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Benefits of Genuine Worship/ Part 1

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I remember walking into service that Wednesday night just when the amen to the opening prayer was said. I sat down in the very back of the church, but that didn’t stop the Holy Spirit from reaching me that day. The worship leader had his eyes closed, head tilted back as he pounded on that Kurzweil Sp2x from the beginning to the end of the worship experience. The music was loud and the atmosphere charged with something that words can not explain. Before long I was lost in worship of Almighty God and it was beautiful. All of a sudden, tears started flowing down my cheek. It escalated bit by bit until I could not control myself. For the next 30 -45 minutes, with hands lifted, I wept like a baby. By the time worship was over – Almighty God had broken me and soften my heart for something I still can’t get enough of – “genuine worship.”

Every opportunity we have to meet with and worship God is an opportunity for God to release into our lives all of His goodness. When He shows up he comes with healing, deliverance and power.

Worship brings heaven’s perspective on earthly hindrances.

Worship enables a person to rise above the temporal circumstances of life. It gives him visions of God on the throne, sovereign and supreme, majestic and holy, in control of everything. Like David said, in Psalm 73, “I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. Behold, these are the wicked; always at ease, they increase in riches. I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence. Yet I have been stricken and rebuked. Not until I went into the sanctuary of God to worship; then I discerned their end.” In this chapter David is tripping over the success of the wicked, and agonizing over the plight of the righteous. But when he entered the sanctuary and began to worship, he was able to get heaven’s perspective.

Worship gives us a deeper sense of the holiness of God

Before Isaiah’s encounter with God in chapter 6, he uses the word “Woe” 7 times pronouncing judgment upon others. But in chapter six, the bible says when Isaiah saw the Lord sitting on His throne, “high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple and above him stood the seraphim – each with six wings calling to another: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; he said, “Woe is me.” Worship produces in us the proper fear of the Lord.

Worship unleashes power to confuse and defeat the enemy

Psalm 149 says, “Let the high praises of God be in their throats and two-edged swords in their hands, to execute vengeance on the nations and punishments on the people, to bind their kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron.” To illustrate this, we find a powerful story in 2 Chronicles 20 about the time the Moabites and Ammonites, and with them some of the Meunites,  came against Jehoshaphat for battle. Upon seeking the Lord, he was told to not be afraid but to put the praise and worship team on the frontline of battle. And when they began to sing and praise, the Lord set an ambush against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, they all helped to destroy one another. when we worship God he fights our battles and bring us the victory.

God longs to spend time with us everyday. He longs to lavish upon us his love and grace. He is ready to meet with you no matter where you are spiritually. All you need to do is draw near. If we  want to experience all the benefits of worship we must seek to make time throughout our day to worship the Lord.  What are some creative thing do you do through out your day to connect and stay connected with the Lord? Feel free to share.

ReThinking the way you grieve

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There is nothing that can replace the absence of someone dear to us, and one should not even attempt to do so. One must simply hold out and endure it. At first that sounds very hard, but at the same time it is also a great comfort.

For to the extent the emptiness truly remains unfilled one remains connected to the other person through it. It is wrong to say that God fills the emptiness. God in no way fills it but much more leaves it precisely unfilled and thus helps us preserve — even in pain — the authentic relationship.

Furthermore, the more beautiful and full the remembrances, the more difficult the separation. But gratitude transforms the torment of memory into silent joy. One bears what was lovely in the past not as a thorn but as a precious gift deep within, a hidden treasure of which one can always be certain.

— Dietrich Bonhoeffer

How Should a Reformed Pastor Be Charismatic?

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The message by U.K. Pastor Tope Koleoso is entitled “Sovereign Grace, Spiritual Gifts and the Pastor: How Should a Reformed Pastor be Charismatic?” He encouraged church leaders not to sidestep the supernatural in the Christian faith and ministry, but to rightly understand and exercise the gifts of the Holy Spirit while shunning fanaticism. The freedom in Spirit must not surrender to fanaticism, our openness to the Spirit must never violate the Word of God, and our expression of joy must never degenerate into mere excitability.

