QTRLY Bible Study: Garments of Grace (2Q, 2011)

[PinkPebbles]

I wanted to share something with you guys. Its almost time for me to get ready and head out to service. Happy Sabbath everyone. Gods special blessings on you this day.
I been reading this book, I just got it and it has had some impact on me. My mind is always churning. I always felt that when God was handing down blessings he forgot me. I haven't been blessed with anything, I can see his blessings on my children and their talents but where is mine. Well I know how God is blessing me, he has given me a heart to serve and to have compassion on others. It took me a while to see what all that meant. butI am forever thinking of ways that others can be blessed and so I have it on my heart to become a prayer warrior and its really funny. I do not like to pray outloud at all. I have a prayer partner we pray at 5:30 am each morning except for weekends we pray at 8 am. I am looking to get another prayer partner for 5 am. I am a morning person. So anyway that requires that I pray outloud and since we do this all the timeI have become use to it. But I feel I am not praying effectively and I truly want to and so I been thinking about it more and more and so I purchased this book called Passionate Prayers by Brenda Walsh. I am a fan of her, and her sisters anyway. I really enjoy when they cook on 3ABN and when they sing. I get such a kick out of viewing them. so I purchased her book. both battered and abused and this prayer book. I only been reading the prayer book because its such a good and wonderful book its basically her testamony. Her sharing how much she prays and how God blesses her prayers and I am just so overwhelmed at how wonderful God is and we think we are not blessed but just to have a bed and blanket is a blessing. Just to have four walls is a blessing. Just to take shower without having to kills bugs is a blessing. Oh my goodness my desire to pray about everything was truly enhanced. I want to be able to pray about all circumstances without fumbling around for the words. I am making green smoothies, it was on my heart to pray about the blender and pray over the food and the cups so that each person will feel the healing powers instanty. Now I say that because I never felt anything I just dranked the smoothie its affect came later, but others feel it as soon as they drank it. I thought they were making it up but they were not. They were serious it happened to many times for me to not believe it. It is my desire to see healing powers in the members of my church I am making it because we pray each morning for healing for my prayer partners husband and it just came over me that I can make him a smoothie if he likes it perhaps he would consider doing the raw diet for 30 day that might change his life. he might be more wiling to listen to some of the things I like to share about the healing powers in the greens. God has given us everything we need on this very earth. Everything. I didn't think God could see me as an individual person but he really does and he has blessed me. I just forget to count my blessings. So I wanted to be able to pray more for people but I dont' have the right words. oh sometimes I hear others pray and I just want to weep they can call down angels from heaven with flaming swords to guard homes, who would have thought of such a thing. some of those prayers I would like to have recorded because I would love to just sit and listen to them. oh it sounds silly but really I would. So it is now my desire to become a pray warrior and so now the journey begins. I hope you guys don't mind me sharing something thats going on in my life. As I draw closer to God I start to see how easy it is to overcome things I once thought was impossible for me. So continue to pray for this thread and for each other as my prayers are with you all.

Blazingthru - thank you for sharing your testimony. I love to pray, believe in the power of prayer, and witnessed God move on behalf of prayers.

Last night my friend shared her testimony that she had been healed of lupus. She said her doctor could not explain the report but we know it was God's healing power. My friend had a church intercessory prayer team praying and believing for total healing!

I also believe that it's a blessing that you want to be a prayer warrior; allow the Holy Spirit to lead and He will give you the right words (the word of God) to pray effectively.

Be Blessed.

 

[blazingthru]

Thank you so much pinkpebbles, I have to tell you, I am really going throught some things and I have to pray longer and harder. My car died last night and its somewhere in the neighborhood. I have to get it tolled and hope they can fix it. I am not working and I am living off my savings and thats not good and I really don't want any other issues, So this prayer request and desire is so on time. So on time. I got up and did my prayers with my partner and told her all that is going on. I am still sitting in my house trying to figure out what to do. At the same time, I am thinking how Good God is. My son had t he car and thank God it was him driving instead of me. I would have really panic if the car had stalled on me. Thats the first blessing, second. It stalled in my neighborhood so its walking distance from my house, thank God for that. My son made it back home with no issues thank you Jesus. so now i have to resign myself to spending the money to have it tolled and pray that the damage is really minor. Its the tranmission. I just paid 2500.00 to get it fixed. Would you beleive they did not change the filter. All that money and the filter not being replaced could really destroy it why would they do that I really do not know. so please pray that the damage is miminal and that I am able to do all I need to do without the car. thats the hardest thing trying to survive without a car and no help. I got a great church but no one lives nearby, those folks drive from all over to come to our services but dont live near by. Amazing.

