Where is God?

Psalm 14:5b ...God is in the generation of the righteous..

Psalm 22:3  ...But Thou art holy, O Thou, that inhabits the praises of Israel.
     There are 303 references to PRAISE in the Scriptures. Though the word 'praise' is used, it can be translated seven ways through deeper study. Each of the seven ways is Hebrew word and indicates how God is to be praised. YADAH; TeHILLAH, SHABACH, BARAK, HALAL, ZAMAR, TOWDAH are the seven different words scattered throughout our Bible.
     YADAH means "Hold out my hands"
GOD
IS
HERE

Sister Patty

TeHILLAH means "Laud, hymn"

GOD IS HERE

 Youth Group Christmas Pageant

 Cheryl and Hannah

GOD IS HERE

SHABACH means "Shout, triumph"

Nobody sings like Patty singsGOD IS HERE 

HALAL means "Shine clearly"        GOD IS HERE

 

We got baptized

TOWDAH means "Choir of worshippers; sacrifice of praise"    

 GOD IS HERE

 Taylor and Courtney bring a duet of worship

Kaley and Christian singing 

ZAMAR means "Make music by hand or upon an instrument"

Gerry   GOD

 Dave






                            IS

 HERE

Cheryl

AND HERE

Hannah

  AND HERE 

Katie and Joshua

AND HERE

Heart 2 Heart

AND HERE 

Alan on the guitar he made for himself

BARAK means "Kneel down"

GOD

 IS HERE

Sing, sings, singing, singer, singers, sang, laud

occurs 172 times.

If you want to know where God is, start praising Him.

Surely then, you will find Him.

America, Seek God

If My people which are called by My Name shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My Face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14


It is not enough to ask God to bless America. Just having "God Bless America" printed on our money is not an indication that America is going to receive God's blessing. Preaching on street corners, praying on courthouse steps and carrying signs at protest rallies is no guarantee of receiving God's blessing. Hanging a sign in your window, leaving the family Bible open on the coffee table, and waving the American flag in parades is not going to bring God's blessing to our nation.

God's people are the ones who are called by His Name: Christians. Where is the Christian who is humble? Where is the Christian who prays from the heart? Where is the Christian who seeks God's face? Where is that Christian who has turned from his or her wicked ways? Should you stand up and be counted? Not hardly.

As Isaiah said, "Here am I, Lord; send me." Can you say that today? If you know in your heart that you can't, then you need to get back down on your knees and beg God's forgiveness for your pride. For it is pride that prevents us from being humble. It is pride that keeps us standing up when we should be kneeling. It is pride that turns our face inward to focus on ourselves instead of upward seeking God. It is pride that will be our downfall.

It is pride that prevents God's people from performing our duties and fulfilling our purpose:
1 Timothy 2:1-4
I exhort therefore that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.


So, whether you voted him in or not, our responsibility to God is to pray for our President, our Senators, our  Representatives, our Governors, our Mayors. Even if you don't agree with the current policies. Even if you don't like the person in any way, shape or form. Our duty is to pray for him or her; to beg on their behalf to God; to intercede for them before God; to thank God not only for who is in authority over us but to be thankful for that person or persons.

Your prayers or my prayers or the combination of you and I coming together to pray for our leaders, whether they are Christians or not, will result in first, a quiet and peaceful life. Second, their possible salvation through Christ. Third, that they will come unto the knowledge of the truth.

What is truth? Jesus Christ. He is the Way. He is the Truth. He is the Life. Nobody enters into God's presence unless they go through Jesus first. And that is God's will for everyone. So let's get busy praying for our leaders. Now.

LOVE IS

Many couples in their wedding ceremony use the verses from 1 Corinthians 13 in their vows. We did, too. Here it is streamlined and easily understood by everyone. This chapter selection from 1 Corinthians is written for everyone; just like every other part of the Bible. We need to apply the things we read and learn on how to be better Christians to ourselves and to stop pointing fingers at those who fail to live up to our standards of what it means to be Christian. It is God's measure we need to live up to. When we don't, we all fail. 

