December 23, 2024

Go, Tell It On The Mountain

December 3, 2015 by

phssChristmasgraphic2014

While shepherds kept their watching o’er silent flocks by night,
Behold throughout the heavens there shone a holy light.

The shepherds feared and trembled when lo, above the earth
Rang out the angel chorus that hailed our Saviour’s birth!

Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere.
Go, tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born.

Down in a lonely manger the humble Christ was born,
and God sent us salvation that blessed Christmas morn.

 

Pentatonix
lyrics: John Work, Jr., music: Af­ri­can-Amer­i­can spir­it­u­al

*   ♥  ~  ✝  ~  ★    *

Go tell!  How will you voice your ‘halleluJAH!’ during this season?  Such an opportunity we have…such open doors to speak of our praise of our great God and tell of His provision of love for all mankind!

The Angel Gabriel was the first to go tell! when he was sent to the young Mary:

Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.  And coming in, he said to her, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.”  But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was.  The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.  And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.

Luke 1:26-31

An angel accompanied by a host of angels were also sent to go tell! the good news to the shepherds:

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord.
This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.  Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,  “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests.”

Luke 2:8-13

When the shepherds were returning from Bethlehem where they had seen the proof of the angels’ good news, they also had the compulsion to go tell!

When they had seen Him <the Babe>, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this Child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.  The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Verses 17-20

Just as the Lord was leaving  and returning to Heaven, the disciples were commanded to go tell!:

Jesus came up…to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.  Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,  teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:18-20

And we, too, have a message to go tell!

For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”  But how can they call on Him to save them unless they believe in Him? And how can they believe in Him if they have never heard about Him? And how can they hear about Him unless someone tells them?  And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”

Romans 10:13-15 NLT

Oh, halleluJAH!  We HAVE heard, we DO know, and we DO believe!  We must go tell!  So whether you go tell! on a mountain, or on a city street, or at the beach…in your workplace, or at your child’s school…in the grocery store, or on that long checkout line at the ‘big box’ store…at the supper table, or as you talk with your kiddos and grandbabies—just go tell! 

*   ♥  ~  ✝  ~  ★    *

Lord, we love You so much!  And we are so very thankful for Your perfect Gift of Love to us!  May our full hearts and lips just spill over with praises as we go tell!  (And, Father, if we should feel hesitant or anxious to do so…please encourage us through Your Holy Spirit.  Remind us that we are Your ambassadors!  And we have an awesome message to go tell!  Thank You!)  Praying and praising and asking these things in Jesus’ precious Name.  Amen.

Filed Under: Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Faith

September 1, 2014 by

SeekingHimLogo

In you, Lord, I have taken refuge;
    let me never be put to shame;
    deliver me in your righteousness.
Turn your ear to me,
    come quickly to my rescue;
be my rock of refuge,
    a strong fortress to save me.
Since you are my rock and my fortress,
    for the sake of your name lead and guide me.
Keep me free from the trap that is set for me,
    for you are my refuge.
Into your hands I commit my spirit;
    deliver me, Lord, my faithful God.

Psalms 31:1-5

David was fearful for his life. He knew the only way out was to cry out to God for his provision and protection.  David was not weak minded.  He was a great statistician and knew how to outwit his enemies in many situations.  Yet, occasionally, he was in a place where his only hope was to cry out to God.  We do the same.  We look at a situation and know how to get free.  But there are those situations where God has placed us to test our faith.

{ Faith:  confidence or trust in a person or thing }

Besides my faith in God, other ideas that pop into my mind are:

  • faith that my car will start
  • faith in my employment status
  • faith in my spouse
  • faith in  our children to do the right things
  • faith in our pastor to lead us

When do you feel that your faith is true—when you are tested or when a friend is tested?  We are all tested at one time…a time to make us stronger and more dependent on God for our everyday needs.

