Thoughts in Worship
Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Tuesday, December 6, 2016

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“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” (Philippians 1:6).

Do you trust God? Do you trust Him to provide food, clothing, and shelter? Do you trust Him to provide the daily building blocks of a sound mind? Do you trust Him to show you how to forge quality partnerships and lasting relationships? Do you trust Him? Do you trust Him to direct your paths in every aspect of life? Do you trust Him?

This is a question with which we all must contend because if we do not trust God, it means we are relying on self, and if we live long enough, we will soon recognize that is not a viable option. If we are prone to let ourselves down, we need not even discuss the obvious fact that others will also let us down.

One area of trust that should be a foregone conclusion in the lives of anyone professing to love God is that of salvation and eternal life. Sure, we all know the verses regarding God’s love for us and the surety of His forgiveness. Yes, we all know that if we read our Bibles and pray every day we will continue to grow (in Him). Yes, we know that Jesus is coming soon and that we need to be ready to meet Him in peace. But, how much of this “knowledge” is a mere assent to the truth? How much of it is head knowledge? How much of it is enduring faith in the living God who is able to do exceeding, abundantly, and infinitely above all we could ever ask or think?

Do you trust God to keep you from falling back into your liquor drinking habit? Do you trust God to keep you from falling back into your spousal abuse habit? Do you trust God to keep you from falling back into your pride habit? Do you trust God to keep you from falling back into your worry habit? Do you trust God to keep you from falling back into your lying, stealing, smoking, cursing, gossiping, and fornicating habits? Are you getting my point? The question of trusting God is really about “right now” trust. It’s about committing ourselves to Him right now, and at any time in the future that at that moment would be right now again, will we continue to trust Him? Do you trust Him? I hope you do because He’s trustworthy.—L. David Harris

Thoughts in Worship
Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Monday, December 5, 2016

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“We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)” (2 Corinthians 6:1–2).

Father knows best! If this phrase rings a bell and you’re searching your memory banks to recall exactly where you’ve heard it before, you are really showing your age. Yes, it was a radio series that also hit the TV screen in the 40s and 50s. The father’s character was less than complementary, and folly was made of life’s daily circumstances to make listeners/viewers laugh.

This life, while it has its joys, happy times, and times for celebration, is no laughing matter. It is not chock full of mindless mirth if we discern the times. For generations, our heavenly Father has been holding the doors of mercy open and entreating us tenderly to hear His voice and enter into right relationship with Him. And for many generations, countless people chose rather to treat life as a perpetual carnival while the enemy of our souls has been stealthily distracting us with the mundane. While natural disasters of historic proportions are destroying vast swaths of land, life, and property, many are unsaved. While society seems to be more-and-more accepting of injustice, misogyny, abuse, and outright murder, the din of life is drowning the voice of God out. While world governments hold diplomatic meetings and press conferences making calls for peace in war-ravaged regions, our young and elderly are being snuffed out and their memories trampled. Our heavenly Father actually knows best.

Every day you awaken is an opportunity to hear God’s voice and embrace His mercy. Every day you are able to think clearly and reason is an opportunity to experience His power to live a righteous life in the face of near-impossible odds. Whenever now is during your experience, it is always the acceptable time to welcome God’s entreaties and walk in our holy calling until Jesus comes. Our heavenly Father knows best. He knows best to love us even when we are unlovable. He knows best that we need His grace to live for Him. He knows best that we need constant reminders of the nearness of Jesus’ coming. He knows best that there is no better time than this moment to respond to His loving voice to surrender our lives to Him forever. Our heavenly Father really does know best.—L. David Harris

Thoughts in Worship
Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Friday, December 2, 2016

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“For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who remain until the Lord’s coming, will not possibly precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout of command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who remain, will be snatched away at the same time together with them in the clouds for a meeting with the Lord in the air, and thus we will be together with the Lord always. Therefore comfort one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:15–18, LEB).

I was speaking to a Christian friend of mine who had lost her brother to the cold, cruel hands of death. To say that her days and nights have become difficult because of this loss would be a gross understatement. She even sometimes questions her faith during her times of deepest depression. She wonders whether one who loves God should be so sad. As I listened to her, my heart broke! She is a dear sister who, no doubt loves the Lord, but her grief is short-circuiting her ability to function day-to-day.

