I had to go to a leadership retreat a couple of weeks ago, and during this time we looked at different passages of Scripture, and one stuck out to me. Acts 2:42-47, and in particular one certain phrase in verse 46, “They worshipped together at the temple each day. . . .” Every day this verse says they worshipped at the temple.
What do you think of when you read this verse? Do you think there is no way you could go to church everyday or how incredibly boring that would be? Or do you think that would be the greatest thing if you could worship together with fellow believers, and wish it started tomorrow?
Many of you, and me, start to think about the people you would have to see, or the music that is played, or the absence of or too much liturgy for your taste, but is that what we should be thinking about when we consider worship. I am thinking that if it does not excite us then Heaven may not be where we want to be when we die. I would certainly think we would all come together each “day” at some interval to worship God directly, even though we will be in His presence continually.
The Bible talks about us continually worshipping God in Heaven, but to think of gathering together at the church each day to worship God is seen as troublesome or too time consuming today. Most churches do not even have Wednesday night services any more because there is no interest. Demonstrating our cultures attitude toward our Savior.
Some will say, “Wait a minute, I worship God in all I do.” The key word in that sentence being “I.” We try to rationalize that what we do is worshipping God, but when we take account, how much of that time really has anything to do with worshipping God? Or how often do you do everything you do in consideration of God? What you think, drink, eat, watch, read, do at work, on a date, or in your marriage.
Would all that change if you gathered together with everyone each day at church? What do you think the attitude of the apostles were when they went to church? I am guessing they could not wait and looked forward to it, as they realized who they were worshipping. I wonder if sometimes we forget why we truly gather together to worship.
It was a gut check and a heart check for me to read this verse. Why do I come to worship on Sunday, and do I look at Christ this way everyday? Do I realize who Christ is and what He has done for me, or is it just a Sunday morning ritual? Christ is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and deserves our daily and continual worship!!
Monday, August 06, 2007
Empty Gaze
If one were to sit and stare
would anyone really care?
Would you see anything in the air
or would it be an act of despair?
Could this action some how bring repair
to a life lived without any real flair?
Would anyone really care
if on were to sit and stare?
You see some one does care!
Maybe not me, but someone sweeter
than a pear.
Love Him if you dare
and you will never again have a reason
to sit and stare!
would anyone really care?
Would you see anything in the air
or would it be an act of despair?
Could this action some how bring repair
to a life lived without any real flair?
Would anyone really care
if on were to sit and stare?
You see some one does care!
Maybe not me, but someone sweeter
than a pear.
Love Him if you dare
and you will never again have a reason
to sit and stare!
Saturday, August 04, 2007
Contend for the Faith!
“To remain faithful to the truth, sometimes it is even necessary to wage “civil war” within the church—especially when enemies of truth posing as brethren and believers are smuggling dangerous heresy in by stealth.” – John MacArthur.
Jude 3, “Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.”
What does this verse make you think of? It is certainly in my opinion lacking in our church today. Too many churches and people are becoming lackadaisical; we are more worried about making people comfortable then making them disciples. This is why we need to contend for the faith in and out of the church.
The words “to contend” that are used here mean an intense effort as in a wrestling match. It is the only time this word is used in the New Testament, and it is used in defending our Christian faith. Our culture today demands that we stand up and start becoming defenders of Christ, who died for us and gave everything for us to have eternal life.
Why should we defend the faith? A lot of people say we should because it is the absolute truth. Some say because it is a command from Scripture. Others say because our culture is going to hell in a hand-basket and the only way is to fix it is by teaching and defending the Christian faith and truth.
These are all great reasons to defend the Christian faith. The Word of God is absolute truth and we are to be prepared to defend it and give a reason for our faith, as 1 Peter 3:15 tells us. We are commanded all over the Bible to tell people about Christ and to proclaim the truth. Our culture today is going to hell quickly. All one has to do is watch T.V., look at the magazine racks in the check-out line to see that. And the only way to bring culture back is by the faith in Christ as Savior and Lord.
But in the end these are all just things we do and not the ultimate reason why should be contending for the faith. What is the ultimate reason we should be engaging in such an intense effort? Why we should put our reputations on the line, our jobs and even our lives if necessary? Not because of truth, which it is; not because of our culture’s troubles, which there are plenty. Why then?
John 14:21, “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” We contend for the faith because we love Christ!! Because we understand what He did for us on the cross and what that means ultimately for our eternal destination.
Who doesn’t defend those they love to the death? I would die for my children, and would not let anyone tell lies or tarnish their names. I would do everything in my power to protect them. If this is true of my children, how much more should it be true for my Savior?
How many times have we allowed people to make fun of Christ and not said anything? How many shows have we watched where Jesus is the blunt of jokes, and we continued to watch anyway? How many times have we purposely not followed what Jesus commands?
What if this was being done to one of your family members? How would you respond?
We should be in love with our Savior to the point that it offends us to see Him being deliberately made fun of on T.V. shows, by the world, by our friends, or our family. Our love should be so deep that we long to see others enjoy what we have and want to share it with everyone we know. When we share it we are able to defend it, because we know the Word, we live the Word, and it is demonstrated by everything we do. Are we watching shows that offend Christ? Are we allowing friends and family to tarnish Jesus’ name without saying anything? If so, why?
