On Praising God

Praise & Worship

Psalm 9:1-I will praise You O Lord with my whole heart; I will show forth (recount and tell aloud) all your marvelous works and and wonderful deeds.-(AMP Bible)

Psalms Chapter 9 is a praise for victory over the enemies of King David.  He started it with "I Will Praise You, O Lord, with all my heart", it means David praises God wholeheartedly, which is the only way to praise and worship God, in Spirit and in truth (John 4:24). As a Worship Leader, this is one of the things I learned from David, he praised God in all sincerity. And this should be the core characteristics of a worshipper of God, not only in times of victory but at all times in all sincerity with our whole heart because He will never forsake all those who seek Him. In this chapter we can see two attributes of God; Protector and Vindicator

Psalm 9:10  And they who know Your name [who have experience and acquaintance with Your mercy] will lean on and confidently put their trust in You, for You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek (inquire of and for) You [on the authority of God’s Word and the right of their necessity].-(AMP Bible)

The last time, I shared about me having spirit of heaviness because of a slander and gossip against my other-half. It was a hurting experience that I could only flee to God as my strength, knowing Him as the God of comfort, I can only rest upon that promise. As He is my vindicator, the one who clears us from injustices and false accusations from others, I need not hate nor don self-pity. There's always a reason for me to praise Him in this kind of situations, for He sees and remember all the good we do and with that I am comforted and at peace.

Psalm 9:3-4  When my enemies turned back, they stumbled and perished before You.4  For You have maintained my right and my cause; You sat on the throne judging righteously.-(AMP Bible)

QUOTE: Those who know him to be a God of truth and faithfulness, will rejoice in his word of promise, and rest upon that. Those who know him to be an everlasting Father, will trust him with their souls as their main care, and trust in him at all times, even to the end; and by constant care seek to approve themselves to him in the whole course of their lives. Who is there that would not seek him, who never hath forsaken those that seek Him?-Matthew Henry

Psalm 9: 2  I will rejoice in You and be in high spirits; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High!

 

On Death and Dying

PONDERING

Death or dying is a word that maybe most of us dread the most. But death is also a word that I wasn't able to grasp until I see it happened to my Papa and maybe until it finally happens to me. Dying also could be the most devastating because of the pain, the suffering, the grief and the the denial. And as humans we want comfort and abundance that life has to offer. But death will come like a thief in the night and we will surely can't escape it.

Last Friday, a brother in Christ of ours passed-away, leaving behind his wife and seven children. This news came to me as a jolt since he was part of our prayer items in our Monday intercessory prayers and my personal prayers as well. And whenever I hear sad news such as this, it brings back memories of my Papa who died 6 years ago that even funeral scenes on movies or tele-novelas  makes me cry. I would often ask God why do people have to die? Why do we have to bear the pain of losing a loved-one. So many questions in my mind that the only answer is to trust our Creator of the promise of life after death. That death is just a crossing-over and the end of our suffering in this fallen world that we are in.

John 14:1-4- "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know." (NKJV)

This promise of God is what every Christians believe in and hold on to. This blessed assurance should make us not to fear death but rather embrace it as how we embrace life. But then because of human frailty, we still dread it because of the thought of leaving our loved-ones behind and the grief of losing someone you spend your life with. But God said:

Rev. 21:3-4 -And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. [4] And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." (NKJV)

So if life on earth is full of hardships and sufferings, who wouldn't want to go and join our Creator?  But it seems that we are addicted to immortality. We are humans who wants to live life on earth forever. But then death is preordained to each of us. And if we are suffering loss of a love-one, this too shall pass. And if we are to face death and or facing death, let's just focus our eyes unto Jesus.

Though I walk through valleys low

I'll fear no evil

By the waters still my soul

My Heart will trust in YOU

 

I Am Comforted

CONTEMPLATING

This bible verse came to me when I was faced by a gossip and slander against my one-flesh. It was a heart wrenching slander that it choked my innermost being. I know that living as Christians is not easy, the enemy is always around to use other people to accuse you or judge you. The inevitable happens in this fallen and corrupt world where people treat you unfairly  forgetting the good deeds you have done because of a single mistake. Tears can be overwhelming but donning self pity will not be helpful and so I prayed and pour out whats in my my heart to God. I opened my bible and God brought me in Luke 23, where Jesus was accused, scoffed at, ridiculed and then finally crucified. And what Jesus did was;

Luke 23:34- Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." And they divided His garments and cast lots. 

