Upper Loft Meditation - Psalm 95

“Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; le us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods.” - Psalm 95:1-3b

Here is a fitting exhortation for all to hear as Thanksgiving Day approaches. There are three parts to this exhortation.

1. “Let us come…” - This is a corporate summons. We are here to come together, the people of God, for a set purpose: to give thanks. Certainly, this is not to exclude giving of thanks individually, but here we are told to gather together. The verb usage here implies an urgency; to go quickly - this is a high priority. This is not a: if my schedule is free, or if I get all my work done. It is a “Come, NOW!” exhortation.
2. “…before him…” - The literal meaning here is to stand face-to-face with God and tell him - “Thank you.”  When we are called to enter into God’s presence, it does not mean we have traveled to where God lives. It means we have opened our eyes to see God who is ever present with us.
3. “…come before him with thanksgiving.” - There is an element here of preparation and reflection whereby you have intentionally considered all that God has done for you. In light of this personal review, you come to give thanks to God where others will hear and join you in praising God.

This is not a time just to sing joyous songs. It is a time to open our hearts and give thanks. “Joyful songs of praise do not create worship in us. They are the response of hearts already grateful for God’s power and presence and activity.” [Doug Goins]

Palabras de Aliento - Colosenses 3:17

“Y todo lo que hagan, de palabra o de obra, háganlo en el nombre del Señor Jesús, dando gracias a Dios el Padre por medio de él” - Colosenses 3:17

Cualquier cosa que digas o hagas da gracias a Jesús. Que sorprendente afirmación. Estas son tanto palabras de dirección como de exhortación. Es una afirmación descriptiva que incluye todo. No hay excepciones y nada es dejado afuera. Dar gracias debe ser parte  de todo lo que haces tanto en días buenos como en los no tan buenos.

¿Qué significa esto?

1. En tus palabras, tus pensamientos, tus acciones debes expresar gratitud a Dios por Su bondad, gracia y misericordia.
2. Hay una diferencia entre ser agradecido y expresar agradecimiento. Jesús (Lucas 17) sana diez leprosos, pero sólo uno regresa a darle gracias. Jesús le dice a este hombre, “levántate y vete; tu fe te ha sanado.” ¿Hay alguna relación entre dar las gracias y la fe sanadora?
3. Agradecer cuando no hay razón terrernal. Estar agradecido afirma la verdad de que hay una razón celestial. “Ahora bien, sabemos que Dios dispone todas las cosas para el bien de quienes lo aman, los que han sido llamados de acuerdo con su propósito.” (Romanos 8:28)
4. No hay nada demasiado pequeño, insignificante o menor que no valga la pena para estar agradecido. Si estás en silencio para agradecer por las pequeñas bendiciones, tus palabras de agradecimiento por los regalos grandes de bondad serán superficiales y reaccionarios. Tu enfoque estará en el regalo en lugar de aquél que te ha dado la bendición.

Hoy, haz todo esfuerzo para dar gracias ya que el Señor es bueno.

Upper Loft Meditation - Colossians 3:17

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” - Colossians 3:17

Whatever you say and whatever you do give thanks to Jesus. What an amazing statement. These are both words of guidance and words of exhortation. It is a sweeping statement that includes everything. There are no exceptions and nothing is to be left out. Giving thanks is to be part of everything you do on both good days and not so good days.

What does this mean?

1. In your words, your thoughts, your actions you are to express gratitude to God for His kindness, grace, and mercy.
2. There is a difference between being thankful and expressing your thanks. Jesus (Luke 17)  heals ten lepers, but only one returns to Jesus to give thanks. Jesus says to this man, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.” Is there a relationship between thanksgiving and healing faith?
3. Giving thanks when there is no earthly reason to be grateful affirms the truth that there is a heavenly reason. “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
4. There is nothing too small, too insignificant, and too minor that is unworthy of thanksgiving. If you are silent in giving thanks for the little blessings, your words of praise for the jumbo gifts of kindness will be shallow and reactionary. Your focus will be on the gift rather than on the one who has given you the blessing.

Today, make every effort to give thanks for the Lord is good.

Palabras de Aliento - Romanos 1:21

“A pesar de haber conocido a Dios, no lo glorificaron como a Dios ni le dieron gracias, sino que se extraviaron en sus inútiles razonamientos, y se les oscureció su insensato corazón.” – Romanos 1:21

Este verso es frecuentemente leído con otras personas en la mente. Pero míralo más de cerca. Pueda que se aplique a tí, especialmente la frase,  “ni le dieron gracias.”

