Psalm 100:4 says, “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His Name.”

The priests of Solomon's temple actually used psalms as prayers when they entered the court of the temple. According to the author Chaim Richman, the priests used a different psalm for each day of the week. Each is a psalm of praise. The psalms they used were:
Sunday Psalm 24
Monday Psalm 48
Tuesday Psalm 82
Wednesday Psalm 94
Thursday Psalm 81
Friday Psalm 93
Saturday Psalm 92

We often use praise psalms in our worship service on Sunday morning at our church. Sometimes these are in the form of a prayer, a reading, or even a song. Psalm 95:1-2 says, “O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.”

We do that. Our worship service is often the most moving and meaningful part of our Sunday morning services. And yet I sometimes wonder if in our praise we are truly worshiping. We are praising God, but are we worshiping Him?

On our recent trip to Ethiopia, Joyce and I were really struck by the deep sense of worship that the Ethiopian Christians seem to have and to express. Especially during the Timkat festival that we were privileged to take part in, there seemed to be a reverential respect and awe of God which we often lack. And yet there still was a wonderful sense of the joy of being a Christian, the sheer joy of worship.

Our Sunday morning worship should be the physical expression of what is happening in our hearts and lives all week long. Praise is certainly a large part of worship. But worship needs to be so much more than just praise. We must make sure that when we are praising God, we are truly worshiping Him.

Worship is not just something that is practiced externally. It is something that should he accomplished internally. Worship can only come from love. We worship that which we love. Worship should be the act of expressing to God the gift of our love.

Worship needs to be a daily intricate part of our lives. We must live in intimate relationship with this awesome God of ours. We, of all people, should have a constant sense of joyful reverence towards God because of the gift of His Son. Jesus made it possible for you and me to truly know God. Our lives and the way we live them should therefore be a total act of worship.

We should not stop praising God, but we should make sure that we are truly worshiping Him also. We are Christians. Our lives should reflect God as certainly as the life of Jesus did. Those around us should know we are Christians by our love: our love for them, for each other, and for our God.

Danny was a good-looking young boy who lived in the Deep South. His summer days were filled with times of walking through the woods, playing with friends, and fishing in the pond down the dirt road. Fishing was by far his favorite thing to do. Just about every day during his summer vacation, he would dig up some worms and head off, pole in hand, for a day of fishing.

This steamy hot day was like most others during Danny's summer break. Waking early, he could hear the pond calling him to come and fish. Danny quietly walked out the front door, grabbed his pitchfork and worm pail from the porch, and walked into the woods to search for bait. He turned over old stumps and dug under leaves hoping to find worms. Under one big old stump he hit the jackpot. In two minutes he had all the bait he needed, and in 15 minutes he was at the pond.

Reaching into his bait bucket, Danny pulled out a big fat worm. He double hooked it and tossed it into the water. He noticed a stinging in his hand, but filled with the excitement of the moment, he paid no attention to it. Within 30 seconds, Danny had a strike and pulled in a nice catfish. Wow, he thought, a fish in the first minute. This is unbelievable!

He put the catch on his stringer, hurried to rebait his hook, and tried his luck again. Once again he felt a stinging sensation in his hand as he threw his hook into the pond. He didn't have time to worry about it. Within just a few seconds, he had another huge fish. He fumbled the next time he baited his hook--his hand felt numb and stiff. But Danny was too excited about catching another fish to give it much thought.

At the end of only an hour of fishing, Danny had caught eight large fish. This was definitely his best fishing day ever. He was so proud of his accomplishment that, even though there was plenty of daylight left to fish, he threw the heavy stringer of fish over his shoulder and dashed down the dirt road toward home to show off his catch to his mom and dad.

The local sheriff happened to drive up alongside Danny and started to congratulate him on his catch of fish. With a smile and a victory whoop, Danny held up the stringer. The sheriff gasped, parked his car and strode over to Danny. His eyes hadn't deceived him--Danny's arms really were red and swollen to about twice their normal size. Exactly where have you been and what bait did you use to catch all those fish?" the sheriff asked Danny, already guessing the answer.

