To Worship Him » 2006

HOW PECULIAR ARE YOU?

Bloged in Worship Music by DeNelle Stotser Tuesday January 31, 2006

“Ye also, as lively living stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ…..But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar (treasured) people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:5,9

How peculiar are your ways? The definition of the word peculiar means distinctively different. In other words, one being odd or unusual to the norm. I’ve heard it said, ‘In a Christian court, is there enough evidence to convict you?’ We can use that question here. ‘Is there enough evidence to convict you of being peculiar by your demonstration of praise to the One who has given His life for you and called you out of bondage into life?’

God loves radical praisers, bold praisers; people who are not intimidated by the fear of man’s opinion. How long has it been since you have yelled “Praise the Lord!” at the top of your lungs in a public place? If that’s too radical for you, how long has it been since you have hummed ‘Amazing Grace’ in the elevator on your way to work or in a grocery line? Chances are, if you are not a praiser in your home or in your church congregation, it is not likely that you will display your peculiarity in a public place. I challenge you to break out and let your light shine and your praise be heard. The next time you are in an elevator, break out with a song of praise. You will be amazed at what happens. Some will be surprised, but you can be sure it will immediately change the atmosphere and give you a chance to brag on God. Press beyond that old veil of flesh (fear) and live a life of radical praise. I can hear Father God saying, “Now, see there! That’s my child, displaying his/her love for me!”

Be Bold!

Be Peculiar!

Be Radical In Your Praise!

For the Lord Thy God Is With You!

Powered By Qumana

Trackback · No comments yet

JESUS: CENTER OF OUR FAITH

Bloged in Worship Music by DeNelle Stotser Monday January 30, 2006

“But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” John 4:23-24

Our faith and worship must find its center around Jesus Christ. Many of us find ourselves worshiping a Jesus that we have either moved off-center or a Jesus that we do not know very well. If we are not careful we will conjure a false Jesus, one of our own creation. The Word tells us that true worship is worshiping in spirit and truth. We must have a truth about the one we worship. We must have an accurate knowledge of the Jesus we worship. The only way to find reality about Jesus is searching in His Word for His self-revelation.

Bob Sorge said in his book, “In His Face,” “It is no longer enough to be ‘Christ-centered.’ We must ask one question further: which Christ do we serve?” I don’t know about you, but the thought of being deceived about who Jesus is gives me concern. Mr. Sorge said that the American Church has a fatal disease known as “liberalism.” He feels that the liberal thinkers of this century have not only stretched limits of Christianity, they have in fact stepped outside of our faith. He is more aware of the Church’s position than I am, however, I do know that the Church has an enemy that works overtime to distort in any way our view of Jesus. If he can get us to compromise, change or deny fundamental truths about the personhood of Jesus, then we are in grave danger of having a new religion. His virgin birth, His sinless life, His atoning death for the sins of mankind, His death, burial, resurrection, ascension, and His judgment of all men, bringing to glory those He knows, and condemning to eternal judgment those who reject the only Son of God; all of these are fundamental doctrines of who Jesus Christ is and we must never, never compromise these truths.

Whether we dance or don’t dance, speak in tongues or don’t speak in tongues is an issue that we can agree to disagree about. We can even fellowship with others that have different views, but we cannot and must not disagree when it comes to the Doctrine Of Christ! This doctrine is not up for discussion. Jesus is who He says He is in the Word of God. PERIOD! We must guard this truth very carefully.

Powered By Qumana

Trackback · Only one comment

REVELATION OF JESUS IN THE BIBLE

Bloged in Worship Music by DeNelle Stotser Sunday January 29, 2006

We see the revelations of Jesus in God’s Word. Throughout the Bible He is the theme and center of worship. He is the antitype to the Old Testament types and shadows as well as being the theme of the prophetic messages. He is revealed in the poems and songs, and is the object of love in all of the love stories. When John was conducted on his tour through heaven, the messenger said; “‘These are the true sayings of God,’” John, “fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, ‘See that you do not do that ! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.’” (Revelation 19:10) In the Bible’s sixty-six books, Jesus is pictured in one way or another.