 

[blazingthru]

Hey ladies, I have a request. I could really use some help with Bible Bowl are any of you in the bible bowl? I just need questions. We just started again. we advance so its in Michigan I think, I am not even sure. I only know of one book we are reading currently and I haven't been to out weekly meetings in a long time. Anyway the book is 1John, 2John 2John and Ezekiel. there are more but I don't know what they are. If you have time could you come up with some questions for me. I am trying to learn these books and John is so good, such a good read. But its hard for me to remember it all. Thanks so much for those who can help. I truly appreciate and I am almost positive there is a blessing in there.

 

[PinkPebbles]

Thank you so much pinkpebbles, I have to tell you, I am really going throught some things and I have to pray longer and harder. My car died last night and its somewhere in the neighborhood. I have to get it tolled and hope they can fix it. I am not working and I am living off my savings and thats not good and I really don't want any other issues, So this prayer request and desire is so on time. So on time. I got up and did my prayers with my partner and told her all that is going on. I am still sitting in my house trying to figure out what to do. At the same time, I am thinking how Good God is. My son had t he car and thank God it was him driving instead of me. I would have really panic if the car had stalled on me. Thats the first blessing, second. It stalled in my neighborhood so its walking distance from my house, thank God for that. My son made it back home with no issues thank you Jesus. so now i have to resign myself to spending the money to have it tolled and pray that the damage is really minor. Its the tranmission. I just paid 2500.00 to get it fixed. Would you beleive they did not change the filter. All that money and the filter not being replaced could really destroy it why would they do that I really do not know. so please pray that the damage is miminal and that I am able to do all I need to do without the car. thats the hardest thing trying to survive without a car and no help. I got a great church but no one lives nearby, those folks drive from all over to come to our services but dont live near by. Amazing.

Blazingthru - I will be interceding for you in prayer.

You made a commitment to draw closer to God and a desire to be a prayer warrior so attacks will come to try and distract you. We all need covering, someone praying for us as we pray for others.

I pray that the mechanic shop will acknowledge his error in not changing your filter and that he will not charge you for the new repairs. May the Lord's supernatural grace be upon you in Jesus name. I pray that you will not lack any good thing (money, resources, employment, transportation, support, food, and love.) ((((HUGS)))))

 

[tyrablu]

Is anyone interested in a thread for the new quarter: Worship?

 

[JinaRicci]

Hi Ladies, It's wonderful to hear of how God is continuing to work in your lives and still blessing you and your loved ones despite all situations. I was having some health problems but Praise the Lord it's under control now. Sometimes I am afraid of praying aloud too blazingthru mostly because I don't want the devil to hear me being grateful for my blessings. But God has not given us a spirit of fear... so I am thanking God aloud and all the time for what I know is His healing of me.

Yes- I want us to continue with the lesson studies. We just need to committ to these discussions so we get the most out of them. Does anyone want to take the lead in starting the new thread? I will support you fully.

 

[blazingthru]

Thank you so much for your prayers. Let me tell how good God is, First I just found out what is wrong with my car and they had my car since monday. I can't spell so bear with me. the differential pin was broken and put a large hole in the transmission, its done. its not covered under warranty. My prayer partner and I have been praying that it was covered and that its fixable and that the mechanicals would be honest. This is how good God is. He told me that its not covered under the warrantly but he has to honor it because he did not specify it in the agreement. So the Lord God let it be known that there is no way it could be anything but him working this one out. Now that man didn't have to tell me none of that. He could have just charged me and that was that, but he told me he needs to be morally right about it and fix the car. Thats from God and God alone. God has been revealing himself more and more though my prayers. I really apprecate your prayers and mines is with you all. Jinaricca, I am praying for healing for you. God is a great healer and I know he is going to work it out for your good. I won't hijack the thread anymore. okay on to the Lesson

 

[blazingthru]

Blazingthru - I will be interceding for you in prayer.

You made a commitment to draw closer to God and a desire to be a prayer warrior so attacks will come to try and distract you. We all need covering, someone praying for us as we pray for others.

I pray that the mechanic shop will acknowledge his error in not changing your filter and that he will not charge you for the new repairs. May the Lord's supernatural grace be upon you in Jesus name. I pray that you will not lack any good thing (money, resources, employment, transportation, support, food, and love.) ((((HUGS)))))

pinkpebbles, THank you so much and your so right, I need to remember this everytime I start to go through something. But I will say the same prayer for you, we all need covering grace, and mercy and love and I am so grateful that I could get some things that were botheing me off of me in this thread.

 

[blazingthru]

Worship in Genesis: Two Classes of Worshipers

SABBATH AFTERNOON

Read for This Week's Study: Gen. 3:1–13, 4:1–4, 6:1–8, 12:1–8, 22:1–18, 28:10–22, Titus 1:2.

