120 years. That’s how old Moses was when he commissioned Joshua to take his place. Moses’s words, ever so eloquent, are recorded in Deuteronomy 32. I’d love for you to read them. In verses 2-3, Moses poured forth, “Let my teaching drop as the rain, my speech distill as the dew, … For I proclaim the name of the Lord.” Moses continues, “UPRIGHT is He.”

Why did Moses say that God is upright? He wanted us to know that God is believable. He is just, true, and His word is just and true.*

As we go about our lives in a fallen world where people act unjustly and speak untrue words, let Mose’s refreshing words of praise to God wash over you – God and His Word are upright, just, and true! Blessings on you, friend.

UPRIGHT LORD GOD, we praise You that You and Your Word are upright, just, and true. All praise and glory belong to You! 

*http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/Lexicon/Lexicon.cfm?strongs=H3477&t=NASB

LISTEN

Do you ever wonder, “Why bother to praise God?” If so, Isaiah 40:25 explains why.

Do you not know? Have you not heard?
Has it not been declared to you from the beginning?
Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?
It is He who sits above the circle of the earth,
And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers,
Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain
And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in. (vs 21-22)

To whom then will you liken Me, that I would be his equal?’ says the Holy One.  vs 25

God makes it clear that no one is equal to Him. He calls us to lift up our eyes and see the heavens He created. What does this mean for us? It means we are not alone. It means that nothing is too difficult for God. It means our Heavenly Father deserves our worship.

Lord, You are UNEQUALED. There is no one more deserving of praise, honor, and worship than You. 

It’s coming! It’s soon. Thanksgiving will be upon us. Is your heart filled with thanksgiving? Or do you feel like a deflated balloon, that many things for which you’d hoped have fallen flat? No one will argue that life is hard. It is. Some time ago someone said to me, “The only good I have is because I’m a Christian.” What did they mean? They were saying that Christ is the “goodness” in their life. He is, in fact, what makes us good. Hebrews 7:26 uses the word “undefiled” to describe Christ because He is more than good. Jesus is “holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted about the heavens.”  In other words, Christ is more than a good prophet. He is the high priest of heaven who saves us not because of who we are, but because of who He is. No matter the circumstance you are facing today, your good Savior is facing them with you. This day will pass. Christ’s goodness and presence with you will never pass. For that you can be thankful. 

Lord Jesus, holy, undefiled Savior, we love You and praise You, the goodness in our life, our purity and salvation. We are grateful for You and love you.

Save

Do you have a problem? Are you in a quandary about what to do about something in your life? Have you talked to Jesus about it? Proverbs 3:19 tells us that He is a God of intelligence, skill, and insight, proven by the creation of the earth and heavens.

The LORD by wisdom founded the earth, By understanding, He established the heavens.

The Hebrew word for understanding in this verse means “intelligence, skill, and insight.” In other words, when we look at the earth and heavens, we’re seeing the evidence of God’s intelligence, skill, and insight. Trust God to provide you with the wisdom, intelligence, skill, and insight you need for daily life, decisions, and relationships. Pray. Listen to His still quiet voice. Walk by God’s Words and Spirit. 

Jesus, we praise You that You are a God of UNDERSTANDING and we can look to You for skill and insight. 

Sin. It’s here. Our sin or another person’s sin is a part of this earthly life. Perhaps one of the most glaring sins is selfishness. We want what we want. We want it when we want it. Things or people who stand in our way frustrate us. But what if sin didn’t exist? What if we were free of sin?  The good news is that day awaits us.  Because of Christ, our Savior and VICTOR over death, we will one day be sin-free as 1 Corinthians 15:57 reminds us.

…thanks be to God, who gives us the VICTORY through our Lord Jesus Christ.  

Gives. Us. Victory. We will one day experience the victory and magnitude of what our Heavenly Father and Lord Jesus Christ did through the virgin birth and cross. In the meantime let’s remember to give thanks to God for daily victory over sin we have through the Spirit’s empowerment. Let’s remember and give thanks to God for the eternal victory over sin through Christ. Today, let’s raise our voices in praise of Christ. If you know the song, “Victory in Jesus,” sing it with all your heart. 

LORD, we praise You for being VICTORIOUS over sin and death. We worship You. 

Would you agree that trust is at an all-time low? Why do you think that is? Perhaps because people don’t always speak truthfully. Lying appears to have become socially acceptable. But it’s not acceptable to God. He is the truth and speaks the truth.  Revelation 21:5 NIV records the following:

He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’ Then he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are TRUSTWORTHY and true.’

Jesus wants us to know that if He says something we can count on it. He and His words are trustworthy and true, and the good news is He is making everything new. His words give us hope and encouragement we need to hear. If there were ever a time that we should listen to Jesus and take hold of the hope of a new day, it’s now. If you’ve been hurt by an untrustworthy person, don’t let that keep you from trusting God. He has an eternal track record of being trustworthy.

Listen UP! Here.

Some time ago I noticed a vine growing in my flower bed and didn’t know if it was a weed I should discard or if it was a vine I should keep. I had to make a decision. Uproot it or let it grow?  Many today hear spiritual teachings and find themselves like me yet in relation to a matter of much more significance – wondering if they’re hearing a good teaching to which they should hold or a false teaching they should discard. Jesus doesn’t want us to make the wrong decision. He tells us in John 15:1, “I am the true vine.”  Do you know someone who is allowing vines of secular humanism to grow in their heart rather than growing Jesus’s words and teachings in their heart? If so, what can you do? Bear Christ, the TRUE VINE, and His fruit in your life so they can taste and recognize the real thing.

Lord Jesus, we praise You, the TRUE VINE. Uproot anything in our lives that choke out the fruit of Your presence.

As we celebrate Veteran’s Day and remember and honor people who have served in the United States Armed Forces, our hearts also turn to honor Christ who was born with a kingdom to defend.  That babe was born with an angelic army at His beacon call. That babe was born a “Warrior” King as Isaiah 42:13 foretold,

The Lord will go forth like a WARRIOR, He will arouse His zeal like a man of war. He will utter a shout, yes, He will raise a war cry. He will prevail against His enemies.

The babe who grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and men (Luke 2:52) defeated the devil and death.  Christ will one day return to earth as Warrior King that He is. With whom will we share this important news this week?

Lord, we praise You, WARRIOR King from on high.

Are you excited about all the ways Jesus is described? Every day when I select a description of our Lord to share with you, I have a renewed sense of awe. Often the way our Lord is described is in contrast to that which is in the world. Such is the case today. Many in our world are living in spiritual darkness. They are seeking to be enlightened by powers apart from Jesus Christ. But in John 1:9 we find the word “true” in reference to Jesus. Although there are many sources of “enlightenment,” there is only one TRUE LIGHT:  JESUS CHRIST. He enlightens our soul, mind, and heart when we turn to Him.  The world apart from Christ is dark. Take seriously His charge to let His light shine through you. His Light in you is a beacon to those living in darkness.