Genesis; The Creator

Exodus; The Deliverer

Leviticus; The Scapegoat

Numbers; Cloud by Day, Fire by Night

Deuteronomy; The Prophet

Joshua; The Conquering King

Judges; The Spirit of the Lord

Ruth; The Nearest Kinsman

1 & 2 Samuel; The Anointing

1 Kings; The Chief Cornerstone

2 Kings; The Rod of Elisha

1 & 2 Chronicles; The Worthy King

Ezra; The Master Builder

Nehemiah; The Restorer

Esther; The Responsive Monarch

Job; The Daysman

Psalms; The Shepherd

Proverbs; Wisdom

Ecclesiastes; The Only Real Life

Song of Solomon; The Beloved

Isaiah; The Man of Sorrows

Jeremiah; The Potter

Lamentations; Our Only Hope

Ezekiel; The Promiser of Restoration

Daniel; The Fourth Man

Hosea; The Forsaken Husband

Joes; The Rain

Amos; The Plumbline

Obadiah; God’s Majestic Ruler

Jonah; The Merciful

Micah; The Prince of Peace

Nahum; The Revenger

Habakkuk; Our Strength

Zephaniah; The Just

Haggai; Holiness

Zechariah; The Fountain for Sin

Malachi; The Sun of Righteousness

Matthew; The King

Mark; The Servant

Luke; The Son of Man

John; The Son of God

Acts; The Risen Lord

Romans; Our Life

1 Corinthians; Our Righteousness

2 Corinthians; Our Source of Triumph

Galatians; Our Substitute

Ephesians; The Head of the Church

Philippians; Our Example

Colossians; Our Sustainer

1 Thessalonians; Our Resurrecter

2 Thessalonians; Our Returning King

1 Timothy; Our Mediator

2 Timothy; The Destroyer of Death

Titus; The Redeemer

Philemon; Our Benefactor

Hebrews; The Fulfiller of the Law

James; The Healer

1 Peter; The Living Stone

2 Peter; The Renovator

1,2,3 John; God’s Manifest Love

Jude; The Presenter

Revelation; The Lion/Lamb

Powered By Qumana

Trackback · No comments yet

THE ADVANTAGES OF A THANKFUL HEART

Bloged in Worship Music by DeNelle Stotser Saturday January 28, 2006

I think we should celebrate Thanksgiving Day every day. In reflecting on the many blessings that my Heavenly Father has so generously given me, I can’t help but be grateful. It seems each year my blessings are more abundant than the year before. (Maybe it’s that I am more aware). In some way I’d like to think that I am more deserving, but that would be erroneous thinking. I cannot earn one single blessing. They are lavishly given to me by a very loving and generous Father God. And I do well to take advantage of being thankful.

It is my opinion that our attitudes can control the atmosphere in which we live, much like the thermostats that set and control the temperature in our homes. My attitude is something that I can control. I can choose to be thankful in every circumstance and enjoy the fruits of a grateful heart, or, I can reap the thorns of a bitter, complaining and ungrateful life. The choice is mine.

In Psalm 100:2, 4-5 we see that a thankful heart ushers one into the presence of God.

“Serve the Lord with gladness: come before Him with joyful singing. Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him; bless His name. For the Lord is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting and His faithfulness to all generations.”

Our attitude of thankfulness may not change the situations or circumstances in which we find ourselves, but it will certainly change us. We will look at problems with hope and faith. The Bible teaches us “to rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and in everything give thanks.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Let’s make every day Thanksgiving Day and take advantage of having a grateful heart!

Powered By Qumana

Trackback · No comments yet

SUPER BOWL CHAMPS #2

Bloged in Worship Music by DeNelle Stotser Friday January 27, 2006

How To Be a Christian Super Bowl Champ

In 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 and in Philippians 3:13-14, Paul uses the games that were held in Corinth every two years as a chance to teach a Christian principle. The athletes would compete for the honor and notoriety of being the winners. Winners would receive crowns made of leaves. From Paul’s teaching we learn these traits:

DESIRE. Desire is wanting to do something. When the desire is there and great enough, we often make the effort to fulfill that desire. In the Christian life we should desire to run the race with every bit of passion we can muster. I think I have said before that I live on the route of a City-wide race held once a year. There are hundreds that pass by and it is very interesting to see the various runners and their styles. Those that are in or close to the lead are lean, determined and obviously desiring to be No. 1. You see very soon who desires to win and who is just in it for the T-shirt. Too many Christians are just in the race for the T-shirt. Too many never venture beyond the starting line. Too many stop along the way at the water cooler and hang out there. Not good! Someone said that “I may have a ‘wanna’, but if I don’t have the ‘gotta’, I’m never going to have the ‘getta’.”
DISCIPLINE. Discipline is the power; the fuel; the muscles that make us go. Without discipline we would never train, never grow and mature. We would never learn the smarts of running an intelligent race unless our discipline kept us at the task. Paul tells us that we must have serious and intense training. He said that he beat, strained his body and pressed on. We need that tenacity for there are no short cuts to winning. Most of us want to win. We just don’t want it bad enough to pay the price for it.
DETERMINATION. Determination weeds the men from the boys, so to speak. Determination keeps us focused and committed. Oh my! That bad word: commitment! Commitment is sour grapes to our modern thinking of today. If we aren’t comfortable and it doesn’t feel good, we check out bright and early. Life gets tough sometimes and the winners are those that can press on as Paul says. He ran for the prize and anything less was not an option.
DENIAL. Denial! Oh, no! To sacrifice is to give up something for a specific purpose. A paying the price for something wanted. Anything worthy has a price tag. A Christian must give up sins that easily beset us. We must give up our freedoms at times. We must take up our cross, and be in submission to the Lord. This is something that is continually required of us. There are no recesses, times out, or summer breaks. We must press in every day, every hour.
DISTINCTION. Distinction is the outcome or out product of character. It is the culmination of all the training and sacrifice that has gone into our desire. Character is the element that weaves into our desire, discipline, determination and self-denial. All total, we then become the person of distinction. The person who crosses the finish line with character; head held high, wearing the crown of the Believer, is the one who gave it all for the prize of the high calling! See you at the Super Bowl!