February 27
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“Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.” (Psalm 100:2, KJV)

It is a sad day, indeed, when we — for reasons I cannot begin to fathom — stop singing.

We sang as children, and we loved it.  In fact, who among us doesn’t remember the songs we learned and used to sing as children?

We love it anytime we hear birds sing (as I was surprised to hear early yesterday while shoveling snow).  In fact, their melodies are particularly welcome in late Winter, when we yearn for any promise of Spring.

You may be a fan of other people’s singing; but God has given you a voice, and He delights in hearing your voice in song.  You needn’t sing like Adele.  You needn’t sound like Sinatra.

Are you wondering what to sing?  Sing of His faithfulness.  Sing of His love.  Sing of His greatness, His mercy, and of His care of you.

Just sing. It is sweet music to our heavenly Father.  – Luther

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February 26
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“Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.” (Psalm 100:2, KJV)

Is there gladness in your service?

Most of us take note when we’ve been attended to by a waiter in a restaurant, or a clerk in a retail store, who was glad in their service.  When we receive “glad service,” it arrests our attention; it lifts our spirit; it transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary.

As you approach your tasks today — working as for the Lord — will you bring gladness to the task?

Will your interaction with others today — serving each as you would Jesus — transform the ordinary into the extraordinary because of your attitude?  – Luther

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February 25
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“But exhort [encourage] one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” (Hebrews 3:13, KJV)

Do not underestimate the power of personal example.

Sin is deceitful (e. g. tricky) because it always promises much and delivers little. Fellow disciples who are immature, inexperienced, or ignorant of God’s word are prime candidates for sin’s deceit.

Sin blunts the power of God’s spirit within us because it causes our heart to become less receptive (e. g. hardened) to both the Spirit’s guidance, and to the Spirit’s gifts. The farther we are from God, the smaller God seems.  The antidote to this kind of atrophy is the “exercise” of growing ever closer to our heavenly Father.

We can be of immeasurable help to others at risk of sin’s deceit; and to those at risk of becoming hardened to the Holy Spirit’s guidance and gifts, by using every opportunity — every day — to testify (e. g. give voice) to the active presence and the loving care of our heavenly Father through our personal example.  – Luther

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