Seeing Deep now live on iTunes!

Daniel 2:22

“He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.”

The passage to get this project completed was harder than I could have ever imagined, but to see how God is using it already is more than worth it! He is worth it all!

Every sorrow, every difficulty was used in each song to convey God’s hope and the revelation He brings to us as we seek Him in our greatest times of adversity and peace.  May you be encouraged and God glorified.

Lord, thank You for songs in the night that my soul can sing to You which heal our hearts.  I love you, Lord!

New album Seeing Deep now live on iTunes!  Preview, buy, and download songs from the album Seeing Deep – EP, including ”Deeper,” ”Draw Me Near,” ”All About You”, “Layers”, and “Then Came You”.

Buy the album for $4.95. Songs start at $0.99.

http://itunes.apple.com/album/id1041044392?ls=1&app=itunes

Source: Check out my new album Seeing Deep distributed by TuneCore and live on iTunes!

Mundane Monday: Something in the Blood

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Leviticus 17:11-14

11 “For the life of every living thing is in the blood.   So I myself have assigned it to you on the altar to make atonement for your lives, for the blood makes atonement by means of the life.  12 Therefore, I have said to the Israelites: No person among you is to eat blood, and no resident foreigner who lives among you is to eat blood.  13“‘Any man from the Israelites or from the foreigners who reside in their midst who hunts a wild animal or a bird that may be eaten must pour out its blood and cover it with soil, 14 for the life of all flesh is its blood.  So I have said to the Israelites: You must not eat the blood of any living thing because the life of every living thing is its blood – all who eat it will be cut off.’” 

Zechariah 9:11

“Moreover, as for you, because of our covenant relationship secured with blood, I will release your prisoners from the waterless pit.”

Hebrews 13:20

“Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep.”

1 Peter 1:18-20 (NLT)

18 “For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom He paid was not mere gold or silver. 19 It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. 20 God chose him as your ransom long before the world began, but He has now revealed him to you in these last days.”

Hebrews 9:22 (NLT)

22 “In fact, according to the law of Moses, nearly everything was purified with blood. For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.”

I know – the picture kind of grosses you out, right?  it does me.  The sight of blood is enough to make some people pass out, strike still others with fear or disgust.  There is power in the blood, but it is not because of man’s perceptions.  What is it about blood?

Blood is life.  Without blood we cannot live and according to God’s word, without the shedding of blood we cannot live.  Our lives are costly and therefore the payment for our sins, which destroys our lives, is costly.  Spilled blood makes us aware of the value of the life lost.  Innately we know life is precious.

To sophisticated man, all this talk of blood is barbarian.  We would rather not hear or know about it.  It remind us that we are but dust and finite beings.  To need blood as our ransom is humbling.  We would rather be independent and provide for our own needs.  But alas, we cannot.

The offerings in the Old Testament were necessary before a holy God.  They might be hard for us to understand in our current culture, but God’s standard of a life for a life is borne out by the provision of blood covering our sins.

Today we remember His sacrifice in communion but can easily forget the symbolism of the cup of blood we drink.  His blood was spilled for our transgressions and should not lightly be accepted.  While we could not stand in the presence of God, the substitutionary death of His Son, Jesus, Who gave His life for our own, enables us to not just be forgiven of sins, but to have a relationship with a Holy God.

I had the privilege of attending a Bethel worship concert last week.  During that time, one of the worship leaders, Steffany Gretzinger, shared an insight into the power of God’s blood that has stuck with me.  She spoke of the dilemma many are in because of coming from a bloodline marred in sin, but then spoke of the hope we have in Christ’s bloodline, which trumps every bloodline on earth.

Sweet victory is ours!  Whatever our past, whatever sins were passed down or we ourselves committed, they have all been trumped by the King of kings and Lord of lords, Who set the standard for the wages of our sin then fulfilled them Himself – with His own blood.

How costly blood is, and how much more so from God Himself!  This amazing gift of salvation is not casually accepted; no, it is part of a covenantal relationship which holds us accountable.  We cannot continue in sin when such a cost was paid.  He Who set us free is worthy of our lives, as well.

Lord, how amazing You are – to know our need for Your covering before we ever were.  Thank You for Your sacrifice.  May we never take for granted this gift of Your life for ours.

Mundane Monday: Gifts are Hard Work

2 Timothy 1:6

“Because of this I remind you to rekindle God’s gift that you possess through the laying on of hands.  7 For God did not give us a spirit of fear but of power and love and self control.”

