WORSHIP...

Psalm 100

Serve the Lord with Gladness / A Psalm of  Thanksgiving

1 Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands!
2 Serve the Lord with gladness;
Come before His presence with singing.
3 Know that the Lord, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
5 For the Lord is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations. 

Psalm 100 is in Book 4 of the Book of  Psalms (Psalms 90-106). This is one of 50 Psalms whose author is anonymous. Some of the anonymous Psalms are attributed to Ezra but I have not found anything that would substantiate or deny a claim for his authorship. This is to be sung by God's people as they are on their way to worship Him. We are not to just burst in on God with no preparation in our hearts. He is Holy and we should respect Him as such always. This Psalm is very easy to understand for the young Christians on the 'milk of the word' but also very deep for the more mature Christians that can handle the 'meat of the word.'

According to my open bible timeline: 

Book IV of the Psalms has an anonymous Chief Author with a possible compiler being Ezra or Nehemiah. 

Basic content is an anthem of praise. 

Topical likeness to Pentateuch is Numbers: Wilderness and Wandering. 

Possible dates of compilation: until c. 430 B.C. The span of authorship for the book of Psalms is about 1000 years (c. 1410-430 B.C.)

This is a Psalm of Thanksgiving. 

To a new Christian, this particular psalm reflects a spirit of gladness in coming before God's presence. We are to be thankful, praise Him, and bless his name for The Lord is good and merciful forever with His truth enduring to all generations. This Psalm lifts us up spiritually but also sends our witness out externally as we honor God, draw near to Him, really see Him as our creator and shepherd as we grow and learn the commands here. Just as there is a certain protocol to meet with earthly kings, so too is there a protocol to meet with the King of the Universe. 

This is a very powerful Psalm, especially since it is only five verses long. As a christian matures, they may be shown there are four verses of exhortation with the last verse giving the reason for the exhortations. The five verses contain seven commands that I consider steps of protocol to enter into the presence of our holy God then the reason for the commands. God always meets His children where we are. If we don't know the proper respect, He will not turn us away but will fellowship with us. Proverbs 9:10 tells us the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. 

Action words listed by the verses:

Verse 1 SHOUT joyfully 

Verse 2 SERVE and COME before Him

Verse 3 KNOW

Verse 4 ENTER, GIVE THANKS, and BLESS

Verse 5 is the REASON we are given the previous commands.

As Christians, we represent our Savior Jesus to the world. If we walk around in life looking like Eyore in Winnie the Pooh – with his gloom and doom demeanor – would people see anything they want in our life that would encourage them to know our Lord? If we are joyful, and show that God is worth shouting about, people will be drawn to the joy we have in our relationship with our Savior! 

We are to serve the Lord with gladness not because we have to but because we want to. God loves a cheerful giver and that includes being cheerful in our service to Him. Singing will bring us into His presence. He inhabits the praises of his people. When we sing praises to God there is a sweet aroma sent to Heaven.

We all go through high points and low points in life. We are God's children so we learn to know Him, trust Him and lean upon Him. His strength is perfect when our strength is gone so in our weakness we can rise above our circumstances. We will be consistent in our witness to the world but also be able to live with the peace of God calming us in a world in chaos. Thanksgiving in our hearts, which grows the more we know God, leads to greater worship as we enter into the presence of our one true King! 

Verse 4 tells us to 'Praise His name.” The word praise means to kneel to show honor to God. True worship always involves falling at God's feet. In the presence and authority of God, the strength of his creation (man) will leave him and his spirit will naturally bring the body into a kneeling posture.

All of the above are a prelude to true worship. Wanting fellowship with our Lord, we enter into his courts with shouts, praise and singing, we bless his name, and our spirit opens fully to the majestic glory of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. There is no higher experience in this life than to be in the presence of the One True King experiencing heartfelt worship. We are covered in His goodness, love, and faithfulness. At the same time, we start to understand the name of God. In His presence, we recognize even deeper the holiness, greatness, wisdom, truthfulness and loving kindness that is His name!

Psalm 100:1 to Psalm 95:1

Psalm 95 is a call to worship the Lord. The importance of worshiping the Lord is expressed in both scriptures.

Psalm 100:3 ...it is he that hath made us...

Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, …

The connection in the old testament Psalm of God being our creator is now complete as this new testament scripture gives us our identity with being created in Christ Jesus.

This psalm is among the most well-known psalms in the Bible. It is memorized by Christians and its basic structure has been placed into the opening line of one of the most well-known prayers taught to children, myself included: “God is great, God is good, let us thank him for our food.” 

