Singing.....a sign of inner joy

Psalm 147:1 Praise the LORD. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him!

These Lyrics I've been singing in my head all day and just thought I'd share with you......

What does it mean to be saved
Isn’t it more than just a prayer to pray
More than just a way to Heaven

What does it mean to be His
To be formed in His likeness
Know that we have a purpose

To be salt and light in the world In the world
To be salt and light in the world

Let the redeemed of the Lord say so
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so
Say so say so

Oh that the Church would arise
Oh that we would see with Jesus’ eyes
We could show the world Heaven

Show what it means to be His
To be formed in His likeness
Show them they have a purpose

I am redeemed
I am redeemed
Let the redeemed of the Lord rise up!!!


Wow....have you ever read these words and just let them sink in? I know we sing this song on Sundays, but have you ever just meditated on the words your singing?? As I am singing these lyrics today....over and over again (ya know how it is when you have a song stuck in your head). Well these words began to open up my heart to their meaning. We sing praises to Him out of the joy of our heart in thanksgiving and adoration to Him.

This song says....It's more than just a prayer and a way to Heaven. We are formed in His likeness and he has created us with a purpose.

Why do I sing? Because my God has given me life. He has given me a reason to live and through his Son Jesus Christ I have be Redeemed! Praise you Jesus for loving me enough. So I sing out of the joy in my heart for a God who loves me and even though I'm not worthy of this love he loves me anyway! How could I not sing?? He loves me enough!! I don't know about you, but that is alone is enough for me!

Sing His praises for the world to hear!! Arise oh church, Arise!! Show them the love he has shown you! What does it mean to be his?? Show them....show them THEY have a purpose. See them through the eyes of Jesus let the compassion he has for them overflow out of you. We could show them heaven. What a gift to give.......to show someone the pure love of Jesus!

Go, be the salt and light! Do not cover your lamp stand! Bring the light to the WORLD!

He's worth it isn't he.....

LET THE REDEEMED OF THE LORD SAY SO!!

This is who we are and who we're called to be. We are called to take the Good News to the world! His command was very clear......

Jesus came to them and said "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore GO and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matt. 28:18-22

That is the Great Commission. There's no question that we were called to reach others with the message of Jesus Christ. We should all ask ourselves this question each day.....

How is my life making a difference for the sake of the Great Commission?

Reflection of Leadership

I read a blog this morning by Perry Noble and the truth in it is something we all need to examine in our own lives. (you can check out his post down to the left on my blog roll....Two quick thoughts)

If we're teaching the Word of God our lives HAVE TO reflect what we're teaching because those we're leading will do as we do before they'll do as we say. You can teach all day long on being a good steward, taming the tongue or sharing the Gospel, but if your life doesn' t reflect what you teach remember their lives reflect your leadership. We had a teaching class this week and one of the verses that keeps going through my head is the one in James 3:1 talking about how not all should presume to be teachers because teachers are judged more strictly. And really that should sink deep within all of us. The bible talks all the time about the persecution that will come with knowing Christ.....I think this is even more evident with those who rise up to be leaders. And in this case not only does it come from the world, but from people all around us. When you take that step to lead others everything you do and say is being watched....by your children, church members, co-workers, family....and so on. There are some people in my life that will say things with me around just to see how I will react and believe me my reaction will either credit or discredit the faith I proclaim in their eye's. It's soooo easy for us to compromise our faith to "fit in". And truly.....taking the stand against the norm will speak to those watching so much more than the compromise will.

A great quote to go along with this, I believe is......

"Attitude is a reflection of leadership"

Take a look around at those your leading....children, ministry, family, friends.....take in what you see. And our attitude should also reflect our relationship with Christ. The closer we are to him the more like him we become and that WILL filter down to those we're leading. We need to reflect on these things and ask God to search our hearts and help us to become the leaders He's called us to be and the leaders he needs to rise up and work the harvest.