THE VALUE OF WORSHIP

“Praise be to the Lord, for He has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise Him.”  (Psalm 28:6-7 NIV)

At the height of the Civil War the need for hospital facilities became so great that many schools and other public buildings in Washington, D.C., were made into temporary medical centers. Dr. Phineas Gurley, pastor of New York Avenue Presbyterian Church, determined that the sanctuary of his church should be turned over to such needs, by placing a "floor" over the pews upon which hospital beds could be placed.

When Dr. Gurley announced to his congregation that there would be no more church services in New York Avenue until further notice, President Lincoln was present. Though not a member, Lincoln worshiped at that church most Sundays. The announcement was hardly complete before Lincoln stood to his feet. "Dr. Gurley," he said, "this action was taken without my consent and I hereby countermand the order. The churches are needed as never before for divine services." Needless to say, the President's order was obeyed. 

Mr. Lincoln realized that when mankind's needs are greatest, no need is greater than one’s spiritual sustenance. The most pressing problems of a critical time do not take precedence over the primary ministry of the church; they only accentuate its importance. For what is our profit if we have gained the world -- or saved our lives, economy, and health -- and have lost our souls? 

-- J. Ellsworth Kalas, in the newsletter of First United Methodist Church of Madison, Wisconsin, May 4, 1972

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THE MARRIAGE TRIANGLE

“As a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you.”  (Isaiah 62:5)

How well I remember the challenge of compiling the guest list [for our wedding], which makes the scene in the second chapter of John very personal, as a wedding is taking place. “Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and His disciples had also been invited” (John 2:1-2). Evidently their names were on a guest list, and they had accepted the invitation.

What about including Jesus in your wedding plans? In your marriage? My husband and I had our wedding bands inscribed with a triangle that signifies there are three of us in this relationship: God at the apex, my husband and me at the lower corners. As we grew closer to God individually, we also drew closer to each other. That principle got us through some bumpy territory. It will do the same for you.

If you need a miracle in your marriage, invite Jesus into the relationship. He’ll be there when you need Him most. Send the invitation -- do it today! 

-- Anne Graham Lotz in “Fixing My Eyes on Jesus”    

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WHAT’S SO GOOD ABOUT THE GOOD NEWS?

“And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.’”  (Luke 2:10-11 ESV)

We toss around the phrase “Good News” often in Christian circles. But pause for a moment -- what makes it good? The Greek word for gospel, euangelion, literally means “good news.” But this isn’t a feel-good headline or inspirational quote. It’s life-altering truth.

The Good News declares that the distance between God and humanity -- caused by our sin -- is bridged not by merit, but by mercy. It's good because… we were dead, and now we’re alive in Christ. It's good because… we were lost, and now we’re found. It's good because… we were slaves to sin, and now we’re called children of God.

In a world that promises much and delivers little, the gospel offers everything for free -- but at the cost of Christ’s blood. That’s not just good... it’s breathtaking.

Whether you’re on the mountaintop or trudging through the valley, the Good News doesn’t change -- it chases you, covers you, and calls you home.    

And it is Good News that must be shared. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes…"  (Romans 1:16 NIV) 

-- SOUND BITES Ministry™, compiled from a variety of sources 

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RESTING ON THE HEART OF JESUS

“Lord, my heart is not proud; my eyes are not haughty. I don’t concern myself with matters too great or too awesome for me to grasp. Instead, I have calmed and quieted myself, like a weaned child who no longer cries for its mother’s milk. Yes, like a weaned child is my soul within me. O Israel, put your hope in the Lord.”  (Psalm 131:1-3 NLT)

If I did not simply live from one moment to the next, it would be impossible for me to keep my patience.

I can see only the present, I forget the past and I take good care not to think about the future.  We get discouraged and feel despair because we brood about the past and future. 

It is such folly to pass one's time fretting, instead of resting quietly on the heart of Jesus. 

-- Therese of Lisieux (1873-1897), quoted in “A Guide to Prayer for All God's People” by Rueben P. Job and Norman Shawchuck

THE BEST THING ABOUT HEAVEN

What is the best thing about heaven? The best thing is not that we will again see our loved ones who die in the Lord, although that will be wonderful. The best thing is not that we will have resurrection bodies, though many of us can hardly wait for that. Nor is the best thing that the earth will be restored.

So what could be better than all these wonderful things? The very best thing about heaven is that we will be united with the Lord Himself, who is our life and joy. All the joys of this heaven and earth -- and the next heaven and earth -- wonderful as they are, are secondary joys. They pale in comparison to the joys of knowing the triune God who is our chief joy.

In Psalm 16:2, David is right when he says, “I say to the LORD, ‘You are my Lord; apart from You I have no good thing.’” In fact, the joys of those will increase who run after the one true God and His Son, Jesus Christ.

Those joys will be multiplied in heaven. Our hearts have capacities for joy that have not yet been tapped. But heaven will reveal how great and deep and lasting are the joys to be found in God alone.

Perhaps that is why the psalmist ends Psalm 16 with the words, “You make known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand” (vs 11). Eternal joy and lasting pleasures found in Him -- that is the best thing about heaven. 

-- Adapted from “How to Finish the Christian Life: Following Jesus in the Second Half” by Donald W. Sweeting & George Sweeting

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