Tag: Praise

Posted in Hiding His Word

My Tongue Shall Speak of Thy Righteousness

Posted on by Melissa Lynne

Esther 1:1–3:15; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34; Psalm 35:17-28; Proverbs 21:19-20

My Tongue Shall Speak of Thy Righteousness 
I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people. – Psalm 35:18

And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness And of thy praise all the day long. – Psalm 35:28

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The King Asks for Counsel
The book of Esther begins with king Ahasuerus throwing a banquet to show off his wealth. He requests queen Vashti to come so that he can show her off, and she refuses. The king is furious and asks his wise men for counsel regarding Vashti and her disobedience.

And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the people that are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus.

For this deed of the queen shall come abroad unto all women, so that they shall despise their husbands in their eyes, when it shall be reported, The king Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she came not. Likewise shall the ladies of Persia and Media say this day unto all the king’s princes, which have heard of the deed of the queen. Thus shall there arise too much contempt and wrath.

If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she. And when the king’s decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his empire, (for it is great,) all the wives shall give to their husbands honour, both to great and small.

And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan: – Esther 1:16-21

Search for a New Queen
The king did as counseled. Over time, his anger waned, and he became lonely. His counselors suggested that he find a new queen, and they suggested he bring in the fair, young virgins of the kingdom to prepare them for his search. The king was pleased with this and the search began and Esther was brought to the palace.

So it came to pass, when the king’s commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was brought also unto the king’s house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women. And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, which were meet to be given her, out of the king’s house: and he preferred her and her maids unto the best place of the house of the women. – Esther 2:8-9

Esther was brought to the palace and gained favor with Hegai, the keeper of the women. But as her Uncle Mordecai instructed her, she didn’t let anyone know that she was Jewish.

Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not shew it. – Esther 2:10

Esther Becomes Queen – Mordecai Overheard a Plot
When it was her turn to meet the king, Esther didn’t ask for special privileges or gifts. She went before the king, and the king was pleased and loved her. He selects her the new queen. A grand celebration begins.

Meanwhile, Mordecai sat at the king’s gate and overheard two eunuchs plotting to assassinate the king. He lets queen Esther know of the plot. She tells the king and lets him know this information came from Mordecai. The men were found guilty and hanged, and all the details of this specific event were written in the book of the Chronicles.

Haman is Promoted – Mordecai Refuses to Bow to Him
King Ahasuerus promoted Haman and commanded his servants to bow before this man. Mordecai refused, and when the people questioned him, he let them know he could not bow to anyone because he was a Jew. It got back to Haman that Mordecai not only refused to bow but that he was a Jew, and Haman was enraged. He developed a plot not only to kill Mordecai but all of the Jewish people.

Justification to Kill the Jews
Haman goes to the king and justifies why Mordecai and all Jews needed to be killed. The king agrees, gives Haman his signet ring (his authority), and he also gives him the funds to do as he pleased. In others words, the king tells Haman to make it happen.

And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king’s laws: therefore it is not for the king’s profit to suffer them. If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king’s treasuries. And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews’ enemy. And the king said unto Haman, The silver is given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee. – Esther 3:8-11

The People Mourn – The King and Haman Celebrate
Haman sends letters out to all the provinces that on a certain day of the twelfth month, all Jews will be killed. Confusion and mourning cover the land as the king and Haman sit down and have a drink together.

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In Remembrance of Me
For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come. – 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Let A Man Examine Himself
Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.. – 1 Corinthians 11:27-340

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Precious Treasure and Oil
There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; But a foolish man spendeth it up. – Proverbs 21:20

There is precious treasure and oil in the house of the wise [who prepare for the future], But a short-sighted and foolish man swallows it up and wastes it. – Proverbs 21:20 AMP

Posted in Hiding His Word

For We Are Made a Spectacle

Posted on by Melissa Lynne

Ezra 7:1–8:20; 1 Corinthians 4:1-21; Psalm 30:1-12; Proverbs 20:28-30

Spectacle – anything presented to the sight or view, especially something of a striking or impressive king; a public’s show or display, especially on a large scale

Judge Nothing Before the Time, Until the Lord Come
Let a man so account of us [Paul and his coworkers], as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. – 1 Corinthians 4:1-5

For Who Maketh Thee to Differ From Another?
And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another. For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it? – 1 Corinthians 4:6-7

For We Are Made a Spectacle
Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you. For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised. Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; and labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day. – 1 Corinthians 4:8-13

Ten Thousand Instructors in Christ, Yet Not Many Fathers
I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you. For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me. For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church. – 1 Corinthians 4:14-17

Shall I Come with a Rod, or in Love, and in the Spirit of Meekness?
Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you. But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power. For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness? – 1 Corinthians 4:18-21

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Ezra was a Ready Scribe
this Ezra went up from Babylon; and he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given: and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him. – Ezra 7:6

Scribe – a member of a learned class in ancient Israel though New Testament times studying the Scriptures and serving as copyists, editors, teachers, and jurists

Ezra Prepared His Heart
For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments. – Ezra 7:10

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That My Glory May Sing Praise to Thee
Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever. – Psalm 30:11-12

The Beauty of Old Men
The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the grey head. – Proverbs 20:29

Posted in Hiding His Word

Give God the Glory – Isaiah 43:21

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Every single one of us was created to bring God glory. The purpose of our lives is for God’s will to be done in them. His purpose becomes our purpose. His will our will.

