Turning your thoughts to praise

Last week I wrote about the scientific discovery that the brain cannot focus on worry and praise/gratitude at the same time. Therefore, the answers to our worries are the answers God has taught, now revealed in Scripture. 

I love that science continues to prove God’s perfection!

It occurred to me that I had blogged about the need to praise but had not included some of the concrete examples from Scripture about moving our thoughts in that direction. I thought I would do that in this blog.  

Here are some concrete ways to turn your thoughts from worry to praise. 

We need to examine what we trust

I actually just finished writing a Wisdom Matters entry from Jeremiah 17:7. (If you want that content, just click the link and scroll down a bit.) God told the prophet Jeremiah, “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lᴏʀᴅ, whose trust is the Lᴏʀᴅ” (Jeremiah 17:7). 

I thought a while about that verse and it occurred to me that a lot of us tend to trust in the Lord as one of our options. God repeated himself to Jeremiah with the clarification “whose trust is the Lᴏʀᴅ.”  

We have worked hard to build our lives, save our money, take care of our health, and establish our lives so that we don’t have as much to worry about each day. We find our trust for the future in a lot of different places as a result. Trusting those places causes us to put our hope in the next bank statement we receive, the next president elected to the Oval Office, or the next prescription medication to come out. We build bank accounts, investment funds, and plans for retirement, trusting that our plans will be enough. Those are good things—unless we trust them instead of God.  

God made it clear to the prophet that we need to trust in the Lord because the Lord is always the One we are able to trust. Consider the people in Ukraine. Three years ago, they trusted in a lot of the same things we trust today. 

If we want to replace our worry for the future with trust in God, we should say with the psalmist, “Praise the Lᴏʀᴅ! Oh give thanks to the Lᴏʀᴅ, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!” (Psalm 106:1). 

The reason our trust is the Lord is because the Lord is the only One we are able to trust completely. We don’t just praise God for all he has done, we praise God for all that he is. He is “good” and his love for us has no end; it “endures forever.” God loves us now with a perfect, enduring love. It is the same love he will show us in heaven. If you are worried about your future, remember that our trust is God. His love and our future in heaven are guaranteed. 

Aging is our blessing 

I have a big birthday this year. I’m not sure how I got to be almost sixty-five, but it happened! For the first time there are things like roller coasters and long, uphill hikes that I really can’t do anymore. I walk into my closet for a reason but only remember that reason some of the time. Aging doesn’t always feel like a blessing, but aging is our great blessing. 

After Adam and Eve sinned God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of us in knowing good and evil. Now, lest he reach out his hand and take also of the tree of life and eat and live forever—” (Genesis 3:22). By the way, here is a little fun Bible trivia. Notice the use of the word us in that verse. It is an early reference to the Holy Trinity.  

We often think of the ejection of Adam and Eve from the Garden as a punishment for their sin when, in truth, it was a provision for their eternal lives. Sin had entered the world, and God didn’t want the world to be everyone’s eternal future. Aging, and dying are our blessing. God provided a way for us to live with him again in a perfect heavenly home, the new Garden.  

We can praise God with King Solomon who wrote to encourage all believers to “remove vexation from your heart, and put away pain from your body, for youth and the dawn of life are vanity” (Ecclesiastes 11:10). We shouldn’t be at odds with our aging bodies. Put away the fears, pains, and anxieties that can shadow the older years because the true value of our lives is that they are eternal. I know that because Job wrote, “Wisdom is with the aged, and understanding in length of days” (Job 12:12).  

Joy is knowing God better now than ever before. Knowing God enables us to trust him completely. 

The Lord’s lesson to Mary and Martha (and Mike and Marvin as well) 

One of the biggest problems I have with Luke 10:41–42 is that it is so often applied to only the lives of women. It’s hard to attend a Women’s Conference that doesn’t speak to this passage at some point. The truth of the Lord’s words to Mary and Martha is God’s truth for every Christian. 

For those of you who watched The Brady Bunch in the day, the Lord said, “Martha, Martha, [Martha], you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41–42). 

If we want to turn our thoughts to praise, we have to turn our thoughts away from worry, away from stress, and away from the normal, day-to-day concerns of living. Mary knew how to choose the best use of her time; Martha was still choosing her daily chores. And, for the men who read this blog post, remember that we all have Mary-and-Martha moments. We aren’t one or the other; we are both. 

