Why?

During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered (Hebrews 5:7-8 NIV)

I can relate! The most common question of God is why. Why do we have cancer? Why do we have orphans? Why do we have stress? Why? Why? Why? 

I can't even pretend to know the answer to the suffering of this world. The "pat" answer is to blame it on the sin of this world. Yep, I get it. So much of the worlds problems are caused directly by sin. But my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ overcame sin. So for those who have dedicated their lives to him, you would think, wouldn't suffer. But, they do. These verses give us a hint, not a complete understanding, of why. 

Jesus suffered. He is the Son of the most high and he was like me in that he prayed with cries and wailing. He suffered and through that suffering he learned obedience. Even Jesus suffered to learn obedience of our Heavenly Father.

 We are to learn obedience through our suffering.

I know it doesn't make complete sense to me, but if it's good enough for the son of God, it's good enough for me. When we are broken, broken so far down that we have to relinquish all to God, only then are we open to his commands. We are called to obedience not because of what we get. It's not a reward system we don't earn points by doing wonderful things. When things are going great, I obey God because I tie the blessings to my good works. But God wants us to be obedient even in times of pain and suffering. He wants us to pray fervent prayers, petition, shout, and scream for his help. But, mostly he wants us to get to the end of our rope and say," i don't care, even though the raging storm, I will obey you. I will be obedient even unto death"

Dear Lord, I know you hear our cries in the storms of life. I know you love us with an unshackled heart. Give comfort to those struggling. Lift their hearts with the knowledge you have not abandoned them. I fervently cry out to you for them. Hear them oh Lord!  Releave their aching hearts. In their doubt give them confidence in your path. Bless them in every possible way, right now.work your miracle of peace in their sleep and while they are awake! We love you Lord Jesus and know you will strengthen us. We know you are sovereign over our lives. Praise you for ever and ever Amen!

I will obey!

So he did what the Lord had told him. He went to the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan, and stayed there. (1 Kings 17:5 NIV)

I try to do what I'm told. To the best of my ability, I am a soldier. At school, in ministry, in life I want and strive to be obedient. That doesn't mean I don't question orders. I want to discern between the call of The Lord and my own personal desires. I am no different than anyone else. I have a difficult time separating the two. I have to admit, I do question God. I think we all have moments where we question what we are doing. Why has God sent me here? Why is this happening? At the end of the day, I will obey and do as he has asked, just like Elijah in 1 Kings.

I feel strongly I have been called to teach and lead. I don't always do a great job at each,but they are my life goals. Sometimes I would rather just follow. A follower has much less stress. But, I'm obedient to my God who calls me. Teaching can be the same way. It can be a struggle to deal with students, parents, staff, and the issues that come up every day. The fact remains, I am where God has placed me, for his reasons. I will be obedient to that calling. I am thankful that God has a plan, loves me, and promises to care for me forever.

Don't just Worship! -- Obey!

Revelation 4 (The Message)

 ^2-6I was caught up at once in deep worship and, oh!—a Throne set in Heaven with One Seated on the Throne, suffused in gem hues of amber and flame with a nimbus of emerald. Twenty-four thrones circled the Throne, with Twenty-four Elders seated, white-robed, gold-crowned. Lightning flash and thunder crash pulsed from the Throne. Seven fire-blazing torches fronted the Throne (these are the Sevenfold Spirit of God). Before the Throne it was like a clear crystal sea.


What is deep worship?

What is worship?

I have always viewed worship in terms of Praising God! I believe praising God is a key act of worship. I have attended many worship services where God is truly praised. My Church does a great job organizing and planning worship. It is great to have a place where we can just open up and truly Praise God through worship. I believe we have such a great mix of meaningful worship singing, thought provoking, challenging messages that are bible based, and time of prayer. When I leave on Sunday morning to go home, I always feel my relationship with God has grown. As the week progresses, I use this worship time and my own private worship time to get by each and every day. I can't even imagine in my mind what it will be like to praise and worship the Lord in our Heavenly home. This verse and many like it in Revelation attempt to describe Heaven and the worship that will take place.

But, I think worship is so much more than just Sunday worship. As a matter of fact, your typical Sunday morning worship is only a very small part of what worship really is. How can we really, truly worship the Lord? Is Sunday morning worship, or once a week worship, enough? In my mind, wrongly so,  I have limited my definition of worship to Sunday morning or Corporate worship "experiences".

I think this verse in Romans starts to get to the point of true worship.

Romans 12:1  Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God— this is your spiritual act of worship.

Don't you think true worship should not be just with our voices, not just once a week, not just in an experience with others, but it should be a sacrifice of our complete body. How do we sacrifice our complete bodies? Sacrifice occurs through obedience. True worship, worship that occurs continually can only occur with our obedience of God. Our living sacrifice, our ability to please God, can only be done by obedience. Then and only then can we truly worship the king of kings and the creator of all things.

Corporate worship is wonderful and even necessary. But, being obedient takes worship to another level.

Dear Lord, We praise you for your grace and mercy. We love you and want to be obedient. Guide our hearts. Direct our minds to your thoughts and your ways.  We want nothing more than to please you and to sacrifice ourselves for your purposes. Amen!