Showing posts with label singing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label singing. Show all posts
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Don't Touch My Junk (the TSA Hustle)
Here's a light-hearted rap full of truths about the loss of freedom the USA public has accepted from the government under the guise of Protection. It's got to stop.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Everette and I were invited for an impromptu chorus of Twinkle Twinkle. Note that Anders is The Star which is a princess gown that Aunty Joanne sewed and he's holding it upside down. Seems to work for an instant Star!Monday, November 22, 2010
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
'An American Dream'
Cuddle and watch entertaining videos and dream of a warmer place and time is an option!
Thursday, November 12, 2009
What's Your Identity?
Do you know who you are? Really who you are? Is that based on who your parents said you are, or society around you? Or who God says you are, or who satan says you are? (say....“Liar!”)
In Genesis 3 we read:
Right at the beginning of human history we see somebody having doubts about who they really were and how they related to God. Before the interaction between the serpent and Eve, Eve was probably very confident in who she was and in her relationship with God. Everyday she walked and communed with God. She knew only goodness and truth and holiness. Things were perfect. But then the serpent came on the scene and slyly suggested doubt in the mind of Eve. "Did God really say....????" Eve had never doubted God and His Word before. There had been no reason to doubt. satan suggested that God was withholding something good from Adam & Eve, and she didn't stand on who she already was, what her true identity was. They had been made to live in God's glory (Rom 3:23). They were made for communion with Him. But once sin arrived in their realm, that pure communion was broken, they fell from His glory, and they were sent away from the garden.
Let's jump to the New Testament, in Acts 19:
I ask again, "Do you know who you are?" If an evil spirit were to ask you that question, would you have a confident reply based on who God says you are? Or would you sulk away, unsure of yourself, questioning your identity in God and in the body of Christ.
For those who are 'in Christ Jesus/Yeshua' here's some of God's Words about you. It is just a small start to what the Lord says about you.
Eph 2:19 So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family.
The thing I have to remind myself is that the Truth of the Word is the truth, no matter how I am feeling about it. I am redeemed by the blood of the Lamb (Rev 5:9) whether or not I am feeling redeemed. But when scripture says that I am redeemed, I need to align my thinking AND my words to declare that truth. Otherwise, I am agreeing with a lie.
So, when we know we blow it and sin, and we are feeling like a shmuck we can go directly to the cross and ask for forgiveness and know that we are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, because God's Word says that we are. Its not based on how we feel. Its based on the truth of the Word. When thoughts of condemnation come at us we can say `No, I am righteous because I am in Christ Jesus, and the Word says that if I confess my sin then God is faithful & just to forgive my sins and to cleanse me from all unrighteousness.`
Then start to make your actions and your words to support the truth of the Word.
Agree with the Word. Don't agree with the adversary, because he's a liar.
Agree with the Word. Always with the Word.
Question for You: Do you have a favorite Scripture to stand on to help you remember what your identity in the Lord is?
PS....I enjoy Beckah Shae's music. Listen here to her song Hephzibah
In Genesis 3 we read:
1 Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?”
2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; 3 but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’”
4 Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
Right at the beginning of human history we see somebody having doubts about who they really were and how they related to God. Before the interaction between the serpent and Eve, Eve was probably very confident in who she was and in her relationship with God. Everyday she walked and communed with God. She knew only goodness and truth and holiness. Things were perfect. But then the serpent came on the scene and slyly suggested doubt in the mind of Eve. "Did God really say....????" Eve had never doubted God and His Word before. There had been no reason to doubt. satan suggested that God was withholding something good from Adam & Eve, and she didn't stand on who she already was, what her true identity was. They had been made to live in God's glory (Rom 3:23). They were made for communion with Him. But once sin arrived in their realm, that pure communion was broken, they fell from His glory, and they were sent away from the garden.
Let's jump to the New Testament, in Acts 19:
13 A group of Jews was traveling from town to town casting out evil spirits. They tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus in their incantation, saying, “I command you in the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, to come out!” 14 Seven sons of Sceva, a leading priest, were doing this. 15 But one time when they tried it, the evil spirit replied, “I know Jesus, and I know Paul, but who are you?”