This verse is significant to me because I remember when hands were laid on me in 1988 and I was told that I would be singing and playing keyboard on stage for His glory.  I was a euphonium player at the time.  (Okay, let’s call it a mini-tuba for those of you who do not know what a euphonium is).  It paid my way through college and laid the foundation for music ministry with a degree in Music Performance.

I thought they got it wrong.  I was a brass musician who loved obscurity.  I could hide behind the music stand and not be seen.  Much has happened since that time and I marvel at the sovereignty and calling of God.  I did not know at that time that the LORD would use me to write songs for Himself or that I would serve on staff at churches.  I did not feel qualified then or now, but that is the beauty of walking with God.  He uses the weak things to bring Him glory, not experts or people righteous on their own – just broken people in need of His salvation.

Oh the depths of the wisdom of God!  His grace knows no limits and His association with fallen man is beyond words.  He does not need us, but He chooses to use us.  How can it be?

After seven years of serving as a volunteer at my church, God opened the door for me recently to be on staff as the worship leader.  I thought God was through with me serving in this role, but all the heartache, all the pain of the past seven years that caused me to set aside formal ministry have been used by our glorious God who wastes nothing.  Perseverance, dependence on Him, His faithfulness – just some of the jewels found along the way.

I just got a message this morning announcing that the five songs I recorded this summer are completed and will be available for digital download later today.  How can it be?  It has been sheer determination and one of the hardest things I have done to work full-time as an executive assistant and do the work of ministry in the evenings and weekends, balancing family time and homeschooling, but even this was ordained by God and the difficulty was necessary to work the character in that God desired.  Through this time the Seeing Deep ministry was birthed.  I am humbled and stand in awe of God and what He has done.  The difficult process we find ourselves in as we try to follow God’s will is necessary as we are so very needful of the lessons hardship infuses into our being.  When redeemed man who was once an enemy of God is used by a Holy God, it is no small thing.

Sometimes we can feel forgotten and useless, like all God has spoken to our hearts will never materialize.  We might even miss the fact that it already has been accomplished because we perceived the will of God differently.  We might think we are supposed to be in a certain position, but God brings about His will in time.

The gifts God has given us are to be developed, not just used.  It is hard work.  We can sit on the gifts and use excuses to explain why we are not using them, but it is the stewardship of those gifts in obedience to God that pleases Him, no matter How He decides to use them.  Each talent, each aspect of Who God made us to be was given to us not for us to claim as our own, but borrowed treasure to be invested for His Kingdom and glory.

It is a beautiful place to be at to be unconcerned with the results of our obedience and completely consumed, instead, with glorifying Him and sharing His message of hope and healing through song and word.  It is a miracle, indeed.  It is not a place I could ever claim to have arrived at, for it is a constant surrender and awareness of our need of Him to bring us to that place of being all about Him.  Fear of failure and of man threaten to undermine the seedling of faith that bursts in the work God has called each of us to do in our lives, but God.  Oh, that He might be glorified!

So today if you feel your calling will never come to fruition and like your life is passing you by, work at the gift and trust God with His timing and process.  It will not be easy and the enemy will come against you.  It will take your all, but it will be worth it and the rewards, eternal.

Lord, to You be all the glory!  Thank you for using us at all!  What an honor and a privilege it is to write and sing songs to my King!  Thank You for the grace and strength.  Enable us to be faithful to You, Almighty God!

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Thoughtful Thursday: The Choice of a Good Name

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Proverbs 22:1, 4, 29

“A good name is to be chosen rather than great wealth, good favor more than silver or gold. 4 The reward for humility and fearing the LORD is riches and honor and life. 29 Do you see a person skilled in his work?  He will take his position before kings;  he will not take his position before obscure people.”

2 Corinthians 6:3

“We do not give anyone an occasion for taking an offense in anything, so that no fault may be found with our ministry.”

Acts 24:16

“This is the reason I do my best to always have a clear conscience toward God and toward people.”

Colossians 4:5

“Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunities.”

A good name in the sight of God and man is more valuable than anything this world can offer.  But a good name is not the pursuit of popularity, nor is it a desire for approval from man.  Today as I read Proverbs 22, it is choosing a good name that stands out to me.  No one wants to be thought of in a bad light, but we also cannot control people’s perceptions.  So how do we choose a good name?  A faithful walk with God.

