In His Praise

“…give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18b Most of us are not happy when bad things happen to us or to someone we care about. Life is full of ups and downs, good and bad and our first response is not always to praise  or thank God. Instead, we may become angry, we might pout or we may even try to “fix” the situation on our own. But God’s Word gives us some perfect advice. In Psalm 46:10 God tells us “Be still and know that I am God.”  Verse 11 continues to reassure us that the Lord Almighty is with us. So first of all, we have to “settle down” and acknowledge that God is still in control.…

“I am the Living One; I was dead and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys to Death and Hades.” Revelation 1:18 Praise the Lord! Jesus rose from the dead and  is alive forever more!  Thank you, Lord, for dying for our sins and making a way for our salvation. Thank you for conquering death and the grave, so that we do not have to fear dying. Thank you for your resurrection which gives us a path to eternal life with you. Hallelujah! What a Savior is this Jesus!

“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.”  Psalm 150:6 Today we celebrate what we call Palm Sunday. It marks Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. The beginning of Holy Week, when all the events that led up to His crucification began to unfold. Typically we think of Palm Sunday as a joyous time. John 12:12-15 describes this scene with people shouting praises to Jesus. They honored Him by laying palm branches in His path. It must have been a joyous time, full of excitement and hope. But, the joy and excitement did not last as the crowds quickly changed their minds and hearts against Jesus when they realized that He was not the military victor that they wanted. In  just a few short days, Jesus was betrayed, arrested,…

“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 The Bible teaches us that “Jesus went about doing good” (Acts 10:38). He healed the sick, lame and deaf. He restored sight to the blind and  brought the dead back to life. Jesus not only addressed the physical needs of those He encountered, He met their spiritual needs as well. Jesus ultimately gave His life for all people to bring salvation into the world.  As Jesus’ followers, we too should strive to go about doing good. Helping the weak, sick and needy are ways that we can do good in this world. In doing these things, we can share the gospel with those that…

“See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?  I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:19 Many people are living in hard times right now. Financial problems are real. With inflation on the rise, higher prices are seen on almost everything that is needed for day to day living. Some people, as well as businesses, are still struggling to recover from jobs and incomes lost during the pandemic.   Emotional struggles are a real thing too. Mental health issues have been brought to the forefront of society, (as well they should be).  Many struggle just to get through a normal day’s activities, hold a job, or deal with the other stresses that occur.  In addition,…

“All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Psalms 139:16b Decisions are difficult to make sometimes. Questions concerning our future direction in life often give us much thought and consideration. When a young person is planning to attend college, he or she may spend months researching different schools, trying to find the one that has the best curriculum fit for them. As adults, as we begin a work career, we search for those jobs that seem interesting to us or that have the best benefits for income and security. Most people take time to think about large purchases too, like automobiles or houses. These are major choices in life and will influence our future in a big way. It can…

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.” Matthew 5:13 Salt is one of the oldest and maybe the most used seasoning around. It is used to enhance flavor and, sometimes, as a preservative. Salt is a staple in most kitchens. So what did Jesus mean when He said that we (His children) are the salt of the earth? Why are we compared to seasoning? Jesus, of course, is speaking of our Christian witness in the world. As Christians, our lives should always reflect His love. Just as salt can improve the taste of food, our lives should be a positive…

In His Praise! Good News from East Point C.P. Church Feb. 26, 2023 “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you, nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8 Moses had been God’s spokesman and the leader of the Israelites for many, many years. As God’s people were finally approaching the time to enter the Promised Land, Moses announced to them that he would not be going with them; God had other plans. Moses’ helper and assistant, Joshua, was God’s chosen leader for this final leg of the journey. (Deuteronomy 31:1-7) Many had come to depend on Moses’ leadership and wisdom. Joshua too, had looked to Moses for guidance and direction during their long journey from Egypt.…

“Praise the Lord.  Praise God in His sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens.   Praise him for his mighty acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness.  Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre,   praise him with tambourine and dancing. Praise him with the strings and flute,  praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals.  Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.  Praise the Lord.” Psalm 150:1-6 When is it the right time to praise the Lord and where is it appropriate to show this worship?  According to this great psalm anytime and all the time is when we should be offering up praise to our Lord! Whether we are in a church setting…

“The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love. He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 It is that time of the year again! Flowers, candy and other gifts will be purchased and sweet words will be written and spoken as we strive to tell our special ones how much we love them. Valentine’s Day has become a tradition in which many participate. Telling others that they are loved and appreciated are good things to do. Everyone enjoys being made to feel special. But in this verse from Zephaniah we read one of the sweetest “love” messages ever written. In these words we are reminded that God is always with us.…