Primero que todo, este es un punto que puede cambiar el rumbo. ¿A qué lado te irás? Si te vas al lado del corazón agradecido te acercarás más al corazón de Dios. Sin embargo, si no haces nada o deliberadamente escoges la opción de ignorar a Dios, te encontrarás a ti mismo alejándote de Dios y tu pensamiento acerca de la realidad espiritual se convertirá borrosa y tu corazón de comenzará a endurecer.

Para la mayoría de nosotros, sin embargo, el problema no es optar deliberadamente por la opción de ser desagradecido. El problema es que no hacemos nada y permanecemos en silencio. Escucha nuestras escusas.

• “Estoy tan ocupado. Mi tiempo simplemente se escapa de mi.”
• “Yo simplemente no pienso en agradecer a Dios. Tengo tantas otras cosas en qué enfocarme”
• “Se que ser agradecido es una cosa buena de hacer, pero nunca recuerdo dar gracias.”

Se agradecido es dar gracias por el perdón, misericordia y amabilidad que Dios ha derrochado en ti a través de Jesús.

Se agradecido es optar deliberadamente por expresar tu agradecimiento a Dios ofreciendo tus razones por la cuales estás agradecido.

Se agradecido es regocijarte en tu corazón y compartir con otros por qué en el medio de las tormentas y pruebas que enfrentas puedes tener paz, gozo y esperanza.

“Abre, Señor, mis labios,  y mi boca proclamará tu alabanza.” – Salmo 51:15

Upper Loft Meditation - Romans 1

“For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.” - Romans 1:21

This verse is often read with other people in mind. But look at it more closely. It may apply to you, especially the phrase, “nor gave thanks to him.”

First of all, this is a turning point issue. To which side will you turn? Turning to the one side with a thankful heart you move closer to the heart of God. However, if you do nothing or make a deliberate choice to ignore God, you will find yourself moving away from God and your thinking about spiritual reality will become fuzzy and your heart will begin to harden.

For most of us, however, the problem is not making a deliberate choice to be ungrateful. The problem is we do nothing and remain silent. Listen to our excuses:

• “I am so busy. My time just got away from me.”
• “I just don’t think about thanking God. I have so many other things to focus on.”
• “I know being thankful is a good thing to do, but I never remember to offer thanks.”

To be thankful is to be grateful for the forgiveness, mercy, and kindness God has lavished upon you through Jesus.

To be thankful is to make a deliberate choice to express your thanks to God offering your reasons why you are thankful.

To be thankful is to rejoice in your heart and to share with others why in the midst of the storms and trials you face you can have peace, joy, and hope.

“O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.” Psalm 51:15

Upper Loft Meditation - 1 Timothy 6

“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” - 1 Timothy 6:17

To be rich is to compare yourself to someone else who has less. Everyone is rich. Riches are hazardous to your health when they replace God in your life. It may be a subtle substitution, but change will soon manifest into a haughty arrogance of self-importance. What will this look like?

• Your heart is no longer moved with compassion at the plight of others. You respond, “Tough break. I am sure glad that is not me!”
• You become very adept at lauding good reason why you do not respond to the needs of others.
• You find yourself looking down at others from the pinnacle of pride. Your judgment of others is always in your favor.
• The things of God may be valued, but you place them at the bottom of your to-do list. At the end of the day they remain only good intentions.
• You have wrapped yourself in the security of what you have believing that your riches will answer all life’s great issues.

Jesus said, “But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort.” - Luke 6:24

All that you are and all that you have are a gift from God. How you live and how you use what you have reflects who or what is your Lord. Jesus is either Lord of all or not Lord at all. Where does your hope lie?

Bazaar Catalog Now Online

The new 2008-2009 Oakseed Ministries Bazaar Catalog is now online.  What we do today… will it be remembered tomorrow.  This is a wonderful opportunity to Share the Blessing!

Will the stewardship of your resources make a difference in our world? In the Bazaar Catalog, you have an opportunity to give gifts that will bring a double blessing. Learn more about the Bazaar Catalog and how you can give gifts that can help change lives.  Also head over to the Bazaar Catalog website to request a physical catalog to be mailed to your home or church.