 

 

Video via Joshua Harris

7 Signs of Authentic ongoing transformation

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1. Getting Better

When a man is getting better, he understands more and more clearly the evil that’s left in him. When a man is getting worse, he understands his own badness less and less. C. S. Lewis

2. Obedience not Sacrifice

When a man makes obedience, not the lifting up of sacrifices, the thing to pursue – he is on the path to transformation. “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. John 14:23

3. Uses Grace as Empowerment

When a man no longer sees grace as a big cover up, he is on the path to transformation. ”Grace  is not to cover up our weaknesses but to empower us to lead a life pleasing to God.” John Bevere

4. Feeds the Spirit and not the Flesh

When a man spends all his energies not on activities to feed the flesh, but on spiritual disciplines that edify, built up, encourage and sanctify, he is on the path to transformation. ”For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” Romans 8:13

5. Open to Correction

When a man is open to rebuke and correction, he is on the path to transformation. The heart of every man lies open to the shafts of correction if the archer can take proper aim. Oliver Goldsmith

6. Humble and Broken

When a man is not shy to walk down to the altar and bury his head between his knees and cry out for God to break him, he is on the path to transformation. ”Between the vestibule and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep and say, “Spare your people, O Lord.” Joel 2:17

7. Real with Friends

When a man is able to open up to trusted friends and be real about things he might be struggling with, he is on the path to transformation. Only those who are serious about coming out of darkness into light would do any such thing. Jesus said, “People loved the darkness and not the light because their works were evil.” John 3:19

Yes, I know Jesus Blood can make the vilest sinner clean

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Come, ye sinners, lost and hopeless, Jesus’ blood can make you free;
For He  saved the worst among you, When He saved a wretch like me.

Refrain
And I know, yes, I know, Jesus’ blood can make the vilest sinner clean,
And I know, yes, I know, Jesus’ blood can make the vilest sinner clean.

To  the faint He giveth power, Through  the mountains makes a way;
Findeth water in the desert, Turns the night to  golden day.

In temptation He is near thee, Holds the pow’rs of hell at  bay;
Guides you to the path of safety, Gives you grace for ev’ry  day.

He will keep thee while the ages Roll throughout eternity;
Though earth hinders and hell rages, All must work for good to  thee.

7 Things It’s impossible for God to do

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We so often hear and talk about the power and sovereignty of God, and about the things He is able or capable to do, but do you know that there are some things God cannot do? Before you think I am about to write something heretical, these things as you imagined are things that are inconsistent with his character and incompatible with his nature. For example:

It is impossible for God to lie
I am sure you have met, either in your family or among your friends, people who are not trustworthy when it comes to what they say. They promise you that they will do something, but never deliver on their promises. God is not like that – He means what he says and says what he means. The scripture says it is impossible for him to lie. What that means is that you can depend on his every word and trust in his promises.

It is impossible for God to be unfaithful
It is his nature to be faithful. 2 Timothy 2:13 says, “if we are faithless, he remains faithful—
for he cannot deny himself.  This verse is a reminder of God’s preserving power and faithfulness. He is faithful to his word and promises. He’ s committed to the end. He will never abandon us for any reason. He will relentlessly pursue us until we die, even if we consistently refuse him.

It is impossible for God to refuse anyone who comes to him in faith

There is hope for the sinner. There is room in his heart and at the cross for the vilest of sinner. There is nothing in the world you can do that God cannot forgive. All day long, the scripture says, his hand is extended – wide open for you to come. And when you do turn to him in faith – “He will in no wise cast you out.” John 6:37

It is impossible for God to not love.
God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. I love the way Jeremiah puts in 31:3 – “I have loved you with an everlasting love.” This love he has for us never fails, never ceases. On and on it goes.

It is impossible for God to sleep
I think this point will make for a good debate or an interesting study. But the point I want to make here is far from just a theological debate. Psalm 121:2-3 says, “He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.” Check out the many times the word “keep” is mentioned (to keep, guard, watch over, and attend to carefully). The point here is that the Lord is your keeper at all times; he will neither slumber nor sleep. Not only is God all-powerful (Ps. 121:2), he is ever-watchful

It is impossible for God to be unjust
Jeremiah 17:10 says, “God searches the heart and tests the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.” He is just, impartial and pure in his judgments. You can expect to be treated fairly in everything pertaining to things in this life and the one to come. He will judge our secret sins and everything good and bad (Ecclesiastes 12:14).

It is impossible for God to change
He is the same yesterday, today and forever… I love the way James put it in 1:17 – Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Always faithful, always loving, always kind, always good, always holy, always just – always father.

What is the gopspel? N. T. Wright explains

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Thirteen Minutes is precious time, but it will be well invested listening to what N. T. Wright has to say about the gospel. I encourage you to take a listen, you will not regret it.

