“What should I do with my life?” Many of us ask this question when things do not make as much sense as during “better” times, or when we are exhausted, or worried. The Bible’s answer is that we have to begin with a bigger, more relevant question. If I am a Christian, if I am committed to follow Jesus and love him, my question should be: ”How do I fit into God’s plans?” And “What are God’s plans for me ?”
God is not standing idly by as the world we live in plummets from one debacle and failure into another. God certainly has not deserted our sad and corrupt world, leaving us to see whether we will be able to fix the problems we have created for ourselves and for each other.
God has already revealed his plan to bring an end to all evil. He made the preparations for a new world possible when Jesus once and for all died and rose to save sinners. He continues his preparation by using you and me, his church, to invite the whole world to accept his invitation to join him in overcoming evil by following him as Lord of our lives.
A picture of this future is given to us in the book of Revelation:
“Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Rev 21:3-4)
This perfect peace is what the world is destined for. It is a world where those who share God’s peace will no longer be self-centred, greedy, corrupt, malicious and insecure. Instead God will be with his people and he will be their God. He will rule over them perfectly and lovingly through his Son Jesus. It begins for us when we submit our lives to the perfect rule of King Jesus.
As Christians, we “show case” the new world, as God transforms us to follow Jesus, to love Jesus and be more like Jesus. You and I are called to “no longer live for ourselves but for Jesus who died for us” (2Cor 5:15). He calls us to live for his kingdom and to live for his future.
The better question to ask is: Am I part of God’s plans? How will what I do fit into his plans? And how can I best serve him with the means, gifts, opportunities and responsibilities he has given me today?
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Monday, August 29, 2011
Our battles belong to the Lord...
Israel and the Philistines were at war - again! They arranged their forces on opposite sides of a valley. This made it risky for either army to begin an attack. By descending one slope, crossing the valley floor and its stream, and climbing up the other side, the attackers would make themselves vulnerable. The result was a stalemate; neither army dared to leave its position.
It was the giant, Goliath, who provided a solution. He boastfully challenged anyone in Israel to a one-on-one confrontation. This encounter would decide the battle and the war.
The most important detail that the Bible gives us about Goliath is not his size, his armour or his challenge to Gods people. The most important detail is that Goliath defied "the armies of the living God" (1 Sam 17:26). He treated God with contempt. He mocked the almighty God of Israel.
But the LORD had chosen David to be his servant. David represents the power of God and the glory of God. David is God's chosen instrument to overcome an enemy who defied him.
David accepted Goliath's challenge, because the LORD was with him. Victory and defeat was in the hands of the LORD. Not in the hands of David or his ridiculous “weapon” – a sling and a stone. It was God who defeated Goliath - not David or his sling. The battle belongs to the Lord (1 Sam 17: 47), and the Lord will give his enemy into our hands, however insufficient our defence may be.
To save us from the last and final enemy, God has a chosen instrument – it is Jesus Christ, his beloved Son. God defeats the enemy without sword or spear. Of all things, God uses a cross and a grave, a crucifixion and a resurrection to defend us once and for all.
He chose his Son, dying on the cross and arising from the grave, to defeat the powers of darkness.
As always, the battle still belongs to the Lord.
As always it is not our weapons that make the difference – but God.
Because the battle belongs to the LORD, and so does the victory.
It was the giant, Goliath, who provided a solution. He boastfully challenged anyone in Israel to a one-on-one confrontation. This encounter would decide the battle and the war.
The most important detail that the Bible gives us about Goliath is not his size, his armour or his challenge to Gods people. The most important detail is that Goliath defied "the armies of the living God" (1 Sam 17:26). He treated God with contempt. He mocked the almighty God of Israel.
But the LORD had chosen David to be his servant. David represents the power of God and the glory of God. David is God's chosen instrument to overcome an enemy who defied him.
David accepted Goliath's challenge, because the LORD was with him. Victory and defeat was in the hands of the LORD. Not in the hands of David or his ridiculous “weapon” – a sling and a stone. It was God who defeated Goliath - not David or his sling. The battle belongs to the Lord (1 Sam 17: 47), and the Lord will give his enemy into our hands, however insufficient our defence may be.
To save us from the last and final enemy, God has a chosen instrument – it is Jesus Christ, his beloved Son. God defeats the enemy without sword or spear. Of all things, God uses a cross and a grave, a crucifixion and a resurrection to defend us once and for all.
He chose his Son, dying on the cross and arising from the grave, to defeat the powers of darkness.
As always, the battle still belongs to the Lord.
As always it is not our weapons that make the difference – but God.
Because the battle belongs to the LORD, and so does the victory.
Friday, August 26, 2011
Our God gives wisdom as much as he gives warning
God warns us way ahead of time of the dangers in our spiritual life as well as of the challenges for his church. It always was the case. In the days of Amos the prophet, God said through his servant:
Amos 3: 6 and 7: When a trumpet sounds in a city, do not the people tremble? When disaster comes to a city, has not the LORD caused it? Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.
But we have to listen when we hear and see that God reveals his plan, we must take the action God’s wisdom shows us and be prepared. God will provide in our every need, even when dangers prowl.
Always give your best and your all to God. When the day of the Lord comes, we will be prepared to heed his warning and triumph - in his Name and by his grace and mercy. Because our God gives wisdom as much as he gives warning.
May you be blessed when you serve God wholeheartedly, responding to his revelation and conquer through his omnipotent power! Be prepared to receive the Lord’s solution on the day of danger and attack, by giving him your best and giving him your all.
Amos 3: 6 and 7: When a trumpet sounds in a city, do not the people tremble? When disaster comes to a city, has not the LORD caused it? Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.
But we have to listen when we hear and see that God reveals his plan, we must take the action God’s wisdom shows us and be prepared. God will provide in our every need, even when dangers prowl.
Always give your best and your all to God. When the day of the Lord comes, we will be prepared to heed his warning and triumph - in his Name and by his grace and mercy. Because our God gives wisdom as much as he gives warning.
May you be blessed when you serve God wholeheartedly, responding to his revelation and conquer through his omnipotent power! Be prepared to receive the Lord’s solution on the day of danger and attack, by giving him your best and giving him your all.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
We see God's glory in the wonders of creation.
