Song of Solomon 2:11-13. “See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land. The fig tree forms its early fruit; the blossoming vines spread their fragrance. Arise, come, my darling; my beautiful one, come with me, for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely.”

You have faithfully endured the hardship of winter. Even in winter months, the earth is not completely dormant. The process of life continues. And now the spring has come. Let go of any fear or unbelief and fully embrace the spring. Rejoice! Sing! Breathe in the fragrance of new life. It is time to put the winter behind and arise in the new abundance that this season has for you.

You are the object of heaven’s fiery love. He calls you precious one, his beautiful one. His love for you can never diminish, because he is the eternal I AM. He loves you freely with unchanging love (Hosea 14:4). How can you doubt God’s love for you? He doesn’t give you some of his love; he is love, and he gives you himself (1 John 4:16). You have all of him, so you have all of his love at all times. Receive his love, just because you are his. His great love for you is bathed in rich mercy (Micah 7:18; Ephesians 2:4). What more can God do to prove his love than by giving you his Son in exchange for your life (Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 5:25)? Be blessed in the wonder of such an amazing love story.

Be blessed in the name of the God of love who is with you
(2 Corinthians 13:11).

by Sylvia Gunter
used by permission

FURTHER READING

God Loves You

God’s Love is Holy Love

Sacred Romance

The post Be Enlarged by the Love of God can be found at Thoughts about God.

This week I saw a Star Wars Advent Calendar and it took me by surprise. It was simply a countdown to Christmas Day and so far removed from the original intent of the Advent season.

Advent means the coming of something extremely important and awaited!

At Christmas time we traditionally celebrant the Advent season, the season where we remember the birth of the long awaited Christ child, the Savior of the world.

Traditionally this season begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and ends on Christmas Day. Each Sunday a candle is lit to symbolize an aspect of this special event in Christian history.

As we prepare for Christmas by getting our presents and food and homes ready for the celebration of family and friends, we are wise to also pay attention to preparing our hearts for the celebration of all the Christ child brings to our hearts and lives.

The first candle is the candle of HOPE, which portrays the expectancy of the coming of the Savior to reconcile each one of us to God, no longer left to our own struggling ways.

The second candle is the candle of PEACE, which symbolizes the preparation of the heart in getting ready for the presence of the Christ. His presence in our hearts brings peace. Advent can be a time of reorienting the heart toward God and toward peace in the midst of the busy running and spending that tends to occupy the season with frenzy.

The third candle symbolizes JOY as Christ’s presence occupies our hearts with His hope and His peace bringing a fulfillment deep within. This joy goes far deeper and far beyond any surface happiness of the cultural party season.

The forth candle is the candle of LOVE that represents the unconditional, limitless love of God for each individual regardless of past or present circumstance. This love reaches to the depths to retrieve, restore, release, refresh and renew hearts that are weary and worn from going their own way apart from God. His love in us enables us to love others.

The fifth candle is the candle we light on Christmas Day and it symbolizes the CHRIST who is the go between, the conduit, the One who brings this Hope, this Peace, this Joy and this Love God offers into our hearts in a practical and daily way as we invite Him to forgive us and fill us and to simply “do life” with us through His power.

“For unto us a child is born, … and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

Father God, Thank you that You reached out to connect with me through sending Jesus on that very first Christmas. I open my heart to Him in a fresh way this Advent season to fill me afresh with Your hope, peace, joy and love so that it overflows in my life with fresh meaning and purpose. I pray this in the powerful name of Your Son, Jesus, amen.

By Gail Rodgers
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

• The Christmas Story: Does It Still Matter?
• Great Expectations for Christmas
  Rather than be driven by a list of expectations, there is a better way to approach Christmas.

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The post What is the Advent Season About? can be found at Thoughts about God.

While reading Psalm 116:12-19 this morning I was reminded again of God’s goodness and love to us.  My thoughts echo the psalmist’s and I pray that yours do too.

“How can I repay the LORD for all his goodness to me?
I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD.
I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people.
Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.
O LORD, truly I am your servant; I am your servant, the son of your maidservant; you have freed me from my chains.

I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the LORD.
I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people,
in the courts of the house of the LORD—in your midst, O Jerusalem.
Praise the LORD.”

My prayer for you:

“Heavenly Father we love you. You heard our voice; you heard our cry for mercy. Because you turned your ear to us, we will call on you as long as we live. In Jesus name, amen.” Psalm 116:1,2

By Alec Niemi
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

Remembering God’s Goodness

Forever Faithful

God is Good All the Time

The post God’s Peace can be found at Thoughts about God.

“Coby, you have to be thankful,” is the line of conversation between my two grandsons that caught my attention. I listened as Domonic, the 5 year old, was attempting to teach his 3 year old brother a profound life lesson.

They were negotiating who should play with which toy. Domonic’s plan was to use the “Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Mo” rhyme to determine who should get the more desirable one. But before he used this as the solution to their disagreement, he coached his little brother, saying, “Coby, if you get the larger toy you have to be thankful. No complaining. You have to say thank you. If you get the smaller toy you have to be thankful. No complaining. You have to say thank you.”  However well-meaning Domonic was, Coby did not appreciate the wisdom offered by his brother that day, but maintained, “I want this one.”

