Feb 2008
February 17, 2008
17/02/08 07:50
Prayer Requests:
Happy Birthday: Monday: Andrew Mullins; Bill Mourer Friday: Christian McCray Sr. Happy Anniversary Wednesday: Craig & Linda Myers; Betty & Jeff Larntz
Soup & Dessert Supper: On March 2, the Ladies Bible Study Group will be having a soup/dessert dinner immediately after morning service. Suggested donation: $5 for adults/$2 for children 12 and under. The money will help us attend the Women of faith women’s convention this summer. Thanks for your support.
These sentences (with all the BLOOPERS) actually appeared in church bulletins or were announced in church services: *The sermon this morning: 'Jesus Walks on the Water.' The sermon tonight: 'Searching for Jesus.' * Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands. *The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals. *Don't let worry kill you off - let the Church help. *Next Thursday there will be tryouts for the choir. They need all the help they can get.
*Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church. So ends a friendship that began in their school days. *At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be 'What Is Hell?' Come early and listen to our choir practice. *Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children. *Potluck supper Sunday at 5:00 PM - prayer and medication to follow. *Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday morning at 10 AM. All ladies are invited to lunch in the Fellowship Hall after the B. S. Is done. *Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM. Please use the back door.
*The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet in the Church basement Friday at 7 PM. The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy. *Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the First Baptist Church. Please use large double door at the side entrance.
Amish Friendship Breads (Various Flavors) are for sale out on the table for $3 per loaf. Proceeds will help the home school group visit the Bible Museum in Mansfield. Thanks. Give $ to Robin or Pastor.
One day a while back, a man, his heart heavy with grief, was walking in the woods. As he thought about his life this day, he knew many things were not right. He thought about those who had lied about him back when he had a job. His thoughts turned to those who had stolen his things and cheated him. He remembered family that had passed on. His mind turned to the illness he had, that no one could cure. His very soul was filled with anger, resentment, and frustration. Standing there this day, searching for answers he could not find, knowing all else had failed him, he knelt at the base of an old oak tree to seek the one he knew would always be there. And with tears in his eyes, he prayed: "Lord- You have done wonderful things for me in this life. You have told me to do many things for you, and I happily obeyed. Today, you have told me to forgive. I am sad, Lord, because I cannot, I don't know how. It is not fair Lord, I didn't deserve these wrongs that were done against me and I shouldn't have to forgive. As perfect as your way is Lord, this one thing I cannot do, for I don't know how to forgive. My anger is so deep Lord, I fear I may not hear you, but I pray you teach me to do the one thing I cannot do: Teach me to forgive.”
As he knelt there in the quiet shade of that old oak tree, he felt something fall onto his shoulder. He opened his eyes. Out of the corner of one eye, he saw something red on his shirt. He could not turn to see what it was because where the oak tree had been was a large square piece of wood in the ground. He raised his head and saw two feet held to the wood with a large spike through them. He raised his head more, and tears came to his eyes as he saw Jesus hanging on a cross. He saw spikes in His hands, a gash in His side, a torn and battered body, deep thorns sunk into His head. Finally he saw the suffering and pain on His precious face. As their eyes met, the man's tears turned to sobbing, and Jesus began to speak. "Have you ever told a lie?" He asked? The man answered - "Yes, Lord."
"Have you ever been given too much change and kept it?" The man answered - "Yes. Lord." And the man sobbed more and more. "Have you ever taken something from work that wasn't yours?" Jesus asked.
And the man answered, "Yes, Lord."
"Have you ever sworn, using my Father's name in vain?"
The man, crying now, answered - "Yes, Lord."
As Jesus asked many more times, "Have you ever"? The man's crying became uncontrollable, for he could only answer - "Yes, Lord". Then Jesus turned His head from one side to the other, and the man felt something fall on his other shoulder He looked and saw that it was the blood of Jesus. When he looked back up, his eyes met those of Jesus, and there was a look of love the man had never seen or known before. Jesus said, "I didn't deserve this either, but I forgive you."
Women’s Bible Study: Tonight at 6:30pm Here at the church. IF INTERESTED IN GOING TO HEAR SPECIAL SPEAKER AT THE TABERNACLE INSTEAD SEE ROBIN.
You’re Invited: David Ring, special needs evangelist, will be speaking at the Coshocton Christian Tabernacle on Feb. 17 at 6pm. See poster in the Walnut Street foyer for more information.
