Thoughts in Worship
Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Sabbath, December 24, 2016

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“Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty: They shall behold the land that is very far off.” (Isaiah 33:17).

You may need to get your eyes examined. What do you see when you consider the trials in politics, society, race relations, the criminal justice system, and the economy? What do you see when you consider nations and other powers subjugating innocent people groups? What do you see when you consider God’s people being oppressed, and even killed for their faith? Are you able to see the end of injustice, racism, war, social and economic oppression, and misogyny? If not, you definitely need your eyes examined.

We are living right on the edge of the end of all things, as we know them. Jesus, after a brief period of intense trouble, will return to obliterate all that is sinful, and elevate His people from the muck and mire of a world of sin. We will soon be, in reality, seated with Christ in heavenly places. We are now looking prophetically forward, by faith, to the better land. But soon, we will behold the beauty of our God, face-to-face. Until then, please know that God will always supply all our needs according to His infinite riches. Until then, keep the end in view. Jesus will arrive before you know it.—L. David Harris (www.davidwritesalot.com)

Thoughts in Worship
Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Friday, December 23, 2016

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“And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.” (Daniel 12:3).

God said it. Do you believe it? He said that if anyone lacks wisdom we should ask for it and He will give it without reservation (James 1:5). Do you believe it? The Bible says that we can have more understanding than our teachers if we meditate upon God’s testimonies, which make us wise unto salvation (Psalm 119:99; 2 Timothy 3:15). Do you believe it? He said that Jesus is the embodiment of wisdom (Proverbs 8; 1 Corinthians 1:30-31). Do you believe it?

God said, “Let there be light!” and there was light. Do you believe it? On the fourth day, He created the heavenly bodies to rule the days and nights with greater and lesser lights. Do you believe it? God said that He is light, and in Him is no darkens at all; the greater light (1 John 1:5; Revelation 1:23). Do you believe it? God said that you are the light of the world, a city that cannot be hidden, that can shine as blameless children of God in this wicked and perverse generation; lesser lights reflecting God’s glory (Matthew 5:14; Philippians 2:15). Do you believe it?

If you believe all that God has said, and are willing to submit your life to Him, you will “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16). The beauty of this is that when we cooperate with God and allow His light to shine through us to save people from sin and its penalty, we are aligning ourselves with eternal greatness. Our lives will continue to shine, with God, throughout eternity. He said if we are wise (in Him) and live our lives turning people to Him in righteousness, we would shine as the stars forever and ever. Do you believe it?—L. David Harris (www.davidwritesalot.com)

Thoughts in Worship
Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Thursday, December 22, 2016

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“Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 10:32).

Open your mouth! That is the word for today. Open your mouth!

Now, there are many ways you could take this. But let me be clear. I am not talking about a dental visit, choral audition, or examination by your ear, nose, and throat doctor. I am not, this time, saying “see something; say something.” This time, I am talking about you having the privilege and opportunity to say a word for the King and availing yourself of it. I am talking about you being a prayerful peacemaker when two or more parties are having a dispute. I am talking about using a soft answer to turn away wrath. I am talking about you choosing purity of speech rather than gossiping. I am talking about you being ready always to give a reason for your faith to everyone who enquires. I am talking about you using words responsibly to represent truth, and all that is righteous instead of engaging lying lips, which the Bible says are an abomination. I am talking about not using God’s name flippantly in conversations, even virtual ones with truncated acronyms that, were they written out, would be a misuse of His name. I am talking about your mouth being full of praise and thanksgiving, whether you’re in the midst of trials or triumphs. I am talking about being swift to agree with God when He says He needs you to do better in your moral life practices.

When we choose to surrender our speech and confession to God, and not deny our blessed Savior in the presence of others no matter what, Jesus is gracious enough to manifest His best speech in the presence of His Father. It’s truly a two-way street; a case of Jesus scratching your back if you are willing to reciprocate. You speak for Him; He will speak for you.