I found some special bait under an old stump," Danny boasted. "These worms really wiggle a lot on the hook," he commented, handing up the bait bucket for inspection. After a close look at the worms, the sheriff went into fast-forward. Securing the bucket in his truck, he then scooped Danny and his stringer of fish into the backseat of his patrol car. Spinning a U-turn on the gravel road, he sped off to the hospital, but Danny was already dead.

What the sheriff had discovered was that Danny had been fishing with baby rattlesnakes. Danny's deadly bait brought him a good morning's fishing but cost him his life. Had Danny stopped fishing after that first sting, he could have been saved. One bite from a baby rattler won't kill a person who gets treatment in time. But Danny was having fun and didn't bother himself with the small voice of pain in his hand. Then, as his hand grew numb, even that small voice was silenced.

Playing around with sin is like using baby rattlesnakes for bait. Sinning seems harmless to young people who don't recognize sin and are unaware of its deadly consequences. The more sin you get into, however, the more numb you become to its sting. In the excitement of the moment, you ignore the still small voice of God warning you of danger and encouraging you to choose a life in Christ free from the evils of sin.

Tragic experiences often come into the lives of our brethren, such that they may question whether God is working for their good or not. Such situations are not expected, and nothing that anyone could rejoice in. Facing difficult news, and setting aside long cherished plans and hopes, even temporarily, is a challenge of large proportion to one’s faith. These are also a great sorrow to us, both at the event, and at the challenge to the faith of the ones under trial. But God’s word provides encouragement for these.

We read in scripture that such tragedies and more might be asked of us by God, but that he will provide for our good in all that he asks of us. Most Christians are acquainted with Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” This scripture cannot be taken lightly. It is always true, and always applicable to all who love God and are called according to his purposes. ALL things indeed work together for our good! ALL things benefit us when we are in God’s care and in his providences! NOTHING that happens to us can work against us! Whether it is directly from God, or from the world, or from Satan, God will see to it that it is always for our benefit. You can firmly believe this! This is God’s promise to YOU!

We read further on this in Rom. 8:38-39, “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” The love of God in Christ is God’s perfect will for us which will bring us to sanctification, the perfection that he desires for us. And we read here that nothing in time, space, entity, or event can separate us from this purpose of God for our lives. You can firmly believe this! This is God’s promise to YOU!

As stated, no one can rejoice in facing traumatic experiences. Yet we read in James 1:2, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials.” The word here rendered “trials” could also be temptations, difficulties, testings; all those things that come upon us in life; all the “providences” of God in our lives, whether from God, the world, or Satan. This verse does not say to count the trial itself as joy. It speaks rather of counting it joy to be in the trial, and the opportunity that the trial provides. But even so, how is this possible?

It is possible and even true as explained in the following verses; James 1:3, 4, “knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” So we see that the trial itself, which can be abhorrent to us, still has a lesson that lies within it which God wants us to learn. As these verses testify, this trial will develop our faith through the lesson we learn. And our faith will produce patience in us. And if we patiently endure all that God directs and permits in our lives, we will come to “perfection”; that state of sanctification in which we will be complete, lacking nothing! You can firmly believe this! This is God’s promise to YOU!

And if any has any doubts about these truths, just look at James 1:5, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” This verse tells us that if we cannot understand these things, if we do not have God’s wisdom to see and appreciate this, we can go to God and ask him to explain it to us; to put it in words and ways that make it clear to us, so that we can see that he indeed is on our side, bringing only good to us, and we need not fear (Ro 8:31). And God will give us the understanding we need of the trial, and he will give us the wisdom we need to overcome in the trial, and to grow our faith. You can firmly believe this! This is God’s promise to YOU!

But we must ask in complete faith. For we read in the following verses, James 1:6-8, “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” The entire basis of our relationship with God is faith! We can make no advances with him, and gain no reward from him without faith. Heb 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” And this faith, as you know well from James must be lived, otherwise it is dead and is not truly faith (James 2:17, 26). This same faith must be faithfully and obediently lived in us our entire life as we read in 1 John 5:4, “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world; our faith.” And in Rev 2:10, “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” And in Rev 17:14, “Those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful." This all-important faith is what is developed in us in the trials that we read about in James 1:2-5. And it is in the lessons that we find and grow this faith, and we will through patience in pursuing and living this faith be brought to perfection, the sanctification that is God’s will, his agape love for us! We rejoice in this, not in the trial itself. Each advance in faith is to be a joy for it brings us closer to God. In this way we can rejoice as we enter the trial. You can firmly believe this! This is God’s promise to YOU!

