It’s very likely that when we have heard Christmas sermons preached about the birth of Jesus that we hear briefly about three wise men, or magi.
Matthew 2: 1-2 (NASB)
1Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, 2"Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him."
The New American Standard Bible gives a footnote definition of the term magi, “A caste of wise men specializing in astronomy, astrology, and natural science.”
These men were scientists.
They were educated.
They were not Jewish.
This is significant. These men were not Jewish, so why would they search out a Jewish King? Now, there may have been political reasons to this, but I want to address a reason I see from the Scripture. Matthew 2:2 says, “…For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” These men, these educated scientists, took notice of something that shook them. In all their training, education, and years of astronomy they had watched stars move but probably never saw a star appear where one had not previously been. Upon learning of the birth of a child who was being said to be the King of the Jews that correlated with the appearance of this star, they searched for Him. They acknowledged that someone with the power to control the stars had come. They searched Him out to worship Him. They entered his presence with offerings and worship. Matthew 2:11 says, “…they fell to the ground and worshiped Him.” Before Jesus related His profound teachings, before He sacrificed Himself for all who would believe, these educated men fell down and worshiped Him. I believe we can all learn from this example of perspective in our worship. Perhaps our worship should begin not with worshiping God for what He’s done, doing, or will do, but for simply who He is.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
The lights are on... is anyone home?
Isn’t it awesome and unbelievable that God fills us with Himself? Isn’t it amazing that scripture confirms that God inhabits the praises of His people? Our God is not distant, but closer than any other. Why is it that many times as we worship God, our worship doesn’t reflect this principle? Why is it that many times our worship more closely reflects the mundane checking off of an item on our to-do list? Why is it that many times, those of us who tend to ‘reflect’ this attitude are the biblically schooled and trained? It’s one thing to know that God is here, it’s another thing to know that God is here! Dare I say that many times we have the truth part down but fall short on the spirit? (John 4:23)
This is no new problem. It precluded the fall of man. I know, it’s hard to imagine how in the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve could view God as distant…but it happened.
In the Hebrew text of the book of Genesis, as God had created the earth and all other things (prior to man) the name given to God was Elohim meaning “the Creator-God”. After God created Adam, the name given to God was Yahweh-Elohim meaning “the Covenant-God”. Clearly, God’s relationship to man was much more personal. However, we see as the serpent tempts Eve and Eve conversed with him; the term used in reference to God is not that of the intimate, personal relationship. In the article Lessons from
I highly doubt that most of us intentionally put our Father into a remote role instead of a close, intimate one. I believe many of us have a hard time understanding, and therefore, putting into practice that close of a relationship with God. However, if we believe that the Word of God is true, and we trust God and His Word, and we exercise our faith, and believe His word, and act on His word, our eyes will be opened to our Father inhabiting our praises. We will know that He is here and know that He is here!
Thursday, May 8, 2008
The hair-cut: A divine appointment
Isn't it a blessing and humbling to know that God is at work in our lives at all times? Even in the midst of seemingly mundane times. Even during times that we give very little thought or credence to. I was blessed to be shown this earlier this week.
It was a normal Monday. I was sitting at work and got the thought "you know, I think I'm gonna go get my hair cut today." This may seem typical, however I had recently decided I was going to let it grow out. But this morning, I had some urge to go get it cut.
Typically I would make an appointment and go over my lunch break. This particular morning, I got held up at work and didn't even have a chance to call until five of twelve. I thought "great...no sense in trying to go now." As I finished out my work day, I just kept thinking about getting my hair cut. I didn't bother to call to make an appointment because I really don't like stopping places on my way home from work. However, by the time I got in my car to go home, I was reaching for my cell phone to call to see if I could get in.
Now, many of you may know what it can be like to try to get an appointment at the last minute.
I called, a woman answered, and I asked if I could get in there in 15 minutes. She says, "well... can you make it an hour?" I replied "well, I'm right near there now so, probably not". She took a few seconds checking something and said "OK, just come in. We'll try to fit you in."