This psalm is a hymn of praise. The poetry is so very beautiful and calls to our heart as we read it and sing it. The poetry elements appeal to songwriters from generation to generation. Many songs have been written from Psalm 100 alone! I myself can think of a couple right offhand. Here is one from my days as a brand new Christian. 

I will enter his gates with thanksgiving in my heart. I will enter his courts with praise. I will say this is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice for he has made me glad. He has made me glad. He has made me glad. I will rejoice for He has made me glad.

Knowing that the auditorium church only allows time for a prelude into worship, I know how deep worship is and that I desire and need this close fellowship with God. This will only be accomplished in my life as I spend time with Him, alone and not distracted by this world, to walk the steps of protocol into an audience with the King of the Universe. There is nothing in this world that could ever satisfy my heart and spirit than this communion at His feet in His glorious presence.

Maranatha,

Anna

 

Worship "in spirit and in truth" ...

Worship comes in many forms:
Prayer -- pray His word back to Him, praise and give thanks, listen to  music and sing, spend time in His presence, listen to Holy Spirit and renew your joy in the Lord. These are only a few ways, there are many more. Worship is not just for a corporate body of believers but it is also a personal and private experience between each of us and God!

“But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship Him that way.” –John 4:23 

The good news is, you can worship God "in spirit and in truth" anywhere — and worship is a powerful spiritual exercise in any believer’s life.

What Does Worshiping ‘in Truth’ Mean?

“Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ” (Colossians 2:8, NKJV). 
 We do not worship as the world believes! Rather we focus on the message and the truth of Jesus Christ. 
“Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts” (Colossians 3:16).

The Bible outlines seven different types of worship, and they are all appropriate, with each having its place. Let’s examine them: 

Barak–To kneel, to bless God, to bow down -- Barak means to bow down to, or kneel before, the Lord. It communicates that the Lord holds a place of importance and helps us remember just how great He is. Barak is not done out of a begging attitude but rather an expectant attitude, because the Lord is more than willing and able to move on our behalf. Psalm 72:12-15

Halal–To be clear, to shine, to boast, to show, to rave, to celebrate, to be clamorously foolish -- Halal appears more than 110 times in the Old Testament. It translates as to shine, boast, rave about, celebrate or even to be clamorously foolish. Can you imagine a more wondrous noise raving about about all the Lord is and all He has done? 1 Chronicles 16:4

Shabach–To shout loudly, to command -- Shabach means to shout loudly or command. Of course, it isn’t simply about being loud. Its focus is to worship the Lord with one’s whole being. Psalm 47:1

Tehillah–To sing praises, singing out of the spirit spontaneously -- Tehillah means to sing unrehearsed, unplanned praises to the Lord. It can include adding words to an existing song or even singing in the spirit to the Lord. Psalm 22:3

Towdah–Extending hands, acting out of thanksgiving for what has or will be done -- Towdah is a type of worship that includes extending your hands or raising them in thanksgiving for something that has been done or will be done. Psalm 50:23

Yadah– Extending the hands vigourously -- Yadah means to extend your hands vigorously as in complete surrender. 2 Chronicles 20:21

Zamar – To touch the strings, to make music with instruments, mostly rejoicing -- Zamar means to touch the strings. It involves rejoicing and making music to the Lord. Psalm 150:3-6

Allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you about the seven ways to worship "in spirit and in truth."  Remember, praising God is to be on our lips, or spoken (Isaiah 57:19), and we are to do it continually as a sacrifice (Hebrews 13:15). God promises that when we praise and worship Him, He inhabits those praises (Psalm 22:3), and it gives us strength to defeat our enemy (Psalm 8:2)

Maranatha
Anna

There Was Jesus ...

When the life I built came crashing to the ground 
When the friends I had were nowhere to be found 
I couldn't see it then but I can see it now 
There was Jesus 

Zach Williams, Dolly Parton - There Was Jesus (Official Music Video)

There Was Jesus 
Every time I tried to make it on my own 
Every time I tried to stand and start to fall 
All those lonely roads that I have travelled on 
There was Jesus 

When the life I built came crashing to the ground 
When the friends I had were nowhere to be found 
I couldn't see it then but I can see it now 
There was Jesus 

Chorus
In the waiting, in the searching 
In the healing and the hurting 
Like a blessing buried in the broken pieces 
Every minute, every moment 
Of where I been and where I'm going 
Even when I didn't know it 
Or couldn't see it 
There was Jesus 

 For this man who needs amazing kind of grace 
For forgiveness at a price I couldn’t pay 
I’m not perfect so I thank God every day 
There was Jesus 

Chorus

On the mountain in the valleys (There was Jesus) 
In the shadows of the alleys (There was Jesus) 
In the fire, in the flood (There was Jesus) 
Always is and always was I never walk alone

I don't know where you are walking today. Are you at peace? Are you worried? Are you hurting? Are you happy? It doesn't matter what state you find yourself during these chaotic times ... always remember ... THERE WAS JESUS! 