Solomon offers clues later in the same chapter about the pursuit of humility and fearing the LORD as being the most prized approach in life.  The fear of the LORD and humility are not “put on”, so how are they chosen?  We really cannot exhibit godly characteristics apart from God infusing them into us.  Humility is a recognition that we are completely incapable of anything good in and of ourselves.  It is not just a mental assent to this fact, however, as our posture is affected when we see how very needful we are of God.  So, how do we see our need of Him?

Attaining humility is not possible on our own.  We are the complete antithesis of humility, but with God all things are possible.  He often uses circumstances to affect our understanding and to produce in us what is pleasing in His sight. Sometimes we do not appreciate His methods, but we are also unaware of what He is accomplishing in us.

The fear of the LORD has been greatly misunderstood.  Recognizing that I am deserving of judgment and was instead extended mercy is the beginning of the fear of the LORD.  The fear of God can keep people at a distance from Him or it can affect us powerfully to draw nearer, prostrate and humbled by his greatness.  In this awe and a reverence of our Holy God, we conduct our lives with an accountability of all aspects of our lives laid bare before Him.

This month as been excruciatingly challenging for my family for many reasons.  In the midst of the difficulties, yesterday I paused and thanked God.  I also wept and surrendered to Him.  Had we not had some of the challenges that humbled me, I would not have been brought to the realization of what God showed me.  These momentary struggles are changing us for His glory. Sometimes pain is the best tool as it fashions us to be more like our Father.  But more than just circumstances, the discipline of seeking Him is a tool that places us in His hands to be transformed.

We are never done seeking Him and we never arrive.  Consistently walking before Him is a necessity.  Added to this foundation of humility and reverence of God is a call to be skilled.  Not so we can boast about our accomplishments, but as we seek to be faithful to our God, we need to develop all of the talents and skills He has placed in us for His glory.  It is not the seeking of our fame or acknowledgement, but the diligence of growing all of our God-given abilities for use by our Master.

However He wants to use it all is up to Him, but consistency, faithfulness, fear of the LORD, and humility speak to those around us of who we are in Christ.  Ultimately, we are hidden in Him and His Name becomes our own.  Representing Him is the highest honor we can have in this world – the best choice for a good name.  The good name we pursue is not our given name, but the name of Christ alone.

Lord Jesus, it is You we glorify – You who we want to please and be like.  Help us to never cease seeking to know You more and to embody Who You are to this world.  May we be found faithful and make You famous.

Worshipful Wednesday: Determined Praise

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Proverbs 16:28

“A perverse person spreads dissension, and a gossip separates the closest friends.”

Psalm 108:1-3

1 “A song, a psalm of David. I am determined, O God! I will sing and praise you with my whole heart. 2 Awake, O stringed instrument and harp! I will wake up at dawn! 3 I will give you thanks before the nations, O LORD! I will sing praises to you before foreigners!”

Psalm 109:1-4, 21, 26-30

1 For the music director, a psalm of David. O God whom I praise, do not ignore me! 2 For they say cruel and deceptive things to me; they lie to me. 3 They surround me and say hateful things; they attack me for no reason. 4 They repay my love with accusations, but I continue to pray. 21 O sovereign LORD, intervene on my behalf for the sake of your reputation! Because your loyal love is good, deliver me! 26 Help me, O LORD my God! Because you are faithful to me, deliver me! 27 Then they will realize this is your work, and that you, LORD, have accomplished it. 28 They curse, but you will bless. When they attack, they will be humiliated, but your servant will rejoice. 29 My accusers will be covered with shame, and draped in humiliation as if it were a robe. 30 I will thank the LORD profusely, in the middle of a crowd I will praise him…”

If you have ever been talked about, it is not much fun.  Inner turmoil is a possibility, but it does not have to be our reality. David was bugged by people spreading false rumors about him.  He told God about it, but what is so beautiful is how He rested in God as His Defender.  He did not need to refute the lies.  He just trusted that His Daddy would take care of it for him.  Even more amazing was that He knew that falsehood spread about him hurt God’s reputation because His child was being spoken about in a hateful way.  David was jealous for God’s glory and wanted His reputation cleared.  People were jealous of David and wanted his reputation marred.  David just cried out and rested in His loving Father’s acceptance and love.

We do not know fully what the attacks were on David, but He defeated it with prayer, faith and worship.  In His prayer, He uses the future tense – He had already decided and determined that He was going to praise God and He was confident that God would move on His behalf.  That is the place of peace and sincere worship.  When people attack, whether it is due to jealousy or presumptions, we are not accountable to people’s perceptions, but we are accountable to God.  In that place of suffering, a catalyst for drawing nearer to God is formed.

