WORSHIP WILL REMAIN!

 

Tuesday, June 23, 2026

 

WORSHIP WILL REMAIN!

 

1 Chron 15:15-16

15 And the children of the Levites bare the ark of God upon their shoulders with the staves thereon, as Moses commanded according to the word of the Lord.

16 And David spake to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brethren to be the singers with instruments of musick, psalteries and harps and cymbals, sounding, by lifting up the voice with joy.

 

          I’m a preacher but one day I will cease to preach. I am to be an evangelist but one day the need for those services will end. I am a missionary but one day there will be no foreign field to reach. I am a pastor but one day all the sheep will be under one mighty shepherd. One day all necessity and opportunity for outreach service will end. I sing bass in my church choir and that joyful privilege will go on forever.

 

          The appointment of singers and musicians demonstrates the importance and permanence of worship. Then, in heaven, a heightened form of worship will rise. Our voices, aided by the one we worship, will not slip to either flat or sharp. Our hearts, covered by the blood and released from earthly bondage will exalt the Savior. In heaven we will all be singers!

 

Ps 13:5-6

5 But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.

6 I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.

 

Oh, Lord, put into my heart a melody and let me sing in harmony with my brothers and sisters. Let me sing your praises today. AMEN

 

A FATHER TO THE FATHERLESS

 

Monday, June 22, 2026

 

A FATHER TO THE FATHERLESS

 

Ps 68:5-6

5 A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.

6 God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.

 

          Fatherless has a hollow sound to it. It speaks of a significant void where something significant ought to be. Ah, but it isn’t empty at all. In my mind there are pictures of my father and memories, like short movies. He’s still there. Archived in the depths of – what – my heart? Yes, more than the mind, those images are in my heart.

 

          I remember his look, his laugh, and his tears. No one piece of advice stands out but a collage of wisdom follows me still whispering in my ear. He still reminds me of things that should be done and warns me of things that should definitely not be done. He has already travelled the roads of wisdom and folly and now marks them for me. Perhaps this is too much lavish praise. Perhaps not enough.

 

          My heavenly Father supersedes all others who are praiseworthy. He is consistent in His wisdom and stubbornly steadfast in His love. My foolishness does not cause Him to abandon His hope nor His plans for my success. He encourages me when I try and goads me when I do not. The aim is the same. I wobble on the high wire of endeavor with His safety net beneath. When I fall, I shall not be utterly cast down! (Psalm 37:24)

 

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for sheltering me and investing in me. AMEN

 

MEMORIES OF MY FATHER!

 

Sunday, June 21, 2026

A Fathers’ Day Classic

 

MEMORIES OF MY FATHER!

 

Eph 6:1-4

6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.

2 Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)

3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

 

          June is not only the month in which we find Father’s Day, it is the month in which my own father was both born and died. Dad was born on June 26, 1917, and died on June 21, 2001, just five days short of his 84^th birthday. I miss him.

 

It is a terrible thing to be “fatherless” even when you are fully grown with children and grandchildren of your own. There is a place deep inside where the memory of Dad still dwells. I can go there and review a photo album of memories. I can see how he dressed, how he walked and talked and even how he responded to troubling situations. I can see how he responded to the needs of those less fortunate while at the same time being disgusted at those who simply would not do for themselves. I can choose from the best of his character, sorting out the best of his nature and comparing it with my own. Every now and then I can see huge parts of him in the mirror. Sometimes I turn and stare, half expecting him to speak to me. 

 

          Since the commandment is to honor my father, I wonder how I might do that today. I can’t take him to dinner or go fishing with him. He never was one for receiving gifts. I think the best way to honor my father is to assemble a list of his best qualities and emulate them. Next, I think I should assemble a list of his worst qualities and forgive them and reject them.

 

Dear Lord, since my father is closer to you than me today, would you please give him a hug for me? Thanks!