A Pastoral Pondering
(21st Century Worship)
In December of 1994 I was invited to attend the first North American Summit on the Future of Christian Worship. It was conceived and lead by Professor Robert Webber (now deceased). There were around 150 pastors and worship leaders in attendance at that first gathering. It was to have been the first of what would become an annual event. For reasons that I never knew subsequent meetings never happened after those first days of teaching, discussion, and prayer.
Today (10/12/’09), almost 15 years later, I came across a cover letter which was enclosed in a book that was given to all the attendees. It (the letter) had been inside the dust sleeve and I’d never seen it there. The book had just come out and the two authors wanted to gift each of us. They believed that it would perhaps be a good resource for us to have after leaving the gathering. As it turned out they were correct – at least in my case. I have used it as reference material on many occasions over the years.
As I thumbed through it looking for a specific set of comments that I couldn’t recall as clearly as I wanted to, I found myself reading over a section that I’d not read in years. The comments were in a section entitled “Characteristics of Effective Leadership”. What follows are quotes that I had highlighted in the book a few months prior to going into “full time ministry” on staff at Smyrna Assembly in March of ‘95. I think you may find them of interest:
“While we are focusing on leadership for worship, we want to keeping mind that worship is part of the congregation’s Primary Task. The task, as stated earlier, involves (1) reaching out and receiving persons as they are, (2) helping them discover and deepen their relationship to God, (3) nurturing them in the life of faith in Christ, and (4) sending them out to live as disciples.
Your vision: You will lead the congregation in worship (whether through preaching, singing, planning, reading, leading prayers, dancing, or other means) based on the way you see the church in its relationship to the world beyond the church. Your theory or point of view plays a major role in the way you will lead in worship and in the way you will reach out to people in music, word, and sacrament. Your life of prayer, your sense of the faith community’s yearning, your understanding of the setting in which your congregation lives, and your discernment of the role and potential of the congregation to fulfill God’s purpose in that setting.
Your spirituality: Spirituality, or the life of spiritual discipline, has to do with your rootedness in a sense of call and in a vital living out of Christian vocation that goes with your baptism and Christian experience. Effective worship leaders are not simply talented persons; they are sustained by appropriate spiritual disciplines, including prayer, reading and studying Scripture, solitude and reflection, corporate worship, mutual accountability, Holy Communion, and rest. Lively worship requires a living, growing faith in its leaders.
Your collaboration with the team: Worship is best when it is the result of a team effort. As a worship leader, you are providing spiritual leadership through what you do in that context.
Your continuous growth: You can and must be continuously growing in knowledge specific to your role in worship, and in your knowledge of ways to improve the quality of the congregation’s worship.
Yielding to what God asks of us as we come to the twenty-first century will be a costly venture of maturing in leadership for the glory of God. The risen Lord knows the cost and our potential. From the future He calls, “Follow Me.” Change an improvement do call for prayerful steps that welcome the stranger, open the doors, and yield to the rising wind of the Spirit. Your leadership can enable your church to take those steps.”
(From: Contemporary Worship for the 21st Century / Benedict & Miller / Discipleship Resources, 1994)
There's an aphorism which I’ve used for years that I picked up somewhere along the way. It states:
Vision…is where I’m going
Mission…is how I intend to get there
Goal(s)…are points of measurement along the way which help me determine my personal progress
As I read over the comments from the book that I’d marked up years ago I was astounded to see that what caught my attention then has now been so integrated into my life and leadership. Together, all the quotes seemed to read like words of prophecy.
God is so faithful to perform His good and perfect work(s) in us. Looking back from here, it’s clear that the Lord was in fact calling me from the future to “yield to the rising wind of the Spirit”!
This, then, is a testimony of how God has continued to lead me in the path of righteousness for His names sake. Blessed be the name of the Lord, Christ Jesus.
In Him we live, and move, and have our being. And, worship is still being carried on the wind.
W. B.
10/’09
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
A PASTORAL PONDERING
(Environments & Atmospheres)
Worship is a supernaturally powerful thing. It can change circumstances both personally and corporately – internally and externally. It can reshape conditions around us or around the world. It can reach up into the heavens and impact the very universe itself. I could provide you with lots of Biblical grounding for what I’ve just said, but this is a blog, not a dissertation.
Authentic (heart-felt) worship – the kind that engages our spirit by linking us up with the Trinity is powerful beyond measure. Let me try to explain what I mean.
For the purpose of what’s to follow please consider these two “working definitions”:
Environment: The circumstances, objects, or conditions by which one is surrounded.
Atmosphere: The air of a locality.
Environment is personal (or private) / Atmosphere is corporate (or public)
With that in mind, take a few moments to ponder what can happen when worship is offered up based on an example from Scripture.
The text for consideration is Luke 6:12-18. In this passage we are shown how a “Spirit-charged” (personal/private) environment can produce a (corporate/public) atmosphere where God-things can happen.
In verse 12 we’re told that Jesus went off by himself to pray. The word pray is proseuchomai in the Greek. It can be translated as “worship”. It comes from a word that means to move forward, toward, or along side (motion toward, accession to, or nearness at). In other words, the act of prayer which moves us into a deeper intimate relationship with God can be understood as an act of worship. This perspective is essential in order for us to see how dynamic our pray/worship life can be. Look at what happens when we apply this viewpoint to the story in our text.
As Jesus engages himself in prayer/worship (v.12) the “environment” surrounding Him (the condition or circumstances) is changed (charged) by the power & presence of the Holy Ghost. I think this works in the same way that a rechargeable battery is renewed when it’s plugged into its power source. When the link between the source and the containment system is properly connected things began to change dramatically.
With Jesus now energized through a fresh infilling, His internal environment has been altered/altared by the explosive power of the Spirit. The story begins to unfold from there.
In verses 13-16 Jesus comes down from a high place (descending) to where His disciples are gathered.
These 4 verses state that there are more “disciples” present than just the 12 we usually think of. In verse 13 we’re told that Jesus called His disciples to Himself, and from that unidentified group He then chose the 12 as apostles.
NOTE: You can be one of those who follows Jesus, but not be one who He chooses for something specific. That’s the Lords call to make. Our charge is to follow Him obediently and remain faithful to His will and yielded to His guidance. In other words, others may be called out in a way that you aren’t. That does not make them higher, holier, or more important. It does however separate them (based on the Lord’s calling) for some type of service that may not be yours to be actively involved in. Selah…
In verse17 as the Lord descends from where He’s been (alone with the Father) He brings with/in Him an internal “environment” that’s been changed by having been in worship/prayer all night long – alone.
When He gathers His apostles (called out ones) to continue down the mountain slope they are caught up in an “atmosphere” that’s being energized by the “environment” that is self-contained in our Lord. The power of the environmental presence that’s emanating from Christ is impacting those who are closest to Him (see Matt.9:20-22).
They (Jesus & the 12) all come down to a “level place” together. The “environment” that Christ is carrying has engulfed those nearest Him as they have moved along together descending from the mountain. They are then joined by “a great multitude of His disciples” (A congregation / The Message Bible). Note please that this “multitude” consists of “His disciples”. This group is filled with believers that were not part of the group of disciples that the 12 apostles were chosen from who had gone part way up the mountain with Him. That is to say, there are now three distinct groups that we have been introduced to:
1. The disciples up on the mountain side
2. The 12 who were chosen from out of that larger group
3. Another group of disciples (believers/followers) who are gathered at the base of the mountain “on a level place”
{Groups within groups – do you see it? This is a very important kingdom principle}
Now, still in verse 17, another group appears. A “great throng of people from all Judan and Jerusalem and the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon” show up. The text tells us they are not disciples as such.
Verse 18 states that they have come to “hear Him, and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were being cured.” Scripture shows us no real relational connection to Christ by this group. We only see that they are interested (they’ve come to hear Him) and needy (they want something from Him). Sanctuaries worldwide fill up every Sunday with folks just like these. Selah…
The “environment” that was created around/inside of Christ (through His overnight worship & prayer experience) has overflowed or influenced His disciples up on the mountain; the 12 He’s called out; the larger group of disciples who were waiting for Him (and the others) as they descended down to where the much larger group was gathered and waiting for ministry to take place. The “internal environment” that Christ carried (and then released to those directly linked up with Him in ministry) began to spread out into the area where the “throng of people” had gathered. The “atmosphere” where the multitude was gathered is then energized and Spirit-charged through the outpouring of what Jesus brought down with Him to the level of where those in need were standing, waiting for a miracle
Verse 19 tells us what happened next:
“….power was coming from Him, and healing them all.”