SO, what is your commitment level today? Will you say a word for Jesus in mixed company? Will you speak of His goodness? Will you praise Him when others curse Him? Will you give thanks when others take His mercies for granted? Will you open your mouth for the Man who speaks life into the universe? Open your mouth for Jesus. He yearns to open His for you.—L. David Harris (www.davidwritesalot.com)

Thoughts in Worship
Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Tuesday, December 20, 2016

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“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23).

It seems we all have a decision to make. Every moment of every day presents a life altering decision. Do we choose to live or die? Do we choose eternal bliss with God or eternal separation? This should be an obvious choice; however, many, by our actions, demonstrate that we love death better than life. Some of us choose lying before honesty. Some choose violence over peace. Some choose lust over marriage. Some choose pride over humility.

I am so glad this God does not leave the choice up to fallible humanity with no help from Him. Can you imagine where you’d be if left to your own devices, to make bad decision after bad decision? Banish the thought! As we have said many times recently, God lavishes His love upon us, even in the last days so we can have the benefit of His Spirit to convict us when we are wrong and empower us to move in the right direction.

With God’s divine aid, what decision will you make today? Will you allow Him to elevate your desires so you think holy thoughts after Him? Will you allow Him to teach you the truth of His Word so you never need to be confused about His desire for you? Are you willing to submit to God so He can enact His ideals in your life today? It is true that all of us have a decision for life or death to make. The blessing is that we need not do it alone. Why not choose life with the power of the Holy Spirit in your corner? Choose life.—L. David Harris (www.davidwritesalot.com)

Thoughts in Worship
Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Monday, December 19, 2016

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“And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.” (Revelation 20:12).

He knows when you are sleeping. He knows when you’re awake. He knows when you’ve been…#nevermind. The truth is, for those who’ve not heard it before, Santa is not real. I should have told you this was a holiday spoiler alert. I hope your children were present when I said it. Santa is not real. There’s no jolly, white-bearded man in a red suit and a sack of treat coming down your chimney to eat cookies and drink milk and leave gifts under your tree. He is not an all-knowing, tenderhearted man living in the forsaken, frozen tundra of the North Pole. He’s not making a list or checking it twice. Santa is not real.

However! There is a very real God in heaven whose eyes are upon the wicked and the just. He is keeping a faithful record of our deeds and each one of our cases will appear before the judgment seat of Christ. The question is not whether we’ve been naughty or nice. We have all sinned and come short of God’s glory. In fact, we cannot even be good for goodness’ sake. There is none good; not even one. The blessing of this story, well beyond the tinsel and so-called holiday cheer is that the one who really knows all, and has an accurate list of every secret thing done in the flesh, has provided an escape route from the condemnation that comes to those who have sinned. Jesus, because the Father has lavished His love upon us, lived a perfect life in the flesh, died the death we deserved, and is not living to make intercession for us. And that’s not all. When His faithful list is checked against the perfect righteousness of the law of God, to determine whether we can receive the gift f eternal life in heaven and the new earth, the sterling character of Jesus’ life stands in place of our very tarnished characters, IF we keep faith in Him. Isn’t that grand? Every person in the world is hereby granted the opportunity to be forgiven of every past sin and be empowered to walk in righteous living until Jesus comes. Then, He will bring each one who has availed themselves of this blessed gift, the manifestation of the reward for which Jesus gave His life.

So, if there is any miracle on your street, 34th or 134th, it can be that you have eternal life by faith in the only begotten Son of God. Amen.—L. David Harris (www.davidwritesalot.com)

Thoughts in Worship
Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Tuesday, December 13, 2016

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“In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” (John 14:2–3).

Start packin’! Are you ready to go on a coast-to-coast journey to your Father’s house? The angelic vessel embarks in the air on Second Coming day in the near future and will reach the shores of Beulah Land shortly thereafter. En route to YHWH’s House, you will see magnificent sights never before seen, except by the heavenly hosts, Enoch, Moses, Elijah, and the 24 elders. “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:9–10).

