There are certain people who know exactly what they want to do in life at an early age. Most teenagers live life day to day or for the weekend. However, Rachael Lampa rose to fame and critical acclaim at age 15 in 2000 with the release of her debut album, Live for You. Sometimes you hear a song, but you’re distracted at the time so it doesn’t strike a nerve or touch your heart.
I appeal to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship, Romans 12:1.
When I recently listened to Live for You late at night, I was touched by the lyrics and melody. My mind was reminded of the apostle Paul’s words in the passage above. Before you can discover God’s will for your life, you have to offer your body as a living sacrifice. As Christian’s like Rachael live for Jesus, God’s plan for your life comes into focus. May Life for You challenge you to pursue God’s will for your life.
While in high school, I usually played one of two roles. I was either messing around, acting like a childish immature kid who wanted to take a break from being serious. Or I was the adult in the room later on in school, overwhelmed by my conscience asking my friends, “are you sure we should be doing this?” In the case of Abraham, God placed him into a scenario where he was forced to stop messing around in life.
After these events, God tested and proved Abraham and said to him, Abraham! And he said, Here I am. 2 [God] said, Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah; and offer him there as a burnt offering upon one of the mountains of which I will tell you, Genesis 22:1-2.
When called by God to sacrifice the promised son that Abraham and his elderly wife waited decades to be fulfilled, he leaves before daybreak. Abraham doesn’t consult his wife about this matter as this isn’t a suggestion. After a sleepless night, Abraham mentally prepares himself for the journey that awaits. I can only imagine the thoughts going through Abe’s mind as he set out to sacrifice his beloved son.
So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him and his son Isaac; and he split the wood for the burnt offering, and then began the trip to the place of which God had told him. 4 On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance, Genesis 22:3-4.
Looking back on my own life, I spent four years of college straddling the fence with one foot indulging my sinful nature and the other wanting to please God. There was one song that struck a nerve in my heart of my lukewarm spirit, Revelation 3:16. Ray Boltz in Feel the Nails uses the expression “stop playing games” in this chorus. While on a retreat in Friendship, Maryland, this song changed my life and brought me to a place like Abraham to stop messing around by taking my faith in Jesus serious.
Like trends in society, Christian music’s version of a boy band came in the form of Plus One in 1999. This group consisted of five individuals: Nate Cole, Jason Perry, Jeremy Mhire, Nathan Walters and Gabe Combs. Plus One immediately hit it big time with their debut album, The Promise. One of their songs which has spoken to me over the years is Written on My Heart,
Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God is one Lord [the only Lord]. 5 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your [mind and] heart and with your entire being and with all your might. 6 And these words which I am commanding you this day shall be [first] in your [own] minds and hearts; [then], Deuteronomy 6:4-6.
The lyrics of Written on My Heart come from a Jewish tradition passed down to Moses. To avoid forgetting the God of Abraham, there was an emphasis in Jewish homes to raise up and train children to keep the commandments. As someone who struggles to stay focused as I read the Bible, I have to write down what I learn daily so I don’t forget it. May today’s song help you to keep God ever present in life.
Jesus makes two transformational comments about love which one disciple couldn’t get off of his mind. The first is made to a Pharisee named Nicodemus. Based upon John 7:50-52 and John 19:38-42, the passage below changed Nick’s life. Meanwhile, the second passage was spoken to all 12 disciples during Passion Week. Unfortunately, none of the disciples were mentally prepared for Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice.
For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten ([d]unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him, John 3:16-17.
Between my best two friends in high school, Carl and Paul, I was voted most likely to get married first. While I spent college trying to figure out which qualities I wanted in a future wife, I was an all or nothing kind of guy so I stayed single as my two friends got married. During a pre-marriage conference in Cleveland, Ohio, I learned that I needed to have a will to love before I could truly love Leanne.
This is My commandment: that you love one another [just] as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love [no one has shown stronger affection] than to lay down (give up) his own life for his friends, John 15:12-13.
As a former middle and high school coach, it’s easy to distinguish the committed from the uncommitted. Attitudes and actions revealed who would become great and who might improve but would likely remain average at best. Jesus didn’t just talk about God in parables. Rather, Jesus was a man of action, living out and fulfilling that which He promised. The greater your love, the bigger your sacrifice as a parent or spouse.