The public atmosphere began to explode spiritually as the needs were being met. The personal environment of prayer/worship enabled this to take place. My God, what a service they had that day!
Now, consider what could happen if we gathered together as a congregation of “needy people” and brought an environment of power, healing and deliverance with us into our services. Instead of coming to receive we’d be coming to give. That’s called servanthood (Luke 22:26&27). That is only possible through personal and private acts of prayer/worship taking place PRIOR to ever coming together as a fellowship corporately. And that's called consecration.
Please seek the Lord as to how this may apply to your life personally. An internal environment of power in the Holy Ghost can create an external atmosphere where the supernatural can take place.
Anticipate His presence and *consecrate yourself to impart it to others.
*Consecration: The setting apart of any person, place, or thing for acts of holy service.
"WHEN WE WORSHIP (We Are Changed)"
When we worship we are changed
When we come into God's presence
We will never be the same
When we worship we are changed
When we worship we are changed
Transformed into His image
In His likeness to remain
When we worship we are changed
So let us worship Him
Lift up our hands to Him
Come let us worship Him
Cast all our care on Him
When we worship we are changed
When we come into God's presence
Though our trials may remain
When we worship we are changed
Copyright Secured: See & Say (Songs & Such), BMI
(Environments & Atmospheres)
Worship is a supernaturally powerful thing. It can change circumstances both personally and corporately – internally and externally. It can reshape conditions around us or around the world. It can reach up into the heavens and impact the very universe itself. I could provide you with lots of Biblical grounding for what I’ve just said, but this is a blog, not a dissertation.
Authentic (heart-felt) worship – the kind that engages our spirit by linking us up with the Trinity is powerful beyond measure. Let me try to explain what I mean.
For the purpose of what’s to follow please consider these two “working definitions”:
Environment: The circumstances, objects, or conditions by which one is surrounded.
Atmosphere: The air of a locality.
Environment is personal (or private) / Atmosphere is corporate (or public)
With that in mind, take a few moments to ponder what can happen when worship is offered up based on an example from Scripture.
The text for consideration is Luke 6:12-18. In this passage we are shown how a “Spirit-charged” (personal/private) environment can produce a (corporate/public) atmosphere where God-things can happen.
In verse 12 we’re told that Jesus went off by himself to pray. The word pray is proseuchomai in the Greek. It can be translated as “worship”. It comes from a word that means to move forward, toward, or along side (motion toward, accession to, or nearness at). In other words, the act of prayer which moves us into a deeper intimate relationship with God can be understood as an act of worship. This perspective is essential in order for us to see how dynamic our pray/worship life can be. Look at what happens when we apply this viewpoint to the story in our text.
As Jesus engages himself in prayer/worship (v.12) the “environment” surrounding Him (the condition or circumstances) is changed (charged) by the power & presence of the Holy Ghost. I think this works in the same way that a rechargeable battery is renewed when it’s plugged into its power source. When the link between the source and the containment system is properly connected things began to change dramatically.
With Jesus now energized through a fresh infilling, His internal environment has been altered/altared by the explosive power of the Spirit. The story begins to unfold from there.
In verses 13-16 Jesus comes down from a high place (descending) to where His disciples are gathered.
These 4 verses state that there are more “disciples” present than just the 12 we usually think of. In verse 13 we’re told that Jesus called His disciples to Himself, and from that unidentified group He then chose the 12 as apostles.
NOTE: You can be one of those who follows Jesus, but not be one who He chooses for something specific. That’s the Lords call to make. Our charge is to follow Him obediently and remain faithful to His will and yielded to His guidance. In other words, others may be called out in a way that you aren’t. That does not make them higher, holier, or more important. It does however separate them (based on the Lord’s calling) for some type of service that may not be yours to be actively involved in. Selah…
In verse17 as the Lord descends from where He’s been (alone with the Father) He brings with/in Him an internal “environment” that’s been changed by having been in worship/prayer all night long – alone.
When He gathers His apostles (called out ones) to continue down the mountain slope they are caught up in an “atmosphere” that’s being energized by the “environment” that is self-contained in our Lord. The power of the environmental presence that’s emanating from Christ is impacting those who are closest to Him (see Matt.9:20-22).
They (Jesus & the 12) all come down to a “level place” together. The “environment” that Christ is carrying has engulfed those nearest Him as they have moved along together descending from the mountain. They are then joined by “a great multitude of His disciples” (A congregation / The Message Bible). Note please that this “multitude” consists of “His disciples”. This group is filled with believers that were not part of the group of disciples that the 12 apostles were chosen from who had gone part way up the mountain with Him. That is to say, there are now three distinct groups that we have been introduced to:
1. The disciples up on the mountain side
2. The 12 who were chosen from out of that larger group
3. Another group of disciples (believers/followers) who are gathered at the base of the mountain “on a level place”
{Groups within groups – do you see it? This is a very important kingdom principle}
Now, still in verse 17, another group appears. A “great throng of people from all Judan and Jerusalem and the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon” show up. The text tells us they are not disciples as such.
Verse 18 states that they have come to “hear Him, and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were being cured.” Scripture shows us no real relational connection to Christ by this group. We only see that they are interested (they’ve come to hear Him) and needy (they want something from Him). Sanctuaries worldwide fill up every Sunday with folks just like these. Selah…
The “environment” that was created around/inside of Christ (through His overnight worship & prayer experience) has overflowed or influenced His disciples up on the mountain; the 12 He’s called out; the larger group of disciples who were waiting for Him (and the others) as they descended down to where the much larger group was gathered and waiting for ministry to take place. The “internal environment” that Christ carried (and then released to those directly linked up with Him in ministry) began to spread out into the area where the “throng of people” had gathered. The “atmosphere” where the multitude was gathered is then energized and Spirit-charged through the outpouring of what Jesus brought down with Him to the level of where those in need were standing, waiting for a miracle
Verse 19 tells us what happened next:
“….power was coming from Him, and healing them all.”
The public atmosphere began to explode spiritually as the needs were being met. The personal environment of prayer/worship enabled this to take place. My God, what a service they had that day!
Now, consider what could happen if we gathered together as a congregation of “needy people” and brought an environment of power, healing and deliverance with us into our services. Instead of coming to receive we’d be coming to give. That’s called servanthood (Luke 22:26&27). That is only possible through personal and private acts of prayer/worship taking place PRIOR to ever coming together as a fellowship corporately. And that's called consecration.
Please seek the Lord as to how this may apply to your life personally. An internal environment of power in the Holy Ghost can create an external atmosphere where the supernatural can take place.
Anticipate His presence and *consecrate yourself to impart it to others.
*Consecration: The setting apart of any person, place, or thing for acts of holy service.
"WHEN WE WORSHIP (We Are Changed)"
When we worship we are changed
When we come into God's presence
We will never be the same
When we worship we are changed
When we worship we are changed
Transformed into His image
In His likeness to remain
When we worship we are changed
So let us worship Him
Lift up our hands to Him
Come let us worship Him
Cast all our care on Him
When we worship we are changed
When we come into God's presence
Though our trials may remain
When we worship we are changed
Copyright Secured: See & Say (Songs & Such), BMI
Saturday, August 15, 2009
A PASTORAL PONDERING
REPENTANT WORSHIP
(Case Studies)
I’m gonna cut right to the chase. It appears to me that brokenness and contrition are in danger of becoming obsolete practices within the fellowship of the saints. The contemporary church has lost much of its understanding of what it means to repent of sin, turn away from unrighteousness, and pursue an upright relationship with the Lord in holy reverence. There, I’ve said it.
“The fear of (reverence for) the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Pro.1:7)
I have no intension of trying to build a case for my reasoning that will convince you that my observation is correct. There’s really little point in such an endeavor. A better course of action (kingdom wise) would be to let God’s Word do the convincing - and convicting.