Many, like my friend, are struggling with similar pain. Mothers, fathers, children, siblings, and friends have succumbed to tragedy and disease. I told my friend that God did not create us to be separated from one another. His will has ever been that we live vibrant eternal lives, experiencing His richest blessings. But, sin has changed the game. Degradation, pain, sorrow, and death have caused us to embrace the hope we have in Christ or wag our indicting fingers in His face, because of our grief. The truth is, while my friend absolutely should grieve because she and her beloved brother cannot now embrace and enjoy one another’s company. As her faith looks up to Jesus, who is the Resurrection and the Life, she can be assured that she will see her brother again, who also had great faith in Him (John 11:25). When Jesus returns, they will be together again. As our theme text says, the brother will not precede her into the kingdom. When Jesus returns (and He will return very soon), Those who have fallen asleep in death, and lived by faith in Christ will be awakened by the arousing trumpet and sweet shout of Christ’s voice! And those who are still alive and have kept the faith will be caught up into the air, to make their ascent to the heavenly kingdom. Amen!

So, really the question we must all face is that given the encouraging word of Scripture regarding the resurrection of the faithful is, “Are we interested in choosing to accept God’s gift of righteousness through Christ?” It is only as we surrender ourselves to the One who has loved us and given His life for us, that we can have this hope in Him. I can remember a time when I rejected His love. I assure you, life with Christ is by far, the best thing that has ever happened to me! I am now encouraged that no matter how difficult things on earth become; no matter how the cruel hands of death ravage our world, our heavenly Father will put an abrupt and end to it. “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? Now sin is the sting of death, and sin exercises its power [upon the soul] through [the abuse of] the Law. But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory [making us conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:55–57, AMP).--L. David Harris

Thoughts in Worship
Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Wednesday, November 30, 2016

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“For we have become fellows with Christ (the Messiah) and share in all He has for us, if only we hold our first newborn confidence and original assured expectation [in virtue of which we are believers] firm and unshaken to the end. Then while it is [still] called Today, if you would hear His voice and when you hear it, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion [in the desert, when the people provoked and irritated and embittered God against them].” (Hebrews 3:14–15, AMP).

Have you ever considered how unfair life is? You pay taxes and sometimes do not see where your hard earned income is going. You vote, and it seems the status quo remains. You pay your car insurance premiums, have one fender bender and your rates go up, or you’re dropped. You respond kindly to an argumentative spouse or friend and things get worse, not better. You get an education just like mama told you; even get two degrees, and cannot find a job. Life just seems unfair.

Have you ever thought of it this way? Have you ever gotten positive things you didn’t deserve? Have you just been minding your business and a stranger pay for your lunch? Have you ever received a rebate or dividend check at just the right time? Have you avoided certain death as kind strangers pulled you from a burning, mangled car? Have you gotten a class action lawsuit settlement that totaled more than twenty-five cents?

More than the fictitious examples I cited are the manifold blessings of God. Life is just unfair. You have sinned at least once in your life, yet you’re still alive. The sun still rises where you live. Your heart is still beating. God listens to your prayers even though there have, no doubt, been times when you did not listen to Him. Life is just not fair.

Do you realize that if you surrender your life to God, you become heirs of all Jesus is worthy to inherit? When you keep the faith in the merits of His sacrifice on your behalf, and thereby overcome the weaknesses of your humanity, you will inherit eternal life. You will enjoy a thousand years all expense paid vacation in heaven when Jesus comes. You will inherit the new earth after the thousand years are finished. You will inherit an immortal body. You will inherit and eternal mind. Nothing you set your mind to do in the kingdom of God will be impossible to you.

Life is just not fair. How could it be that Jesus would give unworthy sinners like us the privilege to live eternally in perfect bliss? God is merciful and gives repentant sinners what we do not deserve—a place in His eternal kingdom. I guess I am glad life’s not fair after all. How about you?—L. David Harris (www.DavidWritesaLot.com)

Thoughts in Worship
Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Monday, November 29, 2016

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“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9).

Honesty really is the best policy.

At a time when integrity seems to be an endangered species and truth is a rare commodity, honesty is also falling by the wayside. Most of all, we are becoming less honest with ourselves about ourselves.

To illustrate the difficulty this poses, I would like to direct your attention to Shakespeare’s Hamlet Act 1, scene 3, 78–82 where Polonius speaks the following timeless words along with a truism seldom quoted:
“This above all: to thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.”

Did you get that? Not only is it critical to be truthful to oneself, but it also facilitates honesty with others. Pride and self-deception fuels broken relationships. If I think of myself more highly than I ought, and have conveniently forgotten that I have said hurtful things to others, if someone says something offensive to me, I will be at greater risk of being harsh toward that person. If I forget that I had a lying problem when I was young, I will be at greater risk of losing my cool if my son or daughter lies to me. If I tell myself I am not guilty of some certain sin, which God has clearly revealed, I will not confess my agreement with Him and thus be forgiven. Honesty with self often facilitates good relationships with God and fellow earthlings.