I ask again, "Do you know who you are?" If an evil spirit were to ask you that question, would you have a confident reply based on who God says you are? Or would you sulk away, unsure of yourself, questioning your identity in God and in the body of Christ.
For those who are 'in Christ Jesus/Yeshua' here's some of God's Words about you. It is just a small start to what the Lord says about you.
Romans 8:14,17 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God...... that we are children of God. And if we are [His]
children, then we are [His] heirs also: heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ [sharing His inheritance with Him].
children, then we are [His] heirs also: heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ [sharing His inheritance with Him].
(Gal 3:26,4:6, John 1:12)
1 Cor 1:2 ...to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling... (Phil 1:1,Col 1:2)
1 Cor 3:16 Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? (1 Cor 6:19)
Eph 2:10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Eph 2:19 So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family.
John 15:15 I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.
Eph 4:24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.
2 Peter 1:4 And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.
Eph 1:3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.
The thing I have to remind myself is that the Truth of the Word is the truth, no matter how I am feeling about it. I am redeemed by the blood of the Lamb (Rev 5:9) whether or not I am feeling redeemed. But when scripture says that I am redeemed, I need to align my thinking AND my words to declare that truth. Otherwise, I am agreeing with a lie.
So, when we know we blow it and sin, and we are feeling like a shmuck we can go directly to the cross and ask for forgiveness and know that we are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, because God's Word says that we are. Its not based on how we feel. Its based on the truth of the Word. When thoughts of condemnation come at us we can say `No, I am righteous because I am in Christ Jesus, and the Word says that if I confess my sin then God is faithful & just to forgive my sins and to cleanse me from all unrighteousness.`
Then start to make your actions and your words to support the truth of the Word.
Agree with the Word. Don't agree with the adversary, because he's a liar.
Agree with the Word. Always with the Word.
Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinks within himself, so he is.
Question for You: Do you have a favorite Scripture to stand on to help you remember what your identity in the Lord is?
PS....I enjoy Beckah Shae's music. Listen here to her song Hephzibah
Saturday, October 10, 2009
A Noisy New Song!
Psalm 149:1
Praise the LORD. Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise in the assembly of the saints.
That 'new song'....it's your song. It isn't a Robin Mark or Jason Upton song....it's a song from your own heart to the heart of the Father. It's about your relationship with Him, and where you are right now in your walk with the Lord. It isn't a borrowed song....it's your song, your lyrics whether they rhyme or not doesn't matter. He just wants to hear from the depths of your heart, like deep calling to deep, the intimate feelings and longings of your own heart towards the lover of your soul.
Ezra 3:11-13
With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the LORD :
"He is good; his love to Israel endures forever."
And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid. But many of the older priests and Levites and family heads, who had seen the former temple, wept aloud when they saw the foundation of this temple being laid, while many others shouted for joy. No one could distinguish the sound of the shouts of joy from the sound of weeping, because the people made so much noise. And the sound was heard far away.
Sounds a bit like mayhem; certainly something that would create complaints by members of the local church today. But what a glorious time of celebration I bet it was. The noise was all directed at the Lord, for they were celebrating the building of the house of the Lord!
Do we worship and give praises like that? Do we worship with abandon? Or are we concerned about looking proper?
There is neither right nor wrong when worshiping from the heart. "The sound of the shouts of joy from the sound of weeping" were indistinguishable as everybody gave praise to the Lord in the way that seemed best to them, from their heart.
Let's learn to give our all to the King of Kings. Lets make a joyful noise, even if it isn't on key. It isn't about performance. It's about a heartfelt sacrifice to the Lord.
Question for You: Are you one who sings in the shower, or while driving, or you never sing
Praise the LORD. Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise in the assembly of the saints.
