Let's Get Loud!

This past weekend was our Tri-Town Summer Festival and the theme was Make Some Noise...
M.E.T. Music was involved in 3 activities from Wednesday through Saturday and then our church hosted the final movie night event on Sunday night.  Was a busy, but fun weekend, with many of the events revolving around the theme.  The float that my daughter (who is M.E.T. Music) did was all decked out with her DJ equipment ..dance floor, lights, inflatable guitars and microphones and of course LOUD Music!  We were making some noise!  The whole family was a part; her Dad and I, her husband (and now DJ partner) her siblings, their spouses and children!  We had a couple of friends help walk and hand out....hand clappers 👏 of course!!😀
As we had been preparing and being a part of these events I kept thinking about "being loud", "making some noise" and How that applies to us as Christians.
How about us Christians?!
Are we willing to get LOUD for JESUS?
Make some noise for our Faith!?

📖 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise. Sing unto the Lord with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm.

With trumpets and s]lound of cornet make a joyful noise before the Lord, the King. Psalm 98:4-6 (KJV)

We are to make sure we are loud about our faith in Christ!
📖 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. 
Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.  For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm 100
We are to worship with shouts of gladness and songs of joy!  Can I get an "AMEN!"?

I totally understand time and place for shouting, even joyfully....but we should not be so dour...so somber faced when we worship our Lord, we should be happy to sing and make music for our righteous and loving God!

📖 Praise the Lord with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. 
Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.  For the word of the Lord is rightand true;  he is faithful in all he does.  The Lord loves righteousness and justice;  the earth is full of his unfailing love. Psalm 33:3-5

And my understanding of scripture shows me that we can be loud when we are down and desperate.
📖The righteous cry out, and theLord hears them;
    he delivers them from all their troubles.
18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
    and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:17-18
We can CRY OUT ...doesn't sound like a quiet whimper to me!  Not "call out"  but CRY OUT when our spirits are crushed and we are broken.
God hears us....when we cry out in brokenness and when we shout out in gladness!
He hears us when our hearts are turned to Him!

And we need to let the world around us see us ...HEAR us being loud for our Lord...not being afraid to worship Him and share our joyfulness.  And to see us when we are weak and vulnerable...because they will see Who we cry out to...Who we turn to!

Just like I said last week..."He is there...we just have to say hello"!....but now, more than hello!  SHOUT TO THE LORD ALL THE EARTH
LET US SING!!!  Celebrate Jesus!!
🎵 Make It Loud. by Martha Munizzi

Have You Said Hello Today?

I have some people I usually say "hello" to almost every day. Whether it is by text or email, an occasional phone call, whether I say it first or they do....we just communicate daily.
My children, my spouse (don't laugh....with work schedules we need to make sure we say hello!), accountability friends, prayer partners.  Notice that other family members...like my PARENTS! I didn't list...because, as much as I am embarrassed to say it...a day...or 2 ...or even 3 will slip by before I have had a chance to touch base with them!  SAD isn't it!

It got me thinking this morning....actually during my knee time...."wonder who has talked to Him today?"
How many times do we let the day slip by with out saying "hello", "Good Morning" or ANYTHING at all to our Heavenly Father?
Some of the people I contact often probably would rather NOT hear from me...at least not so often!
BUT God desires to hear from us as often and as much as we can
📖 Look to the Lord and his strength;

    seek his face always. 1 Chronicles 16:11

📖  if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

We are more likely to call on Him when we need something, as it is with some people.
the difference is He wants us to....

📖 As for me, I call to God,
and the Lord saves me.
¹⁷ Evening, morning and noon
I cry out in distress,
and he hears my voice. Psalm 55:16-17

 But He would also like us to give praises and thanks as often or more than we cry out!

📖  Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

I know some days we just don't have it in us to cry out, even in distress.  But our gracious Father has foreseen even that circumstance…..
📖 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. Romans 8:26

They Holy Spirit has the words we can't speak or even think!  The Holy Spirit knows what is in our soul and intercedes for us when we don't have it in us!

Because He cares for us, loves us. He desires to hear from us every day...throughout the day!

📖  The Lord is righteous in all his ways

and faithful in all he does.

The Lord is near to all who call on him,

to all who call on him in truth.