This whole time I thought I recognized the voice on the other end of the phone. So I asked if it was the person I thought it was. Turns out, it was. She was the wife of an old band-mate of mine that had moved out of the area a few years ago. Once I got there, she began cutting my hair and we began talking. As it turns out, she is now in the midst of a divorce (served to her by my previous band-mate) and she is having a tough time. She mentioned that her family and church friends /family have been a great help, but some days are tougher than others. I came to find, and I believe it was no coincidence, that this day was one of those days. She said that morning was really tough for her and she was just praying that God would help her through the day. The more we talked the more it became evident. Finally she said "I really think you were meant to come in here today to talk with me. It has to be God."
See, if I would've gone at my normal 12 o'clock time, she wouldn't have been at work. She had just arrived at work 45 minutes before I called. By the time I left, she expressed how much better she felt and how much the encouragement and words I brought had helped her.
Praise God for His sovereignty.....His complete sovereignty!
One man's hair cut is another man's answered prayer!
It was a normal Monday. I was sitting at work and got the thought "you know, I think I'm gonna go get my hair cut today." This may seem typical, however I had recently decided I was going to let it grow out. But this morning, I had some urge to go get it cut.
Typically I would make an appointment and go over my lunch break. This particular morning, I got held up at work and didn't even have a chance to call until five of twelve. I thought "great...no sense in trying to go now." As I finished out my work day, I just kept thinking about getting my hair cut. I didn't bother to call to make an appointment because I really don't like stopping places on my way home from work. However, by the time I got in my car to go home, I was reaching for my cell phone to call to see if I could get in.
Now, many of you may know what it can be like to try to get an appointment at the last minute.
I called, a woman answered, and I asked if I could get in there in 15 minutes. She says, "well... can you make it an hour?" I replied "well, I'm right near there now so, probably not". She took a few seconds checking something and said "OK, just come in. We'll try to fit you in."
This whole time I thought I recognized the voice on the other end of the phone. So I asked if it was the person I thought it was. Turns out, it was. She was the wife of an old band-mate of mine that had moved out of the area a few years ago. Once I got there, she began cutting my hair and we began talking. As it turns out, she is now in the midst of a divorce (served to her by my previous band-mate) and she is having a tough time. She mentioned that her family and church friends /family have been a great help, but some days are tougher than others. I came to find, and I believe it was no coincidence, that this day was one of those days. She said that morning was really tough for her and she was just praying that God would help her through the day. The more we talked the more it became evident. Finally she said "I really think you were meant to come in here today to talk with me. It has to be God."
See, if I would've gone at my normal 12 o'clock time, she wouldn't have been at work. She had just arrived at work 45 minutes before I called. By the time I left, she expressed how much better she felt and how much the encouragement and words I brought had helped her.
Praise God for His sovereignty.....His complete sovereignty!
One man's hair cut is another man's answered prayer!
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Driven
There used to be a Television show called Driven. This show chronicled the lives of people who rose to the pinnacle of their profession. This particular show was basically only looking at figures in the entertainment industry. We got to hear stories from friends and family about how a particular person’s life was basically consumed with reaching that goal and obtaining that “prize”. Regardless of the person and the profession, there is one thing they all possessed, although it’s arguably misplaced, that is essential to their success and ours.
Passion.
I’m not speaking of passion of the sexual nature. I’m speaking of the passion that is defined by Merriam-Webster as “intense, driving, or overmastering feeling or conviction”.
This is what 1 Corinthians 9:23-25 is referring to.
23 I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.
24 Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!
25 All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.
We as followers of Christ should be passionate about pursuing God and God’s interests.
God’s interests are documented through out the bible. Many of these interests are visible when actively carrying them out. Things like caring for the poor and widows and even evangelism are all things that are physical actions. While these are actions believers should be involved in, they are only part of the equation.