I’ve often wished I could take back my Martha moments and have a do-over with them. It takes time to move our thoughts from worry to praise. It takes time to think through our wrong priorities so we can right them. It takes time at the feet of Jesus if we want to hear him speak.

Paul’s path to praise

Paul wrote his letter to the Philippians while he was sitting in Rome under house arrest. He closed his letter to that church by telling them what to think about instead of worrying about him. He wrote, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:8–9). 

Paul could have told them to meet together and devise a plan for his escape or his time before the Roman court. He could have expressed worry about the future for his ministry. Instead, he told them to think about the things that are the opposite of worry. Take time to read and reread those verses again. When you have worries or anxiety, God, through Paul, has told you what to think about instead. 

Final verses that will turn your hearts and minds to praise 

God told Isaiah, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10). God created the world with that righteous right hand! What then should we ever worry about? 

King Solomon, known for his wisdom, was at the end of his life when he wrote, “He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end” (Ecclesiastes 3:11). 

I spend a lot of time with my mom at her assisted living center. I am BLESSED by the smiles of those who are writing the final chapter of their stories. My time there could cause me to worry about my older years. Or I can watch them and know God has made everything beautiful in its time.  

Each time we worry, praise thoughts should be our next thoughts. The dark stuff of this life is just waiting for God’s touch to either expel it from our thoughts or turn it into something beautiful.  

Fear not. 

God has us in the palm of his righteous right hand.  

How does God “inhabit” our praise?

Halloween has come and gone. The retailers have markdowns on all things “spooky” because they need the shelf space for all things “Santa.” 

Hopefully, they keep at least one shelf to remind everyone of Thanksgiving.

In many ways, the world doesn’t realize that without giving thanks, we can’t really experience Christmas. It will be just a holiday if we don’t have the presence of Christ.

Those of us who heard sermons from the King James Bible probably remember hearing the preacher say, “God inhabits the praise of his people.” But, if you look for that phrase in a newer translation, it isn’t there. Why is that? 

How does God “inhabit” our praise and what does that mean? 

What did King David mean?

King David wrote a psalm, a song of worship, which we call Psalm 22. If we hear a sermon from this psalm, it is usually during the Easter season. It is the psalm Jesus quoted from while on the cross. All Jewish people, Jesus included, would have memorized and sung the psalm often in their temple worship. 

King David wrote the psalm as a “lament.” He was apparently at a low time in his life when he felt he was lacking God’s blessings. It was a common Jewish belief in that time that if life wasn’t going well, if there were sickness or distress, then a person was lacking the divine favor of God. David wrote honest words about his distress and then taught honest words of hope about God’s favor. 

All of us have experienced those same moments in our own lives. It can seem like our prayers aren’t reaching God’s ears, or he is choosing to ignore them. It can seem like joy is a memory rather than a present reality. Everyone “laments” at some point in their spiritual journey. But God has given us the entirety of his truth in Scripture. Our laments should lead us to praise. 

King David teaches that important truth in Psalm 22, a truth that Jesus chose to remember while dying on his cross. Psalm 22 begins with the words, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest.” 

When Jesus said, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me,” he was expressing his own grief, but he was also “preaching” to his mother, his best friend John, and any other Jewish person who was listening. When Jesus spoke the first few words, the rest of the psalm would have instantly come to the minds of every Jewish person in the crowd.  

The next phrases are what Jesus wanted everyone to remember. Psalm 22:3, in the King James Bible says, “But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.” The English Standard Version of verse three says, “Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.” 

The Hebrew word for “enthroned” meant to “dwell in or inhabit.” Jesus, from the cross, was remembering and reminding those around him that God was still on his throne, still with them, and still present in their lives. 

Soon the disciples would realize that Jesus was reminding them he was the holy presence of God.  

Psalm 22 is praise and prophecy

Jesus taught from the cross that God was present, “enthroned on the praises of Israel.” Verses 4–5 say, “In you our fathers trusted; they trusted, and you delivered them. To you they cried and were rescued; in you they trusted and were not put to shame” (ESV). 

Jesus wanted his mom and his best friend, who were grieving at his feet, to remember that God delivers his people. He always has and always will. Soon, they would realize that Jesus was their deliverance. 