That 'new song'....it's your song. It isn't a Robin Mark or Jason Upton song....it's a song from your own heart to the heart of the Father. It's about your relationship with Him, and where you are right now in your walk with the Lord. It isn't a borrowed song....it's your song, your lyrics whether they rhyme or not doesn't matter. He just wants to hear from the depths of your heart, like deep calling to deep, the intimate feelings and longings of your own heart towards the lover of your soul.
Ezra 3:11-13
With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the LORD :
"He is good; his love to Israel endures forever."
And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid. But many of the older priests and Levites and family heads, who had seen the former temple, wept aloud when they saw the foundation of this temple being laid, while many others shouted for joy. No one could distinguish the sound of the shouts of joy from the sound of weeping, because the people made so much noise. And the sound was heard far away.
Sounds a bit like mayhem; certainly something that would create complaints by members of the local church today. But what a glorious time of celebration I bet it was. The noise was all directed at the Lord, for they were celebrating the building of the house of the Lord!
Do we worship and give praises like that? Do we worship with abandon? Or are we concerned about looking proper?
There is neither right nor wrong when worshiping from the heart. "The sound of the shouts of joy from the sound of weeping" were indistinguishable as everybody gave praise to the Lord in the way that seemed best to them, from their heart.
Let's learn to give our all to the King of Kings. Lets make a joyful noise, even if it isn't on key. It isn't about performance. It's about a heartfelt sacrifice to the Lord.
Question for You: Are you one who sings in the shower, or while driving, or you never sing
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Worship Part II
Look at some things that happen when we worship!!!
Isa 45:5
I am the Lord, and there is no one else; there is no God besides Me. I will gird and arm you, though you have not known Me
Acts 16:22-26
The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten. After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose.
Psalm 8:2
From the lips of children and infants
you have ordained praise
because of your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger.
from Psalm 9
I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart;
I will tell of all your wonders.
I will be glad and rejoice in you;
I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.
My enemies turn back;
they stumble and perish before you.
For you have upheld my right and my cause;
you have sat on your throne, judging righteously.
You have rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked;
you have blotted out their name for ever and ever.
Endless ruin has overtaken the enemy,
you have uprooted their cities;
even the memory of them has perished.
The LORD reigns forever;
he has established his throne for judgment.
He will judge the world in righteousness;
he will govern the peoples with justice.
The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed,
a stronghold in times of trouble.
Those who know your name will trust in you,
for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.
Sing praises to the LORD, enthroned in Zion;
proclaim among the nations what he has done.
For he who avenges blood remembers;
he does not ignore the cry of the afflicted.
O LORD, see how my enemies persecute me!
Have mercy and lift me up from the gates of death,
that I may declare your praises
in the gates of the Daughter of Zion
and there rejoice in your salvation.
Arise, O LORD, let not man triumph;
let the nations be judged in your presence.
Strike them with terror, O LORD;
let the nations know they are but men.
Selah
What kind of power is in our Worship?
Why do we not take it serious?????
This is part of my what I ask the Lord for. Note, 'the house of the Lord', 'his temple', 'the courts of the Lord', 'the house where you live', 'the place where your glory dwells'.....that's you and me!!!! That's not one physical place, for its where His Spirit is. His Spirit lives in each of His children. He takes up residence in His people. GLORY!!!
Psalm 27:4
One thing I ask of the LORD,
this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD
and to seek him in his temple.
Psalm 84:2
My soul yearns, even faints,
for the courts of the LORD;
my heart and my flesh cry out
for the living God. 8 I love the house where you live, O LORD,
the place where your glory dwells.
Oh my, I am just so excited even reading these scriptures right now. What a priviledge I have to commune with Him, personally, wherever I may be. In spirit and in truth.
Psalm 5:11-12
But you'll welcome us with open arms
when we run for cover to you.
Let the party last all night!
Stand guard over our celebration.
You are famous, God, for welcoming God-seekers,
for decking us out in delight.