We should not care if the world hates us, our friends or families, because we love our Savior so intensely that we would rather be hated by everyone and everything then allow His name to be tainted or defamed by the world.
Contend for the faith, as Jesus paid it all for you and me on the cross. Do it because you love Him. Do it because you know that it is the best thing for the world and everything else. Do it because you want others to understand the love you found in Jesus. Do it because you know that without Him there is no eternal life in Heaven without Him. And do it regardless of what the world tells us, and even when the world hates you, as it will because it hated Jesus. Are you willing to be hated for Christ?
John 15:18-21, ““If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me.”
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
Urgency to Pray!
Here is a plea for prayer. I would urge all the read this blog, whether or not you agree with all my opinions to take time now to pray.
Korean Presbyterians urge prayer for hostages held in Afghanistan
Two killed; Taliban sets Wednesday deadline for others
by Jerry Van MarterPresbyterian News Service
LOUISVILLE — The Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea (PROK) has issued an “urgent prayer appeal” to its ecumenical partners — including the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) — on behalf of the two dozen Korean Presbyterians held hostage by the Taliban in Afghanistan.
One of the hostages, the Rev. Bae Hyung-Kyu, was killed July 22, and another, Shim Sung-Min, was executed early this morning (July 31).
The appeal, received here by Insik Kim, coordinator for Asia/Pacific in the World Mission program area, was sent by PROK General Secretary Yoon Kil Soo. Expressing “the deep sorrow and pain” of the Korean people and church, he called on the U.S. and Afghan governments to lead negotiations with the Taliban and urged the global community “to work for true peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan.”
Insik Kim added, “Let us pray to God that the killing of innocent people may stop and the remaining hostages be returned safely to their families in Korea, and to work for peace and reconciliation for all people.”
The full text of the appeal from the PROK general secretary, dated July 31:
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
The Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea (PROK) has consistently prayed for “peace and life” in the global village.
We, together with the whole Korean people, are in deep sorrow and pain after we heard today the shocking news that the Taliban have killed a second Korean hostage, Mr. Shim Sung-Min, early this morning. This terrible news came to us only a few days after Rev. Bae Hyung-Kyu was killed by the Taliban last Wednesday. Moreover, the threat of further executions of the hostages is driving not only the affected families but the whole Korean society into the most painful situation.
Therefore, we urgently call on the entire ecumenical community around the world to pray to God that the killings of innocent people may stop and that these hostages may safely return to their families. We deeply appreciate the earlier expression of prayer sent from the World Council of Churches to the National Council of Churches in Korea.
We urge the global community to work for true peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan. Particularly, we sincerely request the governments of both Afghanistan and the US to lead the negotiations with the Taliban for the sake of the safe return of the hostages.
We express our deep condolences to the families of Rev. Bae Hyung-Kyu and Mr. Shim Sung-Min and stand in firm solidarity with all the affected families.
Let us all continue to pray for all people whose lives are threatened by conflict situations and to make our utmost effort to work for abundant life for all people.
Korean Presbyterians urge prayer for hostages held in Afghanistan
Two killed; Taliban sets Wednesday deadline for others
by Jerry Van MarterPresbyterian News Service
LOUISVILLE — The Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea (PROK) has issued an “urgent prayer appeal” to its ecumenical partners — including the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) — on behalf of the two dozen Korean Presbyterians held hostage by the Taliban in Afghanistan.
One of the hostages, the Rev. Bae Hyung-Kyu, was killed July 22, and another, Shim Sung-Min, was executed early this morning (July 31).
The appeal, received here by Insik Kim, coordinator for Asia/Pacific in the World Mission program area, was sent by PROK General Secretary Yoon Kil Soo. Expressing “the deep sorrow and pain” of the Korean people and church, he called on the U.S. and Afghan governments to lead negotiations with the Taliban and urged the global community “to work for true peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan.”
Insik Kim added, “Let us pray to God that the killing of innocent people may stop and the remaining hostages be returned safely to their families in Korea, and to work for peace and reconciliation for all people.”
The full text of the appeal from the PROK general secretary, dated July 31:
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
The Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea (PROK) has consistently prayed for “peace and life” in the global village.
We, together with the whole Korean people, are in deep sorrow and pain after we heard today the shocking news that the Taliban have killed a second Korean hostage, Mr. Shim Sung-Min, early this morning. This terrible news came to us only a few days after Rev. Bae Hyung-Kyu was killed by the Taliban last Wednesday. Moreover, the threat of further executions of the hostages is driving not only the affected families but the whole Korean society into the most painful situation.
Therefore, we urgently call on the entire ecumenical community around the world to pray to God that the killings of innocent people may stop and that these hostages may safely return to their families. We deeply appreciate the earlier expression of prayer sent from the World Council of Churches to the National Council of Churches in Korea.
We urge the global community to work for true peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan. Particularly, we sincerely request the governments of both Afghanistan and the US to lead the negotiations with the Taliban for the sake of the safe return of the hostages.
We express our deep condolences to the families of Rev. Bae Hyung-Kyu and Mr. Shim Sung-Min and stand in firm solidarity with all the affected families.
Let us all continue to pray for all people whose lives are threatened by conflict situations and to make our utmost effort to work for abundant life for all people.
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