Let The Celebration Begin

Some people are known as the life of the party. The fun begins when they show up. I am not known as the life of the party.

Psalm 24:7-8 says, “Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle!” In ancient times, the king would return from battle victory and the gates of the city would be opened for king, the beginning of a great celebration. We have the opportunity to open our hearts so that the King of all glory may enter and the celebration of saints and angels shall begin and continue throughout eternity.

Hearing Aids

I have worn hearing aids for decades. I am at the point now that I can’t hear a lot of what is said to me or around me. I try all the tricks to hear better, but still don’t hear enough, even though most of the time, I really want to hear what is said. The speaker and I have to be in the right position and make the extra effort for me to hear.

I Samuel 3:10 says, “and the LORD came and stood, calling as at other times, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ And Samuel said, ‘Speak, for your servant hears.'” In order to hear what the Lord wants to speak to us, we must be listening for His voice. This was the fourth time that God called out to Samuel in one night, but only the first time that Samuel really listened for God to speak. Finally, Samuel knew that it was God speaking to him and had something God wanted him to do.

Giving Honor Versus Despising

As children, when we did what our parents asked, we honored them. When we didn’t do what they requested, we despised them to go our own way. As part of the workforce, when we do what the company requires and needs, we honor the company. When we don’t fulfill the requirements and needs, we acting in a way that despises the company.

I Samuel 2:30 says, “for those who honor me I will honor, and those who despise me shall be lightly esteemed.” With each decision we make and every action we take, we make a choice whether to honor God or to despise Him. When we follow Him and are transformed into His image, we honor Him. When we go our own way, we are acting in a way that despises Him.

Power of Hope

Most of the time we trivialize hope. We hope that it won’t rain. We hope that our car will not break down. We hope that our friend will not frustrate us today. All these hopes are good, but far less than what real hope can deliver to us.

Romans 15:13 says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Hope is defined as “to cherish with anticipation and expectation of obtainment or fulfillment.” (Merriam-Webster) As believers in Jesus Christ we have hope in each day and for eternity. The Holy Spirit within us assures us of this hope that fills us with joy and peace.

Words We Can Trust

Words are everywhere. We hear many voices telling us what they assure is true and reliable, only to find out later that these words were biased and ill-informed. We find the same problem with the words that we read, not knowing what to believe.

Psalm 19:7 says, “The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.” God’s Word is perfect, never needing to adapt to changing times or different cultural ways. We gain wisdom from studying God’s Word and walking according to God’s teaching.