God created man for the purpose of having a relationship with him. Have you ever been in a relationship that is one-sided? The relationship may not be considered terrible, but it is definitely not functioning as desired. I believe if we’re not careful, we can degenerate into this type of relationship with our Lord. Yes, we read His word. Yes, we try our best to live as He instructs. Yes, we try to learn more about God. Yes, we know He repeatedly expresses His love for us. But my question is this, how much do we express our love for Him?
So, then the question becomes “what can we give God”? This is the ultimate “what do you get the person who has everything” situation. What can we possible give the One who created the universe and everything in it? What can we give the One who not only was around before and will be around after, but also created time?
The only thing God has given up the right to own is the very thing that is most precious to Him. Our hearts. How much sadness we must put God through when we relegate our relationship with Him to a “take-take” relationship; never taking the time to share our hearts with Him. We must guard against operating from the perspective of “I’ve done this and this and this for you, so obviously that shows my love”. In marriage terms, this type of relationship is typically termed an “empty” or “love-less” marriage.
I believe one of the reasons God called David a man after his own heart was because David showed his heart. Not only did David show his heart to God, but he documented his heart in the Psalms and shared it with the world. That puts to shame our tendency to be reserved in worship.
In our times of praise and worship through song, our first and foremost goal is to provide the opportunity to share our hearts with God. To give to Him our heart-felt love and thanks. We should do so with passion. We should worship with an intense drive to pursue God and to bless God with a passion that is unmistakable.
Psalm 9: 1-2
1 I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done.
2 I will be filled with joy because of you. I will sing praises to your name, O Most High.
Misplaced passion is a problem, but an even more ominous position to hold is that of apathy. Someone who has misplaced passion can have that passion redirected toward something of eternal value. A person mired in apathy must be awakened before any direction can be had. It’s my hope that none of us would be found in that state of apathy in worship.
Psalm 32: 10-11
10 Many sorrows come to the wicked, but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the Lord.
11 So rejoice in the Lord and be glad, all you who obey him! Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!
If there were ever any television shows documenting the lives of people driven by their passion for the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, would an episode be made about you?
Passion.
I’m not speaking of passion of the sexual nature. I’m speaking of the passion that is defined by Merriam-Webster as “intense, driving, or overmastering feeling or conviction”.
This is what 1 Corinthians 9:23-25 is referring to.
23 I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.
24 Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!
25 All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.
We as followers of Christ should be passionate about pursuing God and God’s interests.
God’s interests are documented through out the bible. Many of these interests are visible when actively carrying them out. Things like caring for the poor and widows and even evangelism are all things that are physical actions. While these are actions believers should be involved in, they are only part of the equation.
God created man for the purpose of having a relationship with him. Have you ever been in a relationship that is one-sided? The relationship may not be considered terrible, but it is definitely not functioning as desired. I believe if we’re not careful, we can degenerate into this type of relationship with our Lord. Yes, we read His word. Yes, we try our best to live as He instructs. Yes, we try to learn more about God. Yes, we know He repeatedly expresses His love for us. But my question is this, how much do we express our love for Him?
So, then the question becomes “what can we give God”? This is the ultimate “what do you get the person who has everything” situation. What can we possible give the One who created the universe and everything in it? What can we give the One who not only was around before and will be around after, but also created time?
The only thing God has given up the right to own is the very thing that is most precious to Him. Our hearts. How much sadness we must put God through when we relegate our relationship with Him to a “take-take” relationship; never taking the time to share our hearts with Him. We must guard against operating from the perspective of “I’ve done this and this and this for you, so obviously that shows my love”. In marriage terms, this type of relationship is typically termed an “empty” or “love-less” marriage.
I believe one of the reasons God called David a man after his own heart was because David showed his heart. Not only did David show his heart to God, but he documented his heart in the Psalms and shared it with the world. That puts to shame our tendency to be reserved in worship.
