The Greatest Privilege

Have you ever thought of what a privilege it is to worship the Father? We could be among the scores of people who don’t know Him, but instead we are His children. We could be lost, but we’re found. We could be on the outside looking in, but instead we are members of the household of faith. We could be condemned by sin, but instead we’re forgiven and reconciled. It’s a great honor and opportunity each day to live and serve the Creator of the universe who is above all, our Father. Ephesians 2:13 says it quite well: But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. We were once estranged but are now amongst the beloved of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords; what an awesome opportunity and blessing that is! To know Him is to love Him and to worship Him is the greatest privilege one will ever experience. Consider these things and always have a heart of thanksgiving and worship in all things.

Grace to the Humble

Humility (hyōō-mĭl'ĭ-tē) - the quality or condition of being Humble (Marked by meekness or modesty in behavior, attitude, or spirit; not arrogant or prideful..).

This characteristic is not very common in our society, but it's a precious attribute in the Kingdom of God. Not valued among many famous, wealthy or noteworthy, but it's what produces fame and exaltation according to God's standard. In James 4:6 (KJV) we are reminded that God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. We can often be tempted to find justifications for areas of pride in our lives, but the reality is that any measure of pride, puts us at odds with our Father in Heaven. Our aim should be to always walk in a posture of humility in order to remain in right relationship with Him.

It's essential to realize that humility is an integral part of our lives as believers. We are restored to Him by the sacrifice that Christ made, through humility. We approach Him with humility. We continue to commune with Him and have relationship with a posture of humility. And we continue to bow before Him in worship with a heart of humility. Yes, the point is quite clear that if we want to remain close to the Father and in His will, humility is paramount. It's of such great importance that in 1 Peter 5:5 we are encouraged to be 'clothed in humility.' The lack of this priceless characteristic was the very thing that got Lucifer thrown out of Heaven. Though rebellion was the outward action, as is often the case for us as humans, pridefulness is what solidifies that rebellion leading to death; wherever pride resides, humility is not at home. In Lucifer's case, rather than being humble, he chose to position himself to say, 'I know better than God.' This is exactly what he deceived Adam and Eve into and exactly what he tries to tempt us with today. When we knowingly choose another way than the way of the Lord in any area, we effectively say, 'I know better than God' and we then take the position of pride that causes us to be at odds with the Father. Thankfully, in His infinite grace and mercy, He promises in His word that He will correct us as a Father does to the son whom he loves (Proverbs 3:11-12). We can therefore take comfort in knowing that the Holy Spirit will always be there to guide us into all truth just as Jesus promised (John 16:13).

It's not always a fun posture, but bowing to the Lord in humility is key to continuing in Him. It's in that place that we die to ourselves and live to Him. It's in that place of humbly surrendering to Him that we live out the reality that His ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9). In essence we say, 'You are greater than me, You know better than me, and I only have significance in You.' As true worshippers let us always remember that although God resists the proud, He gives grace to the humble.

What Do I Have to Offer?

What do I have to offer? This is a question we all face at some point in our lives. The way that we answer this question is important, but often times our response is problematic. You see, the average person, who has a humble heart, views what they have to offer in any situation from a deficit, especially concerning offerings to Father God.

First of all, I have to say that offerings can be much more than money, but I will use the example of money to approach the specific area of worship in just a moment. Whether you're talking about playing a guitar, singing, running a business, or giving some type of service, all of these can be offerings to God, not in replace of being faithful to give finances, but as an extension of our opportunities to give to the Father through what we do in our world. The value of our offerings is never determined by the amount, it is determined by the posture of our hearts regardless of whether the offerings are financial, artistic, or otherwise.

Imagine with me for a moment two faithful church members, one with an income of $20,000 annually and one with an income of $20,000,000 annually. Obviously these two individuals have a sizable difference in income, but the reality of the financial obligation to God and then their opportunity and responsibility to give above and beyond that initial obligation (the tithe) still remains. How would we view the person who had the twenty-thousand dollar income if he or she chose to say, 'my income pales in comparison to my brother the millionaire so I think I'll just keep mine and not give.' Of course we would realize that person's gross error according to the word of God. You need only to look at God's instructions in Malachi 3 (v.10-12) as well as many other areas regarding the tithe to find fault in this situation. In addition, you could look to the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30) to see that God does not condone the withholding of what He has entrusted us with. He has called us to give and 'put to work' what He's given us. And lastly, in passages like 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, we realize that God desires for us to be cheerful givers.

Now with all of that in mind, why do we see it differently when people withhold the offering of themselves, particularly in corporate worship. How many times have you or someone you know regarded their lack of singing ability or rhythm, reserved personality, etc. as an excuse for not giving their all in worship to our Father? We can separate the two concepts if we want, but they're one in the same when it comes to our hearts. The offering Father God desires most is us coming to Him with humble hearts (Psalm 34:18; 51:17). Whether we're singing, dancing, working, serving, teaching, well you get the point, whatever we do, it's an offering to Him. So with regard to the area of lifting our hearts and voices in worship, let's never be guilty of being the individual I mentioned earlier with the lesser income, but let's offer everything we have, realizing that whatever He has given us, is valuable, because it's of Him, by Him and for Him (Colossians 1:16-17; 3:23).

So the next time you ask yourself the question 'What do I have to offer?' remember that it's often much more than you think, so give it wholeheartedly to honor the Lord because He's worthy of it all.

