Tag: worship God
God’s Unshakable Kingdom!
Scripture reading for October 29: Hebrews 12
“See that you do not refuse Him Who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject Him Who warns from heaven. At that time His voice shook the earth, but now He has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken–that is things that have been made–in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:25-29
The writer of Hebrews continually contrasted the Old Covenant of Law with the New Covenant of Grace. The accounts in Scripture of God speaking with Moses and wanting His people to hear His voice and honor Him as a Father are used here as a warning. Those that heard trembled with fear as Moses went up on the fiery mountain. They did not want to hear God. But those hearing the Gospel of Jesus Christ are told to listen and obey. Jesus is the final Word from heaven spoken to shake the earth for the final harvest of souls. (Hebrews 1:2) Those who chose to listen in faith enter the kingdom of heaven. Those who refuse to listen will not escape the final shaking when Jesus returns in that their own ‘kingdom’ will come tumbling down.
All created things will be shaken in heaven and on earth. The purpose of the shaking is to remove those things that can be shaken. All that man has made and depended upon for protection will be shaken out. All sin and human pride will be shaken and exposed. All the schemes of man and Satan will come to naught at the revelation of the One Who shakes not only the heavens but the earth. This calls for reverent worship and holy awe. Our God is Himself a consuming Fire. His holiness and shining presence will cause every knee to bow and every tongue to confess that He is Lord. Those in faith will not be shaken for their kingdom is forever secure!
Have you received the ‘unshakable kingdom’ promised by God to those living by faith? Could others who know you testify of your life of worship and reverence for God? Are you ready for the shaking of the heavens and the earth that is foretold?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for sending Your Son Jesus as Your final Word from heaven. Thank You for opening my ears to hear Your voice and respond in faith, drawing me to Jesus. Help me to live my life daily in such a way that others see You through my obedience, worship and joy of eternal life. Amen.
Thankful for God’s surrounding Presence!
Scripture reading for July 4th: Psalms 121-125
Key Scriptures: Psalm 125:1-2 “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people both now and forevermore.”
These psalms were part of the “Songs of Ascent” that were sung or chanted by the Israelites as they journeyed on the yearly pilgrimage to Jerusalem. These psalms reminded them of their God’s care and protection. Mt Zion, another name for Jerusalem, was set on a small mountain and surrounded by other hills. This served as a metaphor of how God surrounded His people, not only then, but for ever and ever!
God’s surrounding Presence: “But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the Firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. . . . .Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken–that is, created things–so that what cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably wit reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.” (Hebrews 12:22-23; 27-29)
Sunday rest and reflection!
Sunday November 23rd, 2014
Dear Friends,
I am so thankful for the cross of Jesus Christ! The cross is where our Lord gave His life that we might have eternal life! It is a place where my sins were punished, once for all time! It speaks of God’s great love for us! Even while we were sinners, Christ died for us! The cross is empty now–and the One who died there has risen from the dead! He still bears the marks of crucifixion to remind us of His great love and sacrifice and to call us to the same kind of love for Him and others.
Please join with God’s people this Sunday and worship our Lord! What a joy to gather with redeemed people and spend time in worship, prayer, and hearing His word! God bless you abundantly!
In His Love, Pastor John and Mary