Memory Text:

" ‘Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.’ And he was afraid and said, ‘How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven!’ " (Genesis 28:16-17, NKJV).

It has been said that, as human beings, we need to worship something. What we worship . . . well, that is a different matter, though it is one fraught with exceedingly important consequences, especially in the last days, when two groups of worshipers are made manifest: those who worship the Creator and those who worship the beast and his image.
Yet, the seeds for that contrast can be seen early on in the Bible. In the story of Cain and Abel, two kinds of worshipers appear, one worshiping the true God as He is supposed to be worshiped and one engaging in a false kind of worship. One is acceptable, one is not, and that is because one is based on salvation by faith and the other, as are all false forms of worship, is based on works. It is a motif that will appear again and again throughout the Bible. One type of worship is focused solely on God, on His power and glory and grace, the other on humanity and on self.

 

[blazingthru]

Worship in Eden

Genesis 1 records the story of Adam and Eve in their new home. The Creator of the universe had just designed and formed a beautiful new planet, crowning His work with the creation of the first family. The world came from Him perfect; in its own unique way, earth must have been an extension of heaven.

Genesis 2:1–3 then adds another element: the setting apart and making holy of the seventh day, an act tied directly to His work of creating the heavens and the earth, the act that forms the foundation of the fourth commandment— a day set aside for worship in a special way. Though Scripture does not say, one could imagine the kind of worship that these sinless beings, in the perfection of creation, gave to their Maker, who had done so much for them. (Little did they know, at that time, just how much He would end up really doing for them!)

Read the tragic story of the fall in Genesis 3:1–13. What changes now took place in Adam’s relationship to his Creator? (vss. 8–10). How did Adam respond to God’s questions to him? (vss. 11–13). What does his response reveal about what had happened to him?
After the Fall a whole lot of elements that certainly were not there before suddenly appeared. Just like that, in a moment of disobedience, the entire moral fabric of these beings changed. Instead of love, trust, and adoration, their hearts were now filled with fear, guilt, and shame. Instead of desiring His holy presence, they hid from Him. For Adam and Eve, their relationship with God, which surely impacted how they worshiped Him, had been shattered. The close and intimate communion with God they once enjoyed (Gen. 3:8) would now take a different form. Indeed, when God came to them, they “hid themselves” from His presence. So full were they of shame, guilt, even fear, they fled from the One who had created them.
What a powerful image of just what sin did—and still does—to us.
Think about times in your life when some experience, perhaps some sin, made you feel guilt, shame, and the desire to hide from God. How did this affect your prayer life? What did it do to your ability to worship Him with your whole heart? Not a pleasant feeling, is it?

 

[blazingthru]

Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? 2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of 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 hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. 4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. 6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. 7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. 8 And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden. 9 And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? 10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. 11 And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? 12 And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. 13 And the Lord God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.

 

[blazingthru]

Think about times in your life when some experience, perhaps some sin, made you feel guilt, shame, and the desire to hide from God. How did this affect your prayer life? What did it do to your ability to worship Him with your whole heart? Not a pleasant feeling, is it?

I know when I have committed some sin or there is something I should do and I do not do it. I don't have a connect with God at all. I don't want to pray or read my bible or watch spiritual programs, and for me this is something I also want to do and so If I didn't think I was in sin I knew then that I was because I didn't want to be close to God. But in my heart I hate for me to have this disconnect and so I find myself praying again, but not as strong as my usual prayers. I am concerned that God doesn't hear me, I know that he does because my phone rings and its my prayer partner calling for prayer at odd times of the day. I don't really want to pray, but she needs to and so we pray and she prays for me and then you know its gets better. Didn't God say when two or three or gather I am surely there with you. Amen he is because when I acknowledge that I need him and I need forgiveness, its like my burdens come right off of me and I feel totally free.
I wanted to add oh how my heartbreaks for Eve, you can believe that Adam was very upset with her and their situation. Now they have to leave, now they have to watch an animal that they loved be sacrifice so that they could have clothing and now they have to work and work hard. THey still commune with God but not like before. Each time they go before God they have to sacrifice, kill an animal for their sins. Right here and now I have never killed an animal, I would have a breakdown if I had to from this point on I can imagine how hard that was to face your sins on that level for all of your life. Thank God that Jesus came when he did.

 

[Laela]

As am I...

Ladies - I have been reading the study lessons in this thread and have been truly blessed!

