Tag: King David

Everything

On By Judy GlasserIn AprilLeave a comment

Everything I have comes from God.

Everything you have comes from God.

I really believe this. Do you?

When I came to the point that I sincerely believed this, it totally changed what I do with my time, money and talents.  I believe that this is what God is going to be talking to me about on judgement day. I am a believer and God has forgiven my sins for all time because of Christ’s death on the cross. It would be against God’s nature to bring up my sins on judgement day – what was the cross for? But God’s Word tells me in several places that Jesus is like the owner of the company who gave his servants – including me – resources and talents before he went off on a long journey. When he comes back, he will hold his servants – including me – accountable for how well we stewarded what he left with us while he was gone..

On Judgement Day, God will give me an evaluation of what I have done with all he has given me.

King David’s declaration in front of all of his people has made this passage in 1 Chronicles 29 one of my favorite. In my head, I imagine King David standing in the middle of huge piles of gold, silver, bronze and precious stones he was accumulating to be used in the building of the Temple of God.

I see David standing in the middle of this fortune with his hands raised to the sky as he acknowledges in front of everyone that all of this – and everything – comes from God.

Let’s join him (my paraphrase) –

We lift up our praise to you, Lord, our God and Father, forever!

You have all the greatness..

all the power…

all the glory…

all of the majesty..

and all of the splendor!

Everything in heaven and on earth is yours.

You, oh Lord, own everything and are in control of it all!

Any wealth or honor we have comes from you.

You rule over everything!

Only you are able to give strength and power to us.

Now, our God, we give you our thanks and we praise your glorious name!

Thank you, Abba Father!

My Song Of Praise, 2019

On By Judy GlasserIn AprilLeave a comment

Let’s join with King David in 1 Chronicles and lift this song of praise to God –

I give thanks to you, LORD, for I want the whole world to know how great you are.  I sing praises to you and tell everyone how awesome you are.

I worship you, Father.  I will never stop seeking you and the strength you give me.  I remember your never ending care and love for me.  I celebrate because you have chosen me to be your child.

You are the LORD my God.  Your justice and faithfulness are constant from generation to generation.

I remember how you have provided for me.

I remember that you have never stopped guiding me on the path you have set before me.

I remember all the ways you have kept me safe.

Let everyone sing to our LORD and spread the good news that he saves us.   Let us share our amazing stories of what he has done in our lives.

Great is the LORD!  He is most worthy of praise!

I honor you, LORD!  You are my strength and joy!

Let all nations recognize the glory and strength of the LORD!  Give him the offerings and praise he deserves! 

Worship the LORD, let all the earth tremble before him.  Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!

We shout, “The Lord reigns!”  Let all of creation shout his praise!  Let’s sing for joy before the LORD! 

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good!  His faithfulness endures forever!

Save us, oh God!  Rescue us!

Praise the LORD, our God, who lives from everlasting to everlasting!

And all of the people shouted, “Amen”, and praised the LORD.

 

Only a Flicker

On By Judy GlasserIn May2 Comments

There are times when my problems loom very large over my head.

There are other days when there seems to be way too much to do – it will never all get done.

And then there are days like today when my absorption in the details of my life slams up against God’s truth.

My life is just a momentary flicker in time.

God tells me in his word that my life is like the new grass which withers almost as soon as it appears.

My life is barely going to make a noticeable bump in the history of time.

When King David was dying, he said, “I am about to go the way of the earth.”

Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.  King David was extremely famous with his name and life splashed all over the most significant book of all time – the Bible.  And even he went ‘the way of all the earth.”  That’s where my body is going, too – back to the earth.

So I have to ask – what’s it all for?  What can I do to make my flicker matter?

As always, God’s truth provides the answer.  It’s all about loving God and loving others.

When our lives are dedicated to loving God and loving others, the ripples of grace, truth and wisdom reach out through our family and friends, making a lasting mark on lives our love has touched.

We are only here for a very short time until we  go the way of all the earth.

Let’s make it count.

I dedicate my flicker to loving you and loving others, Abba Father.

A Foolish Thing

On By Judy GlasserIn AprilLeave a comment

Oh, yes.

We do a foolish thing..

We say a foolish thing…

We buy a foolish thing…

We make a foolish choice.

It happens to all of us.April 16 2016 a foolish thing

As we read 2 Samuel, we see King David doing many good and courageous things.

And also some very foolish things.

But he was still called ‘A Man After God’s own heart” because, when he sees the wrong things he does, he admits it.

He repents.

He deals positively with the negative consequences of his choices.

And he praises God through the whole experience.

David is a good role-model for us.  When we mess up – and we will! – God wants us to own up to it, turn away from the sin and turn towards God.

Unfortunately, many of us get mad or frustrated when we are confronted with our foolishness.  Worse yet – we deny it.  We blame it on someone else.

Too often, when we don’t like experiencing the consequences for our foolish choices, we turn away from God and stop doing the things that help grow our relationship with him like participating in worship and reading God’s word.

Foolishness upon foolishness!

When we own up to our weaknesses and sin, God opens up his arms, ready to hold us close so we can feel his love and grace as we walk through the mess that is the result of our foolishness.  He lights our way and gives us strength to grow through the trials.  All of our trials.

Just like he did with King David thousands of years ago.

Thank you, Abba Father.