For some, this is a scary statement because they view God and His will through the eyes of fear. They think that if He calls them to do something or lay down something, to die to self, there will be a loss. But the point of dying to self is not to die to self. The point is to be closer to Him, to be with Him, to be like Him, and to remove from our life anything and everything that is not reflective of Him. Dying to self equals intimacy.

Whatever God has called each of us to do, He has called us to intimacy first. He doesn’t want us to pursue ministry before pursuing Him. Spiritual gifts are a by-product of intimacy, not ministry. He doesn’t want us to try to be perfect or seek to be “good” before we pursue Him. Being a mature Christian who knows how to handle life is not the point. Relationship with God is the point. HE is the point.

Absolutely everything else flows out from that place of intimacy with Him. Intimacy allows some of God’s attributes to be passed on to us. The nearer we get to Him, the easier it is to become like Him. In fact, it is natural to become like those you spend the most time with. You begin to look like them, sound like them, and think like them. Oh, I pray that the One I spend most moments with is always Jesus!

Because intimacy is the focus of Heaven, one of the greatest prayers we can pray is: “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven.” ~ Matthew 6:10. Jesus taught His disciples to pray like this. Why? Because Jesus only did what He saw His Father doing (Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. ~ John 5:19) – WHAT HE SAW HIM DOING IN HEAVEN!!!

Jesus teaches us to pray the Lord’s Prayer because Heaven is reality, not earth. This is hard to grasp and for some a completely foreign concept but think about it. What we see here on earth, all around us, is merely a shadow of reality, not reality itself. (“For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. ~ 1 Corinthians 13:12). The temporal is always inferior to the eternal. So, in order to stay in alignment with the heart of God, we must remember that this place we live is the inferior and we must learn to mirror on earth the activity of Heaven.

We were each created to bring Him glory. How close we come to that depends fully on each one of us. He is never holding us back from intimacy. He is so eager for us to know Him that He sent His only begotten Son, Jesus, to reconcile us to Himself. Every one of us.

“This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise.” ~ Isaiah 43:21

Posted in Uncategorized

Sacrifice of Praise

Posted on by Melissa Lynne

There are times when I am standing in worship and when I close my eyes I see the Cross.  What the Lord has done for me remains so fresh that it makes me want to cry. As we sing about the ‘”wonderful cross”  or the “Lamb of God'”, I am once again standing there confronted with my sin -broken again before Him.  When the worship team shifts to rejoicing and proclaiming our freedom and our victory because of what Jesus did on the Cross, as the beat starts, that my body automatically just wants to move. There isn’t much in me that is still because I hear His voice, whispering to my heart, “come and worship Me with a sacrifice of praise.”  I just feel then in my heart the desire to dance or to dance with a banner or to do something like a kind of run around the room (although I prefer to see it as floating…some of you who know me well have seen the float :). Not always of course, but sometimes. 

Although I’m naturally terrified of what others might think, what are my options??? – either honoring God or staying safe? Safety is such a snare. Safety has caused me to dismiss His Words. Safety has caused me to dance in the hallways or behind closed doors. Safety has caused me to be ashamed. Safety has caused me to allow others to intimidate me, to silence me.

My desires for my remaining days on this earth are anything but safe so I have to start a change somewhere. I truly do know that as I step out in faith, a wonderful thing happens; fear fades, people disappear at least for a time, and I am able to just dance before my God with all my might and to feel His pleasure.  There is deliverance in that same dance. There is power and authority.

Often I am reminded of Zephaniah 3:17 “…[I] will rejoice over you with singing” and I picture God singing over me as I overcome all obstacles and distractions.

It is not about me, or you, or any of the other people who may or may not be watching. It has nothing to do with my ability to dance. It has nothing to do with what song is being sung or played. It is joyous. It is reverent. It is as a prayer, a testimony, a praise, a sorrow, a song, a shout. It is like most things the Lord asks of me. His asking is definitely not dependent on my ability. He asks me to pray although I am not such a good pray-er. He asks me to sing although sometimes my voice cracks, if I can make a sound at all; He asks me to hide His Word in my heart although memorizing is such a task these days; He asks me to preach although honestly I don’t really know how or why He wants that; He asks me to pursue miracles of healing and deliverance although I see so much opposition and unbelief; He asks me to love although sometimes even my own heart seems very calloused from a life of seeing and hearing too much; He asks me to persevere in all He asks although some would call me crazy, legalistic, zealous. He asks me to persevere though change comes so slowly it seems; He asks me to run although many would never pull away from their seat; He asks me to dance although many feel it best to be still. Of these things He asks anyway! I respond. It is about a God who desires that we worship Him from an obedient, broken, and contrite heart.

Pressing on…