What follows are three brief case studies I’ve developed which provide Scriptural accounts of what repentance looks like. They serve as an outline for a teaching series of mine focused on repentant worship . Perhaps they will give you incentive for your own self-study. That way you may be better able to see what the Holy Ghost reveals to you in regards to living a lifestyle of repentance (see Rom.12:1 / The Message Bible).
I’ll begin with a couple of “working definition”.
Repentence: To be sorry / To turn back or away from / To return to the starting point / To retreat or backtrack. To think differently / To change or transform / To refashion (metamorphose).
Contrition: To collapse (physically or mentally). From words meaning to crush, crumble or break (into pieces).
Case Study #1: Psalm 51
David: Personal moral failures resulted in David’s acts of repentant worship.
Confrontation (being uncovered)
Confession (verbal acknowledgement of sin)
Conversion (actions that back up the words of confession)
V.1 David’s plea for grace and forgiveness is based on God’s nature
(i.e. His lovingkindness & compassion)
V.2 David is specific regarding his failures acknowledging three areas of accountability:
Transgressions (violation of moral or ethical law)
Iniquity (habitual sin patterns – often with a generational base)
Sin (missing the mark or falling short of God’s righteous standards)
V.3 David “owns” his stuff (he blames no one but himself)
V.4 David sees all the violations as being first and foremost between himself
and God. With that being the case, he throws himself on God’s merciful justice.
Vs.5-9 He begins with a verbal confession
Vs.10-12 His confession flows freely & deeply (open & honest)
Vs.13-14 He speaks forth the end desire of his pleading before the Father (righteous restoration)
Vs.15-17 He shows that he has a deep understanding and intimate
knowledge of who God is and what He can do (faith in action)
Vs.18-19 David sees a clear connection between how he
walks with God and its effect on the fellowship of the saints
as well. He has a corporate heart concerned with favor &
restoration for himself and others.
Corporate Heart: David considers how his own sin can/is having a direct effect on his personal witness (testimony) and also on the lives of those he could/should be able to minister to. Such a perspective as this is becoming rare indeed within the body of Christ.
The key to unlocking restoration and renewal in David’s life is his offering of confession. This story gives us a model of how a personal witness and ministry can be purified through acts of repentant worship.
"LAMENT"
A broken and a contrite heart
O God, You will not despise
Against You only I have sinned
I have fallen once again
I come to You in emptiness
Fill me with Your holiness
Create in me a heart that's clean
Draw me to Your side and then
Restore me with Your steadfast love
Have mercy on my wickedness
O God, I seek Your graciousness
Wash away iniquity
Remove transgression far from me
I come to You in brokenness
Fill with with Your righteousness
(W.Berry / See & Say Songs, BMI)
Case Study #2: Daniel 9
Daniel: Identificational repentance positioned Daniel “in the gap” for the nation of Israel and himself (Ezek.22:30). His worshipful prayers became a force “on earth as is in heaven” to set the stage for breakthrough and deliverance.
{Every act of worship is an act of warfare}
Vs.1&2 Show Daniel to be a man of study and meditation (a theologian)
V.3 He pays a price to connect with his burden
a. Prayer (mystical connection)
b. Supplication (verbal utterance)
c. Fasting (physical expenditure)
d. Sackcloth & Ashes (outward signs of inward brokenness)
Vs.4-19 Daniel takes up his repentant worship for all Israel and pours himself
unreservedly into it. He reminds the Lord of His “compassion and forgiveness" (v.9) and states that the Lord should hear & respond “for Thine own sake” (v.19). He’s more concerned about God’s name and reputation than he is his own or that of the people.
Vs.20-23 Show that the moment Daniel stepped over into such repentant
worship was when God began releasing His captive people (v.23).
This story gives us a model of how someones acts of repentant worship can serve as a means for others to be released and restored to freedom.
Case Study #3: Johan 1&2
Johan: Disobedience to God’s call and direction give us the context for how and why repentant worship took place in Johan’s life.
Vs.1&2 God’s word comes to Jonah with direction for him to carry out, “arise and go to Nineveh”. Jehovah wants to release a call for repentance and restoration to the residents of a city who’s “wickedness has come up” before the Lord (NASB). And, He wants the call for repentance to come forth from a servant entrusted to carry the will of God’s word forth to the people. Jonah has the opportunity (and good fortune) to be chosen of the Lord for this task.
V.3 Jonahs response is to disregard his calling and try to run away from it. By doing so he has placed himself in the position of moving out of God’s will which will in turn bring him to a point where his own wickedness rises up before the Lord. The effect of that will mean that Jonah will find himself in need of repentance as a result of his own spiritual insubordination.
V.4 The storm that the Lord releases is Jonahs “wake up call” meant to (re)awaken him to the reality of what it means to disobey the voice of the Spirit. Note that the storm is not a punishment --- it is an attention getter. This insight can serve as a good perspective for how to look at tough or awkward circumstances in our own lives if/when they come. Trying to rebuke the devil is not aways the best choice to make. Sometimes the “storm” that’s hitting us is in fact God’s way of getting our attention. Selah…
Vs.5-16 You can read the story for yourself. Most of us probably know it well. It sets the stage for Jonah to come to terms with his need for personal repentant worship.
V.17 Note that the “great fish” is not God’s wrathful vengeance on Jonah for his failure to obey God’s direction. It is in fact God’s means of providing deliverance from drowning. Yes, really.
Chapter 2 provides us with a vivid picture of what it means to be broken and contrite before the Lord in confession and repentance.
From within the belly of the fish Jonah begins to worship in a way most profound. He understands very well that he has been delivered from drowning by being swallowed up. What “could” be viewed as going from bad to worse (from being thrown overboard to being swallowed) isn’t how Jonah responds to the situation at all. Rather, he begins to see his current circumstances (in the fishes belly) as a place of sanctuary. It becomes a “holy place” of worship.
Vs.2-6 Jonah prays a most beautiful pray of thanksgiving seemingly trapped within a place with no way out. Even though his predicament could seem hopeless, he nonetheless sees his surroundings as being provision from the Lord as a means of escape from the sea which would have surely taken his life. He purposes to pursue the Presence. The last line of verse 6 clearly shows us that something major has happened to Jonah. He has experienced a “Divine Encounter”! The text says, “but Thou hast brought up my life from the pit (the sea), O Lord my God (NASB).” How powerful!
V.7-9 Gives us the specific text of Jonahs prayers of worship and repentance. His faith and trust has risen up before the Lord “into Thy holy temple” (v.7). He offers his thanksgiving and renews his vow (of obedience) to His Sovereign. Then He acknowledges that his salvation (deliverance) has come from Jehovah.
Note that his prayer is released from within the place of his apparent captivity (the fishes belly). His seeming entrapment has been converted into a sanctuary and his praises unto the Lord arises BEFORE HIS DELIVERANCE (see Isa.54:1 / Rom.8:28 / Phil.4:4-8).
This is a model of how God's plan and purpose can be fulfilled through someones acts of repentant worship for moving in disobedience to a call upon their life.
To refocus, please refer to the “working definitions” for repentance and for contrition.
It’s clear to see that Jonahs story provides us with a testimony of how both those precepts have done their work in a deep and profound way. But, that’s not the end of this story. There are two more chapters to consider.
I’d be doing an injustice to the Word by leaving the rest of the drama out. A comprehensive examination of Jonahs comings and goings requires that the ending be at least mentioned. Please read chapters 3&4.
Jonah did in fact repent and he went on to be the agent of change that God had appointed him to be. By doing so, the entire population of Nineveh received salvation through Jehovahs righteousness acts of lovingkindness (Jonah 3:6-10). However, a turn of events took place thereafter which makes the point of the story even more important to our own lives and times.
After such a glorious and dynamic set of events had taken place (revival) Jonah begins to “flesh out” by becoming quite the malcontent. His grumbling and complaining before the Lord are truly a sad testimony to how our own walk in the spirit can often unravel. By becoming so carnal and self-center after the outpouring of the Holy Ghost over the entire city Jonah exhibits traits of human fallenness which we all still struggle with to this day.
We are called as servants unto our Lord, Christ Jesus. It is our duty (our responsibility) to listen to and obey the Spirits leading in all matters.
In order to maintain the vitality & power of the Presence in our lives God has established the process of restoration for us in our fallen-temporal-condition. This “process” is laid out clearly for us in 1 John 1:6-10 in order to teach us that conviction leads us to confession, and then on to repentance in order that we may be restored, renewed, and re-established in our witness and ministry.
