STAND AND SHOUT

SONPOWER 2008
DEVOTIONS
Written by Nan Allen
 “WHAT COULD BE BETTER”

I just got back from paradise. Really, I did. As I’m writing this, I’m looking at pictures
we took on a family vacation to the Caribbean. The water was optic green like a painting;
the sky was so blue that it didn’t look real; the sun was warm and welcoming. I can’t
remember experiencing such eye candy.

Sometime during the week, though, I was walking on the powdery beach sand and
stepped on a sharp-edged shell. It didn’t break the skin, but it hurt. About halfway
through the trip, there was an afternoon of rain, clouds, and wind. And sometime after
that I got a little bit too much sun, and the skin on my shoulders started to hurt. So
paradise had its limits. Oh, it truly was a great trip in a beautiful place, but I couldn’t
help but think that there is a place that IS PERFECT—no pain, no clouds, no worries.

Heaven.

Read Revelation 7:16-17. This talks about the absence of annoying and painful things we
experience on earth. Write those things here:

Flip over to Revelation 21. Verses 12-21 try to describe the environment of heaven. Talk
about eye candy! List the features of the city (heaven) we’ll find there.

Then read Revelation 21:23. This is a description of the “forecast” in heaven. What kind
of light will we have there?

Now to Revelation 21:25. Heaven is absent of what?

The song “What Could Be Better” talks of the joy that believers have knowing that we
have something other than this life that we can look forward to. And, wow, what a place!
It’s not a vacation spot that has a check-in and check-out time; in fact, it’s home!
 “LOVE THE LORD”

Dennis and I got a Wii® game system a few months ago. We weren’t born into the video
generation, so we went into it kind of kicking and screaming. But we love it and have
discovered that it is not as hard as we thought.

Then we got Guitar Hero®. This was a whole new thing. It’s quite consuming because of
the intense attention it requires to not get booed off the stage. I’ve found that it takes
TOTAL concentration. All senses have to be dedicated to the task of playing this
game...AND I’M STILL PLAYING THE EASY SETTING.

When we heard the song “Love the Lord” and considered it for this project, it was clear
what the Scripture that song is built on really means. After my video game experience I
understood it even better.

Read Deuteronomy 6:4-6. This whole chapter contains the ground rules that God is
giving to the Israelites right before they enter into the promised land. There are three
things that God tells them about loving Him in verses 4-6. It’s about the intense attention
required to truly love God in the way He deserves. Bible translations vary as to the
wording, but list the ways found in your Bible that the Israelites (and we) should love
Him.
1.
2.
3.
Jesus quotes this same passage hundreds of years later when asked by some hecklers in
the crowd which of God’s commandments is the greatest. Read it in Matthew 22:34-38.
List the ways we should love the Lord.
1.
2.
3.
Notice that Matthew recalls Jesus listing three ways to love the Lord just like in
Deuteronomy. However, Mark and Luke’s accounts have different twists on the same
event. Read Mark 12:29-31 and then Luke 10:25-27. What do these Gospels add to the
list?

All of the New Testament accounts, however, quote Jesus as adding even something else
to the list. Matthew 22:39, Mark 12:31, and the end of Luke 10:27 expand the rule of love
to add what?

No matter where you read this great commandment from, the impact is still the same. We
are told to love God with all our senses, all our intelligence and talents, all our feelings
and emotions. Kind of like Guitar Hero® and me, but way more intense than that! And
just think, when I put my whole self into God’s challenge to love, I’ll never get booed off
the stage.
 “YOUR NAME”

Did you know that even the name of the Lord has power?

Solomon, the great king of the Old Testament, writes about the name of the Lord in
Proverbs 18:10. In Solomon’s day, the walls around cities were built to protect people
who lived there. Usually, at some corner of the wall (maybe all four), there was a look-
out tower built so watchmen could see enemies approaching. If the name of the Lord is a
strong tower, as the Scripture and song say, what could this mean to us today?

Read John 14:13. Jesus is giving His famous “after-dinner speech” to His disciples right
before He goes to the cross. What does He say they should do in His name?

Read Acts 2:38. This is after Jesus was raised from the dead and gone back to heaven.
Peter says that Jesus’ name has the power to do what?

Again in Acts 3:6 Peter is using the power of Jesus’ name for what purpose?

Some people use the name of God or Jesus as profanity. But what do you think will
happen if you call out the Lord’s name with a pure heart...in despair, in praise, in need,
in fear?
 “I WILL KEEP MY EYES ON YOU”

Ever looked at one of those modern abstract paintings that look like nothing until you
“unfocus” your eyes and then a 3-D image appears? They’re kind of cool, but after
awhile of staring at it, I get a headache.

So what do you think it means in Hebrews 12:1-2 when the writer tells us to keep our
eyes on Jesus? Do you think it means we should stare out into the heavens where we
hope to see Him? Do you think we should gaze at a picture of Him on the wall until some
kind of hidden image appears?