Thanks for sharing

 

[blazingthru]

Worship in Genesis: Two Classes of Worshipers – Lesson 1


This will be an interesting quarter as we look deeper into the subject of worship. Undoubtedly, we will touch on the disputes regarding proper worship that have existed since the days of Cain and Abel. Our challenge will be to go beyond the recitation of facts such as “Cain’s offering was inferior”. During this series of lessons we want to look closer at the attitude of a worshipper both inside and outside of “church”.

As referenced in this week’s lesson material, Jacob, after realizing that he was in the presence of God, built an altar and worshipped. It is here that we see the key ingredient in worship; realizing the presence of God. That sounds so elementary but I must be the first to admit that sensing God in my weekly corporate worship exercises is not always the case. My senses are stimulated and my emotions are moved but does that equal the sensing of God’s presence? Not always.

I imagine that the religious ceremonies of the Jewish nation during the time of Christ were impressive. From the priest’s garments to the magnificence of the temple, everything pointed to the importance of the worship ritual. But the Bible sadly records, “He came unto his own, and his own received him not.” John 1:11 We look back and marvel that the chosen people, who were immersed in religious ceremonies and lived their daily lives revolving around the promise of the coming Messiah, could be blind to His presence.

Ellen White, in the book The Story of Jesus, sheds light on their mindset, “Among the Jews, religion had come to be little more than a round of ceremonies. As they had departed from the true worship of God, and lost the spiritual power of His word, they had tried to supply the lack by adding ceremonies and traditions of their own. Only the blood of Christ can cleanse from sin. Only His power can keep men from sinning. But the Jews depended upon their own works and ceremonies of their religion to earn for them salvation. Because of their zeal for these ceremonies they thought themselves righteous, and worthy of a place in God’s kingdom. But their hopes were fixed on worldly greatness. They longed for riches and power, and these they expected as the reward for their pretended piety.” SJ pg 59.

The sad state of the Jews gives me reason to examine why I do what I do when it comes to worship. Is my worship built around getting something from God or giving something to Him? Am I participating primarily in the weekly worship service in order to roll my burdens away? Am I hoping to have a spiritual experience of praise that bypasses my spiritual need for repentance and deliverance from sinful habits and practices? Why do I do what I do?

We find that with Cain and Abel the difference was in their attitude towards God and worship. Yes, there is extreme importance in how we do what we do, i.e., reverence and decorum. But most importantly is why we do what we do. We will have ongoing differences of opinion regarding styles of worship. Some feel that only musical instruments and tempos that were in use during biblical days are to be used today, thousands of years later. Some feel that hands must always remain in laps and others that hands are to be raised and clapped. Some feel that emotions are to be left untouched and others that emotions are to be engaged; the more the better.

Wouldn't it be tragic that while we engage in passionate debates about how best to worship God we miss His presence entirely? This quarter, let us take the time to examine more closely why we do what we do. Let our prayer be, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting”. Psalms 139:23, 24

Here are a few Hit the Mark questions for this week’s lesson discussion:

What does the word “worship” mean to you?

Why do you believe Cain refused to comply with the sacrificial requirement? (see Patriarchs and Prophets Pages 71, 72)

If Cain had kept his same attitude towards God/worship/offerings but complied outwardly, would his sacrifice have been accepted by God?

Why do you answer yes or no?

If worship is about me personally connecting with God why should I engage in corporate/ group worship?

We close this week with Jesus’ parable dealing with our attitudes and worship: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. Luke 18:10-14

I found this blog on praizevision.com

 

[blazingthru]

A God-given Faith

2011-07-05


To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:9.

Faith, too, is the gift of God. Faith is the assent of man’s understanding to God’s words, that binds the heart to God’s service. And whose is man’s understanding, if it be not God’s? Whose the heart, if it be not God’s? To have faith is to render to God the intellect, the energy, that we have received from Him; therefore those who exercise faith do not themselves deserve any credit. Those who believe so firmly in a heavenly Father that they can trust Him with unlimited confidence; those who by faith can reach beyond the grave to the eternal realities beyond, must pour forth to their Maker the confession “All things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee” (1 Chronicles 29:14).

No man has a right to call himself his own. And no man possesses any good thing that he can call his own. Every man, every thing, is the property of the Lord. All that man receives from the bounty of heaven is still the Lord’s. Whatever knowledge he has that in any way helps him to be an intelligent workman in God’s cause is from the Lord, and should be imparted by him to his fellow men, in order that they, too, may become valuable workmen. He to whom God has entrusted unusual gifts should return to the Lord’s storehouse that which he has received, by freely giving to others the benefit of his blessings. Thus God will be honored and glorified....

