We live in a day where few seem to understand what true worship is all about. Many people attend church for the social value more than learning of Christ and what He expects out of us. True worship must center on God and not on man’s desires. According to William Wilson in his Old Testament Word Studies the word worship ultimately means to pay adoration to God. The Psalmist in Psalm 95 calls for the people of Israel to praise and worship God because He is their Creator, Protector, and their Shepherd. The Psalmist proclaims in v.6, “O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.” Then again in Psalm 96:9 the Psalmist proclaims: “O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: fear before Him, all the earth.” God is worshipped because of who He is and what He has done for us an undeserving people of His grace.
So we see worship is about God. Anywhere in the Bible that we see biblical worship or praise, it is focused on God. In true worship the worshiper is totally focused on God (or Christ) and nothing else. Remember Isaiah in Isaiah 6, his total focus was on the Lord because he got a glimpse of God’s power and glory. Interestingly in v.3 even the angels worshipped God with total reverence. In 2 Samuel 7 God told David that he could not build the Temple, but that his son would (vv.12-13). David was also told in v.16 that his throne would be established forever. Then in vv.18-29 we find David praising and worshipping God because of His greatness and mercy. The praise was all about God not David. In Luke 2:21-35 we find the story of Simeon who whole heartedly worshipped God in the Temple when He took up the baby Jesus in his arms because God promised him that he would not die until he saw his salvation. Let me offer one more example. The Apostle Paul’s life since his conversion was dedicated to the worship of God, for it was he who wrote; “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Cor 10:31) From what we can gather from the biblical record, Paul lived a worshipful life.
We see then that worship should be a natural outcome of a saved person who appreciates all that God is and what He has done for him or her. Believers need to dedicate their lives to worshipping God His way because we will be worshipping God for all eternity. In the Book of Revelation chapters 4 and 5:8-14 we find heavenly worship of God during the Tribulation Period. The four beasts and the 24 elders are worshipping God because He is worthy of the honor for He created all things for His pleasure (Rev. 4:11). I believe that this heavenly scene will be repeated continually for all eternity. We have the blessed privilege of worshipping Christ forever.
Implementing true worship in our churches can be a difficult task. It starts with solid biblical preaching and teaching. We are dealing with people who are strongly influenced to think more of themselves than of others. Many people come to church for what they can get out of it instead of focusing on the Lord in true worship. We need to teach our congregations about the glories of God and Christ. We need to help them to take the focus off of themselves and to look to Christ.
We need to build an atmosphere of worship. We need to choose songs that are theologically accurate and true to God’s character. Our music leaders can explain the richness of the hymns they choose and help the congregation to focus on what they are actually signing. This is not popular in most churches today, but I believe it is healthy to help people to learn to keep the noise down in the sanctuary so others can prepare their hearts for true worship. Many of our sanctuaries are very noisy and disruptive. I am not arguing for a false piety, but I do believe there should be a proper atmosphere for worship.
We need to teach that every aspect of the service is a part of the worship. Pastoral prayers should be meaningful and not just something we do. The offering time is a special time of worship as we give back to God in thanksgiving for how He has provided for us. Nothing should be done as a filler, but everything with a purpose.
What is our attitude about worship? We need to understand that life is about Christ and not about ourselves. We must go to church and live our lives to glorify Christ!!
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Monday, May 16, 2011
BENNEFITS OF THE WORD
An ingredient in the salvation process: (Romans 10:13-14) "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?" (Romans 10:17) "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."
Matures us: (2 Timothy 3:16-17) "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect (maturing), throughly furnished (equipped) unto all good works. ………….." (Romans 12:2) "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind (Through the Word), that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
Guides us: (Psalms 119:103-105) "How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." The Word illumines our way in a dark world. It gives us clear direction on how to follow the right way & avoid the wrong way. The oil of the lamp is the Holy Spirit who guides us.
