I want to share two important thoughts I have from today's Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan! First, in Mark 9, we have Jesus being transfigured in the presence of Peter, James and John. Most discussions on this passage speak about the comment made by an overwhelmed Peter in verses 5-6:
5 And Peter took up the conversation, saying, Master, it is good and suitable and beautiful for us to be here. Let us make three booths (tents)—one for You and one for Moses and one for Elijah. 6 For he did not [really] know what to say, for they were in a violent fright (aghast with dread).
They were all overwhelmed. James and John were speechless! Peter was rarely at a loss for words. I LOVE Peter! But, what I believe is the MOST important message in this encounter is found in verse 7:
7 And a cloud threw a shadow upon them, and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is My Son, the [most dearworthy] Beloved One. Be constantly listening to and obeying Him!
The message: God the Father affirmed to them that Jesus was indeed His Son! Along with that acknowledgement came the COMMAND: "Be constantly listening to and obeying Him"! You and I may never see Jesus like this in this life, but we most certainly will in the life to come! BE overwhelmed in His presence with gratefulness, thankfulness, worship and love, BUT, OBEY what He is telling you to do! THAT is the highest form of love that WE can show to HIM! AMEN! The second thought I want to share with you goes along with this. Psalm 65:5-13:
5 By fearful and glorious things [that terrify the wicked but make the godly sing praises] do You answer us in righteousness (rightness and justice), O God of our salvation, You Who are the confidence and hope of all the ends of the earth and of those far off on the seas; 6 Who by [Your] might have founded the mountains, being girded with power, 7 Who still the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the tumult of the peoples, 8 So that those who dwell in earth’s farthest parts are afraid of [nature’s] signs of Your presence. You make the places where morning and evening have birth to shout for joy. 9 You visit the earth and saturate it with water; You greatly enrich it; the river of God is full of water; You provide them with grain when You have so prepared the earth. 10 You water the field’s furrows abundantly, You settle the ridges of it; You make the soil soft with showers, blessing the sprouting of its vegetation. 11 You crown the year with Your bounty and goodness, and the tracks of Your [chariot wheels] drip with fatness. 12 The [luxuriant] pastures in the uncultivated country drip [with moisture], and the hills gird themselves with joy. 13 The meadows are clothed with flocks, the valleys also are covered with grain; they shout for joy and sing together.
Our God IS God, and He is GOOD! ALL the time! AMEN! Every good thing that happens in your life comes from the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible! There IS no other! Look at James 1:17:
17 Every good gift and every perfect (free, large, full) gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of all [that gives] light, in [the shining of] Whom there can be no variation [rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning [as in an eclipse].
Acknowledge Him in every good thing, give glory to His Name and OBEY His instructions! Here is one way to do that! Hillsong with a worship song taken from this Psalm: "You Crown The Year":
"You Crown The Year (Psalm 65:11)"
You crown the year with Your goodness
You answer us with awesome deeds
Your hope resounds God our Saviour
To distant lands and farthest seas
O paint the fields bright and golden
Drench the harvest with Your rain
God's river filled with living water
That flows to all as You ordained
Praise the Name of the Lord
O my soul sing His worth
All of life join the song
Come and lift up our King
Now let the earth join the dancing
Deck her out in showers of spring
The dusk and dawn forever relay
The call to come and worship Him
Holy holy
Worthy are You Lord
All the glory
To Your Name forever
You answer us with awesome deeds
Your hope resounds God our Saviour
To distant lands and farthest seas
O paint the fields bright and golden
Drench the harvest with Your rain
God's river filled with living water
That flows to all as You ordained
Praise the Name of the Lord
O my soul sing His worth
All of life join the song
Come and lift up our King
Now let the earth join the dancing
Deck her out in showers of spring
The dusk and dawn forever relay
The call to come and worship Him
Holy holy
Worthy are You Lord
All the glory
To Your Name forever
