Tag: Hallelujah Praise Jehovah

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Even the Stars…

The title of this article leaves a question…what about the stars? “Even the stars…” leaves me to think that they are included with something else, but what? First of all, we know that as God’s people we are called to praise Him. But in reality, all creation is called to praise Jehovah God. But in our limited thinking, do we draw a line as to who can praise the Creator of this world? With no limits to the vastness of the universe we only need to read and know that there is no limit as to who and what can (and will) give Him praises!
Pick up your Bible and turn to Psalm, chapter 148.  This scripture has been turned into one our favorite songs in the brotherhood. And, if the truth be known, when we sing this song, we’re singing a ‘psalm’ that is almost a word-for-word account from the chapter.  From the hills and mountains to the beast and cattle, we sing this song of praise.  So whether you see yourself as a young man, a maiden or an aged man; whether you’re a child or a king we must all be praising God.  As a matter of fact, take a closer look at who/WHAT the Psalmist says will praise God. All His angels, the sun and moon, sea creatures or monsters or dragons depending on your translation, fire, snow, vapors and hail, beast, birds and cattle; all created things will praise the Creator! And the reason why is found in the 13th verse, “…for His name alone is exalted.” Do you praise God or, in your life, do you have other things that are exalted?
Read the words to this ‘psalm’ and then compare the song we sing on Sunday to the words written in the 148th Psalm…
“Hallelujah, praise Jehovah, from the heavens praise His name;
Praise Jehovah in the highest, all His angels praise proclaim.
All His hosts together praise Him, sun, and moon, and stars on high;
Praise Him, O ye heav’n of heavens, and ye floods above the sky.
Let them praises give Jehovah, they were made at His command,
Them forever He established; His decree shall ever stand.
From the earth, oh, praise Jehovah, all ye floods, ye dragons all;
Fire, and hail, and snow, and vapors, stormy winds that hear His call.
All ye fruitful trees and cedars, all ye hills and mountains high,
Creeping things, and beasts, and cattle, birds that in the heavens fly.
Kings of earth, and all ye people, Princes great, earth’s judges all,
Praise His name, young men and maidens, aged men and children small.
Refrain:
Let them praises give Jehovah,
For His name alone is high,
And His glory is exalted,
And His glory is exalted,
And His glory is exalted,
Far above the earth and sky.”

It is a clear that all created things will praise God.  So let me encourage you to sing and to give your praise to God. The stars are praising Him, so be careful that you don’t let the creation in heaven, or on earth for that matter, out sing your praise to Jehovah!

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Two Preachers…March 9th

If asked to name some ‘preachers’ from the Bible, who would you come up with? Some from the New Testament would be Peter & Paul for sure (not to mention John the Baptizer, and of course Jesus, the Christ). Even within the pages of the Old Testament we read about “The Preacher” preachingunderstanding that to be King Solomon. But you can’t forget the prophets of old or even Noah as having preached to the people. So Sunday morning, which “Two Preachers” might we be considering?

Paul was a mentor to Timothy and helped groom him to be a preacher of the Word. Throughout the book of Acts we read about their relationship as they journeyed through life. But look again at Paul’s words to his friend in 2 Timothy 4; “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.” Come and learn a lesson from these two preachers.

“…I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.”  I Corinthians 14:15

Sunday morning, March 9, 2014

The following songs are found in the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.

“Hallelujah, Praise Jehovah!” – 3

Taken from the 148th Psalm, this ‘psalm’ is a clear praise to God. But who is called to praise God? From the text we’ll sing, “Praise Him, all His angels…Praise Him, sun and moon…Praise Him, sea monsters…fire and hail…beast and cattle…kings of earth…young men and maidens…Old men and children.” According to the scriptures, all living things praise God. Maybe you should ask yourself, “Am I praising God?” Our chorus is found in the 13th verse; “Let them praise the name of the Lord, for His name alone is exalted.”

“Let the Beauty of Jesus Be Seen in Me” – 722

When people see you, what do they see? My grandmother often told me to be careful how I acted, because, “you may be the only Bible some people will ever read.” At the same time I’ve heard it said, by the way you live your life, you may be the only sermon some people will ever hear.

“God Has Smiled on Me” – 118

A short, simple contemporary song that gives assurance to the singer and the listener both. “God has smiled on me, He has set me free…He’s been good to me.” God blesses us (smiles on us), but do you smile knowing God smiles on you? ‘Amazing grace, how sweet the sound’ can be sung to this too as well…very fitting I think.

“Why Did My Savior Come to Earth” – 382

We sing this spiritual song and in the first verse we ask the haunting question, “WHY”. Why did Jesus come to save mankind? Why come as a poor baby to a dark, heartless world? Why leave His royalty and power to die a paupers death? Why? You know the answer because you’ve sung it since you were a child…“Jesus loves me this I know…” As we sing this song, think about the chorus and WHY would Jesus do that me?

“There is a Balm in Gilead” – 961

An old spiritual song that finds it’s basis in Jeremiah chapter 8. As the Israelites struggle in captivity they cry out, “Is there no balm in Gilead, is there no physician there?” The song writing gives us reassurance as we sing, “There is a balm in Gilead, to make the wounded whole.” For clarification consider Matthew 9:12 when Jesus said, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick.”

“Soldiers of Christ, Arise” – 647

Before our lesson, as soldier’s of Christ, let’s stand up! (Both physically, but more importantly spiritual.) Notice the verses of this familiar song and how we are singing about the armor of God. But let me encourage you to take care as you sing the third verse; how much of the armor we should be putting on is stated at the conclusion of this verse…‘the panoply’ is the answer.

“Let Him Have His Way with Thee” – no book

Our invitation song asked the question, who is in control of your life? As you live each day…will you live it for Jesus? Will you be pure and good? Will you ‘follow at His call?’ How about the ‘providential test’, how will you do on that one? Maybe you’d better ask yourself what the providential test really is. The chorus is critical as we conclude this song. You know that; 1) “His power can make you what you ought to be, 2) His blood can cleanse your heart and make you free, 3) His love can fill your soul and you will see…” but will you let Him have His way with you?

“Footsteps of Jesus” – 416footsteps of Jesus

Closing this morning we’ll encourage each other to follow in the steps of Jesus. Just like Paul did for Timothy, so we must continually admonish each other to preach (live) a life that honors God. Follow in the steps of Jesus as you learn a lesson from these two preachers!