Get up and Praise Him

Greetings:

1 Chron 29:13b (KJV): "...and praise thy glorious name."

The word for praise in this part of the verse means to boast about. It is in the piel form that usually expresses an "intensive" or "intentional" action. It can also mean a repeated action.

David finishes this section with an encouraging directive for us to repeatedly intentionally boast about God. We should be proud to tell others that we are His. We should not hesitate to share what He has done for us. As a Dad and Granddad, I boast on my children all the time. After all, they are the best in the world. There are numerous jokes about "My Dad is better than your Dad." So why not boast about our Heavenly Father!

We should not be hesitant to boast about God. Today, find someone and boast to them about your Heavenly Father.

For Kingdom Education,
Doc

Thank You

Greetings:

1 Chron 29:13a (KJV): "Now therefore, our God, we thank thee..."

One of my mentors used to say, "When you see a therefore in the Scriptures, you should see what the therefore is therefore." The therefore is a hinge. It ties what has been to what is coming.

David in this passage is praising God for the generosity that He made possible for the building of the Temple. He is thanking God. All that we have considered up to this point is David expressing his delight and enjoyment in God. Now, he says what he is making this all about -- thanks.

Today, seek to find ways to thank God for all that He has provided and done for you.

For Kingdom Education,
Doc

Encourager

Greetings:

1 Chron 29:12e (KJV): "...and to give strength unto all."

I can remember as a young fellow playing softball for the Cub Scouts my parents giving me encouraging comments. They helped to boost my spirits when I didn't do as well as I should, and helped to challenge me to reach for more when I did.

The word "strength" in the original language means strength, but also to encourage and to make firm. To basically to establish one in what they are doing.

As God seeks to give you strength today, seek to share that with someone else. Seek to encourage and make others firm in their walk with the Lord.

For Kingdom Education,
Doc

Uplifter

Greetings:

1 Chron 29:12d (KJV): "...and in thine hand it is to make great..."

To make great. The word means to magnify, to cause to grow. This is a wonderful thing that God does for His children. He lifts us up.

The Bible makes it clear that all promotion and demotion ultimately comes from God. It is His hand that will lift a person up. It is His heart that will lift up our spirits. He is the provider who establishes wealth and fame, He holds dominion over our lives, He directs our paths, and He lifts our hearts and spirits.

Today, thank Him for all that He has given you. Let Him lift your spirit to soar with the eagles.

For Kingdom Education,
Doc

A Memorial

Greetings:

Jousha 4:7c (KJV): "these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever."

Today we celebrate Memoria Day. Consider a little history of this day. The following is from Wikipedia.

"Memorial Day is a United States Federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May (on May 25 in 2009). Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates U.S. men and women who died while in military service to their country. First enacted to honor Union soldiers of the American Civil War (it is celebrated near the day of reunification after the civil war), it was expanded after World War I to include
American casualties of any war or military action.

According to Professor David Blight of the Yale University History Department, the first memorial day was observed in 1865 by liberated slaves at the historic race track in Charleston. The site was a former Confederate prison camp as well as a mass grave for Union soldiers who died in captivity. The freed slaves reinterred the dead Union soldiers from the mass grave to individual graves, fenced in the graveyard and built an entry arch declaring it a Union graveyard. This was a daring action for them to take in the South shortly after the North's victory. On May 30, 1868, the freed slaves returned to the graveyard with flowers they had picked from the countryside and decorated the individual gravesites, thereby creating the first Decoration Day.
A parade by thousands of freed blacks and Union soldiers from the area was
followed by patriotic singing and a picnic.

The official birthplace of Memorial Day is Waterloo, New York. The village was credited with being the place of origin because it observed the day on May 5, 1866, and each year thereafter.

[There has been a lot of contention over the origin of this holiday.]

On May 26, 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed a Presidential Proclamation recognizing Waterloo as the Birthplace of Memorial Day."

No matter where it baegan, today spend some time remembering those who gave their lives so that we might be free.

For Kingdom Education,
Doc

The Hand of God

Greetings:

1 Chron 29:12c (KJV): "...and in thine hand is power and might..."

Today is the Graduation ceremonies for the class of 2009 at Montrose Christain School. The Commencement Service for the Senior Class. Many think this is the ending ceremony - but in actuality it is the beginning - the beginning of their lives as adults in the world. They are moving from the world of academia to the world out there.