Selah (pause & consider)
Copyright Secured: See & Say (Songs & Such), BMI
REPENTANT WORSHIP
(Case Studies)
I’m gonna cut right to the chase. It appears to me that brokenness and contrition are in danger of becoming obsolete practices within the fellowship of the saints. The contemporary church has lost much of its understanding of what it means to repent of sin, turn away from unrighteousness, and pursue an upright relationship with the Lord in holy reverence. There, I’ve said it.
“The fear of (reverence for) the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Pro.1:7)
I have no intension of trying to build a case for my reasoning that will convince you that my observation is correct. There’s really little point in such an endeavor. A better course of action (kingdom wise) would be to let God’s Word do the convincing - and convicting.
What follows are three brief case studies I’ve developed which provide Scriptural accounts of what repentance looks like. They serve as an outline for a teaching series of mine focused on repentant worship . Perhaps they will give you incentive for your own self-study. That way you may be better able to see what the Holy Ghost reveals to you in regards to living a lifestyle of repentance (see Rom.12:1 / The Message Bible).
I’ll begin with a couple of “working definition”.
Repentence: To be sorry / To turn back or away from / To return to the starting point / To retreat or backtrack. To think differently / To change or transform / To refashion (metamorphose).
Contrition: To collapse (physically or mentally). From words meaning to crush, crumble or break (into pieces).
Case Study #1: Psalm 51
David: Personal moral failures resulted in David’s acts of repentant worship.
Confrontation (being uncovered)
Confession (verbal acknowledgement of sin)
Conversion (actions that back up the words of confession)
V.1 David’s plea for grace and forgiveness is based on God’s nature
(i.e. His lovingkindness & compassion)
V.2 David is specific regarding his failures acknowledging three areas of accountability:
Transgressions (violation of moral or ethical law)
Iniquity (habitual sin patterns – often with a generational base)
Sin (missing the mark or falling short of God’s righteous standards)
V.3 David “owns” his stuff (he blames no one but himself)
V.4 David sees all the violations as being first and foremost between himself
and God. With that being the case, he throws himself on God’s merciful justice.
Vs.5-9 He begins with a verbal confession
Vs.10-12 His confession flows freely & deeply (open & honest)
Vs.13-14 He speaks forth the end desire of his pleading before the Father (righteous restoration)
Vs.15-17 He shows that he has a deep understanding and intimate
knowledge of who God is and what He can do (faith in action)
Vs.18-19 David sees a clear connection between how he
walks with God and its effect on the fellowship of the saints
as well. He has a corporate heart concerned with favor &
restoration for himself and others.
Corporate Heart: David considers how his own sin can/is having a direct effect on his personal witness (testimony) and also on the lives of those he could/should be able to minister to. Such a perspective as this is becoming rare indeed within the body of Christ.
The key to unlocking restoration and renewal in David’s life is his offering of confession. This story gives us a model of how a personal witness and ministry can be purified through acts of repentant worship.
"LAMENT"
A broken and a contrite heart
O God, You will not despise
Against You only I have sinned
I have fallen once again
I come to You in emptiness
Fill me with Your holiness
Create in me a heart that's clean
Draw me to Your side and then
Restore me with Your steadfast love
Have mercy on my wickedness
O God, I seek Your graciousness
Wash away iniquity
Remove transgression far from me
I come to You in brokenness
Fill with with Your righteousness
(W.Berry / See & Say Songs, BMI)
Case Study #2: Daniel 9
Daniel: Identificational repentance positioned Daniel “in the gap” for the nation of Israel and himself (Ezek.22:30). His worshipful prayers became a force “on earth as is in heaven” to set the stage for breakthrough and deliverance.
{Every act of worship is an act of warfare}
Vs.1&2 Show Daniel to be a man of study and meditation (a theologian)
V.3 He pays a price to connect with his burden
a. Prayer (mystical connection)
b. Supplication (verbal utterance)
c. Fasting (physical expenditure)
d. Sackcloth & Ashes (outward signs of inward brokenness)
Vs.4-19 Daniel takes up his repentant worship for all Israel and pours himself
unreservedly into it. He reminds the Lord of His “compassion and forgiveness" (v.9) and states that the Lord should hear & respond “for Thine own sake” (v.19). He’s more concerned about God’s name and reputation than he is his own or that of the people.
Vs.20-23 Show that the moment Daniel stepped over into such repentant
worship was when God began releasing His captive people (v.23).
This story gives us a model of how someones acts of repentant worship can serve as a means for others to be released and restored to freedom.
Case Study #3: Johan 1&2
Johan: Disobedience to God’s call and direction give us the context for how and why repentant worship took place in Johan’s life.
Vs.1&2 God’s word comes to Jonah with direction for him to carry out, “arise and go to Nineveh”. Jehovah wants to release a call for repentance and restoration to the residents of a city who’s “wickedness has come up” before the Lord (NASB). And, He wants the call for repentance to come forth from a servant entrusted to carry the will of God’s word forth to the people. Jonah has the opportunity (and good fortune) to be chosen of the Lord for this task.
V.3 Jonahs response is to disregard his calling and try to run away from it. By doing so he has placed himself in the position of moving out of God’s will which will in turn bring him to a point where his own wickedness rises up before the Lord. The effect of that will mean that Jonah will find himself in need of repentance as a result of his own spiritual insubordination.
V.4 The storm that the Lord releases is Jonahs “wake up call” meant to (re)awaken him to the reality of what it means to disobey the voice of the Spirit. Note that the storm is not a punishment --- it is an attention getter. This insight can serve as a good perspective for how to look at tough or awkward circumstances in our own lives if/when they come. Trying to rebuke the devil is not aways the best choice to make. Sometimes the “storm” that’s hitting us is in fact God’s way of getting our attention. Selah…
Vs.5-16 You can read the story for yourself. Most of us probably know it well. It sets the stage for Jonah to come to terms with his need for personal repentant worship.
V.17 Note that the “great fish” is not God’s wrathful vengeance on Jonah for his failure to obey God’s direction. It is in fact God’s means of providing deliverance from drowning. Yes, really.
Chapter 2 provides us with a vivid picture of what it means to be broken and contrite before the Lord in confession and repentance.
From within the belly of the fish Jonah begins to worship in a way most profound. He understands very well that he has been delivered from drowning by being swallowed up. What “could” be viewed as going from bad to worse (from being thrown overboard to being swallowed) isn’t how Jonah responds to the situation at all. Rather, he begins to see his current circumstances (in the fishes belly) as a place of sanctuary. It becomes a “holy place” of worship.
Vs.2-6 Jonah prays a most beautiful pray of thanksgiving seemingly trapped within a place with no way out. Even though his predicament could seem hopeless, he nonetheless sees his surroundings as being provision from the Lord as a means of escape from the sea which would have surely taken his life. He purposes to pursue the Presence. The last line of verse 6 clearly shows us that something major has happened to Jonah. He has experienced a “Divine Encounter”! The text says, “but Thou hast brought up my life from the pit (the sea), O Lord my God (NASB).” How powerful!
V.7-9 Gives us the specific text of Jonahs prayers of worship and repentance. His faith and trust has risen up before the Lord “into Thy holy temple” (v.7). He offers his thanksgiving and renews his vow (of obedience) to His Sovereign. Then He acknowledges that his salvation (deliverance) has come from Jehovah.
Note that his prayer is released from within the place of his apparent captivity (the fishes belly). His seeming entrapment has been converted into a sanctuary and his praises unto the Lord arises BEFORE HIS DELIVERANCE (see Isa.54:1 / Rom.8:28 / Phil.4:4-8).
This is a model of how God's plan and purpose can be fulfilled through someones acts of repentant worship for moving in disobedience to a call upon their life.
To refocus, please refer to the “working definitions” for repentance and for contrition.
It’s clear to see that Jonahs story provides us with a testimony of how both those precepts have done their work in a deep and profound way. But, that’s not the end of this story. There are two more chapters to consider.
I’d be doing an injustice to the Word by leaving the rest of the drama out. A comprehensive examination of Jonahs comings and goings requires that the ending be at least mentioned. Please read chapters 3&4.