Today, the message is almost too elementary, but we all need it: Tell the truth to self and others, and open the door to healing, forgiveness, patience, justice, and holiness.—L. David Harris (www.DavidWritesaLot.com)

Thoughts in Worship
Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Sunday, November 27, 2016

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“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:1–7).

Do you realize that God has long-term plans for you? From before there was a “beginning” (figure that one out), in YHWH’s eternal mind was a plan to manifest His favor in your life for generations to see, and to stand as a monument of said favor in eternity. I know it’s hard to believe, but it’s true. I promise; it’s true.

Every one of us was born in sin. That is, we all came from corrupt ancestors who all have sinned and fell woefully short of the glory of God. We inherited tendencies and were predisposed to do evil. This is the sad fact of every human being. As such, we have been addicted to pride, lust, greed, envy, doubt, drugs, evil entertainment, rebellion against God, and all other categories of sin and rakishness. With all of that said, how does a God who loves us with an everlasting love maintain righteous judgment and manifest the blessing of mercy and provide for as many people as possible to be victorious over sin in our lives and be saved when Jesus returns?

God has been so kind, because of His great love toward us, to give us all of heaven in one gift; the gift of Jesus Christ. Too often we overlook the blessing of Jesus’ time on earth. The One who is eternal and equal to God (the Father) in majesty, dominion, power, knowledge, and love was miraculously born of a virgin to manifest the grace of God on earth. Jesus showed that any human being, who lives in cooperation with, and submission to God, can live holy lives by the power of the Holy Spirit. Never forget that. Never allow your past mistakes to so discourage you into thinking your ability to sin is greater than God’s ability to save. The same God who created the heavens and the earth by the words of His mouth can speak victory over any and all besetting sins in your life. He can deliver you from doubts and discouragement. This bears repeating: He can deliver you from sin and death!

So, the question for all of us is: Do we trust God enough to set us up in lives worthy of communion with Him in heavenly places? Do you trust God enough to take your sinful life and transform you into the saint He always intended you to be? Accept the gift of God’s grace today and join the ranks of the countless people God is perfecting in the image of Jesus Christ for eternity.—L. David Harris (www.DavidWritesaLot.com)

Thoughts in Worship
Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Friday, November 25, 2016

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“For thou, LORD, art high above all the earth: Thou art exalted far above all gods. Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: He preserveth the souls of his saints; He delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked. Light is sown for the righteous, And gladness for the upright in heart. Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; And give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.” (Psalm 97:9–12).

Give thanks…again…again!

If you’re anything like me, you are becoming more and more sensitive to societal injustice and wickedness. With media inundation of scandal, mudslinging, incessant reports of bad news and corruption, it makes many of us “wanna holler.” We want to know how long it will be before this evil will stop. How long before all of the killing will stop? How long before institutionalized inequity will stop? How long before reports of scandal will stop? When will God break the cycle of abuse on our eyes, ears, and minds? When will He keep His promise to return and that His kingdom will come and will be done on earth, as it is in heaven? Well, even with all of these questions in cue to be answered, we can give thanks.

As you can see in our theme text, God preserves His people and delivers them out of the evil grasp of wickedness. The psalmist even welcomes us to rejoice and give thanks when we remember the holiness of God. This is incredible advice. You want to know why don’t you? It’s great advice because we often get discouraged when backed into a corner with no way out. We expect our politicians to resist corruption. Sometimes they do, sometimes they don’t. We expect the criminal justice system to work. Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn’t. We expect the media to report fair and unbiased accounts of current events. Sometimes they do, sometimes not. Everything in our society is “sometimey,” but God is constant. He is constantly good. He is constantly just. He is constantly merciful. He is constantly righteous and holy. We can count on Him to keep all of His promises. Is that a reason to give thanks? Can you find it in your heart to be thankful that our God is dependable and always great? Give thanks!—L. David Harris (www.DavidWritesaLot.com)

Thoughts in Worship
Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Thursday, November 24, 2016

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“Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, And give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” (Psalm 30:4–5).

Give thanks…again!

If you are a child of God, you have come to realize that His ways are not your ways. His thoughts are not your thoughts. He has ways of providing for His children we can scarcely even imagine. He is holy. We are not. He is merciful. We are naturally vengeful. He is sovereign. We are dependent. Even when He tests us, it is for our good and the test will not last forever. I just stopped by to tell you that the Lord inhabits the praises of His people. He comes near when we accept that He is with us, no matter the test.