OK; in preparation for your trip, you will need the following items:
1. Your Travel Documents: Your name must be written in the Lamb’s Book of Life
2. Appropriate Travel Attire: You must have your robes washed white in the blood of the Lamb. No other attire will be sufficient.
3. Your Birth Papers: I just got word that all original birth certificates have been replaced, worldwide. You will need new birth papers, with your new name written that only the Father and you know.
4. Proof of Citizenship: Unfortunately, only those who have become (super)naturalized citizens of YHWH’s House will be allowed entry. Fortunately, there’s still a short time left to get registered today. Do not delay. This offer is open to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. Get in while there’s still time.
5. Baggage Restrictions: All travelers are limited to one piece of luggage, in which you must carry your transformed character. If you intend to carry anything else, you will be denied entry.

Thanks so much for your kind attention. We embark shortly. Date to be announced by a cosmic trumpet blast. You will not be able to miss it. Get ready.—L. David Harris (www.davidwritesalot.com)

Thoughts in Worship
Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Friday, December 9, 2016

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“So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.” (1 Corinthians 15:54).

Are you looking forward to the very timely demise of death? Are you looking forward to the day when death and all its evil counterparts like sin, sickness, disease, discouragement, dissent, and hopelessness are cast into the lake of fire to burn with unquenchable fury? I am.

One day soon, the Lord will manifest His as good as done promise to return to earth to take His people on an all expense paid 1,000-year vacation in the land beyond the sky; heaven. And once we have enjoyed ourselves to the fullest, Jesus will provide luxury transportation in the Holy City to our inheritance; the New Earth. Our king will then have manifested the keeping of His promise that the meek will inherit the earth. All that were promises for millennia will have become blessed reality. There will be no more death, dying, or pain! The former things will have finally passed away. Are you looking forward to that day?

There are a few noteworthy things that must happen before Jesus comes if we plan to experience the blessing of His appearing in peace: the gospel of the kingdom must be preached into all of the world, as a witness that Jesus is able to save all who keep faith in Him. We must be perfected in His love and follow Him wherever He leads. And at just the right time, when the trumpet of the Lord shall sound and His brightness bursts to view in the entire expanse of the heavens, those who fell asleep in death with a good relationship with God will be raised from the dead. Then those who never tasted of death, and share in the same faithful testimony, having washed their robes white in the blood of the Lamb, will be changed immediately! Will their characters be given that last bit of heavenly polish? No! For they will have already been perfected in character. What then? God Himself will give them new, eternal, disease-free bodies. He will give them bodies that can stand in the fullness of the presence of God with no darkening veil between. Amen! “Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.” Are you looking forward to that day? Better yet; are you living forward to that day?—L. David Harris (www.davidwritesalot.com)

Thoughts in Worship
Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Friday, December 9, 2016

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“Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” (Matthew 24:23–24).

Seeing is NOT (necessarily believing! The devil's power to tempt and to deceive is increasing by leaps and bounds as we approach the final moments of earth as we know it. Magic, scamming, and supernatural TV programs and movies are overwhelming our senses and desensitizing most to their danger. Deception uses many Trojan horses, even some religious experiences, to gain access to our minds to our detriment. There are preachers and others using the world's pulpits to lead many to destruction, teaching false doctrines. “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” (2 Corinthians 11:13–15).

Jesus warned that in the last days there would be false Christs and prophets with enough power to deceive those closest to Him if it were possible. He said they would do great signs before our very eyes. These signs are not that pulling rabbits out of hats stuff. Oh, no! We’re talking deception on the grandest scale, to the degree that our only safeguard for insulation is the Bible. These pseudo-Christs and prophets will appear to heal people. They will seem to cause all sorts of miraculous feats on demand. And they will use their lying phenomena to validate their authenticity just like the magicians in Egypt did when God sent Moses to deliver His people from bondage. God is preparing to deliver us right now! He has given us His Word by which to compare what we see, with what the Spirit inspired in the Bible. Where they do not agree, the Scriptures reveal the counterfeit from which we must flee.

