As I put my kids to bed tonight I prayed "just give me something to keep going." Now, I'm not advertising for these people, and I don't even know much of their music but this one was for me tonight. I hope you enjoy it too. Thank you Jesus.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Worship: Self-test
I often hear that worship is not just going to church to sing a few songs each week. Worship is the way I live my life in response to what Jesus has done in my life. Yet, I was still confusing the definitions of "praise" and "worship."
Praise: taking what I know about God and out of gratitude I sing and meditate on His attributes for His glory and for my good.
Praise is an attitude.
Worship: an act of devotion to God.
This is what I found in Psalm 51:
So what is the worship self-test?
Three things should be evident in my life to qualify as living a life of worship:
1. "Sing aloud"
Now I know that may seem like a "no-brainer" but think about it for a minute. When you sing with a congregation of believers, who hears you? Obviously, anyone close to you should hear, but who else? Does God hear you? Of course, He is everywhere. But wait, when I read "sing aloud" I picture David passionately shouting his praise, and I think that there is a part of the heart that only becomes engaged when we give it "all we've got." So in taking this test, do not quickly mark the box if you know you've been holding back.
2. "Declare"
The idea or definition of this declaration is telling in such a way as to stand out and attract attention. Now for me, this flies in the face of "sharing my testimony just by the way I live." The point here is that God wants us to talk about Him and what He has done for us in a way that gets people to stop and listen. Declare. I like that right before David says "declare" he says "O Lord, open my lips." Reading between the lines here I take this as not an easy thing for David to do. I resonate with that. There are times where I feel prompted to speak truth and yet my mouth seems to stop working. I think these moments can be Holy Spirit empowered and used for His purposes when I am willing to worship Jesus by declaring His praise! Simply casting light on God's character, directing others with words to the glory of Christ! The tension is not wanting to "attract attention," but I believe that when we accurately declare praise to Jesus the light, attention, and focus is on Jesus and that is where it belongs. A heart truly engaged in worship can flow through the lips in declaring His praise and it won't end in an ego boost.
3. "Sacrifices"
We see all throughout scripture the emphasis on sacrifice. At the first, it is animal sacrifice - a tangible act, a visible death. But it doesn't stop there because God wants human hearts. Sacrifice is costly for everyone. Counting the cost of sacrifice is a part of true worship. In 1 Chronicles 21 David says that he will not offer to the LORD a sacrifice that costs him nothing.
Heart here means our inner man, mind, will, and heart. What makes us who we are that is what God's going for. He's not asking for us to sacrifice an animal, or sacrifice our feelings. He doesn't want us to just change our attitude for Sunday morning - He is asking for a continual, daily laying down of our rights. To pass this segment of the test, there needs to be a inner willingness to change, repent, and surrender to the sovereignty of God...in everything.
"God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth" John 4:24 ESV
"and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" John 8:32 ESV
"Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker!" Psalm 95:6 ESV
I hope this leads you to dig deeper into your heart and cry out with David "Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! (Psalm 139:23 ESV)" May the Holy Spirit reveal to each of us individually the truth of His word in action in our lives. May we have eyes to see Him at work and be led to sing aloud, declare, and sacrifice even more! May we long to see Jesus!
Praise: taking what I know about God and out of gratitude I sing and meditate on His attributes for His glory and for my good.
Praise is an attitude.
Worship: an act of devotion to God.
Worship is an indicator of the level of my devotion.
But I'm still wondering: How does living a life of worship work? This is what I found in Psalm 51:
(Use of bold text added, taken from the ESV)14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God,O God of my salvation,
and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.
15 O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
16 For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;
you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
So what is the worship self-test?
Three things should be evident in my life to qualify as living a life of worship:
1. "Sing aloud"
Now I know that may seem like a "no-brainer" but think about it for a minute. When you sing with a congregation of believers, who hears you? Obviously, anyone close to you should hear, but who else? Does God hear you? Of course, He is everywhere. But wait, when I read "sing aloud" I picture David passionately shouting his praise, and I think that there is a part of the heart that only becomes engaged when we give it "all we've got." So in taking this test, do not quickly mark the box if you know you've been holding back.
2. "Declare"
The idea or definition of this declaration is telling in such a way as to stand out and attract attention. Now for me, this flies in the face of "sharing my testimony just by the way I live." The point here is that God wants us to talk about Him and what He has done for us in a way that gets people to stop and listen. Declare. I like that right before David says "declare" he says "O Lord, open my lips." Reading between the lines here I take this as not an easy thing for David to do. I resonate with that. There are times where I feel prompted to speak truth and yet my mouth seems to stop working. I think these moments can be Holy Spirit empowered and used for His purposes when I am willing to worship Jesus by declaring His praise! Simply casting light on God's character, directing others with words to the glory of Christ! The tension is not wanting to "attract attention," but I believe that when we accurately declare praise to Jesus the light, attention, and focus is on Jesus and that is where it belongs. A heart truly engaged in worship can flow through the lips in declaring His praise and it won't end in an ego boost.
