Psalm 98:5-6 - Make music

make music to the Lord with the harp,
     with the harp and the sound of singing,
with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn—
     shout for joy before the Lord, the King.

Musical instruments in worship...some people are for it and some are against it. I know we don't have any New Testament examples of worship with instruments, but I think this Old Testament verse assures us that God is praised with this form of worship as well. Honestly, I am happy to worship without instruments (which is what we do at the church where I am a member). I love the four part harmony and I think God is greatly praised and pleased with our voice offering. I also believe a church with a band can make an offering of song equally acceptable to the Lord.

Lord, thank you for giving us the gift of music so that we can return that gift to you. Please help us to rightly present this offering to you. Amen.

Psalm 76:11 - Follow through

Make vows to the Lord your God and fulfill them;
     let all the neighboring lands
     bring gifts to the One to be feared.

We so often think about our needs and what we need God to do for us. Here we are challenged to think about what we can offer God. What vows can we make to him? Have we pledged a certain amount of money to offer each week? Have we planned to study the bible each day? Have we committed to helping a person or organization? Think about what you can offer God, make a plan and vow to do it, then follow through.

Lord, thank you for all you have given us. Please help us fulfill the vows we make to you. Amen.

Psalm 54:6 - Do I have to give?

I will sacrifice a freewill offering to you;
     I will praise your name, Lord, for it is good.

When this was written, David was under the Jewish law. There were very specific rules about giving. Here David is ready to sacrifice a freewill offering. He wanted to give beyond what was required by the law. As Christians, we have no set rules for giving. All of our giving is a freewill offering. We simply sacrifice (money, time, etc.) out of our love and appreciation for God.

Lord, thank you for giving us the freedom to choose to give to you. Please help us to give with a sacrificial and generous heart. Amen.

Joshua 7:13

"Go, consecrate the people. Tell them, 'Consecrate yourselves in preparation for tomorrow; for this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: There are devoted things among you, Israel. You cannot stand against your enemies until you remove them.

The Israelites were not to have taken anything from Jericho. The gold, silver, bronze and iron were all to go into the Lord's Treasury. These were considered devoted things. One person took some of these devoted things. Are there things in my life that should be devoted to God yet I hang on to them?

Lord, please help me to evaluate my life, to think of all my possessions and talents and make sure I am offering them all up to you for your will and your purpose. Amen