Men’s Darts: Thursday at 6:30pm.
Music Practice: Wednesday Night at 5:30pm
Great Opportunity for the Men: Honor Bound Men’s Summit. March 14 & 15 in Millersburg. Cost is $25 if paid by March 2nd; $30 after that. A poster is up in the Walnut Street foyer with more information or see Joe Hoover.
Matt & Jill Smith have sold their home and will be leaving us soon to live in Athens, Ohio. Please keep them in your prayers as they make this move.
My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music. Psalm 57:7
February 10, 2008
10/02/08 07:59
Prayer Requests:
Women’s Bible Study: Tonight at 6:30pm Here at the church.
Men’s Darts: Cancelled for this Thursday. See you next week at 6:30pm.
Great Opportunity for the Men: Honor Bound Men’s Summit. March 14 & 15 in Millersburg. Cost is $25 if paid by March 2nd; $30 after that. A poster is up in the Walnut Street foyer with more information or see Joe Hoover.
You’re Invited: David Ring, special needs evangelist, will be speaking at the Coshocton Christian Tabernacle on Feb. 17 at 6pm. See poster in the Walnut Street foyer for more information.
Happy Birthday: Friday: Raychel Bacon
Happy Anniversary: Saturday: Sandy & Robert Brown
*************************************************************
For Gove so loVed the world That He gAve His onLy begottEn SoN That whosoever believeth In Him should Not perish but have Everlasting life.
Happy Valentines Day!!!! It’s almost here – this Thursday. Have you bought anything for your sweetie? Have no fear. The Junior Friday night class has made up some candy just for you. The proceeds will help them attend Alive 2008. It’s a perfect win/win situation. So stop by their table in the lobby area after service and bless everyone’s day
If anyone would like a starter for Amish Friendship Bread, please feel free to get one from the table just inside the door. Don’t forget to get a copy of the recipe.
A book titled Little Wonders, by Mary Hollingsworth, has stories concerning children. Todd and Jedd Hafer contributed this one.
-After sheparding and providing a bit of religious instruction during the year, we take some of the smaller children at the end of each year, give them pencils and paper and ask them to chronicle what they have learned. This assignment never fails to elicit some intriguing responses. In case you're a little foggy on your biblical history, let our very junior church students help you with this complete overview of the Bible, compiled from their essays:
In the beginning, which occurred near the start, there was nothing but God, darkness, and some gas. The Bible says, "The Lord thy God is one," but I think He must be a lot older than that.
Anyway, God said, "Give me a light!" and someone did. Then God made the world. He split the Adam and made Eve. Adam and Eve were naked, but they weren't embarrassed because mirrors hadn't been invented yet. Adam and Eve disobeyed God by eating one bad apple, so they were driven from the Garden of Eden. I'm not sure what they were driven in though, because they didn't have cars. Adam and Eve had a son, Cain, who hated his brother as long as he was Abel.
Pretty soon all of the early people died off, except for Methuselah, who lived to be like a million or something.
One of the next important people was Noah, who was a good guy, but one of his kids was kind of a ham. Noah built a large boat, and put his family and some animals on it. He asked some other people to join him, but they said they would have to take a rain check.
After Noah came Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Jacob was more famous than his brother, Esau, because Esau sold Jacob his birthmark in exchange for some pot roast. Jacob had a son named Joseph who wore a really loud sports coat.
Another important Bible guy is Moses, whose real name was Charlton Heston. Moses led the IsraelLights out of Egypt and away from the evil Pharaoh after God sent ten plagues on Pharaoh's people. These plagues included frogs, mice, lice, bowels, and no cable.
God fed the IsraelLights every day with manicotti. Then He gave them His top ten Commandments. These include don't lie, cheat, smoke, dance, or covet your neighbor's bottom (the Bible uses a bad word for bottom that I'm not supposed to say, but my Dad uses it sometimes when he talks about the President). Oh, yeah, I just thought of one more: Humor they father and they mother.
One of Moses' best helpers was Joshua who was the first Bible guy to use spies. Joshua fought the battle of Geritol and the fence fell over on the town.
After Joshua came David. He got to be king by killing a giant with a slingshot. He had a son named Solomon who had about 300 wives and 500 porcupines. My teacher says he was wise, but that doesn't sound very wise to me.
