A Star Shall Rise

 

Numbers 24:17

I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near. A Star will come forth from Jacob, and a Scepter will arise from Israel. He will crush the skulls of Moab and strike down all the sons of Sheth.

2 Peter 1:19

We also have the word of the prophets as confirmed beyond doubt. And you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a Lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and The Morning Star rises in your hearts.

When we see Jesus with the eyes or our hearts, it is then that The Morning Star rises in our hearts. It is then that Christ comes to live within us, washing away the sin in our hearts with His shed blood, which covers all sins ever sinned by anyone who believes.

It is then that that day has dawned a new day and we begin the journey to become more Christlike, more separated and set apart from the darkness of this world in which we live, for the Light of God's Love - His only begotten Son - shines within us and radiates outward, reaching to shine on everyone we interact with.

Let His Light shine in you today. He's calling you to come into His Light.

This Little Light of Mine - Oak Ridge Boys

Unusual Voices

 

    As an acquaintance recently pointed out, animals in the Bible talked; specifically, a certain donkey. (Numbers 22:28-30). See, also, Genesis 3:1-4). 

    But the animate we might expect to have some kind of voice, wouldn't we? What about what we generally consider to be inanimate? For instance, rocks and stars. Jesus told those who were against His arrival that if the people lining the streets to meet Him had not greeted Him with praise, then surely the rocks would cry out (Luke 19:40). 

    How I long to hear stars sing God's praises, though. I love music, especially music and songs that glorify God. Job 38:7 tells us that "The morning stars sang for glory). David tells us (Psalm 19:1) that the heavens and the skies speak of God's glory. Although Isaiah does not say the stars speak, he reminds us that each has a name and remains aligned where God has placed it. 

    In 1 Chronicles 16 David writes a song of worship and praise and thanksgiving to God which includes all of nature voicing God's praise in verses 31-33.  

    Are our voices unusual to God? Is He hearing the cries of our broken hearts? Is He hearing sincere praise and worship from us. Do not lie: God knows our hearts. He can see right through our pretenses and masks: we might look and act like Christ followers to the world around us, but if our hearts are not right with God, then we are not close enough to Christ to follow in His steps: we are just snakes and wolves in sheep's clothing, only appearing to follow but not really. 

    Who are you to God? Are you His people? Are you seeking His face? Can God hear your voice in the morning when you awaken? in the midday does He know who you are? in the evening before you lay your head and close your eyes? 

    Declare that Jesus Christ is Lord. Lord of your soul when you invite Him into your heart. Lord of your salvation when you confess your sins to God and receive His forgiveness. Lord of your life when you ask His Holy Spirit to transform you from your old nature of sin into your new nature of holiness. 

    Rise up and worship The Almighty God and Father, Author of our Salvation and Finisher of What He Has Begun. Praise God from Whom all blessings flow! Give Him Thanks with all our hearts and voices. Let our mouths be opened and let His praise flow freely from our lips! Do not be an unusual voice. Be a voice God recognizes. 

BEFORE THE ROCKS CRY OUT - The Speers 

RISE UP - TribeSong

It Is Time For Us To Rise

 

IT IS TIME FOR US TO RISE

Son, go and bring My children home;

It is time for them to rise.

It is time to fetch Your bride,

Go bring her now to be at Your side.

(drums here)

It is time! It is time for us to rise!

Here He comes To take His bride! 

It is time! It is time for us to rise,

Here Jesus comes to take His bride.

(piano here)

O, Holy Spirit, walk with us

Bring us to our Bridegroom’s love.

O, Holy Spirit, speak through us,

As we gather at God’s throne above.

(drums here)

It is time! It is time for us to rise!

Here He comes To take His bride! 

It is time! It is time for us to rise,

Here Jesus comes to take His bride.

But it was only a dream

A dream I keep dreaming

O how my heart longs for that day!

Jesus, I’m calling from a well deep within

The love that is crying out for You

Is more than I can bear

But it was only a dream…..

Before that day 

Before that hour

The Spirit of God 

And the bride of Christ

Call to the lost who wander in darkness

“Come to the cross”.

Before it is time to rise,

"Come to the cross."

O come to the cross,

And be satisfied.