When you visit the coast, you see the most glorious sunsets. After the sun slides behind the sea, you go on your way, with this text on your lips: "O Lord, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth!" (Ps 8: 1 and 9)
God's glory shines above the heavens and below the sea. I am visiting South Africa’s second most popular international tourist destination, the Garden Route of the Southern Cape, also known as the Knysna region. (Kruger Park is the number one SA destination}
The fine arrangement and beauty of mountains, lagunes, wetlands, sea, rivers and the unique ecology shown in the abundance of vegetation and forests only found here, show the skill of the heavenly Artist. The immense grandeur of each one of these gardens designed by the eternal Gardener himself, demonstrates the incomprehensible greatness of God. It enthuses gratitude. It inspires thanksgiving.
God's name is not simply crowned in our hearts; it is majestic in all the earth. Many small and seemingly unimportant things reveal the greatness of God. Each little flower that opens is a witness of the Creator’s glory. The immense variety of birds tells of God’s divine creativity and each one sings its own song to proclaim the glorious majesty of God. Simply being in these quiet, natural gardens, reminds of the glory of the Lord.
David starts and ends Psalm 8 the same way, with words of praise to God:
(Ps 8:1 and 9) O LORD, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
God's name stands for God's person, God's being, and God's attributes; they are all majestic. In the Hebrew language, the word for Majestic tells us that God is the only one, unique, incomparable, omnipotent God.
We read this message on all the pages of the Scriptures, all the time:
(Ex 15:11) "Who among the gods is like you, O LORD? Who is like you - majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?"
(1 Sam 2:2) "There is no one holy like the LORD; there is no one besides you; there is no rock like our God."
(Jer 10:6) "No one is like you, O LORD; you are great, and your name is mighty in power."
God is majestic. He is majestic in power, in splendour, in glory, in works, in love and in holiness. He is incomparable. The Lord God almighty, the awesome Creator, is indeed the one and only God and need to be praised forever.
For King David, the majesty of God is especially evident in his vast and wondrous creation. David looks at the sun, moon, and stars, David looks at the birds, fish, and animals and David looks at man. He sees all that God has made and he says,
O LORD, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
God's glory shines above the heavens and below the sea. I am visiting South Africa’s second most popular international tourist destination, the Garden Route of the Southern Cape, also known as the Knysna region. (Kruger Park is the number one SA destination}
The fine arrangement and beauty of mountains, lagunes, wetlands, sea, rivers and the unique ecology shown in the abundance of vegetation and forests only found here, show the skill of the heavenly Artist. The immense grandeur of each one of these gardens designed by the eternal Gardener himself, demonstrates the incomprehensible greatness of God. It enthuses gratitude. It inspires thanksgiving.
God's name is not simply crowned in our hearts; it is majestic in all the earth. Many small and seemingly unimportant things reveal the greatness of God. Each little flower that opens is a witness of the Creator’s glory. The immense variety of birds tells of God’s divine creativity and each one sings its own song to proclaim the glorious majesty of God. Simply being in these quiet, natural gardens, reminds of the glory of the Lord.
David starts and ends Psalm 8 the same way, with words of praise to God:
(Ps 8:1 and 9) O LORD, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
God's name stands for God's person, God's being, and God's attributes; they are all majestic. In the Hebrew language, the word for Majestic tells us that God is the only one, unique, incomparable, omnipotent God.
We read this message on all the pages of the Scriptures, all the time:
(Ex 15:11) "Who among the gods is like you, O LORD? Who is like you - majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?"
(1 Sam 2:2) "There is no one holy like the LORD; there is no one besides you; there is no rock like our God."
(Jer 10:6) "No one is like you, O LORD; you are great, and your name is mighty in power."
God is majestic. He is majestic in power, in splendour, in glory, in works, in love and in holiness. He is incomparable. The Lord God almighty, the awesome Creator, is indeed the one and only God and need to be praised forever.
For King David, the majesty of God is especially evident in his vast and wondrous creation. David looks at the sun, moon, and stars, David looks at the birds, fish, and animals and David looks at man. He sees all that God has made and he says,
O LORD, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Our relationship with Jesus results in the fruit of love for each other
If we do not know Jesus, we can do nothing good!
As we look around our congregation, we see people whose lives reveal the glory of Jesus! Their witness strengthens our faith. We are strengthened by them and they by us, and together we reveal Jesus' glory, and as we reveal his grandeur, we help others to believe in him.
In the "true vine" context, Jesus says, "Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch (of the vine) cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me, and I in them, bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:4-5).
The fruit that Jesus speaks about is revealing his love through our love for each other as his children, thus sharing his joy with a sad, lost world, because he is the answer, the Saviour, the true source of life and hope, of meaning and fruit. In John 15: 10 – 11 Jesus says: “If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” Our relationship with Jesus results in the fruit of love for each other and complete joy in his service.
If we really want to honour Jesus, this is how we do it: by loving one another. When we do, people will look at us and see Jesus living in us and, understanding his message, believe, take heart and give him glory! Only then our discipleship will be complete.
As we look around our congregation, we see people whose lives reveal the glory of Jesus! Their witness strengthens our faith. We are strengthened by them and they by us, and together we reveal Jesus' glory, and as we reveal his grandeur, we help others to believe in him.
In the "true vine" context, Jesus says, "Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch (of the vine) cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me, and I in them, bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:4-5).
The fruit that Jesus speaks about is revealing his love through our love for each other as his children, thus sharing his joy with a sad, lost world, because he is the answer, the Saviour, the true source of life and hope, of meaning and fruit. In John 15: 10 – 11 Jesus says: “If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” Our relationship with Jesus results in the fruit of love for each other and complete joy in his service.
If we really want to honour Jesus, this is how we do it: by loving one another. When we do, people will look at us and see Jesus living in us and, understanding his message, believe, take heart and give him glory! Only then our discipleship will be complete.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Wait upon the Lord
Christians are infamous for their intolerance with God’s timing. They want to have perfect answers to instant prayers, immediately. They often blame God for having to wait. They time and again loose interest and focus when there is no wind driving their faith ships or when stormy weather interferes with their plans and desires.