Teaches us to Fear God: (Deuteronomy 4:10) "Specially the day that thou stoodest before the LORD thy God in Horeb, when the LORD said unto me, Gather me the people together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children." We are to stand in awe of His holiness and reverence Him- give Him glory & praise!!
Convicts of sin: 2Kings 22:8-13, In the days of Josiah the high priest Hilkiah found the Book of the Law. Notice the proper response: (2 Chronicles 34:27) "Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heardest his words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before me, and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before me; I have even heard thee also, saith the LORD."
Can protect us from sin: (Psalms 119:11) "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee."
Comforts us: (Psalms 119:50) "This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me." Quickened- revive, restore, recover, nourish.
Provides success for our life: (Joshua 1:8) "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success." Prosperous & success- meaning the work we do for God as He leads in our lives will be profitable. We will have the wisdom to behave & serve properly- we will be in tune with our Lord. This includes activities such as parenting, serving the Lord, & etc.
Standard of judgment: (John 12:48) "He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day."
Our responsibility: (James 1:22) "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." It is not enough to study & know the Word of God. We can have great Biblical knowledge & fail to live a pleasing life for God. We must be “doers of the Word” practicing it, living it out daily in our lives. This means humbling ourselves & submitting to the Word- its every command & precept. We cannot pick & choose what Scriptures to obey according to our fancy.
Thomas Paine:
The Bible is a book that has been read more and examined less than any book
that ever existed.
Mark Twain
Most people are bothered by those passages of Scripture they do not
understand, but the passages that bother me are those I do understand.
Dwight L Moody
The Bible will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from the Bible.
Abraham Lincoln
I believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given to man.
A.W. Tozer
The Bible was written in tears, and to tears it yields its best treasures.
Anonymous Reading the Bible without meditating on it is like trying to eat without
swallowing.
An ingredient in the salvation process: (Romans 10:13-14) "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?" (Romans 10:17) "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."
Matures us: (2 Timothy 3:16-17) "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect (maturing), throughly furnished (equipped) unto all good works. ………….." (Romans 12:2) "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind (Through the Word), that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
Guides us: (Psalms 119:103-105) "How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." The Word illumines our way in a dark world. It gives us clear direction on how to follow the right way & avoid the wrong way. The oil of the lamp is the Holy Spirit who guides us.
Teaches us to Fear God: (Deuteronomy 4:10) "Specially the day that thou stoodest before the LORD thy God in Horeb, when the LORD said unto me, Gather me the people together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children." We are to stand in awe of His holiness and reverence Him- give Him glory & praise!!
Convicts of sin: 2Kings 22:8-13, In the days of Josiah the high priest Hilkiah found the Book of the Law. Notice the proper response: (2 Chronicles 34:27) "Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heardest his words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before me, and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before me; I have even heard thee also, saith the LORD."
Can protect us from sin: (Psalms 119:11) "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee."
Comforts us: (Psalms 119:50) "This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me." Quickened- revive, restore, recover, nourish.
Provides success for our life: (Joshua 1:8) "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success." Prosperous & success- meaning the work we do for God as He leads in our lives will be profitable. We will have the wisdom to behave & serve properly- we will be in tune with our Lord. This includes activities such as parenting, serving the Lord, & etc.
Standard of judgment: (John 12:48) "He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day."
Our responsibility: (James 1:22) "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." It is not enough to study & know the Word of God. We can have great Biblical knowledge & fail to live a pleasing life for God. We must be “doers of the Word” practicing it, living it out daily in our lives. This means humbling ourselves & submitting to the Word- its every command & precept. We cannot pick & choose what Scriptures to obey according to our fancy.
Thomas Paine:
The Bible is a book that has been read more and examined less than any book
that ever existed.
Mark Twain
Most people are bothered by those passages of Scripture they do not
understand, but the passages that bother me are those I do understand.
Dwight L Moody
The Bible will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from the Bible.
Abraham Lincoln
I believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given to man.