In our times of praise and worship through song, our first and foremost goal is to provide the opportunity to share our hearts with God. To give to Him our heart-felt love and thanks. We should do so with passion. We should worship with an intense drive to pursue God and to bless God with a passion that is unmistakable.
Psalm 9: 1-2
1 I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done.
2 I will be filled with joy because of you. I will sing praises to your name, O Most High.
Misplaced passion is a problem, but an even more ominous position to hold is that of apathy. Someone who has misplaced passion can have that passion redirected toward something of eternal value. A person mired in apathy must be awakened before any direction can be had. It’s my hope that none of us would be found in that state of apathy in worship.
Psalm 32: 10-11
10 Many sorrows come to the wicked, but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the Lord.
11 So rejoice in the Lord and be glad, all you who obey him! Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!
If there were ever any television shows documenting the lives of people driven by their passion for the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, would an episode be made about you?
Monday, February 11, 2008
Applause
We see it all the time. Crowds applauding when their favorite team makes a big play. When the guest of honor approaches the podium and when the speech is concluded.
After experiencing a remarkable performance. When someone connects with the infectious beat of a song. The examples are endless.
Being the father of one, and soon to be two little children, I find myself relating many things back to things I’ve seen or lessons I’ve learned in my brief time as a parent. It’s amazing how much God can teach us through children. It makes sense though. In Matthew 18:3 Jesus said "Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” Many of us “adults” tend to forget the simplicity and sincerity that a child has.
One of the first things many babies learn to do is clap their hands. It’s a simple enough action. Then we teach them when to clap their hands. It may be when a task is accomplished or when something good is done. In essence, any time something is worthy of a pause to show appreciation and/or admiration. Isn’t it curious then, how little time we spend applauding the only One who truly is good and whose actions truly are worth the admiration?
Two accounts given in scripture depicting worship through applause can be found in Psalms 47:1 and in Isaiah 55:12. Psalms 47:1 says “O clap your hands, all peoples; shout to God with the voice of joy.” Isaiah 55:12 says "For you will go out with joy and be led forth with peace; the mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.”
In these two accounts we see that God desires worship from all of creation. One of the ways of outwardly showing our joy and thankfulness to the Lord is by clapping our hands. Also, please note that God is far more worthy than a “golf clap”! He is the creator, sustainer, savior and sovereign ruler over all that is and He deserves more than our ‘half-hearted-mildly-amused’ perversion of a form of worship.
I understand that there are some who are in places of playing and leading worship, among other positions, who have made the mistake of seeking applause for their own glory. Just as a reminder, everyone on our worship team at Mill Creek Bible Church routinely is trained in the principle that any and all glory is God’s. If we desire God to take center stage in our lives, there is no room for an ego!
May we have a renewed understanding and engage in expressing the joy of the Lord within us by passionately applauding He who is worthy. Father, Son and Holy Spirit!
After experiencing a remarkable performance. When someone connects with the infectious beat of a song. The examples are endless.
Being the father of one, and soon to be two little children, I find myself relating many things back to things I’ve seen or lessons I’ve learned in my brief time as a parent. It’s amazing how much God can teach us through children. It makes sense though. In Matthew 18:3 Jesus said "Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” Many of us “adults” tend to forget the simplicity and sincerity that a child has.
One of the first things many babies learn to do is clap their hands. It’s a simple enough action. Then we teach them when to clap their hands. It may be when a task is accomplished or when something good is done. In essence, any time something is worthy of a pause to show appreciation and/or admiration. Isn’t it curious then, how little time we spend applauding the only One who truly is good and whose actions truly are worth the admiration?
Two accounts given in scripture depicting worship through applause can be found in Psalms 47:1 and in Isaiah 55:12. Psalms 47:1 says “O clap your hands, all peoples; shout to God with the voice of joy.” Isaiah 55:12 says "For you will go out with joy and be led forth with peace; the mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.”