This verse is a good reminder that it is God who holds everything in the palm of His hand. Our lives, our occupations, our income, our intelligence, our.....

And if we will trust Him, in His hand is the mastery, strength and bravado that we need to face this world.

Today, remind yourself first, then tell someone else that it is OK - it is all in God's Hand. Trust Him.

For Kingdom Education,
Doc

He Reigns!

Greetings:

1 Chron 29:12b (KJV): "...and thou reignest over all..."

Once again we see that little word with such a grand magnitude -all. David, the King of Israel, recognized who it is that is the ultimate Ruler of all. God. He is the One who has dominion over all of Creation.

Right now, pause from what you are doing and seek to praise the One who rules. Take a few minutes and give Him praise for who He is. And, most importantly, let Him have dominion over your life.

For Kingdom Education,
Doc

Provider

Greetings:

1 Chron 29:12a (KJV): "Both riches and honour come of thee...."

Just what most Americans are chasing after. Wealth and prestige. We want to have money and fame. We want...

David in this prayer knows who controls this commodity. God. The reason that they had so much for the building of the Temple was not because of the people, it was from God. He is the One who controls all aspects of this. He knows exactly what we can handle. And He gives us exactly what we can handle.

George Mueller of England knew that God was the provider and trusted Him daily for the provision of his many orphans. Tales are many of them setting to the table for a meal with no food in the house, praying and thanking God for His provision and having someone knock and offer them a days worth of food.

Who do you trust for your provision? Do you trust the One who holds it all, or do you seek to handle it yourself?

Today, pause and give thanks for what you have from the Hand of the Almighty.

For Kingdom Education,
Doc

Headship

Greetings:

1 Chron 29:11h (KJV): "...O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all."

When I first read this section, I thought that I would be the one who exalted God. However, upon researching this part I found that the word translated "exalted" is in what is called the Hithpael form (impressed?). What that means is that it is a reflexive action - in this case God exalts Himself. He is the One who makes Himself the summit, the peak, the head of all.

Now, if you or I were to exalt ourselves, people would think we were boastful and proud. They would consider us conceited. However, when God does it, He can because He IS above all things. Earlier we talked about the inclusiveness of the word all. There is absolutely nothing that is above God. So, He can exalt Himself.

And most importantly - we need to recognize this truth. And when we do, we can truly offer a stirring paean ofpraise to Him as David has done in verse 11. The crescendo has met its full intensity - GOD IS ABOVE ALL. GOD IS EXALTED!

Today, find some time to acknowledge the headship and exaltation of God. Tell Him so.

For Kingdom Education,
Doc

Kingdom Dwellers

Greetings:

1 Chron 29:11g (KJV): "...thine is the kingdom, O LORD..."

David was king. He understood being a leader of a kingdom. However, in his thanksgiving praise he recognizes the factor that there is One who is the King of the Kingdom.

We live our lives today as dwellers in the Kingdom of God. We are ambassadors as the New Testament says to a strange and different world. The old song says, "This world is not my home, I'm only passing through...."

We need to lift up our heads and begin to live as those who are citizens of THE Kingdom. Our King is none other than Jesus. Our task is to bring as many people into citizenship ofthis Kingdom. As we start off this week, consider ways to live as a Kingdom Dweller.

For Kingdom Education,
Doc

Complete Ownership

Greetings:

1 Chron 29:11f (KJV): "...for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine..."

You know what I like about that little three-letter word "all." That is totally, completely, entirely, perfectlly, fully, absolutely, utterly, in all respcts everything included. Nothing is left out. If one little thing is left out - then it is not all.

David here makes us appreciate the enormatiy of God's ownership. He owns it ALL. Everything we have - it belongs to Him. We are just allowed to use it for His glory. The question comes up, are we using it for His glory, or our own?

Today, every time that you see or touch something, think to yourself - this belongs to God.