A.W. Tozer
The Bible was written in tears, and to tears it yields its best treasures.
Anonymous Reading the Bible without meditating on it is like trying to eat without
swallowing.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Just A Quick Note!
I am sorry for the formatting problems on many of my posts. I am new at using this blog. Sometimes there is a space between paragraphs and other times it all runs together. It is quite frustrating. But I will eventually get it right:) I pray that you will keep reading and bennefit from the articles.
Steps To Being A Good Parent Part 3
In our last two articles we noted that a parent must cultivate their own spiritual life and a parent must understand that their children are a gift from God. God owns them and simply lent them to us to raise for His glory. In this article I want us to concentrate on a third important element in becoming godly parents. A Parent must fulfil his/her responsibilities. This will not be an exhaustive list but simply some important responsibilities that a parent must not ignore.
First of all we must love them. If we are going to love as God loves (imperfect of course as sinful people) we must purpose their good. This will take spending a lot of time with our Lord in prayer seeking what is best for our children. We must gaurd against our selfish desires and realize that everything we do for them needs to be for the purpose of leading them in the direction of a knowledge and love for God. This will include discipline. Sometimes our love must be tough love. But we must never forget that discipline is for the purpose of training. Consider a few verses from the Bible. (Proverbs 22:15) Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him. (Proverbs 13:24) He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.
Secondly, we must be committed to the task of raising our children. If you are not willing to spend quality time with your children, they will struggle to mature both mentally and spiritually. If you are not spending time with your children, someone or something else will influence them for good or for bad. Some parents are totally consumed with their jobs, but your children are more important. We have to work, but we cannot afford to neglect our children. Good parenting takes commitment!!
Thirdly, we must be parents of prayer. Our real power comes from a committed prayer life. God works through prayer! We must be praying for God's strength to parent wisely and to make right decisions for our children. We must be praying for their salvation. Once they are saved we must pray for their spiritual maturity, decision making, usefulness for God, and to follow God's leading for their lives. Parents, we have a lot to pray about, please don't neglect your prayer life!
Fourthly, we must protect them. Protect them from both physical and spiritual harm. We must protect them from what they watch, read, listen to, from any influence that would lead them away from God. It is our duty to teach them how to make right decisions based on God's Word and principles.
Fithly, we must be an example for them to watch. Parents this is very humbling, but we must "practice what we preach." If we don't set the example someone else will!! Exhibit to them how to love and serve the Lord. We do a terrible injustice to our children when we tell them one thing and we do another. We must follow Paul's pattern; (Philippians 3:17) Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
First of all we must love them. If we are going to love as God loves (imperfect of course as sinful people) we must purpose their good. This will take spending a lot of time with our Lord in prayer seeking what is best for our children. We must gaurd against our selfish desires and realize that everything we do for them needs to be for the purpose of leading them in the direction of a knowledge and love for God. This will include discipline. Sometimes our love must be tough love. But we must never forget that discipline is for the purpose of training. Consider a few verses from the Bible. (Proverbs 22:15) Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him. (Proverbs 13:24) He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.
Secondly, we must be committed to the task of raising our children. If you are not willing to spend quality time with your children, they will struggle to mature both mentally and spiritually. If you are not spending time with your children, someone or something else will influence them for good or for bad. Some parents are totally consumed with their jobs, but your children are more important. We have to work, but we cannot afford to neglect our children. Good parenting takes commitment!!
Thirdly, we must be parents of prayer. Our real power comes from a committed prayer life. God works through prayer! We must be praying for God's strength to parent wisely and to make right decisions for our children. We must be praying for their salvation. Once they are saved we must pray for their spiritual maturity, decision making, usefulness for God, and to follow God's leading for their lives. Parents, we have a lot to pray about, please don't neglect your prayer life!
Fourthly, we must protect them. Protect them from both physical and spiritual harm. We must protect them from what they watch, read, listen to, from any influence that would lead them away from God. It is our duty to teach them how to make right decisions based on God's Word and principles.