Our response at such times can bring Him glory, or can drag us down into the mud with the mudslingers.  Not much decision there.  I confess that when I have been in similar situations, I am hurt but I do not wish for people’s demise as strongly as David did.  I just wish people could believe the best and be all about God’s glory instead of finding things to be bugged about. The time is short and we need to be upset about things that really matter … like Christians persecuted and murdered for their faith, or a nation that is falling from within.

If we are honest, we have all spoken about others at one time or another.  We have also probably been the recipient of such treatment.  This ugly behavior even enters the church.  Although it can be painful to endure when people attack us for no reason, it is a beautiful tool in the Master’s hands, freeing us from the fear of man and stirring up fervent praise.  He is worthy at all times!

Lord, thank You for helping us to have Your perspective and for bearing all of our burdens.  I worship You, Lord, and thank You that You are our Defender.  May You be glorified in our moments of blessing and in challenging times, as well.

Truthful Tuesday: Exposed in His Presence

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Leviticus 10: 1-3

Then Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu, each took his fire pan and put fire in it, set incense in it, and presented strange fire before the LORD, which He had not commanded them to do. 2 So fire went out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them so that they died before the LORD. 3 Moses then said to Aaron, “This is what the LORD spoke: ‘Among the ones close to me I will show myself holy, and in the presence of all the people I will be honored.”  So Aaron kept silent. 

Leviticus 11:44a-45

“For I am the LORD your God and you are to sanctify yourselves and be holy because I am holy… 45 For I am the LORD who brought you up from the land of Egypt to be your God, and you are to be holy because I am holy.”

Nothing is hidden from the LORD.  It is folly to try to conceal anything in the first place, but we easily go astray and are deceived into thinking we can rationalize our unfaithfulness and make it acceptable in the sight of the One Holy One.

He is the same God today – still Holy in a new covenant.  He still wants our first fruits, our best – and is worthy of such an offering.  Somehow we buy into the philosophy that this amazing God of grace will wink His eye at our futile attempts because we “tried”.  It is this lukewarm washed down mentality that condones sin as being what is common and yet there is a cry in our souls that we are to seek to be Holy as He is Holy.  He who gave His very best, His only Son, expects such a sacrifice from those Who would receive such a mighty gift.

Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu were serving the LORD.  Not sure what the strange fire was, but it was straying from what God commanded.  What a privilege it is to serve in God’s house.  Not because of position, but because of His incredible redemption – taking rebels steeped in self and sin and changing them to humble servants, seeking to do His will.  So what happened?  How did Nadab and Abihu stray?  Were they placed there in a position that they were not qualified for because of relationship?  Did they have accountability?  There is not much that I detest more than seeing one of God’s children failing spiritually.  The ensuing disillusionment for many affected is devastating – all over choices made to gratify self instead of pleasing a Holy God.

The example of Aaron’s sons terrifies me because I want to be found faithful but see the same capability in myself. Corruption is the natural course for us all, apart from accountability, the grace of God and the fear of God firm in our hearts. Could this sin have been avoided?  We can try to blame Dad, but his sons were all grown up by this point.  Maybe something was lacking in their training and they could have filled a two-part series on Oprah about the struggles of being PK’s.  I don’t know, but I do know that we have no one to blame for our own faithlessness other than ourselves.

In the struggle of humanity, His grace is still available to all who would reach for it.  The problem is we often do not see our need of it.  The lavish grace and blood spilled out on our behalf was not so we could just be saved and live apart from Him, but His pure, Holy sacrifice serves as a vivid reminder of the depravity of our soul when left to our own devices.  It cost HIm His life.  Back to Aaron’s sons.  They were there, offering sacrifices – right in front of them the reality of sin’s consequences – blood spilled out to cover sins – and it became merely ritual to them, something they could do their way.

This same attitude is in the church today.  Elements of the church service are fought over as different perspectives over how each aspect of our worship service should be done.  Wow, has the body of Christ missed it big time.  It is all about Him. How can we reveal His love and glory to those coming, hungering for more of Him?

In our desire to serve God and share His salvation with a lost world, we can easily get lost and forget in the midst of our programs and plans that we still serve a Holy God.  Familiarity with the church service can become religious dogma, but God is watching to see who acknowledges Him and His holiness in the midst of our routine.  Maybe routine is a distraction that can cover our nakedness before the LORD.  It is easier to go through the motions than to lay our hearts transparent before Him to do surgery.  Don’t get me wrong – order in our services is a framework that can really glorify God, but God help us to never allow that framework to become mere duty.  Nothing is routine with Him and He wants to fill our churches with His presence.

