Preach A Sermon To Yourself

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“Bless the Lord Oh, my soul and all that is within me, bless His holy name.” Ps. 103:1

As a child, I loved to play church. I would bring all of my baby dolls to the living room and orderly line them up on the couch. I began as the mommy, with my purse filled with notepads, pencils and treats to keep the children quiet. When they were all taken care of, I then moved to the piano and pretended to play beautiful music. I would quickly stand up directing the congregation in singing a few songs of praise. I especially enjoyed passing the offering plate and dreaming that tons of money was dropped in on that particular Sunday. I would take my seat with the children for a moment to be sure they were not misbehaving, and then I would stand tall to preach a convicting sermon. I really wish I had a video to insert and we could all have a great laugh, but for today you will just have to join me in the memory.

I find that I need to preach to myself often. I am in need of shutting myself off in the pretend church setting and preach the Word that I read, reminding myself of truth. You don’t have to wait until Sunday and you don’t even have to play the part, you just need to preach truth to yourself.

As we sang the song, 10,000 Reasons by Matt Redmond, I could hear the psalmist who originally penned the words preaching to himself.

“Soul: Bless the Lord.

Self: Worship the Lord and sing like never before.

You need to stop everything and bless the Lord.

Think about all you have to praise Him for.

Go ahead, Self, and sing it.”

“Bless the Lord, O, my soul

O, my soul,

Worship His holy name Sing like never before O, my soul, I’ll worship Your holy name.”

We find David preaching and counseling himself again in Psalms 42:5

Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

Do you need to counsel yourself to put your hope in God? Do you need to tell yourself to praise your God and your Savior? Do you need to count your blessings?

What’s your sermon topic? Go ahead, preach it! It’s OK if someone overhears you. They may be convicted also. Let His truth through your own lips challenge you and lift your eyes above to the One you trust. You will be amazed what happens within your heart.

Don’t wait too long….the children are quiet and behaving. Smile!

Back To School

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This rainy November morning finds me in a cozy cabin in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The rain has brought in the cooler weather and I awaken knowing I am somewhere different than normal. On the other side of this covered window is a new day awaiting me. In a short while I will open the door and step out into a breathtaking view. The deck will be carpeted with beautiful fall leaves; the mountains will shout of the glory of God; the winding road will beckon me to fun and adventure. My destination is Grace Fellowship International Counseling Workshop, where many new friends will gather to be taught the powerful message of the cross.

After all of these years, I am sitting in a classroom setting being taught deep principles of God’s word. Each day has been filled with teachings, videos, testimonies, training and practice. One day builds upon another as the principles and truth go from being knowledge, to a new life experience in Christ. The powerful key verse is being unpacked in such a way that my life will never be the same. It can change your life too, if you allow Holy Spirit to unpack it to you.

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

This school experience is very different than my childhood and youth experience. I actually want to be here and even paid to be here. I left everything behind to be taught and trained. I am a follower of Jesus Christ; a disciple and I long to be taught and discipled in God’s truth. I want this message rooted in me and I want the ability to offer His freedom to others.

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

(John 8:32)

The Holy Spirit opens our hearts and minds to receive the knowledge, wisdom and experience of His word. You don’t’ have to be in a literal classroom to be taught. He will meet you wherever you are and teach you. All of life is a classroom to teach us Christ's life. I invite you to join me in His classroom and be taught of Him.

"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.” (John 14:26)

“Lord, no matter how old I am or how much I have been taught; I want more. No matter where I awaken and what surrounds me, I know you await to show me yourself as my life. Lord, I want you to be my life. Holy Spirit, come and teach me your truth.”

Come As Little Children

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At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

Recently I have been blessed to have friends join me for a daily walk. Well, the truth be known, I join them as they are the ones always urging me on. It is a great privilege to belong to a community of believers who truly do life together. We encourage and prod one another on, not only in the physical, but also in our spiritual walk.

Our walks are covered up with chatter, laughter, prayer and yes sometimes a few tears. These are truly power walks in the truest sense of the word. Before we know it the three or four miles are conquered and we find ourselves on a higher path of faith. Courage has filled us up and we are ready to conquer another day.

Of course when three grandmas are walking and talking, grandchildren are always a fun part of our conversations. One told the story of her grandson who loves trains. As their car crossed the railroad tracks, he began to tell his dad he wanted to see the train. His dad explained that the train wasn’t there, but little one of great faith, insisted that he wanted to see the train. Dad turns his son’s attention to one who could possibly answer his great request. “You can pray and ask God to please let you see a train.” He immediately began to pray, and surprisingly a train approached. He was overjoyed and filled with delight and wonder! (I wish I could have seen Daddy’s face.)

Some time later seeing the tracks again he said, “I want to see the train.” He quickly sat down on the curb, folded his little believing hands and began praying to see the train. The train didn’t appear this time, and Dad had opportunity to explain we don’t always get the answer that we want, but we always have the privilege to ask.

In the Bible, Jesus used children to teach us the kind of faith required in the Kingdom of God. He tells us we must change from our adultness and become as little children. As adults we use our minds, our intellect instead of faith. Children live in wonder and expectation, taking mom and dad and God at His word.

“Oh, Lord, may we become as little children, planting ourselves on the curb of your promises, praying prayers of faith and expectantly waiting for You to answer. Give us back the wonder and awe of a little child.”

What promise of God are you planting yourself on and not letting go, believing God will answer according to His will?