When was the last time that you wonderfully wrestled in your heart and mind with what I refer to as worthy worship? The term worthy worship refers to worship that is absolutely due to our holy God.
Are you grateful to our God that He rescued you from religion? I am referring to the religion that runs over you with manmade rules and regulations. The religion that teaches that if you trespass against their traditions it would be considered spiritual treason. The religion that Jesus Christ discusses in the Gospel of Matthew:
But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. – Matthew 15:9 (KJV)
Read MoreGreat old-school gospel songs still grip me. Faith-filled and far-reaching gospel greats stirred our souls, inspired our intimacy, and tied our trust to God, songs such as James Cleveland’s “Peace be Still,” Albertina Walker’s “God is Able to Carry you Through,” and The Edwin Hawkins Singers’ “Oh Happy Day.” Now that the Passion season has commenced, my head and my heart is again captured by another Gospel song that is apropos to the Passion of our Lord and Lamb of God, Jesus: “The Blood Will Never Lose its Power” by Andrae Crouch. In the opening lyrics, Pastor and producer Andrae Crouch perspicuously points us to when, where and whose blood will never lose its power.
If you came into my office, you would notice that I have a number of pictures of my family. One of my favorite pictures is one of my three sons and me. Right away, the family resemblance is so apparent so that even Ray Charles would say “You got the right one, baby! Uh-huh!” I offer you this question: Can a world blinded by the enemy see that you look like Jesus? Now it is important to note that I am not referring to our Lord’s physical appearance. I am referencing His Spirit and character as well as His heart and mind. So, consider with me how people can see the Lord in your life.
Have you ever considered the weather condition, “fog”? What is it? Fog creates a cloud-like covering over surface areas - be it land, water or sea at any time. According to meteorologists, fog can develop immediately when warm surface temperatures confront and collide with cool air. Subsequently visibility is reduced to zero.
In last week’s blog, we were emphatically encouraged to not be in the habit of forgetting God’s Word. As we continue this thought, consider with me this sobering admonition and the colossal consequences when a people forget or abandon God and His Word.
Read MoreAll our lives we have been charged to not forget something. When we were school-aged children we were told not to forget books, school supplies, homework and to behave. I was raised in an era that if one’s behavior in school was not becoming to the scholastic setting, school principals partnered with parents to transform the misbehaving to behaving with a biblical method that masterfully mitigated challenges from the insubordinate. Mr. R.O.D., the Reminder of Discipline, was always present to encourage education for the head, heart and the part of the anatomy that was often attached to the chair. Mr. R.O.D. was phenomenal at placing us in a position to remember expectations regarding our behavior in the educational environment. We must not forget that corporal chastening comes from God’s Word.
Question: When was the last time that you heard someone enthusiastically endorse attending prayer meeting? In my B.C. (before Christ) days, my position on prayer meeting was fixed in foolishness and imbued with ignorance. With the mental prowess of a young man void of knowledge and discretion, I declared that prayer meetings are attended by those with gray hair, mostly women and those collecting social security. Such a statement screams that I had been struck with the stupid stick several times.
Many years ago, in the early years of my spiritual journey, I attended a worship service at a small church. At the most there were probably fifteen souls in attendance. It was a sweet, intimate time of fellowship that was inspirational and reflected a genuine investment to commune with God. After we offered worship using the hymn books, the Pastor invited us to share a praise or testimony regarding our relationship with God. One by one individuals in the fellowship declared how grateful they were for God giving them eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. They declared how habits that lead to hell were replaced with habits that hooked them to the confident hope of heaven. They declared that their manner of life was no longer mastered by polluted passions, lawless lusts, and Satan but their steps were now ordered by the Lord. In addition, they displayed a rich and real relationship with God that was marked by freedom from the ropes of religiosity (legalist rules and regulations).
Question: Have you ever wondered why we are often in a hurry to worry or feel woe? Worry is defined as to torment oneself with or suffer from disturbing thoughts; to fret and woe is defined as grievous distress, affliction, or trouble (Dictionary.com). What we worry about or walk into woe is a plethora of personal circumstances and expected and unexpected life events. For example, these could include one’s faith, finances, family, future, faculties, facilities, food, and favor, just to name few. No matter what season you are in your spiritual walk with God there are times that you will forfeit your faith and jettison your joy because of worry and woe.