Weekly Devotion
"Encouragement for Worship"
The following devotionals are written to encourage you in personal
and collective worship. I also pray that you find Scriptural basis for
the way in which you worship Jesus Christ, and motivation in your
expression of praise within the church, and elsewhere!
These devotionals will be updated every Saturday.
Many Blessings,
Jennifer Lehman
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2/18/2012
Armor That Fits
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God,
so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not
against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this
darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up
the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything,
to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the
breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the
flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit,
which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:10-17
Putting on the full armor of God as described here in Ephesians, could not be more important.
The Bible tells us that we have a defense against sin and temptation and it is outlined here in this
passage of Scripture. We must know the truth according to the precepts of the one true God,
pursue a holy life, be filled with the peace that “passes all understanding,” exercise and grow
in faith with God, be firmly established in your saving relationship with Christ, and know and
meditate on the Word of God. This is all complete, possible, necessary, and victorious when
used as directed! God gives us so many gifts, and the full armor is no exception, but it does not
come without effort. It takes resolve, commitment, and a complete surrendering to the will of God.
So, if the full armor of God leads to a victorious christian life, where does worship fit in?
I believe worship is what makes our armor fit. When we release our passion for Jesus Christ in
worship, we begin to see our armor fitting us perfectly. Expressing our love, adoration, and
thankfulness to God through worship keeps our loving devotion to Him alive and prevents us
from simply going through the motions. It tailors our own specially made armor, our own
personal walk with the Lord, exactly to us. After all, we were created by God to worship HIM:
“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things,
and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” (Revelation 4:11) If we are fulfilling our God-given
purpose to glorify and worship Him, then arming ourselves with the power of Jesus Christ made
possible at the Cross, just gets easier and more fulfilling and all the more powerful. Study the Word,
pray daily and often, be filled with the Spirit and let the peace of God flow through you. But do not
leave out lifting God up in praise and worship. Let the putting on of your armor be strengthened in
your worship.
Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. Know that the Lord, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture."
Psalm 100:2-3
This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise
the LORD.
Psalm 102:18
Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him;
yea, I have made him.
Isaiah 43:7
For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it;
he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD;
and there is none else.
Isaiah 45:18
Blessings,
Jennifer
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2/11/2012
Going Deeper
9 But as it is written:
"Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man
the things which God has prepared for those who love Him."
10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches
all things, yes, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knows the things of a
man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the
things of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit
of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things
that have been freely given to us by God.
1 Corinthians 2:9-12
It is hard to imagine what God has in store for His children when this short earthly
life is over. We know there will be no sadness or pain or crying, and we will continually
be in the presence of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Well, that's enough for me.
But in this passage of Scripture, we see Paul telling us that God imparts great and
wondrous things to His children now, through the indwelling of His Holy Spirit (v. 12).
It is so very important to give ourselves entirely to our relationship with God, so as to
foster that ever so important and crucial cohabitation we have as His children with the
Holy Spirit. What wisdom God will plant in His people when we pursue a life that is at
the mercy of God's plan for us. And, oh, what mercy it is!
To be entirely given to the Holy Spirit is to worship God entirely, with your whole self.
If your relationship with Jesus Christ is a daily journey through prayer and reading His
Word, then you are well on your way. Worship is where we give in return to what God
has “freely given” us. Not making it about ourselves, but about who Jesus Christ is. And
my desire to worship at the feet of my Savior was never greater than after I had made a
true commitment to prayer and meditation on His Word daily. This is where God will
make great strides for you in your journey – right there when you are leaning over your
tear-soaked sofa at 5:30 in the morning, and at 5:30 the next morning, and the next, and
the next.... Here is where you reap the benefits of the revealing by the Holy Spirit of the
“deep things of God.” Worship is how you thank Him, love Him, adore Him...
Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires;
but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit
desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is
life and peace. Romans 8:5,6
The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Romans 8:16
Blessings,
Jennifer
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2/4/2012
Wisdom in Worship
18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing,
but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written:
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the
understanding of the prudent.” 20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe?
Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of
this world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom
did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message
preached to save those who believe.
1 Corinthians 1:18-21
It is hard for we Christians to imagine describing the message of the Cross as
foolishness. But doesn't it feel like that is exactly how the world views it at times?