Who is N. T. Wright?
N. T. Wright is an Anglican bishop and a leading New Testament scholar. Wright was the Bishop of Durham in the Church of England from 2003 until his retirement in 2010. He is currently Research Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at St Mary’s College, University of St Andrews in Scotland.

Among modern New Testament scholars, Wright is an important proponent of traditional views on theological matters including Christ’s bodily resurrection and second coming. Further he has expressed strenuous opposition both to the ordination of openly gay Christians and the blessing of same sex partnerships and marriages as occurs in the Episcopal Church (United States).

I really like him.

Video Via Pangea Blog

Shh! – Victory is in progress

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Too often we talk ourselves out of the miracles and blessings God wants to release in our lives. Our constant complaining, nagging and grumbling sometimes delay or even hinder us from experiencing the breakthroughs we so desperately want.

Moses tried to talk his way out of becoming a mighty deliverer.

Gideon tried to explain his way out of reaching his full potential.

Before the parting of the red sea – the Israelites were on the verge of turning around and going back to Egypt because of their incessant negative speech and grumbling.

Before the taking of the promised land – they literally delayed the taking of this good land by a negative report that completely stalled – if not put off the mission.

Before the miracles of bread falling from the sky and water gushing out of the rock, Israel’s continued grumbling, nagging and quarrelling and murmuring became too much for God to handle, let alone his prophet.

At this juncture in the history of Israel (Joshua 6), they are about to take a fortified city and on the brink of a supernatural move of God in their lives. But Joshua gave a strange and extraordinary instruction to the people of God. He said to them (verse 10) – don’t speak a word – don’t say a thing for seven days – be quiet. In other word he was saying, “Quiet, victory is in progress.” Don’t mess this up like you’ve done before.

Joshua understood one of the weaknesses of the people of Israel was grumbling. Throughout their history and under the leadership of Moses, he saw first-hand their natural tendency to complain and grumble when things didn’t look good. When they got frustrated and aggravated and scared in difficult situations they became verbally negative.

But what we can learn today from this story is this: the key to victory when things don’t add up, when things are not going our way, or when there is no sign of a victory or answer to prayer, is not to start grumbling, complaining, murmuring and spewing negativity, but to stay faithfully quiet – cause victory is in progress.

We should know that sometimes God shows up at the very last moment when all is dim and gray.

There is a song we used to sing back in the day – victory, victory, victory shall be mine – if I hold my peace and let the lord fight my battle, victory shall be mine.

There are two things I believe that Joshua understood about God and people:

1. That God has promise to bless and bring his people victory in every circumstance, and He was not about ready to fail them.

2. Unfortunately, there is a natural inclination in people than and now to grumble, murmur and complain when there is no evidence that they will win.

When that happens, we begin to talk ourselves out of the victory that he has planned for us. Because of that Joshua told them, “don’t speak a word.” I don’t think God or Joshua worried about not wanting the people in the city to know they were there. After all, just marching around the city – foot steps was enough noise for the people to suspect that people were marching around their wall.

Joshua was more concerned about anybody saying anything – like, “here we are again, what if these people climb up on their wall and begin to shoot arrows at us? What if the walls don’t come crushing down? What if this doesn’t work – what then?” One negative word after the other spreading through the ranks of the army could cripple this military campaign and thwart their plan. So Joshua said, not one word until I tell you to shout for victory.

Friends, “words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose (Proverbs 18:21 Message).

The choice is ours to either fill our lives with poison or with fruit – life or death – stagnation or abundance. So instead of murmuring, complaining or grumbling in difficult situations, choose to:

Worship and praise even in you midnight hour

Give thanks when the going gets tough

Speak those things that are not even as though they are

Stand on the word and follow the Spirit’s lead

Learn patience and don’t give up easily

Be still and know that He is God

Holy Spirit: Hover over me – Rest upon me

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Genesis 1:2 The Spirit of the God was hovering over the waters

Have you ever wondered what your church or your life would look like if there was a genuine and authentic move of the Spirit of God. I long again for the day when we would embrace His fullness in everything we do. I don’t mind all the new and creative things we are doing in our churches and the efforts individual believers are exerting to please God.

But I am longing again for a move of God through His Spirit, because I’m convinced that where he is there is freedom, power and the ability to do greater things for God. He makes everything easy when He shows up. It is like the working of His mighty power within. When He is there, we do not only preach and teach than let  people go home without experiencing what we talked about in our sermons – we do it like Jesus did it: teaching, preaching, healing, and delivering those oppressed by the devil by the power of the Holy Spirit. Like somebody once said,

teaching and preaching without healing and delivering the oppressed is a modern invention.