Give thanks in the good times. Give thanks in the bad times. Give thanks when you are up. Give thanks when you are down. Give thanks when you think you understand God. Give thanks when you realize you don’t.

Sing unto the Lord if you claim to be one of His children and have been purchased by the blood of Jesus. Sing unto the Lord knowing that even if you are weeping now, that one day, you will rejoice. Jesus is coming soon. We will all rejoice in that day. Why not start now? Why not give thanks in every situation now? Give thanks!—L. David Harris (www.DavidWritesaLot.com)

Thoughts in Worship
Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Wednesday, November 23, 2016

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“Return, O LORD, deliver my soul: Oh save me for thy mercies’ sake. For in death there is no remembrance of thee: In the grave who shall give thee thanks?” (Psalm 6:4–5).

Give thanks! I am amazed at the number of ways we can find hope in the Bible. We can read/study a verse from one perspective and be encouraged today, and tomorrow read the same and get something entirely different. Today’s Scripture focus is no exception.

The psalmist is obviously distressed and burdened by illness from which he cannot find relief. He is overwhelmed by the pain and emotional drain it is having on him. As he cries out to His God for relief and comfort in tribulation, he makes an incredible statement. He says that those who are dead (which he felt he would be if he did not get relief soon) can neither remember, nor give thanks to God. Now, many of us from a particular religious persuasion would probably focus most on the fact that those who are dead, really are dead, and their emotions, pain, thoughts, and existence cease until the resurrection. They have no part, as the wise man said, in anything that happens under the sun. True. However, my mind shifted to a different facet of truth here: we need to be alive to give thanks, and time is running out.

You see, the Lord has endowed each of us with the privilege of life. If you are reading this, you are obviously alive. There is no post-mortem version of you experiencing some alternate reality taking a peek into the affairs of this world. You are flesh and blood with the privilege of breath in your lungs and the ability to give thanks to God who sustains you. Give thanks. Whether you are experiencing trials and tribulations or rejoicing, give thanks. Whether you are young or old, give thanks. Whether you understand all the mysteries of the universe or not, give thanks.

Clearly, the psalmist was asking God to extend his life and relieve his suffering so he could have more time to thank Him for His goodness, and by extension, be a testimony to those with whom he would come into contact. Will you do the same? Whether sick or well, will you invest your energy relishing the few moments we call life and thanking God for His manifold blessings? There is a lot of religion in doing so. Far too many of us take God’s grace for granted and neglect to thank Him. Don’t be one of those people who receive healing, food, shelter, food, friendships, love, etc., and neglect to return to your Benefactor and simply thank Him. Give thanks. Imagine a world where people made this kind of commitment.—L. David Harris (www.DavidWritesaLot.com)

Thoughts in Worship
Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Tuesday, November 22, 2016

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“Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, Make known his deeds among the people. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, Talk ye of all his wondrous works. Glory ye in his holy name: Let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD. Seek the LORD and his strength, Seek his face continually. Remember his marvellous works that he hath done, His wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;” (1 Chronicles 16:8–12).

Give thanks! In case you haven’t noticed, our focus this week is giving thanks. For what are you thankful today? Are you thankful for that bird many are preparing to eat in a couple of days (there are much healthier options you know). Are you grateful for the road trip you’ll probably be taking with a million of your closest friends to reach aunty [fill-in the blank’s] house? Are you thankful for the long weekend coming up should the Lord spare your life till then?

It is noteworthy that the psalmist marries giving thanks with calling upon the name of God. The name of the Lord is a strong tower. If we flee to Him, we are safe. Have you ever heard that before? We are to pray in the name of Jesus, and He will answer our prayers. Have you heard that before? If we rest our faith in Him until the end, He will write His name in our foreheads. There is power and healing in His name.

Thus it is our privilege to sing thanks and praise unto God and revel in His strength and the light of His countenance. When all others fail you, He remains your constant help in trouble. When life’s circumstances are unmanageable, He is your deliverer. When others are seeking unto false gods, sinful priests, faulty family members, and temporary bank accounts, you can remember the many ways in which your God has come through for you in the past.

Allow your heart to rejoice. Seek the Lord while He may be found. Seek His face in all you do. Give thanks to the Lord. He is good. His mercy endures to all generations. Give thanks.—L. David Harris (www.DavidWritesaLot.com)