Think of Noah, when he was first asked to build the Ark….  Can you imagine the conflicting thoughts coursing through his mind?  Out of holy fear and obedience, Noah built the Ark.  Preaching while he built, he did his best to tell people about the end of the world if they did not turn from their wickedness and join him and his family.  The people, ridiculing him and his family, did not understand what a flood was.  They did not perceive that life was going to end.  They did not care. They just knew that they were happy with their life and did not care about serving another god.

How many of us, as we walk through life, have replaced God with idols?  How many of us pursue that name-brand purse, name-brand clothes, ‘name- brand’ whatever?   Should we dwell on those things or should be pursue our family, our children, and our friends with the same kind of enthusiasm?  We are to be about Kingdom business.  We are to have the faith that when we step out to share God’s love, He will reward us for wanting to spread the Good News.

For that is our purpose—to share God’s love with others. And to share with others the good things, as well as our trials and our future in God.

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying,
All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them
in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:
and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Matthew 28: 18-20

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Father, Thank you for loving us enough to share your son Jesus with us.  Forgive us when we forget to share our faith or when we become afraid to share our faith with others.  Give us the courage we need to become evangelist and disciple makers for you!  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Filed Under: Seeking Him Daily Devotional Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Go Tell It On the Mountain

December 16, 2013 by

gchcarolsbloggraphic

Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere.
Go, tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born.

While shepherds kept their watching o’er silent flocks by night,
Behold throughout the heavens there shone a holy light.

The shepherds feared and trembled when lo, above the earth
Rang out the angel chorus that hailed our Saviour’s birth!

Down in a lonely manger the humble Christ was born,
and God sent us salvation that blessed Christmas morn.

lyrics: John Work, Jr., music: Af­ri­can-Amer­i­can spir­it­u­al, performed by: Sara Evans

 ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥

Go tell!  How do you voice your ‘halleluJAH!’ during this season?  Such an opportunity…such open doors to speak out our praise of our great God and His provision of love for all mankind!

Angel Gabriel was the first to go tell! when he was sent to the young Mary:
Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth,
to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.
And coming in, he said to her, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.”
But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was.
The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.
And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.
Luke 1:26-31

An angel along with a host of angels were also sent to go tell! the good news to the shepherds:
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.
An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord.
This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests.”
Luke 2:8-13

When the shepherds were returning from Bethlehem where they had seen the proof of the angels’ good news, they also had the compulsion to go tell!
When they had seen Him <the Babe>, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this Child,
and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Verses 17-20

Just as the Lord was leaving  and returning to Heaven, the disciples were commanded to go tell!:
Jesus came up…to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20

And we, too, have a message to go tell!
For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
But how can they call on Him to save them unless they believe in Him? And how can they believe in Him if they have never heard about Him? And how can they hear about Him unless someone tells them?
And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”
Romans 10:13-15 NLT

Oh, halleluJAH!  We HAVE heard, we DO know, and we DO believe!  So let’s go tell! 

so whether you GO TELL on a mountain, or on a city street, or at the beach…in your workplace, or at your child’s school…in the grocery store, or on that long checkout line at the ‘big box’ store…at the supper table, or as you talk with your kiddos and grandbabies—just GO TELL! 

* * * * *

Lord, we love You oh-so-very much!  And we are oh-so-very thankful for Your perfect Gift of Love to us!  May our oh-so-very full hearts and lips just spill over with praises!  (And, Father, if we should feel hesitant or anxious to do so…please encourage us through Your Holy Spirit.  Remind us that we are Your ambassadors!  And we have an awesome message to tell!  Thank You!)  Praying and praising and asking these things in Jesus’ precious Name.  Amen.

Filed Under: Women's Ministry Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Esther – Chapter 8:9-15

October 24, 2013 by

16DayCover

Please join us for our next Online Bible Study!

“16-Day Love Challenge:

Matching our Words and Actions with

1 Corinthians 13:4-8″

by Cherie Zack and Rebecca LeCompte.

This study begins November 4th.  

Be sure to go to our Registration page for more details, and to sign up today!!

The Registration page can be found by clicking on this LINK.

We hope you will join us!!