Psalm 148
Hallelujah! Praise God from heaven,
praise him from the mountaintops;
Praise him, all you his angels,
praise him, all you his warriors,
Praise him, sun and moon,
praise him, you morning stars;
Praise him, high heaven,
praise him, heavenly rain clouds;
Praise, oh let them praise the name of God—
he spoke the word, and there they were!
Question for You: Where do you feel most free to worship?
Isa 45:5
I am the Lord, and there is no one else; there is no God besides Me. I will gird and arm you, though you have not known Me
Acts 16:22-26
The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten. After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose.
Psalm 8:2
From the lips of children and infants
you have ordained praise
because of your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger.
from Psalm 9
I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart;
I will tell of all your wonders.
I will be glad and rejoice in you;
I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.
My enemies turn back;
they stumble and perish before you.
For you have upheld my right and my cause;
you have sat on your throne, judging righteously.
You have rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked;
you have blotted out their name for ever and ever.
Endless ruin has overtaken the enemy,
you have uprooted their cities;
even the memory of them has perished.
The LORD reigns forever;
he has established his throne for judgment.
He will judge the world in righteousness;
he will govern the peoples with justice.
The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed,
a stronghold in times of trouble.
Those who know your name will trust in you,
for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.
Sing praises to the LORD, enthroned in Zion;
proclaim among the nations what he has done.
For he who avenges blood remembers;
he does not ignore the cry of the afflicted.
O LORD, see how my enemies persecute me!
Have mercy and lift me up from the gates of death,
that I may declare your praises
in the gates of the Daughter of Zion
and there rejoice in your salvation.
Arise, O LORD, let not man triumph;
let the nations be judged in your presence.
Strike them with terror, O LORD;
let the nations know they are but men.
Selah
What kind of power is in our Worship?
Why do we not take it serious?????
This is part of my what I ask the Lord for. Note, 'the house of the Lord', 'his temple', 'the courts of the Lord', 'the house where you live', 'the place where your glory dwells'.....that's you and me!!!! That's not one physical place, for its where His Spirit is. His Spirit lives in each of His children. He takes up residence in His people. GLORY!!!
Psalm 27:4
One thing I ask of the LORD,
this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD
and to seek him in his temple.
Psalm 84:2
My soul yearns, even faints,
for the courts of the LORD;
my heart and my flesh cry out
for the living God. 8 I love the house where you live, O LORD,
the place where your glory dwells.
Oh my, I am just so excited even reading these scriptures right now. What a priviledge I have to commune with Him, personally, wherever I may be. In spirit and in truth.
Psalm 5:11-12
But you'll welcome us with open arms
when we run for cover to you.
Let the party last all night!
Stand guard over our celebration.
You are famous, God, for welcoming God-seekers,
for decking us out in delight.
Psalm 148
Hallelujah! Praise God from heaven,
praise him from the mountaintops;
Praise him, all you his angels,
praise him, all you his warriors,
Praise him, sun and moon,
praise him, you morning stars;
Praise him, high heaven,
praise him, heavenly rain clouds;
Praise, oh let them praise the name of God—
he spoke the word, and there they were!
Question for You: Where do you feel most free to worship?
Worship Part I
So, the Lord had one-at-a-time given me 3 words. Life. Freedom. Victory. The fourth and final one was Worship.
I had been feeling this word for some time, knowing that there was so much bound up in this activity. I got the feeling that this was really the pinnacle, the thing that held so much truth, so much simplicity. Life & Freedom & Victory all bound up in one aspect.
In Luke 4:8 Jesus said, "Worship the Lord your God and serve him only."
Why should we worship the Lord our God?
Psalm 104:1
Praise the LORD, O my soul.
O LORD my God, you are very great;
you are clothed with splendor and majesty.
Psalm 8
O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory
above the heavens.
From the lips of children and infants
you have ordained praise
because of your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger.
When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
what is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?
You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
and crowned him with glory and honor.
You made him ruler over the works of your hands;
you put everything under his feet:
all flocks and herds,
and the beasts of the field,
the birds of the air,
and the fish of the sea,
all that swim the paths of the seas.
