Make a joyful noise to the Lord

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Let us focus on Psalm 100, a Psalm for giving thanks, which starts off with telling us to “Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!” (v1-2) Do you feel like making a joyful noise now when you come to Bronte? Do you feel like singing? When you wake in the morning and you make the decision to join us at church, what are your thoughts? Do you decide to go to church because it is part of your weekly routine? Or is it perhaps because of a burden in your heart that you need to have lifted? Is it possibly because you “Know that the Lord, He is God! It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.” (v3) … and it is our part of the commandments that we are here today? Or maybe you are coming to church because something amazing happened to you and you truly do want to thank the Lord. Whatever the reason, we are to “Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!” (v4) How very true! One famous quote tells us that “in happy moments, we are to praise God; in difficult moments, seek God; in quiet moments, worship God; in painful moments, trust God and in every moment, thank God.” No matter what we are going through, no matter what our mindset may have started out like, let us be thankful to God for another day, another breath of life, another opportunity! “For the Lord is good; His steadfast love endures forever, and His faithfulness to all generations.” (v5) Amen!

Spiritual Temperatures

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We have been experiencing some abnormal and sweltering heat and extreme temperatures. At times it seems unbearable, unless we are indoors, find shade, or get something cold to quench our thirst. Summer is making itself known! Such extreme weather can be compared to spiritual temperatures – whether we are hot or cold for God… whether we are on fire or frozen for Him. Perhaps, the worst is to be in between. Have you ever drank something on a hot day that was lukewarm? It can not quench your thirst and might even make you warm! The Bible says that the Lord knows our works and knows if we are neither hot or cold, but lukewarm. In fact, it specifically states, ”…I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm (spiritually useless), and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of My mouth…” (Revelation 3:15-16). However, there is still hope, as the following verses tell us that if we recognize our condition and temperature, and come to God and seek Him, there is a way we can be hot for God and get our faith on fire. Despite the hot, muggy, and sticky weather outside that we might not enjoy as much, this spiritual heat is one we must have! May we be hot in faith and cool in Christ!

Travelling this Summer

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We have been blessed with beautiful weather, warm sunshine, and greenery all around us. Now that school is officially done for the summer, many of our Bronte families are taking some time off and heading to various destinations for summer adventures – be it flying around the world to experience new cultures, going on road trips to explore the path less travelled, or spending some time camping locally in God’s nature. As we travel, let us remember who is guarding our paths. Psalm 121:7-8 says, “The Lord will keep you from all harm – He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” May our Father continue to grant us travelling mercies as we come and go during this exciting time of the year. Blessings to all for a safe summer vacation.