In 1 Corinthians, Paul is writing a letter to his beloved church at Corinth to attempt
to put out a few fires and correct such behavior within the body, such as division,
false doctrine, and worship services so disorderly that chaos and hostility would erupt;
the infiltration of the world as opposed to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Today, it is not always easy to avoid coming face to face with worldly ways, ideas,
and practices. People come and go within churches so easily, that is hard to recognize
the “wolves in sheep's clothing” at times. And it is just as easy for anyone to call him
or herself a Christian, regardless of their “fruit.” We need to pray so very much for
discernment, and try not to clothe it in cynicism.
BUT GOD, perfectly discerning, will “destroy the wisdom of the wise;” those that
see the message of the Gospel as foolish. Those that profess knowledge and wisdom
at the expense of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, will be exposed as the fool he or she is,
one of “those who are perishing,” eternally if hearts are left unchanged. Friends, I would
rather be a “fool for Christ's sake” (1 Corinthians 4:10) and spend eternity with Him in
Heaven! Remember: “...to us who are being saved it (the Cross) is the power of God.”
God's wisdom transcends all that is human, and I bow to my holy Father, and to the
Cross of Jesus Christ, with all my worship...
Blessings,
Jennifer
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1/28/2012
Psalm 67
1 God be merciful to us and bless us, And cause
His face to shine upon us, Selah
2 That Your way may be known on earth,
Your salvation among all nations.
3 Let the peoples praise You, O God;
Let all the peoples praise You.
¨4 Oh, let the nations be glad and sing for joy!
For You shall judge the people righteously,
¨And govern the nations on earth. Selah
5 Let the peoples praise You, O God;
Let all the peoples praise You.
¨6 Then the earth shall yield her increase;
God, our own God, shall bless us
7 God shall bless us,
And all the ends of the earth shall fear Him.
In this psalm, we find within the three stanzas, a plea for God's mercy, a call to worship
to all nations and people, and the result of the fulfillment of these requests. In verses one
and two,the psalmist asks for God's mercy for the purpose of God being glorified; God's
fame being known to all men. In verses three and four, we find an all inclusive call to
worship to the world God created, and we look to a time in the future when this will
be a reality; when Christ will dwell with all people, Jew or Gentile, and all will gladly
exalt and praise Him! And the result? God's blessing over all the earth and to all people,
a reference to the future reign of Christ on earth.
A time of truly worshiping together!
Today, do you ever find yourself feeling alone or out of place being a worshiper of Jesus
Christ? I fear that even in church many find this to be true. This ought not to be, friends.
There is coming a day when we will unabashedly, side by side, worship our Lord willingly
and wholly. No one will be self-conscious or feel awkward, or feel they are being looked
upon as a “fanatic.” But, oh the blessings of doing that now; the blessings of increasing
that intimate relationship with Jesus. Jesus does not see your worship as out of place.
He does not see you as a fanatic (at least not in a bad way!). He sees His children loving
Him and returning to Him the affection He lavishes on us. As the songwriter says, His love
is truly “extravagant.” Just look at the Cross.
“And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself,and became obedient unto
death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted him,
and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus
every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things
under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.”
Philippians 2:8-11
Blessings, Jennifer
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1/21/2012
Be Filled with the Spirit
17 Therefore do not be unwise,
but understand what the will of the Lord is.
18 And do not be drunk with wine,
in which is dissipation;
but be filled with the Spirit,
19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns
and spiritual songs,
singing and making melody in your
heart to the Lord,
20 giving thanks always for all things
to God the Father
in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
21 submitting to one another in the fear of God.
(Ephesians 5:17-21)
This is one of my favorite passages of Scripture. And not just because it makes reference to
and encourages corporate worship (smile). Verse 19 begins by telling us to use the Psalms and
other songs of praise and testimony, in fellowship with other believers. This comes directly after
Paul telling the church to be filled with the Spirit, with musical praise and worship, and thanksgiving,
being the evidence. Being filled with the Spirit is in contrast to being “drunk with wine.” In Paul's
day, many pagan religions involved intoxicating drink, with the purpose of being intoxicated, in
ceremonies and celebrations. I'm sure there are many modern comparisons to be drawn. But,
the point is letting God be in control, and not a substance, person, idol, or idea. Is this advice?
No, it is a command (“do not be... but be”).