__________________

Esther 8:9-14 sounds very familiar!  The phraseology parallels the verses of Esther 3:12-14, but this time the decree written by Mordecai gave the Jews life instead of death.  It was written so that “every people after their language” (Esther 8:9, KJV) in the whole kingdom, could understand the good news of the salvation of the Jews from the previous death sentence.

Notice this parallel:  In Acts 2:5-12, on the day of Pentecost there were Jews from every nation staying in Jerusalem.  They heard these simple Galilean disciples declaring in their own languages “the wonders of God,” the good news of salvation (Life) for all through Jesus Christ. Today, God still wants the same Good News to reach everyone, everywhere; and it’s our responsibility as believers to share it (Matthew 28:18-20).

I stated in our study of Esther 3:12-15 that King Xerxes just went “along for the ride” and didn’t really care about the details of the first decree or the end results. This time is very different as the king realizes that he has a vested interest in this whole event and especially the results.  This new decree would save the life of his queen, his “bride,” the woman he loved.   The king’s name was essential for the authenticity of this decree and his seal made it irrevocable.

When Adam and Eve sinned, God had to pronounce a death sentence on all mankind (Genesis 3) because He is Holy and cannot stand sin.  This “decree” was irrevocable by any human standards. However, God doesn’t live by human standards.  He had, and still has, a vested interest in His creation, His children, His Bride.  God loved us so much that He sent His Son, Jesus, to use His Name to “sign” a new decree for Life, our salvation, and He sealed it with His “signet ring,” the Holy Spirit, making it irrevocable.

It is by the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,… Salvation is found in no one else,
for there is no other name under Heaven given to men by which we must be saved.
Acts 4:10-12

Having believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit…
Ephesians 1:13

The king gave the Jews permission to gather together
and stand against all those who would assault them.
Esther 8:11

Our King instructs us, through Paul and the author of Hebrews, to gather together to strengthen and encourage one another (I Corinthians 14:26 and Hebrews 10:24-25).  Our King also tells us to stand and fight our spiritual enemy, and He even equips us with God’s armor to ensure that we will win!

…Stand firm then with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  Take the helmet of salvation, and the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.  And pray in the Spirit….
Ephesians 6:13-18

Are we ready for that day when the enemy comes against us?  Actually, it’s a daily battle.  We must meet together to encourage and strengthen one another.  We must not take off our armor. We must not let down our guard.  We must pray.

As I read Esther 8:15, my first thought was, “Wow!”  Besides Mordecai’s new authority, he was honored by being clothed in royal clothing of blue and white, a robe of linen and purple, and given a great crown of gold and presented publicly!  There was great rejoicing as Mordecai appeared before the citizens of Shushan.  I believe not only was Mordecai well-liked by all, but he also represented justice, honor, life, and freedom (a far cry from what Haman had represented). We will rejoice at our Lord’s appearing because He represents justice, honor, life, and freedom for us!

Darlene Schacht points out that linen, blue, and purple were used in the making of the tabernacle (Exodus 26:1a KJV).  The tabernacle was the dwelling place for God (Exodus 40:34).  So Mordecai’s attire signified that he was the temple of the Holy Spirit.  As Christians, we are God’s temple (I Corinthians 3:16).  As King Xerxes’ representative, Mordecai wore purple, which signifies royalty.  We wear the robe of righteousness.  We too are royalty. “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God…” (1 Peter 2:9).

Mordecai persevered through the trials caused by Haman’s decree.  The final result was that he came out the victor and was given a golden crown—a symbol of power and position.  As Christians we will receive the crown of life when we stand strong, in our God-given authority, through the trials that the enemy throws at us.

And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory
that will never fade away.
1 Peter 5:4

Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Revelation 2:10b

Everything that Mordecai, Queen Esther, and the Jewish Nation received from the king was given to them because of his favor, his grace.  When we submit our lives to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we receive His grace and everything we need to be victorious in this life and with Him for all eternity. Praise the Lord!