There was no retaliation on His part. As human, I would not think the same as Jesus did. It would be natural for me to fight back but as Christian that is not what God wants me to do. I told Him that "it's not easy Lord, help me", and only love was His answer. As this verse was translated in the Amplified Bible "love covers a multitude of sin" means forgives, disregards the offenses of others. Dake translated this particular passage that not that our love will cause God to pass up or pardon the sins of others, but that it will enable us to pass up the faults of others and not hold grudges ourselves.
 I'm still on the process at this moment but I know in God's perfect time my heart will be healed. I just hold on to this verse. For now, I thank God for I am comforted cause this spirit of heaviness can be exchanged into garments of praise.

Isaiah 61:3-To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified. 

Prayer: “Lord my heart is comforted, and my faith is strengthened by the undeniable certainty of Your promises. Death or deadness cannot prevent Your keeping of Your promises. Any lack of existence cannot keep You from bringing forth what You declare is real. What blessed assurance is available through  Your promises- by grace through faith”-Day By Day by Bob Hoekstra

Scripture & a Snapshot~ Ecclesiastes 3:11

"If time could be our servant, 

Our days would be sublime; 

But if we fail to master it, 

We're only serving time"-Hess

CONTEMPLATING

The book of Ecclesiastes chapter 3 started with a verse that says "for everything there is a season"; a perfect timing for everything that we wanted to do, to have, to accomplish and the likes. I was actually lying on my bed when I was reading this chapter of Ecclesiastes. I asked God what exactly these passages mean because at first I was really confused. I think there is something not right with some of the verses. So I close my eyes while listening to the song “No Eye Has Seen” and In His Time. As I continue to contemplate on this verse, I remember my younger days. The time when I do all things my way and deciding on things base on what I feel is right, leaving God in the passenger's seat of my heart. I remember that when I do things my way, it ends with heartaches and failures. I could say that I also experienced pleasures but not the contentment or satisfaction that all of us is longing for. God impressed to me something that is really simple about this chapter. Now I came to realize why I end up crying and miserable with all the decisions I made before without His approval; it’s because of my impatience, hard-headedness and selfishness. As it is stated in Jeremiah 29:11:

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Every bit of my decisions before could have been sweeter and lovelier if I waited patiently and made Jesus the driver of my life.

"In His time, In His time

He makes all things beautiful in His time

Lord, please show me everyday

As you're teaching me your way

And I'll do just what you say

In Your time"

Prayer:  Lord God, thank You, for you have opened my eyes from the reality of my impatience and self-centeredness. I’m more than blessed of knowing You; changed my life from lifting me from the miry clay, where I used to be. Now life is more beautiful as I see it before. I am at peace even in the middle of conflicts because You are my comforter. Help me remember always Lord, that as I go through this journey called life, nothing is intended for contentment because everything in this world is but temporary. Thank you for putting in my heart that I am an eternal creation intended only to be satisfied by You. In Jesus mighty name-Amen

Scripture & a Snapshot- 2 Kings 19: 15

Pondering:
I had this down feeling this past few days that it was so hard for me to pray. My first scripture last time was Psalm 118:28, which God's reminder to me that He will enlighten my darkness. Darkness for me these days is being bored, and what lies behind that boredom is anxiety of what's in store for me in a place where women have no equal rights with men.  I keep on telling myself that God is in charge but there was also a part of me that is telling me that He is not.  I get up and took my journal and pen, poured out  all my emotions in it and petitioned God to restore and heal my heart.  After writing everything that is in my heart and wrote my specific request to Him, I sang praises and worship which I believe is a better way to pray. I am not saying that petitioning or requesting is wrong but a better way of approaching God's throne of grace is through praising and worshipping Him.  This verse had deeply touched me, this was actually Hezekiah's prayer to God. Although he came boldly to God, he did not take God for granted or approach him flippantly instead he acknowledged God's sovereignty and respect Him for who He is and what he can do.  Like Hezekiah, I acknowledged that I am nothing without Him and in my difficult times it's only Him that I can lean upon. And I  remembered what Jeremiah said:

Jeremiah 32:17
    'Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You.

And after my intimate time with God, I was comforted. Not because He made me feel that my prayers will be answered but  just a feeling of blessedness that I have a God that I can lean on in times of darkness.  That I am His Beloved child just as everyone of us. It is what the song "Beloved" is all about,( my featured video). And it is really a comforting song of God to His church;

Zephaniah. 3:17
    The Lord your God in your midst,
    The Mighty One, will save;
    He will rejoice over you with gladness,
    He will quiet you with His love,
    He will rejoice over you with singing."

