ARE YOU BELIEVING GOD?

I woke this morning overwhelmed with the magnitude of my mandate, the severity of my discipline and the financial budget it entails. It just dawned on me, I will have to believe God for all my desires to become a reality. It got me thinking. It sparked a fiery debate in me that consumed me with an earnest desire to dissect the word "believe" and to grasp its significance, and expectation on my life as a Christian. What is belief? I queried in my mind. The search was on and I was not letting up until I have some concrete biblical facts that could unlock the reality of my expectation.

The dam of ignorance was broken and the flood of divine revelation flooded my soul sprouting the bud of understanding. I realized I have slipped into the same passiveness that had knocked out many church goers who called themselves believers. The word "belief" has become a casual word that we declare to express our expectation in God. Does believe relinquish our responsibility of actions. Do we just park our mandates while we are left in the wake of ambitious unbelievers who just scramble to achieve and possess everything in their path? Does believe mean we do nothing? I wondered. As I pondered on these and searched the living word, I noticed that believe is not just a passive state of “do nothing" but a call to trust the Lord in the path of obedience. Believe is not initiated by your whims, the pressure of your needs or the religious norm that is prevalent in your denominational circles but it is based on the word of the Lord. You cannot believe until God has spoken.

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Rom 10:17)

God's promises in His word or divine revelation is the foundation of our belief. However belief is not complete until you have embraced God’s word as true and taken an action in obedience. Our belief must also be reflected in our utterance. You cannot be speaking against what you believe. What you say in the heat of your circumstance is an evidence of your belief. Your belief must also affect your emotional responses to your challenges.

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.
(Isa 28:16)

This flood of divine revelation eroded away any root of ignorance that had been planted in my soul. Now I know what it really means when I say am believing God. I accept His promise as true; I walk in obedience, full of expectation, drowned in the rivers of His peace, with my mouth filled with praise and the declaration of my affirmations of his promise. I believe, am believing, I AM A BELIEVER.

We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;
(2Co 4:13)

BY PASTOR REINDORF MANTEY
www.crusaders.biz

What is Worhsip?

From the onset, worship is not just the lifting up of hands while praying or singing a reverential song, bowing down, laying prostrate, etc alone though all these are forms of worship. Many Christians tend to focus on the outward expression than the inwardness of a man or the involvement of the heart in the worship offered to God. Believe it or not one can pass the human expectation of expressions and dynamics of worship without a single mistake but yet his or her worship rejected by God. For example; The Pharisees in the bible were very experienced in all the forms of religious rituals and worship but the Lord rejected their worship: “in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” Not only were their character or nature the grounds for their worship being rejected but also not fulfilling the mandate of their life; as in the specific assignment given to them by God which is teaching for doctrine the commands of God not men. Let’s consider another example. The people of Israel were very pious and excellent in the dynamics of offering sacrifices unto God as required of them by the law. They were very diligent! Somehow along the line, fallen from righteousness, they had the impression that as long as they offered their burnt offering, blood of bullocks, incense, oblation and celebrated their festivities, God will still be pleased and accept them anyhow. Hence, the Lord spoke to them thus: “To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? I am full of the burnt offering…and delight not in the blood of bullocks…who hath required this at your hands…?” According to the law, the Israelites were to offer those sacrifices, but the Lord through his prophet Isaiah said He had rejected such an offering and he needed no more. Though they were obeying the law and were diligent, because of their lifestyle of sinfulness the Lord rejected them and their sacrifices or worship. Today’s compared to that of the early church exalt expression above character.

Considering the Scriptures, what does God mean when he talks about worship or speak of offering worship to Him?

Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;

And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Mat 4:8-10

The Lord Jesus had fasted forty days and nights and was very hungry. The devil, Satan comes to tempt him by using his hunger as a bait to get him to abuse his authority and satisfy self but fails. Satan not willing to give up tries again concerning his belief in divine protection and again fails. Then finally the devil takes him up into an exceeding high mountain, showed him all the kingdom of the word and it glory and proposes to the Lord that he will give them all to him if he just bows and worship. Though the devil failed, Jesus made an expecting yet very profound statement concerning worship that will aid us in our search for the definition of worship.

Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Mat 4:10

The Lord replied Satan and said that it is written that it is God we are to worship and only him we serve. Considering Jesus’ and Satan’s interaction, the devil was referring to worship as in lying prostrate, bowing down, lifting of hands, etc but Jesus in his reply addresses the devil’s intent request mingled service. In other words the Lord is saying that worshipping and service falls into the same category. This means that the one you adore and reverence is the one you serve or render service to also. To serve means to minister to God, to render religious homage: to worship, in reference to the Greek. Also carefully studying the Greek word we observe that to serve was derived from a Greek word meaning one hired, to hire one for a work. In addition the same Greek word meaning to serve refers to the performing of the Levitical Service. Now the Levitical Service also as the mandate of the Levites included; bearing and guarding the ark of covenant, the vessels of the tabernacle, to assist the priest and to minister to him, to stand before the Lord and minister to him, bring wood for sacrifices and other necessities and so on.

From this (the dialog between Jesus and Satan) we can partially define worship as adoring, reverencing God through our expression streaming from our heart and fulfilling our duties and or our mandates as Christians.

Let’s consider another scripture to bring the definition of worship to a concrete conclusion.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Rom 12:1

The Roman Church was a church believed to consist of both Jews and Gentile with the Gentile being the predominant members. Imagine the possible chaos and immaturity in the church! Since they lacked better doctrine the apostle made his letters available to them for doctrine sake, edification, and with the intent of a closer intimate relationship with the Lord. The apostle being a man of righteousness and intimacy addressed a lot of issues with regard to the Church, however he makes a remarkable and insightful appeal in the chapter twelve verse one of Romans that I wants us to examine by the Holy Spirit for the definition of Worship. He implored them through the compassion of God that they should offer or present their bodies (all their members and faculty) a living sacrifice, holy (devoted and consecrated: set apart, upright, purity or abstaining from earth’s defilement) for that was their reasonable service (worship).

Here in this text the apostle was referring to the Levitical system of offering a sacrifice to the Lord. In the Old Testament, we will observe that the person offering a sacrifice brings the animal specified without blemish (otherwise will not be accepted) before the priest to offer it to the Lord. He lays his hand on the victim for the purpose of oneness with the victim, then presents it to the priest as in transfer of complete ownership to the Lord. The priest dissects and cut the sacrifice as instructed by the Lord through the Law and finally burns it on the altar as a sweet savor onto the Lord. This is what worship is all about, becoming a burnt offering unto the Lord.

In plain, the apostle instructs us to presents ourselves unto the Lord Jesus our high priest who will offer the sacrifice to God almighty. We must present ourselves holy for that is the only way the offering will be accepted: for without holiness none can see God or please Him. “…Which is your reasonable service” he included. Service here means to worship, the same in meaning compared to that of Matthew chapter four verses ten.

With all this noted, What then is worship?

Worship according to Scripture is having a reverential fear of God which springs from the heart, expressed through your emotions through a time of ministration. It is living a consecrated life (holiness is expressed and evident in your character). Worship is one coming to the destinations of surrendering your agenda, will, desire, to the Lord as you embrace his counsel and purpose for your life. Worship is one with a pure heart fulfilling his or her Christian duties and also mandate and commission of their life.

YOU ARE NOT AN ACCIDENT

One day a woodcutter took his grandson into the forest for his first experience in selecting and cutting oak trees. These they would later sell to the boat builders. As they walked along, the woodcutter explained that the purpose of each tree is contained in its natural shape: some are straight for planks, some have the proper curves for the ribs of a boat, and some are tall for masts. The woodcutter told his grandson that by paying attention to the details of each tree, and with experience in recognizing these characteristics, someday he too might become the woodcutter of the forest.

A little way into the forest, the grandson saw an old oak tree that had never been cut. The boy asked his grandfather if he could cut it down because it was useless for boat building - there were no straight limbs, the trunk was, short and gnarled, and the curves were going the wrong way. "We could cut it down for firewood," the grandson said. "At least then it will be of some use to us." The woodcutter replied that for now they should be about their work cutting the proper trees for the boat builders; maybe later they could return to the old oak tree.