Oh, Lord, guide me in all Your ways, that I might be the Christian You have called me to be. I surrender myself to You. Mold me into a useful vessel to be used for Your purposes and not mine. Shine through me. Shine the Light of Love and Compassion into the darkness that encompasses my walk. Joy over me with singing. I delight in Your Word and hunger for more of you. Fill me to overflowing. Continue to teach me to love like You love. In Jesus' Name, these things I ask; these things I praise You for. Amen.

LOVE IS.........

PATIENT (LONG-SUFFERING, WAITS)

KIND (SHOWS MERCY TO ALL REGARDLESS OF RACE, POLITICS, BELIEFS, CULTURE)

ENVIES NOT (DOES NOT WANT WHAT OTHERS HAVE_

GENEROUS (WITH THE BLESSINGS WHICH GOD HAS POURED OUT)

HUMBLE (PUTS THE NEEDS OF OTHERS FIRST)

MEEK AND MERCIFUL (STRONG IN THOUGHT AND ACTION)

REJOICES IN DECISIONS AND ACTIONS BASED ON THE WORD OF GOD AND DOES NOT REJOICE WHEN SOMEONE SINS

BEARS (WITHSTANDS, CARRIES) ALL THINGS

BELIEVES (HAS FAITH IN) ALL THINGS

HOPES (ANTICIPATES WITH JOY) ALL THINGS

ENDURES (HOLDS ON) ALL THINGS

NEVER FAILS (NEVER ENDS, NEVER STOPS)

1 Corinthians 13:4-7. 13

V4. Charity suffers long, and is kind; charity envies not: charity does not vaunt itself, nor puff itself up,

V5. Does not behave itself unseemly, seeks not her own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil;

V6. Rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;

V7. Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

V8. Charity never fails: prophecies fail, tongues cease; knowledge shall vanish away

V13. And now abides FAITH, HOPE and CHARITY, these three; but the greatest of these is CHARITY.

"Abides" means lives in.  Faith lives in us through Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God. He who was crucified for our sins. He took our punishment that we live eternally through Him and with Him. Hope lives in us: a blessed hope we have, one which causes us to rejoice daily: we will see Jesus face to face someday and live forever in the mansions which He has prepared for us. We will see God and live. We will sing praise to Him who is Truth and Beauty.

Charity lives in us because Christ lives in us. As we allow the Holy Spirit of God to move in our minds, in our hearts, in our spirits, in our lives, we are changed from glory to glory until we become fully what God has chosen us to be. 

To God be the glory and none other. There is no god like our GOD. 

Journey

This was first shared on my Facebook profile.

But needs to be shared here, too.

Not everyone uses Facebook.

I haven't always walked with God. There was a time when I ran from God. Because I truly had no idea Who God really is. I had some school smarts, but no life smarts. I kept making one bad decision after another. I never tried to make anything of myself. I never tried to be better than I was. I didn't know I could. I went from being a mouse my whole life to a bitch by senior year. I graduated high school, but that's it. Got my first car and had my first accident. Got a job, met a drug dealer, made new crazy friends who also had self-destruct buttons. Spent the next four years partying everyday. Wasted my money, my time and my life. Met a man who loved me enough to get me clean and sober and pregnant. Had my first baby alone. Stayed clean and sober. But still I had no roots, no foundation on which to build a life.

Met another man. Gave my heart to him, too. Started drinking again because I was weak. United his children with mine and gave birth to twins. Found God. And Jesus Christ. And the Holy Spirit. Quit drinking. Now I had roots and a viable foundation. Which I would soon find tested. He found another woman, I filed for divorce and found new place to live. God found me a new place to grow and blossom.

Went from being a party girl to a Sunday School teacher, a Singles' leader and a preacher. God brought a man into my life and we became friends first. Dated for 2 years, then got married. Now he teaches Sunday School and I preach on the 'net. Isn't God amazing?

I have a firm foundation. I still make decisons, but I don't make them alone. My self-destruct button is broken and my joy in Christ is renewable energy daily.

But the repercussions of being stupid for so long appear to be what my body is reaping now. I am still saved. I am still serving. I am still walking in power and authority of Jesus Christ. But I am sick because of all the weeds I have allowed into the Garden of my life. Now I am ready for God to pull the roots of these weeds out of my heart and my mind, that more room would be made for His glory to take up residence in me.