 2 Kings 19:8-19 (Sennacherib’s letter)
Prayer is the never-failing resource of the tempted Christian, whether struggling with outward difficulties or inward foes. At the mercy-seat of his almighty Friend he opens his heart, spreads his case, like Hezekiah, and makes his appeal. When he can discern that the glory of God is engaged on his side, faith gains the victory, and he rejoices that he shall never be moved. The best pleas in prayer are taken from God’s honour. -(Matthew Henry Commentary)

 

Scripture and A Snapshot: Psalm 18: 28

According to Dake’s  Study Notes, [Light My Candle], – is an idiom meaning bringing one out of trouble and darkness.  From Psalm 18: 20-27, David takes the comfort of His integrity, which God had cleared up. In the last verse, [28] “the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness”, he acknowledges that God is the one who made him:

1.    kept the ways of the Lord.
2.    remained true to God (this was before his great sin).
3.    kept His judgments before him.
4.    not put away His laws (Psalm 18:22).
5.    walked uprightly before Him.
6.    kept himself from iniquity (Psalm 18:23).

Thou wilt revive and comfort my sorrowful spirit; Thou wilt light my candle to work by, and give me an opportunity of serving thee.”

All of us walked in darkness and labor under discouragements but we have a God Himself who will be  a “LIGHT” to us when He send us His son Jesus.

John 8:12- Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

It is true that God made man to be good as it was said in:

Ecclesiastes 7:29- Truly, this only I have found: That God made man upright, But they have sought out many schemes."

But we have hope in Jesus by accepting Him as our Savior and Lord and let Him be the driver of our daily journey in this thing called “Life”, so we will not walk in darkness anymore….

   

The Hidden Ones

Psalm 83:3
    They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones.

  [hidden ones] Those whom God has hidden because they trusted in Him (Psalm 17:8; Psalm 27:5; Psalm 31:20; Psalm 64:2).

Thick green leaves from the soft brown earth,

Happy springtime has called them forth;

First faint promise of summer bloom

Breathes from the fragrant, sweet perfume,

Under the leaves.

Lift them! what marvelous beauty lies

Hidden beneath, from our thoughtless eyes!

Mayflowers, rosy or purest white,

Lift their cups to the sudden light,

     Under the leaves.

Are there no lives whose holy deeds--

Seen by no eye save His who reads

Motive and action—in silence grow

Into rare beauty, and bud and blow

    Under the leaves.

 

Fair white flowers of faith and trust,

Springing from spirits bruised and crushed;

Touched and painted with Heavens own light

     Under the leaves.

Full fresh clusters of duty borne,

Fairest of all in that shadow grown

Wondrous the fragrance that sweet and rare

Comes from the flower-cups hidden there

  Under the leaves.

Though unseen by our vision dim,

Bud and blossom are known to Him

Wait we content for His heavenly ray---

Wait till our Master Himself one day

    Lift up the leaves.

Luke 14:23:  God calls many of His most valued workers from the unknown multitude

--Streams in the Dessert -February 24

Fisher’s of Men-:Mark 1:17

Mark 1:17
    Then Jesus said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men."

Life Application Notes:

Mark 1:16-20

Fishing was a major industry around the Sea of Galilee. Fishing with nets was the most common method. Capernaum, the largest of the more than 30 fishing towns around the lake at that time, became Jesus’ new home (Matthew 4:12-13).

We often assume that Jesus’ disciples were great men of faith from the first time they met Jesus. But they had to grow in their faith just as all believers do (Mark 14:48-50, 66-72; John 14:1-9; John 20:26-29). This is apparently not the only time Jesus called Peter (Simon), James, and John to follow him (see Luke 5:1-11 and John 1:35-42 for two other times). Although it took time for Jesus’ call and his message to get through, the disciples followed. In the same way, we may question and falter, but we must never stop following Jesus.

 

Ecclesiastes 11:4

Ecclesiastes 11:4 

    He who observes the wind will not sow,

    And he who regards the clouds will not reap.

Dake’s Study Notes: 

Unforeseen events come from God, and the man who is always governed by the uncertain future won't plant or harvest his crop.

Life Application Notes: 

Waiting for perfect conditions will mean inactivity. This practical insight is especially applicable to our spiritual life. If we wait for the perfect time and place for personal Bible reading, we will never begin. If we wait for a perfect church, we will never join. If we wait for the perfect ministry, we will never serve. Take steps now to grow spiritually. Don’t wait for conditions that may never exist.

