Marty's Thursday Devotion June 18, 2020

Marty’s Thursday Devotion
June 18, 2020

36 And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. 37 And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, 38 being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship.

The Apostle Paul was a man on the go, especially for the first century. He was not a man of trade, or a soldier or politician, and yet he traveled much of the Roman world over his 4 journeys. He called Tarsus home, a city of some note, beautiful in Paul’s day and impressive today. He had a trade, he was well educated, and had a reputation. There was no need for him to go anywhere and yet, go he did.

He was a co-pastor at Antioch in Syria where people were first called Christians. It was an important town in the area, and I am sure it had many comforts and things to offer in addition to a growing church to minister. Yet, for most of the book of Acts we read about Paul on the go. Starting new works, discipling new believers, challenging the establishment. Going and being obedient.

His last trip was to Jerusalem and on to Rome. He knew he would not be returning to Ephesus and that this journey would be his last. Yet, on he went. On to prison, on to trials, on to suffering, on with his Lord, Jesus. We don’t have a record of people’s response every time he left, but we do have the church’s response when he left Ephesus. People were sad because they knew that Paul cared. People were sad because they knew that Paul had been faithful. People were sad because of the investment in their lives that Paul had made.

This Sunday, we look at Ruth and her faithfulness to Naomi.
Ruth and Naomi remind us that life has moments of bitterness and deep sorrow. Our response in the midst of those times can and should be a response of hope. Hope because, in spite of our trials, God is still here. Hope because no matter what we are feeling, God is bigger than our feelings. Hope because even in our alone-ness or loneliness God promises to never leave or forsake us.

You might never be a “great saint” but each of us can be faithful in our circumstance. We may find that in our simple choice to trust God, we can influence the generations. So today, let us all choose to be faithful.

Let There Be Glory and Honor and Praises: Don Moen
Most of you will remember the testimony of Don Moen from several weeks ago. For those who didn’t read it or can’t remember the details without pulling up the “blog” let me recap. Don grew up in Minnesota and remembers a pivotal musical experience at the age of 8 when a world-renowned violinist came to his town and demonstrated for his class at school. However, it was not the virtuosity of the violinist that impressed the young Don Moen, rather, it was the funny things the violinist did with the instrument that got Young Moen’s attention. It seemed that God was leading Don to study music, a leading he avoided for several years. It was during his teen years that Don received a wake-up call from the Holy Spirit at 3:00 a.m. The Holy Spirit laid a scripture on his heart. It was such a moving moment that Don could not go back to sleep until he had investigated the scripture:
Psalm 40:3. It says, “I have put a new song in your mouth, a song of praise to God. Many will see it and fear and put their trust in the Lord.” That 3am wake-up call became a life-defining moment for me. I sat there stunned and spiritually awakened to the clear call on my life to lead people into praise and worship.
Later, while studying at Oral Roberts University and traveling with a musical group God deepened that call and burned a deep desire in Don to see God’s people transformed in worship.
Although, we may not have the complete story behind this chorus, we have the testimony of Don Moen and can see how God has used this man to bless His Church.
Praise is vital to the church and is our testimony that God is indeed at work here. I enjoyed Donna Fishers’ article in Lancaster Online, November 2013. “Singing comes from the heart of worship, which isn't just something we do. Worship is who we are. It gives us purpose and meaning to creatively express our faith. When we internalize the words we sing, we give honor and glory back to God.”
Zephaniah 3:17 proclaims that God sings to us, too! "God takes delight in us and calms us with His love and rejoices over us by singing!"
As we gather this week, let’s allow our praise to well up from deep within and pray that God will use our praise to change lives, starting with our own.

Come into His Presence: Don Moen
This chorus premiered in a musical called, “God With Us”. It is an expression and collection of medley’s that help to guide the church into the presence of God in worship.

In Christ Alone: Keith Getty, Stuart Townend, arr. by Travis Cottrell
“In Christ Alone” was the very first collaboration between Townend and Getty. In fact, it was Townend’s first collaboration with any other songwriter. But it was an experience he found to be very fruitful and well worth the effort. So much so that the two have continued their musical partnership on other songs and are currently working on a series of songs based around the Apostles’ Creed.

Jesus Your Name: Morris Chapman
Morris Chapman, songwriter, worship leader, and minister is known around the world for his ability to lead people into the presence of the Lord.
Morris has accomplished much in the years since he began full time ministry in 1978. His songs are widely recognized around the world, especially in praise and worship. Crossing cultural and international boundaries, his songs have been recorded by such artists as Sandy Patti, Rosie Greer, Kenneth Copeland, the Maranatha Singers, Donald Lawrence and the Tri City Singers, Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, and Bill Gaither. Morris is a three time Dove nominee and received a Grammy nomination from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences in 1983 for best soul gospel performance for the album “Long time friends” which featured the songs, “Bethlehem Morning,” “We Remember You,” and “We give you praise.”
It was not until the age of 40 that God called Morris into full time ministry, while still a janitor in the Clark County School District, Las Vegas, NV. The majority of his songs where written after he turned 40.
Morris is the second oldest of twelve children and was born in Camden AR. The entire family moved to Las Vegas, NV in 1957, where he met and married his wife Shirley in 1959. They have five children, five grand-children and two great-grand-children.

See you Sunday!
Marty