Jonah did in fact repent and he went on to be the agent of change that God had appointed him to be. By doing so, the entire population of Nineveh received salvation through Jehovahs righteousness acts of lovingkindness (Jonah 3:6-10). However, a turn of events took place thereafter which makes the point of the story even more important to our own lives and times.
After such a glorious and dynamic set of events had taken place (revival) Jonah begins to “flesh out” by becoming quite the malcontent. His grumbling and complaining before the Lord are truly a sad testimony to how our own walk in the spirit can often unravel. By becoming so carnal and self-center after the outpouring of the Holy Ghost over the entire city Jonah exhibits traits of human fallenness which we all still struggle with to this day.
We are called as servants unto our Lord, Christ Jesus. It is our duty (our responsibility) to listen to and obey the Spirits leading in all matters.
In order to maintain the vitality & power of the Presence in our lives God has established the process of restoration for us in our fallen-temporal-condition. This “process” is laid out clearly for us in 1 John 1:6-10 in order to teach us that conviction leads us to confession, and then on to repentance in order that we may be restored, renewed, and re-established in our witness and ministry.
Selah (pause & consider)
Copyright Secured: See & Say (Songs & Such), BMI
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
A PASTORAL PONDERING
(Worship In The Wilderness)
What follows is a pondering from Psalm 63. For perspective there are a couple of comments I'd like you to read regarding the entire Psalm. They come to us through the voice(s) of our forefathers.
The first quote comes from Charles Surgeon out of his remarks in "The Treasury Of David". Spurgeon says, "David did not stop singing just because he was in the wilderness, nor, did he in slovenly idleness repeat Psalms intended for other occasions. He carefully made worship suitable to his circumstances and so presented God a wilderness hymn. Though there was a desert around him, there was no desert in his heart."
O my God, how I love the point-of-view that some of the old saints before us bring to the Word of Truth. Would that such a depth of desire and understanding were at work in our spiritually shallow and digitally distracted "contemporary hearts".
The second quote is found in the same book. It is a statement from John Donne. Relating to Psalm 63 he says, "certain Psalms are imperial Psalms; they command over all affections and spread themselves over all occasions that apply to all of life's needs."
Again, such reverence for Holy Scripture brings me to my knees. And, I am undone.
Now, here's what I have to say focused in on just 5 verses of this "wilderness psalm":
Here are three renderings of my favorite verses dealing with praise & worship:
”So here I am in the place of worship, eyes open, drinking in your strength and glory. In your generous love I am really living at last! My lips brim praises like fountains. I bless you every time I take a breath; my arms wave like banners of praise to you. I eat my fill of prime rib and gravy; I smack my lips. It's time to shout praises.” (Ps.63:3-7 / The Message Bible)
“Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips will praise You. So I will bless You as long as I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. My soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatness, and my mouth offers praises with joyful lips. When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches, for You have been my help, and in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy”. (Ps.63:5-7 / NASB)
“Your love means more than life to me, and I praise you. As long as I live, I will pray to you. I will sing joyful praises and be filled with excitement like a guest at a banquet. I think about you before I go to sleep, and my thoughts turn to you during the night. You have helped me, and I sing happy songs in the shadow of your wings”. (Ps.63:5-7 / Contemporary English Version)
This passage is the best one I know for modeling praise & worship for two specific reasons:
1. It provides the best Scriptural picture of the many ways in which dynamic, expressive and authentic praise & worship can be manifested in our lives as worshippers --- clustered together in one dynamic and passionate expression.
2. It also provides us with an understanding (from Scripture) as to what our personal motivation should be to offer up praise & worship as displayed in this text.
The motivation is found in the opening line of verse 3 which says, “Because Thy lovingkindness is better than life…”
That’s it -- short and sweet. Just seven words that present a very basic and easy to grasp theology. The psalmist says that God’s love is better than life itself and that’s enough reason (for him/for us) to offer up all the expression(s) that follow in verses 3-7.
v.3 – “My lips will praise” (The word praise is Shabach and it means to proclaim with a loud voice; a joyful earsplitting shout)
v.4 – “So I will bless You” (The word bless is Barak and it means to bow down; kneel; to respond with physical acts of adoration)
v.4b – “I will lift up my hands” (The word for lifting up the hands like this is Nacah and it means to bring forth; exalt; extol; to hold up (as honorable); to magnify or make lofty.
v.5b – “My mouth offers praise with joyful lips” (The word for praises is Halah and it means to boast; celebrate; to act (clamorously foolish); to rave (to go “wild for God”) and it’s usually congregational in nature; to jump for joy.
v.7 – “In the shadow of Thy wings I sing for joy” (The word for joy is Rana and it means a victory shout)
It is my personal belief that worship expressions which are presented to us in God's Word are meant to be incorporated into our own offerings of celebration and adoration (individually & corporately) whenever and whereever opportunities arise. That is the foundation "psalmic worship" is built upon.
"O GOD"
O God, You are my God
And I will forever praise You
O God, You are my God
I will place no other god above You
In a dry and weary land, where there's no water
I will build myself a stronghold out of praise
I will lift up holy hands before You, Father
I will worship You, for all Your awesome ways
Underneath the shadow, underneath the shadow of Your wings
(I will hide myself)
Underneath the shadow, underneath the shadow of Your wings
(I will sing for joy)
By: W. Berry / See & Say Songs, BMI
(See "Our Worship Model" posting under the "Worship Theology" link on the Worship Arts page).
Copyright Secured: See & Say (Songs & Such), BMI
(Worship In The Wilderness)
What follows is a pondering from Psalm 63. For perspective there are a couple of comments I'd like you to read regarding the entire Psalm. They come to us through the voice(s) of our forefathers.
The first quote comes from Charles Surgeon out of his remarks in "The Treasury Of David". Spurgeon says, "David did not stop singing just because he was in the wilderness, nor, did he in slovenly idleness repeat Psalms intended for other occasions. He carefully made worship suitable to his circumstances and so presented God a wilderness hymn. Though there was a desert around him, there was no desert in his heart."
O my God, how I love the point-of-view that some of the old saints before us bring to the Word of Truth. Would that such a depth of desire and understanding were at work in our spiritually shallow and digitally distracted "contemporary hearts".
The second quote is found in the same book. It is a statement from John Donne. Relating to Psalm 63 he says, "certain Psalms are imperial Psalms; they command over all affections and spread themselves over all occasions that apply to all of life's needs."
Again, such reverence for Holy Scripture brings me to my knees. And, I am undone.
Now, here's what I have to say focused in on just 5 verses of this "wilderness psalm":
Here are three renderings of my favorite verses dealing with praise & worship:
”So here I am in the place of worship, eyes open, drinking in your strength and glory. In your generous love I am really living at last! My lips brim praises like fountains. I bless you every time I take a breath; my arms wave like banners of praise to you. I eat my fill of prime rib and gravy; I smack my lips. It's time to shout praises.” (Ps.63:3-7 / The Message Bible)
“Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips will praise You. So I will bless You as long as I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. My soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatness, and my mouth offers praises with joyful lips. When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches, for You have been my help, and in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy”. (Ps.63:5-7 / NASB)
“Your love means more than life to me, and I praise you. As long as I live, I will pray to you. I will sing joyful praises and be filled with excitement like a guest at a banquet. I think about you before I go to sleep, and my thoughts turn to you during the night. You have helped me, and I sing happy songs in the shadow of your wings”. (Ps.63:5-7 / Contemporary English Version)
This passage is the best one I know for modeling praise & worship for two specific reasons:
1. It provides the best Scriptural picture of the many ways in which dynamic, expressive and authentic praise & worship can be manifested in our lives as worshippers --- clustered together in one dynamic and passionate expression.
2. It also provides us with an understanding (from Scripture) as to what our personal motivation should be to offer up praise & worship as displayed in this text.