Heavenly bestowed capabilities should not be made to serve selfish ends. Every energy, every endowment, is a talent that should contribute to God’s glory by being used in His service. His gifts are to be put out to the exchangers, that He may receive His own, with usury. The talents that fit a man for service are entrusted to him not only that he may be an acceptable worker himself, but that he may also be enabled to teach others who in some respects are deficient.—

 

[blazingthru]

Worship and the Exodus:
Understanding Who God Is​

Exod. 3:1–15; 12:1–36; 20:4, 5; 32:1–6; 33:12–23.

The people of Egypt, in order to supply themselves with food during the famine, had sold to the crown their cattle and lands, and had finally bound themselves to per-petual serfdom. Joseph wisely provided for their release; he permitted them to become royal tenants, holding their lands of the king, and paying an annual tribute of one fifth of the products of their labor. But the children of Jacob were not under the necessity of making such conditions. On account of the service that Joseph had rendered the Egyptian nation, they were not only granted a part of the country as a home, but were exempted from taxation, and liberally supplied with food during the continuance of the famine‖

(p. 241). ―While in Egypt the Hebrews had plenty of food to eat and land to build homes on. They had all they needed to make life comfortable. We could say that they were living a dream life.

After centuries of being slaves in Egypt, the Hebrews lived like the Egyptians. Moses‟ mother raised him from birth until about the age of 12, teaching him the values of the true God. But when Pharaoh‘s daughter took him as her own son, she educated him in all the wisdom of the Egyptians‟ ” (Acts 7:22, NIV). He remained in court with her for 40 years before he fled to Midian.

What influences was Moses subject to during those 40 years that molded his mind and habits?‖
●―Why was it important that he be away from these influences for a time?●―How did time alone with God in Midian prepare Moses for the challenges ahead of him?
●―What does his experience at the burning bush teach us about the nature of true worship?

1. How can prosperity help or hinder our relationship with God?

2. How can adversity/need/poverty help or hinder our relationship with God?

3. How can today‘s culture influence our understanding/acceptance of God‘s spiritual values?

4. Why were the Israelites so attracted to the pagan gods? What can we learn from their mistakes?

5. Romans 12:1 says, ―In view of God‘s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship‖ (NIV). How should mercy relate to how we worship God

 

[blazingthru]

Is it really essential to understand [God] in order
to worship Him?

Before I post the rest, I want to share my thoughts . I could not really worship God with an open heart because I didn't know God, I didn't understand him and I thought it was silly to require that we love a God that we know nothing about. My view of God was in my review of my relationships with others with my parents who I didn't like as a child. I Loved them and I fear them but my fear outruled my love for them. Was our God like that? I had a fear of God but not love and that fear didn't prevent me from doing wrong things it prevented me from doing to many wrong things are the very very wrong thing. But yes we need to understand God in order to Worship him properly. What a blessing it s to know he has provided for us his character, his glory, his longsuffering and his mercy.

In Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis expounded on God’s unknowableness by arguing that the God dimension, so to speak, is fundamentally other.1 It is as if we live in a two-dimensional world—able to comprehend anything from a line to a square on a piece of paper—whereas He dwells in a three-dimensional world, a more complex reality. Our square is His cube. We can see only one face, when, in reality, there are six. Given His unknowable quality then, is it really essential to understand Him in order to worship Him?
When Paul visited Athens, it became clear to him that the Athenians worshiped many gods, at least one of which they knew nothing about (Acts 17:23). Some scientists, as Einstein did,2 believe in an impersonal force they may call “god” that is behind the undisputable wonders of the natural world. Perhaps you have friends who believe in a “god” of some form and pray to it despite having no proof of revelation other than their own personal beliefs. So it is possible to worship what we do not understand. The only problem is that our God wants to be understood (John 4:22, 23).
The Exodus account is packed with God’s self-revelation, most ostensibly in His Ten Commandments. He hears Israel’s cry. He delivers Israel from

 

[blazingthru]

bondage. He shows them His might at the Red Sea and then at Sinai, where He reveals the values of His kingdom. He could have chosen to accept their worship when they knew Him as a pillar of cloud, a raging fire, a gale-force, sea-splitting wind; but that is not all He is. He wants to be worshiped in spirit and in truth (John 4:23) because that way we can have a real relationship with Him now and forever more—especially forever more, when we will join Him in the 3-D glory of heaven (1 Cor. 13:12).
____________
1. C. S. Lewis, “The Three-Personal God,” in Mere Christianity, http://ldolphin.org
/CSLtrinity.html (accessed August 12, 2010).
2. Rich Deem, “Did Einstein Believe in a Personal God?” Evidence for God. http://www
.godandscience.org/apologetics/einstein.html#FovJAuNxEQ6G (

 

[blazingthru]

“I AM means an eternal presence; the past, present, and future are alike with God. He sees the most remote events of past history and the far distant future with as clear a vision as we do those things which are transpiring daily. We know not what is before us, and if we did, it would not contribute to our eternal welfare.”1
“Christ was using the great name of God that was given to Moses to express the idea of the eternal presence.”2
“And God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM.’ And He said, ‘Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, “I AM has sent me to you” ’ ” (Exod.

