How to Worship

8 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’”  Luke 4

Deviating from Ezekiel this week.  I want to talk about worship and serving this week.  It's at the front of my mind because yesterday was my first night back at practice with the worship team at my church in about a year.  I stepped down as I was nearing the end of my pregnancy and haven't felt comfortable making the time commitment away from my family until now.

I missed it!  Music is most definitely how I best worship God.  It's hard to put into words, but to me, it doesn't matter how I sound.  While I'm up there singing to the entire congregation, I'm really only singing for one - God!  In the year when I had stepped away from the worship team, I still sang in my car at the top of my lungs, again to my audience of one.  It's a wonderful way to feel connected to God and it gets me energized.

This isn't the answer for everyone.  My husband hates singing.  He tries, but most of the time during service, he stands quietly.  He doesn't have an ear for it and he'll be the first person to admit it.  That's ok, he has his own ways to worship God.  He attends a men's Bible study group with our church and occasionally leads the group - that's his way to worship and serve God.

God made each of us in his image, but he also made us each unique.  We all have different strengths and passions.  Just like there's no one way to eat a Reese's, there's no one way to worship!

I encourage you, find your way to worship if you haven't done so already.  Follow your passions that God gave you and find a way to use it to worship God.  May you joyfully give that gift back to him!

Thurs Devo: Why??? Why???

Toddlers can ask lots of “why” questions. After a while, it can become frustrating, especially if you’ve answered the same question time and time again! Well, the Israelites were far worse than the annoying toddler.

Numbers 20:2-5      ² Now there was no water for the community, and the people gathered in opposition to Moses and Aaron. ³ They quarreled with Moses and said, “If only we had died when our brothers fell dead before the Lord! ⁴ Why did you bring the Lord’s community into this wilderness, that we and our livestock should die here? ⁵ Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to this terrible place? It has no grain or figs, grapevines or pomegranates. And there is no water to drink!”

Why are the Israelites asking “why?” If they stopped to think for a moment, then they could answer their own questions. First, God had provided water in the desert multiple times in the past, so they could trust Him to provide this time, too. Second, God brought them into the wilderness to free them from the oppressive Egyptians AND to give them a bountiful country-land of their very own. Third, traveling through the wilderness was the means by which God would prepare them and bring them to the promised land. Fourth, the fact that they were still in the wilderness was not Moses’ fault, but a result of their own rebellion and distrust of God (see Numbers 14).

If the Israelites had stopped focusing on and dramatizing their immediate circumstances and focused instead on who God is and His faithfulness in the past, then I think their attitude would have been quite different. Instead of complaining, passing the blame, and asking “why” questions, they could have asked how and what questions. How would God address their situation? What did God want them to do to participate in the solution?

Are you and I more like the Israelites and annoying toddlers, asking “why” questions when we already know (or should know) the answer?

Or, do you and I truly know God’s character and trust His faithfulness? If so, our attitude and prayers will reflect this.

Alice

Good at Night

 Jesus shouted to the crowds, “If you trust me, you are trusting not only me, but also God who sent me.  For when you see me, you are seeing the one who sent me.  I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark.”  John 12:44-46

An old saying goes that nothing good happens after dark.  This was something my grandmother would say to me as a young child.  As I have grown, it seems there is a lot of truth to that.  Yes, there are evening baseball games and shows and events that entertain us until late in the night.  However, it seems that bad things always happened to me when night fell.  And yet like many others, we all can be drawn to darkness in some form or another.  It is worthy to note that there is indeed good in darkness.  Without darkness, we would not be able to distinguish light.  Also, darkness reveals our deepest fears and brings out our worst character flaws for us to become aware of.  You might say that maybe I’ve lost a screw upstairs for Jesus is ‘the light,’ and what good could possibly come from a world representing darkness?  Why would darkness be positive?

A fallen world gives us a clear indication whether we are truly serving God or not.  Imagine if you will that you are in a dark room by yourself with no light to be found.  Just pitch black.  As you become comfortable in it, you might be able to see something or feel your way around.  You may even start to notice a figure in the room.  However, you will eventually get to the point that you need a light switch, right?  And once we find it, we feel the relief that comes with it.  There are two things to pull from this analogy.  First, we all lived in total darkness until we found Jesus, and with Him, we are able to understand the difference between our lost selves and our reborn in Christ like image.  Furthermore, someone who becomes comfortable living in darkness will not seek Christ.  This leads me to the second point.  Once we are given the light through His Holy Spirit, we become the light in places of darkness.  We are to shine God’s light wherever we go whether it is at church or at the night club for should we shine His light, it becomes the very light others in darkness will run to.