In these two accounts we see that God desires worship from all of creation. One of the ways of outwardly showing our joy and thankfulness to the Lord is by clapping our hands. Also, please note that God is far more worthy than a “golf clap”! He is the creator, sustainer, savior and sovereign ruler over all that is and He deserves more than our ‘half-hearted-mildly-amused’ perversion of a form of worship.
I understand that there are some who are in places of playing and leading worship, among other positions, who have made the mistake of seeking applause for their own glory. Just as a reminder, everyone on our worship team at Mill Creek Bible Church routinely is trained in the principle that any and all glory is God’s. If we desire God to take center stage in our lives, there is no room for an ego!
May we have a renewed understanding and engage in expressing the joy of the Lord within us by passionately applauding He who is worthy. Father, Son and Holy Spirit!
Monday, January 28, 2008
Audience of One
To open this new blog, I’d like to express, for the whole worship team, our thanks to everyone at Mill Creek Bible Church. Every week you allow us to stand before you and lead you in worship. It’s a serious and a humbling undertaking. Thank you. We appreciate the prayers, encouragement and support you give us.
I thought it would be a good idea to start off this blog with laying down a foundation, if you will. We have many new people attending our services who may not know much about what we do and why. We have many long time members who may need a “refresher” on this concept.
It’s very easy to fall into the routine of seeing a band in front of a crowd of people and assuming that you are there to be entertained. That you are a spectator, not a participant. This couldn’t be further from the truth. In our times of worship, we as the worship leaders are there to get you started and to provide the background for our corporate and your personal praise and worship. In our times of worship there should be no separation between the band and the congregation.
We are to be one band, one voice with an audience of One.
There is only one worthy of praise and worship and it is to Him, our God, our Creator, our Savior, our King that we join together to lift up.
I don’t believe our Audience is of the same mind of an “earthly” audience. While excellence is His standard and we are to strive to offer the best we have, I believe He is much less interested in a “good show” and much more interested in heart-felt expressions of our thankfulness and love. What parent isn’t moved by the sincere gift from their child’s heart? Many times, it’s not the gifts that cost the most money that people cherish but the gifts that reveal the heart of the giver.
I pray that our gifts, our offerings of praise and worship as one voice given to our Father, be cherished due to the heart from which they are given.
I thought it would be a good idea to start off this blog with laying down a foundation, if you will. We have many new people attending our services who may not know much about what we do and why. We have many long time members who may need a “refresher” on this concept.
It’s very easy to fall into the routine of seeing a band in front of a crowd of people and assuming that you are there to be entertained. That you are a spectator, not a participant. This couldn’t be further from the truth. In our times of worship, we as the worship leaders are there to get you started and to provide the background for our corporate and your personal praise and worship. In our times of worship there should be no separation between the band and the congregation.
We are to be one band, one voice with an audience of One.
There is only one worthy of praise and worship and it is to Him, our God, our Creator, our Savior, our King that we join together to lift up.
I don’t believe our Audience is of the same mind of an “earthly” audience. While excellence is His standard and we are to strive to offer the best we have, I believe He is much less interested in a “good show” and much more interested in heart-felt expressions of our thankfulness and love. What parent isn’t moved by the sincere gift from their child’s heart? Many times, it’s not the gifts that cost the most money that people cherish but the gifts that reveal the heart of the giver.
I pray that our gifts, our offerings of praise and worship as one voice given to our Father, be cherished due to the heart from which they are given.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Clarify the web address
Just a note to all:
our web address for this blog IS worshipmillcreek.blogspot.com but it IS NOT meant to imply any type of worshipping of Mill Creek Bible Church. :) I know you never thought that, but I wanted to make sure that was clear up front!
check out our new site at www.millcreekbible.com
our web address for this blog IS worshipmillcreek.blogspot.com but it IS NOT meant to imply any type of worshipping of Mill Creek Bible Church. :) I know you never thought that, but I wanted to make sure that was clear up front!
check out our new site at www.millcreekbible.com
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