After Solomon there were a bunch of major league prophets. One of these was Jonah, who was swallowed by a big whale and then barfed up on the shore.
There were also some minor league prophets, but I guess we don't have to worry about them. After the Old Testament came the New Testament.
Jesus is the star of the New Testament. He was born in Bethlehem in a barn. (I wish I had been born in a barn, too, because my mom is always saying to me, "Close the door! Were you born in a barn?" It would be nice to say, "As a matter of fact, I was!")
During His life, Jesus had many arguments with sinners like the Pharisees and the Republican s. Jesus also had twelve opossums. The worst one was Judas Asparagus. Judas was so evil that they named a terrible vegetable after him. Jesus was a great man. He healed many leopards and even preached to some Germans on the Mount.
But the Republicans and all those guys put Jesus on trial before Pontius the Pilot. Pilot didn't stick up for Jesus. He just washed his hands, instead.
Anyway, Jesus died for our sins, then came back to life again. He went up to Heaven, but will be back at the end of the Aluminum. His return is foretold in the book of Revolution.
Women’s Bible Study: Tonight at 6:30pm Here at the church.
Men’s Darts: Cancelled for this Thursday. See you next week at 6:30pm.
Great Opportunity for the Men: Honor Bound Men’s Summit. March 14 & 15 in Millersburg. Cost is $25 if paid by March 2nd; $30 after that. A poster is up in the Walnut Street foyer with more information or see Joe Hoover.
You’re Invited: David Ring, special needs evangelist, will be speaking at the Coshocton Christian Tabernacle on Feb. 17 at 6pm. See poster in the Walnut Street foyer for more information.
Happy Birthday: Friday: Raychel Bacon
Happy Anniversary: Saturday: Sandy & Robert Brown
*************************************************************
For Gove so loVed the world That He gAve His onLy begottEn SoN That whosoever believeth In Him should Not perish but have Everlasting life.
Happy Valentines Day!!!! It’s almost here – this Thursday. Have you bought anything for your sweetie? Have no fear. The Junior Friday night class has made up some candy just for you. The proceeds will help them attend Alive 2008. It’s a perfect win/win situation. So stop by their table in the lobby area after service and bless everyone’s day
If anyone would like a starter for Amish Friendship Bread, please feel free to get one from the table just inside the door. Don’t forget to get a copy of the recipe.
A book titled Little Wonders, by Mary Hollingsworth, has stories concerning children. Todd and Jedd Hafer contributed this one.
-After sheparding and providing a bit of religious instruction during the year, we take some of the smaller children at the end of each year, give them pencils and paper and ask them to chronicle what they have learned. This assignment never fails to elicit some intriguing responses. In case you're a little foggy on your biblical history, let our very junior church students help you with this complete overview of the Bible, compiled from their essays:
In the beginning, which occurred near the start, there was nothing but God, darkness, and some gas. The Bible says, "The Lord thy God is one," but I think He must be a lot older than that.
Anyway, God said, "Give me a light!" and someone did. Then God made the world. He split the Adam and made Eve. Adam and Eve were naked, but they weren't embarrassed because mirrors hadn't been invented yet. Adam and Eve disobeyed God by eating one bad apple, so they were driven from the Garden of Eden. I'm not sure what they were driven in though, because they didn't have cars. Adam and Eve had a son, Cain, who hated his brother as long as he was Abel.
Pretty soon all of the early people died off, except for Methuselah, who lived to be like a million or something.
One of the next important people was Noah, who was a good guy, but one of his kids was kind of a ham. Noah built a large boat, and put his family and some animals on it. He asked some other people to join him, but they said they would have to take a rain check.
After Noah came Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Jacob was more famous than his brother, Esau, because Esau sold Jacob his birthmark in exchange for some pot roast. Jacob had a son named Joseph who wore a really loud sports coat.
Another important Bible guy is Moses, whose real name was Charlton Heston. Moses led the IsraelLights out of Egypt and away from the evil Pharaoh after God sent ten plagues on Pharaoh's people. These plagues included frogs, mice, lice, bowels, and no cable.
God fed the IsraelLights every day with manicotti. Then He gave them His top ten Commandments. These include don't lie, cheat, smoke, dance, or covet your neighbor's bottom (the Bible uses a bad word for bottom that I'm not supposed to say, but my Dad uses it sometimes when he talks about the President). Oh, yeah, I just thought of one more: Humor they father and they mother.