Jesus, on the other hand, spent a lot of time waiting on his Father. He often went into retreat to find answers, strength, and patience. In order to be able to do this, Jesus made certain that he had time to pray. There are four important words about this in Matthew 14:22: "Jesus dismissed the crowd."
This was not just any crowd. This was about 10,000 people who had heard Jesus teach, had seen him heal the sick and had watched him produce enough food miraculously to feed them all. This was a crowd ready to make him a king. But Jesus dismissed them! Why? We read in verse 23: "After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray."
Jesus said no to a buzzing, excited crowd, an excellent opportunity, in order to say yes to an even better one. It was a deliberate choice to honour his priorities. Jesus' first responsibility and main concern was not to satisfy his scores of excited fans, but to wait faithfully on his heavenly Father until “his hour has come”, as he often said.
On another occasion Jesus said, "Blessed are the meek." This word "meek." used in the Bible is the same word used to describe a wild stallion that has been trained for the saddle. It means power under control, strength with direction, ready to get going, yet being disciplined, focussed – and waiting. This saying probably says something like: “Blessed are the focused, those who know their priorities and honour them and wait upon God for the wind to turn and the timing to be perfect.”
Jesus most of the time served the crowd diligently. But he did dismiss them when he had to do something of greater importance – like having fellowship time with his heavenly Father, while waiting on his divine timing.
Will we, in spite of waiting long, when God’s time comes, still be focussed, calm and determined enough to accomplish his will?
Are we patiently disciplined when it comes to waiting upon the Lord?
Father, Thy will be done… Amen.
Jesus, on the other hand, spent a lot of time waiting on his Father. He often went into retreat to find answers, strength, and patience. In order to be able to do this, Jesus made certain that he had time to pray. There are four important words about this in Matthew 14:22: "Jesus dismissed the crowd."
This was not just any crowd. This was about 10,000 people who had heard Jesus teach, had seen him heal the sick and had watched him produce enough food miraculously to feed them all. This was a crowd ready to make him a king. But Jesus dismissed them! Why? We read in verse 23: "After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray."
Jesus said no to a buzzing, excited crowd, an excellent opportunity, in order to say yes to an even better one. It was a deliberate choice to honour his priorities. Jesus' first responsibility and main concern was not to satisfy his scores of excited fans, but to wait faithfully on his heavenly Father until “his hour has come”, as he often said.
On another occasion Jesus said, "Blessed are the meek." This word "meek." used in the Bible is the same word used to describe a wild stallion that has been trained for the saddle. It means power under control, strength with direction, ready to get going, yet being disciplined, focussed – and waiting. This saying probably says something like: “Blessed are the focused, those who know their priorities and honour them and wait upon God for the wind to turn and the timing to be perfect.”
Jesus most of the time served the crowd diligently. But he did dismiss them when he had to do something of greater importance – like having fellowship time with his heavenly Father, while waiting on his divine timing.
Will we, in spite of waiting long, when God’s time comes, still be focussed, calm and determined enough to accomplish his will?
Are we patiently disciplined when it comes to waiting upon the Lord?
Father, Thy will be done… Amen.
Monday, August 15, 2011
To those who have, more will be given!
Jesus used financial investment as an example of making the most of what God invested in our lives. In the parable about the 10 servants, each received one mina, an amount of money, to invest for their master. Some earned 10 and 5 minas more. One man kept it laid away in a cloth. The master’s investment did not earn any interest in his case.
About this man, Jesus said: (Luke 19: 26) "I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away”.
The servant who did nothing with the investment he was a steward of, represents people who have received the gospel message and God’s blessings, yet it has not changed them even one little bit! Therefore they have not shared God’s investment in their lives with others and did not use their blessings to expand the Kingdom of God. Their shareholding in God’s work remains small and vulnerable and insignificant.
But to those who made the most of God’s investment in their lives, who truly work with the Great Entrepreneur of the Kingdom of God, who use their given salvation, spiritual gifts, church membership, increasing Bible knowledge, access to God’s throne in prayer and ability to give, to advance the Kingdom of Christ, will hear the Master say: “Well done good and faithful servant.” By God’s grace, they have been changed into the godly entrepreneurs Christ needs for his work to be done!
Jesus Christ has invested his life, his death, his blood, his power, his Word and his Spirit in you!
What interest has he received through your life, your service and your witness?
About this man, Jesus said: (Luke 19: 26) "I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away”.
The servant who did nothing with the investment he was a steward of, represents people who have received the gospel message and God’s blessings, yet it has not changed them even one little bit! Therefore they have not shared God’s investment in their lives with others and did not use their blessings to expand the Kingdom of God. Their shareholding in God’s work remains small and vulnerable and insignificant.
But to those who made the most of God’s investment in their lives, who truly work with the Great Entrepreneur of the Kingdom of God, who use their given salvation, spiritual gifts, church membership, increasing Bible knowledge, access to God’s throne in prayer and ability to give, to advance the Kingdom of Christ, will hear the Master say: “Well done good and faithful servant.” By God’s grace, they have been changed into the godly entrepreneurs Christ needs for his work to be done!
Jesus Christ has invested his life, his death, his blood, his power, his Word and his Spirit in you!
What interest has he received through your life, your service and your witness?
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Seeking God Part 2
Psalm 27: 4 One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.
“This is what I seek!” David says in Psalm 27. And we all are in pursuit of happiness in the Lord.
But what should be the focus of our search? It should be the same thing David was seeking: fellowship with God. Above all else, David knew that he could find strength and fullness of joy in God’s presence.
From the context of Psalm 27 we understand that David had been facing difficult challenges. There were enemies who were against him, made war against him and fought him constantly. You might say that David was under a lot of stress. Yet in the midst of this, he knew where to turn. He knew that in God’s presence, he would find the spiritual resilience to face every possible test.
It is only in God’s presence where we find refreshing water for our spiritual and emotional thirst and nourishment for our souls. We cannot fulfil this desire in any other way, even if we try! We need to seek God, because it is only fellowship with him that we will have our need for rest and spiritual fulfilment met. As we wait upon the Lord, enjoying fellowship with him, he promises us that he will renew our strength.