The Bread of Life: Matthew 4:3-4

 Matthew 4:3-4

Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the son of God, command that these stones become bread”. But He answered and said, “it is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God

Life Application Notes:

NIV Life Application Bible

Jesus was hungry and weak after fasting for 40 days, but he chose not to use his divine power to satisfy his natural desire for food. Food, hunger, and eating are good, but the timing was wrong. Jesus was in the desert to fast, not to eat. And because Jesus had given up the unlimited, independent use of his divine power in order to experience humanity fully, he wouldn’t use his power to change the stones to bread. We also may be tempted to satisfy a perfectly normal desire in a wrong way or at the wrong time. If we indulge in sex before marriage or if we steal to get food, we are trying to satisfy God-given desires in wrong ways. Remember, many of your desires are normal and good, but God wants you to satisfy them in the right way and at the right time. Jesus was able to resist all of the devil’s temptations because he not only knew Scripture, but he also obeyed it. Ephesians 6:17 says that God’s Word is a sword to use in spiritual combat. Knowing Bible verses is an important step in helping us resist the devil’s attacks, but we must also obey the Bible. Note that Satan had memorized Scripture, but he failed to obey it. Knowing and obeying the Bible helps us follow God’s desires rather than the devil’s.

Psalm 119-105

Psalm 119:105Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Life Application Notes

(NIV Life Application Bible)

To walk safely in the woods at night we need a light so we don’t trip over tree roots or fall into holes. In this life, we walk through a dark forest of evil. But the Bible can be our light to show us the way ahead so we won’t stumble as we walk. It reveals the entangling roots of false values and philosophies. Study the Bible so you will be able to see your way clear enough to stay on the right path.

Isaiah 21:8-9

Isaiah 21:8-9
    Then he cried, "A lion, my Lord!
    I stand continually on the watchtower in the daytime;
    I have sat at my post every night.
    [9] And look, here comes a chariot of men with a pair of horsemen!"
    Then he answered and said,
    "Babylon is fallen, is fallen!
    And all the carved images of her gods
    He has broken to the ground." 

Life Application Notes:

Babylon was not only a great and powerful city, it was also filled with horrible sin (idolatry, witchcraft, and temple prostitution). Babylon was, and remains, a symbol of all that stands against God. Despite all its glory and power, Babylon would be destroyed, along with all its idols. They would give no help in time of trouble.

Isaiah 40:8

Isaiah 40:6-8
    The voice said, "Cry out!"
    And he said, "What shall I cry?"

    "All flesh is grass,
    And all its loveliness is like the flower of the field.
    [7] The grass withers, the flower fades,
    Because the breath of the Lord blows upon it;
    Surely the people are grass.
    [8] The grass withers, the flower fades,
    But the word of our God stands forever."

Dake's Study Notes

Isaiah 40:6
a    [voice said, Cry] -This voice was not the one of Isaiah 40:3, but another which Isaiah heard in the vision—evidently the voice of God (Isaiah 6:8-9).
b    [What shall I cry?]- Question 81.  Next, §Isaiah 40:12.  This was Isaiah's response to the voice.
c    [All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field]- Quoted in 1 Peter 1:24-25.  This was the message the voice of the vision told him to cry:  People are like grass which withers soon and is gone, but the Word of the Lord shall stand forever (Isaiah 40:6-8; Psalm 119:89-91; Matthew 5:18; Matthew 24:35; Mark 13:31; John 10:35; John 12:34; 1 Peter 1:25).

Life Application Notes:

People are compared here to grass and flowers that wither away. We are mortal, but God's Word is eternal and unfailing. Public opinion changes and unreliable, but God's Word is constant. Only in God's eternal Word will we find lasting solutions to our problems and needs.

Jeremiah 17:7-8

Jeremiah 17:7-8
    "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
    And whose hope is the Lord.
For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters,
    Which spreads out its roots by the river,
    And will not fear when heat comes;
    But its leaf will be green,
    And will not be anxious in the year of drought,
    Nor will cease from yielding fruit.

2 Characteristics of A Blessed Man

1. He trusts in the Lord

2. Hopes in the Lord

Life Application Notes:

Those who trust in the Lord will have abundant strength, not only for their own needs, but even for the needs of others. While those who trust in their own strength, or to other people in times of trouble will be impoverished and spiritually weak, they will have no strength to draw on.

So to whom will you put your trust and hope? As for me I will put my trust and hope in the Lord at all times.