3. "Sacrifices"
We see all throughout scripture the emphasis on sacrifice. At the first, it is animal sacrifice - a tangible act, a visible death. But it doesn't stop there because God wants human hearts. Sacrifice is costly for everyone. Counting the cost of sacrifice is a part of true worship. In 1 Chronicles 21 David says that he will not offer to the LORD a sacrifice that costs him nothing.
Heart here means our inner man, mind, will, and heart. What makes us who we are that is what God's going for. He's not asking for us to sacrifice an animal, or sacrifice our feelings. He doesn't want us to just change our attitude for Sunday morning - He is asking for a continual, daily laying down of our rights. To pass this segment of the test, there needs to be a inner willingness to change, repent, and surrender to the sovereignty of God...in everything.
"God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth" John 4:24 ESV
"and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" John 8:32 ESV
"Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker!" Psalm 95:6 ESV
I hope this leads you to dig deeper into your heart and cry out with David "Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! (Psalm 139:23 ESV)" May the Holy Spirit reveal to each of us individually the truth of His word in action in our lives. May we have eyes to see Him at work and be led to sing aloud, declare, and sacrifice even more! May we long to see Jesus!
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Who is your soul's Husband?
“Fear not, for you will not be ashamed;Reading through the Bible last year, I came across this text and it struck me with such force that I have never recovered. If this passage ministers to you, then you may know what I mean when I say that out of my utter brokenness I was completely healed by the power of union with my Maker. No relationship is as dear as the marriage relationship. All relationships have their place and importance, and understanding and believing that Jesus is Savior and Lord and placing trust in him for redemption is the most important step in every human's life. But to understand God's deep love and purpose for my soul I must be united with him in the bond of marriage. The "Bride of Christ" is not just a word picture. Human marriage as described in Ephesians 5 is an echo of the relationship already in action between Christ and the church. I tried to flip the order at first. I wanted my human marriage to be most important in rank and then my soul union with God. And as God graciously revealed this flaw in my life, I was faced with the reality that I had placed expectations on God. Like, "please give me healthy relationships and then out of my gratitude I will fully worship Jesus." What I found out about God was that he doesn't work on my terms - huge surprise there. Reading through the whole Bible, I was faced with a new picture of God - a picture so huge and life altering that I'll never figure it all out, but I'm hungry for more. So then when my life started to slowly come apart at the seems, instead of blaming God, I was able to see his invitation. An invitation to knowing him more, knowing him as husband. He truly loves my soul and provides for me in a way that no human relationship ever can. Now I hear the echo of Ephesians 5 correctly. It isn't a dissonance only to become beautiful in heaven - it is the truest harmony of life in the right order.
be not confounded, for you will not be disgraced;
for you will forget the shame of your youth,
and the reproach of your widowhood you will remember no more.
For your Maker is your husband,
the Lord of hosts is his name;
and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer,
the God of the whole earth he is called.
For the Lord has called you
like a wife deserted and grieved in spirit,
like a wife of youth when she is cast off,
says your God.
For a brief moment I deserted you,
but with great compassion I will gather you.
In overflowing anger for a moment
I hid my face from you,
but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you,”
says the Lord, your Redeemer. (Isaiah 54:4-8 ESV)
If this doesn't echo with your heart, will you consider that maybe the reason you are restless and unhappy is not because of your broken relationships with people but your soul's deep longing for more of God. Don't wait to be grateful, worship your Maker/husband now.
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Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Catch Up and Commissioning
Catch Up and Commissioning (click <--- to go to Beth Moore's blog and at then bottom is the commissioning for the Law of Kindness!!)
Notes from the the Simulcast
Today I went to Beth Moore's Living Proof Live Simulcast! (click to check out her website) This blog post is a collection of my notes from today. I'm hoping this will help my memory and maybe be a blessing to you too.
Key Verse:
Proverbs 31:26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness.
In Hebrew the word here for law is "torat-hesed." The Torah is the 5 books of Moses and the oral tradition of the instruction of God. You could say the "Torah of Kindness."
We need to focus on what this "Law of Kindness" means, but first we should ask why study the Law of Kindness.
Why?
#1 Because we live in a mean world. (2 Timothy 3) And it's only going to get meaner.
