Welcome!
Passage: Psalm 47
Today: When we don’t know the Lord we worship!
O clap your hands, all peoples; Shout to God with the voice of [a]joy. 2 For the Lord Most High is to be feared, A great King over all the earth. 3 He subdues peoples under us And nations under our feet. 4 He chooses our inheritance for us, The glory of Jacob whom He loves. (Psalm 47, NASB) -emphasis added
The sons of Korah are telling the world who their God is, and what He means to them. When we loose the fear of God and play with the things of God, we better be careful! It may look like God does not take it seriously, but the opposite is true
He may not act immediately, which is even more dangerous (!)
God is not only the head of His people, but He is the head over all authority and power in the world
When many of the so called “God’s people” are trusting in other people and places to get things done, a true child of God will only look unto God for all needs
When we come to worship God, let it be God alone who gets the worship
God deserves the glory and honor due to Him
2 My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism. 2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? (James 2, NIV)
Sometimes, denominations are worshiped, instead of God
Recently, watching a certain service over the Internet, all I could hear repeatedly was that “so and so” was a member of a particular denomination!
Does God care about denominations?
The following illustration was shared by someone, which looked interesting
Back in his place, there are some people who make big deal about their property boundaries. But when the rain comes and floods the place, no one can see their boundaries, because everything is covered by water
The reason why we make things like denomination a “big deal” is because of our own “spirit”, not because of God’s Spirit; it is a sign of spiritual immaturity
If we want to please God, make sure all the glory goes to God
We better know the Lord we worship!
3 This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Reform your ways and your actions, and I will let you live in this place. 4 Do not trust in deceptive words and say, “This is the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord!” (Jer 7, NIV 84)
If we really study the word, we will see that many of our practices, including many in the (pentecostal) church are opposite to the word of God!
Let’s come back with love and reverence for God, from the depth of our heart!
Have a blessed day
BG
Prayer: Father God, I ask you pardon for the sins of the “people of God” who glorify other things/people instead of you. I could see people going homes “empty” after big spiritual gatherings. I pray for a “return” to you. In Jesus’ name; Amen
When God gets the glory, we get the blessings!