Tag: Ephesians 5:18-20
“New songs” of worship!
Scripture reading for June 20: Psalm 90-97
Psalms 95-97 are focused on the glory of God and on worship! I enjoy these psalms because of their joy and rejoicing in God, Himself. They call mankind and nature into the chorus of worship that belongs to God Who is worthy of all praise!
Praise can take many forms. Singing for joy and shouting out loud our thanksgiving is mentioned in Psalm 95:1. We have so much to be thankful for and God is the source of all blessings! (Psalm 95:2) God’s people are urged to bow down in worship and kneel before their maker. (Psalm 95:6) Our posture, as well as our voices, instruments, and songs, indicates humility and honor.
Psalm 96 opens with an exhortation to sing a ‘new song’ to the Lord. It might be a song of praise and thanksgiving, or a song of proclamation concerning His salvation and mighty works. His people are to declare His glory among the nations of the earth. All other nations and peoples have gods that are idols, but Israel alone knew the One true God Who was worthy of praise! (Psalm 96:8) God was so arrayed in glory and majesty that a new song would come to those who contemplated His beauty and strength!
The Holy Spirit’s infilling often brings a new level of worship to the believer. From the Spirit comes a new song bringing praise to the King! (Ephesians 5:18-20) At times in different corporate worship settings, I have experienced the Spirit bringing forth a ‘new song’ from the congregation that took us into the heavenly realm and put us in harmony with those worshiping around the throne! This is a special and blessed experience!
In Psalms 96 and 97, all of creation joins in the worship chorus! The heavens rejoice and the earth is glad, the sea resounds and all the creatures in it at the glory of the Lord. The fields are jubilant and the trees sing in harmony as the Lord comes. The clouds surround Him. Fire goes before Him and lightning lights up the world! Mountains melt like wax in His presence and the earth sees Him and trembles! All the peoples see His Glory and His people rejoice and are glad. Those worshiping idols are put to shame! For God comes to judge the earth and the peoples in righteousness and truth!
Take time today to offer heartfelt worship to the Lord! He is truly worthy of our praise! Do a self-evaluation of your readinesss to see Him as Savior and Judge!
Thankful for music in God’s House!
Scripture reading for April 21st: 1st Chronicles 23-27
Key Scriptures: 1st Chronicles 25:1, 6 “David, together with the commanders of the army, set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun for the ministry of prophesying, accompanied by harps, lyres and cymbals. Here is a list of the men who performed this service: . . .All these men were under the supervision of their fathers for the music of the temple of the Lord, with cymbals, lyres and harps, for the ministry at the house of God.”
King David was a psalmist and made special provisions for prophesying and music in God’s house. He chose men who were skillful and trained to lead in the giving of praise and thanksgiving before the Lord in His house! Joyful music is proper for God’s trained priests!
Thankful for God’s music in our souls: “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 5:18-20)
Alcohol Addiction in 1000 BC!
Scripture reading for July 10th: Proverbs 22-24
“Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? Those who linger over wine, who go to sample bowls of mixed wine.” (Proverbs 23:29-30)
Alcohol has been around for a long time. Fermented drinks have an attraction because they can alter our moods and it is a socially acceptable thing to do. Alcohol is a depressant, but it has different effects on different people. Some people who are naturally shy might become boastful and belligerent. Some who are good-natured might become mean when too much alcohol is in their system. Inhibitions that one may have when sober may soon vanish when drunk and talk and actions can become offensive and cause trouble and fights.
The writer of Proverbs accurately described the effects of alcohol consumption and addiction 3000 years ago! As I read these words, I think of people whom I have tried to help out of addiction. Trying to reason with them is useless when they are drunk. Often, when sober, they are the nicest people and swear that they are going to change but they go back again and again in a spiral downward that causes personal injury, family breakups and trouble for their friends. They often lose their homes, jobs, and sometimes end up incarcerated. The addiction becomes a prison of their own making.
“In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper. Your eyes will see strange sights and your mind imagine confusing things. You will be like one sleeping on the high seas, lying on top of the rigging. “They hit me,” you will say, “but I’m not hurt! They beat me, but I don’t feel it! When will I wake up so I can find another drink?”” (Proverbs 23:32-35)
The Bible gives the answer to alcohol addiction! We are not to be drunk with wine or any other alcoholic or mind-altering substance, but rather be filled with God’s Holy Spirit! (Ephesians 5:18-20) The infilling of God’s Spirit brings righteousness, peace, and joy! (Romans 14:17-18) We become thankful to God and worship Him with songs and hymns because of His life in us. It is only by the Spirit that we can overcome the addictions of the flesh and serve God in a pleasing manner. Why not try God’s remedy today? It is the ultimate “high”!