One of Moses' best helpers was Joshua who was the first Bible guy to use spies. Joshua fought the battle of Geritol and the fence fell over on the town.
After Joshua came David. He got to be king by killing a giant with a slingshot. He had a son named Solomon who had about 300 wives and 500 porcupines. My teacher says he was wise, but that doesn't sound very wise to me.
After Solomon there were a bunch of major league prophets. One of these was Jonah, who was swallowed by a big whale and then barfed up on the shore.
There were also some minor league prophets, but I guess we don't have to worry about them. After the Old Testament came the New Testament.
Jesus is the star of the New Testament. He was born in Bethlehem in a barn. (I wish I had been born in a barn, too, because my mom is always saying to me, "Close the door! Were you born in a barn?" It would be nice to say, "As a matter of fact, I was!")
During His life, Jesus had many arguments with sinners like the Pharisees and the Republican s. Jesus also had twelve opossums. The worst one was Judas Asparagus. Judas was so evil that they named a terrible vegetable after him. Jesus was a great man. He healed many leopards and even preached to some Germans on the Mount.
But the Republicans and all those guys put Jesus on trial before Pontius the Pilot. Pilot didn't stick up for Jesus. He just washed his hands, instead.
Anyway, Jesus died for our sins, then came back to life again. He went up to Heaven, but will be back at the end of the Aluminum. His return is foretold in the book of Revolution.
February 3, 2008
03/02/08 21:58
Prayer Requests:
Women’s Bible Study: Tonight at 6:30pm Here at the church.
Men’s Darts: Thursday at 6:30pm.
Great Opportunity for the Men: Honor Bound Men’s Summit. March 14 & 15 in Millersburg. Cost is $25 if paid by March 2nd; $30 after that. A poster is up in the Walnut Street foyer with more information or see Joe Hoover.
You’re Invited: David Ring, special needs evangelist, will be speaking at the Coshocton Christian Tabernacle on Feb. 17 at 6pm. See poster in the Walnut Street foyer for more information.
Happy Birthday: Monday: Craig Myers Wednesday:Betty Larntz Thursday: Norma Eckelberry
I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; Philippians 1:3-6
The Story of Worship by Gerrit Gustafson
(Jubal Magazine) Probably everyone reading this article is aware of churches and individuals that are going through changes in the way they worship. Obviously, not all of the changes that are taking place are good changes, but, underlying this process, I believe, is the work of the Spirit, challenging our views of what it means to be a true worshiper of God. In many cases, passive, halfhearted worship is being replaced with expressions of active, heartfelt worship.
But what precedent is there for the Holy Spirit challenging our worship, and what is it that God is after? In the Gospels, we find that Jesus commented on unacceptable worship (“words-only” worship is empty worship according to Mt. 15:8,9), and he also said that his Father is looking for a particular kind of worshiper, one who worships in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). So let’s look at a sampling of the Story of Worship through Scripture, to better help us become the worshipers today that God is looking for. In the first family, for instance, God was looking for true worshipers. Between Cain and Abel, he found only one. “The Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but He did not have regard for Cain and his offering. Cain became furious...” (Gen. 4:4-5). Driven by religious jealousy, Cain murdered his brother. Welcome to the Story of Worship. After the flood, the Story continues with Noah’s offering. It was the pleasing aroma of Noah’s offering (Gen. 8:20) that stirred God to extend a covenant of protection over mankind’s future.