If anyone has any doubts that they can handle a trial of this size, don’t be discouraged at all! For we already have God’s assurance that we are far stronger than we now believe. Look at 1 Cor 10:13, “ No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” The Greek word here rendered “temptations” is exactly the same word rendered “trials” in James 1:2. So look what this says of our spiritual condition and strength, and maturity! It says we ARE able to bear this trial, for God has permitted us to be in it! Otherwise he would have given us an escape out of it. In this he has certified our competence to take the trial and learn the lessons in it, and in this too we can rejoice! So therefore, take courage, be strong, continue to trust in God, and we will overcome! You can firmly believe this! This is God’s promise to YOU!

This does not mean the trial will be easy. But Christ who walks with us through this trial will see to it that our burden in it is light. It does not mean that the outcome will be exactly as we would have it be, but that the God who provided this providence will have an outcome that is even more blessed for us.

Prov 3:5, 6, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” This is the crux of the matter. We must trust that God’s ways for us are better than our ways for ourselves. We must trust that his understanding is better than our understanding. We must trust him in ALL our ways, and not just in the ways that we can’t plan for ourselves. We must trust him when he changes our perfect plans, and upsets our lives, giving us a whole new direction to travel.

Trusting God, is after all, having faith in HIM! This is the faith that is the basis of our whole relationship with him. This is the faith which will overcome the world and put us on the throne with Christ. It is believing (having faith; trusting) that God’s will for us is the very best for us, that leads us to infinitely trust him wherever he leads. And with each step we have to obey; we have to live the faith we claim, so that it grows in us and becomes his perfect will for us!
When all is said and done, the simple thing God asks of us is to “Trust and Obey”. Trusting is getting faith. Obeying is living faith. And if we can keep these two simple processes alive and constant in our lives, we WILL overcome in this life, and we WILL receive the perfection and the reward that God has in mind for us, in EVERY trial we face! You can firmly believe this! This is God’s promise to YOU!

May God richly bless, strengthen, comfort, and lift you up to higher planes, as you seek through each trial to find the lessons he would have you learn, and also the rejoicing that will come with the lessons. And when each trial is over, may he bless you in greater ways than even you can now imagine.

Please understand, I am not a very disciplined person. I can’t just make myself do something I dislike that needs doing, usually. Once I am truly committed to something, I do stick with it, though. I have a morning and evening devotional schedule that has become a ritual for me. The only reason I have that is because the Lord patiently, gently, drew me into it. It was His power that pushed me past my comfort zone and led me to my daily Bible reading and journal writing. I look at that as an important positive; something for which I am so grateful. I know it was not my doing, however. It was not my strong will, or determination, or discipline that brought it about. Quite the opposite: it happened when I surrendered.

Recently, a project happened that truly amazed me. As most know, I am involved with crafts of many kinds, and I teach a few classes at a quilt shop. As part of becoming involved with the brethren here, I have held some craft club sessions. A few years ago, I saw some beautiful “Faith,” “Hope” and “Love” banner patterns that would look great at church, and bought them. I kept hoping they would work as projects for the club, since I knew I would never tackle them on my own. It didn’t happen, though.

Last month, one of the junior high Sunday school group came and asked me if there was some project they could make for the church, and if I could help. I happily agreed, and mentioned the last set of banners we’re working on for the front of the sanctuary, and that I could bring that and any other ideas I might have, so they could discuss them and decide. So, the next week I brought that project and as many patterns as I had with a religious slant.

They really wanted a project that was related to their topic of unity, but none of my patterns fit that. Then I dug out the banner patterns I had, and noticed that it would be pretty easy to spell “Unity” with the letters that I had, with a few modifications. They liked that idea, and decided on that. I made one trip to the fabric store, and found batiks that qualified as stained glass colors, and a perfect curtain rod for the whole thing, on sale, even! Everything connected with the project seemed to go very smoothly, and I think the kids even enjoyed doing it. A few weeks later, they had cut all the pieces and glued them in place, a week before they wanted to make their presentation. I promised them I would complete all the finishing required that week, and have it ready.