Fithly, we must be an example for them to watch. Parents this is very humbling, but we must "practice what we preach." If we don't set the example someone else will!! Exhibit to them how to love and serve the Lord. We do a terrible injustice to our children when we tell them one thing and we do another. We must follow Paul's pattern; (Philippians 3:17) Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
Sixthly, we must be the primary instructers in our children's lives. It is the job of the parent first to teach our children especially in the things of the Lord. Don't expect this to be the job of the Sunday School teachers alone. Some parents feel that is the job of the church or later the Christian college. No parents, they are to help but the primary job belongs to you. Our children need instruction from the word of God. Douglas Wilson exhorts; "children of Christian parents are to be brought up in an enviroment dominated by the Word of God." Take your bilbe and read deuteronomy chapter six and Psalm 78. Parents teach your children to have disciplined lives, how to love God, how to pray, how to cultivate a relationship to God, how to follow God's will, and etc. We have a lot to teach them, but it is a true privilege to raise our children.
These are only a few responsibilities that parents must practice. Their are many more that could be listed, but for sure we cannot ignore these. Parents, we have a big responsibility before us, but it is well worth it. Take your job as a parent seriously. Go to God for strength and wisdom because we cannot do a good job in our own strength.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Steps To Being A Good Parent Part 2
In our last article we observed that a good parent must cultivate his or her own spiritual life. Why should we expect our children to be spiritual and love the Lord if we fail to love the Lord as we ought to. Thankfully the Lord can work in our children inspite of us, but we do have an obligation to model genuine christianity to them!
In this article I want to emphasize a second point and that point is that Parents must understand that their children are a gift from God. God created our children. They belong to Him. We must never forget this. We sometimes get the idea that we own our children and we make decisions for them that seem to bear out this idea. Don't get me wrong, we need to make decisions for them while they are young, but those decisions should be done with a dependence on our sovereign God. We must also remember not to push our children to do things or pursue careers based upon our desires for them. We need to spend much time in prayer seeking God's will for our children and guide them in their decisions based on biblical principles.
Secondly, we must never forget that our children are on loan to us from God. He is the giver of every good gift. (James 1:17) Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Children are a wonderful gift from God, but they are also an inheritance from the Lord.
(Psalms 127:3-5) Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.
The word for "heritage" means "something inherited." Children are an inheritance from God- God's blessing to you. What an awsome inheritance!! Do you realize that this is the only inheritance that you will ever receive that you could possibly take with you to heaven when this life is over. We have the privilege to share the gospel to our children and raise them to honor God!! Hannah understood this when she prayed for a child and God gave her Samuel.
(1 Samuel 1:11) And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head. (1 Samuel 1:28) Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there. {lent him: or, returned him, whom I have obtained by petition}
Read the story in Genesis 22 about Abraham and Isaac where God tested Abraham's allegiance and trust by asking him to offer up Isaac as a burnt offering. Wow, can you imagine even the thought of such a thing. Now understand, that God was simply testing Abraham. Abraham so trusted God that he was about to offer up Isaac, when suddenly God provided a ram in the thicket for the burnt offering. Now listen to verse 12. God is speaking. (Genesis 22:12) And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. Abraham loved and trusted his God, but he also understood that Isaac was God's and on loan to him.
In this article I want to emphasize a second point and that point is that Parents must understand that their children are a gift from God. God created our children. They belong to Him. We must never forget this. We sometimes get the idea that we own our children and we make decisions for them that seem to bear out this idea. Don't get me wrong, we need to make decisions for them while they are young, but those decisions should be done with a dependence on our sovereign God. We must also remember not to push our children to do things or pursue careers based upon our desires for them. We need to spend much time in prayer seeking God's will for our children and guide them in their decisions based on biblical principles.
Secondly, we must never forget that our children are on loan to us from God. He is the giver of every good gift. (James 1:17) Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Children are a wonderful gift from God, but they are also an inheritance from the Lord.