 

[blazingthru]

Let not money be made a god​

It is the glory of God to be merciful, full of forbearance, kindness, goodness, and truth. But the justice shown in punishing the sinner is as verily the glory of the Lord as is the manifestation of his mercy.
“ ‘Thou shalt worship no other god: for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.’ The Lord God of Israel is jealous for his honor. How, then, I inquire, does he regard the inhabitants of this world, who live in his house, and from his liberal treasury are provided with food and clothing, but who never so much as say ‘Thank you’ to him? They are unmindful of his goodness. They are like the inhabitants of the antediluvian world, who were destroyed because they worked continually in opposition to their Creator.”3
“Let men worship and serve the Lord God, and Him only. Let not selfish pride be lifted up and served as a god. Let not money be made a god. If sensuality is not kept under the control of the higher powers of the mind, base passion will rule the being. Anything that is made the subject of undue thought and admiration, absorbing the mind, is a god chosen before the Lord. God is a searcher of the heart. He distinguishes between true heart-service and idolatry.”4

 

[blazingthru]

Well, I hope that is some good infor for us to discuss, I know this sabbath i am going to be ready for my class, since I am not going to camp meeting. Boo. but next year I will be ready and head to camp meeting for atleast a weekend. Amen. God bless you all lets discuss when you get a chance.

 

[blazingthru]

Conformity, Compromise and Crisis in Worship
Counterfeit Worship

In 1 Kings 11, Ahijah came to Jeroboam, Solomon’s servant, with a message that he would become king over ten of the tribes of Israel (vss. 26–31). But the prophet made it clear to Jeroboam that his success would depend on his faithfulness to God’s commandments (vss. 37, 38).

Unfortunately, Jeroboam listened only to what he wanted to hear and he forgot the conditions of success. He was all too ready to lead in the revolt (1 Kings 12:16–20), and almost immediately he took steps to prevent his subjects from returning to Jerusalem to worship.

Read 1 Kings 12:25–27. What does this tell us about the power and influence worship can have on the human mind?



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Look at the account of Jeroboam’s setting up a counterfeit religion that would eventually separate Israel from the worship of the true God in Jerusalem (1 Kings 12:25–33). Notice how this new worship resembled the worship of the true God and at the same time contradicted most of the clear counsel of Yahweh:

1. Offered sacrifices and ordained non-Levite priests

(vss. 31–33).

2. Made calves of gold to worship (vs. 28).

3. Made Bethel a place of worship (vs. 29).

4. Made Dan a place of worship (vs. 29).

5. Instituted a rival feast to the Feast of Tabernacles (vs. 32).

6. Built shrines on high places (vs. 31).

Counterfeit money cannot deceive unless it looks like the real thing. Thus, Jeroboam knew that his false worship must have many of the same elements of worship that the people were accustomed to, though he eventually declared, pointing to the golden calves, “ ‘Here are your gods, O Israel, which brought you up from the land of Egypt!’ ” (vs. NKJV).

It is so easy from our perspective today to look back and wonder, How could they have fallen into such blatant apostasy? On the other hand, humans have an incredible capacity to deceive themselves (it is all part of our fallen and corrupted nature), and we deceive ourselves if we think we are not just as vulnerable as they were back then. Look at yourself, your lifestyle, your mode of worship. What might you be doing that is, in principle, not a whole lot different from what happened here? How willing are you to make changes, if need be?

 

[blazingthru]

The bible will be changed. it will no longer be the bible we have come to love, we must be diligent in our studies of the scriptures.

JERUSALEM (AP) — A dull-looking chart projected on the wall of a university office in Jerusalem displayed a revelation that would startle many readers of the Old Testament: the sacred text that people revered in the past was not the same one we study today.
An ancient version of one book has an extra phrase. Another appears to have been revised to retroactively insert a prophecy after the events happened. (http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/ML_ISRAEL_BIBLE_DETECTIVES?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULTMATTI FRIEDMAN Associated Press The Associated Press Friday, August 12, 2011 5:38 AM EDT)

 

[blazingthru]

I also wanted to comment on the lesson. Worship this month has really been an issue, some are upset that we have gospel music, I actually got upset at the person because I thought she was being narrow minded, but after some things happen in my life over the last week, I have since changed. I enjoy gospel music very much but I have a different feeling when we sing from the hymns or the older songs that are not in the book, but are very encouraging nonetheless. I say that because when I hear Gospel music it makes me want to move. sometimes, not often, I feel guilty as if I shouldn't want to actually dance to these songs, something itsn't right here. It made me take a look at J.Moss, Kirk Franklin and even Donald McClurklin. I will come back to discuss more on this.

