Category: Creation

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Bondage…Part 2

Have you ever pondered why we stay? Stay where things are simply ‘satisfactory’. Stay in our failure, pride, arrogance, fear and unrest.

Does it bring us comfort?

Does it bring peace?

Does it bring satisfaction?

In the following 3 verses of the hymn ‘Out of My Bondage’, George Stebbins, in each verse, makes 3 statements of recognition and 3 affirmations of what he knows would happen if those recognition’s were overcome. Throughout the song, he transforms in his understanding that bondage to worldly things, only causes stumbling and strife.

It is something that the devil is wonderful at using against us. He uses the contentment we find in ‘satisfactory’. He uses our failures, pride, arrogance and fear to keep us EXACTLY where we are and THAT is what does it. That is what holds us hostage, or, in bondage. WE are the ones keeping ourselves enamored with temporary pleasures that will never satisfy nor soothe the enduring emptiness that we feel when the initial satisfaction wares off. How do we alleviate our desire for a satisfaction that we cannot seem to fill? It’s a simple answer, and one not many will choose to pursue. GOD.  In the beginning, Gen. 1:1, He was there. He’s seen it all and He’s given us a way to Him (John 3:16) and the ETERNAL satisfaction we desire and that is through His son. Through Him, we find protection and peace (2 Tim. 2:10; Phil. 4:7).

What holds you in bondage? Let go of it and run to the one who listens, gives protection, provides peace and can alleviate pain and sorrow. Lean on Him and He will bring you an everlasting joy that will fill your heart. Be brave enough to reach out of the comforts of your sin, whatever it may be, and find the eternal comforts of Christ as He stands waiting to welcome you Out of Your Bondage.

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Even the Stars…

The title of this article leaves a question…what about the stars? “Even the stars…” leaves me to think that they are included with something else, but what? First of all, we know that as God’s people we are called to praise Him. But in reality, all creation is called to praise Jehovah God. But in our limited thinking, do we draw a line as to who can praise the Creator of this world? With no limits to the vastness of the universe we only need to read and know that there is no limit as to who and what can (and will) give Him praises!
Pick up your Bible and turn to Psalm, chapter 148.  This scripture has been turned into one our favorite songs in the brotherhood. And, if the truth be known, when we sing this song, we’re singing a ‘psalm’ that is almost a word-for-word account from the chapter.  From the hills and mountains to the beast and cattle, we sing this song of praise.  So whether you see yourself as a young man, a maiden or an aged man; whether you’re a child or a king we must all be praising God.  As a matter of fact, take a closer look at who/WHAT the Psalmist says will praise God. All His angels, the sun and moon, sea creatures or monsters or dragons depending on your translation, fire, snow, vapors and hail, beast, birds and cattle; all created things will praise the Creator! And the reason why is found in the 13th verse, “…for His name alone is exalted.” Do you praise God or, in your life, do you have other things that are exalted?
Read the words to this ‘psalm’ and then compare the song we sing on Sunday to the words written in the 148th Psalm…
“Hallelujah, praise Jehovah, from the heavens praise His name;
Praise Jehovah in the highest, all His angels praise proclaim.
All His hosts together praise Him, sun, and moon, and stars on high;
Praise Him, O ye heav’n of heavens, and ye floods above the sky.
Let them praises give Jehovah, they were made at His command,
Them forever He established; His decree shall ever stand.
From the earth, oh, praise Jehovah, all ye floods, ye dragons all;
Fire, and hail, and snow, and vapors, stormy winds that hear His call.
All ye fruitful trees and cedars, all ye hills and mountains high,
Creeping things, and beasts, and cattle, birds that in the heavens fly.
Kings of earth, and all ye people, Princes great, earth’s judges all,
Praise His name, young men and maidens, aged men and children small.
Refrain:
Let them praises give Jehovah,
For His name alone is high,
And His glory is exalted,
And His glory is exalted,
And His glory is exalted,
Far above the earth and sky.”

It is a clear that all created things will praise God.  So let me encourage you to sing and to give your praise to God. The stars are praising Him, so be careful that you don’t let the creation in heaven, or on earth for that matter, out sing your praise to Jehovah!