It is hard to listen. It is easy to speak, give an opinion, tell a story, brag, criticize, suggest, or simply ramble. It is hard to listen. Everyone has something to say, whether useful or worthless, it does not matter. It seems that the whole world is talking at once and it is impossible to assimilate all the chatter into something meaningful.
The Psalmists were constantly seeking to gain God’s attention to their plight in life. The writer of Psalm 7 even pleads with God to “wake up” and pay attention to his need for protection. We frequently are in need of a sounding board to the thoughts that are searching for release. Our associates and friends are open to ideas, solutions, and gossip but have no time for the emotions that swarm our lives. We need someone who will listen.
The writer of Psalm 7 goes on to say that God, “looks deep within the mind and heart,” and that the Lord, “is just.” It would be so nice to have someone who takes time to know our heart and is fair about the assessment of our feelings and thoughts. Jesus, through his emotion packed prayers, taught us that the Father listens.
Eugene Peterson, in Reversed Thunder, states, “it is rare to find anyone who listens carefully and thoroughly. (In having someone listen to us) we acquire dignity. We never know how well we think or speak until we find someone who listens.” Wouldn’t it be great if today we help someone build a healthy “self” by listening? It takes thought, practice, and self-discipline. Give it a try!
Monday, January 26, 2009
Thursday, January 8, 2009
No Other Gods
I think often of what it means to worship God. Certainly, as a worship leader, that's vital to how I do my work. But every believer should consider what it means to be a worshiper of God.
We can learn a lot about what it means to worship God by looking at the first of the 10 Commandments (Exodus 20). God begins by reminding the people of Israel that it was He who brought them out of Egyptian slavery. That statement must have immediately brought to their minds the many great miracles and wonders involved with their exodus from Egypt. When we worship, we should also begin with an understanding and acknowledgement of who God and who we are as His people. God goes on to tell the people in the first commandment that they are to have no other gods before Him (20:3). A good understanding of this commandment is that they were not to have any other gods "before His face." To do so would be an insult to who He is. God does not share His glory, and there is none worthy to be in His holy presence pretending to be Him.
So how does this affect our worship today? In corporate worship, we gather to first of all declare who God is -- that He is awesome, holy, and righteous in all His ways. We further declare that as God's people, we are aligning our lives to please Him. We have gotten rid of our idols, so to speak. "Idols"are anything that we may esteem or value more than God Himself. Psalm 139:23-24 says "Search me, O God...test me... see if there is any offensive way in me...". God, through his Holy Spirit, will reveal areas of our lives that where we have allowed the things of this world to take His place in our lives.
When we come together in worship, let us exalt the Lord, and let Him speak to our hearts. He calls us to bow down and worship Him alone.
We can learn a lot about what it means to worship God by looking at the first of the 10 Commandments (Exodus 20). God begins by reminding the people of Israel that it was He who brought them out of Egyptian slavery. That statement must have immediately brought to their minds the many great miracles and wonders involved with their exodus from Egypt. When we worship, we should also begin with an understanding and acknowledgement of who God and who we are as His people. God goes on to tell the people in the first commandment that they are to have no other gods before Him (20:3). A good understanding of this commandment is that they were not to have any other gods "before His face." To do so would be an insult to who He is. God does not share His glory, and there is none worthy to be in His holy presence pretending to be Him.
So how does this affect our worship today? In corporate worship, we gather to first of all declare who God is -- that He is awesome, holy, and righteous in all His ways. We further declare that as God's people, we are aligning our lives to please Him. We have gotten rid of our idols, so to speak. "Idols"are anything that we may esteem or value more than God Himself. Psalm 139:23-24 says "Search me, O God...test me... see if there is any offensive way in me...". God, through his Holy Spirit, will reveal areas of our lives that where we have allowed the things of this world to take His place in our lives.
When we come together in worship, let us exalt the Lord, and let Him speak to our hearts. He calls us to bow down and worship Him alone.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Is it me or do some things take forever?
Are you as impatient as I am? Do you find yourself all the time calculating how long it will take you to do something and then are greatly discouraged and frustrated when it takes exponentially longer to complete the task? If so, you and I are cut from the same cloth.
The staff at FBC Burkburnett just completed a project that has taken about 6 months to complete - the redesign of our church website. This project was bombarded with problems from the beginning - many technological, some ideological, some pathological (I work with Bill Liggett you know). But in the end the project was completed ( go to www.fbcburk.com and see for yourself) and the staff is still talking to one another.
I thank the Sovereign Lord above that He is a patient God. He does not deal with me in the manner I deserve. He is long suffering - a word not often used today - which means he puts up with my shenanigans for as long as His character will allow. The love and grace of God rescues me from myself, and I often get what I don't deserve.
The staff at FBC Burkburnett just completed a project that has taken about 6 months to complete - the redesign of our church website. This project was bombarded with problems from the beginning - many technological, some ideological, some pathological (I work with Bill Liggett you know). But in the end the project was completed ( go to www.fbcburk.com and see for yourself) and the staff is still talking to one another.
I thank the Sovereign Lord above that He is a patient God. He does not deal with me in the manner I deserve. He is long suffering - a word not often used today - which means he puts up with my shenanigans for as long as His character will allow. The love and grace of God rescues me from myself, and I often get what I don't deserve.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
