To Worship Him » 2005

WHERE IS YOUR SONG?

Bloged in Worship Music, Quiet Times, A Walk In The Word, Discipleship, Encouragement by DeNelle Stotser Saturday December 31, 2005

Where is your song? The Bible tells us in Psalm 137 of the testimony of the people of Israel when they were in bondage in Babylon. The first verse says “Alongside Babylon’s rivers we sat on the banks; we cried and cried, remembering the good old days in Zion. Alongside the quaking aspens we stacked our silent harps; that’s where our captors demanded songs, sarcastic and mocking: ‘Sing us a happy Zion song!’ ‘Oh, how could we ever sing God’s song in this wasteland?’ they cried. We see in this passage utter despair and loss of hope. They had no song for their voice of praise had been silenced.

If the truth be known, we all have been in such a place where our joy is gone, our hearts are heavy and the last thing we can manage is a song of praise, a song of Zion. How can we sing in this awful unknown and strange land? Sometimes we are there because of our own doing and sometimes we are there because of situations beyond our control. In any case, there is a way out. Even in the darkest of nights, if you are a child of God, even though faint, there is a song in your heart if you will only listen. I know because God puts the song in our hearts.

I remember years ago being in such a situation. A physical condition had put me to bed. I had always been such a healthy person being in bed was something new for me and added greatly to my anxiety. One day when my family was away and I had the house to myself, I remember getting up and going to the piano. I started singing every hymn I knew at the top of my lungs, (as loud as I could), and before long I felt my joy coming back, my strength returning and my depression and anxiety gone. Hallelujah!

There is such deliverance and strength in lifting our hearts in praise to our Lord. If you are not in a right relationship with the Father God, ask Him to help you and to give you a song. You too will be able to sing the songs of Zion, the songs of deliverance.

Lift up your head, your hands, your heart, and sing high praises to the Lord!

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IS ANYONE STRESSED?

Bloged in Quiet Times, A Walk In The Word, Discipleship, Worship Leader, Encouragement by DeNelle Stotser Wednesday December 28, 2005

Is anyone stressed? Does it seem as if everywhere you turn there are voices that play to your restlessness? Commercials want you to buy their products and make you feel as if you must have two of each. Experts telling you what you must have. Somehow they motivate you to simply have to have something you’d never thought of before.

We are also told that we must, in our commitment for excellence, always reach beyond what we can grasp. Our zeal for excellence, in every avenue of our life, should always keep us reaching for great heights, greater whatever. Many of our expectations cannot ever be satisfied. Because of that, we are often frustrated and discontent. A pastor of mine used to say, “The more you have, the more time you have to spend maintaining it or protecting it.” Reminds me of people I know that have vaults full of treasures they never see or use. They pay dearly for security and storage, yet it satisfies them to have stuff and lots of it.

Plato said that: “Poverty consists not in the decrease of one’s possession but in the increase of one’s greed.” Today’s youth must have the latest Ipod. Every child thinks they must have one, or at least a ‘cell’. Others must drive the latest BMW (Beemr); some a zillion dollar house; some another snort of cocaine; and some another pill to overcome the pain. It seems that there is always another thing that we must have. I know, because I have far too much stuff. Have you noticed that when you acquire things, an appetite for more suddenly appears? Whew! Makes me tired.

1 Timothy 6:6 speaks to this issue: “It is peace of heart for those who live as God would have them live. We brought nothing with us when we entered this world and we can be sure we shall take nothing with us when we leave it. Surely then, as far as physical things are concerned, it is sufficient for us to keep our bodies fed and clothed. For men who set their hearts on being wealthy expose themselves to temptation. They fall into a trap and lay themselves open to all sorts of silly and wicked desires, which are quite capable of utterly ruining and destroying their souls. For loving money (and things) lead to all kinds of evil, and some men in the struggle to be rich have lost their faith and caused themselves untold agonies of mind.” (J.B.Phillips Translation)

We must hold things loosely. We are not defined by what we have, our profession, our friends, our past record, or status. To live stressed-free, we must “set our minds on things above, not on earthy things.” (Col 3:1-3) In ‘06 let’s simplify our lifestyle. We’ll be happy we did!