There is nothing as satisfying as true and earnest fellowship with Jesus Christ. As we seek him in prayer, through his Word, and through our living by faith every day, we receive an authentic inner strength through the assurance that he loves us and that he is there for us. Through fellowship we come to an understanding that his promises are real, and that he will never leave or forsake us. We come to know him as our Friend.
Never stall your seeking of Christ, that is your fellowship with him. If you lack power, peace and joy: pause to consider your fellowship with Jesus. Are you passionate about being with him? Do you desire to know him better every day? The focus of our search for God is fellowship with Jesus Christ.
And as fellowship with God in Christ is the focus of our search, so fellowship with God in Christ also will be the fruit of our search.
“This is what I seek!” David says in Psalm 27. And we all are in pursuit of happiness in the Lord.
But what should be the focus of our search? It should be the same thing David was seeking: fellowship with God. Above all else, David knew that he could find strength and fullness of joy in God’s presence.
From the context of Psalm 27 we understand that David had been facing difficult challenges. There were enemies who were against him, made war against him and fought him constantly. You might say that David was under a lot of stress. Yet in the midst of this, he knew where to turn. He knew that in God’s presence, he would find the spiritual resilience to face every possible test.
It is only in God’s presence where we find refreshing water for our spiritual and emotional thirst and nourishment for our souls. We cannot fulfil this desire in any other way, even if we try! We need to seek God, because it is only fellowship with him that we will have our need for rest and spiritual fulfilment met. As we wait upon the Lord, enjoying fellowship with him, he promises us that he will renew our strength.
There is nothing as satisfying as true and earnest fellowship with Jesus Christ. As we seek him in prayer, through his Word, and through our living by faith every day, we receive an authentic inner strength through the assurance that he loves us and that he is there for us. Through fellowship we come to an understanding that his promises are real, and that he will never leave or forsake us. We come to know him as our Friend.
Never stall your seeking of Christ, that is your fellowship with him. If you lack power, peace and joy: pause to consider your fellowship with Jesus. Are you passionate about being with him? Do you desire to know him better every day? The focus of our search for God is fellowship with Jesus Christ.
And as fellowship with God in Christ is the focus of our search, so fellowship with God in Christ also will be the fruit of our search.
Monday, August 8, 2011
God delights in godly sorrow.
2 Corinthians 7: 10: Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.
What is "godly sorrow"? Firstly, it is sorrow that glorifies God. (2 Cor 7:9). It is sorrow that God delights in. It is sorrow that is good for the soul.
The opposite of "godly sorrow" is not the absence of sorrow, but what Paul calls "worldly sorrow." The powers of darkness in this world are crafty and sly and try to imitate the real thing. Worldly sorrow often imitates godly sorrow, but when it is scrutinized, you realize it is not the same.
Worldly sorrow is when you feel sorry for something you did, because it backfires on you and leads to humiliation or punishment. It is the reflex of a proud and arrogant heart and the reaction of a fearful, uncertain ego. Fear regrets actions that jeopardize comfort, safety and popularity. The focus of worldly sorrow is oneself! Feeling sorry for something we have done is therefore not in itself a sign of virtue.
Godly sorrow, on the other hand, is the reflex of a soul that has wounded God's heart, a sorrow that grieves that God's Name has come into disrepute. The focus of "godly sorrow", is God.
Worldly sorrow is the result of an attitude that despairs when it loses the praise of people. Worldly sorrow often leads to deep and dark depression, to distrust, anger, dissension, conflict and even war. This is why Paul says that worldly sorrow brings death.
Godly sorrow, on the other hand, is the result of God's Word touching our lives.
Godly sorrow is the guilt you feel when the Word of God shows you that you are a sinner and you have dishonoured the Name of God. Godly sorrow is the sorrow of a God-directed heart, not a world-directed heart. Godly sorrow leads to repentance, forgiveness, reconciliation, new beginnings and salvation.
It leaves no regret. It brings life and rejoices in Truth.
What is "godly sorrow"? Firstly, it is sorrow that glorifies God. (2 Cor 7:9). It is sorrow that God delights in. It is sorrow that is good for the soul.
The opposite of "godly sorrow" is not the absence of sorrow, but what Paul calls "worldly sorrow." The powers of darkness in this world are crafty and sly and try to imitate the real thing. Worldly sorrow often imitates godly sorrow, but when it is scrutinized, you realize it is not the same.
Worldly sorrow is when you feel sorry for something you did, because it backfires on you and leads to humiliation or punishment. It is the reflex of a proud and arrogant heart and the reaction of a fearful, uncertain ego. Fear regrets actions that jeopardize comfort, safety and popularity. The focus of worldly sorrow is oneself! Feeling sorry for something we have done is therefore not in itself a sign of virtue.
Godly sorrow, on the other hand, is the reflex of a soul that has wounded God's heart, a sorrow that grieves that God's Name has come into disrepute. The focus of "godly sorrow", is God.
Worldly sorrow is the result of an attitude that despairs when it loses the praise of people. Worldly sorrow often leads to deep and dark depression, to distrust, anger, dissension, conflict and even war. This is why Paul says that worldly sorrow brings death.
Godly sorrow, on the other hand, is the result of God's Word touching our lives.
Godly sorrow is the guilt you feel when the Word of God shows you that you are a sinner and you have dishonoured the Name of God. Godly sorrow is the sorrow of a God-directed heart, not a world-directed heart. Godly sorrow leads to repentance, forgiveness, reconciliation, new beginnings and salvation.
It leaves no regret. It brings life and rejoices in Truth.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Seeking God Part 1
Psalm 27: 4 One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.
“This is what I seek!” David says in Psalm 27.
We all have desires. We are all seekers. We have goals. We are in pursuit of happiness.
At work we have strategies, milestones, targets, assessments.
In the church we are told that we have to be purpose driven. And we are all hopeful that those dreams may one day come true.
But are the things which we seek, worth looking for? Some of them may not be according to God’s wisdom. Some of the things we seek with so much energy, may even hurt us, were we to successfully obtain them.
So we must carefully evaluate what we seek and why we have such a strong desire to own something or accomplish our goal. Part of the evaluation is the important question: “Why do I seek these things?’