Jesus wanted them to know that he was the fulfillment of all that David had written about a thousand years before. 

  • Verse 6: “I am . . . scorned by mankind and despised by the people.”
  • Verse 7: “All who see me mock me.”
  • Verse 8: “He trusts in the Lᴏʀᴅ; let him deliver him.”
  • Verse 14: “I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint.”
  • Verse 15: “My tongue sticks to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death.”
  • Verse 16: “They have pierced my hands and feet.”
  • Verse 18: “They divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.”

And Jesus wanted them to remember the words they had sung often in their worship, words that King David had prophesied: “All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lᴏʀᴅ, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. For kingship belongs to the Lᴏʀᴅ, and he rules over the nations. All the prosperous of the earth eat and worship; before him shall bow all who go down to the dust, even the one who could not keep himself alive” (Psalm 22:27–29). 

Finally, Jesus wanted everyone to realize that what they were seeing take place on the cross was a fulfillment of what they had sung in their worship. Psalm 22 ends with these words: “Posterity shall serve him; it shall be told of the Lord to the coming generation; they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn, that he has done it” (Psalm 22:30–31). 

When Jesus said, “It is finished,” that’s what he meant: “He has done it.” His death provided a way for all people, from all nations, even those yet unborn, to serve God and be made righteous. That is what Jesus was telling Mary, John, and anyone else who knew David’s psalm to remember when he said, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 

Jesus gave them the first line, knowing they could sing the rest and one day understand that he was the answer to King David’s lament. 

Jesus is the answer to our laments as well. 

God inhabits our praise

Christians celebrate Easter every day we celebrate God’s presence in our lives. Before his death, Jesus told his disciples, “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me” (John 14:1).

John, the apostle at the foot of the cross, would soon learn what Jesus meant when he said, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth . . . . You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you” (John 14:16–17). 

King David knew that when he praised God, he was inviting God to be present in his life. David knew that even when there were struggles in life, he could praise God. The king could draw near to God’s presence when he worshiped at the tabernacle. The Ark of the Covenant was the “mercy seat” of God. 

Christian lives are now “the temple,” and we can praise God because his presence “indwells.” Because of Jesus, God is “enthroned” in our lives. If you want to experience God’s presence in your life, praise him for the gift of Jesus. Praise him for giving us the ability to know that Scripture holds miraculous prophecy, which has always been truth.  

I will close this blog post with the same words David closed his psalm. One thousand years after the words were written, David’s prayer was fully answered. That answer has been proven truth since Jesus. King David wrote: “Posterity shall serve him; it shall be told of the Lord to the coming generation; they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn, that he has done it” (Psalm 22:30–31). 

God has always “inhabited” the praise of his people and still does. Christians have been made righteous because of their faith in Jesus. Now, let’s continue to praise and proclaim his righteousness to others so they can live with God’s holy presence too!  

God “inhabits” the praise of his people because he is “enthroned” in our lives. 

Let’s take some time and enjoy the privilege of his presence.  

The difference between churchianity and Christianity

The auto-correct on my computer doesn’t like this title because “churchianity” isn’t a real word. 

It is, however, a real thing we need to consider. 

The difference between churchianity and Christianity relates to our worship.

What is churchianity?

There are so many benefits to growing up in church and continuing attendance as an adult. Church attendance strengthens families, guides the spiritual development of children, and provides a community of faithful people who work to know and care for each other. 

I grew up in church and married a pastor. My favorite people in this world attend church and love the Lord. I sometimes wonder who I would have become if I hadn’t known all the mentors and friends I gained from being part of a church family. 

There aren’t many downsides to lifelong church attendance, but there are a few. Nothing in this world will ever be perfect, churches included. A lot of us love the church and, if we aren’t careful, we can unknowingly confuse that with our love for Christ. 

Churchianity is to worship a church more than we worship Christ.

Not me Lord, not me

It’s possible that your first response to my definition of churchianity didn’t bother you. Those of us who are weekly church attenders would never worship a building or people in the building! 

Or do we? 

Consider these thoughts: 

  • On Sunday morning, do you say you are going to church or to worship?
  • On the way home from church, do you talk about the moments you experienced the Presence of Christ, or do you talk about who was present in the building?
  • Do you remember what you prayed for and learned from the sermon, or do you remember what someone wore, said, or the funny joke the pastor used to open his message?
  • Do you remember the songs you sang or the moments you had with the One you sang to?