#2 Because "she openeth her mouth"! (And I know that too well.)
But here's the deal, when the heart gets full it comes out the mouth.
8 tastes of Biblical Kindness to see if what we taste should live there right on our tongue. "on her tongue is the law of kindness."
Taste #1 Kindness is not a weakness.
Luke 6 verse 35 says "for He is kind to the ungrateful and the evil." I am like my Father when I am kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.
*Side note on "nice": Kindness does not equal niceness. Nice in the dictionary means to be "not-knowing" or "ignorant". Someone could say, "Oh, she's nice because she doesn't know better." Whereas kindness is full-on-aware of who you're being kind to - being kind is not passive!
Kindness can speak a strong word.
Psalm 141:5 Let a righteous man strike me—it is a kindness; let him rebuke me—it is oil for my head; let my head not refuse it. Yet my prayer is continually against their evil deeds.
Proverbs 11:16 A kindhearted woman gains respect, but ruthless men gain only wealth.
Taste #2 Kindness is not an action it's a disposition.
Kind (adj.) in the greek is "chrestos" which means: profitable, fit, good for any use...of persons, useful toward others, good-natured.
Kindness (noun) in the greek is "chrestotes." It is the grace which pervades the whole nature...the word is descriptive of the disposition.
"You can't fake a disposition; you can fake nice."
Taste #3 Kindness wears down we I do.
Daniel 7:25 "he will wear down the saints"
A bad relationship wears me down and I form a bad habit of response to that person or situation.
Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
The word "easy" in Greek is "Chrestos"! My yoke is kind!
Things that wear down our kindness:
Resentment (2 Timothy 2:24)
Hatred/Jealousy (Genesis 37:4)
When we're worn down, we need to be built up. In the New Testiment the context of all words for building up (edification etc) are in the community of believers!
Ephesians 4: 12,16,29
12 to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up
16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
We need the body to build up what gets worn down.
Taste #4 Kindness looks pain in the face.
Job 6:28 "Now please look at me, And see if I lie to your face."
Don't look away - don't be face blind (prosopagnosia - unable to recognize faces).
Titus 3:3-8
Verse 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared
"Appeared" in the greek is "Epiphaino"
Titus 2:13 "the glorious appearing"
Taste #5 Kindness is a Savior
Ephesians 2: 4-10
Verse 7b-8 "he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God."
Kindness is called to help, profit, aid, but our human kindness cannot save! Only Jesus, He is the kindness, can save!
Taste #6 Kindness has good memory
Psalm 106:7 says that when Israel forgot God's kindness they rebelled.
And in Hosea 11:4 I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love; I lifted the yoke from their neck and bent down to feed them.
Taste #7 Kindness craves an outlet
2 Samuel 9:1 And David said, “Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”
Kindness doesn't enable people to do things that aren't a profit for them. Kindness doesn't allow anyone to continue in sin; remember taste #1!
Taste #8 Kindness leaves a legacy
Acts 28:1-2 After we were brought safely through, we then learned that the island was called Malta. The native people showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold.
In a "World Giving Index" Malta was the given the highest percentage of the population giving to charities - 83%!! Click here to see the data and compare other countries. The people of Malta sure left a legacy!
What about my spiritual line? Am I leaving a spiritual legacy?
Key Verse:
Proverbs 31:26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness.
In Hebrew the word here for law is "torat-hesed." The Torah is the 5 books of Moses and the oral tradition of the instruction of God. You could say the "Torah of Kindness."
We need to focus on what this "Law of Kindness" means, but first we should ask why study the Law of Kindness.
Why?
#1 Because we live in a mean world. (2 Timothy 3) And it's only going to get meaner.
#2 Because "she openeth her mouth"! (And I know that too well.)
But here's the deal, when the heart gets full it comes out the mouth.
8 tastes of Biblical Kindness to see if what we taste should live there right on our tongue. "on her tongue is the law of kindness."
Taste #1 Kindness is not a weakness.
Luke 6 verse 35 says "for He is kind to the ungrateful and the evil." I am like my Father when I am kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.
*Side note on "nice": Kindness does not equal niceness. Nice in the dictionary means to be "not-knowing" or "ignorant". Someone could say, "Oh, she's nice because she doesn't know better." Whereas kindness is full-on-aware of who you're being kind to - being kind is not passive!
Kindness can speak a strong word.
Psalm 141:5 Let a righteous man strike me—it is a kindness; let him rebuke me—it is oil for my head; let my head not refuse it. Yet my prayer is continually against their evil deeds.
Proverbs 11:16 A kindhearted woman gains respect, but ruthless men gain only wealth.