All of us are involved in the living of life. All of us “want a life!” But in seeking what we believe will give us a life to enjoy, everything does not always work out the way we wished or desired. The road of seeking a life is not always smooth – it often has potholes, risks and dangers. As we grow wiser and learn a few lessons in life, we find that some things which we thought were essential, no longer seem significant anymore. We experienced that not all that glitters, is gold and that something that looked exciting and promising at first, became a source of sadness, disappointment and hurt later on.
Everywhere people are hurting and are seeking for solutions. They are seeking “a life”. Yet, what the world promise will make us at ease and will guarantee fulfilment, are often only substitutes of the real thing. And we need to find the real thing! We need to find what satisfies. We need to pursue true life and real happiness.
David was a man weighed down by his life’s challenges. Yes, he enjoyed a lot of success. Yes, he became the mightiest king in the world! But still his life was not without problems. David had personal problems, he had marriage problems, he had children problems, and he had to deal with issues of state.
More than once there were enemies seeking an opportunity to kill him – and one of these enemies was his beloved son. David struggled with serious concerns.
But David knew what was important to seek. And in Psalm 27 the poet in King David reveals what we need to seek when challenged with issues and riddles. David found a desire that would wisely direct his search and prioritise his priorities: “One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.”
What should be the focal point of our search? It should be the same thing David was seeking: communion with God. Above all else, David desired to be in the presence of God. He knew that he could find strength in his presence. He knew that "in God’s presence there is fullness of joy."
(Next week – a more practical Part 2).
all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.
“This is what I seek!” David says in Psalm 27.
We all have desires. We are all seekers. We have goals. We are in pursuit of happiness.
At work we have strategies, milestones, targets, assessments.
In the church we are told that we have to be purpose driven. And we are all hopeful that those dreams may one day come true.
But are the things which we seek, worth looking for? Some of them may not be according to God’s wisdom. Some of the things we seek with so much energy, may even hurt us, were we to successfully obtain them.
So we must carefully evaluate what we seek and why we have such a strong desire to own something or accomplish our goal. Part of the evaluation is the important question: “Why do I seek these things?’
All of us are involved in the living of life. All of us “want a life!” But in seeking what we believe will give us a life to enjoy, everything does not always work out the way we wished or desired. The road of seeking a life is not always smooth – it often has potholes, risks and dangers. As we grow wiser and learn a few lessons in life, we find that some things which we thought were essential, no longer seem significant anymore. We experienced that not all that glitters, is gold and that something that looked exciting and promising at first, became a source of sadness, disappointment and hurt later on.
Everywhere people are hurting and are seeking for solutions. They are seeking “a life”. Yet, what the world promise will make us at ease and will guarantee fulfilment, are often only substitutes of the real thing. And we need to find the real thing! We need to find what satisfies. We need to pursue true life and real happiness.
David was a man weighed down by his life’s challenges. Yes, he enjoyed a lot of success. Yes, he became the mightiest king in the world! But still his life was not without problems. David had personal problems, he had marriage problems, he had children problems, and he had to deal with issues of state.
More than once there were enemies seeking an opportunity to kill him – and one of these enemies was his beloved son. David struggled with serious concerns.
But David knew what was important to seek. And in Psalm 27 the poet in King David reveals what we need to seek when challenged with issues and riddles. David found a desire that would wisely direct his search and prioritise his priorities: “One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.”
What should be the focal point of our search? It should be the same thing David was seeking: communion with God. Above all else, David desired to be in the presence of God. He knew that he could find strength in his presence. He knew that "in God’s presence there is fullness of joy."
(Next week – a more practical Part 2).
Friday, July 29, 2011
Soften my heart Lord
Soften my heart Lord,
Soften my heart,
From all indifference,
Set me apart.
Feel Your compassion,
Weep with Your tears,
Soften my heart, Lord,
Soften my heart.
Grace and compassion,
You have for me,
Goodness and mercy,
Always will be.
To have Your mercy,
Forgiveness and love,
Value my brother,
Soften my heart.
(Music: Have your own way, Lord)
Soften my heart,
From all indifference,
Set me apart.
Feel Your compassion,
Weep with Your tears,
Soften my heart, Lord,
Soften my heart.
Grace and compassion,
You have for me,
Goodness and mercy,
Always will be.
To have Your mercy,
Forgiveness and love,
Value my brother,
Soften my heart.
(Music: Have your own way, Lord)
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
The importance of true worship (3) final
God is spirit; and those who worship him must worship through the Spirit and in truth. (John 4:24)
God created us to worship him. We therefore thirst to worship the Lord, even when we do not acknowledge the need. We will remain unfulfilled if we don’t. We already mentioned that our worship of God is not so much for God’s benefit, than ours. So what do we seek when worshipping God?
1) God desires people who will praise and worship him. So, one reason for true worship is that we want to be obedient to God.
2) And we want to worship because we know and believe that God is worthy of it. Consider Revelation 5:11-12, "And I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, ‘Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.’"
We want to worship God, because our God is worthy of our praise.
3) But praise and worship is also the way that leads us into the presence of God. Psalm 100:4 says, "Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise." When we go to worship God, we shift our focus from ourselves to him. We become aware of his presence and open our hearts and minds to have fellowship with him. We become aware of his awesome holiness, divine love and majestic power. Worship brings us into the presence of the living God, where we can hear him speaking to us and we receive his blessing and are sent into the world in his service.
4) We worship God to receive his perspective on our lives. We become aware of his will and ability to deal with our questions and concerns, when we enter his presence.
When we focus on our situation or issues, they may be threateningly large. But when we focus on the almighty God, we become beware of God’s perspective, and as we look at the situation in the light of the power and authority of God, we find that through his divine ability the issue can be worked out. Our worship of God helps us to see that nothing is impossible with God – and we need to see that all the time.
5) But most importantly, when we worship God, we seek to be changed. Worship changes our attitudes and approach to life. It takes away our cynicism and gives us hope and faith. It takes away our anger and gives us love and a heart that forgives. It takes away our fear and gives us courage. When we worship God, we learn to trust him and surrender to him and it changes our whole lives!
Make regular time of worship your priority. During your private quiet time and during family time. And never forget that worship happens in the Body of Christ. Make it your priority never to miss worship time with the Body. Never exclude you and your family when God is busy equipping, inspiring and rejuvenating his Church. Be there!
Make it your priority.