In the account of Abraham’s willing offering of Isaac, where the word “worship” is first found in the Bible (Gen. 22:5), we see how God tests worshipers to see if there is anything we place above our devotion to him. Years later, when Abraham’s descendants had become a great multitude living in Egypt as slaves, God gave Moses the message that would eventually deliver them from slavery: “Let my people go so that they may worship Me” (Ex. 8:1). God was looking for worshipers. When Moses was given the 10 Commandments for the new nation of Israel, the issue of true worship was written into their law - “No other gods…” and “no idols.” Nothing before God, the same issue Abraham faced with Isaac, became the primary organizing principle for this new community. At Sinai (Ex. 19:3-6; 20:18-21), God wanted to ordain every Israelite as a priest, which is simply a worshiper who ministers before God. But because of fear, they drew back from God’s presence. God’s pursuit of a nation of worshipers was frustrated. Later, Eli, Israel’s high priest, failed the same worship test Abraham has passed. “You have honored your sons more than Me” (1 Sam. 2:29). His privileged position was lost and given to another. David and Solomon saw what could happen when a nation is built around the honor of God. Under their reign, worship and prayer was brought before God 24/7 for years. God was finding worshipers. David wrote: “May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you. Then the land will yield its harvest, and God, our God, will bless us. ” (Ps. 67:5-6). And truly, that is what happened as Israel experienced her Golden Years of favor and prominence. But the great king Solomon didn’t finish well as a worshiper. Though he had built a glorious Temple for God’s praise, and though he had written hundreds of songs (1 Kings 4:32) and even books in the Bible, his later days were filled with darkness and idolatry. “At that time, Solomon built a high place for Chemosh, the detestable idol of Moab, and for Milcom, the detestable idol of the Ammonites…” (1 Kings 11:7). Specifically because of Solomon’s “worship failure,” (1 Kings 11:11-13) Israel was divided into two nations and lost her international prominence and power. Likewise it was a worship failure that led to Israel being conquered by Assyria, and Judah being led into captivity by Babylon (2 Chron. 7:19-22). When the captivity was over, God miraculously put it in Cyrus’ heart to let Israel return to the land for the purpose of restoring worship (Ezra 6:3). God was looking for worshipers. Worship surrounded the birth of Jesus – the angels sang the Gloria, the wise men presented extravagant gifts to the newborn King. Jesus won the Samaritan woman to the kingdom with a message of his Father’s search for worshipers (Jn. 4:23-24). He rebuked religionists for placing traditions above God himself and for worshiping with words only (Mt. 15:6-9). He made clear that the greatest commandment is to love God with all our heart, mind, soul and physical strength. And since worship is simply the expression of our love for God, he’s telling us that the kind of worshiper he looks for is a wholehearted one – and that nothing is more important! His atoning death and resurrection created a new community, the church, which Peter said was for the purpose of offering “sacrifices acceptable to God” (1 Pet. 2:5) and declaring praise (verse 9). The apostle Paul explained that he preached the gospel as a priestly duty to produce greater worship - so “that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable” (Rom. 15:15). In the end, an angel is sent from the throne of God with the eternal gospel calling the whole world to true worship (Rev. 14:6-7). And even though a jealous God-imposter, the beast, temporarily convinces the unredeemed world to worship him (Rev. 13:8), his scam is short-lived. Ultimately “all the nations will come and worship before You” (the Lord) (Rev. 15:4). And now it’s our turn to join in the Story and become a worshiper like Abel, Abraham, David and Paul. For God is still looking for worshipers… in your neighborhood… in your church… and in your home!
The quality of my life depends on the quality of my thoughts.
I should keep my words soft and sweet in case I have to eat them.
The 10 commandments are not multiple choice.
Women’s Bible Study: Tonight at 6:30pm Here at the church.
Men’s Darts: Thursday at 6:30pm.
Great Opportunity for the Men: Honor Bound Men’s Summit. March 14 & 15 in Millersburg. Cost is $25 if paid by March 2nd; $30 after that. A poster is up in the Walnut Street foyer with more information or see Joe Hoover.
You’re Invited: David Ring, special needs evangelist, will be speaking at the Coshocton Christian Tabernacle on Feb. 17 at 6pm. See poster in the Walnut Street foyer for more information.
Happy Birthday: Monday: Craig Myers Wednesday:Betty Larntz Thursday: Norma Eckelberry
I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; Philippians 1:3-6
The Story of Worship by Gerrit Gustafson
(Jubal Magazine) Probably everyone reading this article is aware of churches and individuals that are going through changes in the way they worship. Obviously, not all of the changes that are taking place are good changes, but, underlying this process, I believe, is the work of the Spirit, challenging our views of what it means to be a true worshiper of God. In many cases, passive, halfhearted worship is being replaced with expressions of active, heartfelt worship.
