2/27/2013 0 Comments Quench your thirst![]() “As the deer panteth for the water, so my soul longeth after you. You alone are my heart’s desire and I long to worship you.” Those words from the first verse of "As the Deer" by Eddie James. Originally written in 1984, it has proven to be one of the defining songs of the worship era. The words of this song are based on the beginning of Psalm 42 that reads, “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God” (Psalm 42:1). Looking just at that verse, it seems that the words of the song appropriately capture the encouraging, worshipful and beautiful sense intended by the psalmist. Yet, as one looks past the first verse to the remainder of this psalm, one would find words of desperation and anguish, not the gentle smiles and bowed hearts inferred by the song. A study of just the first verse of Psalm 42 reveals that the Psalmist is explaining his experience in the spiritual desert, and points us in the right direction. It reveals the utter anguish of the psalmist as he writes and many of us can relate to this spiritual desert. In this desert is when we need to keep in close touch with God or we will shrivel up with spiritual dehydration and the Psalmist points us in the right direction. One of the definitions in the Merriam-Webster’s dictionary for the word pant is to long eagerly or yearn. It is often in the context of a feeling that results from some form of physical exertion, usually running. This made me realize that a deer would pant for water when it runs (just as other animals and humans do), either from a predator or due to a need for satisfaction of its thirst. With this realization, I learn from the scripture that our souls must pant after God as well. This means that we must also be running in order to pant. We must first run from evil, from temptation, from trials and burdens; we must run to God as we long to be satisfied. This Psalm is a proof that he has a very earnest desire to have communion with God, who created him and also shows that He trusted His plans for his life. is no other one, other than Jesus who can satisfy what we thirst for. He said come unto me all ye that are weak and heavy laden and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28). In other words, He was expressing that in Him and only in Him is total satisfaction and until we are satisfied, we must be panting after Him, the source of Living Water (John 4:10-15). Are you panting after God, the living God? Run into The Sanctuary today to worship and quench your thirsty soul! Eddie James - "As the Deer"
0 Comments
2/20/2013 0 Comments Saturate me!The past few decades reflect a slow shift in America away from Christian principles to a reliance on self, which is also evident across all cultural groups. Historically, Americans held strong spiritual relationships as we needed to depend on God for basic needs. But as the country has increased in wealth, our tendency to rely on our jobs and our education for food, shelter, and safety for our families increased, as well. But the Word says, “For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand” (Psalm 95:7, NKJV). As the sheep of God’s pasture, we must completely depend upon God for our well-being, endurance, and our lives. As His sheep we should expect our Shepard to tend to His flock and provide all that we need. That means He feeds, He frees, He protects, He blesses. God said, "I'm going to make them and everything that surrounds my hill a blessing. I'll send down the rain! At the appropriate time there will be a rainstorm of blessing!" (Ezekiel 34:26, ISV). Have you ever heard the saying, “When the praises go up, the blessings come down?" It means that when we praise God, He showers many wonderful blessings on us, His sheep. God said that He will never leave nor forsake us, and promises to always take care of us and that's why we should worship Him for being Our Shepard. Take time today to acknowledge and worship our Shepard. Do not allow the busyness of life to overwhelm you where you do not seek direction from Him, ask Him to breathe new life into you - to shower you, saturate you and purify you with His glory and spirit so that you can accomplish all that He purposes for you. Allow His glory to "Rain on You"! *This song has surely blessed me today. Please take time to allow it to "saturate" your spirit!* Sha Simpson, "Rain on Us".
2/13/2013 0 Comments Giving is WorshipToday we are embarking on our Lenten Journey. 40 Days Breaking the Chains: A Season of Giving. We are committing to learning how to be good stewards of the resources that God has blessed us with as well as learning how to have an attitude of gernerosity. We want to learn how to be true givers into the Kingdom as giving is worship. First, though, this point must be made, we bring offerings to God not because he "needs" anything from us, but to acknowledge him as the source of all things and to give our thanks to him. He is not “served by men’s hands, as though he needed anything”. He is pleased, however, when we, consistent with divine revelation, exhibit the spirit of generosity. One of the greatest hallmarks of true Christianity is generosity. The Bible tells us true happiness is found when we give. And when we give, we are simply imitating God who is the biggest giver of them all. It can be tempting to slow your giving to the work of the Gospel when you are dealing with lack. But this is a dangerous practice to get into because the Bible tells us that God watches how we use the money that He places into our lives as a way to examine our hearts. We know that God owns everything. The money that has entered your life is a test, pure and simple. Everything is His, including the money sitting in your bank account. He is not a tyrant that demands all of your money. Instead, He is a loving Father who knows what’s best for His children. And He knows that the greatest joy in the world is found in giving of ourselves and our resources for His divine purposes. The first thing we must do is change our thinking on giving. Our beliefs on Christian giving have been beaten into us many times by well-meaning preachers who need funds to pay a utility bill and who view you, not God, as their source. As such, they ask