When I read Gen 1 and 2, what I am left with is this image of the Holy Spirit hovering over the face of the waters and when God spoke and said “let there be” – things happened because the Spirit of God took active part in creation. I see the same picture in the New Testament, where the Holy Spirit rested upon Jesus during his baptism. At that time He was filled with the Spirit’s power and He went around doing great thing – not because He was God, but because of the Spirit resting on Him.

For me this “hovering” in the Old Testament and this “resting” in the new is what the church needs so desperately. It is imperative that we seek to allow the Holy Spirit to hover or rest over us. Imagine with me what we could carry out with the Holy Spirit hovering over our lives – even better, living in us in power and strength. This is what Jesus was talking about when He said, “Greater works shall you do because I go to the father.” He was saying that when the Spirit of God comes upon you, you will be able to do great things.

We should understand that our creativity, preaching abilities, leadership skills, our theology, our best efforts either to live for or serve him are good but not good enough. We can only do much. But “with God we can do exploits.” We need the Holy Spirit’s power to enable us to preach, write, lead, serve, and live for him.

We should crave and seek for more of His presence in our lives, our churches and in our witness. We must create atmospheres in our homes and meetings where the Holy Spirit can come and hover or rest.

It is imperative that we become aware of the fact that He (the Holy Spirit) is the only one who can make the difference in what we do. Therefore, living a life that allows him to move and paying the prize in fasting and praying, humbly asking for His help and stepping out of His way so that He can do what He wants to do – is key to enjoying the power that comes from Him hovering and resting over us.

In what ways are you giving Him space to make the difference in and through you today? Please share your experience if you can. Thank you! More of Him in you today.

Rembrandt, an artist to grow old with

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The Guardian, Jonathan Jones on Art blog writes the following and ends with a question. This post is an attempt to respond to that question:

According to the British art critic Jonathan Jones, many Renaissance artists were “coldly curious” or even cruel in their depictions of old age. For instance, Leonardo da Vinci scorned elderly faces as “monstrous wrecks.” Fortunately, there was one notable exception to this habit of mocking the elderly—Rembrandt. Jones writes, “Rembrandt painted old age with a nobility and power that no artist has ever approached.” He recognized “the dignity and character of aged faces” and embraced “the marks of time as beautiful, mysterious, and rich.” Rembrandt was much more interested in what Jones calls “the mystery behind someone’s eyes.”

But Rembrandt’s deepest study of aging was based on his own life. Rembrandt painted more self portraits than any other artist of the 17th century, and all together they tell the story of his journey into old age. For instance, in 1640, at the height of his career, Rembrandt painted his “Self Portrait at the Age of 34.” Decked out in an elaborate and fashionable costume, Rembrandt looks self-assured and even snobbish. But nearly thirty years later in 1669, the year of his death, Rembrandt painted “Self Portrait at the Age of 63.” In this painting he wears a simple peasant coat and beret. His face looks wise, humble, and peaceful. Jones concludes, “At 34 [Rembrandt] looks proud, at 63 he simply looks human. To be sure, Rembrandt is an artist to grow old with.”

So what can the church learn from Rembrandt?
Ephesians 1:1-3
1. Teach Children, to obey and respect their parents in the Lord, for this is right.

2. Teach children to “Honor their fathers and mothers” (this is the first commandment with a promise),

3. Remind them that this comes with a promise. “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.”

Also
4.  The church can also make ministry to seniors a priority. The elderly is worth pursuing with the gospel of Jesus. Recently it has become uncool to do senior ministry. We’ve taken away their choruses and hymnals and slapped them in the face the all kinds of stupid songs in the name of becoming relevant or current. And if they don’t like it, well, they can go down the street to the retirement center where they still sing the songs they like.

5.  Make them useful. They still have ministry in them. Train them to mentor younger kids. Use them in ministry. Your older church pianist may not be able to play those upbeat and difficult songs on Sunday mornings, but you can still work with what they can do. Include them, use them from time to time. Don’t just fire them. After all they have a ministry too. Look for ways you can use them. And make them feel as valuable as the other younger and gifted musicians.

6.  Finally the church must continue to preach and teach about the power of humility, the value of godly wisdom, embracing one’s own humanity and resting in the peace that comes from God through faith in Jesus Christ.

 

Source: Matt Woodley, managing editor, PreachingToday.com; source: Jonathan Jones, “Rembrandt and the art of growing old,” The Guardian, Jonathan Jones on Art blog (3-29-12)