 

[dicapr]

I also wanted to comment on the lesson. Worship this month has really been an issue, some are upset that we have gospel music, I actually got upset at the person because I thought she was being narrow minded, but after some things happen in my life over the last week, I have since changed. I enjoy gospel music very much but I have a different feeling when we sing from the hymns or the older songs that are not in the book, but are very encouraging nonetheless. I say that because when I hear Gospel music it makes me want to move. sometimes, not often, I feel guilty as if I shouldn't want to actually dance to these songs, something itsn't right here. It made me take a look at J.Moss, Kirk Franklin and even Donald McClurklin. I will come back to discuss more on this.

You have to ask yourself what is prompting you to want to move-is it in praise or because of the beat. There is one gospel song I have that affects me to the point that I am almost shouting. It is not because of the beat but the message. It is if my deepest prayers, desires, and wishes for my relationship with the Lord have been set to music. It is praise unto God. There are other songs that have a great beat that my brother calls everyday gospel music. It is great to use that bounce to clean the house or excercise to. Its work music. Then there is Sabbath music that is more worship oriented. It is about how the music affects you not the beat or the age of the song. Hymns were once contemporary music. Most individuals have different emotional reactions from hymns from condiditoning not because they posses or enhance a deeper sprituality. Hearing hymns takes me back to growing up in the church, learning reverence for the house of God, my grandmother singing hymns, ect. It is this association with the music gives it a different feeling. However, life experence has giving me special and deep associations with some contemporary music also.

 

[blazingthru]

It is so easy from our perspective today to look back and wonder, How could they have fallen into such blatant apostasy? On the other hand, humans have an incredible capacity to deceive themselves (it is all part of our fallen and corrupted nature), and we deceive ourselves if we think we are not just as vulnerable as they were back then. Look at yourself, your lifestyle, your mode of worship. What might you be doing that is, in principle, not a whole lot different from what happened here? How willing are you to make changes, if need be?

I realize that sometimes some Gospel music is a counterfeit of the real thing. You think your praising God but sometimes the music the beat takes you in another directions and really. J. Moss music does that and some of Kirk Franklin, he really doesn't' have any barriers he will sample just about anything and have anyone perform with him. Mary,Mary forget it. I won't listen to none of their new stuff. If I find myself bopping to the music like I use to when I listen to secular music, then I am done right then and there and the problem is by the time I realize it I love the song and caught up in it. Even TV programs. I watch a program called Battle of Faith and the couple no longer have cable because the wife could easily be caught up with the programs and movies. I had to think about that, I have to reexamine my life and the choices I make. I get into a good program and don't want nothing to interfere with that. That program does not edify the Lord at all. However, I am careful about what I do watch and I go to the movies rarely. Here are some examples I have seen of Worship that could be consider counterfeit, Music top of the list, Style of dress, more and more I am seeing cleavage exposed and I did not have mines exposed but I had a tank under my dress and the man who I was talking to, eyes kept going there and this sister doesn't have much but it bothered me, i was thinking maybe I am not covered up enough. sexy shoes, someone said how can shoes be Sexy, I was like for real? you don't think so? I see it all the time. There use to be a thing called Hooker shoes and everyone seems to have forgotten that, apparently there is no such thing now but to see it at church is not right. Tight fitting hug your body dresses. Instead of service they coming to see a show.

Dicapr, for me its changing. I think there is a time and place for everything and if my daughter heard me say this she would be so upset, but I think some gospel music should not be played during Divine worship service it just should not. If its going to lead you to praise God then yes but if its leading you to want to get up and shake with the music then no. You know some of it is just the same thing with secular only the words are different but it doesn't matter. Music is hypnotic you can go in a trance with music and sometimes the words never reach your mind. Satan is the author and he can control us through music and I am so aware of it, even subtle music his demons can get in and change your entire worship service. I just want to praise God with my whole heart and give Satan none of the praise. I don't want to give him a foothold in my life any longer.

 

[blazingthru]

Elijah and the Prophets of Baal

Things went from bad to worse in the north, especially when it came to the question of worship under the reign of Ahab and Jezebel. It is against this background (see 1 Kings 17–19) that we come to the famous story of the confrontation between Elijah and the prophets of Baal. It is here where we can see just how far compromise had taken them.

Read 1 Kings 18. Notice the difference in “worship styles” between Elijah and these false prophets. What lessons might we take away that could be relevant for ourselves today and the whole question of worship?

