Idol Worship

Idol worship

           The month of July brings so many images to mind for so many people. Summer is in full swing, vacations are up and running, summer camps are roaring and just getting strong. In America July brings memories of Independence Day. A celebration of all things USA takes a life of its own. I would like to stop at this point and say for the record, I love this country. I served this country for 14 years of my life in the U.S. Army. I have the form 214 honorable discharge and commendation awards to prove it. Our form of government and democracy is what I am counting on to allow me to write this blog post. With that in mind I will like to tell you that I hate when worshiping God has to take second place to worshiping country, when any “God and country” holiday falls close to Sunday. Before you stop reading the rest of my post and send me all your “here is why you are wrong Rick or Go move to another country” emails, here me out. In the book of Exodus 20:1-6 God says this: “Then God spoke all these words:  I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the place of slavery. Do not have other gods besides Me. Do not make an idol for yourself, whether in the shape of anything in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters under the earth. You must not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the fathers' sin, to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing faithful love to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commands.” I am not a legalistic guy by any means. I am just pointing out that this first commandment has to be honored at all times in our worship services. More often than not we come to worship that Sunday and we see the bulletin with so much red, white and blue that it looks like a parade program instead of a church service. There are acknowledgements about our country’s accomplishments before announcements, before prayer, before the sermon and after, not to mention the six patriotic hymns that glorify our country and place her at the same level as God. I’ve seen it, I’ve been there, and it just saddens me. We designate one day of the week to worship the creator of everything and we take his stage away with what? We already are limiting ourselves to one hour of sharing the gospel with someone in our congregation, who came lost to our church that day. Instead we speak with pride about what our country has done and how great we are and how on the surface God has blessed us more than any other country. Don’t get me wrong that is a good thing to do; Sunday’s worship service it is just not the place or time for it. Perhaps we need to re-define worship and respect; we should respect and honor our country, but we should only worship God. I know many of you can quote scripture that calls for honoring the king and the nation or government, but none of them say to do it during corporate worship time. In Mat 22:36-40 Jesus was asked; "Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?" He said to him, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important commandment. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commandments."(HCSB) Maybe you can relate with this video from my friends the Skit Guys; http://skitguys.com/videos/item/idol-worship.

          Idol worship is not just golden calves; it is TV, movies, actors, video games, politics, country, boyfriend, girlfriend, Facebook, etc. worshiping anything that is not God. I am not saying that you can’t have any of these things in your life. In and of themselves they are not bad. When they take away from your appointed time with God (Bible study devotions, prayers time, worship) then you have to take a step back and see how to get back to Worshiping God only.

Worship is...

Worship is…

   The word worship is used to describe the way we feel about many things. We use the word in different contexts. If a guy is head over heels over a woman we describe it as, he worships the ground she walks on. If we cannot get enough of our favorite band we are labeled as worshiping our band. When we eat a meal that is so good, our experience borders on worship, because the food is that good. Most of our understanding and definition of worship is based on Webster’s dictionary; reverent honor and homage paid to God or a sacred personage, or to any object regarded as sacred, to feel an adoring reverence or regard for (any person or thing), to attend services of divine worship. Maybe is me but there seems to be something missing. The Hebrew words most often used for worship are; shâchâh (shaw-khaw') A primitive root; to depress, that is, prostrate (especially reflexively in homage to royalty or God): - bow (self) down, crouch, fall down (flat), humbly beseech, do (make) obeisance, do reverence, make to stoop, worship, and; âbad (aw-bad') A primitive root; to work (in any sense); by implication to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc.: be, keep in bondage, be bondmen, bond-service, compel, do, dress, ear, execute, + husbandman, keep, labour (-ing man), bring to pass, (cause to, make to) serve (-ing, self), (be, become) servant (-s), do (use) service, till (-er), transgress [from margin], (set a) work, be wrought, worshiper.  The Greek word that describes worship is; proskuneō (pros-koo-neh'-o) to fawn or crouch to, that is, (literally or figuratively) prostrate oneself in homage (do reverence to, adore): - worship.

If I am reading and understanding these Biblical definitions of worship, it looks to me that worship is not passive and it requires our complete involvement.