Garden of God Spice Company-Seasoning Salt

Photo is a mirror image of Seasoning Salt ingredients

Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, who are the called according to His purpose."

While Matthew 5:13 reminds the Christian to be the 'salt of the earth', today's verse in Romans reminds me that everything in my life is there for a reason, God's reason.

"We know" implies understanding, knowledge and application of belief

"all things" every situation, circumstance, obstacle, person(s)

"work together" each complements the other

"for good" God is good, therefore everything God does is good

"to them that love God" not every person, but these specific persons

"who are the called according to His purpose" God's first call is for every person to obtain salvation through Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son

God's reasons for working all things together for my good becomes the seasoning in my testimony. To Him, perhaps, it is 'reasoning salt', but to me and then to you, I have become 'seasoning salt'. And so, I have to ask, "Do I make you thirsty? Is your throat dry from just thinking about it? Are you parched and broken from the spiritual drought in your soul?"

I know where you can get relief.

Psalm 63 A Song of Revival to Me

PSALM 63

A SONG OF REVIVAL TO ME

O God, You are my God: early will I seek Thee:

My soul thirsts for Thee, my flesh longs for Thee

In a dry and thirsty land where there is no water...

I need water. Give me water. Lord, how I thirst for the water.

So I have looked for You in the sanctuary

To see Your power and Your glory...

I need water. Give me water. Lord how I thirst for the water.

Thy lovingkindness is better than life,

My lips shall praise Thee. Thus will I bless Thee while I live

I will lift up my hands in Your name.

I need water. Give me water. Lord, how I thirst for the Water.

My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness

My mouth shall praise Thee with Joyful lips:

When I remember Thee on my bed, I meditate on Thee in the night.

Because You have been my help,

In the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice.

I need Water. Give me Water. Lord, how I thirst for Your Water.

My soul follows close behind You. Your Right Hand upholds me.

They that seek my soul to destroy it Shall go down into the earth.

For I have Water. You give me Water.

O Lord, You are my Water

O Lord, You are my Water.......

{i have set this to music. it is Psalm 63:1-9}

Can your god do that?

My God loves me so much He died for me. Can your god do that?

But He didn't stay dead. My God walked out of the grave holding the keys to death and hell. Can your god do that?

My God sent the Holy Spirit to draw people to Him. Can your god do that?

My God comforts me when I am afraid. Can your god do that?

My God gives me rest when I am weary. Can your god do that?

My God is Jehovah, God Almighty.

My God is Jehovah-Jireh, Provider. I lack for nothing. Can your god do that?

My God is Jehovah-Ramah, Healer. By His wounds am I healed. Can your god do that?

My God is Jehovah-Nissi, Banner/Standard. He is my Protection and Protector. Can your god do that?

My God is Jehovah-Shalom, Peace. He is the Peace that passes understanding. Can your god do that?

My God is Jehovah, Strength. He is my Strength and my Song. Can your god do that?

My God is.

Your god is not.

Molehills

The molehills are those little mounds in front. You can see the edge of a bigger hill, possibly mountain yonder.

Molehills ARE mountains. Until they are behind you......and then they become molehills again. So, when we ask God to "Move That Mountain", He replies, "What mountain?".

Our troubles, our circumstances, our situations appear across our pathway like the molehills do in the above photograph. Our eyes see only what is in front of us and not what is ahead. Seldom do we look behind us and see the faded hills we have crossed. I, for one, have seen God move many molehills. The party scene (unlike some people: I inhaled). Single parenthood. Shunned from church and friends. Becoming a step-parent and then a divorcée with 3 kids. Surviving a bad divorce. Working to support us on a low income wage. Falling through the cracks when it came to health care and food stamps. Being abandoned by my oldest son, who was 14 at the time. Waiting on God to move miracles in my direction without fully realizing He was constantly working on my behalf.

