Hello My Friend/Guest,

Today is Sunday May 17, 2009 and we are continuing our studies on the book of I Chronicles.
Please read chapters 14-16 in your Bible or Click Here to read them online.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=I%20Chronicles%2014-16&version=9

Today's Message: Praising God
Are we openly praising the One True God, our Heavenly Father? Or are we afraid to let the world know that we know Him?

David's first attempt to bring the Ark to Jerusalem failed because he violated the Law of God (see II Samuel 6:1-8). However, on the second attempt he carefully learned and obeyed God's Word, telling the priests to sanctify themselves and bear the Ark of God upon their shoulders. "And David made him houses in the city of David, and prepared a place for the ark of God, and pitched for it a tent. Then David said, None ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites: for them hath the LORD chosen to carry the ark of God, and to minister unto him for ever. And David gathered all Israel together to Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the LORD unto his place, which he had prepared for it." (I Chronicles 14:1-3).

David led the United Kingdom in a glorious time of praising the Lord as they brought the Ark from the house of Obededom to Jerusalem. To show his respect for God, David humbly took off his royal garments and dressed in a plain linen ephod, a garment used by priests when ministering before God. "So David, and the elders of Israel, and the captains over thousands, went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the house of Obededom with joy. And it came to pass, when God helped the Levites that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, that they offered seven bullocks and seven rams. And David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, and all the Levites that bare the ark, and the singers, and Chenaniah the master of the song with the singers: David also had upon him an ephod of linen. Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the LORD with shouting, and with sound of the cornet, and with trumpets, and with cymbals, making a noise with psalteries and harps." (15:25-28). David was publicly acknowledging his submission to the one True King of Israel and expressing honor and praise to the Almighty God. Godly people will publicly acknowledge their submission to the authority of the Supreme King and express honor and praise to their Lord as the Almighty Creator of all things.

When they arrived at Jerusalem, David provided an inspiring psalm for his choir to sing. "Then on that day David delivered first this psalm to thank the LORD into the hand of Asaph and his brethren. Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works. Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD. Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.............Sing unto the LORD, all the earth; shew forth from day to day his salvation. Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvellous works among all nations. For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the people are idols: but the LORD made the heavens. Glory and honour are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place. Give unto the LORD, ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength." (16:7-11,23-28). To fear God does not mean that we are to be afraid of Him. It means that we are to have respect for and be in awe of Him. When we fear God we are telling Him that there are no other false gods taking place of Him and that life would be fearful without Him in it.

Godly people are not concerned about being praised, but have a desire to praise the Lord. Silent praise is good, but if we remain silent than the world would never know of His wondrous works. The world needs to hear us praise Him, nothing can honor Him more than open, vocal praise that comes from the heart of the one who is truly devoted to Him. "And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." (Colossians 3:14-16).

Today's Psalm: 16:8-9
"I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope."

Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
When we gave you our heart, we made the willful choice to no longer conform to the trends of this world. Instead we ask You to daily renew our minds so that we see this world through the eyes of Christ. We are put to the test daily in deciding what is truth and what is error. May Your Holy Word be our reference point and Your Spirit be our Guide as we are exposed to countless principles of this world rather than Your eternal truths. Sharpen our discernment and grant us courage so that we readily know truth from error and are fearless in saying so. I pray in Jesus' name...........Amen.

Have a wonderful day/night and week.
God Bless,
Christina

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