   My narrow view of worship has totally driven me to start to search and research what Biblical worship looks like. Tom Kraeuter says this; “Worship should honor God, be 100% directed towards God and it requires our involvement.” Scripture in Psalm 29:2; Psalm 96:9 and Matthew 4:10 describe what that looks like. As we read and meditate on these passages we need to ask some questions. When we come to worship do we “Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name”? Do we worship Him in the “splendor of his holiness”? Do we worship Him and Him only and serve Him and Him only? When we come to worship how have we prepared our hearts? Were you harried because you could not get out of your house on time for Sunday school? Did you have your weekly argument with your spouse about why he or she is not joining with you to church? Did your children linger around not getting ready in hopes that you will leave them behind? Did you leave you house later than you wanted and traffic just stole the last bit of peace you had left for church? Does the music in your car connect you with creation (you) or the creator? Are your thoughts about the length of the service keeping you from being aware you are in the presence of God? Did you go home thinking that the music was too modern, too old, too loud, and too patriotic or not your style? Is there a problem, situation or circumstance in our lives that is more important than worshiping God? If I may, I can answer that last question with conviction with a loud NO!

   In pursue of pleasure, achievement and identity we let other things take our time to worship God away from us. Everything must fit our schedule. We select an hour or so on Sundays to be the “only appropriate” time to worship God. To that time we add even more restrictions; dress code, sitting arrangements, music preferences, Sunday school attendance, scripture preferences, out of context theology, parking spaces, homemade or store bought coffee cake judgment, the list goes on and on. In a few words, our pride rules our lives. These things in and of themselves are not bad things, but when we try to imposed the ones we value on everyone, that is when things get out of hand. Worshiping God has to do with us humbling ourselves before a great and merciful God who loves us in spite our faults. A God, who needs nothing, that did not want to spend eternity without us at His side. A God whose love for us fueled his desire to sacrifice himself in our place through Jesus Christ, that we may have eternal life with Him. Worship is us down on our faces surrendering and humbling ourselves in service, with all our gifts and talents, before an awesome God who loves us more than anyone will ever love us.

RH

  

Last 40 Days with Jesus.

Last 40 Days with Jesus

         Starting on the day of His resurrection Jesus spent, on and off, 40 days with his disciples. Can you imagine how eye opening those days were. His plan for redemption, phase one, had come to a completion. Finally a way of redemption was in place. A way that can be achieved by everyone without ridiculous rules or steps that were so complicated only a few could achieve. Salvation is now available to anyone and everyone who truly and faithfully wanted to be saved and serve God. 

      

          Jesus embarked in a series of appearances, of which five are recorded in the gospels, which were both amazing and intentional in their purpose. First he appeared to the women. They were scared and worried that someone had stolen the body. The pain of Jesus’ loss fresh in their minds and now this, an empty tomb and angels proclaiming he has risen. Jesus then appears to them and takes away their fears with a greeting of joy, the Greek chairō used in Matthew 28:9 is a greeting of rejoicing. Scripture describes the next thing that happens after Jesus’ words to them. In Matthew 28:9 we see their response to this encounter with the resurrected Jesus; taking a hold of him and worshiping.  What the women need most was their joy restored to them; intentionally Jesus does just that for them.  Are you missing your joy? Take a hold of Jesus and worship him!  

         In the gospel of Mark we are told the conversation that happened between the women and the angel. The women were told to tell the disciples what they have just seen and to tell Peter and the others to meet up with Jesus in Galilee. Jesus intentionally leaves instructions that single out Peter as one of the people that He is eager to see. I believe that aside from his mom, the one person who was hurting the most because of the death of Jesus was Peter. Having made eye contact with Jesus, (Luke 22:60-62) after the rooster crowed at his last denial of Jesus, must have been the worst memory to have ever. Jesus wants Peter to know that forgiveness abounds and has already been granted. He left a personal message to Peter, he called him by name. You might think your transgression is unforgivable, yet Jesus is calling you by your name. 