Marrying for the second time. After not only learning to wait and see what God would do, but to accept God's will and not just asking Him what it was. I must've sounded like a two year old toddler: "Why?". Burying a son who fell asleep at the wheel when he was 23 years old. Having a 16 year old son run away from home because of how he viewed the world within our home. And God moved mountains. That son moved back in and let us know that compared to other homes he lived in, this one was heaven. We maintain peace and quiet within our walls. Here is sanctuary. Here is home.

Being stricken with a neuromuscular disease that has no known name because not enough people have it to qualify it for research. Losing my ability to walk has greatly hampered my independence. Gradually losing my ability to talk is now also affecting my ability to sing. I would ask God "Why?" but I already know the answer. "Because you let Me. You asked Me to make you a blessing and I am. You asked me to save your family and your friends by whatever means possible and I am. You asked Me to use you to advance My Kingdom. You asked Me and I answered. I am using you because you let Me."

And, so, I no longer ask God to move mountains on my behalf. Now, I get to move them with His authority and His blessing. I'm moving one now. I'm here.

Close Enough

If God is watching you from a distance, it is because you won't let Him near you.

Matthew 6:33 "Seek you first the KINGDOM of GOD..................."

We need a plan, a map, before we do anything or go anywhere for anything else in our lives, so we will probably need a plan before we go looking for this Kingdom of God, too. Think of it like geo-caching. Something precious is buried somewhere and you and I have to find it in order to own it and possibly share it. It all depends on what we find. Whenever we begin a search of any type, we need to always begin with the 6 basic questions: Who, What, When, Where, Why and How.

1. What is the Kingdom of God?

2. Where is the Kingdom of God?

3. Who are the inhabitants of the Kingdom of God?

4. Why do I want to go to the Kingdom of God?

5. How do get to the Kingdom of God?

6. When will I know I am in the Kingdom of God?

Hidden Eggs

Imagine what would happen if we sought God and God's ways as earnestly and eagerly as we look for hidden Easter eggs. The things we do for temporal ownership of items is greater than the things we do for eternal items.

Unemployment is up and we are a statistic. Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink. Oil in the Gulf of Mexico fills the waters on several coastlines. Industry and basic sustainability are removed with one blow. Waste drains into local lakes and rivers; medications and bio-hazards clog our water filtration systems causing drinking water to be contaminated.

Even thrift stores suffer when the population is unemployed. Basic skills are required from us to meet our daily needs. And with the majority of us used to buying off the rack or out of the market, sewing, baking, cooking and cleaning are high on the skill list again.

But, wait. There is still one thing that seems to be missing from this list of things to do to keep afloat. What am I missing? God? Yes, God. Where is God in all of these bad things that are happening. He's waiting. He is waiting for each of us to seek Him out, to search Him for direction and what to do. He waits you know. God is not pushy. He will not force Himself on you if you want nothing to do with Him. God waits.

Revelation 3:20 says He stands at the door (of our hearts) and knocks. He waits to be invited in, and welcomed as a guest in our lives. Matthew 6:31 says not to worry about where our next meal is coming from, where to find potable water, where to get clothes to cover our bodies. Why? Because Christ tells us in Matthew 6:33, 34 "Seek you first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and ALL THESE THINGS shall be added unto you. Take no thought for tomorrow: for the morning shall take care of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."

Psalms 63

Good Measure

Good Measure

Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that you give everyone it shall be measured to you again.

A couple things pop into mind: “what goes around comes around” and “do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. But, we don’t always remember this verse do we when we are trying to behave well among others. The Old Testament was an eye for eye, but the New Testament, the New Covenant is Love one another as I have loved you. It is not revenge which motivates us, but grace.

1. God measures us, too. He measures our heart. Not how big it is, though, but how full it is and what it is full of. When our heart contains the love of God in Christ Jesus, our heart breaks apart. A broken heart is a perfect heart. It is only when we are broken before God, that God can use us best.

2.God measures our tongue. A calloused tongue speaks from a calloused heart. It shows wear and tear. Wearing away our self-righteousness and tearing down other people.

3. God measures our thoughts. An empty mind is not really empty when it is not focused on the things of God. Foolishness resides there and reveals itself whenever the tongue is loosed and the heart is hard.

4. God measures our steps. He knows when our feet lead us closer to Him and when our feet lead us farther away. But it is not our feet He measures: it is the steps we take with our feet.

