“Sing to God, sing praise to his name, extol him who rides on the clouds — his name is the LORD— and rejoice before him. A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.”- Psalm 68:4-5


Why do we sing?

"One of the reasons we sing is to remind ourselves that it’s not about us – and we get to be part of it (God’s story)…" Rob Bell

I have grown up singing every day and every week...music seems to run through my veins(not that I am good at it, just that I really like it), it inspires me, challenges me, changes me, reminds me and is beyond me.

Words leave my mouth and go beyond my mind when I sing...singing is acknowledging that life is bigger than you

Singing to God is faith...because we sing in the good, the bad and the ugly because of who He is.

Singing is a physical statement of the joy that exists inside your heart for you are redeemed and saved by the name of Jesus.

He rides on the clouds and His name is the Lord...lets rejoice before Him!

He is high above yet he is a father to the fatherless, he is a defender of the helpless and He is Holy.

Why do I sing?

He is my everything.  I am designed to worship.  All of humanity was designed to worship. 

Lets join together and sing!

John 1:12: Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—

Restore to me my innocence oh Lord

Give me a heart that believes again

Help me to see the best in people and to trust

Lord recover this mind that doubts and rebels

Let me run again with no fear

I am yours

Your child Lord

Receive me

I believe.

+jk

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”- Philippians 4:6-7

There are a couple things I get anxious about, okay a lot, CHANGE, my family, church, money, people's opinion's of me, future, past, mistakes, more mistakes, leaders, friends, preaching and the list goes on...

SO to be asked to not be anxious about anything seems a little crazy to me.

I am really passionate about the peace of God, I need it so so so much.

Paul gives us the answer in verse 4, ⁴Rejoice in the Lord always I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
 
Because the Lord is near there really isn't anything we need to worry about.

It then comes down to us believing this and then our actions responding to this faith.

For example, you don't have enough money to pay your University fees and you could be kicked out of Uni...If you believe the Lord is near then respond in Faith by letting Him know your request with a heart of thanksgiving. 

Then whatever happens you know God is in control.  Peace comes as we know God is in control and He is near.

Don't be unwise by not showing up for work or perhaps getting a second job, you have to do what you have to do.  God is not a genie in a bottle.

Paul finishes this verse with he 'will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.'

The answer is, in Christ Jesus...

In Christ we find that peace, where he can put to rest the battle that occurs between our mind and our heart over the things of this world that worry us.

So today what are you worrying about???

Present it to God.

Go to faith because the Lord is near.

The answer is in Christ Jesus.

It all hangs on this

+jk

WE NEED A NEW HEART...

If you have a chance read first 2 chapters of Romans.

But how do you know where your heart is at?  Here are some indicators...

Matthew 12:34 - SPEECH
You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.

Matthew 15:19 - THOUGHT LIFE
For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.

Proverbs 12:23 – LEVEL OF PRIDE
A prudent man keeps his knowledge to himself, but the heart of fools blurts out folly.

Psalm 84 – YOUR DESIRE FOR GOD

2 My soul yearns, even faints,
       for the courts of the LORD;
       my heart and my flesh cry out
       for the living God.


Mark 7:18-20 – YOUR ACTIONS
18"Are you so dull?" he asked. "Don't you see that nothing that enters a man from the outside can make him 'unclean'? 19For it doesn't go into his heart but into his stomach, and then out of his body." (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods "clean.")
 20He went on: "What comes out of a man is what makes him 'unclean.'

From here we can now understand the state of our heart and turn back to God through repentance.

Where is your heart at?

+jk

Luke 23:33 The place which is called Calvary.

This is now a hill of comfort and joy. 

My heart is broken yet glad today as I climb this hill and see my saviour upon that cursed tree.

What was dark is now light and what was death is now life.

So let's live out this life that was freely given to us.

"We must not look at everyday blessings but at the transactions of the crucifixion." (Charles Spurgeon)

Out of this place I pray you are set free to enjoy sharing this time with friends, family and strangers.

The place which is called Calvary. It all hangs on this.

+jk