Thoughts for Life: WORTHY OF ALL PRAISE

WORTHY OF ALL PRAISE

Bill Crowder- Many consider Ferrante and Telcher to be the greatest piano duet team of all time. Their collaborative presentations were so precise that their style was described as four hands but only one mind. Hearing their music, one can begin to grasp the amount of effort required to perfect their craft.

But there's more. They loved what they did. In fact, even after they had retired in 1989, Ferrante and Telcher would occasionally show up at a local piano store just to play an impromptu concert. They simply loved making music.

David also loved making music—but he teamed up with God to give his song a higher purpose. His psalms affirm his struggle-filled life and his desire to live in deep dependence upon God. Yet, in the midst of his personal failures and imperfections, his praise expressed a kind of spiritual "perfect pitch," acknowledging the greatness and goodness of God even in the darkest of times. The heart behind David's praise is simply stated in Psalm 18:1, which reads, "I love you, LORD, my strength."

David continued, "I called to the LORD, who is worthy of praise" (v.3) and turned to Him "in my distress" (v. 6). Regardless of our situation, may we likewise lift our hearts to praise and worship our God. He's worthy of all praise!

Let's pray-

Heavenly Father, You've put a new song in our mouths. Please help our worship to express Your true goodness and greatness. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.

#102 Testimony- One page at a time

"In secret corners of the world, believers gather quietly—not to study a whole Bible, but to share a single page.
Torn from a tattered copy, that one page is read aloud, memorized, and passed along. It’s a treasure. A whisper of hope.
In places where Christianity is illegal or it’s dangerous to be a Christ-follower, Scripture travels underground, one verse at a time."

1546-1550 One-line Scriptures for those of you who want to learn some more verses this week- or to review them from when they were first posted-

1546- Is. 35:2b "They shall see the glory of the LORD, and the excellency of our God."

1547- Ps. 146:2 "While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God

while I have any being."

1548- Is. 19:20a "It shall be for a sign and for a witness unto the LORD of hosts."

1549- Job 13:6 "Hear now my reasoning, and hearken to the pleading of my lips."

1550- Ps. 97:11 "Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart."

#102 Hymn- Jesus Loves Even Me

The information about this song, is taken from the book by Robert J. Morgan, THEN SINGS MY SOUL (p. 177)

Philip Bliss was born in a Pennsylvania log cabin where his father led in daily prayer and where music was the primary entertainment. As a result the lad found himself drawn to both the Lord Jesus and to music at an early age.

When he was ten, Philip sold vegetables door to door. Approaching an elegant home, he heard a sort of music he'd never heard before. Dropping his vegetables, he scaled the fence and slipped unseen into the parlor. A woman was playing something new and strange to Philip—a piano. He was enthralled. When she stopped, he exclaimed, "O lady, please play some more!" Spinning on her stool, the alarmed woman saw the little urchin standing there. "Get out of here with your big, bare feet!" she cried, Philip beat a fast retreat, but the sounds of that piano stayed with him and deepened his desire to become a musician.

In 1870, Philip joined the staff of the First Congregational Church in Chicago. One evening, very weary, Philip found inner refreshment while meditating on Romans 5:5: "The love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit." Picking up pen and paper, he began writing; 'I am so glad that my Father in heaven / tells of His love in the book He has given . . ." The hymn, "Jesus Loves Even Me" was created.

Some encouraging words-

"Consider the great benefit of a constant, diligent, and persevering attendance in prayer. It is one of the greatest and most excellent means of nourishing the new nature, and of causing the soul to flourish and prosper. It is an excellent means of keeping up an acquaintance with, and of growing in the knowledge of God. It is the way to a life of communion with God. It is an excellent means of taking off the heart the vanities of the world, and of causing the mind to be conversant in heaven." (Jonathan Edwards (1758)

Church Notes:

POWER OF GOD

God wants to fill us with His Holy Spirit!

The Stone (Jesus) was rejected by His people.

His power within us is the power of Salvation. Our testimony can be powerful!

The apostles refused to stop preaching, and neither should we be silent.

The fruit of the Spirit becomes evident when we're filled with the Spirit. He'll make

us bold and strengthen us to do His will.

The peace of God is to help us not be anxious about anything, but to wholly trust in Jesus, as we let Him fill us with His Spirit, which is His Presence.

Upcoming posts:

9/13th- GETTING BACK UP- Nancy Gavilanes

20th- THE SIMPLE TRUTH- Dave Branon

27th- THE ADVENTURE- Anne Cetas