Why do I have this yearning to serve the Lord?  “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast.  For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Eph. 2: 8-10).  There are many men who will say, come with me and I will show you how and where to serve the Lord.  I have done this, but much of it has not been satisfying to my desire to serve the Lord.  I have seen others who were hurt deeply, even led towards heresy by following well-meaning men.  We must live under authority in right relationship, but we must also obey the Spirit’s voice.  I want to be a voice that encourages the children of God to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, in and among the family of God.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” (Rom.12:1). The sacrifice is the achievement, accomplishment, and act of spiritual worship.  It is God who does the work, not that we don’t continue to live, but our living is done by obedience to and through the Spirit.  “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” (Phil. 2: 12-13).

So, I’m waiting on the Lord.  I awoke this morning with a few notes of a song in my heart, no words, only a melody.  I tried to recall the artist or some lyrics to identify the song. Finally, in desperation I looked in my playlist and the first song was, “10000 Reasons (Bless the Lord Oh my Soul)”, by Matt Redmond.  Not knowing if it contained the melody I was searching for, I played it and worshipped the Lord with the melody in my heart.

The sun comes up, it’s a new day dawning

It’s time to sing Your song again

Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me

Let me be singing when the evening comes

Bless the Lord

Oh my soul, oh my soul

Worship His holy name

Sing like never before

Oh my soul

I’ll worship Your holy name

You’re rich in love

And You’re slow to anger

Your name is great

And Your heart is kind

For all Your goodness

I will keep on singing

10,000 Reasons for my heart to find

There is nothing we can do or give to God other than ourselves.  He purchased us with the precious blood of His one and only son, Yeshua Messiah, so that we are His again.  We are not our own, never were, we are His creation, but we are twice bought and the highest price was paid for our redemption.  So, we enter into the chorus of voices to praise and bless his holy name.  No more is possible unless He brings it about.  To kneel in His presence, to be a door keeper in His house, to enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise, that is all we can do, bowing down in surrender to His perfect will.

I can not even praise God sufficiently, I must have His help and leading in that and everything. Holy Spirit do not leave me, but lead me along the path which the Lord desires.  My hands are empty, I have no gift to bring, I can only bow down and sing His praise, and marvel at His great grace to allow me to come into His presence.