Another Word from Spurgeon

Although Spurgeon was used for last week's post, when I read today's daily help, I had to share; I will save my post for next week although I did put some comments at the end of this short reading. Enjoy:

The great King, immortal, invisible, the Divine person, called the Holy Ghost, the Holy Spirit: it is he that quickens the soul, or else it would lie dead for ever; it is he that makes it tender, or else it would never feel; it is he that imparts efficacy to the Word preached, or else it could never reach further than the ear; it is he who breaks the heart, it is he who makes it whole. There dwells upon this earth a mysterious Being, whose office is to renew the fallen and restore the wandering. We cannot see Him, or hear Him, yet He dwells in some of us as Lord of our nature. His chosen residence is a broken heart and a contrite spirit. Sent from the Daily Help Devotional.

I am so impacted by what Charles Spurgeon said here. The Holy Spirit is truly at liberty in our lives when we take the place of being contrite and broken (Psalm 51:17). We can never fully understand the power of humility, brokenness and sincerity, but they are what our Father in Heaven is after. Our fulfillment of His will depends on us continuing to be broken and contrite in all things. It's then that we humble ourselves to truly worship Him and obey His words.

Have a great day walking with our Heavenly Father!

Hold Fast

As I was thinking about what I might share to encourage everyone who reads this post today, two words came to mind: hold fast. These words come from one of my favorite passages of scripture, Hebrews Chapter 10; to be more specific, in this case, verse 23 which reads: Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. As I considered this word usage, I thought about the fact that our language has changed since the translation of the Bible so I said to myself, 'I wonder if there's another phrase that would state the point more clearly.' As I spent some time on the vast sea of information that Google provides us, I began to realize that this was absolutely the best phrase that could be used. The direct definition of hold fast is, 'to stick to firmly.' That says exactly what is needed regarding the way that we are to hold firmly the confession of faith and commitment that we have to our Lord and His word.

Looking for further solidification on this subject, I continued down the road of research and found out that there is a tool that is sometimes used in carpentry called a hold fast (in the picture above). This tool is used to fix a piece of wood on top of a workbench while it is being worked on. WOW!! The reality that these words describe the tool that keeps an item being crafted in place, while the master carpenter works was such a beautiful prophetic picture of our being fixed on Father God's workbench, so to speak. All the while, through holding fast, we are firmly held in place as He completes the necessary work in our lives - remember, He is the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). As this truth came to light I was reminded of the cry of the psalmist in Psalm 138:8 - The LORD will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O LORD, endures forever; Do not forsake the works of Your hands. The Psalmist reminds us here as he cries out to the Lord, that the Father will perfect the work of His hands and not forsake us. Our responsibility is to hold fast our confession and commitment to Him WITHOUT WAVERING. Just like the work of a hold fast, our holding firmly to our commitment to Him will keep us securely in place where He wants us. No matter what struggles or temptations you may face, there is a hope which remains sure in our Father. 'He who promised is faithful' and never wavers. So my encouragement today is to stay on 'the workbench' and hold fast.

No Higher Calling

In this post I want to encourage anyone who leads worship in any way, to maintain your focus and realize the significance of our ministry. Whether you sing, play an instrument, dance, or do all of the above, we must all realize the value of what we do in the body of Christ, not because we're great, but because He is great. Each time we gather for corporate worship, we literally help people prepare the way of the Lord and bring them into a deeper communion with Him. At the end of the day, the responsibility of true worship is on the individual, but we help establish that atmosphere through the posture of our hearts and the way that we lead those around us to do the same. Never take it lightly and realize the privilege that we have. There is truly great value in sitting at His feet (Luke 10:38-42).

I'd like to share with you the words of a powerful song from years ago written by Lenny Leblanc that says it all:

No Higher Calling

Down at Your feet Oh Lord

Is the most high place

In Your presence Lord

We (I) seek Your face

We (I) seek Your face

There is no higher calling

No greater honor

Than to bow and kneel before Your throne

I'm amazed at Your glory

Embraced by Your mercy

O Lord, I live to worship You

Remember the high call that it is to worship Him and lead others to do likewise. Real communion and fellowship with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords can never be replaced by anything else. Truly, in the life of all believers, when it comes to worshipping our Father, there is no higher calling.

Think on These Things

Today as I was considering all of the things that we're facing as individuals, as families, as a church and as a nation, I was reminded of the words of Paul in Philippians 4:8

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things [are] noble, whatever things [are] just, whatever things [are] pure, whatever things [are] lovely, whatever things [are]

of good report, if [there is] any virtue and if [there is] anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things.

There are so many things that we face each day that can cause us to lose our focus, steal our joy or just bring us to a place of disillusionment concerning our faith. Through this post, I want to encourage you all today with what I have freshly received from the Father in this area. He is always able, He is always faithful and He is above all things. So whenever the opportunity arises to be thankful or complain, choose thankfulness. When the opportunity arises to worry or be at peace, be at peace. When the opportunity arises to be critical, choose to build up and encourage in truth. When the opportunity arises to walk in fear, choose to walk in faith. Just as Paul encouraged the Philippians in verses 6 & 7 of the same chapter, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

When we choose to believe Him and meditate on the true, noble, just, pure, lovely, virtuous & praiseworthy things that are of a good report, we demonstrate our trust in Him and His ability and not our own. Negative thinking is done away with and faith arises. Things look much more like a bright hope and future and not like doom and gloom. We see with His eyes and not our own. So today, I exhort and encourage you to remember the things that He says are good and 'think on these things.'