Glory!

Have you ever been talking with someone about a church service or a powerful song and felt the hair stand up on the back of your neck?   Maybe you get “goosebumps” or “God-bumps.”   Sometimes we get a touch from the Holy Spirit and we get a warm sensation. 

Do you know what these feelings are called?    It’s called the GLORY!   Hallelujah, glory be to our great God!!

The Psalmist David knew about this glory.  Check out his understanding of glory from Psalm 24.

 Psalm 24

“1The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it,
       the world, and all who live in it;

 2 for he founded it upon the seas
       and established it upon the waters.

 3 Who may ascend the hill of the LORD ?
       Who may stand in his holy place?

 4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
       who does not lift up his soul to an idol
       or swear by what is false. ^[a]

 5 He will receive blessing from the LORD
       and vindication from God his Savior.

 6 Such is the generation of those who seek him,
       who seek your face, O God of Jacob. ^[b]
       Selah

 7 Lift up your heads, O you gates;
       be lifted up, you ancient doors,
       that the King of glory may come in.

 8 Who is this King of glory?
       The LORD strong and mighty,
       the LORD mighty in battle.

 9 Lift up your heads, O you gates;
       lift them up, you ancient doors,
       that the King of glory may come in.

 10 Who is he, this King of glory?
       The LORD Almighty—
       he is the King of glory. “

 I pray that the glory and the presence of the almighty fall upon you right now…thank you Father!!!

Static…

How clearly do we hear from God?

Sometimes it feels like I am tuned in and I am hearing clearly.  Other days, it’s like a radio that is not tuned in….there is a lot of static.

Is it a matter of faith?   Is it a matter of focus, or lack there of?

In John 6, there were at least 5000 people who needed something to eat.

Phillip proclaimed the obvious….”Eight months wages could not buy enough bread for each on to have a bite!”

Andrew spoke up…”Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will the go among do many?”

I think Andrew had the faith that a miracle could happen, but the obvious presented itself again when he thought about the large number of people.

After Jesus blessed it and fed everyone, there were 12 baskets of leftover barley loaves.

Scriptures move on to Jesus walking on water, but I wonder what the disciples were thinking.

Were they perplexed?  Were they amazed?  Were they upset with themselves for their lack of faith?

Did they have static in their mind about this situation?  Were they focused or not?

The key is not the reaction or faith of the disciples……the key is that Jesus needs to receive the honor and glory for his actions.

I may have static and it may be frustrating, but I CAN GIVE HIM PRAISE, HONOR AND GLORY!!!!!

God Bless

Stand Fast In It….

1 Peter 4:12-13 says…..”Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.”

Later in Chapter 5, Peter urges us to “Cast all your anxiety  on Him, because he cares for you.”

Chapters 4 and 5 can be summarized very simply….

When the trials of life sneak up on us, do not be surprised, REJOICE!   When Christ’s glory is revealed, He promises that we will be OVERJOYED.

Be humble and cast your anxieties on Him.  Be self-controlled and “stand fast in” God’s true grace.

The absence of surprises and anxiety can only happen when we depend on Jesus to provide his incredible grace.

Imagine, no surprises and no anxiety……sounds like PEACE to me…peace of mind, peace in our hearts and peace in our soul.

Thank you Father for revealing your truth and your glory this morning!!