WORSHIP TAKES TIME!

 

Saturday, May 16, 2026

 

WORSHIP TAKES TIME!

 

Luke 10:41-42

41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:

42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

 

          We usually join Jesus in condemning Martha’s whiny attitude, but I suspect Martha simply wanted to trade places with her sister. Martha wanted to sit at the feet of Jesus as well – or instead. The harder she worked the more she missed the sweet fellowship her sister enjoyed with the Master.

 

          I also understand that when I use the word “worship” today many people get a vision of five guitars and a set of drums, but the word worship has been hijacked. Worship is adoration of God regardless of its manifestation. Mary simply sat near Jesus and engaged in quiet conversation. While she worshipped, she had stopped working.

 

          Many of you are so busy right now that worship has been crowded out. Like Martha, you miss it but there are things to be done. Graduations, Memorial Day weekend, and the start of Summer has you in a frenzy. But it is worship you long for and worship you need.

 

Ps 27:4

4 One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.

 

Dear Lord, give me wisdom enough to differentiate between the urgent things and the good things. Let me make worship a priority. AMEN

PURE THOUGHTS!

 

Friday, May 15, 2026

 

PURE THOUGHTS!

 

Phil 4:8

8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

 

          Warren Wiersbe quotes Dr. Walter Cavert who reported the results of a survey on worry indicating that only 8 percent of the things people worried about were legitimate matters of concern! The other 92 percent were either imaginary, never happened, or involved matters over which the people had no control anyway.

 

          The word “pure” is the Greek word hagnos and means “innocent, modest, perfect, chaste, and clean.” So much of that which bombards our ears, eyes, and minds today are anything but pure. Thinking pure thoughts is not easy therefore it must be intentional.

 

          The word “think” is the Greek logizomai and literally means “to take inventory.” Such thinking is done intentionally – even with much labor.

 

          Pure thinking results in pure actions as we see from the very next verse.

 

Phil 4:9

9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

 

Dear Lord, help me to intentionally think pure thoughts and perform pure actions. AMEN

 

OLD FRIENDS!

 

Thursday, May 14, 2026

 

OLD FRIENDS!

 

James 2:23

23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

 

John 15:14-17

14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.

 

          Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary defines the word “friend” as: one who is not hostile; an acquaintance; one attached to another by respect or affection. This morning I realize that I have friends scattered all over the world. Some are old friends, and some are older. I think there are few things more valuable than old friends.

 

          Modern technology makes it possible to shorten the miles that separate me from my old friends. Instead of a paper and ink letter that may take days to deliver, I can send and receive an electronic message instantly. If I want to see their face tiny cameras make that possible in real time. It is a marvelous age in which we live and yet I marvel at how quickly my friends and especially their children grow older without my observance.

 

          God is my friend. Let that truth sink down into your soul and apply Webster’s definition. God is an acquaintance with whom I share respect and affection. We share secrets and fond memories of bits of life shared together. Because He loves me, He will never lead me astray. Because He respects me, His plans for me are always good plans and His gifts to me are always the best. He is a good friend. He will never side with my enemy against me. Even when we disagree, He remains a true friend. 

 

          As God’s friend I sometimes struggle to fulfill the proper definition of friendship. Though God has always proven himself to be trustworthy I often do not trust him. Sometimes I even side with his enemy against him. I wander away from his companionship. I am not a very good friend, but I love my Friend and He loves me.

 

Dear Lord, thank you that I have many old friends and that you are one of them. AMEN