He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;

he hears their cry and saves them.

The Lord watches over all who love him,

but all the wicked he will destroy.

My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord.

Let every creature praise his holy name

for ever and ever.  Psalm 145:17-21

When Jesus walked this earth He had conversations with His disciples daily as they lived, traveled and ministered together.  We still have access to Him ...even more so...24/7/365!  We can cry out, call out, sing out.....what ever we need to do at that moment... we just have to be sure that we are communicating with our Heavenly Father every day!

Even if we fall short with our earthly communications (sorry Mom and Dad!) we should be sure to be communicating with our Lord and Savior!  

He is waiting to hear us!

📖 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.  And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. 1 John 5:14-15

He hears us!  No question!  

SO if you see God today, say Hello!  (and since He is always there, in everything...HELLO!)

Death For Life

We have a lady from our community and her brother on our prayer list  She gave him a kidney!
It really made me think as I saw posts of her process and her pain.
WOW!  to give a body part to someone....to extend their life, maybe even save it! I know ..."we have 2!"  But still, what a sacrifice, all because she loves her brother. (I also have a dear friend who received a kidney from her sister several years ago..same thoughts!)
It also made me think about a dear young friend we lost almost 10 years ago now.
He became an organ donor (he and his mom had had a conversaion just months prior...and he told her he wanted to donate if ever...and ever came.)
He changed quite a few lives!  Death for life.....
What strange statement....in death there is life.  In the pain and suffering there is hope of renewed life.

But don't we all have the opportunity for renewed life??  A renewed life that only comes because of pain and suffering...
from death...to life.

We don't just get an organ transplant...we could call it a heart transplant but really we get a WHOLE Spirit transplant.
📖 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,the new creation has come:The old has gone, the new is here.  2 Corinthians 5:17

and it extends our life....for eternity!
📖 For God so loved the world that he gavehis one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  John 3:16

In Christ's pain and suffering and ultimately His death, we can shed the old and have a new life in Him!
There will be tragedies and hardship, but with our transplanted spirit we can face those with hope, with thankfulness, with peace.
📖 In his name the nations will put their hope.” Matthew 12:21 
📖 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

📖 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

Christ did what He did out of love for us...just as those who gave a part of their body loved the family member they were giving to and how much more so to donate to those you don't know!!
Christ went through the process of preparation, pain and suffering knowing it was only for a short time and that it would be for the end glory....of His Father
📖   to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:21

Our transplant of the Spirit and new life only happened because of death, His death on the cross for us. Without death and resurrection, His death and ressurection, we would not have the opportunity to claim that gift of life!
📖 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,”and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. Romans 10:9-10
As with organ donation, in some cases, someone has to die in order for another to live.
in Christ's case He went to that death willingly, knowing what was going to happen, He knew His purpose here on earth.  He willingly took on all.of our sin and ugliness so that we could have anew Spirit! One that would be pure and spotless before God.
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 1 John 1:7
We sign up to be organ donors for "when ever we pass, and there are viable organs".
With Christ, He knew exactly what He was headed for, and that He was the only One whose blood could be shed for our "transplant of spirit"  He was the perfect "replacement" for us!
The death he died, he died to sin once for all;but the life he lives, he lives to God. Romans 6:10
It is an overwhelming thought that someone could willingly give a part of their body as they are still living, or even to donate after they are gone.....
📖     Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 15:13
And Jesus said it is easy to love your friends ...but we are called to love everyone...even our enemies....because that is who Christ died for...EVERYONE...even your enemy!

 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. 
Matthew 6:43-48

Thank you Lord for giving me a full Spirit Transplant!!! I pray you can say the same!!
I also thank God for those who choose to be organ donors!

Thoughts on Samuel 16

A few Sundays ago I was given the scripture reading for the bulletin..and I was the one reading it. As I read my mind wanted to interject thoughts and comments.  Thank you Lord that my mouth didn't comply as it isn't appropriate to interject my Blogging brain in the middle of scripture reading!

It was Samuel 16:1-13...so I thought what a perfect opportunity to share what was going on in my head...at our Coffee Time!  The scripture is in italics and in black.  My thoughts are in regular print and in blue.