You would think that an artist who was named the Gospel Music Association ‘s Dove Award winner for Female Vocalist of the Year four consecutive years and five total would be a household name. Unfortunately, Natalie Grant hasn’t received the attention that she deserves. Nonetheless, one of Natalie’s most powerful songs is My Weapon.
For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds, 5 [Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One), 6 Being in readiness to punish every [insubordinate for his] disobedience, when your own submission and obedience [as a church] are fully secured and complete, 2 Corinthians 10:4-6.
In the age of Cancel Culture, Natalie isn’t singing about physical weapons like a gun. Rather, Natalie points to the armor of God, using prayer as a weapon to fight back against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. When I listened to My Weapon for the first time, I was reminded of the apostle Paul’s words in the passage above. May you learn from Paul to become armed with spiritual weapons.
The biblical term Deuteronomy refers to the Second Law. This book serves as a summary of all the lessons God tried to teach the nation of Israel. From the days of Adam and Eve to Noah and the flood, Moses was called by God to remind believers to rejoice in God’s blessings. This isn’t some sort of ancient fairy tale or make-believe game; this is a living God who blesses those who trust in the Lord.
If you will listen diligently to the voice of the Lord your God, being watchful to do all His commandments which I command you this day, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. 2 And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you if you heed the voice of the Lord your God, Deuteronomy 28:1-2.
The context of today’s passage occurs just prior to Moses’ farewell address prior to passing the torch to Joshua. Instead of telling Israel, “I’ve got good news and bad news; what do you want to hear first?” Moses paints a vivid picture of what life on earth could be like by simply obeying God. This is the Could Be/Should Be portion of Moses’ message in Deuteronomy 28:1-14.
Blessed shall you be in the city and blessed shall you be in the field. 4 Blessed shall be the fruit of your body and the fruit of your ground and the fruit of your beasts, the increase of your cattle and the young of your flock, Deuteronomy 28:3-4.
Unfortunately, the final 54 verses of Deuteronomy 28 serve as a grim remember of a life without God. As someone who almost became a math teacher, this is the basic addition portion of the Bible. Following God’s commands plus daily obedience equals blessings in life. Rather than dwell on the negative, today’s featured passage should inspire you to rejoice in God’s blessings.
You have to love music to pursue this career for 25 years. Such is the case of Nichole Ellyse Nordeman who begam performing in 1997. Over the past quarter of a century, Nichole has done a little bit of everything. This includes serving as a singer, songwriter, instrumentalist, and pianist. One of my favorite songs by Nichole is To Know You.
Thus says the Lord: Let not the wise and skillful person glory and boast in his wisdom and skill; let not the mighty and powerful person glory and boast in his strength and power; let not the person who is rich [in physical gratification and earthly wealth] glory and boast in his [temporal satisfactions and earthly] riches; 24 But let him who glories glory in this: that he understands and knows Me [personally and practically, directly discerning and recognizing My character], that I am the Lord, Who practices loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth, for in these things I delight, says the Lord, Jeremiah 9:23-24.
The title of To Know You reminds me of the words spoken by an Old Testament prophet. Jeremiah sends an important message to Israel. Don’t get caught up in your gifts, skills, and talents that you have received. Rather, focus on the source, the giver of life. When you get to know to Person behind each gift, James 1:17, you will rejoice like the lyrics of To Know You.
If you have ever studied the life of Abraham in Genesis, he had a tendency to act like a modern politician. Subsequently, one of the generational sins passed down to his son Isaac was lying. The most obvious is when Abraham told a powerful ruler that his wife Sarah was merely his sister. Since Abraham failed this test, the next one forced Abraham to choose his allegiance in the passage below.
After these events, God tested and proved Abraham and said to him, Abraham! And he said, Here I am. 2 [God] said, Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah; and offer him there as a burnt offering upon one of the mountains of which I will tell you. 3 So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him and his son Isaac; and he split the wood for the burnt offering, and then began the trip to the place of which God had told him. 4 On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance, Genesis 22:1-4.