This weary world is spiraling out of control.  Judgment is coming and it starts with us – with God’s church.  The time to quarrel about techniques and perspectives is over.  The days are evil.  We must be all about cooperation and God’s glory. If we rend our hearts and set aside trying to sanitize our waywardness and instead expose our desperate need for a Holy God, in that beautiful place is liberty and true worship of our King.  He reveals our sin that we might confess our sins and find incredible mercy in His presence.

Mundane Monday: The Purpose of the Law

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1 Timothy 1:5-8

5 “But the aim of our instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. 6 Some have strayed from these and turned away to empty discussion. 7 They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not understand what they are saying or the things they insist on so confidently. 8 But we know that the law is good if someone uses it legitimately.”

Psalm 119:30

“I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I have set my heart on your laws.”

Here it is a Monday again.  The day-in, day-out drudgery of the work week awaits us as we open our eyes to a new week.  Well, that is one perspective.  Another viewpoint is one of gratitude.  Today is Labor Day and today I thank God for the gift of work and for a mission He has called each of us to.  We are blessed to have work and blessed to be able to work.  Work is one of the occupations God gave us to do in His sovereign wisdom that sometimes our flesh resists, much like the laws He has in place, which is the topic today for all of us rule breakers at heart.

Laws.  Deemed as spoilers by some, a means to judge others or of self-righteousness to some, and to still others a moment of grace – of seeing our need for salvation once we see within ourselves the inability to perfectly adhere to God’s law.

Everywhere there are signs of mankind’s desire for no limits.  What is it about rules that sparks a seed of rebellion in our hearts and deceives a people?  To some, breaking rules seems like freedom.  We are doing what we want to do.  Or are we?  The irony of submitting to our fleshly desires is that in doing what we want to do, we become a taskmaster for our own destruction.

The limits set in place by an all-wise, all-knowing God are intended for our benefit.  In our deception we strive for what we perceive is a thing of beauty – no accountability, no hindrance of following someone else’s idea, and yet that pursuit is what becomes our prison, after all.

It is so beautiful that the aim of God’s laws and instruction is love.  God is not a spoiler of fun.  Sin destroys us and He wants us to be in relationship with Him – not separated from Him.  He hates to see us suffer from poor choices made at the altar of the gods of self and pleasure.

We are all subject to God’s laws, universal and spiritual, whether or not we want to be.  No one escapes the law of gravity, and while some might escape the consequences of disobeying civil or spiritual laws for a season, seared consciences are the penalty borne and ultimately all deeds will be judged by the Perfect law maker and giver, Jesus Christ.

A rule breaker can be deemed as “cool” by the world and a rule keeper seen as “prudish”, but it is how one keeps the law that matters.  Just as rebellion is not acceptable in the sight of God, neither is legalism.  Rationalizing which rules are important and which ones are not also does not change the premise of walking in the liberty of following God’s laws regarding ethics, big or small laws.

Our flesh does not like to be held accountable or to have to conform to someone else’s plan, and yet His plan is best.  We want our way, and yet God beautifully has designed a structure of leadership and accountability that ultimately provides care for those who will submit to His leadership.

People can use laws for their own ends, manipulating the original intent in an attempt to justify their actions.  But inside a voice cries out for truth and righteousness if we listen.  Breaking rules does not bring the peace of God nor satisfy the heart cry of our soul.  God’s loving and perfect laws are safe boundaries He designed that are kept and fulfilled only by the grace of God.

Lord, thank you for revealing our need for your salvation.  Help us to love the boundaries You have so wisely set in our lives.  May we resist the flesh and live lives for Your glory.

Worshipful Wednesday: Worshiping the Grumbles Away

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Psalm 105:1-5

Give thanks to the LORD! Call on his name! Make known his accomplishments among the nations! 2 Sing to him! Make music to him! Tell about all his miraculous deeds! 3 Boast about his holy name! Let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice! 4 Seek the LORD and the strength he gives! Seek his presence continually! 5 Recall the miraculous deeds he performed, his mighty acts and the judgments he decreed.”