         The disciples had many doubts and fears that must have kept them up at night. Even though the women told them what they saw and Peter and John ran to the tomb and found it empty, their doubts still persist. Cleopas and Simon came back from walking and talking with Jesus to tell the disciples that Jesus was alive. Yet they just could not believe. Their spirits were troubled and they were in desperate need of peace. The Jesus appears to them in their closed door room and intentionally the first thing he offers them is “Peace to you”. He goes on to show them he is indeed alive in the flesh and sits down to eat fish with them to erase any doubts and fears they might have. Thomas was missing at this first encounter with Jesus so when he was told about it he wanted proof. Eight days later Jesus gave him proof Thomas was so in awe of Jesus that he declares Him for who He really is; God and Lord. Do you need peace in a situation in your life? Do you have doubts? Just spend time with Jesus in prayer and ask for the peace that can only come from him. The proof will come when you need it most and in His perfect timing. 

        The final encounter recorded in scripture is the appearance on the shore(John 21). If you have not read this passage you are missing out on one of the most intentional moments in Jesus’ teaching. Picture the scene. A few of the disciples go fishing and spend all night at sea without any results. As they approach the shore they see Jesus. Jesus asked them if they have caught anything, knowing full well that they had caught nothing. He then tells them to throw the net to the side of the boat; suddenly the net is full of fish. The disciples try to reel in the fish but it is too heavy, remember that! Peter get’s off the boat and goes to the shore to eat breakfast with Jesus. The rest follow Peter, Jesus had started a fire with a few fish but they needed more. Jesus then tells Peter to bring the rest of the 153 fish in the net. Scripture says this: "Bring some of the fish you've just caught," Jesus told them.  “So Simon Peter got up and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish--153 of them. Even though there were so many, the net was not torn.” John 21:10-11 (HCSB). Did you see that, it was not until Jesus commanded to bring the fish that Peter was able to bring them to shore on his own. The picture of evangelism is like the one in this story. We can cast our nets with the Gospel but until Jesus commands us to bring them in and we obey, nothing will happen. The word of God has power beyond our understanding. Intentionally after this Jesus restores Peter and erases his denials with three professions of love affirmation and commissions him to take care of His sheep, but notice this; it wasn’t until Peter was fed the Jesus asked him to feed others. Be careful to keep your spirit well fed with God, only then will you be able to feed others. When we minister to others we take care of God’s sheep, one person at a time.

RH

What is Your Issue?

What Is Your Issue?

Reflections on Luke 8:43-48

   I cannot imagine what it would be like to walk in the crowds Jesus walked. People everywhere are leaning and constantly trying to touch him. In Luke 8:43-48 we see one such moment. At this point in the gospel of Luke Jesus has a reputation and word of his miracles were spreading like wildfire. From towns to small villages the word was told of all the things Jesus was doing. As you read this Bible passage you see the woman with her issue of blood. She has been suffering for 12 years. Her efforts to get better have taken her to spend all of her money on doctors and nothing has worked. In desperation she tries the one thing she sees as her last hope for healing. She feels she is not worthy to meet Jesus face to face and ask for help. All she has left is faith to hope for a miracle. Her plan is to mingle in the crowd and get close enough to touch Jesus’ robe without being noticed.

   Wow! It worked she is healed and she knows it and she tries to slip away before anyone notices. She figures she can blend into the crowd and go home. Except for one little detail she did not account for, Jesus felt the power leave Him and heal her. At this point Jesus makes a public pronouncement, that on the surface sounds like a “duh” moment. It is obvious that people are near to Jesus and touching him. His question was about something else besides touch: He felt a special touch of someone stepping out in faith and in dire need.

   Scripture does not speak of why or if others who were there got healing from touching Jesus. Perhaps the crowd was there just to be there, to say “I was there when”. Maybe they wanted to brag that they saw Jesus to their friends and not out of a dire deep need like the woman with the issue of blood. How many were curious about Jesus and how few reach out to touch Him? So many people claim to know about Jesus yet their lives show no evidence of change. We are more impressed with how many people show up to see Jesus than with the one who reaches out and touches Him.

   Every one of us has an issue of blood like this woman so long ago. Your issue might not be of blood parse. Your issue might be anger at someone or something that happened to you. You could have an alcohol issue; drinking so much that you just cannot function without it. For others it may be drugs that you use to escape your reality of loneliness, low-self esteem or abandonment. Your issue of blood may well be your mouth; you gossip so much you don’t know what is true anymore. You talk about others behind their backs instead of face to face and try to solve your differences. Whatever your blood issue is, bullying, porn, lies, etc.; you need to make a decision. Do you try to pay others to fix it or do you reach out and touch Jesus for healing and peace?          