But what precedent is there for the Holy Spirit challenging our worship, and what is it that God is after? In the Gospels, we find that Jesus commented on unacceptable worship (“words-only” worship is empty worship according to Mt. 15:8,9), and he also said that his Father is looking for a particular kind of worshiper, one who worships in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). So let’s look at a sampling of the Story of Worship through Scripture, to better help us become the worshipers today that God is looking for. In the first family, for instance, God was looking for true worshipers. Between Cain and Abel, he found only one. “The Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but He did not have regard for Cain and his offering. Cain became furious...” (Gen. 4:4-5). Driven by religious jealousy, Cain murdered his brother. Welcome to the Story of Worship. After the flood, the Story continues with Noah’s offering. It was the pleasing aroma of Noah’s offering (Gen. 8:20) that stirred God to extend a covenant of protection over mankind’s future.
In the account of Abraham’s willing offering of Isaac, where the word “worship” is first found in the Bible (Gen. 22:5), we see how God tests worshipers to see if there is anything we place above our devotion to him. Years later, when Abraham’s descendants had become a great multitude living in Egypt as slaves, God gave Moses the message that would eventually deliver them from slavery: “Let my people go so that they may worship Me” (Ex. 8:1). God was looking for worshipers. When Moses was given the 10 Commandments for the new nation of Israel, the issue of true worship was written into their law - “No other gods…” and “no idols.” Nothing before God, the same issue Abraham faced with Isaac, became the primary organizing principle for this new community. At Sinai (Ex. 19:3-6; 20:18-21), God wanted to ordain every Israelite as a priest, which is simply a worshiper who ministers before God. But because of fear, they drew back from God’s presence. God’s pursuit of a nation of worshipers was frustrated. Later, Eli, Israel’s high priest, failed the same worship test Abraham has passed. “You have honored your sons more than Me” (1 Sam. 2:29). His privileged position was lost and given to another. David and Solomon saw what could happen when a nation is built around the honor of God. Under their reign, worship and prayer was brought before God 24/7 for years. God was finding worshipers. David wrote: “May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you. Then the land will yield its harvest, and God, our God, will bless us. ” (Ps. 67:5-6). And truly, that is what happened as Israel experienced her Golden Years of favor and prominence. But the great king Solomon didn’t finish well as a worshiper. Though he had built a glorious Temple for God’s praise, and though he had written hundreds of songs (1 Kings 4:32) and even books in the Bible, his later days were filled with darkness and idolatry. “At that time, Solomon built a high place for Chemosh, the detestable idol of Moab, and for Milcom, the detestable idol of the Ammonites…” (1 Kings 11:7). Specifically because of Solomon’s “worship failure,” (1 Kings 11:11-13) Israel was divided into two nations and lost her international prominence and power. Likewise it was a worship failure that led to Israel being conquered by Assyria, and Judah being led into captivity by Babylon (2 Chron. 7:19-22). When the captivity was over, God miraculously put it in Cyrus’ heart to let Israel return to the land for the purpose of restoring worship (Ezra 6:3). God was looking for worshipers. Worship surrounded the birth of Jesus – the angels sang the Gloria, the wise men presented extravagant gifts to the newborn King. Jesus won the Samaritan woman to the kingdom with a message of his Father’s search for worshipers (Jn. 4:23-24). He rebuked religionists for placing traditions above God himself and for worshiping with words only (Mt. 15:6-9). He made clear that the greatest commandment is to love God with all our heart, mind, soul and physical strength. And since worship is simply the expression of our love for God, he’s telling us that the kind of worshiper he looks for is a wholehearted one – and that nothing is more important! His atoning death and resurrection created a new community, the church, which Peter said was for the purpose of offering “sacrifices acceptable to God” (1 Pet. 2:5) and declaring praise (verse 9). The apostle Paul explained that he preached the gospel as a priestly duty to produce greater worship - so “that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable” (Rom. 15:15). In the end, an angel is sent from the throne of God with the eternal gospel calling the whole world to true worship (Rev. 14:6-7). And even though a jealous God-imposter, the beast, temporarily convinces the unredeemed world to worship him (Rev. 13:8), his scam is short-lived. Ultimately “all the nations will come and worship before You” (the Lord) (Rev. 15:4). And now it’s our turn to join in the Story and become a worshiper like Abel, Abraham, David and Paul. For God is still looking for worshipers… in your neighborhood… in your church… and in your home!
The quality of my life depends on the quality of my thoughts.
I should keep my words soft and sweet in case I have to eat them.
The 10 commandments are not multiple choice.