It must have been quite a scene: these prophets of Baal wailing, leaping, crying (who knows what kind of music might have accompanied their ritual?), prophesying, even cutting themselves and spilling their own blood as part of their worship of Baal. These were certainly hyped-up people, full of zeal and passion for their faith and their god, a zeal and passion that testified to the sincerity of their beliefs.

Today, too, some Christian worship services could remind one at times of something like this: a lot of emotion, a lot of hype, and a lot of noise. Though we want to avoid worship services that remind people of funerals, we also do not want worship services that remind them of priests of Baal at Mt. Carmel either. Some seem to think the more sounds they make, the louder the music, the more emotional excitement generated, the better the worship service. Yet, that is not what worship is about.

Perhaps one of the most important lessons from this account is that all worship must be focused on the true Lord, on the Creator. True worship needs to be grounded in the Word of God, pointing the worshiper to the Lord and His activity in history. In contrast to all the bedlam of the priests of Baal, Elijah prayed a simple prayer, “ ‘Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the Lord God’ ” (vs. 37). This was no “Elijah show.” It was about worshiping the true God in contrast to any and all false ones, regardless of the form they take.

Our worship services should always present worshipers with the question that Elijah asked Israel. “ ‘How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him’ ” (vs. 21, NIV). Our worship experience should force us to look inside our hearts and see where our true love and devotion are: on the Lord or on anything else.

 

[blazingthru]

I wanted to comment, I use to visit this church and sneak out when they begin to pray. I loved everything about the service, it was nice it understandable but this actually was just womans prayer breakfast, but I hated the prayer. Hated it. Why? I grew up Baptist and Methodist. so I was use to people getting the "holy Spirit" its a sight to see and not a very pleasant experience it invoked fear in me. Anyway. I switch to Methodist and then later to non demoninational. Which I loved I loved non- demonation because it involved, in my opinion, many different styles of worship and people from all walks of life. It was peaceful and to me I felt safe. So when I went to visit this Church and they begin to pray, I felt a presence in the room it was not good. I didn't feel a good presence at all. The woman begin to yell loudly and moan and lay on the floor it was horrible to me. I couldn't stand it. I continue to go to many of their events but when they started to pray I was out of there, until I realize I can not do this anymore. I felt such a presence that it was sufficating me. Their style of worship reminded me the worship of Baal, why did I go back? my friend was very devout, very and she was never phased by shocking news to herself or her future and I wanted what she had, but that church was not the church for me.

 

[dicapr]

Blazingthru, I know that your realization about gospel music is embraced by many in the church. However, I hope that you remember that your reactions to certain types of music may not affect the next person the same way. I often find the music in our churches mournful and without praise. I actually dislike most traditional music. If it were not for the upbeat gospel music I probably wouldn't listen to gospel music at all. I did not grow up outside the church clubbing and booty shaking. Because of that I do not have the same issues with the "world" mixing in with my praise music. ( Even though most R&B acts stole their style from the church and not the other way around). It is important to realize that everyone is not being taken back or just vibing with the beat when listening to gospel music. It is placing your issues on the back of someone else rather than realizing that the problem comes from within you. I am not against traditional hymns in the service, but I think it is sad that our church cannot meet everyones needs. Not everyone likes hymns or traditional music. It doesn't mean that they are not focusing on God or the words. Should they not be allowed to enjoy service and praise God because others have issues? If I have learned to endure traditional music I think that other members can endure how I praise the Lord through music from time to time.

 

[blazingthru]

No I am not saying get rid of the gospel. Just some of it. what I love about my church service is we have different music each week, I love that. I must say that many folks do complain when the gospel choir performs and thats a shame we only hear them once a month. What I am saying is some Gospel music does not edify God at all, it gives us the illusion that it is worship music but its not the kind of music we worship God with that is all I am saying. Of course this is my opinion and I am still working it all out. Now I really enjoy hymn sabbath because its very, very filled with melodies. It is something to hear. I don't like traditional churches where everyone sits like a stone. No not saying that. Because my spirit would not be able to endure a dead church for five minutes. When I was a child in Alabama you would hear the ushers/people walking home from service singing By and by or peace be still those old songs. There are so many we sing and clap and we just have a good time. I like those songs. We usually do not have music its just us singing. We sing those songs on Hymn sabbath. Woke up this morning with my mind set on Jesus. part of the praise and worship and then we sing some hymns. My girls think thats boring but I do not I actually like it. I don't know all the hymns of course but I love the rich tones of those singing around me and I try hard to ignore those who sing off key.. However, I will share my opinion here, I dont think I should share my opinion with the entire church until I did more research and feel is value, right now I just have an opinion