5. God measures our works. It is His Kingdom we are working in and our labors are for His benefit. Have I done my best for Jesus? Or have I done my best for me?

And knowing God measures us should give us the impetus not to measure others against ourselves or against His Word. It is God’s place to judge, it is God’s place to deliver judgment. It is not our place to pass judgment on anyone, even God’s people.

How we treat the people in our lives has a direct and immediate impact on us, too. Pride breeds anger. Anger breeds resentment. Resentment breeds distrust, unforgiveness, gossip, envy, jealousy, greed, death. Our actions may not always take a life in the physical sense, but the spirit dies, the soul retreats and a heart breaks.

Be careful little eyes, little hands, little feet, and little tongue. God is watching and waiting and measuring us to see if we measure up.

Coffee, Tea or God?

Coffee, Tea or God?

In Exodus 20, God outlines the Ten Commandments which He had written for us. His first commandment to us is not to put any other gods before Him. So, I was thinking. Does this include coffee, too? If the first thing I need in the morning is a hot cup of coffee to get my juices flowing or my eyes popping, does that make coffee my god?

Isaiah 63:1 says “Early will I seek Thee”. Gee, I don’t see where it says “right after my first cup of coffee” or “when I’m awake enough” or “when I’m old enough”. Early must mean ‘early in my life or early in my day’. Perhaps, also, God means to seek Him out early before every decision so as not to bring added troubles onto ourselves. Not waiting until I absolutely have to turn to God, but turning to Him simply because He is the first person I want to see in the morning.

“Good Morning Jesus. Thank You Holy Spirit for guiding me and directing me to the place which God has prepared for me today. Thank You God for watching over me while I slept, for your protection on my family and myself.”

As Jeremy Camp sings, “In the morning when I rise give me Jesus”.

Now, I’ll have that cup of coffee.

The Color of Worship - Yellow

Now, I am not just posting old studies, I am re-studying previous sharings. So, if I can give myself a break and have a little bit of patience, so can you.

We are smiling faces when the sun is shining and grumpy faces when it does not. Sunshine, light, bright colors tend to make us happier. Whereas, dark colors, gloomy days and dimness tend to instill moodiness in us and dark thoughts, even.

We are drawn to the light, the newness of day, the freshness of life. We love babies and shun the sick. We enjoy the sound of children playing. Music fills our hearts and we unwind our thoughts and our bodies as we become a more joyful person.

Joy comes in the morning. But what is morning, when all your days appear the same? What is joy when pain engulfs your body 24/7? Where is the music, the laughter, the hope?

Where is the healing touch of Christ, when just the touch of fabric is too much to bear on one's skin? Where do I go, when I need to be healed? Where else but to the Lord? To the Word of God.

Revelation 22:2 In the midst of the street of it (see verse 1), and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. This tree of life is ever bearing, ever fresh, ever new. Spring is forever in this tree. And it's leaves are for the HEALING of the nations.

In the springtime, when all the trees are budding, a newness of life is ready to begin. The leaves unfurl and reveal a light yellowish color. The sunlight shines down upon the leaves and the yellow becomes green or gold or red, depending on the species of tree which it is. And, as bright as the sun which shines down upon us is, it does not compare to the glory of God which lights up the whole new heavens. We shine because God shines. (verse 5)

Revelation 2:7 He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches; To him that overcomes will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. There it is again: the tree of life. And, we get to eat of it. Some of that fruit is for us. Healing fruit.

We eat some healing fruit now. Bananas become potassium in our bodies when we eat them. Golden Delicious apples really are. Phytochemicals are found in the yellow veggies and fruits we love to eat. Phytochemicals prevent heart disease and cancer, while helping our bodies to fend off even the common cold. The specific fruits and vegetables which enhance our immune system and increase our mental abilities are in this category, also. No longer is it just "an apple a day", we need to eat at least 5. And because we get bored easily, even in the kitchen/pantry, let's vary our intake of the color yellow. Pumpkins, squash, bananas, oranges, apricots, nectarines, grapefruit, mangos, papayas; sweet potatoes, potatoes, grapes, raisins, peaches, cantaloupes, watermelon, and onions, to name a few.

