Archive for June, 2009
June 30, 2009 at 7:05 am · Filed under Uncategorized
When it is in your power, don’t withhold good from the one to whom it is due. Don’t say to your neighbor, “Go away! Come back later. I’ll give it tomorrow”—when it is there with you. Don’t plan any harm against your neighbor, for he trusts you and lives ear you. Don’t accuse anyone without cause, when he has done you no harm.
Don’t envy a violent man or choose any of his ways; for the devious are detestable to the Lord, but He is a friend to the upright. The Lord’s curse is on the household of the wicked, but He blesses the home of the righteous; He mocks those who mock, but gives grace to the humble. The wise will inherit honor, but He holds up fools to dishonor. Proverbs 3:27-35 (HCSB)
When you walk according to the wisdom of the Lord, the Lord guides you through what are right relationship attitudes and actions when dealing with others in your life. In this passage, the others are not family members but those who should be your friend because they are your neighbor, or those who live near you and you should interact with daily. The Lord places upon us certain proper responsibilities to help us build right relationships for our benefit and for His kingdom purposes. And, the Lord declares that “whenever it is in our power or ability to make it happen” we are to avoid wrong behavior towards our neighbors, such as:
- Don’t withhold good to those neighbors who have done nothing wrong to you to warrant such behavior. Remember how the Lord has dealt with you and has not withheld good towards you, unless you chose to act in a manner that was wrong in the eyes of the Lord. However, remember that He also never remembers wrong once you have confessed your wrong and sought to return to a right relationship with the Lord. Can you do the same with your neighbor, as well?
- Don’t delay doing right for your neighbor when he or she comes to you and it is in your power or ability to help him or her. When you put off a neighbor, when it is possible to help him or her at that time, you are deceiving him or her. The Lord wants us to deal rightly with all people even when it may be inconvenient and interrupt our immediate plans. Why? Do you go to the Lord seeking help and does He put you off because He is doing something else, or does He respond in the proper time and in the proper way? We should respond likewise.
- Don’t plan any harm against your neighbor. You are to be building positive relationships with all your neighbors, not destroying relationships. You are to be building bridges of friendship, pleasing the Lord. Jesus plainly said we are to love our neighbor as we love ourselves.
- Don’t falsely accuse your neighbor of wrong doing. You should always strive to act and speak fairly and honestly with all your neighbors. Would you be pleased if your neighbors spoke falsely against you – if so, how would you feel? Jesus has false accusations thrown at Him, but did He use that as an excuse to do likewise? Well, neither should you.
- Don’t envy an evil man who may seem to have it all. Don’t seek his advice thinking his ways may be better ways. You are to deal rightly with him, but not accept his ways as being right for you. The Lord will be his or her judge and deal with him or her in His just time and manner. Don’t risk your relationship with the Lord.
In all our relationships, the Lord blesses the righteous. Are you one of His righteous by the manner you deal with others? Are you humble enough to respond rightly to anyone who the Lord places before you as one of your neighbors? If so, the Lord is pleased. Don’t be like the fool who knew better but did wrong anyway, because God honors the wise, and they are the ones who seek daily to live according to His will, His ways, according to the wisdom of His Word.
Coach
www.coachbrown.org
One of the scribes approached. When he heard them debating and saw that Jesus answered them well, he asked Him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” “This is the most important,” Jesus answered: Listen, Israel! The Lord our God, The Lord is One. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. “The second is: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:28-31 (HCSB)
June 29, 2009 at 7:20 am · Filed under Uncategorized
Maintain [your] competence and discretion. My son, don’t lose sight of them. They will be life for you and adornment for your neck. Then you will go safely on your way; your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid; you will lie down, and your sleep will be pleasant. Don’t fear sudden danger or the ruin of the wicked when it comes, for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from a snare.
Prov 3:21-26 (HCSB)
Those who are truly wise share common traits; you are competent, discrete, and confident in all you think, say or do in life. Being competent comes from not only knowing everything one should know about any particular discipline, but also wisdom means you know how to properly and rightly to utilize the knowledge you have. Seeking God’s gift of wisdom means you want more than just knowledge but the proper understanding in how to apply that knowledge in the practical, everyday relationships and situations in life for the benefit of everyone, not just yourself.
Further, in addition to competence, one who has sought the wisdom that comes from God understands the value of discretion. Proper use of wisdom is more than just knowing how to do something properly but in the right manner, at the right time, and for the right purpose. Discretion means not taking advantage of others or using what you know how to do just because you can. A discrete person considers the implications of using the knowledge they have as it may affect others. When God’s wisdom is the filter, relationships are more important than revelations of knowledge.
Finally, in addition to competence and discretion, one who has sought the wisdom that comes from God has an unshakable confidence about his or her life. Not only does a wise person know how and when to use their knowledge but they also have the confidence to use their knowledge, even when it may be dangerous to do so. When God is the source of one’s wisdom there is no fear or reservation in using their wisdom for the right purposes in the right manner, according to God’s will and ways. There will be times that God uses the wise to be his agents to challenge the wrong in this world, and that can come with a price, but when a person has competence, discretion, and confidence that person, he is a formidable force because first of all he or she knows that his or her source of wisdom is a gift from God. There is nothing that a truly wise person cannot handle for God because it is God who guides and directs all that person does.
Is this the kind of child of God you desire to be? Then, first of all seek to know God’s will, God’s way, and the wisdom that is found in God’s Word every day. As you invest yourself in this quest you will discover you are becoming more and more competent, discrete, and confident as you mature in Christ. In dealing with all the issues in life, Christ said to us: seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all the other things in life will be given to you. This was said in the light of all the fears and anxieties that we should not allow to overcome our lives. Seek God first, and He will give you the wisdom to overcome.
Coach
“This is why I tell you: Don’t worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the sky: they don’t sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth more than they? Can any of you add a single cubit to his height by worrying? And why do you worry about clothes? Learn how the wildflowers of the field grow: they don’t labor or spin thread. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was adorned like one of these! If that’s how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and thrown into the furnace tomorrow, won’t He do much more for you—you of little faith? So don’t worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ For the idolaters eagerly seek all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matt 6:25-34 (HCSB)
June 28, 2009 at 12:24 pm · Filed under FCA, First Baptist Ocala
Happy is a man who finds wisdom and who acquires understanding, for she is more profitable than silver, and her revenue is better than gold. She is more precious than jewels; nothing you desire compares with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left, riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant, and all her paths, peaceful. She is a tree of life to those who embrace her, and those who hold on to her are happy. Prov 3:13-18 (HCSB)
There are plenty of people who know things. Trivia experts are those who know facts and figures, dates and events, however they don’t know when to get out of the rain. They don’t necessarily have common sense, or proper understanding of how to use the knowledge they have learned. From a teacher’s perspective, teaching students “stuff” is not really teaching. The responsibility of a teacher, such as the greatest teacher, Jesus, is to help your students gain the right understanding about applying the knowledge they have received in a correct manner. The result of learning the proper application and relevance of knowledge is defined as “wisdom.” From wisdom comes making right decisions in life, which results in finding contentment and happiness.
Likewise, what is more valuable to receive: the blessing of wealth, or receive the wisdom of making wealth? We can spend the wealth we have and find ourselves as poor as we started, or we can have the wisdom to spend wisely and to make more wealth to replace or increase our abundance. This is why in this proverb the point is made that wisdom is more valuable than silver, gold or precious jewels. With wisdom we understand how to live rightly in the world pleasing God and thus being blessed with a prosperous life, not always measured in dollars and cents, but in satisfaction personally and relationally. With wisdom one recognizes the value of seeking peace in their life, which means there is the absence of conflict with others that are in your life - that is more valuable than all the riches in the world. Peace also relationally refers to knowing the benefit of feeling no guilt before others or God.
Wisdom is God’s gift for those who are willing to seek after her (wisdom) seeking its benefits, of which the greatest benefit “happiness” in one’s life.
Is that what you seek? Then begin by getting to know God and seeking His will, His ways, and the wisdom of His Word…and learn its value lies not in monetary or property values, but in relational values of peace and happiness, and the other blessings will come.
Coach
In love He (God) predestined us to be adopted through Jesus Christ for Himself, according to His favor and will, to the praise of His glorious grace that He favored us with in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasurethat He planned in Him for the administration of the days of fulfillment —to bring everything together in the Messiah, both things in heaven and things on earth in Him. Eph. 1:4-10 (HCSB)
June 27, 2009 at 6:41 am · Filed under FCA, First Baptist Ocala
My son, don’t forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commands; for they will bring you many days, a full life, and well-being. Never let loyalty and faithfulness leave you. Tie them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will find favor and high regard in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all our heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths. Don’t consider yourself to be wise; fear the Lord and turn away from evil. This will be healing for your body and strengthening for your bones. Prov 3:1-8 (HCSB)
Ignorance is not an excuse in our legal system, nor is having a convenient memory! And for those who try to use the Apostle Paul’s arguments about not being saved by the law (Galatians 3:10, et al), this is clearly about listening to and living out life using the Lord’s will, the Lord’s ways, and certainly the Lord’s wisdom that is found in the Lord’s Word. In other words, when in doubt refer back to the manual of living right in this life pleasing the Lord: The Bible. What we learn should not be stored just in our minds as if it is a bunch facts to be used in life, but in our heart so that it affects our lifestyle choices.
Loyalty, faithfulness, and learning to trust are three attributes we should all aspire to have. They all refer to relationship development. And they reflect the summary of all of God’s commands and the highest teaching point the Lord has made, and stated by Him through Moses and then stated plainly by His Son, Jesus: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important commandment. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commandments.” Matt 22:37-40 (HCSB) And out of love flows the strength and desire to be loyal, faithful, and to be trusting of others in our lives, and certainly in our relationship with the Lord Himself. That is what FAITH is all about!
Our relationship with the Lord should keep ourselves humble and exalt Him as the Lord and Master in our life, and reveal a life that realizes that “I cannot go it alone!” and I surrender myself to the wisdom that only the Lord offers to guide me in all my life decisions. He alone knows the way I should go and is best for me in this life and beyond, and only those friends and family members who acknowledge and seek Him can I place my confidence in. Yet, as the Lord loves all, so do I love everyone that the Lord places before me in this lifetime, and I pray all will come to know the wonderous relationship that comes from knowing Him and placng one’s faith in His will, His ways, and His wisdom that is found in His Word.
If your desire is to be healed and placed upon the right path in your life, strengthened in all you do, then begin by trusting in Him and turning from all other ways and certainly your own understanding, which leads to certain destruction. Open His Word today and begin to know Him and open not only your mind but your heart to the love He has for you. If you do, you will never turn away again. You will never have a need for an excuse again…
Coach
He (Christ) said, “Even more, those who hear the word of God and keep it are blessed!” Luke 11:28 (HCSB)
June 26, 2009 at 7:23 am · Filed under FCA, First Baptist Ocala
My son, IF you accept my words and store up my commands within you, listening closely to wisdom and directing your heart to understanding; furthermore, IF you call out to insight and lift your voice to understanding, IF you seek it like silver and search for it like hidden treasure, THEN you will understand the fear of the Lord and discover the knowledge of God. FOR the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. He stores up success for the upright; He is a shield for those who live with integrity so that He may guard the paths of justice and protect the way of His loyal followers. THEN you will understand righteousness, justice, and integrity—every good path. FOR wisdom will enter your mind, and knowledge will delight your heart. Discretion will watch over you, and understanding will guard you, rescuing you from the way of evil— from the one who says perverse things, [from] those who abandon the right paths to walk in ways of darkness, [from] those who enjoy doing evil and celebrate perversity, whose paths are crooked, and whose ways are devious. Prov 2:1-15 (HCSB)
The most challenging obstacle for anyone to overcome is to accept the value or benefit of surrendering one’s personal will, ways and wisdom about life and accept the perfect, pleasing, and good will of our Lord and Savior. We have an innate instinct of distrust built into us. We prefer to follow our own choices about life even when it causes us to falter and fall. However, sooner or later after the scars and bruises of life’s experiences overwhelm us, we begin to reach out. Only then we seem open to the reality of our own shortcoming, our ignorance which borders upon foolishness, and we begin to accept the sin nature within us causes us to stumble and fail. For some of us, our lack of faith continues to keep us from accepting God’s Wisdom found in His Word, and we reach out to many other sources of advice and direction in our life. However, sooner or later we learn we have not only become the slave to our own sin, but also the slave to the sin of others as well. And the fact is this, even after all the detours and delays the Lord’s grace is available to us and He waits patiently for us to accept our inability to overcome our own sin nature and the sin nature of others in this world without His help. God loves us unconditionally, except He wants us to accept His wisdom on our own rather than coerce us in anyway. However, God certainly has given us more than enough reasons to sway us, which is found in His Word and through the testimony of others…all we need to do is open our hearts, minds, and souls to what He is offering us.
This passage is one that clearly points out the conditions of making the choices the Lord desires from us so that we may realize the blessings or consequences He has in store for each of His faithful children. Read the passage carefully and identify the key words that guide you to make the right life-changing decision for your own life. Accepting His Wisdom found in His Word allows you to follow Him in His Ways according to His wonderful Will.
Coach
Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. Romans 12:1-2 (HCSB)
June 25, 2009 at 8:12 am · Filed under FCA, First Baptist Ocala
Wisdom calls out in the street; she raises her voice in the public squares. She cries out above the commotion; she speaks at the entrance of the city gates: “How long, foolish ones, will you love ignorance? [How long] will [you] mockers enjoy mocking and [you] fools hate knowledge? If you turn to my discipline, then I will pour out my spirit on you and teach you my words. Since I called out and you refused, extended my hand and no one paid attention, since you neglected all my counsel and did not accept my correction, I, in turn, will laugh at your calamity. I will mock when terror strikes you, when terror strikes you like a storm and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when trouble and stress overcome you. Then they will call me, but I won’t answer; they will search for me, but won’t find me. Because they hated knowledge, didn’t choose to fear the Lord, were not interested in my counsel, and rejected all my correction, they will eat the fruit of their way and be glutted with their own schemes. For the waywardness of the inexperienced will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them. But whoever listens to me will live securely and be free from the fear of danger.” Prov 1:20-33 (HCSB)
The news media loves to capture the indiscretions of powerful people. The media then is like a hungry wolf that has tasted the blood of their victim and they are relentless until their prey is consumed. And why can the media continue in such a selfish, uncompassionate manner? It is because people feel empowered when the famous tumble off their perch. It makes their lives full of mistakes excusable. But what causes anyone, especially the supposedly powerful and influential people risk it all by avoiding the sound wisdom that establishes right and wrong choices in life? Why would they feel they can pick and choose what is acceptable wisdom for their life and discard the rest? Why would anyone think they are different or more special than all the other people created by God?
God is a compassionate God, but also one who understands the importance of choices in the lives of His people. When we accept the wisdom He provides before us and we use it to guide our lives, He blesses us in so many ways. He promises to provide, protect and to preserve our lives in good and bad times when we accept His will, His ways, and certainly the wisdom of His Word. However, He clearly states that for those who choose disobey His will, His ways, and the wisdom of His Word, then He will sadly but steadfastly allow you to face the consequences of your choices alone. And what happens sooner or later when we walk alone in this world, we become the prey of others like us. Sooner or later you will find that there are others more desperate than you who will lead you astray, but your inexperience and greed, also your sense of survival will allow you to follow the path they show you, until it is too late. For the rich, powerful, and famous you fall from your self-exalted heights and become fodder for the news media frenzy until the next story preempts you and you become yesterday’s news. For all the other people, those like you and me, we just become another statistic in this world because we too decided to try and go through life guided by our own will, ways, and wisdom.
As for you, how is your life going? Is what you doing on your own working for you? If you have not surrendered to the wisdom of the Lord as your guide, you are like the man who chose to build his house on a foundation of sand, and when the first sign of storms arise your house will be exposed for what is was based upon. Or, you can build your house on the solid foundation of the Rock (God’s Word) and weather any of the storms of life.
Why would God go through so much trouble to point out the risks of not living under His wisdom? Is it for His sake or your sake? Think about it! SELAH (pause a moment and contemplate about it)…
Coach
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord!’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but [only] the one who does the will of My Father in heaven. On that day many will say to Me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in Your name, drive out demons in Your name, and do many miracles in Your name?’ Then I will announce to them, ‘I never knew you! Depart from Me, you lawbreakers!’ “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them will be like a sensible man who built his house on the rock. The rain fell, the rivers rose, and the winds blew and pounded that house. Yet it didn’t collapse, because its foundation was on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of Mine and doesn’t act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, the rivers rose, the winds blew and pounded that house, and it collapsed. And its collapse was great!” Matt 7:21-27 (HCSB)
June 24, 2009 at 6:19 am · Filed under FCA, First Baptist Ocala
Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction, and don’t reject your mother’s teaching, for they will be garland of grace on your head and a gold chain around your neck. Proverbs 1:8-9
Not all parents are the greatest sources of reliable wisdom, and sadly some are seemingly not concerned about their children today. However, the one thing that all parents offer their children when they do offer advice is experience. Their actions and attitudes may seem selfish and they may be uninvolved in your daily life, but God instills in all parents the innate concern for their children. Therefore, there will come a time when your father and/or your mother will stop and share advice with you. Do not turn a deaf ear to them! Their advice will be from the heart and from their personal experiences. All parents innately do not want their children to make the same mistakes as they have made. So listen and learn from their advice about life choices.
In Proverbs, many of the wise sayings are between King Solomon and his many children, especially his sons who were his heir apparent on the throne of Israel. Now, understand that Solomon was no saint and as he got older his vanity was his downfall. However, when he did stop his self-serving activities to speak to his children, his advice did come from the heart. His advice came from his experiences in his life.
For parents, do not stop giving advice and instruction to your children. Repeatedly in the Bible there are many illustrations of the role of a father and mother nurturing and guiding their children in right ways. Even godly parents can be frustrated with their children as they get older, but never relinquish your responsibility and god-given role of raising up your children. Parents should help your children to walk in life aware of right and wrong ways, and the consequences of making wrong choices. Before you know it your children are grown and on their own, and yet they remain your children until you die. Be available in their lives to offer the advice they will need even when they are adults.
Remain alert to receiving and accepting parental advice because most of the time your parents are God’s agent of grace trying to demonstrate not only their love and concern for you, but God’s as well. Even when your mother or father does not appear to be the most godly individuals in your life, they are God’s agents none the less. Listen and learn from their advice.
Coach
Then Jesus replied, “ I assure you: The Son is not able to do anything on His own, but only what He sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, the Son also does these things in the same way. For the Father loves the Son and shows Him everything He is doing, and He will show Him greater works than these so that you will be amazed. John 5:19-20 (HCSB)
June 23, 2009 at 7:14 am · Filed under FCA, First Baptist Ocala
The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: For gaining wisdom and being instructed; for understanding insightful sayings; for receiving wise instruction [in] righteousness, justice, and integrity; for teaching shrewdness to the inexperienced, knowledge and discretion to a young man— a wise man will listen and increase his learning, and a discerning man will obtain guidance — for understanding a proverb or a parable, the words of the wise, and their riddles. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. Prov 1:1-7 (HCSB)
Reading the psalms and proverbs found in the Bible is highly recommended for a Christian’s daily study of God’s Word. There is so much common sense truths to be found in them, but yet through the common sense aspect one finds the spiritual sense that connects truth with living rightly before God. Yet, how many take the time to really read and study the deep thoughts of wisdom found in this part of the Bible. Even Jesus quoted or referred to the psalms and the proverbs in His teachings. His parables are a part of the tradition of speaking truths in riddles or in proverbs.
So what is the purpose of these proverbs and parables? These first verses in Proverbs indicate that the purpose is as follows:
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for receiving wise instruction [in] righteousness, justice, and integrity; or, stated in other words: they help us to become more open to gaining the wisdom of God’s Word, which will guide us in learning how to live our lives in the ways that are right before God, offering evidence of the knowledge of what is truth, and knowing how to apply it in all our relationships in a manner that pleases the Lord. In essence, it helps us to live our lives according to the perfect, pleasing and good will of God.
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for teaching shrewdness to the inexperienced, thus the words of wisdom found in the proverbs and parables of the Bible help us to walk more steadily through life as we gain confidence as a child of God. Where we lack practical experience about life issues, the Word of God provides us with proper advice we need to make the right decisions. Shrewdness comes with experience normally unless you have a mentor to seek for advice, and the parables offer the guidance to learn how to deal with situations and relationships with sound judgment.
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for teaching knowledge and discretion to a young man - a teacher’s goal with any student to become obsolete, meaning that every teacher desires to become obsolete because the learner has learned how to learn without the need of the teacher: that is the highest form of education or knowledge one can achieve. Once one has increased in knowledge, discretion is the proper use of the knowledge in real life situations and relationships.
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a wise man will listen and increase his learning, this is the test that one has grown in his or her spiritual maturity because wisdom is the mature application of knowledge and the understanding of the responsibility to share it with others around you, yet wisdom also reveals no matter how much we learn we never will know it all. In fact, the more we learn, the more we realize that we have even more to understand and learn! Only God is omniscient, or all-knowing! Wisdom is but a journey not a destination in life.
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and, a discerning man will obtain guidance…likewise, a wise man never attempts to walk through life alone. He or she realizes more than anyone else that God provides us with signposts and guides along life’s way for us to look for and heed for our own good. Only an ignorant person misses out and stumbles and falls in their limited vision and understanding. A wise man is a discerning man and chooses his or her way without haste but with confidence.
It is for this reason the passage concludes with this statement of truth: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. This “fear” is not fright or horror, but in the sense of reverence and honor. It is the fear that we would miss out on knowing and understanding how much the Lord loves us and desires to have a relationship with us. It is the fear of never knowing the truth and not receiving the blessings that come from living truthfully before the Lord, seeking His will, His Ways, and the Wisdom of His Word.
How about you? Have you made the investment in seeking to learn from the Lord by opening His Word to start or finish every day, seeking another “aha” moment of truth and understanding? Remember, the first step of wisdom is the fear of never knowing God and His love for you.
Coach
He (Jesus) would speak the word to them with many parables like these, as they were able to understand. And He did not speak to them without a parable. Privately, however, He would explain everything to His own disciples. Mark 4:33-34 (HCSB) [What did the Lord want His disciples to learn by teaching them in parables?The closer you are to the Lord, the clearer the parables and proverbs become to you.]
June 22, 2009 at 7:43 am · Filed under FCA, First Baptist Ocala
Hallelujah! Praise God in His sanctuary. Praise Him in His mighty heavens. Praise Him for His powerful acts; praise Him for His abundant greatness. Praise Him with trumpet blast; praise Him with harp and lyre. Praise Him with tambourine and dance; praise Him with flute and strings. Praise Him with resounding cymbals; praise Him with clashing cymbals. Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. Hallelujah! Psalm 150
First and foremost: when we enter the sanctuary to worship, whose sanctuary is it? Is the sanctuary meant to suit our needs? Is the sanctuary meant for the people or to honor the Lord? As we file into the sanctuary, who should we realize is already there watching our actions and attitudes as we enter to worship? Yet, where is our focus as we enter the sanctuary in most cases?
The reason many of the people are not comfortable with worship settings is they are most often not ready to worship as they enter. They do not have praising God on their mind or heart. They only want to sit and be entertained with the music and songs, and then hopefully engaged with the message from the preacher. They desire to be the passive audience, rather than recognize in worship there is only an audience of one present. We all are suppose to be praise participants in a genuine worship service. Of course when the message is over, some have been inspired in the presence of God, but there are others who remain more worried about dinner plans or needing to meet family or simply getting to the rest room before the mad rush. It is most often obligation that brings most to church and it is obligation that is on their mind when they leave. How do you think the Lord feels in His sanctuary as He watches the people come in, go through the motions, and then race to leave for their various obligations? How would you feel if it was you who was to be praised, but most of the people only focused on themselves and not you?
What would happen if you had a birthday party for you planned, but once everyone showed up all they did was ignore you and talk about their plans after the party, or gossip about how the party decorations and festivities could of been better to suit their tastes. How would feel as the one of honor when they could not agree how to sing happy birthday to you, and most just stood there looking uncomfortable while a few made a feeble effort to sing? How much love from family and friends would you feel?
The Lord of the Universe, the Lord who gave us everything we have and we are, the Lord who came to earth as Jesus to demonstrate His love and praise for us, and the Lord who loves us even when we are down right unlovable; this is the Lord that is worthy of all our praise, 100%! It is His sanctuary, not our sanctuary! The Lord does not wait to be invited to worship time, He is there waiting for us to show up and to be inspired, encouraged, and engaged through the offering of heartfelt praise to Him. The Lord wants to smile upon us and applaud our praise to Him.
In a matter of fact: if we listen to His Word in this psalm - there is no exclusion of worship style or instruments in the worship time designed to praise the Lord of the heavens and earth! Every instrument is called into the praise music time to worship the almighty, all-loving, all-deserving God. The psalmist declares that genuine worship time is a time of blended music, orchestrated in harmony to inspire everyone to praise the Lord with no exceptions! There should not be a duel between the different worship styles and types of music. When a divinely inspired worship leader is found he can and does bring together all the available talents and styles and instruments into one harmonious worship experience, where everyone responds with the appropriate praise to the Lord. Divided and diverted hearts are mended and molded into engaged grateful hearts of praise for what God has done for them. All other obligations are dismissed because hearts are brought together as one in such a sanctuary that praises the Lord for what He has done.
Why cannot we just accept our unique differences and preferences, and recognize God is the focus of our worship time, and He has the capacity and desire to hear unity and harmony from the diversity of His people seeking to praise Him as one body. All men need to do to accomplish that kind of worship is take themselves out of the equation, and allow everyone to participate under the leadership of one God-gifted, divinely inspired worship leader. God will be best praised in such a setting of praise and worship, and the people best served and influenced as well.
Coach
Knowing their thoughts, He told them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is headed for destruction, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. Matt 12:25 (HCSB)
June 21, 2009 at 6:36 am · Filed under FCA, First Baptist Ocala
Hallelujah! Sing to the Lord a new song, His praise in the assembly of the godly. Let Israel (all His Covenant People) celebrate its Maker; let the children of Zion rejoice in their King. Let them praise His name with dancing and make music to Him with tambourine and lyre. For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He adorns the humble with salvation. Let the godly celebrate in triumphal glory; let them shout for joy on their beds. Let the exaltation of God be in their mouths… Psalm 149:1-6a
Why is all the emphasis in our churches about entertaining the people who have come to worship? Where in the Bible, God’s Word, does it declare that that is the purpose of worship: to be entertained. We fight over the style of worship, the types of sings to sing; whether we should play the organ or electric guitar. We fuss over whether we should stand or sit while we sing. We have projection screens that show us in worship as if the song leaders or those on one of the many screens are the to be the focus of the worship time. We applaud the performers on the platform or in proper terms to our mindset, the stage. In a matter of fact, pastors and worship leaders have been dismissed over these issues!
So, what is wrong in our churches today? Is it possible we have lost the true purpose and focus of our worship? Have we forgotten worship is our time to honor and revere the Lord of lords, the King of kings, the one and only true God of the universe? Have we forgotten it is our time to offer our praise and thanksgiving towards the Maker of heaven and earth, and that He sent Jesus, His unique Son to bring us the Gospel Message of hope and salvation by faith, and that He died on the Cross so that we could gather together as His people without guilt any longer. Have we forgotten in genuine worship that is illustrated time and time again in His Word that God alone is the focus of our worship! He alone is the audience we are to sing to, and to play music to, and to offer not only our songs and music, but also our prayers and praise of adoration in thanks for all He has and is doing in our lives individually and corporately! Our tithes and offerings should be a part of the worship experience because it is part of thanksgiving offering for the many blessings He has poured down upon us, so that we can share those blessings with others through the ministries and mission activities of the church. On all the screens should not be pictures of ourselves, but God applauding us! However, if we could have God’s image on the screens how would He respond to the attitudes and actions found in the worship in our churches?
Church music and songs are indeed to have but two purposes: first, prepare are hearts and minds and souls to exalt God in Christ during the worship experience; and secondly, offer our songs and music of praise to Him alone! He does not care the style of music, only the attitudes and actions that are engaged in worshiping Him. He has no preference over contemporary, traditional, or blended service styles. He does not have any concern how the words of the songs are sung, as long as they are sincere and heartfelt. God did not publish the hymnal, but He did inspire the words of the songs in it, as He inspired the words of many great praise and worship songs. God inspired music to be played from the organ, the lyre, the tambourine, and the guitar, as well as on the drums.
Who are we seeking to truly worship when we fight over the worship style? Is our true focus upon God or ourselves? I pray the only image we will focus upon will not be projected upon a screen hanging from the rafters, but the one within us in our minds-eye. It must be focused upon the Savior and Source of our faith alone. If He is smiling we have done rightly, if not, then re-look at at the focus of the worship we claim we are participating in.
As the psalmist states at the end of Psalm 149, “this honor is for all His holy people. Hallelujah!”
Coach
“Sir,” the woman replied, “I see that You are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, yet you [Jews] say that the place to worship is in Jerusalem.” Jesus told her, “Believe Me, woman, an hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know. We worship what we do know, because salvation is from the Jews. But an hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth. Yes, the Father wants such people to worship Him. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:19-24 (HCSB)
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