So don’t believe your eyes, ears, or senses UNLESS whatever you experience is in line with Scripture. The Bible says: “Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples. And I will wait upon the LORD, That hideth his face from the house of Jacob, And I will look for him. Behold, I and the children whom the LORD hath given me Are for signs and for wonders in Israel From the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion. And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, And unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: Should not a people seek unto their God? For the living to the dead? To the law and to the testimony: If they speak not according to this word, It is because there is no light in them.” (Isaiah 8:16–20). Trust God. Trust His Word. Measure everything by His Word and flee all deception. Your eternal life depends upon it.—L. David Harris (www.davidwritesalot.com)

Thoughts in Worship
Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Thursday, December 8, 2016

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“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” (Colossians 2:8).

Are you a philosopher? Do you think very deeply? Do you guide your life by the philosophies of others?

If you’ve been experiencing our devotional thoughts for any period of time, you would have come to note that my questions are always multi-layered. Today’s line of questioning is no exception.

I think most of us have, at one point or another, succumbed to "worldly" philosophies. Some have been related to religion and worship. Some have been related to family and relationships. Some have been related to entertainment. Some have been related to employment and business. There is no dearth of opportunities to deviate, in any of these areas, from a straight and narrow road, marked our by God. False religions and legalism have lead many on the path to destruction. Disrespect, abuse, and promiscuity have become commonplace in our families. We often watch and actively listen to programming that tends toward the baser elements of our characters. Many have sacrificed family, integrity, and conscience to turn a quick buck (or in hopes of doing so). Most of us have, at one point or another, succumbed to worldly philosophies.

God has been kind enough to provide many eternal security measures to insulate us against such intellectual, emotional, and spiritual attacks. He has provided salvation as a gift, through Christ, to deliver us from sin. He has provided a constant spiritual measuring rod of instruction in righteousness called the Word of God. He has provided the ministry of holy angels who excel in strength to protect us and support our journey toward right relationship with God. He has given us a constant holy Companion we know as the Holy Spirit, to guide us into all truth, convict us of sin, teach us righteousness, and facilitate the presence of Jesus Christ in our lives. This, my friends, is available to all who are willing to be lead and changed by God. This is the key to having our minds completely taken up by God’s perspective on life and eternity, which will stand as an armed guard against all the wiles of devilish philosophies.

I hope that you are not a philosopher or following the paradigms of worldly philosophy. I hope that you, rather, are a truehearted follower of the heavenly King.—L. David Harris (www.davidwritesalot.com)

Thoughts in Worship
Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Wednesday, December 7, 2016

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“Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.” (Revelation 3:10–11).

It’s time to clean up (been time)! No, I am not talking about Spring cleaning. I am not talking about cleaning out your garage. I am not talking about getting your guest rooms tidied for visitors during the holidays. Here’s a verse: “Dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (2 Corinthians 7:1). There you have it. It is time for our lives to be clean!

I know. I know what you’re thinking: “How am I supposed to do that?” Good question. Here’s an example of a man who figured it out. He said, “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; And in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: And in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” (Psalm 51:5–7). Beloved King David knew how to get all cleaned up—ask God to do it!

I need not tell you that we are living during the final moments of earth’s history. Signs are rapidly fulfilling and shouting to those willing to listen, “Jesus is coming soon! Get ready to meet Him!” So, without making this worship thought too dramatic, let me ask you to do yourself a favor in light of the times: Ask God to clean out your life from all the filth that displeases Him, then cooperate with Him in the process. Surrender pride, unholy thoughts, lazy Bible reading, absent prayer life, missing loveliness, unrighteous intentions, evil planning, and anything else He reveals to you. When the greatest trials hit the earth soon, you (and I) really need to be on the winning team in order to receive the promise resident in our theme text. God will say to those who embrace His command to persevere until the end, “I will be with you and keep you with my righteousness.”

Ask God to make you holy every moment of every day, teach you to live like Jesus, and persevere until He comes. Simple. Now, go do it.—L. David Harris