Gloria!

“Listen, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone. And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength." Deuteronomy 6:4-5 (NLT)

Words have meaning. We use them, misuse them and abuse them commonly, ... but however we use them, we confer a certain power upon them and use them to transfer, or express, that meaning to another or others. Among other uses, words carry emotional message, verbal contract, information. They frequently carry the intended expression of our hearts and the revelation of our character. We sometimes use them most powerfully in the songful expression and revelation of our hearts. 

Other times, and unfortunately in some instances the meaning carried by words is lost in the transference or found altogether lacking. Sometimes they become nothing more than a shell for familiar recital, lacking any power of meaning because of their worn commonality to us or when uttered merely in obligatory repetition...

 ... but to Father God's ears, words always carry an essence of meaning and intention - especially when uttered in worship. 

Just as an ill intended, cheap tip left on the table in return for the good service of the restaurant staff, the employee cheated on his pay by his employer after giving good and faithful service, or harsh ingratitude to the most faithful, romantic lover, ... hollow words uttered in worship leave Father God cheated. Words bear an intention, whether rendered consciously or not.. and when either uttered or withheld before the Ultimate Power that exists in all that is... wise men consider carefully their choice to deliver Him justice. And it's important to remember that we worship Him - or not, with our obedience and with our lives.

Who could be more faithful? Who could be more romantic - to have created all of this to woo us, ... and who could be more generously abandoned in the expression of His love by offering Himself so painfully in our place? His life for ours to save us! His ALL for our pleasure - in the hope that we might choose to bring Him pleasure in return. He used the perfect and all encompassing Word to express His love for us. 

I say without apology that in return, justice requires honest expression - full words, overflowing and carrying the deepest expression of requited and honest love. Our circumstances don't change who God is or His worthiness to be worshiped. Justice demands our worship of Him in any circumstance.

As we celebrate the event of Christmas - the arrival of the willing Christ to save us, I pray that we remember to offer with the deepest of sincerity, hearts full of gratitude for the gift He bestowed on us. Jesus.

Gloria Patri!!! - “Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.”!!!

Gloria in excelsis Deo!!! - Glory to God in the highest!!!

I pray that the Holy Spirit inhabits your celebration in great weight and that both your joy and gratitude overflow at the full revelation of the gift we've been given.

Merry Christmas!

"No, O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8 (NLT)