I have been reading a wonderful book "Meals that Heal" by Lisa Turner. http://www.amazon.com/Meals-That-Heal-Nutraceutical-Approach/dp/0892816252 It is more informative and fun to learn from than any health class I ever took. I think Anatomy and Physiology should be taught us at a much younger age, say like toddler stage. We already teach our children what to eat and when, but we have never told them why. It is the why that drives us crazy and sends us looking for answers, anyway. "You need to eat your peas." "Why?" "Because they're good for you?" "Why?" Because I said so is not a reason, it's an excuse.

The Tree of Life, however, in the paradise of God, gives eternal healing. A healing not only of the body of Christ, but of the soul, the mind, the spirit. We worship God in "spirit and in truth". If our spirit is sick, our worship is sick. Deuteronomy says to "love the Lord thy God with all your heart, your soul, your mind". If the heart of the body of Christ is sick, the worship of God falters and wains. Wisdom, in Proverbs 3:18, is referred to as "a tree of life". I want that Wisdom. God says I am happy if I keep this wisdom: She is a tree of life to them that lay hold on her: and happy is everyone that retains her. See, if your lawyer is on retainer, that means that your lawyer is always available to serve you. So, by that same reasoning, if wisdom is retained, wisdom is always available to serve you and aid you. I want that Wisdom. I want that Healing. I am healed. In Jesus Name.

My mind is healed. My body is healed. My spirit is healed, My heart is healed.

Sweet Thunder

When was the last time you talked with God? Would you know His voice?

John 12:28 & 29 Father, glorify Thy Name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spoke to Him.

This passage tells me that if you don't know God, you won't recognize His voice when He speaks to you. Thunder is loud. Thunder tends to scare people or make them nervous. Thunder rattles the air and shakes the house. Thunder leads the way for the rain to follow. If you don't know God, then when He speaks to you, which direction will you go, when you look for Him?

1 Samuel 3:7 Now, Samuel did not yet know the Lord, neither was the word of the Lord revealed to Him. Twice before this in verses 4, 5 & 6, when God called Samuel by name, Samuel went to Eli thinking that Eli had called him. But when Eli finally understood that God was calling Samuel (verse 8), he told Samuel to go back and wait for God to call him again (verse 9), but to respond to God's call. 1 Samuel 3:10 And the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant hears. Imagine lying down in your bed, asleep, and hearing someone call your name. Not yelling, not searching you out, but standing near your bedside and calling your name. Softly and tenderly saying your name.

Sweet thunder.

To me it is the voice of Someone who loves me calling me by my name. To another it is the sound of thunder, shaking the heavens and scattering the crowds. To me it is the voice of Love whispering in my ear. To another it is just noise. To me it is gentle, even in reprimand. To another it is loud and scary.

Sweet thunder from God.

When a crowd of people, say like at a football game, cheering for their team, it is a thunderous sound. Imagine this thunderous cheering coming out of heaven. John heard it. Revelation 19:6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of many thunderings, saying , Aleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigns. {ooooohhhh, i just got Holy Spirit goosebumps. i sure look forward to that day}

Sweet thunder to God.

So, I ask again, Would you know God's voice if you heard it?

Seven Words of Praise

You may be thinking that I have been diverted down a rabbit track, because the Color of Worship study appears to have been discontinued. Not so. We are still worshiping; we are becoming vessels of worship. How can one truly worship God when we don't know how God wants to be worshiped?

Walk into church, sit down, listen to the choir and musicians, hear the preacher say a few words, go home. What part of that describes worshiping God? And what if you do become more active in the worship part of the service? Why or for whom are you participating? Because your worship leader says this is the way we do it? Or has your heart truly been prepared to be in God's presence, to sing God's praises, to glorify God and lift up His Name amongst the congregation of His people? You sure?

The word BLESS mentioned many, many times in the Old Testament Scriptures means to (1) Greatly Adore (2) Kneel Down (3) Abundantly altogether praise and congratulate (4) Salute (5) be Still (6) Thank.This word BLESS is translated from the Hebrew word BARAK, meaning to kneel down, surrender, submit. So, I ask again, are you ready to worship God in God's house?