The motivation is found in the opening line of verse 3 which says, “Because Thy lovingkindness is better than life…”
That’s it -- short and sweet. Just seven words that present a very basic and easy to grasp theology. The psalmist says that God’s love is better than life itself and that’s enough reason (for him/for us) to offer up all the expression(s) that follow in verses 3-7.
v.3 – “My lips will praise” (The word praise is Shabach and it means to proclaim with a loud voice; a joyful earsplitting shout)
v.4 – “So I will bless You” (The word bless is Barak and it means to bow down; kneel; to respond with physical acts of adoration)
v.4b – “I will lift up my hands” (The word for lifting up the hands like this is Nacah and it means to bring forth; exalt; extol; to hold up (as honorable); to magnify or make lofty.
v.5b – “My mouth offers praise with joyful lips” (The word for praises is Halah and it means to boast; celebrate; to act (clamorously foolish); to rave (to go “wild for God”) and it’s usually congregational in nature; to jump for joy.
v.7 – “In the shadow of Thy wings I sing for joy” (The word for joy is Rana and it means a victory shout)
It is my personal belief that worship expressions which are presented to us in God's Word are meant to be incorporated into our own offerings of celebration and adoration (individually & corporately) whenever and whereever opportunities arise. That is the foundation "psalmic worship" is built upon.
"O GOD"
O God, You are my God
And I will forever praise You
O God, You are my God
I will place no other god above You
In a dry and weary land, where there's no water
I will build myself a stronghold out of praise
I will lift up holy hands before You, Father
I will worship You, for all Your awesome ways
Underneath the shadow, underneath the shadow of Your wings
(I will hide myself)
Underneath the shadow, underneath the shadow of Your wings
(I will sing for joy)
By: W. Berry / See & Say Songs, BMI
(See "Our Worship Model" posting under the "Worship Theology" link on the Worship Arts page).
Copyright Secured: See & Say (Songs & Such), BMI
Thursday, June 4, 2009
A Pastoral Pondering
(From Fruitfulness to Barrenness)
The “process” that takes us from fruitfulness to barrenness moves downward in three stages -- complacency to malaise to apathy (see definitions below). There are many reasons that can cause such a downward spiral toward disengagement to begin. I want to address two which I believe are basic:
1. We lose interest and energy in maintaining the principles and precepts which were once important to us. When that starts to happen the “cares of this world” begin to choke out our fruitfulness. "The seed cast in the weeds represents the ones who hear the kingdom news but are overwhelmed with worries about all the things they have to do and all the things they want to get. The stress strangles what they heard, and nothing comes of it." (Mark 4:19 / The Message Bible)
2. Our discernment becomes dull in matters related to how we live our lives. We no longer work at “renewing our minds”. “So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God and you'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you." (Rom.12:1&2 / The Message Bible)
On a personal level my pastoral role (and that of the worship leadership) is to try and model a lifestyle that continues to be changed from the inside out. On a corporate level our role is to nurture an *internal environment of worship which can help to birth an *external atmosphere in which the Holy Ghost is free to move into and out thru the lives of those in the congregation. We are called by the Lord and anointed by the Spirit to lead saints toward a place of engagement with God through worship & praise. However, we cannot get them engaged. That can only be outworked between them and the Spirit.
*I will share more about spiritual environments & atmospheres in a future blog posting.
Complacency - Satisfaction accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers or deficiencies.
Effect: {The “status quo” lulls us into a self-satisfied inactivity}
Malaise - An indefinite feeling of debility or lack of health often indicative of or accompanying the onset of an illness. A vague sense of mental or moral ill-being.
Effect: {We begin to sense something is wrong but do little to try and figure out what it is or what to do about it}
Apathy - Lack of feeling or emotion. Lack of interest or concern.
Effect: {We become disengaged and don’t even seem to care}
So, how are we to combat such unfruitful habits & behaviors? Here's one way:
“Bless the Lord, O my soul
And all that’s within me
Bless His holy name”
(Ps.103:1)
Copyright Secured: See & Say (Songs & Such), BMI
"WHEN WE WORSHIP"
When we worship we are changed
When we come into God's presence
We will never be the same
When we worship we are changed
When we worship we are changed
Transformed into God's image
In His likeness to remain
When we worship we are changed
So let us worship Him
Lift up our hands to Him
Come let us worship Him
Cast all our cares on Him
When we worship we are changed
When we come into His presence
Though our trials may remain
When we worship we are changed
(By: W. Berry / See & Say Songs, BMI)
(From Fruitfulness to Barrenness)
The “process” that takes us from fruitfulness to barrenness moves downward in three stages -- complacency to malaise to apathy (see definitions below). There are many reasons that can cause such a downward spiral toward disengagement to begin. I want to address two which I believe are basic:
1. We lose interest and energy in maintaining the principles and precepts which were once important to us. When that starts to happen the “cares of this world” begin to choke out our fruitfulness. "The seed cast in the weeds represents the ones who hear the kingdom news but are overwhelmed with worries about all the things they have to do and all the things they want to get. The stress strangles what they heard, and nothing comes of it." (Mark 4:19 / The Message Bible)
2. Our discernment becomes dull in matters related to how we live our lives. We no longer work at “renewing our minds”. “So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God and you'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you." (Rom.12:1&2 / The Message Bible)
On a personal level my pastoral role (and that of the worship leadership) is to try and model a lifestyle that continues to be changed from the inside out. On a corporate level our role is to nurture an *internal environment of worship which can help to birth an *external atmosphere in which the Holy Ghost is free to move into and out thru the lives of those in the congregation. We are called by the Lord and anointed by the Spirit to lead saints toward a place of engagement with God through worship & praise. However, we cannot get them engaged. That can only be outworked between them and the Spirit.
*I will share more about spiritual environments & atmospheres in a future blog posting.
Complacency - Satisfaction accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers or deficiencies.
Effect: {The “status quo” lulls us into a self-satisfied inactivity}
Malaise - An indefinite feeling of debility or lack of health often indicative of or accompanying the onset of an illness. A vague sense of mental or moral ill-being.
Effect: {We begin to sense something is wrong but do little to try and figure out what it is or what to do about it}
Apathy - Lack of feeling or emotion. Lack of interest or concern.
Effect: {We become disengaged and don’t even seem to care}
So, how are we to combat such unfruitful habits & behaviors? Here's one way:
“Bless the Lord, O my soul
And all that’s within me
Bless His holy name”
(Ps.103:1)
Copyright Secured: See & Say (Songs & Such), BMI
"WHEN WE WORSHIP"
When we worship we are changed
When we come into God's presence
We will never be the same
When we worship we are changed
When we worship we are changed
Transformed into God's image
In His likeness to remain
When we worship we are changed
So let us worship Him
Lift up our hands to Him
Come let us worship Him
Cast all our cares on Him
When we worship we are changed
When we come into His presence
Though our trials may remain
When we worship we are changed
(By: W. Berry / See & Say Songs, BMI)
Saturday, May 16, 2009
A Pastoral Pondering
(Slave or Servant)
Perhaps you’ve read Eugene Peterson’s book entitled “The Way Of Jesus”. It impacted me deeply with its focuse on what “The Way” really means – how it’s worked out in the real world in our real lives. There’s a section in it that addresses servanthood. Please allow me a few moments of your time to share some quotes on that subject.
“Servant” is not a new term to designate the people of God. Early on, the term “servant” formed the core of their self-understanding. The great Red Sea salvation that set Israel free from Egyptian bondage did not make them a free people but servants of another Master. “For it is to me (God) that the people of Israel are servants (‘abadin = slaves). They are my servants whom I brought out from the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God” (Lev.25:55 ESV). They were free from Egyptian bondage, but they were not free from God. The point of the exodus is not freedom in the sense of self-determination, but service, the service of the loving, redeeming, and delivering God of Israel, rather than the state and its proud king.”
“Both the people and Moses were still slaves. What changed, the only thing that changed, was that they had a different Master, Yahweh the Lord of life instead of Pharaoh the tyrant of death. “The same word in Hebrew, ‘ebed, translates into English as either slave or servant depending on context: if the servitude is forced, you are a slave; if the servitude is chosen, you are a servant. The same goes for the New Testament Greek word doulos --- either servant or slave).”
“Servants have no credentials, no status, no achievements that qualify them for great work. Servant is a position without distinction, the lowest rung on the work ladder.”
“Among a biblically informed people, servant has always been our given identity. We serve God: God does not serve us. God gives the orders, God provides terms of our service; we carry them out. God is a good and merciful master, but God does not serve us.”