God created us to worship him. We therefore thirst to worship the Lord, even when we do not acknowledge the need. We will remain unfulfilled if we don’t. We already mentioned that our worship of God is not so much for God’s benefit, than ours. So what do we seek when worshipping God?
1) God desires people who will praise and worship him. So, one reason for true worship is that we want to be obedient to God.
2) And we want to worship because we know and believe that God is worthy of it. Consider Revelation 5:11-12, "And I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, ‘Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.’"
We want to worship God, because our God is worthy of our praise.
3) But praise and worship is also the way that leads us into the presence of God. Psalm 100:4 says, "Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise." When we go to worship God, we shift our focus from ourselves to him. We become aware of his presence and open our hearts and minds to have fellowship with him. We become aware of his awesome holiness, divine love and majestic power. Worship brings us into the presence of the living God, where we can hear him speaking to us and we receive his blessing and are sent into the world in his service.
4) We worship God to receive his perspective on our lives. We become aware of his will and ability to deal with our questions and concerns, when we enter his presence.
When we focus on our situation or issues, they may be threateningly large. But when we focus on the almighty God, we become beware of God’s perspective, and as we look at the situation in the light of the power and authority of God, we find that through his divine ability the issue can be worked out. Our worship of God helps us to see that nothing is impossible with God – and we need to see that all the time.
5) But most importantly, when we worship God, we seek to be changed. Worship changes our attitudes and approach to life. It takes away our cynicism and gives us hope and faith. It takes away our anger and gives us love and a heart that forgives. It takes away our fear and gives us courage. When we worship God, we learn to trust him and surrender to him and it changes our whole lives!
Make regular time of worship your priority. During your private quiet time and during family time. And never forget that worship happens in the Body of Christ. Make it your priority never to miss worship time with the Body. Never exclude you and your family when God is busy equipping, inspiring and rejuvenating his Church. Be there!
Make it your priority.
Monday, July 25, 2011
When the youth is slaughtered and sacrificed to our idols
Ezekiel 16: 19 – 21 And the food I provided for you—the fine flour, olive oil and honey I gave you to eat—you offered as fragrant incense before your idols. That is what happened, declares the Sovereign LORD. And you took your sons and daughters whom you bore to me and sacrificed them as food to the idols. Was your prostitution not enough? You slaughtered my children and sacrificed them to the idols.
Nowhere else the story of God’s people as the unfaithful wife of a gracious God who loved them more than anything else, is told more graphically than in Ezekiel 16.
The people of Israel became a whore when she used God’s blessings and affectionate gifts of gold, fine clothes and the best food, to adorn the false gods of their neighboring nations.
When the gifts that God gives in love, become the reason why we embrace a way of live where not our Lord, but the prosperous lifestyle he grants us is the most important love of our lives, our unfaithfulness becomes an unbearable shame and the reason for both God’s broken heart and his wrath.
The worst moment in the life of God’s people though, is when our unfaithfulness to the Lord impacts on the lives of the children that we bore to God! When the reality of abusing the blessings, the tokens of his love, lead to not only our shame and judgment, but to life choices and life styles where our children are “slaughtered and sacrificed to our idols.”
When the children of those who are called God’s people become the victims of their materialism, selfishness, greed, self-indulgence and unfaithfulness to God, it results in a youth whose lives are ruined by godless greed, immorality, addictions and profane high risk pleasure-seeking, we are to be blamed and shamed. And more importantly, when we in this way sacrifice our children to our idols, God comes to the end of his patience with our infidelity.
When children, God’s greatest gift, become the victims of our choices and preferences, we arrive at the place where we have to finally choose between loving or leaving our Saviour.
Ezekiel phrases it as follows in Ezekiel 18: 30 – 32:
Therefore, you Israelites, I will judge each of you according to your own ways, declares the Sovereign LORD.
Repent!
Turn away from all your offense, then sin will not be your downfall.
Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, o people of Israel? For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD.
Repent and live!
Nowhere else the story of God’s people as the unfaithful wife of a gracious God who loved them more than anything else, is told more graphically than in Ezekiel 16.
The people of Israel became a whore when she used God’s blessings and affectionate gifts of gold, fine clothes and the best food, to adorn the false gods of their neighboring nations.
When the gifts that God gives in love, become the reason why we embrace a way of live where not our Lord, but the prosperous lifestyle he grants us is the most important love of our lives, our unfaithfulness becomes an unbearable shame and the reason for both God’s broken heart and his wrath.
The worst moment in the life of God’s people though, is when our unfaithfulness to the Lord impacts on the lives of the children that we bore to God! When the reality of abusing the blessings, the tokens of his love, lead to not only our shame and judgment, but to life choices and life styles where our children are “slaughtered and sacrificed to our idols.”
When the children of those who are called God’s people become the victims of their materialism, selfishness, greed, self-indulgence and unfaithfulness to God, it results in a youth whose lives are ruined by godless greed, immorality, addictions and profane high risk pleasure-seeking, we are to be blamed and shamed. And more importantly, when we in this way sacrifice our children to our idols, God comes to the end of his patience with our infidelity.
When children, God’s greatest gift, become the victims of our choices and preferences, we arrive at the place where we have to finally choose between loving or leaving our Saviour.
Ezekiel phrases it as follows in Ezekiel 18: 30 – 32:
Therefore, you Israelites, I will judge each of you according to your own ways, declares the Sovereign LORD.
Repent!
Turn away from all your offense, then sin will not be your downfall.
Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, o people of Israel? For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD.
Repent and live!
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Church of God, elect and glorious
Church of God, elect and glorious,
holy nation, holy race;
called as God’s own special people,
royal priests and heirs of grace:
know the purpose of your calling,
show to all his mighty deeds;
tell of love which knows no limits,
grace which meets all human needs,
God has called you out of darkness
into his most marvellous light;
brought his truth to life within you,
turned your blindness into sight.
Let your light so shine around you
that God’s Name is glorified;
and all find fresh hope and purpose
in Christ Jesus crucified.
(Music: Ode to Joy)
holy nation, holy race;
called as God’s own special people,
royal priests and heirs of grace:
know the purpose of your calling,
show to all his mighty deeds;
tell of love which knows no limits,
grace which meets all human needs,
God has called you out of darkness
into his most marvellous light;
brought his truth to life within you,
turned your blindness into sight.