you to reach deep down into your pocket to receive God’s “extra special” blessings. This is absurd and must end. God is not concerned with how much you give. Instead, what He cares about is what your gift costs you. Again, God is not impressed with the size of your gift. Instead, what He cares about is what your gift costs you. The reason God cares about what your gift costs you, and not about the size of the gift, is because giving is worship. And for giving to become worship, it must cost you something. It must be sacrificial. But obviously, if worship must be commanded, then it is not truly worship. You can give but not worship. But it is impossible to worship and not give something, yourself, your time, your spirit. Think about it this way: When you give because you have to . . . it is law. When you give because you feel like you need to . . . it is an obligation. But when you give simply because you want to out of the depths of your heart . . . it is love. If you are currently giving to a church or to a ministry, examine why you are giving to that particular ministry. Are you giving simply because you feel like you have to? Or because you need to? Or are you giving because you simply want to bless the Lord with your gift? If you are not currently giving any money to further the cause of Christ, you should search your heart to find out why you are not giving. Eliminate every obstacle to giving. How does one give a sacrificial gift? Most Christians will never have the opportunity to lay down their lives; and they wonder how then can they show the sacrificial love that Christ displayed for us? The answer. By giving of their time, talents and treasures. When we fail to do this, we show we don't love our brother or our God. We can give back to God is through our finances. Giving money to support God’s work is a joyous opportunity to participate in God’s work. We can honor God through contributions to our church, missionary organizations, and various other ministries. We can also give back to God through our time. By donating our time to God’s work, we proclaim Him worthy of our love. Spending time reading His Word, praying, telling others about Him, and gathering together with other believers is essential, but we should also consider spending time in activities such as visiting the elderly, tutoring young children to read, or helping to build homes for low-income families. God wants us to take the love He has given us and give it to others. And there are many benefits from giving back to God. A deeper love and commitment in serving God will develop in you. In times of stress your faith will be stronger. You will have inner peace, joy, and grace ... a sense of fulfillment. Your focus will be less on physical provision, and more on worship. There will be a greater desire to share what God has freely given you As God has given to you generously, you are to give cheerfully, not by necessity or grudgingly. Here is what I ask you to do today. As you reflect over your life and what God has done for you, ask yourself, do you openly share your joy and abundance with those less fortunate? When you give, do you expect something in return? Is this Biblical giving? Is your giving for the glory of God, or for a tax write off at the end of the year? Does your act of worship include obedience, giving glory to, asking God to use you in service, and to sacrifice your time or resources for His glory? After all, your time and resources are gifts from God. During this 40 Day sacrificial season I encourage you to pray each day and ask God to show you what sacrifice he would have you to bring. He may answer with some a gift, talent, resource or ability that you can offer to use for His divine purpose. And as you give back to God as a daily act of worship and lifestyle, when you come to the feet of Jesus and bring your sacrifice for a while, you will really learn to worship. Your worship will take on a new meaning as you begin to give yourself away freely and cheerfully so that God can use you! |
What is Worship?
The Apostle Paul described true worship perfectly in Romans 12:1:
“I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God which is your spiritual service of worship." Worship is first of all an experience. It may express itself through certain forms, but it is not primarily a form. It is an experience. It is a consciousness of the presence of God and a response to that consciousness. Worship expresses itself as an outreach of the deepest emotions of the soul in adoration, reverence, homage, exaltation, and praise to the Almighty. We hope that our Worship Wednesday creates a deeper more meaningful worship experience for you. Visit our other inspirational blog
Daily Dose Monday Meditations Intercession Tuesday Testament Thursday Connect on Social Media
Archives
August 2015
CategoriesAll Are For Your Good! Are You Living In The Spiritual? Are You Operating In Your Gift? Ascribe To His Beauty Atmosphere Of Faith Blessed Assurance Come Clean And Break Free! Flow Giving Is Worship Greater Is Here Great Is Thy Faithfulness Hallelujah! Praise Him In The Hallway! Have Thine Way He Is Faithful! He Is Mine He Takes Our Ashes And Gives Us With Beauty! His Name Makes Things Happen I Need Thee! I Need You…Please Don't Pass Me By It Is Well With My Soul… Just Listen Living For His Glory Look Where He Brought You From Minister To Him Like Anna My Everything Overwhelmed? Cling To The Rock. Pouring Out Praise Quench Your Thirst Saturate Me Singing And Dancing In The Rain And Walking On Water Something Happen Something Out Of Nothing Speak Life Thank You Is The Heart Of Worship Thank You Lord For Everything! The Miracle Of Grace The Name Above All Names The Smile Of God Is The Goal Of Life This Is My Song This Is My Story True Bread ThatLasts! Want To Put A Smile On His Face? When Others Say Where He Is Wholly Surrendered Who Needs A Super Here When He Is There! Will You Worship In The Midst Of The Storm? Withholding Nothing Withhold Nothing Worship Brings A Word In Your Season Worship In Barrenness Worship Into Your Season Worship While I Wait Your Gift Will Look Good On You. Unwrap It. |
FOLLOW AND SHARE THE SANCTUARY
SEARCH THE SANCTUARY SITE
SEARCH FOR ITEM IN THE SANCTUARY STOCKROOM
|