Psalms 63:5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise Thee with joyful lips. The word PRAISE here is translated from the Hebrew word HALAL, meaning (1) Clear (2) Shine (3) Boast (4) Rave (5) Celebrate (6) Clamorously foolish.

Psalms 21:13 Be Thou exalted, Lord, in Thine own strength: so will we sing and praise Thy power. The word PRAISE here is ZAMAR, which means (1) Striking with the fingers (2) Touch the strings or parts of a musical instrument (play an instrument of music) (3) Make music accompanied by the voice (4) Celebrate in song and music (5) Sing forth.

Genesis 29:35 And she (Leah) conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, Now will I praise the Lord: therefore she called his name Judah; and left bearing. PRAISE = YADAH, meaning (1) Open handed [which indicates power, direction, means] (2) To throw {with that hand} (3) To revere or worship with extended hands (4) To cast out, confess, give thanks. Judah by definition means celebrated. People of praise.

Psalms 63:3 Because Thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise Thee. PRAISE means SHABACH, shout with a voice of triumph! (1) Address in a loud tone (2) Commend (3) Glory in.

Deuteronomy 6:21 He is thy praise, and He is thy God, that hath done for thee these great and terrible things, which thine eyes have seen. PRAISE=TeHILLAH: (1) Laud (2) Hymn. See? Not only does He give me songs in the night, HE IS MY SONG. Zephaniah 3:17 The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy; He will rest in His love. He will joy over thee with singing. God sings over you and I. Do we sing over Him? Jeremiah 17:14 Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved: for thou art my praise (my TeHillah, my song)

Jeremiah 33:11 The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the Lord of hosts: for the Lord is good; for His mercy endures for ever: and {the voice} of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the Lord. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the Lord. We bring a sacrifice of praise into the house of the Lord. Yes or No? What are we sacrificing to be in God's presence? What are we not doing at the time we come together with God's people in God's house? PRAISE = TOWDAH (1) Choir of worshipers (2) Sacrifice of praise (3) An extension of the hand [as in promise or vow]

Be prepared. When you declare allegiance to one Master, the other one will fight tooth and nail to get you to turn back and retreat. Nothing compares to the mercies of God and nothing ever will. Choosing to serve, and worship, God will antagonize the devil and he will use every trick and wile he has to break your connection to Jesus Christ.

Are you ready to worship the Lord your God?

Integrity

Integrity: honor, strength of character, ethical, upright, honest.

Doing the right thing, when it seems as if everyone around you, thinks you are crazy. There is phrase in the Bible that sticks like glue to my thoughts "Be strong and of a good courage." Listen up: Deuteronomy 31:6 (&7) 'Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, He it is that goes with thee; He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.' Strong, good courage, fearless, remember. Joshua 1:6, 9, 18 'Be strong and of a good courage'. Of the verses referring to courage in the Scriptures, these five only mean (1) Be Alert (physically) (2) Steadfastly Minded (mentally) (3) Confirm, establish, fortify, harden, increase, prevail, strengthen yourself, make strong (obstinate, speed).

You are the Bride of Christ. Jesus does not have a ribbons and bows Bride, though she is adorned in white. He's coming back for a Warrior Bride. She is armed and dangerous. Armed with the whole Word of God, which is hidden in her heart. She uses God's Word for sustenance, for drink. Every Word that falls from the mouth of God she eats up. He strengthens her from the inside out. Where you go, God goes. That makes you a dangerous person.

The Word of God is available to you and I in three forms: the written Word of God, the Scriptures; the Living Word of God, Jesus Christ; the spoken Word of God, hearing the Word of God. Though there are some places where the written Word of God is forbidden, still the spoken Word of God can be heard and the Living Word of God cannot be displaced.

If you hear the Word of God, and do not apply it, you lack integrity. It takes courage to be a Christian, no matter what century or country you live in. You can hear about God, but not hear God. You can know about God, but not know God.

