May 19, 2008
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Naphtali News: Sunday's Worship --> Monday's Questions...
At worship last night, after we'd sung a couple songs, one of the pastors, dressed in first century garb, came barging in the doors, brandishing a sword and began shouting at us, "Are you Christians? What do you think you're doing here? You can't worship like this!" He was simulating (on a small scale) what it would have been like during the days of the early Church...
Some musings...
Would I have stood firm and endured to the end in light of such persecution?
How often do I remember to pray for the persecuted Church around the world?
Why am I not suffering such persecution?
In light of God's promise that all who desire to live Godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution, shouldn't I be praying, "Help me to desire to live Godly in You"?
With all the freedom I have to worship and serve Him, how much time do I spend seeking the Kingdom of God and His righteousness?
With all the freedom I have to worship and serve Him, how much of what I do is focused on myself and how much is focused on the Kingdom of God?
With all the freedom I have to worship and serve Him, what difference is my life making for eternity–how much of what I do will withstand the fire?
What good is my worship if I don't take my worship outside the four walls of the worship service?
What good is my worship if I say I love God but I don't love my neighbor?
What good is my worship if I sing praises to Jesus one night but don't minister to the least of these the next morning?
With all the resources God has given me, do I hold onto them tightly for my own benefit and advantage, or do I hold them loosely and see myself as a steward entrusted to use these things for His glory?
With all the freedom I have to serve God, how sad it is that in light of Christ's example who came to serve and not be served I so often expect God to serve me rather than to lay down my life as a servant to Him and to my fellow man.
What good is it if I've freely received from Christ, but don't freely give out to others?
What good is it to say, "Thank You for Your Sacrifice" if I don't present myself to Him as a living sacrifice?Merciful, omnipotent, living Father God,Help me not to hear Your Word and go away sorrowful
because of my great desire to preserve my life
because my great possessions possess me greatlyHelp me to greatly desire to live Godly in You
Help me to be greatly possessed by Your Spirit
So I might possess great treasure in heavenIn my own strength I know this is impossible
But with You all things are possible
Let me not go away sorrowfulAmen.
Image accessed from: http://www.firstreformeducc.org/worship.html
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