Wonders of the Web: “Lodron”

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Beauty, Culture, Joy, Mozart, Music, Orchestra, Piano

What’s better than a virtuoso pianist playing Mozart at the head of a fine orchestra? Two! The Jussen brothers and the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra play Mozart’s Piano Concerto No.7.

Wonders of the Web: “November”

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Culture, Joy, Music, Orchestra, Symphony, Violin

If you’ve never listened to Max Richter’s “November,” played by Mari Samuelson and the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, now is the chance to fill this gaping hole in your life.

Tuesday Tea-ology, 12/22/20

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Adoption, Advent, Christianity, Christmas, God, God the Son, Gospel, Hope, Incarnation, Jesus Christ, Joy, Theology, Trinity, Tuesday Tea-ology

A Christmas-y tea-ology to you! God the Son became man for our salvation; now, that’s worth celebrating!

A New Song

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Christianity, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Devotional, Faith, Faithfulness, God, Hope, Joy, Pandemic, Peace, Redemption, Salvation

“He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.  Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD” (Psalm 40:3, ESV).

            David details the deliverance for which he waited patiently (v.1), and which God brought in a complete rescue and restoration to security (v.2).  This third verse describes the effect of God’s rescue upon David’s heart, and upon those who will behold what God has done; the wonders of God’s love restore joy to the soul, and testify to the greatness of God.

            However rocky the road may be, the destination for God’s people is joy.  God’s salvation, the wonderful working of His power and love, brings songs of worshipful delight, and declares that He alone is the source of salvation.  Wait upon Him, trust Him, and He will lift you up.

Trust in the Lord

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Christianity, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Devotional, Forgiveness, God, Hope, Jesus Christ, Joy, Life, Pandemic, Peace

“Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the LORD.  Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!” (Psalm 32:10-11, ESV).

            This concludes David’s psalm of gratitude for God’s deliverance.  He has traced his gratitude for God’s forgiveness (vv.3-5), and offered the wise advice that others should turn to the Lord (vv.6-9), the exhortation to repentance and faith which comes from an experience of God’s redeeming love.  Here follows the moral, the message of life in returning to the Lord—and it is a message of joy.

            God invites us to know the comfort and protection of His love, and the joy that comes from a right relationship with Him.  In Christ, He forgives all our sins and makes us clean and holy in His sight; He shelters us and blesses us; He promises us a home forever with Him.  Whatever challenges you face today, take joy and hope in the wonderful love of God.

Embrace Peace

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Christianity, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Devotional, God, Joy, Pandemic, Peace, Security, Trust

“For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me; you take me out of the net they have hidden for me, for you are my refuge.  Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God” (Psalm 31:3-5, ESV).

In this psalm, David moves between pleas for God’s deliverance and recognition of God’s protecting power.  He begins with the petition that God would save him, making particular use of the image of a fortress or place of defense (vv.1-2).  The following verses carry a tone of confidence, recognizing that God is indeed his place of safety, his protector—and so he entrusts himself to the Lord’s care.

Entrust yourself to God.  He cares for His children; for them, He is a stronghold of safety, a trustworthy guide, a mighty deliverer.  Against the dangers and uncertainties of the world, God is the faithful defender of His own.  Let us rest ourselves in Him, and embrace the peace that comes from praying to God, “Into your hand I commit my spirit”.

Enthroned over the Flood

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Christianity, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Devotional, Divine Sovereignty, God, Hope, Joy, Pandemic, Peace, Strength

“The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD sits enthroned as king forever.  May the LORD give strength to his people!  May the LORD bless his people with peace!” (Psalm 29:10-11, ESV).

            From beginning to end, Psalm 29 declares the majesty, supremacy, and awesome power of God.  After beginning with the call to proclaim His glory (vv.1-2), the heart of the psalm praises the power of God’s voice (vv.3-9), which echoes through creation.  These last verses (vv.10-11) settle on God’s reign, even over the wild chaos of the world.  This focus on God enthroned leads to the triumphant petition that He would strengthen and bless His people.

            When we see the swirling chaos of the floods of life, we can take confidence in our God, who “sits enthroned over the flood”.  The LORD is King!  His people can trust Him and keep joyful hope in every circumstance.  Make this your prayer, in troubles and uncertainty: may God give us strength, and pour out upon us the blessing of His peace.  He is able.  He is King.

Exult in His Strength

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Christianity, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Devotional, Faith, God, Hope, Joy, Pandemic, Security, Strength

“The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him” (Psalm 28:7, ESV).

            David calls out to God, confident that He will be heard because of God’s steadfast love.  Yet again we read words of confidence coming at the end of a petitionary passage.  For the first five verses of this psalm, David has cried out to God for deliverance and for judgment upon the wicked.  But at length he turns to assurance, and blesses God, who hears his pleas (v.6).  God is his protection, and he knows that in the Lord he will find help; praise results (v.7).            

Do we take refuge in God, and find the comfort and delight of those who know His deliverance?  God’s strength is a great comfort to His people, for He is their strength and protection against harm and trouble.  Trusting in Him, we will be able to sing songs of grateful praise, even in the midst of danger.  The thanks of the faithful begins with expectation, and rejoicing in God our Deliverer.

His Own

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Adoption, Christianity, Comfort, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Devotional, Faith, God, Hope, Joy, Pandemic, Peace, Providence, Strength

“But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him” (Psalm 4:3, ESV).

            David began the fourth Psalm with a plea to God to hear his prayer, twice repeated with a reflection on God’s past mercy between (v.1).  Men are dishonorable and deceptive (v.2); but, he declares in this verse, God is faithful to those who love Him.  Thus, David is assured that God will hear his plea and once more have mercy upon him.  The past faithfulness of God, and the character of God, combine to make the basis for the psalmist’s assurance.            

People let us down, but God is wholly reliable, wholly righteous, wholly good.  Those who follow Him can have the utmost assurance that He will never falter or fail.  All who belong to Jesus Christ have been set apart as God’s own, and given the wonderful privilege that Jesus communicated to His followers when He taught them to pray: the privilege to call upon Him as Father.  Our Father hears us when we call.  Lift up your heart to Him today.

Easter, Noon

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Christianity, Easter, Holy Spirit, Holy Week, Hope, Joy, Life, Praise, Prayer, Resurrection

Spirit of Life, fill us ever fuller with this newness you have brought. Spirit of Hope, draw us daily to the cross, daily to the living Lord; confirm in us your hope undying. Spirit of Glory, be glorified in this day of joy. Be glorified in your power, in your holiness, in your love, in your wisdom and presence and work. Praise and worship and honor be yours, now and forevermore—Amen.