Prepare to worship The “Up!” Devo for October 29 Worship is a big part of what we do as God’s people. First and foremost, God deserves it. He’s THAT good. No wonder Psalm 96:9 encourages us to worship God “in all his holy splendor. Let all the earth tremble before him.” Worship also nourishes us … Continue reading Prepare to worship
praise and worship
Peace through music
In these past few devotionals I’ve been talking about rooting yourself in the peace of Christ as discussed by Paul in Colossians 3:15. Peace. It’s a good idea, isn’t it? When we’re surrounded by so much change, challenge, stress, and strain, peace feels like water-in-the-dessert! Notice what Paul says in the next verse in Colossians 3:16: … Continue reading Peace through music
A worship state of mind
Today, let’s worship God. ‘But Matthew, it’s not Sunday.’ Well, yes—you’re right. It’s not. But worship is an all-the-time thing, not just a some-of-the-time thing. Theologian John Piper writes that “worship means consciously knowing and treasuring and showing the supreme worth and beauty of God.”* Oh yes. While there is something special that happens on … Continue reading A worship state of mind
Subconscious worship
I’m a firm believer that what you do shapes you. I’ve talked about that before. Your daily habits impact your thinking and your decisions. When you pray regularly, you’re more likely to see God at work in your daily life. And when you serve or volunteer regularly, you’re more likely to feel like the hands … Continue reading Subconscious worship
For a healthier and better grounded you
Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about mental health. According to the Canadian Association of Mental Health, mental illness affects people of all ages and backgrounds. Suicide accounts for 24% of all deaths for 15-24 year olds. And by age 40, about fifty percent of people in my country will have or have had a … Continue reading For a healthier and better grounded you
What if God was Einstein and we were ants
Imagine a small child wandered into an operating room at a hospital only to discover their daddy cut open on a table, surrounded by doctors holding knives and wearing weird masks. Oh, and there’s blood all over the place. Naturally, the child would scream out, “Nooo! Stop hurting daddy!” The child simply didn’t realize that … Continue reading What if God was Einstein and we were ants
Sing the truth into your heart
The word “minister” isn’t just a noun—it’s a verb. To “minister” to someone is to serve someone, or to care for someone, especially in a spiritual context. In the past month I’ve heard people say that someone “ministered” to them through a friendly conversation. Another person felt that someone “ministered” to them when they prayed … Continue reading Sing the truth into your heart
The battle plan
Psalm 95:1 says, “Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!” It’s no secret that I like statements of truth which are clear, practical, and to-the-point. I came across one of these recently by author and speaker Lysa TerKeurst. Here it is: “My … Continue reading The battle plan