The writer of Hebrews, who still remains a mystery, is talking about a race. He’s using
the illustration of a sporting event to make the point. If you’re a cross-country runner, a
sprinter, a relay runner, or whatever, you know what your coach says to keep focused
on—the finish line. You don’t look at the crowd that’s cheering you, do you? What might
happen if you do? You don’t look at the other runners either, do you? That could be
disastrous. Your coach tells you to keep “the prize” in your sights.

The writer of the Scripture verse and the writers of this song (Jeremy Johnson and me)
are encouraging you to keep your focus on Christ. Don’t look at the crowd, even if
they’re cheering you on. Don’t look at the other Christians “running” beside you. If you
do either of these things, you’ll probably start feeling pretty full of yourself or start
comparing yourself to others. Both of these “looks” can make you stumble or lag behind.

There are other examples in Scripture that use the “race” to make a spiritual point.

Read 1 Corinthians 9:23-25. Paul was writing this to a whole church. What do you think
Paul is saying through this illustration?
Now read 2 Timothy 4:6-8. This letter was written to a person, a pastor, a friend named
Timothy. What do you think Paul is saying through this sports illustration?

“GOD UNCHANGING”

“My, how you’ve grown!”

“Last time I saw you, you were this big!”

You’ve heard it. You know you have. See a relative for the first time in awhile, and
you’ll hear at least some version of this.

Yeah, we change. And that’s not a bad thing. In fact, it’s normal and healthy. And at the
same time we change, the world around us changes, too. So where’s the constant, the
stability. Well, in this life there is no such thing. Even if a friend or family member says
that they will always be there for you, it’s really a claim that a human being can’t live up
to. As much as they’d like to think so, they won’t always be there for you.

But as the song “God Unchanging” states,

“You have shown time and again,

Your forgiveness knows no end,
Your unfailing love from generation to generation.

You are faithful, Lord, to save,

And Your mercy will not fade.
You are glorious from generation to generation.”1

1
Words by Jaime Jamgochian and James Thiele. © Copyright 2007 Centricity Music Publishing/Universal
Music Corp./Cumberland Belle Music (ASCAP) (admin. by UMPG). All rights reserved. Used by
permission.
Search your Bible for these passages:

Psalm 48:14
Psalm 73:26
Deuteronomy 31:8
Psalm 100:5

What do these passages promise God will do forever?

Where else can you find such a promise?

 “MAKE HIM KNOWN”

What if you discovered (even by accident) the cure for a horrible disease like cancer or
multiple sclerosis, or even something minor like zits or body odor. Wouldn’t you tell
everybody about your newfound cure? Of course you would, especially if you know and
love someone suffering from one of these maladies.

So why don’t we tell everybody (especially those we know and love) about the cure for
DEATH we have found. Of course, I’m not talking about physical death, but we, as
believers, have the cure for eternal death. And we possess the remedy for much of the
sufferings of life on earth. So why don’t we tell everybody? (This isn’t a rhetorical
question; it needs an answer.) List a few reasons why we’re often so timid about making
Christ known to those who so desperately need Him.

One of the main themes for Romans is found in Romans 1:16. Look it up, and I think you
will find out what Paul, the writer of this book, thought the problem was.
 “SOMETHING TO SAY”

Now that I’m not required to do it for school, I’ve gotten into reading biographies,
especially those about the founding fathers of our nation and other men and women who
shaped our world. I don’t know why, but sometimes I get so involved in reading about
somebody else’s life that I can’t put the book down and get back to my own life.

Most biographies have a title (the name of the person written about) and then a subtitle,
like these:

• The Story of Walt Disney: Maker of Magical Worlds

• Ordinary Genius: The Story of Albert Einstein
• The Story of Benjamin Franklin: Amazing American

The subtitles are there to sum up the person’s life—what they are best known for, or what
impact they had on our world.

If somebody wrote your biography, what would your subtitle say? Write it in the space
below.

In 2 Timothy 4:7, Paul gives three things that he wants his life to say. What are they?

Is this what you want your life to say?

 “STAND AND SHOUT”

A true fan is loyal. A true fan is passionate. A true fan is...LOUD.

You can’t go see your favorite team play without standing up when the half-court shot is
in the air, or the running back is breaking every tackle, or the ball is sailing off the bat,
heading for the fence. It’s just not possible to sit there and not get up and get loud.

The song “Stand and Shout” gives sort of a list of things we’ve got to shout about. Look
at the lyric to the song and underline those things.

“Stand and shout,

Shout and sing.
We’ve been bought and redeemed.
Jesus died, Jesus lives.
Jesus loves and He forgives!
So, let your praise rise up and magnify.
Let your voice be heard and testify!

Chorus
Our God loves.
Our God saves.
Our God rescues from the grave.
Our God showers down His mercy
for the glory of His name.
Our God heals.
Our God frees.
Our God gives us ev’rything
To live and love in freedom here and now.
Stand and shout!” 2

1
Words by Travis Cottrell and Mike Harland. © Copyright 2007 First Hand Revelation (ASCAP) (admin.
by Integrity’s Hosanna! Music) (c/o Integrity Media, Inc., 1000 Cody Road, Mobile, AL 36695)/Van Ness
Press, Inc. (ASCAP) (admin. by LifeWay Worship). All rights reserved. Used by permission.
 “THE WORD IS ALIVE”

If you don’t believe that the Bible is 100 percent true, then it’s really impossible to have
any kind of saving relationship with God, the Author.