Samuel Anoints David

16 The Lord said to Samuel,[the Lord said TO Samuel, how cool is that ...He speaks directly to him.] “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.” [God gives clear direction to Samuel.]

² But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.” [Samuel questions God, don't we do that? Sometimes when we get clear direction do we question God, with excuses, that are layered with fear and uncertainty?]

The Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ ³ Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.” [God gives further direction and even more specific direction in response to Samuel's uncertainty. He also lets Samuel know He is going to continue to direct...He isn't going to leave him on his own.]

⁴ Samuel did what the Lord said.[Samuel obeyed, he did what the Lord said! Can that be said of us?  "She/he hears the Lord and obeyed!"] When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace?”

⁵ Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

⁶ When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.” [Even Samuel looked at the outward appearance as criteria for a king...who of us doesn't make judgment calls by what we see first?]

⁷ But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. [What was it about Eliab and subsequently his brothers that the Lord rejected? I want a list ..so I know what to avoid!] The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” [The Lord sees people through a different lens than we do,  He can see the things that we overlook...the inner motives and feelings of the heart.]

⁸ Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The Lord has not chosen this one either.” ⁹ Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the Lord chosen this one.” ¹⁰ Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The Lord has not chosen these.” ¹¹ So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?”

“There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.” [I have always marveled at this, that David wasn't even a consideration when Jesse was told to bring his sons.  How many times do we over look what we think to be the inconsequential or do we feel inconsequential.....too old, too young, too small, too uneducated, too inexperienced, too______________, you fill in your blank, because I am sure we have all felt unworthy, unable, un up to the task that God has clearly directed us to do.]

Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.” [ I love this statement, the inconsequential "little brother" has now become important enough that they must remain standing until he has arrived! My first thought reading this....."they all better hope David doesn't dawdle!"  Does he know that they are all standing waiting for his arrival? Is the field in which he has the sheep far? I feel Samuel saying this makes a statement to the brothers who have been passed over for "promotion",  it speaks to what David is to become; a king who commands their respect.] 

¹² So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features.[Glowing....you bet after running....running as fast as he has ever from the fields! It seems interesting to me that David's outward appreance is described in this passage, when it has already been established God does not look at those things.  Maybe it was to show tthat David had the whole package...maybe he was "glowing" also with promise, with the anticipation of serving the one who called him, with the innocence of a young willing heart?]

Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.” [THIS is the Lord's choice, the whole thing unfolded so there was no doubt able to be cast upon who was chosen to be king.  At the beginning Samuel is chastised a bit by God after he assumes it is the biggest, strongest looking  brother...and the next and the next.  Jesse assumes it must be one of the older, larger, more handsome sons, that would be the obvious choice.  We KNOW David was God's choice because he was the least likely. SO that as the life of David unfolds and he makes decisions that are not in line with God, we still know that he was chosen by God to be King.  That though he is sometimes unwise, he is still a man after God's own heart and God sees this]

¹³ So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah. [David was anointed in front of his brothers....and important statement, I believe this is included in the recounting because it shows David being set apart. 

David was hugely affected by the anointing.....the Holy Spirit didn't just come....it came POWERFULLY.. And not just at that moment..."from that day forward"...and he wasn't even king yet! He was just anointed until he was to take the throne over from Saul...but that is a whole other story! 

We know...if we read more about David... he makes a few choices that are not Godly...we may wonder about the Spirit of the Lord being so powerful "from that day forward"....David was human....so at times selfish ambition, lust, fear can over take and drive decisions...but I see, when I read, that Spirit of the Lord being POWERFUL in It's convicting David's soul of his guilt and shame that leads to his lament and repentance.  David had a heart for the Lord and that is what God wanted.]

14 But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.” 1 Samuel 13:14

 So our lessons?

💗God sees our hearts, our motives and He is looking for hearts that love Him and desire to serve Him above all else.

💗He calls us to do the same....not judge a person by their outward appearance.

💗We need to step out and follow His direction, knowing if we have questions or concerns we can voice them and He will have a way which will make itself clear as we step out in faith.

💗We are given the power of the Holy Spirit..not because we have been anointed to be a king..but because as believers in Christ we are anointed by the shed blood of the King of Kings!

My prayer for you is that the Lord sees in you a heart that seeks after Him and you follow His direction with the power of the Holy Spirit!