O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
Rev 4:11
"You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they were created
and have their being."
Rev 4:8
"Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come."
Rev 4:11-14
I looked again. I heard a company of Angels around the Throne, the Animals, and the Elders—ten thousand times ten thousand their number, thousand after thousand after thousand in full song:
The slain Lamb is worthy!
Take the power, the wealth, the wisdom, the strength!
Take the honor, the glory, the blessing!
Then I heard every creature in Heaven and earth, in underworld and sea, join in, all voices in all places, singing:
To the One on the Throne! To the Lamb!
The blessing, the honor, the glory, the strength,
For age after age after age.
The Four Animals called out, "Oh, Yes!" The Elders fell to their knees and worshiped.
Isaiah 6:3
And they were calling to one another:
"Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty;
the whole earth is full of his glory."
Deuteronomy 32:1-5
Listen, Heavens, I have something to tell you. Attention, Earth, I've got a mouth full of words. My teaching, let it fall like a gentle rain,
my words arrive like morning dew,
Like a sprinkling rain on new grass,
like spring showers on the garden.
For it's God's Name I'm preaching—
respond to the greatness of our God!
The Rock: His works are perfect,
and the way he works is fair and just;
A God you can depend upon, no exceptions,
a straight-arrow God.
His messed-up, mixed-up children, his non-children,
throw mud at him but none of it sticks.
And how were we to worship Him?
In John 4 it says that "God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."
The Message says, "It's who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That's the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship. God is sheer being itself—Spirit. Those who worship him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration."
What does that look like? There are lots of things that worship entails.
Psalm 105: 1-6
Hallelujah! Thank God! Pray to him by name!
Tell everyone you meet what he has done!
Sing him songs, belt out hymns,
translate his wonders into music!
Honor his holy name with Hallelujahs,
you who seek God. Live a happy life!
Keep your eyes open for God, watch for his works;
be alert for signs of his presence.
Remember the world of wonders he has made,
his miracles, and the verdicts he's rendered—
O seed of Abraham, his servant,
O child of Jacob, his chosen.
from Psalm 149
Praise the LORD.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
his praise in the assembly of the saints.
Let Israel rejoice in their Maker;
let the people of Zion be glad in their King.
Let them praise his name with dancing
and make music to him with tambourine and harp.
For the LORD takes delight in his people;
he crowns the humble with salvation.
Let the saints rejoice in this honor
and sing for joy on their beds.
May the praise of God be in their mouths
and a double-edged sword in their hands,
Psalm 146:2 (NIV)
I will praise the LORD all my life;
I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
Psalm 34:3 (This was at the top of Everette's and my Wedding Invitations)
Glorify the LORD with me;
let us exalt his name together.
Psalm 5:11
But let all who take refuge in you be glad;
let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may rejoice in you.
Psalm 106:1 Praise the LORD.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
2 Chronicles 7:3
When all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the glory of the LORD above the temple, they knelt on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave thanks to the LORD, saying,
"He is good;
his love endures forever."
Exodus 34:8
Moses bowed to the ground at once and worshiped.
2 Chronicles 20:18
Jehoshaphat bowed with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the LORD.
Worship isn't necessarily still, or quiet, or well-behaved. It isn't necessarily solemn, or organized, or pretty. It is being raptured in the awesomeness and holiness of the presence of the Creator of the Universe. It is being abandoned, being undone, losing oneself in the beauty of Him, the Savior of ones soul. The Giver of Life. The Freedom-giver. The Victorious One. WOW!!
Question for You: What does worship look like to you?
I had been feeling this word for some time, knowing that there was so much bound up in this activity. I got the feeling that this was really the pinnacle, the thing that held so much truth, so much simplicity. Life & Freedom & Victory all bound up in one aspect.
In Luke 4:8 Jesus said, "Worship the Lord your God and serve him only."
Why should we worship the Lord our God?
Psalm 104:1
Praise the LORD, O my soul.