   Jesus knew who had touched Him, but he also wanted to let everyone know what really made her whole. It wasn’t that she touched his robe, it was her faith in Jesus the healed her. Jesus wanted all of those present to know this. That is why he made it so public by asking “who touched me?” By her coming forward Jesus has the opportunity to give her peace and validate her decision to step out in faith. My questions for you are: What are your issues and what are you willing to do about it?

RH

What have I learned.

   Through my 14 years in youth ministry I have learned a few good lessons and a few hard ones. I have learned; I am not a "youth program" guy, I am a relational youth worker. I have learned that I love to preach the gospel to everyone. I learned that I love to look through scripture and connect the dots to Jesus. I have learned that Jesus was right about the Pharisees (church politics).
   I have began the process of writing my story and I have realized how God has brought me through so many situations and circumstances. From molestation as young pre-teen to a teen in the middle of divorcing parents, to relationship heart break, through pornography to anger and un-forgiveness. From angry at God to I can't get enough of Him. God has indeed put me in a unique place to be able to speak to all those who are hurting in that same way in this new generation. I also had to learn lessons in forgiveness I thought I had already learned. In the middle of all this I still praise God and thank Him for sustaining me through all that and what I have put my family through. I am far from perfect. The words written by the Apostle Paul in Romans 7:21-8:2 say this; "I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin. So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death."( NLT )  This passage reminds me of the road I have been and still on. Now after all that, I am in a journey to do what I believe God has always call me to do; to be and evangelist and preach the gospel and to mentor and disciples youth along the way. Losing my job has created some financial problems that I am sure the Lord will provide for in time. So I seek comfort in God's word in Philippians 4:11-13; "I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me."( HCSB ) The hardest lesson I have learned is this; when I keep God out of my everyday life, good or bad, I struggle in everything. For those of you who are believers if you look back in your life you will see the pattern I am talking about. This is not to say that with God things will be peachy. I still struggle but I have an assurance, that God is with me. He has helped me overcome. http://juststopandthink.com/index.php

What's Holding me Back?

WHAT HOLDS ME BACK?

Romans 12:1-2 Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

Philippians 2:1-4  If then there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by thinking the same way, having the same love, sharing the same feelings, focusing on one goal. Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

Mar 10:17-22  As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before Him, and asked Him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" "Why do you call Me good?" Jesus asked him. "No one is good but One--God. You know the commandments: Do not murder; do not commit adultery; do not steal; do not bear false witness; do not defraud; honor your father and mother." He said to Him, "Teacher, I have kept all these from my youth." Then, looking at him, Jesus loved him and said to him, "You lack one thing: Go, sell all you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me." But he was stunned at this demand, and he went away grieving, because he had many possessions.

1 Corinthians 2:9-12

But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.

   

    God’s spirit gives us scriptures to meditate over every day, this month I would like to share these. Because this is a Bible study posting, today I am going to ask you to do some things to play along. Before we starts you should go and find, if possible, a folder and some sticky notes, a notebook or journal or just some plain writing paper and a Bible… Go I will wait for you…Good you’re back. Take a few minutes to read the passages on this post in your Bible and write down some or as many significant event in your life in chronological order. Write them down in terms of before and after you met Jesus. Make sure you have enough sticky notes or paper to right on. When you have written them down (all the ones you care to deal with for now) place them in the following categories:

• ·        Which ones were the times that you felt most isolated from God?
• ·        Which ones were the times were conflict was present?
• ·        Which ones did you feel Divine intervention must have happened?
• ·        Which ones you felt close to God?

   Now in light of both the passage in Mark and the passage in Philippians above, words of encouragement and love for one another and considering others better than us, ask yourselves this question; Like the rich young ruler, what is it that I have to let go of to be able to follow Jesus? Is it bitterness, anger, pride, attitude, traditions, passive aggressiveness, lust, a nagging sin that you just won’t let go, hate towards someone or something, neglecting following through with an idea, forgiveness, etc. Pray and ask God to help you deal with your hang up. Repent and ask for forgiveness and surrender your gifts to Jesus that you may better follow Him and serve others. Go and pray and when you finish praying you’re dismissed, just be mindful of the event that just happened in your life.

RH