(Psalms 127:3-5) Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.
The word for "heritage" means "something inherited." Children are an inheritance from God- God's blessing to you. What an awsome inheritance!! Do you realize that this is the only inheritance that you will ever receive that you could possibly take with you to heaven when this life is over. We have the privilege to share the gospel to our children and raise them to honor God!! Hannah understood this when she prayed for a child and God gave her Samuel.
(1 Samuel 1:11) And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head. (1 Samuel 1:28) Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there. {lent him: or, returned him, whom I have obtained by petition}
Read the story in Genesis 22 about Abraham and Isaac where God tested Abraham's allegiance and trust by asking him to offer up Isaac as a burnt offering. Wow, can you imagine even the thought of such a thing. Now understand, that God was simply testing Abraham. Abraham so trusted God that he was about to offer up Isaac, when suddenly God provided a ram in the thicket for the burnt offering. Now listen to verse 12. God is speaking. (Genesis 22:12) And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. Abraham loved and trusted his God, but he also understood that Isaac was God's and on loan to him.
God has given us our children for a reason. Do you really understand that? Children are not a bother, or a nuisance, or even an obstacle in our way, they are wonderful gifts from God. We have a responsibility before God to raise them according to God's standards and for His glory!! If you can understand these truths, then you will be more ready to raise wonderful children and be the best parent that you can be with God's help.
Stay tuned for part 3.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
If you have questions concerning true Christianity, then check out this link. http://www.christianitypureandsimple.org
Friday, March 4, 2011
How Can We Be Good Parents? Part I
We have a great need today for godly parents. All around us we observe broken homes. Unfortunately, we even observe many problems within Christian homes. Who or what is to blame? Society? Teachers? Our churches? Pastors? Sunday School teachers or youth pastor? NO, we have nobody to blame but ourselves. Parents, we are responsible for our children! We MUST own that responsibility! E. Allen Griffith hits the nail on the head:
"The need of our day is for godly, devoted parents to commit themselves to rearing their children with strict adherence to the principles and instructions found in the Word of God. That commitment will require time and energy that few seem
willing to invest in family life."
Friends, with God's help we can be the parents that God wants us to be. I want to emphasize three points that I believe will help us to be good parents. In this first post I will elaborate on my first point which is that a parent must first cultivate their own spiritual life.
We must take our spiritual life very seriously. Too many Christians struggle to work on their own spiritual growth. We do have a part in the process even though we know that the Holy Spirit is the One who ultimately must be working in our lives. First of all we need to commit ourselves to complete obedience to the Word of God. Deuteronomy 6 is a great passage for parents to study. In order to keep their part of the Covenant with God, they were to obey the Law and teach it to their children. Covenant faithfulness required obedience. In Deuteronomy 6 obedience is emphasized in the first three verses. Verse one states "that ye might do them." Verse two states "to keep all his statutes and his commandments." And verse three states "and observe to do it." Obviously, obedience is crucial to our spiritual walk. James also emphasizes the importance of obedience to the Word.
James 1:22 "But be ye doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." James 1:25 "But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed."
Parents, not only is obedience to God's Word important, but we must also have a passion for our great God. Do you enjoy spending time with your God? Do you spend any quality time with your God? Why is it that we can go through our day with barely even thinking about our great God? He has done so much for us. Just read Ephesians chapter one and if it does not move you friend, then you have grown spiritualy cold. Deuteronomy 6:5 exhorts us to "love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might."
If you do not desire the Word and to obey it, there is a good chance niether will your children. We need the Word of God to instuct us and only then will we be able to raise godly children by God's standards. Our children also need to see that we absolutely love our great God and His Son the Lord Jesus Christ. Passion can be contagious and our children will learn by watching us. If you fail to cultivate your spiritual life, I promise you that you will struggle in raising your children for God's glory. Stay tuned for more later!! God Bless!!
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