After a few hours of cutting the huge trees, the grandson grew tired and asked if they could stop for a rest in some cool shade. The woodcutter took his grandson over to the old oak tree, where they rested against its trunk in the cool shade beneath its twisted limbs. After they had rested a while, the woodcutter explained to his grandson the necessity of attentive awareness and recognition of everything in the forest and in the world.

Some things are readily apparent, like the tall, straight trees; other things are less apparent, requiring closer attention, like recognition of the proper curves in the limbs. And some things might initially appear to have no purpose at all, like the gnarled old oak tree. The woodcutter stated, "You must learn to pay careful attention every day so you can recognize and discover the purpose God has for everything in creation. For it is this old oak tree, which you so quickly deemed useless except for firewood, that now allows us to rest against its trunk amidst the coolness of its shade.

"Remember, grandson, not everything is as it first appears. Be patient, pay attention, recognize, and discover."

It is very unfortunate that many of us feel the same way. We go through life cycles beaten down and like the old oak tree nobody sees our worth as we also feel likewise. We have given up so much on life that we nothing good can come out of our lives. But just because you do not know your value does not mean you are not valuable. The old oak tree did not have beautiful description, it was not recognized amongst the finest of the trees and even the grandson labeled it useless yet it’s role was very significant; Yes your experiences in life may have forced you to label yourself useless like the old oak tree that had a short and gnarled trunk, crooked limbs, and the curves going the wrong way.

Society may have despised you and ready to “cut you down” nevertheless you are here because you are needed. The old oak tree knew it’s worth. It did not have great accolades but it was needed because it provided shade and a refuge for the grandfather and his grandson, a great need that the other trees could not provide. You may not know your worth but do you know that you are a vital player for the good of humanity? Do you know that in spite of your insecurities and deficiencies, the world needs what you have? Actually you are the product of a billion years of thinking; the Greatest Mind in the universe designed you-GOD ALMIGHTY!

Consider the two scriptures below:
The bible in Genesis 1:26
“And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness……”.

We see God speaking to Himself, the Trinity (FATHER, SON & HOLY SPIRIT) to make man (us) in HIS image, after His likeness. The image here is not referring to physical likeness but it is translated originally translated from the hebrew wores, tselem and demut which means nature, copy, characteristics and essence. Which indicates that we (MAN (both male & female) are expression of God Himself. In other words, we carry the same characteristics, nature and moral attributes of God. And as children of God we are supposed to talk and act like Him. Look into your life today and ask yourself, are you behaving like God? If not reevaluate your life.

The bible in Romans 11:36 Amplified Bible (AMP) Says,
“36For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. [For all things originate with Him and come from Him; all things live through Him, and all things center in and tend to consummate and to end in Him.] To Him be glory forever! Amen (so be it).”

Thus from the above scriptures, we know that everything we see in life has a source who is God Almighty and we exist to give Him Glory. Thus the only way you will know your value is to know the mind of your Source concerning you and He sees value in you because you are His original piece, a display of His glory and beautiful creation.

David described himself as unique, “for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well” (Psalm 134:14)
He was confident because he knew he was a masterpiece. What an attitude! Sometimes we need to stand in the mirror and admire ourselves including all our imperfections and boldly declare our uniqueness because that is what we are.

You may be beaten down by the storms of life nevertheless you are needed by your Creator, and He loves you unconditionally. The gnarled old oak tree was hit by rain and other natural disasters yet it was still needful. The tree that initially appeared to have no purpose at all and deemed useless except for firewood was the same tree that allowed the old man and his grandson to rest against its trunk amidst the coolness of its shade.

We need to rise up today and realize that our presence is needed in our families, job, school, marriage and the world at large we may be stones the builders rejected yesterday or today but we can still be the cornerstone (Psalm 118:22) tomorrow and until we recognize our value we will not contribute to the greater good of humanity.

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