Genuine faith will produce genuine changes in your life.
- Jim George
Psalms of Delight...
Most of the Bible's Psalms give thanks to God on one or more levels. Commanded to do so, Christians aught to make the time to praise God for His glorious nature, creative genius and many gifts to mankind.
Psalms of Delight are written in concert with Psalms in the Night. Both series contain Modern Psalms meant to comfort and inspire those seeking the Omni-God revealed in Scripture.
The Work Of God Summary
Christianity, from start to finish, is the Work of God. Yet, having "this treasure in earthen vessels" means we co-labor with Christ. Hopefully doing so carefully seeing, "But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work."
Jesus told a large crowd that the work of God was to believe on Him who God had sent. Sounds simple enough. Yet from start to finish the New Testament is replete with warnings to the contrary. From Matthew's demanding rendition of Christ's Sermon On The Mount to Jesus judging His churches in Revelation, Christ's harsh saying abound. So much so, clearly simple mental assent does not equate to saving faith. Genuine Biblical belief has the power to deliver and transform, yet modern Christianity is becoming more worldly every day. With so much at stake, we would do well to seek God on this matter, even to the point of examining ourselves and see if and to what degree we are in the true faith.
The Work Of God
Modern Psalm 20
Lord, let me say thanks again for Christianity. What a mind blowing God You are to think up such a relationship. For mortal man to be given access to "the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God." Thanks for paying such a high price to draw us near and grant us forgiveness and atonement, understanding and revelation. The psalmist David was right to say "we've never heard of a God like You." As Creator and Savior Your without equal.
I love what Christianity reveals about Your nature. You've perfectly showcased Your mercy, faithfulness and lovingkindness for all who to see. Not willing that any should perish, through Christ You stretch our Your hands to save mankind, while putting an end to Lucifer's angelic rebellion and war that for eons has marred Three Heavens.
And You've poured out such blessings on my generation. Forgive us for taking so much for granted, including the glorious gift of Scripture. You've packed the Bible with such wonderful promises and encouragement. Your directives light our path and make the simple wise. Your Spirit reveals the plans of our cunning and Evil Adversary, offering to fill us with the presence and power of God, saving us from the eternal punishment awaiting the rebellious. Your benefit package is second to none. For the sick there's healing by the prayer faith. For slaves to sin freedom in Christ. For the poor there's the promise of provision. For the faithful in suffering everlasting rewards beyond compare.
This isn't just good news, it's Great News! Salvation and far more, all offered as a free gift to those who believe. But what's it mean to really believe? James warns demons believe to the point of trembling. Jesus explained to believe, really believe, is the work of God:
- “Jesus answered, I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.' Then they asked him, 'What must we do to do the works God requires?' Jesus answered, 'The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.'" John 6:26-28
- "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." Hebrews 11:6
- "Go into the world. Go everywhere and announce the Message of God's good news to one and all. Whoever believes and is baptized is saved; whoever refuses to believe is damned.These are some of the signs that will accompany believers: They will throw out demons in my name, they will speak in new tongues, they will take snakes in their hands, they will drink poison and not be hurt, they will lay hands on the sick and make them well." Mark 16:16-18 MSG
- "Are you hurting? Pray. Do you feel great? Sing. Are you sick? Call the church leaders together to pray and anoint you with oil in the name of the Master. Believing-prayer will heal you, and Jesus will put you on your feet. And if you've sinned, you'll be forgiven—healed inside and out." James 5:13-15 MSG
- "Make this your common practice: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed. The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with. Elijah, for instance, human just like us, prayed hard that it wouldn't rain, and it didn't—not a drop for three and a half years. Then he prayed that it would rain, and it did. The showers came and everything started growing again." James 5:16-18 MSG
- "Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, 'Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?' Jesus answered, 'Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work... When He had said these things, He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva; and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay... So he went and washed, and came back seeing." John 9:1-7
- As Jesus was returning to Jerusalem, he was hungry, and he noticed a fig tree beside the road. He went over to see if there were any figs, but there were only leaves. Then he said to it, 'May you never bear fruit again!” And immediately the fig tree withered up. The disciples were amazed when they saw this and asked, 'How did the fig tree wither so quickly?' Then Jesus told them, 'I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it.'” Matthew 21:18-22
- “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!" John 14:12-14
Scripture's clear You require honesty, so here it goes. The truth is it seems our very blessings are cursed. Statistically, there's less and less difference between the lifestyles of believers and our worldly counterparts. Sins rampant today, even in the Church. Doctrine's so watered down Christianity's been reduced to Churchiantiy. Prayer's passe. Bible study's a lost art. Adults and children are jumping ship left and right. In the words of Paul Lynn, when it comes to the rat race, "the rats are winning."
The Bible tells us to admit our desperate need of You. Well I'm here to say our faith's hemorrhaging without the power of Your presence, provision and protection. You did the work of God by show and tell. The words and works of God make the Great Commission possible. Without them, without You, faith's a loosing battle. With You, we can move from victims to victors. Believers can become "more than conquerors," Christians of the caliber that the very "gates of hell cannot prevail"
Lord, we need You to rend the heavens and come down right now. It's bad today but it's gonna get worse in hurry. If our faith's failing and we're falling to temptation in times of relative blessing and easy, what's to become of us when judgment begins? Even now the Book of Revelation's pages are unfolding as the global stage is being set for Great Tribulation. Churchianity's going to be real surprised when rather than being Raptured before the trouble begins, we find ourselves and our loved ones here and unprepared to "endure until the end."
God help us come to our senses before it's too late. Draw us to our knees in unprecedented repentance and grant us a New Pentecost that the fire of revival may fall, setting a backfire against flames of judgment. Let us understand that rising to the challenge before us is the work of God. Move us from apathy and worse. Save us from the fate of the Five Foolish Virgins You condemned. Transform us from pathetic to prophetic Christians, believers who long to be the Church, not merely attend one.
Teach us it's our birthright not to be "overcome by evil, but rather overcome evil with good." Cause You Church to arise and overthrow, rather than tolerate or participate in, such blatant sins as fornication and abortion. Open our eyes to the impact such evil has had on the world as well as the Church. Show us the secret of lasting happiness and joy. Let us see Your beauty, choosing Your glory over the lust devastating our society.
God remember the good work You began is us and see it through to completion. Have mercy on us as a father pities and spares the children he loves. As You Yourself have said, if we being evil know how to give good gifts to our children, how much more will You give good gifts, up to and including Your very Spirit to those who ask?
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