Ξ November 29th, 2007 | → Comments Off | ∇ Music, Video|
There are times when I am unable to post on this blog. Usually it’s because of other obligations. I wish that I could do more than I am.
But today, I have found a fantastic song sung by David Phelps who, if you have never heard him, used to sing with the Gaither Vocal Band. It is most assuredly worth the time to listen to this video. He does an awesome job. This song is annointed!! No More Night sung by David Phelps!
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When I was a kid, I learned that I had to have good grooming, clean my room to the best of my abilities, do my homework, do the chores around the house that were mine and to be telling the truth in everything I did. Naturally, I did not do all these things when my parents weren’t looking. If my homework got left at school, I couldn’t do it, could I? If my hair didn’t look as good as it should, I was just having a bad hair day (though we certainly didn’t say that then).
What’s the problem here? The one thing that sticks out for me is that I really wasn’t doing what I was supposed to as long as no one watched me. The homework quite often did not get done because I “left it at school” or I “did it at school”. My parents really did not see why my grades were so bad when I had done everything I said I did. But I didn’t. What’s wrong with doing or saying one thing in front of people and doing or saying something else when no one is watching? In God’s terms, this is a lack of honor. Jesus Christ, God’s Son, is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). Shouldn’t we try to be the same?
Is it right to not do as good a job at work simply because no one is monitoring you? Have you been hired to do mediocre work just because you do not like the boss or the company is not giving you the bonus or benefits you think you deserve?
This country, and world for that matter, have little honor. Most parents have no idea what that word means so they do not teach it to their children. This is an honorless generation. Sad, isn’t it. We do not even know what the word means.
This quote is not from the Bible but certainly says exactly what honor is defined as being:
The shortest and surest way to live with honor in the world is to be in reality what we would appear to be. (Socrates)
So the question is….are you who you appear to be? Is your work ethic as good as the boss thinks? Are you what you seem to be? Honest? Trustworthy? Hard working? Or are you thinking and doing things in secret that you would be ashamed of in public?
Jesus, our Savior, is the same yesterday, today and all the tomorrows there are. That is so comforting to me. Regardless of how the world changes, the Lord is the same. It means that my home, my fortress, my refuge will not be different than it is right now. He does not do things in secret that He is ashamed for us, His children, to see Him do.
We need to strive to come as close as we possibly can to that example that Jesus has set. He knows that we are flawed and will not obtain perfection here. That’s why He died for us. But we can look at our example, Jesus, and try as hard as we can to be honest, honorable just as He is…..even when no one is watching.
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Over the years, it seems that the American Thanksgiving day has evolved into something that simply marks so much time before Christmas, which is also just another day. For a lot of reasons, this particular day’s meaning has been lost. Now, I do realize that when the original celebration occurred here in the U.S., it had little to do with having a “turkey day” and much to do with the giving of thanks that the pilgrims had made a hazardous trip and had made it to a safe place to live.
God wants us to give thanks for all things that are good in our lives. He even has wanted us to give thanks for adversities because in those, we are able to grow in our spirits. So today, let us think on those things that are good
(1Th 5:18) In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
(Php 4:6-8) Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
And now, please give thanks for your loved ones…wherever they may be. Give thanks for all things that are good in your life.
This video is the song: “Give Thanks With A Grateful Heart”
Happy Thanksgiving from Topshelf!! May your day be rich with blessings and love!
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When I was in high school, we had homerooms..meaning, we had a school room to go to every morning to start the day. We were there, generally, about 5 minutes getting the announcements for the day and any other business that had to be conducted. If we had an assembly that morning, we would travel to it from homeroom. It was our beginning.
Now on the top of the door, in our homeroom, there was a plaque that read P.A.L.S. At the beginning of each year (we kept the homeroom for the duration of our time at the high school), the particular teacher for that classroom would tell us what those letters meant. It was our homeroom motto. The one mystery in all these years is…why on earth it had to be a secret? I have no idea but there ya go.
The point here is that I remember the motto from all those years ago. We are talking over 40 years since I have been in that classroom and I still recall the motto. Why? Because it made an impact on me. The motto was “Perseverance Always Leads to Success”. Does it? I don’t really know for certain but I do believe that the reason I remember that when I have forgotten so many other things about high school is that God wanted me to keep that in mind when I want to start something.
