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Well, the drink was not available, so we asked for lemonade instead and in a few minutes a glass of unsweetened tea arrived at the table. The young man seemed very pleased that he was bringing tea to the table and all I could think was "that does not look like lemonade"!
I certainly tasted the beverage and was hoping that it was not a glass of "very dirty lemonade" and it was just tea. Yes the tea that arrived at our table was just brewed as well, but we asked for lemonade!
Was reading in the Psalms today and came across Psalm 100! It is one of my favorites that my mother help me learn as a small child.
Psalm 100 (NKJV)
Make a joyful shout to the LORD all you lands! 2 Serve the LORD with gladness ; Come before His presence with singing. 3 Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. 4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise, be thankful to Him and bless His name. 6 For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations.
That word "serve" is 'ahad. In the Strong's has the numbering of 5647 and has the meaning of to work for, serve, do labor for someone; to be a servant, to worship.
In serving God, and know it is our faith that pleases Him, do we do things within our day that will worship God and bring delight to Him?
In the "hall of faith" found in Hebrews 11, verse 6 reminds us that "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.
As the born-again believer, we know that He is God! As in any relationship with another person, we spend time with them. We find out things of their nature, their abilities, their likes and dislikes and the best is that which brings a smile to their face! God is not a man. HE IS not a man who lies, but God, the Creator of heaven and earth! We are to know Him, the ONE, the HOLY God who gave His best for us.
Nowhere is God and His omnipotence seen more clearly than in creation. When God said, "let there be light,"......and it was so. ( found in Genesis 1:3,6, 9, etc.) It is revealed in God's power preservation comes. For all life on earth would have perished if were not for His continual provision of everything we need. For man it is food, clothing, and shelter. For beast, the rain brings fruit on trees as to leaves that are edible. The tree provides other fruit and some as nuts, and much shade during a hot summer blast of heat. We also know from the word of God that "the seas were assigned their limit" in Proverbs 8:29 When He assigned to the sea its limit, so that the waters would not transgress His command, when he marked out the foundations of the earth.
As man, we certainly need tools for carving out a roadway. We must have materials to create, but the Almighty God spoke and by the power of His Word everything was created from nothing!
Job 38: 4-11 NKJV 4 "Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?" Tell Me, if you have understanding. 5 Who determined its measurements?" "Surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? 6 To what were its foundations fastened? or who laid its cornerstone, 7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? 8 Or who shut in the sea with doors, when it burst forth and issued from the womb; 9 When I made the clouds its garment, and thick darkness its swaddling band; 10 When I fixed MY limit for it, and set bars and doors; 11 When I said, 'This far you may come, but no farther, and here your proud waves must stop!"
Yes, it is revealed in the Bible, that which was written of God and those things He stated of His promises, His love and goodness to all. But the born-again believer, if really walking with Him reveals that each step throughout their day, all things should glorify God. They are things that will please Him, and help us see that God looks out for our good. Although we choose, yet it is His word that should lead us. So from Psalm 100 and the verse "to serve the LORD with gladness, should be that which is glorifying Him. It should be our faith speaking through out the day just like He did, He does speak now, and He will always speak.
In understanding and knowing Him, we bask in His presence because of Him and not just ask for "stuff"! Acknowledging first thing of the morning light, we are faith in action that God YOU are 1st in my life today and every day.
Opening His word, allows our inner man (our heart) to be flooded with that Light of His Word feeding our souls and helping us to grow up. AS our faith grows, that shield of protection is working, moving mountains out of our lives, knowing His goodness, and leaning back into His peace and His promise that "He will never leave us, nor will He ever forsake us."
Living in His presence, we receive vision for the future. For it is of good and not of evil, it is given in all wisdom and spiritual understanding that is walked out, influencing others, and being fruitful.
Yes, increasing in that knowledge of a loving God, we surely live from the Holy Spirit, walk without doubt, maturing daily, and receiving our dreams and desires that were God-ordained.
How shall I serve the LORD today? HOW should you and I serve HIM who has given so much? But we must receive HIM, know WHO He is and what He has done. In that service for all the days of our lives, may we keep God close, always sensing His love and peace wrapped about us, standing steadfast and speaking with loud voices, "for the LORD is good, HIS mercy is everlasting and HIS truth endures to all generations! Amen!
The Voice of Prayer has a new teaching:
Soaring with Eagles
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6FAIWPkUigYou can also visit my You Tube channel The Voice of Prayer for more teaching at: http://bit.ly/1tNyBhV