Taste #2 Kindness is not an action it's a disposition.
Kind (adj.) in the greek is "chrestos" which means: profitable, fit, good for any use...of persons, useful toward others, good-natured.
Kindness (noun) in the greek is "chrestotes." It is the grace which pervades the whole nature...the word is descriptive of the disposition.
"You can't fake a disposition; you can fake nice."
Taste #3 Kindness wears down we I do.
Daniel 7:25 "he will wear down the saints"
A bad relationship wears me down and I form a bad habit of response to that person or situation.
Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
The word "easy" in Greek is "Chrestos"! My yoke is kind!
Things that wear down our kindness:
Resentment (2 Timothy 2:24)
Hatred/Jealousy (Genesis 37:4)
When we're worn down, we need to be built up. In the New Testiment the context of all words for building up (edification etc) are in the community of believers!
Ephesians 4: 12,16,29
12 to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up
16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
We need the body to build up what gets worn down.
Taste #4 Kindness looks pain in the face.
Job 6:28 "Now please look at me, And see if I lie to your face."
Don't look away - don't be face blind (prosopagnosia - unable to recognize faces).
Titus 3:3-8
Verse 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared
"Appeared" in the greek is "Epiphaino"
Titus 2:13 "the glorious appearing"
Taste #5 Kindness is a Savior
Ephesians 2: 4-10
Verse 7b-8 "he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God."
Kindness is called to help, profit, aid, but our human kindness cannot save! Only Jesus, He is the kindness, can save!
Taste #6 Kindness has good memory
Psalm 106:7 says that when Israel forgot God's kindness they rebelled.
And in Hosea 11:4 I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love; I lifted the yoke from their neck and bent down to feed them.
Taste #7 Kindness craves an outlet
2 Samuel 9:1 And David said, “Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”
Kindness doesn't enable people to do things that aren't a profit for them. Kindness doesn't allow anyone to continue in sin; remember taste #1!
Taste #8 Kindness leaves a legacy
Acts 28:1-2 After we were brought safely through, we then learned that the island was called Malta. The native people showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold.
In a "World Giving Index" Malta was the given the highest percentage of the population giving to charities - 83%!! Click here to see the data and compare other countries. The people of Malta sure left a legacy!
What about my spiritual line? Am I leaving a spiritual legacy?
Oh LORD, I pray that you would teach me Your law of kindness. May I open my mouth with wisdom, and keep your law of kindness on my tongue. I pray that I would continue to meditate on Your word and be changed by it. Thank You. Amen.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Want an "A"?
Scripture:
John 9:35-41
When Jesus heard what had happened, he found the man and asked, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” The man answered, “Who is he, sir? I want to believe in him.” “You have seen him,” Jesus said, “and he is speaking to you!” "Yes, Lord, I believe!” the man said. And he worshiped Jesus. Then Jesus told him, “I entered this world to render judgment—to give sight to the blind and to show those who think they see that they are blind.” Some Pharisees who were standing nearby heard him and asked, “Are you saying we’re blind?” “If you were blind, you wouldn’t be guilty,” Jesus replied. “But you remain guilty because you claim you can see.
Thought:
"I don't care about looking the part anymore. I don't want an "A" for appearance - I want the real thing in my heart. I don't want to appear to be right with God - I want to be right with God no matter what it takes."
This is probably the number one issue that I come back to in my life. For me I was raised in church, raised to know what is right and to know how to look the part. When I rebelled against God and walked away from my family that was when I finally saw my past religion for what it was - empty religion. And then the Holy Spirit found me. All things were made new! I wasn't blind anymore! I was set free and set into a right relationship with the Father through Jesus' sacrifice and the Holy Spirit's seal.
So then why do I still struggle with being blind to my sin? Why do I, like the Pharisees think I have it together when I really don't? Because I care what this world thinks of me. I want an "A" for the things that I do. I seek to please man and not God.
And once again, I must repent.
Like the song below says - my choices say who I am, so what am I going to do? Keep struggling with the fear of man? Or make a choice to live as the new creation that I am?
"let your life be one that lights the way!"
Song:
It's Your Life: Francesca Battistelli: Listen Here
Album: My Paper Heart: Deluxe Edition: Her website
This is the moment
It’s on the line
Which way you gonna fall?
In the middle between
Wrong and right
But you know after all
It’s your life
What you gonna do?
The world is watching you
Every day the choices you make
Say what you are and who
Your heart beats for
It’s an open door
It’s your life
Are you who you always said you would be?
With a sinking feeling in your chest
Always waiting for someone else to fix you
Tell me when did you forget
To live the way that you believe
This is your opportunity
To let your life be one that lights the way
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