God has some similar advice for us. In fact, it is a command. In the letter to the Corinthians, Paul urges his readers, “Be thankful in all circumstances.” Thankful words come easily in the moments when we get what we want.   It is a little more challenging in the difficult moments to respond with gratitude.

Being thankful in all situations is a step of faith. It is choosing to believe, in spite of the circumstances we’re facing, that God is wise, loving and has a good plan for us. When I make an attitude adjustment and choose to say “thank you” in the difficult moments, it moves my focus from one of complaining, at least in my heart, to anticipation of what God will do and how the circumstances will fit into God’s bigger plan.

“And we know that all thing work together for good to those who love God and are called for his purpose.”     Romans 8:28

by Mike Woodard
used by permission

Learn more about knowing Jesus at: http://thoughtsaboutgod.com/four-laws/

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• Be Calm. Be Strong. Be Thankful!
• A Thankful Man Is a Humble Man
• I am Thankful for…

The post Thankfulness (Lessons from a 5 Year Old) can be found at Thoughts about God.

“I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live“. Psalm 67:2
The crowd shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” Matthew 21:9
(The crowd) all answered, “Crucify him!”  Matthew 27:22

The words to ‘praise songs‘ flowed easily off my lips as I comfortably sat during a recent worship service. The melodies, whether accompanied by grand organ or rhythmic brass, strings and drums, filled my heart with the promise of unending praise to the God I love and promise to serve.

And then the picture of the crowds on what we call Palm Sunday flashed before me. They too were filled with praise for the One they assumed would be their Savior. They knew the prophetic writings, many of them were faithful followers of God, they longed for the day when the tyrannical oppressor would be overcome. And so they shouted their praise.

But the Savior they presumed would be their savior did not fulfill their dreams.  His teaching was often obscure. He predicted things that didn’t have the ring of triumph. He asked for denial of self and giving to others, many of whom would not appreciate the gift. They allowed themselves to be swayed by those who seemed to have all the answers.

Singing on Sunday morning is far different from living on Monday in the classroom, office or field. When a friend goes into a coma after simple surgery and doctors have no answers. When unemployment extends into long, dismal months and the bank account is drained. When children wander off the paths we know would be best.

Following closely after Jesus often means living with unanswered questions, but a good first step in insuring that our praise will be lifelong is beginning to practice the command given by the Apostle Paul:  “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstance” (Thessalonians 5:16-18).

Father, forgive me for the short shelf life of my praise. Teach me more about daily praise, even when circumstances seem anything but ‘praiseworthy.‘

by Marilyn Ehle
used by permission

FURTHER READING

• Pure and Unadulterated Worship
• Worship on the Go
• Some Thoughts on Worship

The post Praise: Here Today, Gone Tomorrow can be found at Thoughts about God.

I once had a lady tell me that her counselor told her to quit praying because it was only causing her to focus on her problems. What a sad statement! Prayer is the amazing opportunity to invite God into situations and relationships in order to bring hope and healing.

I understand what the counselor was saying, yet prayer is so much more than simply rehearsing the difficulties and challenges and desperately begging God, “please, please”.

Dutch Sheets, in his book Watchman Prayer, says it well. “Prayer is not a check request asking for things from God. It is a deposit slip – a way of depositing God’s character into our bankrupt souls.”

Think about who God is. His character, reflected in the very names we find in Scripture describe the power and might, the majesty and the mystery, the love and the caring that God desires to bring into our lives through prayer.

When we focus on God and all He is, our perspective changes, our faith grows and peace begins to settle over our bankrupt souls as we look to Him. Thankfulness begins to flow in the place where desperation resided.

Think about the situations and relationships that are troubling your heart right now. Set aside the blank check that you want God to fill and take instead the deposit slip of His character and pray into those situations in a new way. It will change the way you pray and it will change you and your situations.

Here are some examples of using the deposit slip of God’s character in your prayers:

In difficult circumstances that seem to never end:

Thank you, God, that You are the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end of all things; You know the details of this situation that I bring to You now. Please give me Your wisdom as I seek a resolution. You alone are the God of Heaven and Earth. Thank you that Your presence reaches even into this situation. May I be amazed at Your presence in these difficult circumstances as I trust You in this. You saw the beginning and You know the ending. Thank you that You will carry me and give me strength and wisdom as You work in this.

In trying relationships:

Thank you, Father God, that You, the Sovereign Lord, sits enthroned upon the circle of the Earth. Nothing and no one is beyond Your reach. Your love reaches to the ends of the earth. Bring Your love into the tense relationship that concerns me today. You are the Almighty God, You are armed with strength and nothing is impossible with You. Stir my heart with fresh love in this sandpaper relationship. Help me to hear the feelings behind the words. Arm me with Your strength and protect my heart as I trust You to bring healing.

Deposit faith in the attributes of God’s character as you pray today.

“May the God Hope fill you with all joy and peace, AS YOU TRUST IN HIM so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

by Gail Rodgers
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

• How to Pray Articles
• What Should Be Included in Prayer?
• Foundational Core Truths about Prayer by Sylvia Gunter

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The post Check or Deposit? can be found at Thoughts about God.