For Kingdom Education,
Doc

Grandeur

Greetings:

1 Chron 29: 11e (KJV): "...and the majesty..."

A couple of days ago I pondered the glory of God. David is so carried away in his sacrifice of praise to God that he once again refers to God's majesty. This is a differnt word in the original and therefore would carry a different shade of meaning. The earlier one spoke of the glory that comes from the position of the One described. This one speaks of the majesty that comes from the beauty and grandeur of the One being addressed.

Again, I could recite a liturgy of beauty from the cosmos around us to describe the intensity of the feeling expressed. David is reaching a crescendo of praise. As he seeks to give thanks and honor to God, you can almost feel the intensity of his words growing. It is like a musical peice that builds and builds and builds.

As I pondered this passage, I noticed that David uses 5 nouns to descibe God. In scriptural numerology, the number 5 stands for grace. I find myself musing over the majesty of God's great grace that he has provided for me. Without His grace, I am nothing. With it, I am his adopted son. Now, if that doesn't conjure up visions of majesty....

Today, praise God for the grandeur of His great grace.

For Kingdom Education,
Doc

Everlasting Goal

Greetings:

1 Chron 29: 11d (KJV): "...and the victory..."

We live in a day and age that challenges us to set goals and achieve them. The Leadership Institutes out there discuss SMART Goals. You know - Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Timely. Well, David here is refering to a goal when he is praising God.

The word used here I am told refers to a goal. However, it carries the image of a perpetual, everlasting goal. Most of our lives, we set goals and either reach them or strive to. But, at some point we then seek out other goals. David says that God is the perpetual, everlasting goal. Whne we have a relationship with Him, we have reached the summit. This goal will last forever.

Today, offer a sacrifice of prasie to God that He is your goal. And that this goal lasts forever.

For Kingdom Education,
Doc

Beauty and Honor

Greetings:

1 Chron. 29: 11c (KJV): "...and the glory..."

Beauty, honor, majesty, rank. These are some of the words that could be used to descibe this idea that was in David's heart as he praised God for His goodness.

I have always loved listening and singing the praise song "Majesty." I love reading Isaiah 6: 1-3. I am awed by Revelation 4:11 and 5:9-10. I love looking at the canvas of thesky under the painting of a sunset. And I love looking at the moon, stars, and night sky. Mountains thrill me. Ocean waves cause unutterable sensations. The valleys of the Great Smoky Mountains cause me to hold my breath. The.... well you get the idea.

Today, stop where you are and soak in the glory of God. Look around you. And then for at least one minute proclaim your admiration for the glory.

For Kingdom Education,
Doc

Force and Valor

Greetings:

1 Chron. 29:11b (KJV): "...and the power..."

We have been considering David's great prayer of Thanksgiving in the very last chapter of 1 Chronicles. He is giving a sacrifice of praise to God for His provision for the Temple. In the prayer, David ascribes praise to a number of God's attributes and descriptions.

Here David reminds us of the "power" of God. This word in the Hebrew carries the idea of force, mastery, valor, strength, and bravery. God is the epitome of all these characteristics. Oftne when we are facing challenges in our lives, we feel that we are facing them alone. But, as children of God, He is there with us. And He is "power." I think about my lifeverse in Isaiah 40:31 where it speaks about exchanging my strength for God's. I can face the struggles knowing that it can be in His "power." I can have valor, I can have mastery, I can have strength, and I can have bravery.

Today, ponder the "power" of God. And better yet, let Him exchange your weakness for His strength.

For Kingdom Education,
Doc

Mighty Acts

Greetings:

1 Chron 29: 11a (KJV): "Thine, O LORD is the greatness,..."

After showing us to give public, personal, and perpetual praise to God - David begins to do it. He starts this great prayer of acknowledgement and thanksgiving with the recognition of the greatness of God. The original word carries the idea of dignity, greatness, and mighty acts.

Here David is thanking God for the great way that He had provided for the construction of the Temple. God had provided all the materials through His leaders of Israel. David saw how this would be such a mighty testimony before the people. It would encourage them to follow suit.

David begins his recitation of praise by ascribing to God the responsiblity for the great acts that they had witnessed. Today, can you give glory to God by praising Him for the great things He has done in your life.