The Bible says the following in 2 Timothy 3:16-17:

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for
correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete,
equipped for every good work.”1

Simon Peter said this in 2 Peter 1:20-21:

“First of all, you should know this: no prophecy of Scripture comes from one’s own
interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by the will of man; instead, moved by
the Holy Spirit, men spoke from God.”

And then in Hebrews 4:12, some of the most powerful words about the Bible are written.
Look this up. What do you think this means? Write your thoughts below.

1
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000,
2002, 2003 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.
 “MIGHTY TO SAVE”

“Savior,
He can move the mountains.
My God is mighty to save.
He is mighty to save.
Forever, Author of salvation;
He rose and conquered the grave.
Jesus conquered the grave.”3

This is a testimony song. It is a proclamation of what God can do. In the chorus above,
underline the powers attributed to Him.

The verses to this song are very personal. Can you remember the lyrics? These words
change from proclamation ABOUT GOD to cries TO GOD.

1 Chronicles 29:11 says this:

“Yours, LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the splendor and the
majesty, for everything in the heavens and on earth belongs to You. Yours, LORD,
is the kingdom, and You are exalted as head over all.” 4

Do you believe that God created everything and is in control over everything? If so,
then pray now that you’ll believe that He not only created YOU, but has control over
EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU.

3
Words by Ben Fielding and Reuben Morgan. © Copyright 2006 Ben Fielding, Reuben Morgan and
Hillsong Publishing (ASCAP) (admin. in the U.S. and Canada by Integrity’s Hosanna! Music) (c/o
Integrity Media, Inc., 1000 Cody Road, Mobile, AL 36695). All rights reserved. International copyright
secured. Used by permission.
4
Scripture quotation taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002,
2003 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.
 “CHILDREN OF GOD”

One of the greatest songwriters of our time is Steven Curtis Chapman. He wrote this
song. The Chapmans have three biological children who look just like their parents—
blond,
fair-skinned, beautiful.

The Chapmans also have three adopted children from China.* They, too, are beautiful,
though they aren’t blond and fair-skinned. They may not look like their adoptive parents,
but they are loved and treated the same way as Steven and Mary Beth’s other children.
There is no difference. When the time comes for these parents to leave this world for
heaven, the inheritance they leave behind will make no distinction between their
biological children and their adopted children.

Perhaps this is why Steven wrote “Children of God.”

Galatians 3:27-29 was written to a group of Jews who thought Gentiles who were new to
faith in Christ didn’t deserve the same rights as they. Read this passage. What does Paul
say about this?

The only true Child of God was Jesus Himself, right? The only “begotten Son.” But read
Romans 8:16-17. What does it say there? Does this include us, too?

Right above these verses (vv. 14-15) it says that we have the right to not only call God
“Father” but we can call Him “Abba,” which is what Jewish children used for the word
we know as “dad” or “daddy.”
Is it time for you to start asking Daddy to give you His blessings? How can He refuse one
of His own?

*On May 21, 2008, the Chapman’s youngest daughter, Maria Sue, was killed in an
accident at her home. Please pray for this family as they grieve.
“PSALM 91”

Look up this passage in your Bible. We took the theme of this chapter and created the
a cappella song for this collection.

Verses 1 and 2 call God what?

In verses 3-6, the description of God changes. What does the psalmist compare God to?

Verse 11 makes a promise about how God might protect us. What is the method of
protection promised here?

So what do you believe about God’s protection of you? Do you believe He will come to
your aid even if you do foolish things?

Please pray that God will protect you and that He will keep you from making unwise
choices, too.
 “FATHER, SPIRIT, JESUS”

This is a pure praise song. It is a conversation between us (the congregation) to the

three-in-one God...Father, Spirit, Jesus.

The idea of the Trinity (God with three identities) is all over the Bible, although the
word Trinity never appears.

It’s not too hard to understand this concept is it? I mean, you are one person but have
several identities—brother or sister, son or daughter, student, friend. These terms just
define your relationships with those around you.

In sort of the same way, the Trinity is three ways that God has revealed Himself to us
and three ways He interacts with us.

Read Isaiah 64:8. Which part of the Trinity is Isaiah praising?

The former apostle, John, starts his Gospel with kind of a history of the world
(condensed). Now read John 1:14. Which part of the Trinity does John bring into
this history?
Now farther over in the Gospel of John, chapter 14, verse 26, the writer is recalling
again the “after-dinner speech.” The Holy Spirit is called what here?

What does Jesus say is the Spirit’s function?

It’s great to know that our God thought it was important to keep Himself close to us
even if it meant creating three different ways in which we see Him.

Pray that you can see God as He has revealed Himself...as a Father, as a Man, and as a
Spirit.