We apply God's Word to our hearts, our minds, our souls. Deuteronomy 6:5 And you shall love the Lord thy God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. Mark 12:30 And you shall love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength: this is the first commandment. Like sunscreen. See, we apply sunscreen to prevent our skin from being burned by the UV rays coming off of the sun. And we apply this daily to our skin when we go outside the comfort of our homes, because UV rays are a deadly daily threat to us. You and I need to apply God's Word daily to our hearts, to our minds, to our souls, to our might (character/strength).

It is not a fat, lazy bride that Christ is looking for. He seeks His true Bride. Her strength comes from her Lord: the Joy of the Lord is my strength. Her beauty is her desire to please her Lord: Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. His Bride dines at His table (Psalms 23:5), runs through troops and leaps over walls (Psalms 18:29), is efficiently and effectively equipped for warfare (Psalms 18:30-38 and Ephesians 6:10-20). The Bride of Christ surrenders to His authority out of Love and Respect. She is not negligent (Matthew 25:3,8), she is wise (Proverbs 11:30).

The Color of Worship ~ Gold

image courtesy of www.flickr.com {by argus456}

Exodus 28:36 And you will make a plate of pure gold, engraved upon it, like the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD. Psalm 29:2 Give unto the Lord the glory due unto His Name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. Isaiah 6:3 And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of His glory. Revelation 4:8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within; and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

Holiness: a set apartness, sanctified, sacred (physically pure/morally blameless/ceremonially consecrated) - according to Strong's Exhaustive Concordance.

~ Only God is Holy. Only Christ is Holy. And, of course, the Holy Spirit is Holy. They are distinctly three and one at the same time. Each has a purpose: Creator, Redeemer, Companion. God creates. Christ Redeems. Holy Spirit guides. From the beginning of our history, and even before history began, God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit existed. They created the world together and everything in it. ~

The purity of God is so bold and bright that no mortal eye can see God and live. And, yet, we long to be in God's presence permanently. How can we see God and live? Through His Son, Jesus Christ, who has redeemed us from our sinfulness through His death on the cross, we are brought into the throne room of God by the power of the Holy Spirit. Our prayers are smelled by God's nostrils. Our cries are heard by God's ears. Our praise and worship of the One who created us, and creates in us, is lifted up to God's throne room.

Here on our little piece of the universe, God leans His heart towards us, and extends His hands to us, and says, 'Come'. "Come unto me all you that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28 ~ "Come, now is the time to worship." Philippians 2:10 & 11 ~ "Come and dine with me." Revelation 3:20 ~

You and I are being welcomed into the throne room of God. Come, let us worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. The holiness, the sanctity, the purity, the consecrated presence of the eternal living God has been opened to us by the Door: Jesus Christ. And, while that Door remains open, I, for one, am going through.

The Color of Worship ~ Emerald Green

The deep end of the ocean; so deep you cannot touch bottom and breathe through your mouth at the same time. So deep you would need to be carried, if you could not swim. So deep, that even if you could swim, you would not be able to float for a long period of time without aid or assistance.

This is the depth of worship we enter when we near the throne of glory, wherein God reigns. This is the color of divine hope and future promise.

Here it is that the angel of the Lord carried Ezekiel (Ezekiel 47:1-5). There is an emerald rainbow around the throne of God in heaven (Revelation 4:3; Ezekiel 1:28). A brightly shining emerald rainbow encircles the whole throne, which appeared 'like unto a sapphire' (Ezekiel 1:26; Ezekiel 10:1). Have you ever seen a whole rainbow, not just the half bow? It is a complete circle. It has no beginning and no end which can be seen by the physical eye.

Take me deeper, Lord. Bring me so close to you that I cannot touch bottom unless You carry me. Bring me so close to Your face that You breathe on me, through me, over me. The scent of Your breath and Your very being are drawing me close to You. Let me bury myself in Your love. I crave a deeper walk with Your, Lord. Carry me. I will let You carry me. You raise me up with Your strength. You lift me with Your arms. You hold my hands in Yours. My heart belongs to You. My life belongs to You.

You are holy, Lord. And I long to be holy that I may be in Your presence forever and ever. I surrender my body a living sacrifice every day of my life, all day long and into the night. I am Yours and You are mine.