Flip the Switch

Fall is officially here. And with a new year just a few short months away, I figured now would be a good time for reflection. In doing so, I have to forewarn you that the likelihood of running into some of 2007's ugliness is very high. Revisiting some of those painful situations/circumstances that seem to reinforce unpleasant times will probably happen. And if you really get right down to it, you could very well be moved to tears just thinking about it all. But, take heart friends. With this message, I want to show you how to "flip the switch". Light, in both the spiritual and natural realms, has the same purpose: to help you see through darkness.

Psalm 113:3 - "From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD'S name is to be praised." (KJV)

Psalms 113-118 are called the Hallel, which literally means "The Praises" in Hebrew. Hallel (sometimes spelled halal) is derived from a word which means to be clear, to give light. Translucent is an adjective that describes an object that allows light to pass through.My question now becomes, "Are you willing to become translucent?" When you are spiritually mature enough to praise God for the good, the
bad & the indifferent, you bring forth the light of Christ for others to see, which in turn makes you translucent. Circumstantial praise is conditional praise, and if done based on feelings & emotion, our translucency depends on something other than our faith. Remember, even the enemy can praise God. And if the enemy can praise Him, we must have something else to distinguish us as truly His. That something else is the light switch of which I previously spoke. In addition to praise, it's worship.

During the Old Testament, a large percentage of the people who lived in Israel lived many miles from the temple. And only those who lived close in proximity to Jerusalem could visit there regularly (though there would be no reason to if one had no sacrifice that needed offering.) The observant Israelite male might have traveled there 3 times each year as the law required (see Exodus 23:15-17), but there
is little evidence that such ever became commonplace. As a result, many Israelites would perhaps only see the temple a few times in their life. Certainly, then, there must have been other contexts in which worship would take place.

TODAY'S CHALLENGE: Worship privately. With no admirers around, no pretense, no hidden agenda & no time restraints, God can do privately what we would like for Him to do publicly: guide us through darkness by allowing His light to be seen in & through us.

Edifying, Encouraging & Enlightening,AGospelPreacha

Copyright © 2007 Joined at the Hip Ministries (http://www.jathministries.com)
All Rights Reserved.