O LORD my God, you are very great;
you are clothed with splendor and majesty.
Psalm 8
O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory
above the heavens.
From the lips of children and infants
you have ordained praise
because of your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger.
When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
what is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?
You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
and crowned him with glory and honor.
You made him ruler over the works of your hands;
you put everything under his feet:
all flocks and herds,
and the beasts of the field,
the birds of the air,
and the fish of the sea,
all that swim the paths of the seas.
O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
Rev 4:11
"You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they were created
and have their being."
Rev 4:8
"Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come."
Rev 4:11-14
I looked again. I heard a company of Angels around the Throne, the Animals, and the Elders—ten thousand times ten thousand their number, thousand after thousand after thousand in full song:
The slain Lamb is worthy!
Take the power, the wealth, the wisdom, the strength!
Take the honor, the glory, the blessing!
Then I heard every creature in Heaven and earth, in underworld and sea, join in, all voices in all places, singing:
To the One on the Throne! To the Lamb!
The blessing, the honor, the glory, the strength,
For age after age after age.
The Four Animals called out, "Oh, Yes!" The Elders fell to their knees and worshiped.
Isaiah 6:3
And they were calling to one another:
"Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty;
the whole earth is full of his glory."
Deuteronomy 32:1-5
Listen, Heavens, I have something to tell you. Attention, Earth, I've got a mouth full of words. My teaching, let it fall like a gentle rain,
my words arrive like morning dew,
Like a sprinkling rain on new grass,
like spring showers on the garden.
For it's God's Name I'm preaching—
respond to the greatness of our God!
The Rock: His works are perfect,
and the way he works is fair and just;
A God you can depend upon, no exceptions,
a straight-arrow God.
His messed-up, mixed-up children, his non-children,
throw mud at him but none of it sticks.
And how were we to worship Him?
In John 4 it says that "God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."
The Message says, "It's who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That's the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship. God is sheer being itself—Spirit. Those who worship him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration."
What does that look like? There are lots of things that worship entails.
Psalm 105: 1-6
Hallelujah! Thank God! Pray to him by name!
Tell everyone you meet what he has done!
Sing him songs, belt out hymns,
translate his wonders into music!
Honor his holy name with Hallelujahs,
you who seek God. Live a happy life!
Keep your eyes open for God, watch for his works;
be alert for signs of his presence.
Remember the world of wonders he has made,
his miracles, and the verdicts he's rendered—
O seed of Abraham, his servant,
O child of Jacob, his chosen.
from Psalm 149
Praise the LORD.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
his praise in the assembly of the saints.
Let Israel rejoice in their Maker;
let the people of Zion be glad in their King.
Let them praise his name with dancing
and make music to him with tambourine and harp.
For the LORD takes delight in his people;
he crowns the humble with salvation.
Let the saints rejoice in this honor
and sing for joy on their beds.
May the praise of God be in their mouths
and a double-edged sword in their hands,
Psalm 146:2 (NIV)
I will praise the LORD all my life;
I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
Psalm 34:3 (This was at the top of Everette's and my Wedding Invitations)
Glorify the LORD with me;
let us exalt his name together.
Psalm 5:11
But let all who take refuge in you be glad;
let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may rejoice in you.
Psalm 106:1 Praise the LORD.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
2 Chronicles 7:3
When all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the glory of the LORD above the temple, they knelt on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave thanks to the LORD, saying,
"He is good;
his love endures forever."
Exodus 34:8
Moses bowed to the ground at once and worshiped.
2 Chronicles 20:18
Jehoshaphat bowed with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the LORD.
Worship isn't necessarily still, or quiet, or well-behaved. It isn't necessarily solemn, or organized, or pretty. It is being raptured in the awesomeness and holiness of the presence of the Creator of the Universe. It is being abandoned, being undone, losing oneself in the beauty of Him, the Savior of ones soul. The Giver of Life. The Freedom-giver. The Victorious One. WOW!!
Question for You: What does worship look like to you?
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