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HIS PROMISES ARE YES AND AMEN!

Bloged in Quiet Times, A Walk In The Word, Discipleship, Encouragement by DeNelle Stotser Tuesday December 27, 2005

His Promises are Yes and Amen!

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6

In the Word, God tells us it is impossible to please Him without faith. He also tell us how faith comes and how to obtain it. Whether we have faith or not, He puts that responsibility on our shoulders. God has provided the way that every person can walk in faith.

We are saved by faith. Ephesians 2:8 tells us that “faith for salvation comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” In Acts 11,13-14, we learn that Cornelius was told by God to send for Peter to come and give him the Word, how he and his household could be saved.
We are healed by faith. In the same way faith for salvation comes, hearing and believing God’s Word brings healing. In Acts 14:7-10 we read that Paul: (a) preached the Gospel, (b) Paul perceived that the man had faith to be healed, and (c) Paul told the man to stand up and walk. We learn that the man did three things: (a) He heard Paul preach, (b) He had faith to be healed, (c) He leaped and walked. This man received faith from the Gospel that Paul preached to him.

C. I. Scofield wrote that “The Hebrew and Greek words for salvation imply the ideas of deliverance, safety, preservation, healing, and soundness.” In Romans 1:16 Paul preached, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” The Gospel is the power to freedom and victory in our lives. We must not settle for less!

There is a promise in God’s Word for every need that we could possibly experience; whether it’s salvation, deliverance, healing, financial or domestic need. Every need is covered in God’s Word. We must (a) find the Scriptures that cover our particular need, (b) read and meditate on them, (c) get them into our spirit, (d) stand on them until our deliverance comes, and (e) thank God for the answer.

Remember His Promises are YES and AMEN!

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WHO IS YOUR DOCTOR?

Bloged in Quiet Times, A Walk In The Word, Discipleship, Encouragement by DeNelle Stotser Monday December 26, 2005

“It is not the healthy who need a doctor but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Luke 5:31-32 Jesus made this remark after the religious leaders, the Pharisees, complained to Jesus that He was spending too much time associating with sinners.

It is not only interesting but encouraging to note what Jesus said one time to Simon Peter; “Those who are forgiven little, love little.” Luke 7:47 Jesus was saying that those who are most aware of their brokenness are ones most likely to receive Jesus’ offer of grace and salvation. If I believe in my heart that I walk in perfection, than I am less likely to embrace with thanksgiving the sacrifice Jesus made. In my self-righteousness I would be ignorant to my need; without hope and without God in my life. At one point Paul said that those who rebel and refuse to honor God were objects of wrath, and enemies against God, their Creator.

The basic mind set in becoming a Christian is realizing that ‘we can‘t do it.’ It is coming to grips with the state of our condition and the need for help. Brokenness and surrender is the first lesson we must learn in walking with the Lord. I have noticed that we continually have to pass the brokenness check-up. We have lived in certain states that required automobiles to have a yearly check-up in order to get license. The officials would go through the routine of inspecting lights, brakes, etc. The residents of these states complained about having to take time and effort to comply, but in the end they enjoyed better efficiency and safety on their highways. I think the effort was worth the benefits.

The same principle applys with our Christian walk. Jesus came to let us know that He is for us. He came to be our doctor. To be the supplier of our need. If we think we are well and in no need of Him, then we deceive ourselves. That’s the choice that He gives us. I have walked with the Lord many years now, and each day I make a choice. I choose to walk with the One that knows my every need. The One who knows when I am not running efficiently. He is my Physician, the One who promised that “the good work that He began in me, He will complete.” Every day I must choose life; to be in need of the Lord’s help, versus choosing defeat; doing it my way. Imagine what the world would be like if everyone’s family doctor was Jesus?

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