“God’s way, always, is to use servants. Servants: men and women without standing, without accomplishment, without influence. The core element in a servant identity is not being God, not being in charge, not taking the initiative. Or, to put it positively, a servant enters into what has already been decided by another, what is already going on, alert to the gestures and guidance of the Master (Ps.123). The servant doesn’t know the whole story, doesn’t know the end from the beginning. The servant’s task is to be competent in the immediate affairs that have to do with what he knows of the desires of his Master. All the while he is also aware that there is far more going on, both good and evil, than he has any knowledge of. He lives, in other words, in a mystery but not in confusion. A good servant is ever eager to trust and obey and honor God as the sovereign who is always personal and present –Yahweh: God here and now.”
(From: “The Way Of Jesus” / Eugene Peterson / Eerdmans Publishing Co., ’07)
Consider (ponder) all the above as it relates to your personal relationship as a worshipper of the “One True God” (Deut.6:4). Our theology of worship must contain a clear understanding of what it means to serve (worship) our Lord or our sacrificial offerings of praise can easily become misguided. Such a lack of understanding often leads us down a pathway that moves from fruitfulness to barrenness. I'll have more to say about that in another posting.
Copyright Secured: See & Say (Songs & Such), BMI
“UNTIL HIS MERCY COMES”
(Ps.123:2)
As the eyes of a servant, look to the hand of his master
As the eyes of a maid, look to her mistresses’ hand
So our eyes look up, to the Lord, our God and Maker
Until His mercy comes, until His mercy comes, until His mercy comes
As the soul of a sinner, crys in the night from his suffering
As a heart of repentance, seeks for a Healers touch
So our tears fall down, like rain on a barren desert
Until His mercy comes, until His mercy comes, until His mercy comes
As the joy of a child, climbing into the lap of their Father
As the peace from a life, redeemed by a Saviors gift
So our praises rise, up the throne of our Sovereign
Until His mercy comes, until His mercy comes, until His mercy comes
Mercy (Chanan): To bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior. To favor or bestow kindness.
By: W. Berry
See & Say Songs, BMI, 4/‘07
(Slave or Servant)
Perhaps you’ve read Eugene Peterson’s book entitled “The Way Of Jesus”. It impacted me deeply with its focuse on what “The Way” really means – how it’s worked out in the real world in our real lives. There’s a section in it that addresses servanthood. Please allow me a few moments of your time to share some quotes on that subject.
“Servant” is not a new term to designate the people of God. Early on, the term “servant” formed the core of their self-understanding. The great Red Sea salvation that set Israel free from Egyptian bondage did not make them a free people but servants of another Master. “For it is to me (God) that the people of Israel are servants (‘abadin = slaves). They are my servants whom I brought out from the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God” (Lev.25:55 ESV). They were free from Egyptian bondage, but they were not free from God. The point of the exodus is not freedom in the sense of self-determination, but service, the service of the loving, redeeming, and delivering God of Israel, rather than the state and its proud king.”
“Both the people and Moses were still slaves. What changed, the only thing that changed, was that they had a different Master, Yahweh the Lord of life instead of Pharaoh the tyrant of death. “The same word in Hebrew, ‘ebed, translates into English as either slave or servant depending on context: if the servitude is forced, you are a slave; if the servitude is chosen, you are a servant. The same goes for the New Testament Greek word doulos --- either servant or slave).”
“Servants have no credentials, no status, no achievements that qualify them for great work. Servant is a position without distinction, the lowest rung on the work ladder.”
“Among a biblically informed people, servant has always been our given identity. We serve God: God does not serve us. God gives the orders, God provides terms of our service; we carry them out. God is a good and merciful master, but God does not serve us.”
“God’s way, always, is to use servants. Servants: men and women without standing, without accomplishment, without influence. The core element in a servant identity is not being God, not being in charge, not taking the initiative. Or, to put it positively, a servant enters into what has already been decided by another, what is already going on, alert to the gestures and guidance of the Master (Ps.123). The servant doesn’t know the whole story, doesn’t know the end from the beginning. The servant’s task is to be competent in the immediate affairs that have to do with what he knows of the desires of his Master. All the while he is also aware that there is far more going on, both good and evil, than he has any knowledge of. He lives, in other words, in a mystery but not in confusion. A good servant is ever eager to trust and obey and honor God as the sovereign who is always personal and present –Yahweh: God here and now.”
(From: “The Way Of Jesus” / Eugene Peterson / Eerdmans Publishing Co., ’07)
Consider (ponder) all the above as it relates to your personal relationship as a worshipper of the “One True God” (Deut.6:4). Our theology of worship must contain a clear understanding of what it means to serve (worship) our Lord or our sacrificial offerings of praise can easily become misguided. Such a lack of understanding often leads us down a pathway that moves from fruitfulness to barrenness. I'll have more to say about that in another posting.
Copyright Secured: See & Say (Songs & Such), BMI
“UNTIL HIS MERCY COMES”
(Ps.123:2)
As the eyes of a servant, look to the hand of his master
As the eyes of a maid, look to her mistresses’ hand
So our eyes look up, to the Lord, our God and Maker
Until His mercy comes, until His mercy comes, until His mercy comes
As the soul of a sinner, crys in the night from his suffering
As a heart of repentance, seeks for a Healers touch
So our tears fall down, like rain on a barren desert
Until His mercy comes, until His mercy comes, until His mercy comes
As the joy of a child, climbing into the lap of their Father
As the peace from a life, redeemed by a Saviors gift
So our praises rise, up the throne of our Sovereign
Until His mercy comes, until His mercy comes, until His mercy comes
Mercy (Chanan): To bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior. To favor or bestow kindness.
By: W. Berry
See & Say Songs, BMI, 4/‘07
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
A Pastoral Pondering
(Facing Trials with Joy)
Some of you (many perhaps) are struggling through hard times currently. It may be personal (jobs, health, finances); relational (distrust, disappointment, betrayal); spiritual (intercessory burdens for the world-at-large, obedience to God’s calling, diminishing faith) or various other “life-issues” to numerous to mention. If that’s the case I have a word of encouragement and possible direction for you to consider.
This all has to do with a line from the song “Corridor Of Light” (see included lyric below). The phrase I have in mind is, “I can dignify the trial when I call upon His name”. The message behind those words comes from James 1: 2-12. That’s the context --- you should probably read it before you go any further. The second verse specifically is the one I’d like you to consider. The KJV says to “count it all joy”. The word “count” used there is a mathematical term. It has to do with adding things together or gathering things up as resource. What that passage says to me is that we should learn to take the circumstances that life sends us and turn them into a substance that can be added to our spiritual-accounts in such a way as to be totaled up as profit/great gain for us (see:1 Tim.6:6). How is that done? It’s done through acts of worship. The way to “dignify the trial” is by taking whatever life events we find ourselves in and offering them up as “sacrificial worship” unto God (Rom.12:1). The second part of the phrase, “when I call upon His name”, then comes into play. But, it’s not a calling out for God to get you out of something. Rather, it’s a calling for Him to meet you in the middle of your mess in order for Him to receive it all as a faith-gift given up to let Him know that you have purposed to praise Him REGARDLESS of what’s taking place in your life --- either good or bad (see Hab.3:17&18). You do understand that He’ll receive anything and everything we offer Him as worship (by faith) don’t you?
Consider Jos.7:13-26 (KJV). In verse 19 you’ll find an unusual way of bringing glory to God. Achan has rebelled against the Lord and the outcome of his actions for himself (and others) was not good at all. However in the midst of this very disobedient and painful story we find Joshua telling Achan to “give glory to the Lord” by coming clean and admitting (declaring) what he had done. The passage clearly states that glory is given to God through the act of presenting Him with our “stuff” regardless of what it consists of. That’s a concept that many of you are likely not well aware of. Perhaps you should give some thought as to how this could be applied to the conditions you’re presently experiencing.
Getting back to the song I mentioned, the chorus continues by saying “when I’m lifting up Jesus, I’m taking demons down”. That concept is an easy one to state but it’s often a hard one to really get your heart and soul to embrace. It is, nonetheless, more than just words if we will begin (by faith) to attempt to put them into practice.
Consecration (the setting apart of any person, place, or thing for acts of holy service) is our job before and unto the Lord. Sanctification (conforming us into the image, character, and nature of our Lord) is the work of the Holy Ghost. What’s required of us in that process is to humbly yield in obedience to Gods’ Word, His will, and His ways. That all has to do with our perspective. For those with “eyes to see” there is a kingdom coming (manifesting) all around us....even in the “middle of the warfare”(Mt.11:12).
