Tag Archives: Newsboys

Praise God in the Now

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I will sing to the LORD all my life;
I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
May my meditation be pleasing to him,
as I rejoice in the LORD.
Psalm 104:33-34 NIV*

I’ve been asking God to renew my heart, and trusting He’s at work although there’s no visible evidence yet. Wondering when I’d start to see some change.

Like the child who digs up a seed every day to see if it’s sprouted yet.

This morning these verses from Psalm 104 changed my focus: Forget what’s seen or unseen, present or future. Praise God in the now.

Sure, I’ll praise Him when He’s renewed my heart. But why wait until then?

It’s not just about praising God for what He’s done. It’s about praising Him for who He is: God, majestic and powerful, loving and compassionate, Creator and Restorer. What He does only shows glimpses of who He is.

There’s plenty to praise Him for now, while I’m waiting, and His praise is to be the song of my life.

Father, help me be confident in who You are – Your character – not in what You do. Thank You for what You’re doing in my heart. Whether that goes fast or slow, help me live each day in praise to You because You are good, and because You love me.

∞

This week’s song has meant a lot to me over the past couple months: “Glorious,” by the Newsboys.

*New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Holy Week

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While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: ‘The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.’ Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, ‘Greetings, Rabbi!’ and kissed him.

Jesus replied, ‘Friend, do what you came for.’

Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

‘Put your sword back in its place,’ Jesus said to him, ‘for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?’

Matthew 26:47-54, NIV*

Holy Week.

We count down to tragedy… and triumph. We remember the events that led to our Saviour’s cruel death on a rough-hewn cross, disfigured and despised.

For us.

Sunday’s coming, and we’ll celebrate His glorious resurrection, perhaps the pinnacle moment in God’s mind-boggling plan.

But first comes Thursday: the Last Supper, Gethsemane’s agony, the betrayal. Friday: the mockery, the abuse, the physical torture of crucifixion. Saturday: the quiet before the storm nobody knew was coming.

It’s tempting to skip all the hard stuff, move right into the celebration. But look what Jesus did for us.

I’ll never be able to wrap my head around it, but He gave Himself intentionally, the perfect Lamb of God foreshadowed in the Old Testament sacrifices, despite the unimaginable agony of body and spirit. Because He loves us.

He.

Loves.

Us.

Hallelujah, what a Saviour.

Have a blessed Holy Week. Our song is an extended version of the Newsboys‘ “I Am Free.” Listen to the Scriptures about ¾ of the way through. This is the Gospel. He came to set us free.

*New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Believing God

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Abram believed the LORD, and He credited it to him as righteousness.
Genesis 15:6, NIV*

God told this childless old man that the longing of his heart – the aching wound he had carried so long – would be satisfied. And Abram believed him. Pure and simple. He accepted God’s promise as truth, and trusted God to do as He said. There’s peace in that.

For me, his simple acceptance of God’s word is key. Not the particular promise he received, but the general heart attitude of believing God. Not whether he understood the hows and whys, nor what was at stake, just that he heard God and believed him.

Sometimes we hear God speak a personal word to us. We may not understand, but we need to trust His character and believe Him. Every day, whether we hear Him or not, we have His character and promises revealed in the Bible. We can believe them.

It’s the simplicity of Abram’s belief that inspires me. I’m so bad about complicating things. Instead of fretting, I need to quietly believe God. Accept Him. Let Him be the strong one, the leader. Trust Him and let Him have the wheel.

Help me, Father, to take my proper place trusting You, open to You, believing You. I’m sorry for the tangled complication I make of life – and of my own thoughts – and ask You to lead me into a simplicity of spirit that rests in You – actively trusts You – believes You the way a flower believes the sun.

Our song this week is “Lord (I Don’t Know)” by the Newsboys.

*New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

In All I Do

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Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way. …And don’t just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. …Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you’re serving is Christ. The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Being a follower of Jesus doesn’t cover up bad work.
Colossians 3, MSG*

Last week I made my annual pilgrimage to Ontario for Write Canada. It’s a “double your money” event: professional development and spiritual retreat. Quality instruction, meeting old friends and making new ones, worship and excellent food-all in a beautiful setting.

By Friday morning I was tired and experiencing a degree of brain overload. Did I really want to work this hard to develop excellent writing?

In my brief devotional time before leaving my room, these verses from Colossians jumped out at me. Then, to be sure He had my attention, He echoed the theme in our worship session an hour later.

Father, please help me do my best, from the heart, for You. Help me not be sullen or reluctant, but to remember it’s You I’m living for and to embrace the leading You give. It’s not my place to decide if I like it or if I’m willing. I’m to be willing, because I’ve surrendered to You and can fully trust Your goodness. Please give me discernment to know Your leading so I don’t waste time and energy on rabbit trails.

The song He used was “You Are My King (Amazing Love),” written by Billy James Foote and performed here by the Newsboys. Note the “honour You in all I do.”

*The Message (MSG) Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson