Saturday, April 27, 2013

Praise And Worship Ministry..........!!!!!!!: What Is The Holy Spirit’s Role In Worship?

Thursday, April 25, 2013

What Is The Holy Spirit’s Role In Worship?

Many “worship services” are held, but worship doesn't always happen. One reason is that we sometimes fail to allow the Holy Spirit to fulfill his proper role in worship. In honoring God the Father and lifting up Christ, we also must be careful to give proper place to the Holy Spirit.

God’s Word says that the Holy Spirit is “the Spirit of Jesus” (Acts 16:7) and “the spirit of our God” (I Corinthians 6:11). He was involved in the creation of the world (Genesis 1:2). He brought us the Bible (2 Peter 1:21). The Holy Spirit caused the Virgin Mary to conceive (Luke 1:35). He guides us into truth (John 16:13), convicts us of sin (John 16:8), performs miracles (Acts 8:39), and intercedes with God for us (Romans 8:26). He assures us that we belong to God as he “speaks to us deep in our hearts” (Romans 8:16 NLT).

The Holy Spirit is a living gift to all believers and is the divine source of spiritual power and ministry (John 7:37-39; Acts 11:16-17; Romans 5:5). Excellent music cannot substitute for the Spirit’s power in worship. Eloquent speaking cannot replace the power of the Spirit in a person’s heart..

Authentic Christian worship happens at a spiritual level. Worship happens when the Holy Spirit in us rises to magnify the Almighty, giving the Father the honor he deserves and lifting up his Son, Jesus. Worship leaders may spend hours planning a service—seeking the Spirit’s guidance all along the way—but when the time comes to enter into worship, leaders and congregation alike must allow the Spirit to control the service. The Word says, “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD” (Zechariah 4:6).
As you strive to give the proper role in worship to the Holy Spirit, be sure to remember these three things:

First, the Holy Spirit is our teacher. The Bible says, “the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” (John 14:26). As our teacher, the Spirit’s primary tool is the Scripture, giving understanding of its truth to those with faith. The Life Application Bible Commentary says, “Through learning about Christ’s life, we can understand (more) about how wonderful God is and what he is really like.” The Holy Spirit leads us to God’s truth “which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit, that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel” (Ephesians 3:5-6 KJV).

Further, God accomplishes his work in us through the Holy Spirit. Jesus said the Holy Spirit is the one who reveals the truth about sin—to unbelievers so they can turn to Christ and to believers so we can be used by God for his purposes: “When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment” (John 16:8). The Holy Spirit allows us to live in God’s power: “The Holy Spirit will give you life that comes from Christ Jesus and will set you free from sin and death” (Romans 8:2 CEV). As Christ died for us when we could not save ourselves, the Holy Spirit communicates with God in a way that also is beyond our ability: “The Spirit also helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groaning too deep for words” (Romans 8:26 NASB). The Holy Spirit also transforms us from within: “As the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more (2 Corinthians 3:18 NLT).

Finally, the Holy Spirit is the real worship leader. Worship is allowing God to take center stage in our lives—wherever we are. When we worship together, we surrender the experience to the will of the One who alone is worthy of worship. Authentic worship is that which occurs “by the Spirit of God” (Philippians 3:3). God is glorified in worship when the Holy Spirit reveals God’s truth to us: “He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you” (John 16:14).

Dear viewers may my living God bless you as you are passing through this article , and above all if you are in a Praise and Worship ministry or you want to be knowledgeable of praise and worship put this into practice. I can assure that as you practice this God is going to work with you.

Monday, September 17, 2012

HEARING & RECOGNIZING THE VOICE OF GOD

“He who is of God hears God's words;” (John 8:47)

Jesus cries out seven times to the seven churches mentioned in the book of Revelation, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”The Holy Spirit is speaking to God’s people. For those who listen and obey, they are about to move forward into the greatest outpouring of God’s Spirit that the world has ever known. But this is what I commanded them, saying, 'Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you. "Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but followed the counsels and the dictates of their evil hearts, and went backward and not forward. (Jeremiah 7:23-24 NKJV)

As we stand at the edge of the horizon of God’s glory being revealed upon the earth the greatest need continues to be workers in the harvest. It is through hearing and obeying the voice of God that we gather the harvest and expand the kingdom of God. Each Christian has a mission and a ministry ordained by God to walk in. There is only one head in the body of Christ, as we listen and obey His voice, the Holy Spirit; the body of Christ will come together in complete unity and function in perfect harmony.

All true Christians have heard God’s voice. Jesus says, "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. "It is written in the prophets, 'And they shall all be taught by God.' Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me. (John 6:44-45) It was God’s voice that drew you to Him. In your inner most being you heard God saying, “I have chosen you and ordained you, come unto Me”.¹

So the beginning of your recognition of communication from God was when He was calling you to salvation. But your salvation was only the beginning of your calling; God never stops calling you. When a person receives God’s salvation the Lord immediately calls them into ministry for Him. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (Eph 2:8-10) God has ordained good works for you to walk in and it is by communication from God that we receive through the Holy Spirit that we know where to walk, how to walk, and when to walk.

When Christ gave His life and shed His blood on the cross for us He made the way for us to enter into relationship with Him as blood relatives. He Then Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. "Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. "For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. "He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. (John 6:53-56) The blood that Christ shed created a new covenant with you and for you so that you could now be joined to God, you in God, and God in you, one with God. And He said to them, "This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many. (Mark 14:24)

When we accept Christ and His sacrifice for us He then puts His Spirit in us, the Spirit of Love, the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is our unity with God, our bond with God. We now share the same Holy Spirit that unites the Father and the Son, the same Spirit that makes God One, also makes us one with God. But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. (1^st Cor 6:17) If we do not have the Holy Spirit than we are not part of God’s family, we are not blood relatives of Christ. But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. (Rom 8:9) But not only do we need to have the Holy Spirit but we must also be led by the Holy Spirit. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. (Rom 8:14)

To whom much is given shall much be required.² In the new covenant we have been given such an awesome privilege to have God’s Spirit in us and with us. Through God’s Holy Spirit we have constant communion and communication with God. We have not just received the written instructions of God through the Holy Bible, but we also receive instructions directly from the command center of the universe, the throne of God. But even deeper than that, because we are unified with God through the Holy Spirit we receive communication from God’s heart into our heart. But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after He had said before, "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them," (Heb 10:15-16)

The Holy Spirit communicates the deep things of God to us. But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him." But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. (1^stCor 2:9-12)

It is through the Holy Spirit that we have been given the “mind of Christ”. Christ is the head, we are the body, and we receive instruction from Him through the Holy Spirit. These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. For "who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?" But we have the mind of Christ. (1^stCor 2:13-16)

That word “mind” means that we have inside of us Christ thoughts, Christ will, and the emotions of Christ. We are not to be guided by our physical mind, which is our thoughts, our will, and our emotions; but we are to be guided by the Holy Spirit who communicates to us the thoughts of God, the will of God, and the emotions of God. There are times when the Holy Spirit communicates to us things that are too deep for human language, but we can sense the emotions of God. We have all heard people say that we are not to be led by our “feelings”, and that is true but we can be led by God’s feelings, His emotions.

Spiritual maturity progresses as we become more Holy Spirit conscious and less self-conscious. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (Rom 8:5-6) We are in a process of dying to ourselves that Christ life may become manifested is us, the more we die to ourselves the more of His life is in us.For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. (2^ndCor 4:11) Jesus says, “And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.” (Mat 10:38-39)

Fortunately God gives us the power to become spiritually minded through the Holy Spirit so that Christ life can be manifested in us and through us. There are seven characteristics that we can count on from the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and power, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD. His delight is in the fear of the LORD, And He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, Nor decide by the hearing of His ears. (Isa 11:2-3)

The first thing we can count on from the Holy Spirit is that He will be with us forever. “And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever; the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.” (John 14:16-17) So the Holy Spirit, will be with us forever, in this life, through death, and in the next life, He is our unity with God.

We also receive wisdom, and understanding from the Holy Spirit. We receive counsel, which are words from God, and power, which is faith that comes through hearing God’s words. We also receive the knowledge of God, which causes us to have the fear of God. The more we know God the more that we will stand is awe of Him. Notice that we are to delight in the fear of God, the fear of God is like a fence that keeps us safe and close to God, and it helps us to keep our hearts clean and holy before God. The fear of God helps us to experience the joy of a clean heart before God.

So seven things that we receive from the Holy Spirit are; 1 eternal companionship and unity with God; 2 God’s wisdom; 3 God’s understanding; 4 God’s counsel, which is His communication and words; 5 God’s power, which is faith that we receive through hearing God’s words; 6 the intimate knowledge of God; and 7 the fear of God which perfects holiness in us.

The Holy Spirit is at work in us to bring about our destiny of being conformed into the image of Christ. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. (Rom 8:27-29)

We are called according to God’s purpose, to walk in good works, which God ordained for us to do. Jesus says, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. "These things I command you, that you love one another.” (John 15:16-17)

It is the Holy Spirit that gives us the instructions and power to accomplish the mission that God wants us to accomplish for His purpose. Your destiny as a believer is to become conformed into the image of Christ; it is the Holy Spirit that takes you on the journey of getting there. The Holy Spirit guides us into all Truth, Jesus the Christ is Truth. Jesus says,“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.” (John 16:12-15)

God will speak to us in many ways; one of the main ways is through the written scriptures. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Tim 3:16-17 NIV) God will never contradict Himself so the scriptures help to confirm what the Holy Spirit is speaking inside of us. Because the same voice that wrote the scriptures speaks directly to us who are of the new covenant. But it is through the Holy Spirit that we are given the knowledge of how and when to apply which scriptures to which situation.

God sometimes speaks to people through dreams, visions, and even an audible voice. God also speaks through other people; sometimes He speaks through people that may not even be Christians. God sometimes speaks through circumstances, opening and closing doors of opportunity. But we are not to be led by people or by circumstances but only by the Holy Spirit. The key is to recognize God’s voice when you hear it in whatever way that He chooses to communicate to you. We are to walk by faith not by sight, and faith comes by hearing the spoken words of God and recognizing His voice.

Recognizing God’s Voice

We know God’s voice because we know Him. Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me”(John 10:14 NIV). We recognize God’s voice because we recognize Him, the better we get to know God the more clearly we will recognize His voice. God’s voice is His Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Love, so the voice of God is the sound of Love. The actions of love are accomplished when we put God’s benefit and the benefit of others before our own benefit. God’s voice, His Holy Spirit will always lead us in the direction of love.

The greatest love is to lay down your life for another; God is always leading us into laying down our own life so that we may experience His life. Jesus says, “And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.” (Mat 10:38-39 NKJV) The cross is a painful experience, but it is worth going through the cross to experience the resurrection into eternal life, the cross is temporary but the resurrection is forever.

God always leads us into humility and out of pride. Humility is part of the process of dying to self. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. (Phil 2:5-8 NKJV)

Pride is sin, and all sin causes a hardening of our heart toward God, which causes us to become less sensitive to the Holy Spirit. Walking in humility and purity of heart causes us to hear God’s voice more clearly by being more sensitive to the Holy Spirit He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. (Psa 25:9 NIV)

In our prayer life (as in all areas of life) it is critical that we hear God’s voice and are led by His Holy Spirit in what to pray. Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong. Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. (Eccl 5:1-2 NIV God is not Santa Claus, it is spiritual immaturity to come to God with your list of selfish wants. If the Lord is your Shepard you shall not want, because He will take care of your needs as you walk in love toward Him and other people. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (Mat 6:33 NKJV)

Jesus taught His disciples how to pray. “In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.” (Mat 6:9-10 NKJV) The first thing we do in prayer is to recognize that God is our Father, He is our source of everything and He knows our needs. The first request we make of God is that His name is made Holy on the earth, that His kingdom advances, and that His will is done on earth as it is in heaven. These should be our priorities in prayer.

When we abide in Jesus so that His Spirit and His words can flow through us, then we can ask what we desire because our desires will have been conformed to His desires, His will. This is how we glorify God on earth; this is how we increase His kingdom. “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.” (John 15:7-8 NKJV) Our body is the temple of God and He calls His house a house of prayer. Every Christian should be a house of prayer, praying without ceasing, constant communication with God. Effective prayer in faith comes through hearing from God and then praying His will on the earth as it is in heaven.

Jesus never tells you to go some place that He has not been before, in fact He never tells you to go to a place where He is not already there waiting for you. The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Love always draws you to Love, and therefore always draws you to God, because God is Love. I drew them with gentle cords, With bands of love, And I was to them as those who take the yoke from their neck. (Hosea 11:4 NKJV)

Jesus asks us to walk in His steps and come to where He is. The Holy Spirit always draws us, He pulls us; He never pushes us. We are to follow Jesus and be led by the Holy Spirit. There is a yearning of the Spirit in you calling you to do some thing or go some place, this is the voice of God in you.

The Lord goes before us preparing the way, and He goes with us on the journey. When we are following in obedience to the leading of the Holy Spirit we walk in the presence of God; experiencing His love, joy, and peace, even in the worst of circumstances. And the LORD, He is the one who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed. (Deut 31:8 NKJV)

God is always drawing you into His presence, when you meet Him at the place that He has called you to; it is there that you will experience an intense anointing to serve Him. That is the place that you can worship Him in Spirit and in Truth; for to obey God’s voice is worship. Worship is expressing love to God and Jesus says,“If you love me, you will obey what I command.” (John 14:15 NIV)

Jesus is always calling His sheep to follow Him; He is always calling His sheep to Himself. Jesus says, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”(John 10:27 NKJV) Remember when Jesus separates the sheep from the goats the sheep are the ones that came to Him and served Him. “Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me. …And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.”(Mat 25:34-40 NKJV)

As Christians we must be aware that what we say and do to others we say and do to Jesus. When dealing with other Christians focus on Jesus in them, appeal to Jesus in them, communicate to Jesus in them, and do unto Jesus in them. Since all people are created in the image of God we should do the same for all people, because God’s love compels us to love even our enemies.

When we please Jesus by obeying His commands of love we then experience His Joy. Jesus says, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 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. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”(John 15:9-12 NIV)

As mentioned above we have the mind of Christ, which means that through the Holy Spirit we have access to the will of God, the thoughts of God, and the emotions of God. Just as we can experience God’s joy through actions of love we can also experience God grieving through our actions that hurt people. Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (Eph 4:29-30 NKJV) We have all said things that have hurt others and then we immediately felt bad inside. What we need to recognize is that is that the “bad feeling” inside was God feeling bad because of our sin; it was the grieving of the Holy Spirit in us. This is God’s voice communicating with us directly, not with just words, but His very emotions.

We know that God’s love, God’s joy, and the peace of God in your heart is an indication that you are hearing and obeying the voice of God. For you will go out with joy, And be led forth with peace; (Isa 55:12 NASB) When there is a lack of God’s peace in your heart it means that your relationship with Him is lacking. The Holy Spirit will then try to guide you back into a righteous relationship with God, and if you follow His leading you will once again experience the peace of God through the Holy Spirit in you.

And beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. {15} And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. {16} Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. {17} And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. (Col 3:14-17 NASB)

If you feel that God is speaking a message to you but you are not really sure if it is from God here are some good questions to ask your self about the message.

1) Does it line up with the Holy Bible, the written scriptures?

2) Does it lead you into a closer relationship with God, a greater unity with Him?

3) Does it lead you into expressing love, which is putting God’s benefit and the benefit of others before your own benefit?

4) Does it lead to a dying of yourself and a greater manifestation of Christ life in you?

5) Does it cause greater humility in you, and a greater dependence upon God?

6) Does it cause greater love, joy, and peace from God in you?

¹ (John 15:16) Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

² (Luke 12:47-49) "And that servant who knew his master's will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. {48} "But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more. {49} "I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!

Monday, September 3, 2012

WORSHIP- OUR RESPONSE TO & ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF HOLINESS.

Worship – our response to and acknowledgement of His holiness

It is not a question if we will worship but what we will worship. We are created to worship. Ex 23:24-25. Do not bow down before their gods or worship them or follow their practices. You must demolish them and break their sacred stones to pieces. Worship the LORD your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you,(NIV). Worship, serve = abad (Heb).

What worship is

Worship is to adore reverently, to feel deep devoted love for, to regard with respect and with great awe and devotion.Ps. 29:1-2, worship the Lord in holy array or in the beauty of holiness, 96:9
John 4:23-24,
Rev 5:11-14, Neh 9:6, the multitudes of heaven worship You.

When we worship we:

reverence (fear), respect, give ourselves to totally, know (we can only worship to the degree we know), trust in totally, center of our lives, have full security in, adoration, love, is first priority.
Worship is more than songs it is our lives, and heart attitude.
Words and songs are not needed.

Worship is:

Respect for God the Holy One and the Great One. Ministering unto God.
To pour out ones love and adoration before Him.
A heart attitude of humility. Humbling of yourself under God – has to do with worship.
Worship is not a musical activity but a function of the heart.
It is an outpouring of our whole being in the presence of God, it is an outflowing of our deepest love and adoration. Luke 10:27, to love the Lord with all your heart, Matt 4:10, Lk 4:8 to worship Him only.
Worship is birthed out of our understanding of God as He has revealed Himself to us through His word and as we have experienced Him in our lives.

Matt 4:10, Because Jesus said: Worship the Lord your God.
(Mt 2:1-2, 11, they came to worship Jesus. Mt 28:9, 16-17. Lk 24:52, Jn 9:38, Ph 2:10-11.) Heb 10:22, worship - draw near to God with true honest hearts in full assurance of faith and hearts purified from guilt.
John 4:23-24, God is calling His people into a greater intimacy with himself. God wants our hearts more than our service. He is not looking for worship as it is but He is looking for worshipers! A worshiper is one who lives worship, lives a lifestyle of worship! Lives lived in an attitude of worship in all that we do and say. Isa 29:13, Matt 15:7-9
2 Chr 16:9 For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war." (NIV)

Worship in spirit and in truth:

Have our mind involved.
Be through Jesus who is the truth and in accordance with God's word – truth Jn 17:17.
Our hearts need to be true to God, pure.
Not hypocritical 1 Sam 15:24-31, the motivation wasn't right. It is not to show others how spiritual we are, we are not to put on a spiritual front.
True worship gazes honestly into heaven and invites the cleansing presence of THS.
It is not enough to worship in sincerity but also in truth, the revealed truth of God in His word. Not just with the symbols of the tabernacle but the reality of it.
Our worship is no higher than our knowledge of God as worship flows our of a relationship with God which is strengthened by learning of Him through His word.

True worshipers – opposite of false worshipers. In spirit – opposite of going to a certain place. In truth – opposite of ceremonies, rituals and offerings.
Matt 15:8-9, These people honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men. (NIV)

Worship is deep within us calling out to the deep in God.

Worship requires a relationship, intimacy, giving and receiving. Open your heart to God as you worship Him. Don't rush through it.Ps. 46:10, there are times when our worship will not be full of words but will be a humble prostration of our souls before God, revering His greatness in silence and stillness. Worship involves "eye contact" with God. Worship is an expression of love. You can express that without words and with just eye contact.
Who can worship God?
Those who are born again can worship God as their spirits are alive to God.
Worship is for those who are childlike enough to just open up their hearts and respond to God in sincerity and honesty and enjoying a relationship of loving communion with Him
Where?
Jn 4:21-24, we can see here that worship is not bound to a certain place or time rather it is a function of the spirit of man reaching out to the Spirit of God.

We're Worshipers

…and when?
Matt 4:10, Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'" (NIV)
Worship the Lord everyday. It is first priority to sit by the feet of Jesus. Second to serve. We excuse our lack of worship by pointing out the many things we do for God. We are somehow in a hurry to serve God and we neglect to worship Him. The greatest service will never be a substitute for worship.
What happens?
Ps. 46:4, in worship we partake of the very river that flows from the throne of God. The waters of Siloam whose course ran underneath and through Jerusalem and supplied the city with water. THS provides us with renewing water as we worship from our innermost beings, cleansing and refreshment over our souls. Eze 47:9, as the river of God begins to flow during our times of worship, it brings life, abundance and healing, washing over broken hearts and restoring parched souls.

Attitude and Qualities that characterized Worshipers.

What attitudes should we have?

To give everything – not holding anything back, giving and surrendering all.

Preoccupied with God.

Fidelity (trohet)

Loyalty, faithfulness

Trust, reliance, confidence

Love

Obedience

Pure – not selfish

Humble – not to show others how I'm worshiping God. It is between you and God. Also realizing who you are and who God is. It is a position acknowledging, submission and dependence on God. The real essence of worship centers in on the bowing of ourselves and the flattening and prostrating of fleshly pride (the human will to assert its own way).In worship we are recognizing our total utter dependence and total abandonment to Him: (Mt 15:25, Then came she and worshipped (knelt before) him, saying, Lord, help me! (KJV)

The more self sufficient – the less we worship.

The more independent, the less we worship. (a worshiper knows the ways of God):
Luke 7:36-50

Givers – she gave something costly and she had to brake the jar to get anything out of it, once opened one had to use it all, so it was all or nothing. Ex 23:15, (Ps. 98:8-9)

Weeping – outward manifestation of a heart deeply stirred before the Lord, repentant over come, unreserved, broken before God.

Kissed Jesus feet – there is a Greek word for worship – proskuneo – to kiss the hand toward, to do reverence or homage by kissing the hand, to bow oneself in adoration. She was pleasing God rather than man. After she did this the fragrance the anointing was all over her.
When we worship He will respond, He will turn to us and speak to us, He is eager to do it. A loving heart that cries out to God – that is what matters.
We will never grow to the point where we are "above" worshiping God. Spiritual maturity doesn't exempt one from being a worshiper. Because in heaven there is and will be worship, Rev 4:9-11.

Hindrances to worship (hindering attitudes in worship):

Guilt and condemnation are among the greatest hindrances in worship

Heb 4:14-16, 10:19-22.

Never allow sin to stop you from meeting with God. Come before Him and let Him convict you of sin. He will convict us but not condemn us. Conviction will lead us to repentance, condemnation to despair. John 3:17, 8:11. Sin can't survive in His presence. So if we want to
get rid of it draw as near to God as you can, flee to His presence and confess your sins and receive His cleansing, healing, holiness, purity.
Wrongly formulated attitudes of the mind and of the heart:

1. Pride

A Lack of Knowledge-

When we come into God’s presence, we must come with a heart filled with faith. Faith comes from knowledge of the Word of God. A lack of knowledge will hinder us from truly enjoying worship.

In the Old Testament, David brought the ark of the covenant into the nation of Israel and into Jerusalem with a lack of knowledge. He carried the ark improperly by carrying it on a cart when God had given instruction for rods to be run through the ark and for the priests to carry it on their shoulders. Because of David’s lack of knowledge as to how to carry the ark, a man ended up dying when he tried to steady the ark.

Your lack of knowledge can affect innocent people around you. God will forgive us for the lack of knowledge, but the further we walk with Him, the more accountable He will expect us to be. God’s desire is that we continue to grow in our knowledge of His Word.

Often, people will try to separate worship from the study of God’s Word, but they cannot be separated. Whenever you study God’s Word, you are worshiping. The word “worship” actually means, “face to face kissing with God.” We should not treat the study of God’s Word lightly because again, it is a form of worship.

In true worship, you always leave that place of worship changed. Not only is this true of worshiping God, it is also true of satanic worship. It is also true of the world. You will become more and more like the one you worship!

Every time you spend time in God’s Word, you become more like God Himself.

2 Corinthians 3:18........

"But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord."

The phrase “…open face” actually means “unveiled face.” The entire essence of 2 Corinthians 3 is the comparison of life under the law versus life under the new covenant. The more of God’s Word we learn, the more we’re changed into the image of God and the easier it becomes to worship Him. A lack of knowledge will hinder our ability to worship the Lord. God is seeking worshipers who will put Him first place in their lives.

3. A Critical Attitude-

We need to be removed from a critical attitude. The Word of God repeatedly warns against judging others. A critical attitude is really a manifestation of pride. When someone is critical, they are setting themselves up as a judge to look down on and speak evil of other people. The only person we have a right to judge is ourselves. The Bible tells us that we are to examine ourselves. But more often than not, we spend time judging others than we do ourselves.

Matthew 7:1-2 "

Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you shall be judged: and with what measure you mete, it will be measured to you again.And why behold thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but consider not the beam that is in you own eye?"

Jesus is saying, “How dare you judge another person. How dare you criticize them when they have only a splinter in their eye but you have a log in your eye!”

By criticizing others, you have reaped back a good measured, pressed down, shaken together, and running over splinter! Whatever you sow, you will reap. That is why it is so important to sow love! When you judge others, you are in worse condition than any sin they might be participating in.

Romans 2:1 "

Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whosoever you are that judges: for wherein you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you that judge do the same things."

The next time you feel the temptation to run someone down, remember—you have been guilty of the same thing. You need to treat others the same way the Lord has treated you. You need to sow mercy rather than bitterness. The Lord said that we are to be merciful as He is merciful. Quit judging others!

Hebrews 3:16-18 "

For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses.But with whom was he grieved forty years? Was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcasses fell in the wilderness?And to whom swear he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?"

Those who could not enter into rest were those who were in unbelief. The root of criticism is unbelief. When you truly believe God and His Word, you will not criticize others. Instead, you will begin to see them through the eyes of God’s love and you will begin to sow love into their lives

Impatience-

Hebrews 6:12 "

That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises."

You may be thinking, “There are things in my life that I have been believing for that still have not manifested.” Perhaps you have become concerned and tempted to think they will

never

come to pass. If you have been doubting that God’s promises will come to pass, ask God to forgive you for your impatience. It is not for the farmer to tell the seed when to sprout. Know that your promise is planted in the ground of faith and you may not see it yet, but it is producing. We will

reap

if we faint not!

You may come into a worship service and begin thinking, “I have been praying and believing for my uncle,my mother,my child or any of your friends may be who're not saved yet to be born again for such a long time. I have quoted scriptures, I have prayed for laborers to be sent across his path,Complaining that I've been praying for my school performance,I've been praying to have a new job, but its like I'ven't seen things working. For the ones who are not saved I have done everything I can think of and yet they don't look any closer to receiving Jesus than when I started praying for them! In fact, they looks like they’re even farther away from God than ever!” While everyone else is enjoying the presence of God, you are missing out because of your impatience!

James 1:4"

But let patience have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."

You just keep on believing that everything is in control don't ever be doubtful , for God answers at a very right time he never later....always remember that He never sleep or slumber no matter what His love is always there for us ,he sees whatever we're go through...God is not a Man so that he can tell a lie, he promised that so whoever calls up on his name shall be will indeed see Him. All that we've to do is to wait up on him....for those who wait up on the Lord shall be renewed their strength...

5. Legalism- Legalism is a subtle hindrance. We can come to church proud of all the good we have done during the week. We might say to the Lord, “God, I won four souls! Four! Just count them! Not only that, I laid hands on a person the other day and they were healed! Aren’t you so proud of me? I bet You’re really proud of my works! You really need me, don’t You?” But Isaiah 64:6 says, “…all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.” Self-righteousness and legalism will keep you from truly entering into the presence of the Lord in worship.

The purpose of worship is not to draw attention to our works, but to draw attention to the works of God! You did not win those people to the Lord. You may argue with that, but you did not win them! The Holy Spirit gave you the words to speak. The Holy Spirit wrote the Bible so you would have something to preach. If the Holy Spirit had not drawn them, all of your words would have been worthless. Regardless of how the Lord uses us, all of the glory goes back to Him

6.Worldliness-

We cannot escape the world’s system. We are surrounded by it daily.But the Bible says even though we are

this world, we are not to be

the world. We are surrounded by human viewpoint all week, but man’s ideas are always opposed to God’s. The way man obtains money is opposed to God’s way. Man’s way of rising in business, position, and authority is always opposed to God’s plan. Man says, “Pull a few strings, smooth talk the boss, juggle the books, tell a few lies.” Man may rise in power this way but God’s way says to humble yourself under the mighty hand God and He will exalt you in due time. God says when you have an opportunity to take the best seat, take the low seat and He will exalt you. Watch God work for you.

1John 2:15 "

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him."

What you do is always a product of what you think. You can have worldly, lustful ideas inside you. The Bible calls this “worldly” and “carnal.” Worldliness will prevent you from entering into the fullness of worship.

7. Unforgiveness-

Unforgiveness will always separate us from worship—from face to face communion with God.

Isaiah 59:1-2:

"Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear."

When you come to church with unforgiveness in your heart, ask the Lord to forgive you.let us always give priority to forgive for the forgiveness draw us closer to God's face.

Mark 11:25

"And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses."

Matthew 6:15

"But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."

If we are unwilling to ask forgiveness from our brother, then God must stand in unforgiveness toward us. If I regard iniquity in my heart, God will not hear me. God desires that we ask His forgiveness.

1John 1:9:

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

8. Wrong Priorities- Another name for wrong priorities is idolatry. You may say, “But Pastor, I don’t get down in front of wood and stone and bow down before idols!” That may be true, but how many hours do you spend in front of the television? How much time do you spend reading magazines or newspapers? How much time do you spend participating in your favorite hobby? Our priorities can be so misplaced. God becomes jealous. We may say, “Hey God, I’ve got 25 minutes on Sunday I’m going to squeeze you in so I can get back to my computer to get my ledger sheets balanced.” When we’re trying to fit God into our schedule because other things are more important, this is idolatry. You cannot truly enter into worship if your priorities are not right.

Let make sure we give God time for the more we give him time , the more we get to know him and the more he speaks to us ......and remember that in Matthew 6:33 the bible says "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."   The world things will soon come to pass but God will forever be there....as we obey him we make ourselves ready for an everlasting life with Him
9. Presumption- God is Looking for Worshipers,In chapter 4 of the Gospel of John, Jesus told the woman at the well, “God is looking for those who will worship Him.” 2Chronicles 16:9 says, “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him…”

God not only wants converts in the earth, He also wants people who will spend time in fellowship with Him. However, His desire is that we come to Him with a willing heart. He will not force us to worship Him. God delights when His people seek after Him. He delights when people desire to worship Him with all of their hearts.

Numbers 16 illustrates the results of false worship and the results of true worship. False worship ultimately resulted in the children of Israel murmuring against Moses and Aaron and a plague that killed 14,700 people. However, true worship caused the plague to cease.Worship needs to be taken outside the four walls of the church. Worship needs to be taken into the world where the plague is running rampant. Our homes should be free of the plague. The Bible says, “No plague shall come nigh your dwelling.” We need to stand as a barrier, as a defense, as a dam that stops the onslaught of Satan. But the strength that comes to be that defense only comes from God.
A person can no more be a worshiper because someone beside him is a worshiper than a person can be saved because they are standing next to someone who is saved.
The Other Hindrance towards being a true Worshiper are ;

Spectatorism – How easy it is for us to get caught up in watching the proceedings of the worship and afterward find that we have done everything but worship or we have been like an audience at a performance. Worship is not performed by one part in behalf of the other. No one can worship for another. Rom 12:1, 1 Cor 3:16, 1 pet 2:5-6, Rev 1:6. We are all called to a spiritual priest hood t offer up thanksgiving to God. We are all participants in raising high His glorious praise. Watching everybody else doing it and not entering in our self.
Sentimentalism – we often become sentimental in worship when we become more taken up with the music or tune than with the message of the song. Overly familiar songs are in danger of becoming sentimental for us. We should not just respond emotionally, we need a complete response of our whole beings. God intended music to help us to open our hearts and become more receptive to Him not to worship music. Music is a vehicle not an end in itself. Eze 33:32 "When I am moved by the voice of him that sings more than by the words sung. I confess to have sinned" St. Augustine.
Lip service – while our lips are moving our hearts are not a part of the message, half heartedness, hypocrisy, in God's eyes, Amos 5:21-23
Fear of being manipulated – God is worthy regardless of any human foibles manifested by the leadership.
"We've never done it this way before"
Another hindrance to worship is because the devil wants worship. Isa 14, Eze 28, Mt 4:10.
"If it feels good I will do it" – If we allow our worship to be controlled by our feelings we will never gain victory in our Christian walk. We don't worship because we feel like it.Reverently fear and worship the Lord

Have a fresh revelation about God's greatness! It'll change the way we talk, live our lives.

The way we see God determines how we live. Example: hate sin or not, love people or not, want to live holy and right or not, forgive or not. God is Holy, love, is a Father is a judge we have to have the balance of it all; just but merciful, compassionate, righteous, patient.
We need to know Him by experience not just head knowledge Phil 3:10. We can be taught things about God but who is He for you?Worship – reverence. You can't worship in any other way. If it doesn't have reverence in it it is not worship. There is reverence in worship because we see Him as He is. Worship is us giving of ourselves. Isa 29:13 their fear toward Him was taught by the commandment of men. He is saying that the people had reduced the glory of the Lord to the glory of corruptible man. They served God in the image they had created – not by His true image, but their own standards.

Rom 1:2-21, 23 God reduced to the image of corruptible man. The church today is surrounded with a culture that worships man. What is the image of God there in Egypt? We serve God in the image we have made.
Ex 32:4 "This is your God o Israel that brought you out of Egypt.” The golden calf. They reduced God's greatness to a level they were more accustomed to dealing with.
If a king or a famous person goes to another country where he is not known, how will he be treated? As an ordinary man, as any foreigner, he will be given little or no respect.
John 1:10-11 His own didn't receive Him, the One who created the universe didn't receive the honor He deserved. His own didn't recognize the Awesome one they professed to serve faithfully.
Truly knowing God brings a fear of Him not afraid of Him.
Heb 12:28-29 worship in awe and fear.
Lev 10:3, And Moses said to Aaron, "This is what the LORD spoke, saying: 'By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy; and before all the people I must be glorified.' "So Aaron held his peace. (NKJ)The Lord never comes where He is not reverenced.
Seek God's face ask Him to reveal Himself. Eph 1:17-21

Words like "I stand in awe of You, Lord" can become a religious tradition. If we can't stand in awe of Him we need to cry out to the Lord to reveal more of Himself to us so we can truly praise and worship Him. He reveals Himself to us through His word!
We serve a great God, nothing is too hard for Him! Ps. 93, 95, 96
Ps. 96:4 "God is to be reverently feared and worshiped above all so called gods!”
We can only worship the Lord to the degree that we know Him, see Him, that He is revealed to us.

What image of God do you have?
Isa 6:1-3
Rev 1:10-18 (17); 4:8, 10-11, John saw Jesus in the spirit. Different degrees of God's glory revealed. In heaven complete glory! No man in the flesh can see God's glory and live.

Praise vs worship

Is for our benefit
Distant, about, to God.
All creation praise God Ps. 148:3-12, and yet God has no relationship with any of these.
Always seen or heard
Horizontal in its purpose
is often preparatory to worship, a gateway to worship, but singing or praise doesn't guarantee that we will cross over to worship.
Normally faster songs, declaring!! As it fits with the character of praise.
Sometimes we need to plunge into praise with an aggressiveness. It's often necessary to stir up our flesh and our soul to praise the Lord.
Since praise is expressed through the flesh it requires a stirring up of the flesh. Is characterized by some form of physical manifestation.
God seeks worshipers
Intimate, with God.
Relationship is required, worship brings us close to the heart of God. It is a 2 way street – giving and receiving, communion and fellowship.
Not always seen, evident to an observer
Vertical interaction, private, preoccupied with the God head.
Normally slower songs – to complete silence. It is not a musical activity but a function of the heart.
Worship is more characterized by a quiet and unassumed basking in God's presence. Our spirit is always willing to worship – have communion with God.
But since worship is more a function of the spirit, what is needed is an unlocking of the spirit. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.

The Responsibility of an Individual Worshiper in a P&W Service. Do you know what God is looking for? Do you know why we sing? Why are some touched by God? We are here to worship the living God! To meet with God! Worship is coming to God bowing down, humbling ourselves declaring He is king over our lives and not the world etc. Who and what are you yielding yourself to?
When we come to Him and bow ourselves down before Him – He will meet with us. A change of our focus from ourselves to God. In His presence is all we need. You might be in a need of healing, deliverance, you have problems etc., when we start to worship Him. Remember worship is not singing songs just. People can get healed, set free by His Spirit as they are worshiping God. Worship was a sacrifice and it still is a laying down of our lives, our wills, feelings and we say by bowing before Him. Heart attitude, the outward action should be a reflection of what is going on on the inside that He is our king, we are not our own.
Worship a laying down of our lives.

Close your eyes, forget about the people around you for a moment. Let's talk to God. Here I am Lord. I make a decision right now to lay down my life at your feet and I will exalt you, I will praise you. Instead of looking at myself I'll look at you Lord. You are the great one you are the majestic one the exalted one. I'm coming to you Lord. Talk to Him not to me, or your neighbor. If you want to meet with God remember who you are talking to. You don't want the secretary (somebody working for God) but you want the king, the boss himself. If you come to me and say to the person standing next to me that you want to meet with me, but you keep on saying this to the person next to me saying you did a great job ullis etc. God is standing right here saying "I'm here!”.
He is waiting for us to come to Him.

So change your focus from being conscious of what the others might think. Who you are conscious of is in reality who your are talking to. When you pray are you praying to the people or to God?? Sometimes people pray nice prayers without having touched the heart of God. It is like a performance. When we sing – sing to God! I don't care what people around me will think. See Him make a decision to come to the king of kings.

When we really worship God His power will flow, life will flow. Don't be discouraged nor give up. Just yield all of you to God. I'm for you Lord, all of me to You. You can tell me anything but what are you telling God from your heart what have you made a decision about in your heart. You take the first step. Remember who you are coming to. You are coming to Father God the Holy and almighty God. We come as a child because of His grace and we are coming to the King Lord of our lives as well. We can come as a child because of the blood of Jesus into His Holy presence. Bowing before Him telling Him He is the King, not just a word but in reality, He is your Master and our King
The eyes of my heart focused on God not on the crowd around me nor my problems. I say I come to you Lord.God wants to refresh you challenge you take you higher in His presence. It's all in His presence. He wants you to be able to worship Him wherever you are not just in meetings. That there'll be a constant flow of His presence, refreshment hearing from God. If you want to hear His voice spend time in the word and in His presence worship Him.

Your spirit always want to worship God. It is your mind flesh feelings that says otherwise. Deep calls to deep. Learn to listen to your spirit not feelings mind etc. To get the mind on the Lord – listen to your spirit – it cries out abba father. What are we listening to? It is not important how many times we sing each song or how many songs we sing, if you are standing before God it doesn't matter what matters is Him!!!
Challenge them to give it all! Don't let anything hold you back from having all that God has for you/His presence.

Get into God's river and flow with, it be sensitive.

The first responsibility of every worshiper is to minister to the Lord.

It is our responsibility to make our songs a praise from our hearts unto God. .

How can you prepare yourself for congregational P&W?.

Pray and stir up the gift in me..
We ought not to come for a hand-out but should rather bring an offering..
We are to make His praise glorious. Ps. 66:2.
A worshiper worships at every opportunity and does not demand an encouragement from a worship leader before entering into praise..
Put on the garment of praise, a smile and lift your hearts to God in thanksgiving and praise. Cast off concerns. Fix your mind on the Lord not on what to do afterwards, who to talk to, where to go, etc..
Looking around the congregation is a big distraction during P&W. How can you overcome that distraction? Shut your eyes..

Unison, unity = oneness, being one, single, harmony.

Matt 18:19-20, there is power in unity. Disagreements, division and people pulling in different directions will not bring unity. Unity if all follow the flow of THS, respecting the leadership that is there..

2 Chron 5:13, they joined in unison as with one voice..

Why do we P&W in a meeting?
It is not to perform, fill time, because of tradition, or because we like singing.But because God's word tells us to do that. Ps. 68:26, Heb 2:12

To exalt God and build a throne for God in the service.

Lead the congregation out to God's presence.

For God's glory to fill the place, an atmosphere where God can move mightily and minister to and meet the needs of the people.

Prepare the hearts of the people to receive from God's word, be open for what God will do, be focused on Jesus.

Bring everybody into one accord.

Give God freedom to do what He wants.P&W a part of helps ministry.

Hope God has something for you through this article , as in Jeremiah 29:11 the bible says "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." that is he has good plans for us ...now as you're reading this article may My living God meet your needs and give you the desire of your heart mostly get you transformed through this article....Amen
Please send your comments,
Be blessed

Friday, August 31, 2012

BECOME A BLESSING

I Want To Be A Blessing

"And I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great; And so shall you be a blessing... And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." (Genesis 12:2-3; NASB)

I think it would be safe to say that most of us want to be blessed. And being a blessed people, most of us “want to be a blessing” to others. Indeed, such a desire is perfectly in keeping with the heart of God. For whoever the Lord has blessed has experienced an inward transformation of the heart, in their receiving the blessing of God. In this transformation of the heart, upon receiving the favor and fortunes of Christ, somebody who is blessed isn't looking to simply keep those blessings selfishly to themselves. Instead, they wish to share the riches they have in Christ with others.

The Redemptive Blessing

God made a promise to Abraham that in blessing him, Abraham’s name would be magnified and exalted, resulting in the blessing of Abraham being spread to every people and in every nation of the earth. Through this blessing, the curse that entered the world through the fall of man in the Garden of Eden would be reversed, and the world ultimately transformed. All of redemptive history has centered around this very promise God made to Abraham almost four thousand years ago. Indeed, the history of the world that yet remains still centers around the working out of the promise that God made to Abraham. There has yet to be a day where God hasn’t been actively looking to bring this promise of blessing to pass. But how has He done this?

First and foremost, this promise made to Abraham centers itself in the work and person of Jesus Christ. God saw the lost spiritual state of mankind, and knew that we were sinners in need of a Savior. So, God sent His only-begotten Son into this world to die for our sins on the cross. Though innocent and blameless, doing nothing deserving of death, He received the wrath and punishment of God for us on the cross. And in the conquering of death by means of His resurrection from the grave, Jesus Christ made it possible for man to be brought into a right relationship with Him, and experience the new life that is available to all who would become a part of His kingdom.

What comes with the new life for those who partake of His kingdom? First and foremost, with it comes being made righteous in the sight of God. And now being in right relationship with the Lord through the work of Christ on the cross, we can enjoy the peace of God which surpasses all understanding. Through being made at peace with God, we now know the love of the Father. Knowing that love, we can now have joy unspeakable. And having such overflowing joy, there is an accompanying glory that rests on our lives.