Regarding the “stuff” we find ourselves living in and through. Consider how often contemporary Christians (like us) blame the devil for the bad circumstance that life brings our way. Placing such blame can often be out of line with the Word of God. Let me draw your attention to just two passages of Scripture to highlight what I mean.
"But He knows the way I take; when He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” (Job23:10 / NASB)
“So, friends, it's obvious that our visit to you was no waste of time. We had just been given rough treatment in Philippi, as you know, but that didn't slow us down. We were sure of ourselves in God, and went right ahead and said our piece, presenting God's Message to you, defiant of the opposition. God tested us thoroughly to make sure we were qualified to be trusted with this Message. Be assured that when we speak to you we're not after crowd approval—only God approval. Since we've been put through that battery of tests, you're guaranteed that both we and the Message are free of error, mixed motives, or hidden agendas.” (1 Thess.2:1-4 / The Message Bible)
Both these examples from Scripture make it clear that the trials and testings which happened to Job and to Paul were viewed by them as being designed or sanctioned by the hand of God in His Sovereign dealings for their good (sanctification) and for the advancement of the kingdom. Let me add that there are many (very many) other passages in God’s Word that offer us the same dynamic kingdom-perspective. At the very least it would seem that we should be willing to consider how such passages as these are meant to help us work out our faith with fear and trembling (Phil.2:12-15). I think we owe it to the saints that came this way before us ----- who weren’t as “contemporary” as we seem to be.
OUTWORKING (The “Hook Up”): When you count the negative “stuff” in your life as joy (Ja.1:2) you dignify the trial. That in turn can then lead you to a place where you are “mature and well developed,not deficient in any way”
(Ja.1:4b / The Message Bible) which might look a lot like “coming forth as gold” (Job 24:10).
Selah…
Copyright Secured: See & Say (Songs & Such), BMI
"CORRIDOR OF LIGHT"
If I'm in a bad circumstance
With very few choices
Caught up in the chaos
And hearing strange voices
There's a choice that I can make
It's a way for me to go
Down the corridor of light
There's a hand that I can hold
When I'm liftin' up Jesus
When I'm liftin' up Jesus
When I'm liftin' up Jesus
I'm takin' demons down
Even at the end of the age
There's a promise I can claim
I can dignify the trial
When I call upon His name
Then in the middle of the warfare
Or at the end of my rope
I'll see a corridor of light
Where there's a glimmer left of hope
(We're movin' from) glory to glory
From strength to strength
From one level to another
We're all done with unbelief
With our eyes on Zion
God's "holy hill"
We'll see the corridor of light
That shines and always will
By: W. Berry / See & Say Songs, BMI
(Facing Trials with Joy)
Some of you (many perhaps) are struggling through hard times currently. It may be personal (jobs, health, finances); relational (distrust, disappointment, betrayal); spiritual (intercessory burdens for the world-at-large, obedience to God’s calling, diminishing faith) or various other “life-issues” to numerous to mention. If that’s the case I have a word of encouragement and possible direction for you to consider.
This all has to do with a line from the song “Corridor Of Light” (see included lyric below). The phrase I have in mind is, “I can dignify the trial when I call upon His name”. The message behind those words comes from James 1: 2-12. That’s the context --- you should probably read it before you go any further. The second verse specifically is the one I’d like you to consider. The KJV says to “count it all joy”. The word “count” used there is a mathematical term. It has to do with adding things together or gathering things up as resource. What that passage says to me is that we should learn to take the circumstances that life sends us and turn them into a substance that can be added to our spiritual-accounts in such a way as to be totaled up as profit/great gain for us (see:1 Tim.6:6). How is that done? It’s done through acts of worship. The way to “dignify the trial” is by taking whatever life events we find ourselves in and offering them up as “sacrificial worship” unto God (Rom.12:1). The second part of the phrase, “when I call upon His name”, then comes into play. But, it’s not a calling out for God to get you out of something. Rather, it’s a calling for Him to meet you in the middle of your mess in order for Him to receive it all as a faith-gift given up to let Him know that you have purposed to praise Him REGARDLESS of what’s taking place in your life --- either good or bad (see Hab.3:17&18). You do understand that He’ll receive anything and everything we offer Him as worship (by faith) don’t you?
Consider Jos.7:13-26 (KJV). In verse 19 you’ll find an unusual way of bringing glory to God. Achan has rebelled against the Lord and the outcome of his actions for himself (and others) was not good at all. However in the midst of this very disobedient and painful story we find Joshua telling Achan to “give glory to the Lord” by coming clean and admitting (declaring) what he had done. The passage clearly states that glory is given to God through the act of presenting Him with our “stuff” regardless of what it consists of. That’s a concept that many of you are likely not well aware of. Perhaps you should give some thought as to how this could be applied to the conditions you’re presently experiencing.
Getting back to the song I mentioned, the chorus continues by saying “when I’m lifting up Jesus, I’m taking demons down”. That concept is an easy one to state but it’s often a hard one to really get your heart and soul to embrace. It is, nonetheless, more than just words if we will begin (by faith) to attempt to put them into practice.
Consecration (the setting apart of any person, place, or thing for acts of holy service) is our job before and unto the Lord. Sanctification (conforming us into the image, character, and nature of our Lord) is the work of the Holy Ghost. What’s required of us in that process is to humbly yield in obedience to Gods’ Word, His will, and His ways. That all has to do with our perspective. For those with “eyes to see” there is a kingdom coming (manifesting) all around us....even in the “middle of the warfare”(Mt.11:12).
Regarding the “stuff” we find ourselves living in and through. Consider how often contemporary Christians (like us) blame the devil for the bad circumstance that life brings our way. Placing such blame can often be out of line with the Word of God. Let me draw your attention to just two passages of Scripture to highlight what I mean.
"But He knows the way I take; when He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” (Job23:10 / NASB)
“So, friends, it's obvious that our visit to you was no waste of time. We had just been given rough treatment in Philippi, as you know, but that didn't slow us down. We were sure of ourselves in God, and went right ahead and said our piece, presenting God's Message to you, defiant of the opposition. God tested us thoroughly to make sure we were qualified to be trusted with this Message. Be assured that when we speak to you we're not after crowd approval—only God approval. Since we've been put through that battery of tests, you're guaranteed that both we and the Message are free of error, mixed motives, or hidden agendas.” (1 Thess.2:1-4 / The Message Bible)
Both these examples from Scripture make it clear that the trials and testings which happened to Job and to Paul were viewed by them as being designed or sanctioned by the hand of God in His Sovereign dealings for their good (sanctification) and for the advancement of the kingdom. Let me add that there are many (very many) other passages in God’s Word that offer us the same dynamic kingdom-perspective. At the very least it would seem that we should be willing to consider how such passages as these are meant to help us work out our faith with fear and trembling (Phil.2:12-15). I think we owe it to the saints that came this way before us ----- who weren’t as “contemporary” as we seem to be.
OUTWORKING (The “Hook Up”): When you count the negative “stuff” in your life as joy (Ja.1:2) you dignify the trial. That in turn can then lead you to a place where you are “mature and well developed,not deficient in any way”
(Ja.1:4b / The Message Bible) which might look a lot like “coming forth as gold” (Job 24:10).
Selah…
Copyright Secured: See & Say (Songs & Such), BMI
"CORRIDOR OF LIGHT"
If I'm in a bad circumstance
With very few choices
Caught up in the chaos
And hearing strange voices
There's a choice that I can make
It's a way for me to go
Down the corridor of light
There's a hand that I can hold
When I'm liftin' up Jesus
When I'm liftin' up Jesus
When I'm liftin' up Jesus
I'm takin' demons down
Even at the end of the age
There's a promise I can claim
I can dignify the trial
When I call upon His name
Then in the middle of the warfare
Or at the end of my rope
I'll see a corridor of light
Where there's a glimmer left of hope
(We're movin' from) glory to glory
From strength to strength
From one level to another
We're all done with unbelief
With our eyes on Zion
God's "holy hill"
We'll see the corridor of light
That shines and always will
By: W. Berry / See & Say Songs, BMI
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