Three different and very exciting things really jumped out at me today in reading our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan. Rather than choose between the three, I am going to share them all! First of all we read this in 1 Thessalonians 5:8-11:
8 But we belong to the day; therefore, let us be sober and put on the breastplate of faith and love and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God has not appointed us to [incur His] wrath [He did not select us to condemn us], but [that we might] obtain [His] salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) 10 Who died for us so that whether we are still alive or are dead [at Christ’s appearing], we might live together with Him and share His life. 11 Therefore encourage (admonish, exhort) one another and edify (strengthen and build up) one another, just as you are doing.
This goes right along with yesterday's Adult Bible Study at The Spoken Word Church and this blog for yesterday. There is NOW no condemnation for the born again believer! We are to encourage, edify, strengthen and build each other up by reminding each other of this wonderful TRUTH! I just did that! Now it's YOUR turn to encourage someone! The next Truth I want to share is found in Psalm 33:18-22:
18 Behold, the Lord’s eye is upon those who fear Him [who revere and worship Him with awe], who wait for Him and hope in His mercy and loving-kindness, 19 To deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. 20 Our inner selves wait [earnestly] for the Lord; He is our Help and our Shield. 21 For in Him does our heart rejoice, because we have trusted (relied on and been confident) in His holy name. 22 Let Your mercy and loving-kindness, O Lord, be upon us, in proportion to our waiting and hoping for You.
"Eye" here is the Hebrew word "`ayin". The Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament says this: The eye is used to express knowledge, character, attitude, inclination, opinion, passion, and response. When the eyes are referring to God's, it reveals that His eyes are in every place, and when He directs His eyes to us, it is to sustain and deliver us! In every situation we face, we can calmly, confidently and joyfully proclaim: "God's GOT this"! AMEN! The last Truth I want to encourage and exhort you with is found in Psalm 33:1-5:
1 Rejoice in the Lord, O you [uncompromisingly] righteous [you upright in right standing with God]; for praise is becoming and appropriate for those who are upright [in heart]. 2 Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre; sing praises to Him with the harp of ten strings. 3 Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully [on the strings] with a loud and joyful sound. 4 For the word of the Lord is right; and all His work is done in faithfulness. 5 He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the loving-kindness of the Lord.
HE has done GREAT things for us and WE should be exceedingly grateful and continually thankful! AMEN! The direct instruction that I want to EXHORT (to urge by strong, often stirring argument, admonition, advice, or appeal) you with today is found in verse 3: Sing to Him a NEW song! A new song MAY be a song in your known language that you have never known before! Something given by the Spirit of God as the Psalms were given under the Old Covenant for worship. YOUR new song may also be a song in the Spirit that is between YOU and your GOD - spirit to Spirit! Whenever you find yourself at a loss for words to properly praise Him, sing to Him in the spirit! What a wonderful gift we have been given to be able to communicate with Him in this way! The devil doesn't understand it. Other people do not understand it! It is simply you and Your God speaking mysteries and secret things to each other! HALLELUJAH! Here is Hillsong with "You Are More":
Shalom in Him!
