Psalm 66:1-4 (NIV)
Shout for joy to God, all the earth!
Sing the glory of his name;
make his praise glorious.
Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!
So great is your power
that your enemies cringe before you.
All the earth bows down to you;
they sing praise to you,
they sing the praises of your name.
Many people think that because Christians are supposed to be separate from the world, that means that we can't enjoy it. Some believe that a walk with God is all about trials and overcoming them through His power. However, according to this verse and many others throughout Bible this notion is far from true. Yes, we as believers will be set apart from the world. We will not enjoy the old sinful things that we may have enjoyed before coming to know Christ. We will instead take joy in the new things that are revealed to us through Him.
Isaiah 40:26 (ASV) says,
Shout for joy to God, all the earth!
Sing the glory of his name;
make his praise glorious.
Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!
So great is your power
that your enemies cringe before you.
All the earth bows down to you;
they sing praise to you,
they sing the praises of your name.
Many people think that because Christians are supposed to be separate from the world, that means that we can't enjoy it. Some believe that a walk with God is all about trials and overcoming them through His power. However, according to this verse and many others throughout Bible this notion is far from true. Yes, we as believers will be set apart from the world. We will not enjoy the old sinful things that we may have enjoyed before coming to know Christ. We will instead take joy in the new things that are revealed to us through Him.
Isaiah 40:26 (ASV) says,
"Lift up your eyes on high, and see who hath created these, that bringeth out their host by number; he calleth them all by name; by the greatness of his might, and for that he is strong in power, not one is lacking."
We as believers should see the world in new light. This new light should be an encouragement to all believers, because it shows just how powerful and caring God is to all his creation. We know from reading Genesis 1:27 that God created us in His image and this is why He cares so much for mankind. If this isn't enough though let's take a passage from the New Testament. Luke 12:24 (NIV) Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!
Now another issue some tend to run into is that when we aren't having any trials and life seems to be going good for us we tend to stray from God thinking, "Well I guess I don't need God right now". This is a lie! When we are at times of peace and prosperity that's when we should focus more on God for all the blessing he has given us!
Psalm 66:8-12 (NIV)
We as believers should see the world in new light. This new light should be an encouragement to all believers, because it shows just how powerful and caring God is to all his creation. We know from reading Genesis 1:27 that God created us in His image and this is why He cares so much for mankind. If this isn't enough though let's take a passage from the New Testament. Luke 12:24 (NIV) Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!
Now another issue some tend to run into is that when we aren't having any trials and life seems to be going good for us we tend to stray from God thinking, "Well I guess I don't need God right now". This is a lie! When we are at times of peace and prosperity that's when we should focus more on God for all the blessing he has given us!
Psalm 66:8-12 (NIV)
Praise our God, all peoples,
let the sound of his praise be heard;
he has preserved our lives
and kept our feet from slipping.
For you, God, tested us;
you refined us like silver.
You brought us into prison
and laid burdens on our backs.
You let people ride over our heads;
we went through fire and water,
but you brought us to a place of abundance.
let the sound of his praise be heard;
he has preserved our lives
and kept our feet from slipping.
For you, God, tested us;
you refined us like silver.
You brought us into prison
and laid burdens on our backs.
You let people ride over our heads;
we went through fire and water,
but you brought us to a place of abundance.
I pray that you will all take the time to praise God for the joy you have today!
(Thank you to a friend who took the time to write this for us.)
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