God is so faithful! I was amazed as I watched myself that week. I worked on it every day, not procrastinating, as is my habit. I didn’t obsess over it either, slaving night and day; I just sewed, etc., at a normal pace. I took it a step at a time, and by Friday, all I had left to do was the hand stitching on the back. I even had a great idea for making a label with their picture for the final touch!

The presentation went wonderfully, and I was so pleased that this whole project came about. It was truly the Lord’s hand that overruled everything about it, and I have nothing but praises to Him for it! As I mentioned, it came about not by my determination or discipline, but by surrendering and going along with the flow of the Holy Spirit. Sure, I have sewing skills, but I could have fought against it, or just plain refused to use them for the Lord. He doesn’t force us into anything. By agreeing with the Spirit, though, I can be used as a tool of blessing to others around me. The best part is that I don’t have to rely on myself: I can trust Him, because He is able!

He is Able
He is able, more than able to accomplish what concerns me today.
He is able, more than able to handle anything that comes my way.
He is able, more than able to do much more than I could ever dream,
He is able, more than able to make me what He wants me to be.

Jesus Comes to Bethany
Matt. 26:6-13, Mark 14:3-9, John 12:1-8

Home is a place where a soul will find comfort and joy. Therefore, if there was any place on earth where Jesus felt at home, it was probably in the village of Bethany, at the home of Simon and his three grown children: Lazarus, Martha and Mary.

You know, they called him Jesus of Nazareth, but Jesus had no feeling of home there. If you’ll remember, on his last homecoming there, his former neighbors tried to kill him. No, Jesus found no comfort and joy in Nazareth.

But now here it was, six days before our Passover would be slain for us, and God had provided a home of comfort and joy for his son: a place Jesus could put up his feet and relax. A place called Bethany. You know the kind of place. It’s a place you just walk into and feel at home. Why? Because it’s a place you feel safe and comfortable, with a sense of love: a place you can relax and unwind among friends.

That’s the kind of place Simon had in Bethany, and it was six days before the ultimate sacrifice. So, we have Jesus Christ: the Alpha and Omega, the one by whom all things were created, the Son of God; relaxing among friends, amid gracious hospitality.

Now, it boggles the mind to think that one of these friends was recently deceased. He was as dead as a doornail; dead and buried for three days, then brought back to life by Jesus. Yet now we find Jesus, Lazarus and the others just sitting around, talking, laughing and really enjoying one another’s company. It reminds us that we can all look forward to the time when we, too, will enjoy the company of those no longer dead, but resurrected to newness of life!

Now, once in a while, an optimal moment will present itself to us and we must decide to use it or lose it. Such a moment was given to Mary, and she not only used it: she was prepared for it! You see, Mary had it in her mind to do something special for Jesus, and now was the time. Mary had procured an alabaster box of spikenard, which is very precious, expensive perfume ointment, and Mary knew just what to do with it.

She approached Jesus while he was reclining, and poured some ointment on his head and feet. The elegant and luxurious scent permeated the home. Mary then wiped the excess ointment off his feet with her hair. Mary had done what she could for her Lord: the one who had brought her brother back from the dead, the one who was like no other, and the one in whom Mary put her total trust, Jesus Christ!

But, as Mary found, sometimes when you’ve accomplished your mission, you’re beset by hurtful wisenheimers with all the answers and too smart for their own good. In this case, the wisenheimers were indignant. Matthew says all the disciples were indignant at the waste of money. Mark says some of them were indignant. John says Judas spoke out with indignation at the waste.

Oh, please! Give me a break! This is an excellent example of why we need to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. It wasn’t the disciples’ call as to how to spend Mary’s money. It was Mary’s call and Jesus rebuked his disciples for their assertion. It is indisputable fact: Mary made the right call on that day, 1972 years ago, in Bethany.

I’m reminded that Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, is credited with saying, “First of all, do no harm.” Yet how many patients, over the centuries, have died not from the disease but from the treatment? As disciples of Jesus, we should learn that lesson well. We are to be healers: harmless as doves and wise as serpents.

Remember: Bethany is no place to be a wisenheimer!