Today, I am putting in this devotion because 1) I have not put one up in a long time and 2) because I believe that we need to remember my classroom motto. Paul did. Well, of course, he did not know my classroom motto but he lived his life with perseverance in mind. Here, let me show you:
(Phillipians 3:13-14) My brothers, I do not count myself to have taken possession, but one thing I do, forgetting the things behind and reaching forward to the things before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Paul says that he forgets the things in the past and presses toward the mark of the prize. What prize is that? The high calling of God in Christ Jesus. When I began preaching, I knew that was what I was supposed to do because it was my calling. I want to be the best at what I do because I do not want to disappoint my Lord Jesus Who died for me on that cross. It was a knowing that God wanted me to do my job of preaching. I got ordained in a church by a pastor who took his calling very seriously so he would not have ordained me without God’s approval. He pressed toward the mark. I have pressed toward the mark..not as much as I should have..but I press toward the mark because I want to do the best job for Jesus that I can.
So today, we can all be like Paul. Perseverance always leads to success. If we will stick to our task, we can come out on top. Isn’t that what the scripture is saying too? Paul pressed toward the mark. What mark are you faced with today? Is it your job or school work? Your family? A sport you participate in? Do you feel that you cannot go on one more minute? Press toward the mark. Go that extra mile. Push one step farther than you ever have before. Be the winner that God has instilled in your heart. We can make a difference if we all press toward the mark, persevere and attain the goal. YEAH!!
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I found Petra some years ago when I needed to hear some music that did not necessarily sound like the canned music that you find in some churches. These guys were the ones that showed me that songs sung to God do not always have to sound quiet and sacred. Here they sing “Lord, I Lift Your Name On High!” What a wonderful praise song! Thank You, Lord!
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Did you ever wonder if the suffering you have to do will end? I have thought of that many, many times. Usually, when our family is going through something that’s a health issue, it feels like it will never end. Ditto for the financial problems. Sometimes those are worse than the health problems. Health and money are the hot topics in our extended family almost every time we start talking.
Isn’t it sad that we have to talk about those negative things so much? I hate it but I still find myself doing it anyway. Of course, it does not help when the usual and customary question asked by literally everyone is “Hi, how ya doin’?”, does it? If we are not truthful, we tend to say things like “Good, and you?” or the ever popular “fine”. Sigh. But if we were actually truthful, those folks do not really want to know the real deal. They don’t want you to tell them every little ache and pain you have or what Bessie did to Tommy last night. Uh uh. They only ask that because it’s a habit, not real concern.
Now, God tells us that suffering does happen but it will end. He also makes some really great promises with that. I love those promises because He KEEPS His promises unlike most of the people in our lives. Do you know anyone who has always kept their promises? I try very hard to keep all promises I make..but it does happen when something unavoidable happens and a promise is broken. Rare but it does happen. Only God has the reputation for keeping ALL of His promises. So, isn’t it great that He gives us so many!!!
(1Peter 5:10) But the God of all grace, He calling us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little, He will perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
You know, most people read this and say “Yeah..and??” but I read it this morning and got a huge zing out of it. First, God says that He has all grace. Wow! Grace means that He gives us a free gift, a grace period to straighten out sort of like an insurance policy. Many policies offer a grace period when you haven’t paid yet but you still have the policy. They do not owe you the coverage but they give it to you whether you have paid them or not. God does not expect payment for your sins. Jesus already paid that price for you on the cross. He only asks that you believe that and receive Jesus into your heart.
In the next phrase of the verse, God says that He is calling us to eternal glory! Awesome. Can you feel the pull of your heart to Jesus? I do. He love us so much that He is continually calling us. Then the verse says “after you have suffered a little”. My translation says “suffered a while”. In either case, there is going to be a certain amount of suffering. It’s how you handle that suffering that tells the tale of your faith. Ouch!! That one can hurt a bit. But take heart. God is there with you during the suffering. You can see your faith grow in such times.