Jesus is always with us.  Knowing this, the appearance of darkness in our life should not be threatening.  It is an opportunity to show our greatest growth.  Jesus was tempted in the wilderness by Satan after fasting for 40 days and nights (Matthew 4:1-11).  Yet, He gained strength from it to further share the Gospel.  One my favorite authors, Dr. Brene Brown, once said, “Who you are in the space where you can’t see in front of you is where courage is born.”  So darkness can either be the precursor of our demise or if positioned from a Godly perspective, further confirmation of the power of the one true living God.  How can you better appreciate being ‘in the dark?’  What must you do to further exhibit God’s light in places of darkness?  My prayer is that instead of dreading, we are courageous enough to see the good in the night.  Amen.

Tues Devo: Speed test

James 1:19-20 “This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.” (NASB)

Hello,

As the parent of young children I constantly find myself addressing the speed at which things are or are not done. “Slow down, hurry up, move quicker, stop and think” It got me thinking about what the Bible has to say about speed. It is not just about fast or slow – it is about being quick to the right things, and slow to the right things.

So, James gives us a set of speed tests – 1 fast and 2 slow. How are you doing? No, really – how are you doing? I think these are speed tests that we have read so much, we tend to gloss over them – plus really answering them requires some challenging honesty.

Take some time – think through how you are really doing.

Will Hill

Pray so you do not fall into Temptation

Luke 22:39-45

Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him.  On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.”  He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt downand prayed,  “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”  An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.  And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.

 When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow.  “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them.“Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”

Being exhausted from sorrow is certainly something that I can relate to.  I’m sure though that the disciples had a lot more on their shoulders at that time.  They were about to watch Jesus be arrested afterall.  He had already told them of what was about to come and here he was just asking them to asking them to pray that they would not fall into temptation. 

I would have to admit that I have fallen asleep while praying.  I’m not sure if the situation with the disciples was a matter of falling asleep while praying or simply falling asleep but either way, we slip into temptation. 

Today I want to encourage you to think about what temptation you face that you need to pray you will not slip into.

On a funny note, yesterday at church, our 2 ½ year old wanted to sit in church with us and during prayers, I had my eyes closed and all of a sudden he yelled out, “Daddy, Mommy’s sleeping in church.”  It was so hard not to bust out laughing.  

Extreme Forgiveness

21 But if the wicked man turns from all his sins that he has committed and keeps all My statutes and does that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die.

22 None of his transgressions which he has committed shall be remembered against him; for his righteousness which he has executed [for his moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation], he shall live. Ezekiel 18

This really makes a beautiful picture in my head.  Every person is wicked and sinful.  There's nothing we can do to get around it.  Before we come to Christ, we are wicked.  However, when we turn from our sinful ways and embrace Christ, we are washed clean.  We will live eternally with him and not die.

Get this: God will not remember any of the sins we committed prior to turning to follow Jesus!

When we meet God, he'll welcome us with open arms. He won't smile and nudge us to say, "Hey, remember that time three years ago that you sinned?  Yeah, that was bad, but I forgave you for it."  It says he won't remember any of our transgressions!

This is a really difficult concept for us to get our heads wrapped around.  Maybe it's just me.  This is complete and total forgiveness.  Forgiveness to the point where God doesn't even remember the sin we committed.  Can we ever truly forgive someone that much?  To the point where we don't hold onto any nugget of how someone has wronged you?

Forgiveness is powerful.  This last week, I attended my mother-in-law's church in Cleveland and the pastor gave an incredibly powerful sermon on "The Real F-Bomb."

Go take a look at it.  It certainly resonated with me, I've watched it at least twice since attending service on Sunday.  I had no idea that it would perfectly tie in with my devotion for the week, but sometimes God puts things right in front of you and there's no avoiding it.

Mosaic 081815 on Vimeo

The Cross, The Resurrection & The Holy Spirit

Hello Friends!

The following article is meant as an encouragement and reminder of the Awesome God we serve!

