adoration – As I was saying…

I sat here today reviewing my week of writing. All of these posts remind me that I’m perhaps more like the prophet Jeremiah than Jerry Seinfeld whose comedy is based in truth but makes us all laugh our heads off at it anyway.

I wanted to take a lighter look at our current circumstances and found this entertaining meme of FaceBook.

It is important to be able to keep laughing, find the humor in our circumstances, and let off some of that pent up depression.

How do we do that?

Surrender indicates an end to the resistance of an enemy or opponent, and coming under the enemy or opponent’s authority. When panic and paranoia result in fear the enemy of God, who is our enemy, gains authority over us. This enemy doesn’t stop until the fear has totally ruined a life, resulting minimally in a debilitated human existence or death. Depending on which translation of the Bible you read, the command “Fear not!” or “Do not be afraid!” is found between 105 to 365 times. Some will see the discrepancy of these numbers to negate the basic message. However, if God repeated it only a few times, say 5 times in the whole of Scripture, would it still not be God’s Authoritative voice commanding His children to not be afraid? So when we are afraid, are we not fighting against God’s providential care and concern? Listening to God’s enemy who wants us to be afraid, means we are surrendering to that fear infused whispering from the father of lies himself.

God’s word says:

Psalm 23:4 –
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

Submission is often used as a synonym for surrender. Usually this is derived from context, as when a person might be “forced into submission.” However, it seems to me that surrender is about a person thinking they have no other choice; while submission is almost all about choice. When a persons submits, rather than continuing to resist the enemy’s whispering temptation to fear, they simply quit struggling, they give up. In becoming so passive about God’s command, they may not be afraid, but they are also not pursuing the fight to stay alert, and listen to God’s sole authoritative word for direction.

God’s word says:

James 4:7
Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

What of “Adoration” then?

The definition of this action is perhaps best found in its synonyms: love, devotion, care, affection, admiration, worship, glorify, praise, extol, laud, magnify, etc.

When we read the scriptures from the beginning to the end, the whole Bible is filled with the wonderful promises of a Creator who loves human beings as His highest creation. We know from the Creator’s revealed word, that He only wants the best for us. We also discover in these same Scriptures how God’s enemy seeks to destroy us, simply because we are God’s highest creation. All the promises of God are based in the simplicity of saying “yes” to God’s voice of authority, and saying “no” to the enemy’s temptations or attacks to keep us from glorifying God.

So consider this word from God, spoken through the Apostle Paul:

2 Corinthians 1:20
For as many as are the promises of God, in Him (JESUS) they are yes; therefore also though Him (JESUS) is our Amen to the glory of God through us.

If God says He will act in a certain way, the promise of this action is “YES” in Jesus. When a person steps over the line of faith into saving faith provided in Jesus, then all of God’s promises are enacted and empowered through His Son – Jesus. God says He alone has the power to save, to create, to uphold, to heal, to direct, and to sustain us.

God does not force us into surrender.
God does not belittle us into submission.
God gives us choice to serve Him in completely devoted adoration.

In choosing to serve God alone, to worship God alone, to listen to God’s authoritative voice as the sole authority for life, in our crazy mixed up world, we hear “Yes” in the loving voice of our Savior.

1 Peter 5:6-7
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

Today, choose life. Do not surrender to the father of lies and become fearful. Do not surrender to the rantings on social media, or the talking heads breeding doom and gloom on the television. Do not submit by becoming an impassive voice, thinking it is better just to quit resisting.

Today, choose life. Choose to live a life of adoration for the ONE who can deliver us from this unseen enemy called COVID-19.

Live in humility before the Creator of all things… casting all your worries and fears on Jesus … because “He cares for YOU!”

Loving God doesn’t have to mean giving up a sense of humor either.

Choose life. Find something to laugh at today.

An easy definition for mnemonic is: “a device such as a pattern of letters, ideas, or associations that assists in remembering something.”

I saw this “Word of the Day” prompt, and immediately thought this is something missing in so many Christ-followers today. Somehow we’ve forgotten some of the most important things designed to keep our daily relationship with Jesus fresh. However, there is a simple mnemonic I learned years ago which I still use often these days to refocus my mind on the major elements of my faith.

When I’ve taught folks as new believers how to pray Biblically, I’ve these letters: A.C.T.S. It goes like this…

A= adoration

All too often the first thing out of our mouths/minds towards God’s throne in heaven is, “help” or “could you please…?” While God is interested in hearing our heart-felt cries for help, the fact that we begin our prayers this way is telling us something. Maybe we haven’t quite figured out what our relationship with God entails. We serve the God of the universe who has all authority, is in control of everything, and has promised us His eternal presence here and now in our lives today, not just in heaven when we get there.

Knowing this about God should generate a more appropriate response of adoration, and a desire to bring God glory with the praise of our lips. We should exalt Him for what He has done, is doing, and will do in the future to glorify Himself in Jesus Christ, and in us. Seeing and knowing God these ways should result in a specific response.

C = confession

What a realistic view of God usually does for the true Christ-follower is very humbling. Like the apostle Peter in the boat when he realized Jesus was the true Messiah, Peter basically shouted “get away from me Lord, I’m a sinner!” Acknowledging our failures and sins before our Savior, and feeling the need to run and hide, is the very point at which Jesus pulls us into Himself. With fabulous forgiveness and glorious grace multiplied daily by our confession, we continue to walk in His spirit, bringing light and salt into the world around us. It also generates another response.

T = thanksgiving

The basic difference between adoration and thanksgiving is the understanding between God’s nature and God’s actions. We adore Him because He is God, and deserves to be glorified, exalted and adored. We offer our thanksgiving for how He acts toward us, and the world. The best and easiest way to do this is found in the old hymn “Count your blessings.” This song is not to be confused with the famous “White Christmas” song, “Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep.” That’s a great song, but has a totally different meaning. The one I’m referring to goes like this…

When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God has done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your many blessings, see what God has done.

And finally, after we’ve adored God’s nature and character, confessed our sins before Him, and offered our many thanks for all God has done, we’re prepared, in humbleness to approach the throne of Grace with…

S = supplication

I realize this is a word not many 21st century believers are even familiar with. So, again, a little definition. Supplication: the action of asking or begging for something earnestly or humbly. Perhaps the keys words in this definition are “earnestly or humbly.” Too many people I know, start their prayers here, and in their voices all I hear is “God, look at all I’ve done for you… you owe me this.” They approach the throne of grace without knowing who God is (Adoration), knowing who they are (sinners), or with a grateful heart for how God has blessed them in the past (thanksgiving). They just jump right in, as though God is some cosmic slot machine, they throw up their many requests, and pull the handle (“in Jesus name”) and expect God to deliver whatever it is they want.

I’m pretty sure it saddens God’s heart when lost people do this. I’m convinced it grieves God’s heart gravely when He hears His own children act in this unbecoming way.

If you want to turn around the relationship you have with God in Christ, to be the living, vibrant life you truly desire spiritually, and Jesus described as “life more abundant”, then fill you prayers daily with: A.C.T.S.

Remember: who God is, who you are, all your blessings, then make your petitions…

The results will astound you.

Mnemonic

Tag: adoration

Surrender, Submission, Adoration

Mnemonic