Let’s Pray:

Lord, thank You for reminding us that the “decree” for Life has already been “signed” by Jesus’ Name and “sealed” by Your Holy Spirit.  Help us share this Good News with others.  Please remind us to regularly fellowship together to strengthen one another.  Thank You for equipping each of us to stand against the enemy of our souls.  We are a chosen people, a royal priesthood belonging to You by Your grace, and Your grace alone.  We bow in worship to honor You, our King of kings.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Filed Under: Women's Ministry Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

“I AM” Chapter 6-Day 4: I AM…A Minister

August 15, 2013 by

How are you doing with memorizing this week’s memory verse?  Here it is, again, to help you remember it.

Eph2_10

I have always wanted to be in ministry, even since I was a little girl.  I used to line up my Fisher Price toy people in the barn, along with some of the animals and then I would preach a sermon.  And they sat and listened.  As I grew up, I started believing that I wasn’t good enough…holy enough…or memorized enough scripture…the list just goes on and on.  Isn’t that just like the enemy?  But Scripture tells us otherwise!

2 Corinthians 5:5 says “God Himself has prepared us for this, and as a guarantee, He has given us His Holy Spirit.”

We may feel like we aren’t good enough to be an example for others.  We may find it hard to believe that our own story of deliverance could help someone else who is struggling.  The apostle Paul said “Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body.  We are all parts of His one body and each of us has a different work to do.  And since we are all one body of Christ, we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others” Romans 12:4-5.  “We are God’s masterpiece, He has created us anew in Christ Jesus so that we can do the good things He has planned for us long ago”  Ephesians 2:10.

To have a perfect view of where each of us fit into the grand scheme of things, we need to see that God has a purpose for each one of our lives and He created us with abilities and talents.  He likens us, if you will, to a part of a body where every single part is needed for the whole thing to work properly.  If you isolate any part of the body and examine it apart from it’s proper place and function, it may seem odd, useless even.  Only when it’s connected to the body and doing what it is supposed to do is it’s true purpose and usefulness realized. One body, many members.

As in 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 “So it is with the body of Christ.  Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit and we all share the same Spirit.”  As believers, we should be standing hand in hand across this world trying to preach one message—the most important message.

2 Corinthians 6 sums it up in verses 1 and 2, “As God’s partners, we beg you not to reject the marvelous message of God’s great kindness. For God says, ‘At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.’ ”  Indeed God is ready to help you right now. Today is the day of salvation.

NeverGodsWill_TeresaBolmeGod has given His church an enormous responsibility!  To make new disciples in every nation, preaching, teaching, healing, nurturing, giving, administering, building and many other tasks  (Matthew 28:18-20).  We cannot do this by ourselves. God calls us, as members of His body, together so that we can obey Him more fully and we can accomplish more together than we ever could by ourselves-working together, the Church, all of us to express the fullness of Christ.

Let’s not get separated because of doctrinal differences, and let’s agree that because we have the unity of the spirit, together we can cover the world and make sure every ear will hear the good news that we are so fortunate to hear on a daily basis. Ephesians 4:3-6  says “Make every effort to keep yourselves united in spirit, binding yourselves together in peace. For there is one body and one spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one truth, one baptism, and one God and Father, who is overall and living through all.”

I challenge you today to find the place(s) where your talents can be used, where your abilities are valuable.  God loves us and He wants us to find our place in the Body of Christ and our unique purpose in this life.  Just as Paul challenges the church, God also is begging us to lead a life worthy of our calling.  We have been called by God!

Let’s Pray:

Dear Heavenly Father,

We love You and we praise You for Who You are.  You love us unconditionally.  You show us mercy and grace and we are so undeserving.  Give us the confidence we need to step out of our comfort zones to be Your hands and feet to this hurting world.   We have what it takes for You have given us the Holy Spirit to guide and direct us.  You have given us Your Word as a reference and Your promises that You will never break.  We are a body of believers and may we be unstoppable!   May we be a force for good and show others the love You so freely give.  May we stand unified as one for Your kingdom and Your mission, and may we spread the good news that Jesus saves!  We want all Your people to have the chance to live with You in Heaven forever.  We love You and may we continue to show You how much.  In Your Son’s name we pray.

Amen.

 

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