Let your light so shine around you
that God’s Name is glorified;
and all find fresh hope and purpose
in Christ Jesus crucified.
(Music: Ode to Joy)
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
The importance of true worship? (2)
God is spirit; and those who worship him must worship in Spirit and in truth. (John 4:24)
God expects us to worship and praise him. God created us to worship him. We therefore will thirst to worship the Lord, even when we do not understand or acknowledge the need. We will remain unfulfilled if we don’t. To worship God is the purpose of our existence.
But what is true worship? If you research this you will find that believers seem to answer this question in many ways. There seem to be so many churches with different customs, styles and traditions. Who is right?
If you would visit a different service every Sunday, you would find that some churches have a lot of formality, ceremony and ritual. Things are done in the same way and order every Sunday.
There are on the other hand also a variety of less formal churches with an unwritten order that may differ from Sunday to Sunday and that could feel disorderly if you are not used to their style and traditions. And you will also find a lot of “in-between” services as you look around.
Are some wrong and others right? Are some better churches than others? The truth is that they could all be right or all be wrong, and whether they are, has little to do with their style, but has everything to do with the heart of the worshipper and his/her relationship with God in Jesus Christ.
All churches from all styles and traditions should pray that God will constantly move the Church to restore true praise and worship, which is worship that is lead by the Spirit, while seeking God’s truth without compromise. We ought to understand what is important to God; truth, earnesty, honesty, authenticity, hope, faith and more than anything else, love for him.
After all, praise and worship are God’s ideas, not ours. Yes, we have a desperate need to have fellowship with God, whether we believe it or not! But God is not interested in our choice of style or customs, but that we worship him with love, in truth and under guidance of his Spirit.
Over and over in Psalm 150 we hear the command to "praise the Lord!"
Praise the Lord! Praise God in His sanctuary;
Praise Him in His mighty expanse.
Praise Him for His mighty deeds;
Praise Him according to His excellent greatness.
Praise Him with trumpet sound;
Praise Him with harp and lyre.
Praise Him with timbrel and dancing;
Praise Him with stringed instruments and pipe.
Praise Him with loud cymbals;
Praise Him with resounding cymbals.
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord!
God expects us to praise him. And God is saying to his church today, as he has said many times in the past, "Praise Me!"
God expects us to worship and praise him. God created us to worship him. We therefore will thirst to worship the Lord, even when we do not understand or acknowledge the need. We will remain unfulfilled if we don’t. To worship God is the purpose of our existence.
But what is true worship? If you research this you will find that believers seem to answer this question in many ways. There seem to be so many churches with different customs, styles and traditions. Who is right?
If you would visit a different service every Sunday, you would find that some churches have a lot of formality, ceremony and ritual. Things are done in the same way and order every Sunday.
There are on the other hand also a variety of less formal churches with an unwritten order that may differ from Sunday to Sunday and that could feel disorderly if you are not used to their style and traditions. And you will also find a lot of “in-between” services as you look around.
Are some wrong and others right? Are some better churches than others? The truth is that they could all be right or all be wrong, and whether they are, has little to do with their style, but has everything to do with the heart of the worshipper and his/her relationship with God in Jesus Christ.
All churches from all styles and traditions should pray that God will constantly move the Church to restore true praise and worship, which is worship that is lead by the Spirit, while seeking God’s truth without compromise. We ought to understand what is important to God; truth, earnesty, honesty, authenticity, hope, faith and more than anything else, love for him.
After all, praise and worship are God’s ideas, not ours. Yes, we have a desperate need to have fellowship with God, whether we believe it or not! But God is not interested in our choice of style or customs, but that we worship him with love, in truth and under guidance of his Spirit.
Over and over in Psalm 150 we hear the command to "praise the Lord!"
Praise the Lord! Praise God in His sanctuary;
Praise Him in His mighty expanse.
Praise Him for His mighty deeds;
Praise Him according to His excellent greatness.
Praise Him with trumpet sound;
Praise Him with harp and lyre.
Praise Him with timbrel and dancing;
Praise Him with stringed instruments and pipe.
Praise Him with loud cymbals;
Praise Him with resounding cymbals.
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord!
God expects us to praise him. And God is saying to his church today, as he has said many times in the past, "Praise Me!"
Monday, July 18, 2011
Beware of false security.
"Woe to you who are complacent in Zion, and to you who feel secure on Mount Samaria, you notable men of the foremost nation, to whom the people of Israel come!" (Amos 6:1)
There were many in the day of Amos, as there are in ours, who were content to trust in outward prosperity and in the glamour of their places of worship. Amos said they were "complacent in Zion." He said they felt “secure on Mount Samaria”. Amos was preaching to the notable leaders of God’s people concerning the security they felt in the trappings of outwardly signs of piety. And this made them complacent.
But it was false security. They were effectively trusting in their own sufficiency and not in God.
And then the real issue is brought clearly into focus by this phrase "you do not grieve over the ruin of Joseph.” (Amos 6:6) In Amos’ day this charge meant that the leaders of Israel were unconcerned about the fate of the majority who did not share in their prosperity.
God was concerned about the plight of the poor. His heart was broken by their sad circumstances. But the hearts of the leaders were unmoved. They were out of "sync" with the heart of God.
Our complacency may mean that we are simply not shaken by what we believe.
We all have to answer these questions: Are our hearts in "sync" with the heart of God? Are we moved by the things that move him? Are we, his Church, a people who care about the things God cares about? Is his passion, our passion?
There were many in the day of Amos, as there are in ours, who were content to trust in outward prosperity and in the glamour of their places of worship. Amos said they were "complacent in Zion." He said they felt “secure on Mount Samaria”. Amos was preaching to the notable leaders of God’s people concerning the security they felt in the trappings of outwardly signs of piety. And this made them complacent.
But it was false security. They were effectively trusting in their own sufficiency and not in God.
And then the real issue is brought clearly into focus by this phrase "you do not grieve over the ruin of Joseph.” (Amos 6:6) In Amos’ day this charge meant that the leaders of Israel were unconcerned about the fate of the majority who did not share in their prosperity.