Please join me in remembering to reach out to those in our personal & professional spheres of influence here @ TR who desperately need to hear the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

May they receive Him as their personal Lord and Savior – Praise the Name of our Lord Jesus!

The Cross, The Resurrection & The Holy Spirit

What sets Christianity apart from every other belief system or religion? For more than 2,000 years, the Gospel facts about Jesus Christ of Nazareth have been proclaimed on every continent and to people from every walk of life. When someone considers the Christian message, what exactly are they accepting – or rejecting?

The Cross:

The instrument of torture upon which Jesus Christ died is the most well-known “symbol” of Christianity. What could possibly explain a two millennia-long fixation on something so horrible? One clue is found in Jesus' final words in which He uttered as He died:

It is finished! – John 19:30

That victorious declaration – spoken in the midst of what looked like humiliating defeat – tells us Jesus Christ saw these events as an accomplishment. But how could such a tragic end to Jesus' amazing teaching and miracle-working ministry be an accomplishment? Jesus taught that He came to:

…seek and save the lost – Luke 19:10

And:

…to give His life as a ransom for many – Mark 10:45

On the Cross, a divine transaction took place. It was His life for the life of the “believer” in Jesus Christ – a willful ransom paid to buy “us” back from our “lost” and “sinful” condition. That's why the day Jesus died is called "Good Friday," not "Tragic Friday!" Jesus' death on the Cross completed the work God gave Him to do, because His mission was not just to “teach” us but to “die” for “us.” All that is left for “us” to do is to personally receive that wonderful, “free gift” for ourselves.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life – John 3:16

As grand as the accomplishment on the Cross was – the story doesn't end there...

The Resurrection:

On the third day, the stone that covered the tomb was rolled away – Jesus Christ came back from the dead! He is “alive” – never to die again! The power over “sin” and “death” has been defeated!

The angel in the Gospel of Luke said to the startled disciples looking for Him at the tomb:

He is not here; He is risen! – Luke 24:6

The Resurrection declared Jesus Christ as Victor over “sin” and “death” – humanity's most unsolvable eternal dilemmas. By “rising” from the “dead,” Jesus Christ proved that even death was no match to His power! Without the Resurrection, Jesus' life would have been “unique” – just like every other human being. Faith in Him under those circumstances would be foolish – a criticism understood by both Christianity's adherents and detractors. In fact, it was the Apostle Paul just a few decades after this event who wrote:

If Christ is not raised, your faith is futile – 1 Corinthians 15:17

Yet, in fact, the Resurrection did occur and Jesus' life and mission became the most powerful events this world has ever seen! Therefore, faith in Him makes sense. And if we fail to trust in Him – in light of what He did for us – disbelief seems foolish. The Resurrection “assures“ us that “power” beyond human comprehension is available to the “followers” of Jesus Christ. Everything changes when we come to the foot of the Cross with empty hands of faith and stare in wonder at the open doorway to the tomb – He is risen!

The Holy Spirit:

And there's more! The power of the “resurrected” Jesus Christ comes to us through the “Holy Spirit.” After His resurrection, Jesus told His followers that the same “Holy Spirit” who “ascended” upon Him at His baptism in the “form of a dove” would be “on” them:

You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you – Acts 1:8

God's desire is for every true “Christian” to have access to His personal presence and power – in Jesus Christ through the “power” of the “Holy Spirit!” At Pentecost – 50 days after His resurrection – that's exactly what happened!

What does this powerful Person of the Holy Trinity do in our lives today? Jesus Christ was clear – He takes residency “inside” of the “believer” and the “Holy Spirit” comes “on” us so “we” can become His “witnesses” by being “like” Him. The “character” and “power” that Jesus Christ has – “we” have to “overcome” the “sin” in our lives. The “Holy Spirit” produces “fruit” in us! The Apostle Paul describes exactly what that looks like:

...the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control – Galatians 5:22-23

In other words… The Christian life!

These characteristics demonstrate that God is at work in Jesus' followers through His “Holy Spirit!” And when His “power” produces these “fruits“ in our lives, the natural result is that “unbelievers” will sit up and take notice! If the “fruit of the Spirit” is the Christian “life,” then the “fruit” of the Christian “life” is… more Christians – Hallelujah!