Psalm 106:1, 7, 12,13, 20-25, 29, 35-45

Praise the LORD! Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, and his loyal love endures! 7 Our ancestors in Egypt failed to appreciate your miraculous deeds, they failed to remember your many acts of loyal love, and they rebelled at the sea, by the Red Sea. 12 They believed his promises; they sang praises to him. 13 They quickly forgot what he had done; they did not wait for his instructions. 20 They traded their majestic God for the image of an ox that eats grass. 21 They rejected the God who delivered them, the one who performed great deeds in Egypt, 22 amazing feats in the land of Ham, mighty acts by the Red Sea. 23 He threatened to destroy them, but Moses, his chosen one, interceded with him and turned back his destructive anger. 24 They rejected the fruitful land; they did not believe his promise. 25 They grumbled in their tents; they did not obey the Lord.  28 They worshiped Baal of Peor, and ate sacrifices offered to the dead.  29 They made the Lord angry  by their actions, and a plague broke out among them. 35 They mixed in with the nations and learned their ways.  36 They worshiped their idols, which became a snare to them. 37 They sacrificed their sons and daughters to demons. 38 They shed innocent blood – the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan. The land was polluted by bloodshed. 39 They were defiled by their deeds, and unfaithful in their actions. 40 So the Lord was angry with his people and despised the people who belong to him. 41 He handed them over to the nations, and those who hated them ruled over them. 42 Their enemies oppressed them; they were subject to their authority.  43 Many times he delivered them, but they had a rebellious attitude, and degraded themselves by their sin. 44 Yet he took notice of their distress, when he heard their cry for help. 45 He remembered his covenant with them, and relented because of his great loyal love. 

The saga of the broken down cars began to ebb away on nerves yesterday.  I confess I had a pity party.  Alright, I grumbled.  We are all entitled to a little grumbling every now and then, right?  Hmmm . . . maybe not.  I was praising Him in the storm on Monday and ready for the trial to be over by Tuesday.  Patient, aren’t I?  This morning I was so thankful for a correction in my attitude from a loving God.  His Word is just as effective and able to speak to us from a message spoken thousands of years ago to some other grumbling spirits . . .

The sea was parted for them to cross and God defended them like no other, but they were bummed over the food God provided.  While I have judged them in the past, the same whining and ingratitude can flow in my veins, IF I let it.

We were made to praise God.  Our hearts need to praise the living God, the One Who is far greater than ourselves.  We need to thank Him, sing to Him, boast about Him, seek Him and remember all that He has done for us.  This thankfulness expressed to God changes us.  But what if we don’t?  What if we choose to complain about what God has allowed in?  This passage truly is a sobering one and injects the fear of God in me.  When we do not praise God, we are not doing what we were created to do, but the consequences of ceasing to thank God at all times are devastating, as well.

The destruction of a people began because they failed to appreciate what God had done.  That simple.  They also forgot God – the One who made them.  They chose to focus on what they felt were unfair circumstances and replaced the glory of God for complaints about things that don’t matter in all of eternity.  Ultimately, they forgot how important it was to be a grateful people.  How do we fail to appreciate God?

Thinking we deserve more than what He has allotted to us is perhaps one of the chief causes.  I remember being caught off guard by a brother who, when I asked him how he was doing, he said to me “better than I deserve”.  I recognized in that moment the humility and grace to be able to say such a statement.  Could I say that with the same sincerity?

It is easy to be religious and say the typical statements associated with ascribing glory to God, but God knows our hearts.  The words fall flat when my being is not completely about bringing Him glory but is distracted, instead by bitterness, unforgiveness or irritation over our discomfort.

The root sin long ago and today is the same – a lack of thankfulness and not purposing in our hearts to be faithful to acknowledge the God Who gave us everything.  Like Jonah, who grumbled when God took away the vine He had previously provided, we must hold all that He gives us loosely and be thankful for all he has given and done for us, even when He chooses to remove the blessings He has provided, too.

God help us to see our need of Him.  How quickly our spirits can go from worshiping Him to making our worship a thing of mere duty.  Slowly time with Him can be crowded out and before you know it, gratitude is replaced with a distrust in God, if we are not careful.

The enemy is ready to take us down the lane of ingratitude.  He knows the ending result – our demise.  But we do have a choice, as powerful as emotions can be.  To be thankful even when the chips are down, to love even when someone has hurt us and to forgive as we have been forgiven.  These actions are catalysts for sincere worship and gratitude to our God, Who is so very worthy of our praise!

Lord, we take so much for granted.  Please forgive us for the many times we have chosen grumbling over gratitude.  Spur us on to worship You in all circumstances.