For Kingdom Education,
Doc

Eternal Praise

Greetings:

1 Chron. 29: 10c (KJV): "... for ever and ever."

We are considering praying to God's glory from the thanksgiving prayer of David in 1 Chronicles. David gave praise in his prayer publically, personnally, and now consider he was fully aware of the perpetuity of this praise.

The phrase here seeks of praising until perpetuity. As some have said from everlasting to everlasting. From eternity past to eternity future. The praise that is offered God is a continous praise that never ceases.

I though of the fact that all creation resounds with the sound of praise to the Creator (consoder the many statements in Psalms), and the concept is that all men should do the same.

David understood this clearly. He knew that giving a praise salutation to God was something that should be done without any break.

Today is the National Day of Prayer. Slip aside for a brief period and practice giving unbroken praise to God. Don't ask for anything, just praise Him. Then take some time to pray for our nation.

For Kingdom Education,
Doc

Blessing God

Greetings:

1 Chron. 29: 10b (KJV): "...and David said, Blessed be thou, LORD God of Israel our father,"

Can we bless God? Don't we usually seek for Him to bless us?

David got it right here. Yes, God does bless us, however we were created to praise God, and one of the ways of doing this is offering our blessings to Him. David was very specific in who he was talking too, and he was certian of the grandeur of the one he was addressing.

Still, he offered his blessings to God. When was the last time that you blessed God? The word used here simply means to kneel before, to bless, to praise, to salute. When you pray to God, is it always to receive something, or do you ever just talk to Him and salute Him for who He is.

David is about to thank God for His abundant blessing, and he begins by offering a verbal sacrifice of praise to God.

Today, take some time just to offer praise to the One who is our Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer, our Maker (as the song says).

For Kingdom Education,
Doc

Public Praise

Greetings:

1 Chron. 29:10a (KJV): "Wherefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation:"

The first truth that I have gleaned from this passage is that when God does great and marvelous things - we should give Him praise. We should not take the honor to ourselves, but place it where it really belongs - on Him.

Notice also, David didn't go off into some remote corner and whisper his thanks to God. He made sure everyone around him knew it was God's doing. Even today we talk about how great it was that David gathered all the materials for the building of the Temple -- David makes it plain that it was not him, it was Him.

When things happen in our lives, we need to give God the praise before others. This is a very important way to witness to the reality and sovereignty of God.

Today, seek to give praise to God before others for the things that are in your life.

For Kingdom Education,
Doc

David's Prayer of Thanksgiving

Greetings:

I am musing over David's grand prayer of Thanksgiving located in 1 Chronicles 29: 10-13. He has commissioned Solomon to build the Temple and told how much he had gathered for the task. The leaders were so challenged that they gave a tremedous amount of supplies for the construction of the Temple also. David then proceeds to give God the glory before all the people by praying this prayer. Join me this month in considering what he is saying in these three verses.

1 Chron. 29_10-13 (KJV): "Wherefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be thou, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever. Thine, O LORD is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name."

Let's see where God leads us in this prayer.

For Kingdom Education,
Doc

God Loves Nobodies

Greetings:

To start this new month, I am borrowing from Dr. David Jeremiah a thought that we all should keep in mind.

"And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before [the shepherds], and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid." Luke 2:9

A gospel group called The Williams Brothers had a hit with their song, "I'm Just a Nobody." It was about a down-and-out man who lived on the streets and spent his days telling people about Jesus. He was laughed at and harassed by passersby, but that didn't stop him. The chorus of the song was his life message: "I'm just a nobody trying to tell everybody about Somebody who can save anybody."

The shepherds in the fields outside Bethlehem might have felt the same way when the angels from heaven appeared to them: "Why did God choose us, a bunch of nobodies, to be the first to hear of the birth of the Messiah in Bethlehem?" They were just a bunch of nobodies who probably later told everybody about the Somebody in Bethlehem who could save anybody.

Why did God reveal himself to shepherds instead of to important royal officials? Perhaps to signal the kind of king who was coming into the world: gentle and humble, a servant-Shepherd who came to tend to God's flock.

If you sometimes feel like a nobody, rejoice! God seems to gravitate to the nobodies of this world when He wants them to meet Somebody who can save everybody.

"God uses men who are weak and feeble enough to lean on Him." Hudson Taylor

For Kingdom Education,
Doc