In this passage, Paul makes reference to three different types of musical praise. First, if you
were a Jew, you sang the Psalms. It was the Hebrew hymnal, for certain. “Hymns” here refers to
other songs of praise to Jesus Christ. “Spiritual songs” are said to be songs of personal testimony
to salvation in Christ. Also, “singing and making melody” includes using a musical instrument as
well as vocalizing, all coming from the praise one feels in his heart.
There are so many ways to demonstrate that God's Spirit lives within us. In these verses, Paul
tells us how it looks within the church along side each other. When we gather together to worship,
let us celebrate together with “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs,” always giving thanks to the Lord.
Do not give way to the world's ideas of celebration and coming together. Do not look like the world,
look like a Holy Spirit-filled child of God and sing His praises!
Blessings,
Jennifer
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1/14/2012
His Sheep
"I am the Good Shepherd; and I know My sheep,
and am known by My own." John 10:14
When I look back over the time since I have been saved, I see patterns and seasons of change.
There have been times when I felt certain spiritual growth and a maturing in the Holy Spirit...
and that would be about the time a life changing situation would occur that would test that
spiritual maturity.I then would see and feel my relationship with Jesus Christ change in ways
I never thought would, and I would also see doubts creep in I never thought could. But, oh how
the Potter molds His children through these times! I pray I have been mold-able in ways that have
resulted in my pressing on in the race for the prize. Pressing on.
This verse makes me desire to look like Christ's “own” to the world. I want to serve Him so
that others are blessed. I want to set my mind on “ heavenly things.” I want to worship Him
without in hibitionor embarrassment. I want the world to know and to somehow see that amidst
all my imperfections, there is evidence of Christ in me because through Him, I have pressed on
(...Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, said the LORD of hosts. Zech. 4:6) A heart in
pursuit of Jesus Christ is how He knows us. His grace, mercy, love, and strength in us through
the Holy Spirit, is how we know Him. Be known as belonging to Jesus, if indeed you do.
Let us live a life striving to return worship for unimaginable grace!
I can do all things through Christ who
strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
O come let us worship and bow down:
let us kneel before the LORD our maker. Psalm 95:6
Blessings, Jennifer
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1/7/2012
Psalm 26
1 Vindicate me, O LORD,
For I have walked in my integrity.
I have also trusted in the LORD; I shall not slip.
2 Examine me, O LORD, and prove me;
Try my mind and my heart.
3 For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes,
And I have walked in Your truth.
4 I have not sat with idolatrous mortals,
Nor will I go in with hypocrites.
5 I have hated the assembly of evildoers,
And will not sit with the wicked.
6 I will wash my hands in innocence;
So I will go about Your altar, O LORD,
7 That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving,
And tell of all Your wondrous works.
8 LORD, I have loved the habitation of Your house,
And the place where Your glory dwells.
9 Do not gather my soul with sinners,
Nor my life with bloodthirsty men,
10 In whose hands is a sinister scheme,
And whose right hand is full of bribes.
11 But as for me, I will walk in my integrity;
Redeem me and be merciful to me.
12 My foot stands in an even place;
In the congregations I will bless the LORD.
When I read this Psalm of David, I see a man who is confident in the Lord. He has worked
toward the goal of a holy life, and has reached his goal – in the Lord. If you have ever heard
of David, you know he was not sinless. Even many non-Christians know who Bathsheba was.
The difference is that David never stopped pursuing God, and sought forgiveness (even if not
always immediately) as well as God's strength and wisdom. And after seeking forgiveness, David
was acquainted enough with God's nature that he knew he was seen as good as “innocent” once
his heart was turned toward repentance and grief over his sin.
In verses 1-5, we see the psalmist asking God to look at his life and see that he has lived
righteously –a life in pursuit of God. In verses 6-8, he describes how he lives his life in praise
and thanksgiving and worship in God's house. But in verses 9-12, I see an honest plea for mercy,
and confidence that God is able and willing to grant just that to His children. There are evil
doers in the world to be sure, and the psalmist desires to be set apart from them in eternity,
just as he has desired to be set apart from the world in this life. “Redeem me and be merciful to me.”
That should be our desire in a nutshell.
As you seek God, be confident in Him. Be confident in your victories and turn your heart to
repentance and brokenness over sin. Let your life praise God, and seek God's mercy and salvation.
I have been crucified with Christ;
it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me;
and the life which I now live in the flesh
I live by faith in the Son of God,
who loved me and gave Himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)
Blessings,
Jennifer