These are but a sampling of the blessings that are available to us now. So many more could be spoken of, and we haven’t even touched on all of the blessings that are yet to come when the Lord returns at the end of the present age, and in all the subsequent ages that follow. Suffice to say, the riches that are available in Christ are great. Being the King of kings and the Lord of lords, enthroned at the right hand of the Father in heaven, all things are His. And whatever is His, we have been made partakers of by virtue of our spiritual union with Him.

But, as I mentioned earlier, the blessings of heaven afforded to us are not ours to hoard selfishly for ourselves. Just as an apple tree grows fruit for others to consume, so we have been blessed in order that we might be a blessing. And so long as we live in the present age, it is our job as Christians to further God’s redemptive plan in history by dispensing these blessings to others.

Making A True Difference

What then does it mean to be a blessing to others? We all know people, sinners and saints alike, who are “nice” people that make a positive difference in the lives of others. But, if you look at this from a Biblical perspective, being a blessing to others goes beyond showing superficial displays of niceness to others. It goes beyond saying a simple, “God bless you,” to somebody who sneezes at the check-out line in the grocery store.

Indeed, the ability to bless others is a priestly function of the kingdom of God. When one “blesses” another person, they serve as a mediator between two worlds. When we bless others with the riches of Christ and His kingdom, an “I… you… world” relationship is established. And in that relationship, and in that blessing, something is communicated of the knowledge of God. And that knowledge of God is ultimately redemptive in power and scope.

Being a tangible thing that is actually capable of making a redemptive purpose in the life of the nations, it is therefore very important that the nations embrace the blessings God has charged us to dispense. That is why God told Abraham that whoever cursed him would themselves be cursed. For without the blessings God has given us to dispense to this lost and dying world, the nations are filled with nothing but hell and subject to the decay of the curse which began in the Garden. When the mind is left to its’ carnality, and nothing of the knowledge of God is communicated to it by those who minister on behalf of Jesus Christ, then nothing but a “curse” can continue to rule and reign in the lives of people.

When the Lord sent the apostles out on their first missionary journey, He instructed them as follows:

[11] "And whatever city or village you enter, inquire who is worthy in it, and stay at his house until you leave that city. [12] "As you enter the house, give it your greeting. [13] "If the house is worthy, give it your blessing of peace. But if it is not worthy, take back your blessing of peace. [14] "Whoever does not receive you, nor heed your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet. [15] "Truly I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city. (Matthew 10:11-15)

The, “blessing of peace,” Christ instructed the apostles to minister, as you can see, is a very tangible thing that makes a practical difference in the lives of people. So much so, that should the apostles choose to remove that blessing of peace, an intolerable day of judgment would be reserved for the people from whom the blessing was withdrawn. A horrible vacuum of wrath is created in the lives of those who make no room for the redemptive blessings of God. And such wrath doesn’t always wait until the day of judgment to be demonstrated in some measure.

Such can be seen historically in any nation which has directly opposed the people of God and the gospel message. In 70 A.D., Jerusalem was raised to the ground by the Romans for their rejection of Jesus Christ and the blessings that come through His kingdom. Rome itself would eventually suffer the same fate as it eventually rejected the true knowledge of God for a counterfeit gospel message propagated by Catholicism. And in more recent times, Nazi Germany and Communist Russia came to similar violent ends in their rejection of the gospel and persecution of God’s people. Such should cause those who live in the United States, England, and many other countries to tremble at the steps actively being taken to oppose the work that the Lord is doing in their midst today. An intolerable day of judgment awaits them all.

A Priestly People

Now, I haven’t said all of this to take some opportunity to make an appeal that we put the Ten Commandments back in our court houses, and that we seek to have prayer re instituted in the classroom. Nor have I said all of this to throw some prophetic gauntlet down on the nations of the world, or to send terror into your bones. Rather, I have said all of these things simply to reinforce the idea that the blessings of God are very real and tangible things we have been called to minister. They are blessings the world has gone mad for in their lacking of them. They do make a difference. And if we as the people of God wish to make the redemptive difference God has called all of us to make, and to be a blessing, then we must look at these sobering thoughts as an opportunity to take up the serious nature of our calling to be the type of people that are capable of ministering such blessings. And I believe such requires us to be a “priestly” people.

For as I said earlier, these redemptive blessing of God is not a cheap niceness we exhibit in our conduct, but are tangible things that can only be ministered by those who are priests. Now of course, as the apostle Peter said, by virtue of our new birth, we have been made into a “royal priesthood.” (1 Peter 2:9) But my question to you is, are you living up to that calling? Are you faithfully executing the duties of the priesthood Christ has given to you? Are you priestly?

If you truly wish to be the blessing God has called you to be, then you must become priestly in your mindset and way of life. “Priestly-ness” is marked by sacrifice. Your life must be something that is not your own, but is entirely the Lord’s. You must be holy and consecrated unto Him in all things. You must minister unto the Lord, and serve Him. You must know the word of the Lord, and be able to discern between the holy and the profane thing.

And while having access to the presence of God, you must also be willing to meet the people where they are at, to stand in their place, and get your hands on them. When being a priest, there is no place to be aloof from God or man. A true priest does not keep his distance from either, rather, he is drawn intimately close to both. And it is assuming this posture that the priest successfully bridges the gap between heaven and earth, and allows the blessing of God to rest upon all those who are willing to receive his ministry in the Lord, and the blessing that he brings.

Conclusion

The world is fallen and corrupt. It is suffering deeply because of the curse that was released upon it since man first turned his back on God in Eden. But God being rich in mercy set forth a plan of redemption to restore the blessings of heaven that were once lost to this world. God has chosen to restore those blessings, by making a promise to a man named Abraham, and ultimately through work and person of Jesus Christ and all of those who would follow Him, to yet again dispense those blessings to the uttermost ends of the earth. Such blessings aren’t to be confused with random acts of kindness or good manners, but rather, they are to be seen as eternal and tangible things that communicate a knowledge of God that is ultimately redemptive in value. And such blessings require a people who have surrendered their all in service to their God, and ultimately, their fellow man. For only in complete abandonment does a man find the ability to actually bless others, and bridge the gap between heaven and earth.

PRAISE AND WORSHIP

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