We want our focus to be worship of God, yet we all have earthly idols and distractions that hinder our worship. 

There is a reason the first commandment came first. “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3). It’s the same reason Jesus said the most important commandment was “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37). Jesus said “all the law and the Prophets” depend on that priority (v. 40).

Churchianity is not Christianity

I hope you attend a church you love, and I hope you are loved and cared for by your church. It’s supposed to be that way. But don’t ask the church to fulfill your spiritual needs. That is churchianity too. An institution can’t meet your spiritual need because that is the work of Christ. 

We can’t ask a church to be at the center of our lives. Christ belongs in that spot. You won’t find a church that is able to do what only Christ can accomplish. 

A church isn’t great because they have amazing programs, facilities, and a dynamic staff. A church is great if they have the Presence of Christ. A church is great when the Holy Spirit moves among the people. A church is a great institution when it causes people to know and worship Christ. 

Now you understand the difference between churchianity and Christianity. Churchianity draws people to an institution. Christianity draws people to Christ.

Does the definition of churchianity bother you a bit more now? 

I know it bothers me. 

The churches in Vermont

As I mentioned in last week’s blog post, we recently traveled in Vermont. Jim and I thought we were going on a working vacation. Instead, God met us there to change our work. I have no idea how many hours Jim and I spent sharing the thoughts and ideas that were sparked by our visit to that beautiful, yet lost, part of our nation. 

  • Why have so many churches lost their focus and, quite frankly, lost their members? 
  • Why have churches lost their crucial position of leadership in most communities? 
  • Why have churches become institutions instead of “houses of worship?” 
  • Why did the local ABC affiliate feel the need to run a disclaimer before they televised a local church’s worship? 
  • What will happen in the years ahead? 

As I mentioned in last week’s blog post, most of the churches we saw in Vermont were closed during the week. Many of the church buildings are community centers, libraries, or something besides a church. And many of the church signs we saw were more careful to display a “cause” than they displayed “Christ.”

Churchianity is worshiping a cause instead of Christ. (Maybe I should call that one causianity instead.) And that is true even when the “cause” is something Christ would approve. It’s such a fine line sometimes, but the line is there. 

“You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3). 

In other words, we are always to be more dedicated to our worship of Christ than even the worthiest of our causes. 

It has always been a problem and it always will be

The Pharisees weren’t bad people. They had just lost sight of God. They worshiped their traditions and laws. Their devotion to rules became more important than their devotion to God. As I often say, “If you have been a Christian more than three years, you have Pharisee potential.” We can’t help it. It’s hard not to appreciate what we can prove, test, see, and measure. 

That’s what Paul taught the church in Rome. We don’t even make it out of Romans chapter 1 before he is talking about the “wrath of God” on those who “suppress the truth” of his word. He tells them creation reveals the greatness of God so no one has an excuse not to believe in their Creator.

Yet, every generation has worshiped other gods. Paul said, “They exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the created rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen” (Romans 1:25). 

We have Paul’s words and the history of Scripture. We know the truth and we know not to worship a “created” god instead of the Creator. 

But, deep down, in that honest place between you and God, is there something in your life that has taken a position of higher value or honor than your Creator? 

Churchianity, causianity, or Christianity?

In the book of Revelation, Jesus gives a message for the seven churches, a message to all churches forever. There were things the churches got right and there were things Jesus “held against them.” But after receiving the message to the churches, John was given a vision of heaven. That vision is in Revelation 4. I hope you will have time to read the entire chapter. 

For now, I want to point out the worship John witnessed that took place in heaven. He saw “the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying ‘Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created” (Revelation 4:10–11). 

To all my dear readers: that is Christianity. 

May all of us see that heavenly throne and the One who is seated there. 

May we cast our crowns before him knowing only he is worthy of our worship. 

And may that be our goal until we stand before his throne one day. 

As Christians, we may have Pharisee potential and we will fail sometimes. But, if we know the goal, we know what to shoot for. 

And our world needs us to draw people to Christ because the church can’t save and fill their souls. That work is accomplished by Christ alone. 

May we invite people to church but lead them to the throne. 

Amen?