God was concerned about the plight of the poor. His heart was broken by their sad circumstances. But the hearts of the leaders were unmoved. They were out of "sync" with the heart of God.
Our complacency may mean that we are simply not shaken by what we believe.
We all have to answer these questions: Are our hearts in "sync" with the heart of God? Are we moved by the things that move him? Are we, his Church, a people who care about the things God cares about? Is his passion, our passion?
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Pray with the Church in China.
Pray with the Church in China.
Church leaders fear a crackdown.
Read the CNN article about this and look at a rare video clip of one of the biggest "house churches" worshipping, if you click on the link below.
When one part of the Body suffers, so does the rest of the Body.
"Dear Lord, keep all your children in China safe! Protect them! Grant them the privilege of complete freedom to serve you and share your Word with everyone! For Jesus Christ sake. Amen."
http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2011/07/13/china-christian-crackdown/
Church leaders fear a crackdown.
Read the CNN article about this and look at a rare video clip of one of the biggest "house churches" worshipping, if you click on the link below.
When one part of the Body suffers, so does the rest of the Body.
"Dear Lord, keep all your children in China safe! Protect them! Grant them the privilege of complete freedom to serve you and share your Word with everyone! For Jesus Christ sake. Amen."
http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2011/07/13/china-christian-crackdown/
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
The importance of true worship? (1)
God is spirit; and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. (John 4:24)
God has commanded us to worship and praise him. It is essential for us to make praise and worship part of our lives, simply because God created us to praise Him. It is the purpose of our existence.
We have a deep felt need to worship God, even when we do not realise that we have this need – or even sometimes deny that we have it!
Wherever you find humans, you will find that they worship a god or gods. It may look a lot different from what we know as Christian worship, but humans are generally worshipping as part of the way they live. People have a need to reach out beyond their daily existence and declare their dependence of something higher and more powerful than themselves. People will always have a god - even if it is not the one true God revealed in Jesus Christ and the Bible.
But God commands us to become true worshipers who are worshiping the true God in spirit and in truth. John says in chapter 4:23-24: "But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be his worshipers. God is spirit; and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."
God seeks true worshipers. They are people who come to him honestly, sincerely and reverently. To worship in spirit and truth is to engage the whole person in bringing honour, glory, praise and thanks to God through physical prayer and praise as well as emotional commitment, love and passion. We are also to be inspired and guided by the Holy Spirit to worship in truth.
To worship God with his people is our highest calling in life. Nothing compares to it, nothing can take its place in our lives and we do not have a higher priority!
Entering into true praise and worship is not optional. It is a command of God. It is crucial that we come to understand and practice true biblical praise and worship if we consider ourselves to part of Christ’s Body on earth.
We bring the sacrifice of praise
into the house of the Lord.
And we offer up to You
the sacrifices of thanksgiving,
and we offer up to You
the sacrifices of joy.
God has commanded us to worship and praise him. It is essential for us to make praise and worship part of our lives, simply because God created us to praise Him. It is the purpose of our existence.
We have a deep felt need to worship God, even when we do not realise that we have this need – or even sometimes deny that we have it!
Wherever you find humans, you will find that they worship a god or gods. It may look a lot different from what we know as Christian worship, but humans are generally worshipping as part of the way they live. People have a need to reach out beyond their daily existence and declare their dependence of something higher and more powerful than themselves. People will always have a god - even if it is not the one true God revealed in Jesus Christ and the Bible.
But God commands us to become true worshipers who are worshiping the true God in spirit and in truth. John says in chapter 4:23-24: "But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be his worshipers. God is spirit; and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."
God seeks true worshipers. They are people who come to him honestly, sincerely and reverently. To worship in spirit and truth is to engage the whole person in bringing honour, glory, praise and thanks to God through physical prayer and praise as well as emotional commitment, love and passion. We are also to be inspired and guided by the Holy Spirit to worship in truth.
To worship God with his people is our highest calling in life. Nothing compares to it, nothing can take its place in our lives and we do not have a higher priority!
Entering into true praise and worship is not optional. It is a command of God. It is crucial that we come to understand and practice true biblical praise and worship if we consider ourselves to part of Christ’s Body on earth.
We bring the sacrifice of praise
into the house of the Lord.
And we offer up to You
the sacrifices of thanksgiving,
and we offer up to You
the sacrifices of joy.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Bruised reeds
"A bruised reed He will not break." (Isaiah 42:3)
Bruised reeds are symbols of people. The word "bruised" is used by Isaiah to refer to discouragement in life. We have all been bruised reeds from time to time. We all have experienced times when we were depressed, beaten and almost broken.
God says that he will not break the bruised reed. When you think about this illustration in terms of people, you realize what God is saying. Bruised people don't have their lives together. They are the people who do not live up to their own, or other's expectations. Society is quick to write off sad, struggling people, but Jesus does not.
When we are like bruised reeds, we need to understand that God hasn't given up on us. He is the reed-repairer. He is the One who can take a bruised reed and work with it until it becomes useful and make a difference once again.
Sometimes God even takes those bruised places in our lives and uses these experiences of hurt to enable us to understand pain better and are therefore able to help others who feel crushed by life’s experiences. And through helping others we too may be healed.
Bruised reeds are symbols of people. The word "bruised" is used by Isaiah to refer to discouragement in life. We have all been bruised reeds from time to time. We all have experienced times when we were depressed, beaten and almost broken.
God says that he will not break the bruised reed. When you think about this illustration in terms of people, you realize what God is saying. Bruised people don't have their lives together. They are the people who do not live up to their own, or other's expectations. Society is quick to write off sad, struggling people, but Jesus does not.
When we are like bruised reeds, we need to understand that God hasn't given up on us. He is the reed-repairer. He is the One who can take a bruised reed and work with it until it becomes useful and make a difference once again.
Sometimes God even takes those bruised places in our lives and uses these experiences of hurt to enable us to understand pain better and are therefore able to help others who feel crushed by life’s experiences. And through helping others we too may be healed.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord, for He is glorious!
Never shall His promise fail.
Christ has made His saints victorious,
sin and death shall not prevail.
Praise the God of our salvation!
Hosts on high, His power proclaim;
Heaven and earth and all creation,
laud and magnify His Name.
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