Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - WordAction - The Foundry Publishing House of Kansas City, Missouri, United States - The Global Church of the Nazarene for Sunday, 22 October 2017 "Real New Life" by Jonathan Trees - Psalm 118:1-14

Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - WordAction - The Foundry Publishing House of Kansas City, Missouri, United States - The Global Church of the Nazarene for Sunday, 22 October 2017 "Who Do You Call?" by Jonathan Trees - Psalm 118:1-14
Psalm 118:1 Give thanks to Adonai; for he is good,
for his grace continues forever.
2 Now let Isra’el say,
“His grace continues forever.”
3 Now let the house of Aharon say,
“His grace continues forever.”
4 Now let those who fear Adonai say,
“His grace continues forever.”
5 From my being hemmed in I called on Yah;
he answered and gave me more room.
6 With Adonai on my side, I fear nothing —
what can human beings do to me?
7 With Adonai on my side as my help,
I will look with triumph at those who hate me.
8 It is better to take refuge in Adonai
than to trust in human beings;
9 better to take refuge in Adonai
than to put one’s trust in princes.
10 The nations all surrounded me;
in the name of Adonai I cut them down.
11 They surrounded me on every side
in the name of Adonai I cut them down.
12 They surrounded me like bees
but were extinguished [as quickly] as a fire in thorns;
in the name of Adonai I cut them down.
13 You pushed me hard to make me fall,
but Adonai helped me.
14 Yah is my strength and my song,
and he has become my salvation.

-------

I had a fitness test several years ago. I soon knew I was out of shape. My strength and durability were just a fabrication of my brain. Strength training is an important part of exercise. I am not an expert, but I know that the core muscles of the body are important, not only for balance, but also for overall strength. For the body to function well, the core muscles have to be toned.
Scripture has core ideas. In Psalm 118:14, I like the words "strength" and "defense." Words of power! Yet, the core idea is not brute power or strong fortresses; it is more about "who" is our stronghold. The Lord is our strength. The Lord is our defense.
This can be hard to grasp; our default action is to fight and be defensive. Instead, the Scripture asks us to stand. It encourages us to pause and recall that God is our power and protection. In a life crisis we are humbled; we remember that "in Him we live and move and have our being" (Acts 17:28). If you have not reached that point, you will. One day your strength will be exhausted. In that moment, call on the Name of the Lord and be saved (Joel 2:32). 
-------
Hymn for Today:

"Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus" by George Duffield, Jr.
1. Stand up, stand up for Jesus, 
ye soldiers of the cross; 
lift high his royal banner, 
it must not suffer loss. 
From victory unto victory 
his army shall he lead, 
till every foe is vanquished, 
and Christ is Lord indeed. 
2. Stand up, stand up for Jesus, 
the trumpet call obey; 
forth to the mighty conflict, 
in this his glorious day. 
Ye that are brave now serve him 
against unnumbered foes; 
let courage rise with danger, 
and strength to strength oppose. 
3. Stand up, stand up for Jesus, 
stand in his strength alone; 
the arm of flesh will fail you, 
ye dare not trust your own. 
Put on the gospel armor, 
each piece put on with prayer; 
where duty calls or danger, 
be never wanting there. 
4. Stand up, stand up for Jesus, 
the strife will not be long; 
this day the noise of battle, 
the next the victor's song. 
To those who vanquish evil 
a crown of life shall be; 
they with the King of Glory 
shall reign eternally.  

Thought for Today:

But the Lord is worthy of trust; he will make you firm and guard you from the Evil One.(2 Thessalonians 3:3}

Please pray:
For the development of Christian leaders in Saint Kitts and Nevis.
This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now
-------