The Cross, the Resurrection & the Holy Spirit. These three aspects God’s Sovereign plan set Biblical “Christianity” apart from every other religion and cult group!

Take any One of these aspects away and you don't have the whole story – or the whole Truth. Embrace them all and you will have “eternal life.” He will make you “new” from the moment you receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of your life:

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become – 2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, what we do with Jesus Christ determines what Jesus Christ will do with us – for all eternity...  

Thank you for your desire for Biblical discernment and Truth – Praise the Lord!

May the Lord Jesus Christ continue to bless you with His perfect love, mercy and grace!

Keep looking up and sharing the Gospel while there is still time… Hallelujah and Maranatha – come quickly Lord Jesus!

 

Blessings!

Shane <><

Make Better Choices

So fear the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord alone.  But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”  Joshua 24:14-15

My five year old granddaughter is something else!  The other day, she had a moment with my daughter asking why she did not come to her birthday party.  My daughter explained that she had practice the same day, and she could not miss it or else she would be fined.  In her special way, my granddaughter responds, “Well, you made a choice, and you need to make better choices.”  It’s obvious that she is destined to be a leader one day, and has already figured out where people are on the ‘Accountability ladder.’  As funny as the story is, it reminded me of the choices we must make as Christians each and every day.  When we are rushed for time, do we skip our morning prayer to do other things?  Are we missing Sunday service because of son’s soccer practice or daughter’s cheer tournament?

We must choose to serve God wholeheartedly, and continue to make Him the priority in our lives.  Reading the 24^th chapter of Joshua gives clarity to the conflict we face between serving our God and other ‘Gods.’  After all God had done to bring the Israelites out from Egypt, they got to a point where they have turned to their sinful ways, and Joshua made a bold statement to them in today’s verses.  Like all great leaders, he ends his address asking for Israel’s commitment saying, “I choose to serve God.  Who’s coming with me?”  Now we tend to think of Gods as spirits and entities that live above the earth, but there are other ‘Gods’ that we serve and do not really notice.  For example, I have the NFL ‘God’ that might ask me to watch the game instead of an event serving others in need or spending time with family.  The ‘Cosmopolitan’ God obsesses over how you look above where you are spiritually, and the adventurous ‘Thrill Seeking’ God would have us look for greater adventures above a spending time with a God who loves you.  Moderate doses of all these can be fun and in some ways healthy.  However, we must be careful not to let these supersede our relationship with a God who is always there for us.  He is a God of abundance giving us more than what we will ever need, and all we need to do is to choose to serve Him decision by decision.

A choice for God is both simple and yet difficult.  Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one can come to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6b)  Choosing to serve Him is a simple one, but this decision requires life changes.  Many of them will challenge our ways of thinking and how we do things.  Let us renew ourselves to putting God at the top of our lives for He alone is worthy.  What false Gods are taking away from you serving God?  What must you reprioritize to put God first in your life?  My prayer is that we are able to as my granddaughter put make better choices.  Amen.

Tues Devo: Ready to answer

1 Peter 3:15-17 “but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame. “(NASB)

Hello,

As the parent of a couple toddlers, I do find myself asking questions to a couple young folks who are not ready with answers! It is very clear when they aren’t ready…there is that pause, some stammering, looking around, and the answer never starts with the answer – but rather with their rationale.

When we are not ready there is generally one of two reasons. 1) We are not expecting the question or 2) We are hoping the question won’t be asked.

In the past I have thought of these verses as defensive verses – be ready to answer in case you get asked. That approach of these verses being used on the defensive I believe have us leave out a valuable element. We are not just to have emergency answers, but to be ready to give an answer at all times, that answer must be natural in us – and reflective of our constant motivation.

What is your motivation? Are you ready to answer – or are you hoping you won’t be noticed and asked?

Have a blessed day,

Will Hill

Whom Shell I Fear? continued

Deuteronomy 10:12-13

And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul,  and to observe the Lord’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?

Last week I wrote how we are to fear God, not this word.  I didn’t take it far enough and a couple of you added to what I wrote so thank you!  They were exactly right, we are to fear God however in the sense that we fear him with respect.  Our fear of God is what keeps us walking in obedience to him, loving him and serving him with all that is within us.  It is why we keep the Lord’s commandments. 

God will protect us from the earthly fears that we face.  He will be there to carry us through the hard times, when we live for him even in the good times.