But, God has us on this earth to learn. We are in school and it’s not even kindergarten yet. Sigh. At least for most of us, it isn’t. Some folks have risen to the level of kindergarten and first grade but I’m guessing that would be those faith giants that are walking in the Lord so closely that you almost can no longer see them for the shine of the Lord. I strive to be in that place myself. Do not despair. You can get to that point. It is not just for preachers and pastors. God did not write this scripture just for those who are on the front lines of ministry. God wrote that for everyone!! EVERYONE! Yes, you also.
These promises are a blessing of God. It means that He is constantly watching over us. He is vitally interested in all parts of your life, little things and huge things. Have you ever asked Him which beans to buy at the store? I have. He wants to be in ALL of your life, to guide and to protect. Doesn’t it make sense to allow Him to do that? After all, He is your Creator and the One Who knows the end from the beginning. I would say that those credentials are good enough, wouldn’t you?
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There are always questions on the Rapture, aren’t there. We all envision the event differently, I am guessing. Perhaps it will be like the portrayal in Left Behind with the people simply vanishing with clothes in a pile. Maybe it will be like another such movie that had the clothes neatly folded. However, it happens, it will happen.
Now, the thing is that I am not going to tell you WHEN the rapture is coming. Even Jesus did not know that fact. Only God knows this so I will not insult you by telling you times and dates. But, we are told in the scriptures that you can recognize the times and seasons. This we can do and should do as Christians. Guess what? The time is now. We are in the season of the Lord.
Too many things that are happening in the world point to the soon return of Jesus. Okay, is this going to happen like it’s been portrayed? People vanish and accidents happen? Shock takes over the world, then the bad guys? Is it going to be suddenly happening or quietly done? I can guess but that’s all it would be, based on what I have read in the Word of God. Perhaps it would be wise to read the books of Ezekiel, Daniel and the book of Revelation. “Oh, but I can’t understand the book of Revelation. Nothing seems to be real there.” Really.
Well, I can give you a way to deal with that. Please read the other books of God’s Word. By the time you get back to the book of Revelation (NOT revelations with an “s”), you will have a better understanding of how God speaks and it will become somewhat clearer. I say “somewhat” because it is unlikely that we will receive the full picture simply by reading. It will also take prayer and some time visiting with God each day. He is the owner of the Book and can tell you exactly what it says, word for word.
Spending time with the Lord will give you such insight that it will not worry you again about the times and seasons. You will have a need to get excited about His soon return. I used to pray that He not show up too soon because I had not been doing all that I should be for Him. Uh uh. That prayer does not work. We are expected to do our jobs for the Lord. However much you do is based on your faith and how excited you are to help witness. (My level of excitement had not been too high then.)
Anyway, I did promise you a video in the title of this post. So, here is a little something that says The Rapture as the title. Now, I can tell you here that I do not endorse this as THE way the rapture will happen, just a possibility. Check it out and then give me your thoughts and comments. (Comments are currently moderated because of spammers and people with nasty thoughts)
Ξ November 11th, 2007 | → Comments Off | ∇ Music, Video|
The first time I saw these guys was on a Gaither DVD and I immediately had to hear more from them. They have a sound that is unique and fantastic. The base singer can bring it down LOW!
This particular song is from the DVD that I first saw them. It’s a bit dark but the song comes through just fine. Here are Ernie Hasse and the Signature Sound singing Glory To God In The Highest!
Thank you for listening.
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This Gaither Vocal Band offering is one of the best and funniest videos that I have ever seen. Bill Gaither and Mark Lowry are so funny in this one. In this video, Mark Lowry does something I have not ever seen before but it is so hilarious that you cannot watch the song and be quiet. LOL!!
Here are the Gaither Vocal Band singing Jesus On The Mainline….the shoe incident.
In an interview, Bill said that he kept his eyes closed the whole time, not knowing what Mark was doing. He KNEW it was Mark that was doing something because people were laughing so hard but he thought it would be better to let the song finish. LOL!!
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Ξ November 5th, 2007 | → Comments Off | ∇ Music, Video|
This is one of those songs that is often asked for and is very popular! I love the Homecoming series that the Gaithers have been putting out regularly on CD and DVD. The song is called “It Is Finished” by the Gaither Vocal Band from the album Red Rocks Homecoming.
Praise God for the beautiful music!! Thank you for visiting.
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