Pastor Stephen Dedman

Joyful Worship

‘Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing.’
Psalms 100:1-2

What does it mean to make a joyful noise unto the Lord? Is it just on Sundays?

There is something about music that encourages our soul. Listening to music makes a mundane job go by a lot faster. Listening to Christian music allows you to praise the Lord while you work or play.

Our happy God should be worshipped and praised by happy people. It should be easy for us to praise the Lord. Every time we think of something God has done for us we ought to shout to the Lord with a joyful noise.

Worship doesn’t happen just on Sundays or in a church service. Worship can happen wherever you’re at. Even right now you can worship the Lord.

Notice that the psalmist says make a joyful shout and then serve the Lord with gladness. Did you know that it is your privilege and duty to be happy in your worship to the Lord? It ought to come natural to sing and shout with praise to the Lord.

A true believer in Jesus serves God because he loves to serve Him. And when you love to serve Him, it will be done with gladness and joy.

Find a way to serve the Lord with gladness today. A simple smile can make a difference in someone’s life today.

Pray

Lord, I thank You for giving me everything I need. I will praise You and honor You for who You are and not just what You do for me. Help me to be a blessing to someone else today.

The Lord Is With You

The Lord Is With You

And the angel of the Lord appeared to him (Gideon) and said to him, “The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor.
‭‭Judges‬ ‭6:12

Mighty Man of What?

At first Gideon was not a man of valor (courage), he was weak and cowardly.  In fact, he was the smallest and youngest of his family and would be the least of many to be called a warrior.  What’s ironic about this passage of Scripture is the angel spoke these words to Gideon while he was underground hiding in fear of the Midianites robbing and killing him. But God had something special in store for Gideon.

God called upon Gideon to rise up when the Israelites finally cried out to the Lord for help after suffering seven years of punishment for worshipping Baal.  It wasn’t long after the Israelites were living comfortably in the Promise Land that they turned their back on God and broke the First Commandment.  Now it was time for Gideon to be the man God was going to use to save the Israelites from the Midianites.

Gideon led an army of 300 Israelites into victory by blowing trumpets, smashing clay pots, holding up torches and raising their voices (Judges 7:20).  The Midianites were defeated and Gideon never had to raise the first sword.

Gideon is a great example of God using the least of many to do great and wonderful things.  No matter your position or calling you are someone God wants to use.  He wants to use the ordinary to do extraordinary things to show His mightiness.  Never underestimate your usefulness because God wants to do amazing things through you.

Prayer

Pray for God to use your life to show others what a mighty God you serve.