The Shadow of The Almighty, A Revival of Character, True Worship, New Year's Day, Why Should We Give to Missions?, Read the Bible, and "What The Lord Has Done"
In This Issue... Psalm 91:1, Two Quotes by Doug Stringer, Observations from John G. Paton, Chopo Mwanza, and Josh Buice, Plus Song from Hope Darst, Kalley Heiligenthal, and Patrick Mayberry
Photo by Shirley Tittermary on Unsplash
Welcome to this issue of one24worship - Because worship is a daily lifestyle, one 24-hour day at a time, not just a weekly event.
The one24worship Newsletter is a weekly offering of inspiration, ideas, and insights landing in your email inbox every Thursday... 1-2-4: one verse/passage, two quotes, and four observations at a time.
After a short break and a time of limiting my Internet activity over Christmas and New Years, I’m looking forward to launching into 2025!
And here at the beginning of 2025… California is blazing!
Several wildfires have been raging in southern California this week, including massive devastation in the Pacific Palisades. And the fires show little sign of coming under control, as of this writing.
Thousands of residents are under evacuation orders as the LA area wildfires threaten to spread, being fueled by the high Santa Ana winds from the east, and the worst may be yet to come.
Hundreds (perhaps thousands) of homes have been destroyed in just moments and sadly, some lives have been lost. People from all across the United States and around the world are praying for California, and appropriately so. I join with them.
Moments like this bring perspective - things are temporal and lives are eternal. Homes and possessions can be rebuilt and replaced. They’re temporal. Human lives are different!
Having participated in disaster relief efforts for years, in the midst of tragic circumstances, it’s important for us to also keep looking for what have been called, “Kingdom Sightings” - sightings of the Kingdom of God coming and the will of God being done, even in (perhaps especially in) the middle of tragic circumstances.
In his gospel, Matthew wrote, quoting Jesus…
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33 ESV
One of the life applications of this verse is…
“Whatever we seek first is what we will notice most.”
For example, if we’re seeking first fame or wealth or power for ourselves, then those are the people and the things that we’ll find ourselves noticing the most.
However, if we’re seeking the kingdom of God first, then we’re better positioned to notice the kingdom of God coming most, even in tragedy.
Of course, we’re praying for the Santa Ana winds to calm and for the fires in California to be contained and quenched. And while we’re praying to that end, we are also looking for some “Kingdom Sightings” - some of those instances of the kingdom of God coming and the will of God being done on earth as it is in heaven.
“Whatever we seek first is what we will notice most.”
Would you join me in praying and in seeking this week?
David
One Verse
“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1 KJV
Two Quotes
Doug Stringer
“We need a revival of character again, and it starts with us. God has to be the Lord of His Church. He has to be back in our worship and our hearts. He has to be the God in our homes and in our families.” Doug Stringer
[Source: Doug Stringer, “Inviting God Back into the House”, Somebody Cares Magazine, Summer 2019 Issue, page 26.]
“True worship is coming into a place of simple obedience, becoming a living worshipper.” Doug Stringer
[Source: Doug Stringer, Leadership Awakening: Foundational Principles for Lasting Success, (Doug Stringer, Published by Whitaker House, ©2016) Page 94.]
Four Observations
New Year's Day in the New Hebrides - by the Late Missionary John G. Paton at Missionary.com
Excerpt: “Holidays are different on the mission field. Separated from family, friends, and the comforts of home, missionaries not only face solitude but unanticipated dangers. Nevertheless, as John Paton wrote in this excerpt from his autobiography, the God who is our refuge remains steadfast no matter what crisis faces us.” 👉 Read More…
If God Provides, Why Should We Give to Missions? - by Chopo Mwanza at Radical.net
Excerpt: “It is important that we do not just think of Christian giving as merely giving to individuals or institutions. But every act of giving towards gospel work is ultimately an act of worship. You are giving thanks to God and giving him his worth. You are, in many ways, offering a sacrifice of praise to the Lord. Giving is a response of gratitude to what God in Christ has done and how privileged you are to be part of his family (2 Corinthians 8–9). It is a way of acknowledging that everything belongs and comes from God (James 1:17).” 👉 Read More…
Read the Bible in 2025 - by Josh Buice at g3min.org
Excerpt: “Far too many people read the text in order to check off the day. Take time to read the Bible with a devotional heart of worship and watch how you grow spiritually. It truly makes a difference. Scripture should never be approached as a mere checklist or intellectual exercise. The Bible is God’s living and active Word (Heb. 4:12), and its ultimate purpose is to draw us closer to Him in worship. The psalmist declares, ‘Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path’ (Ps. 119:105), reminding us that God’s Word is both a guide for daily living and a source of joy and wonder.” 👉 Read More…
SONG "What The Lord Has Done” by Hope Darst - YouTube Video: Hope Darst - What The Lord Has Done - Live (Official Video)
CHORUS
“Hallelujah! Look what the Lord has done! / Hallelujah! See how He's overcome! / Nothing was left unfinished / All covered by His blood / Our victory is in Him / Look what the Lord has done!”
Hope Darst | Kalley Heiligenthal | Patrick Mayberry
© Centricity Songs; Sailing Olives Music; We Are TIM Music; Fair Trade Global Songs; Hope For The Best Songs
Until next week,
David Guion
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