CTR Family: Do these 6 things.

CTR BLOG - 6 things1

Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth!

Serve the LORD with gladness!

Come into his presence with singing!

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.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving,

and his courts with praise!

Give thanks to him; bless his name!

For the LORD is good;

his steadfast love endures forever,

and his faithfulness to all generations.

-Psalm 100

It's hard to believe how much has happened within our church family this summer!   With so much going on in the world around us, and all that can distract us from the things above, it’s good to reflect on His provision and care.  Like the psalmist, I’ve been thinking through the ways in which we as a congregation have much to be thankful for.  Amazing the privilege and blessing to be entrusted by the Lord with so many things, such as a building, that many of our brothers and sisters around the world would deeply desire.

I was reminded of this Psalm, and our provision as a church as we started into our sermon series on 2 Thessalonians led by Pastor Aaron.  I was thinking of how much we should be praising God for building his church which was the first point of his sermon a few weeks ago.  As we begin our first full series as the new owners of the building that God entrusted to us, I hope to help us stop and use His book to guide our prayers to Him.  I often think about one of the spiritual disciplines that was taught to me in seminary about the Bible and guiding our walk with God: read the book, study the book, and pray the book.  The Westminster Shorter Catechism reminds us of this when it states “What Rule has God given to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him?”  The answer? “The Word of God, which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him.”  Think briefly and be guided by the Word of God to us as we read, think, and prayerfully reflect on the provisions that God has given to Christ the Redeemer in this season in abundance.  Below are six instructions I see God has given us and the Psalmist has recorded for how we should praise God from Psalm 100. Look at these for a moment:

  • Make a Joyful Sound
  • Serve the Lord with gladness
  • Come into his presence with singing
  • Enter his gates with thanksgiving and courts with praise
  • Give thanks to Him
  • Bless His name

As our Church fathers before us would encourage us to use the words of the “old one-hundredth” Psalm of scriptures in our worship of God, consider again the rich blessings we have received this summer.  Making a joyful sound to God for His provision.  The ability to have socially distanced worship.  Sisters and brothers who help point us towards God.  May we serve him with gladness all the days that He gives us in Lee’s Summit.  When we gather, what a joy it is to read, sing, and hear His Word taught each week.  May God put praise and thanksgiving deep within us as we consider the provisions before us.  Always thank Him for what we have in front of us this day, and ultimately may we turn and see that all provision is to Him, for Him, and from Him, and what a privilege we have in blessing His name.  For the things that we see, as well as the things unseen, let Scripture guide you as we come before our Lord in praise!

Billy Hastings

Licentiate in the Heartland Presbytery; CTR Guest Teacher