Songs 2:1

Song 2: 1 
I am the Rose of Sharon and the lily of the valley

Dake's Study Notes:

The Shulamite claimed to be a wild flower of the field--a wild flower growing in great profusion--thus disclaiming the shepherd's compliment.

Life Application Notes:

(NIV Life Application Bible)

The Rose of Sharon and Lily of the valleys were flowers commonly found in Israel. Perhaps the girl was saying "I am not so special; I am just an ordinary flower," to which Solomon replied-" Oh , no you are extraordinary- a lily among thorns". Solomon used the language of love. There is nothing more vital than encouraging and appreciating the person you love. Be sure to tell your spouse "I Love You" everyday, and show that love by your actions.

Jesus Yoke

Matthew 11:28
    Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Dake's Study Notes

Matthew 11:28


a.   [Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest] Christ's first recorded general invitation to all men. Compare the last one (Rev. 22:17).


b .  [labor] Greek: kopiao (GSN-2872), to feel fatigue, to work hard, toil.  Any weary, hard worker can find rest (Ephes. 4:28).

c.  [heavy laden] Greek: phortizo (GSN-5412), to carry a load; to overburden with ceremony (Matthew 11:28; Luke 11:46).  The Mosaic rites were burdensome enough, but the Pharisees had manufactured hundreds of additional burdens related to keeping the minutest detail of the law.

d.   [rest] Twice rest is promised to all laboring, heavy-laden, soul-distressed, and sick people (Matthew 11:28-29; cp. Isaiah 28:9-11; Hebrews 3:11-14,18; Hebrews 4:1-11; Rev. 14:13).


Life Application Notes

(NIV Life Application Notes)

Matthew 11:28-30
A yoke is a heavy wooden harness that fits over the shoulders of an ox or oxen. It is attached to a piece of equipment the oxen are to pull. A person may be carrying heavy burdens of:
(1) sin
(2) excessive demands of religious leaders (Matthew 23:4; Acts 15:10),
(3) oppression and persecution, or
(4) weariness in the search for God.
Jesus frees people from all these burdens. The rest that Jesus promises is love, healing, and peace with God, not the end of all labor. A relationship with God changes meaningless, wearisome toil into spiritual productivity and purpose.

A Journey On Worship

What Is Worship?

I ’ve been leading a worship service for almost 6 years in our small congregation. And as a lead worshipper, it’s very important for me, to know what praising and worshipping God means. Usually, before we start to sing praise and worship during our Friday services, we make a short worship exhortation. Most of our verses came from the book of Psalms. And after that we will start the worship proper. Though this just a mere opinion of mine, sometimes, I thought of, that maybe with that, we might lead others to an impression that singing songs of praise or dancing for joy to the Lord during our service is the only time and way we can worship God . But worship is not all that. And for someone who leads a worship service, our knowledge shouldn’t be limited to that concept.

WORSHIP DEFINED

I look thru the meaning of worship in the dictonary and this are some meanings I’ve found;Merriam Webster’s Online Dictionary defined it as

WORSHIP: (noun) Etymology: Middle English worshipe worthiness, respect, reverence paid to a divine being, from Old English weorthscipe worthiness, respect, from weorth worthy, worth + -scipe –ship 1: reverence offered to a divine being or supernatural power ; also : an act of expressing such reverence

2. a form of religious practice with its creed and ritual

3 extravagant respect or admiration for or devotion to an object of esteem.

In Encarta Dictionary;

1. transitive and intransitive verb treat somebody or something as deity: treat somebody or something as divine as to show respect by engaging in acts of prayer or devotion.
2. intransitive verb take part in religious service: to take part in religious service
3. transitive verb to love somebody deeply: to love, admire, or respect somebody or something greatly and perhaps excessively or unquestioningly.

From my New Open Bible Study Editon, it was defined as:

an act of reverence, a supreme honor or veneration given either in thought or deed to a person or thing.

Jesus Christ said in John 4: 20-24

Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship." Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father.You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews.But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.".

We can find a lot of meaning of worship, but one thing is consistent that worship is an action word and it is to be done faithfully to a supreme being we call God. If we will take the definitions seriously like the third meaning in Merriam Webster’s Dictionary; an extravagant respect or admiration for or devotion to an object of esteem, or to love somebody deeply: to love, admire, or respect somebody or something greatly and perhaps excessively or unquestioningly. I think our worship will not even qualify. But we will go thru that as we journey thru worship in my second post regarding this topic.