Peter is another example who is seen as a spiritual rock in Matthew 16:18 but had his own issues when he thought his life was in danger, Mark 14:72. Peter viewed Jesus as an earthly king, expecting Him to be crowned King of the Jews. Yet, when God’s plan didn’t fit his own expectations, Peter denied knowing Jesus in public three times. Peter was so overconfident, 1 Corinthians 10:12, he failed God’s test. Nonetheless, one failure prepared Peter for a future one where he passed like Abraham, John 21:15-19.
[You should] be exceedingly glad on this account, though now for a little while you may be distressed by trials and suffer temptations, 7 So that [the genuineness] of your faith may be tested, [your faith] which is infinitely more precious than the perishable gold which is tested and purified by fire. [This proving of your faith is intended] to redound to [your] praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) is revealed, 1 Peter 1:6-7.
As Tom Hanks declared in Forrest Gump, “every day is like a box of chocolates, you never know what’s inside.” As the sun rises on another day, are you ready for God’s next test in your life? Since moving to South Carolina, I haven’t done well. I’ve become a D student spiritually. Perhaps if I would take a leap of faith rather than trust in my own abilities, I’ll become a better student by years end. As for now, keep in step with God’s Spirit, Galatians 5:25 and when your overwhelmed, trust in the Lord, Proverbs 3:5-6.
Today’s musician came all the way from Adelaide, Australian to follow her dream to become a contemporary Christian artist. While Michele Tumes began his music ministry in Australian, she moved to the United States in 1993. Songs like No Greater Love in 2010, The Key, and Tinker Bell, also in 2008 put Michele Tumes on the map. One of her most soothing songs is Healing Waters.
In these lay a great number of sick folk—some blind, some crippled, and some paralyzed (shriveled up)—[a]waiting for the bubbling up of the water. 4 For an angel of the Lord went down at appointed seasons into the pool and moved and stirred up the water; whoever then first, after the stirring up of the water, stepped in was cured of whatever disease with which he was afflicted, John 5:3-4.
When I first heard Healing Waters on the radio, I was reminded of the passage above. In the first century, one place in Jerusalem developed a reputation for miraculous healing. A pool near the Sheep Gate was given the Hebrew name Bethesda. Desperate people came from all over the region hoping to experience healing waters. As you listen to today’s song, may you be encouraged by God’s power to heal.
When the topic of faith is preached about in the pulpit, Hebrews 11 and James 2 is often referenced. Yet, after considering the words of King Solomon and Jesus, faith and love is a matter of the heart. Solomon warns one of his sons to guard his heart above all else. When the flow of blood to a heart is cut off, physical life is in jeopardy. However, Jesus speaks of the spiritual condition of hearts.
Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life, Proverbs 4:23.
During a rough week of cross-country practice in high school, Coach Mauer give some advice dating girls during the season. I can still hear coach proclaiming, “if you let girls screw with your mind, you won’t be able to concentrate.” Unfortunately, these words came a week too late as I was turned down to attend homecoming with a female runner. As DC Talk once sang, love isn’t just another word, love is a verb.
For there is no good (healthy) tree that bears decayed (worthless, stale) fruit, nor on the other hand does a decayed (worthless, sickly) tree bear good fruit. 44 For each tree is known and identified by its own fruit; for figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor is a cluster of grapes picked from a bramblebush. 45 The upright (honorable, intrinsically good) man out of the good treasure [stored] in his heart produces what is upright (honorable and intrinsically good), and the evil man out of the evil storehouse brings forth that which is depraved (wicked and intrinsically evil); for out of the abundance (overflow) of the heart his mouth speaks, Luke 6:43-45.
Love isn’t something that you can take on and off like an article of clothing. Rather, love begins in your heart. Jesus taught that what’s in your heart naturally flows out of you in the form of words. The battered, beaten, and bruised will likely spew hatred and resentment of the life they have endured. Yet, this doesn’t have to be the end as Galatians 5:22-23 speaks of a Spirit of spiritual fruit. May the words of Solomon and Jesus give you hope of a new heart where God’s love flows in the form of faith in action.
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