In Revelation 2:4 , Jesus says to the church in Ephesus, “But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.” 
It means “first in time or place; first in rank; first, at the first” (Strong's #4413 - πρῶτος - Old & New Testament Greek Lexicon ).


If this is where you find yourself, look to the Lord and return to your FIRST LOVE! If you don't know Jesus as your Savior, NOW is the best time to accept His sacrifice for YOU! This may be the very last time you hear this ... we are not promised our next breath ... so don't put it off!

Maranatha,
Anna

"Be Thou My Vision" by Eden's Bridge

This hymn has called to my Irish heart since the first I heard it! I am half Irish on my Mom's side and these words light a spiritual fire in my heart whenever I hear it and sing it in worship! 

I researched a little of its history and added a link if you want to know more. If you choose to listen, may you be blessed with God's majesty and presence with full knowledge in your heart that our High King of Heaven loves and protects us always!

The following is found in the video description:

Fire glowed against the visage of St. Patrick as he lit yet another candle in the dark Irish churchyard on Slane Hill. The fire reminded him of Christ, Redeemer and light of his life. Opposite the churchyard was Tara, where resided the pagan High King Lóe­gaire-- the man who outlawed candles in Ireland. But it was the eve of Easter, 433 A.D. and St. Patrick was determined to glorify God that night. And thus began the hymn. 

"Therefore, on that day when I was rebuked, as I have just mentioned, I saw in a vision of the night a document before my face, without honour, and meanwhile I heard a divine prophecy, saying to me: 'We have seen with displeasure the face of the chosen one divested of name.' And he did not say 'You have seen with displeasure', but 'We have seen with displeasure' (as if He included Himself) . He said then: 'He who touches you, touches the apple of my eye.'"-- Saint Patrick 

This is very true for me, especially with this hymn!

"Sometimes hymn singing invites us to connect with the saints who have gone before. Such is the case with the famous Irish hymn, "Be Thou my vision." The original poem, found in two Irish manuscripts in the library of the Royal Irish Academy, may be dated as early as the 8th century." Reference: https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-be-thou-my-vision

Maranatha,

Anna

What Would You Do ...

If you were like the woman with an issue of blood in the Bible. If you don't know of her, here are the scriptures with explanations.

WOMAN WITH ISSUE OF BLOOD

The Woman Who Was Healed By A Touch

Matthew 9:20-22; Mark 5:25-34; Luke 8:43-48

God has not, does not, and will not change! The miracles in the Bible ARE still available today. Like the woman with the issue of blood for 12 years ... society said she was 'unclean' but her faith was strong enough that if she could get to Jesus and just touch the hem of His garment, she would be made whole! 

I am publicly taking a step of FAITH right now! I believe that God WILL heal me - of everything that is wrong with me (even including scars from surgery) in His appointed time. In addition to my health, there are years that have been stolen from me that God is going to restore. Holy Spirit confirms this to me every time I think of it, speak of it, write it down ... any way that I communicate my belief in His promise as He has shown it to me.

In the course or our life, we all have habits that we don't really think about. We have weekend habits. We have week day habits. We have habits we are comfortable with and habits we would like to stop doing. Are you ready to live a life that is Holy? Are you ready to give the habits that are not pleasing to God and ask Him for help in laying them down? Time is short. Make the most of it!

1 Peter 1:16(KJV) 

Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

Are you living for your Savior?  Are you living for yourself? Are you just doing the minimum needed to get by?  

How much fuel do YOU have?

It all depends on you and your choices. No one can walk this life for you. No one can make this decision for you. Will you be lukewarm or will you be on fire for the Lord?

Nobody Loves Me Like You - Chris Tomlin

Maranatha,

Anna

Pray For Father's Will To Be Done ...

If we do not do this, we will miss Father's Will.

Remember ... our thoughts and ways ARE NOT His Thoughts and Ways!!!

Go to Father and seek His Will. If you need more instruction on how to seek God ... time is short for you to learn so open your heart and ASK for Him to teach you!

Maranatha,
Anna

Fear God & Keep His Commandments

Life in light of Eternity:
Life is lived not only for this life but also for eternity, knowing that good will be rewarded and evil will be condemned perfectly by the God who will bring you into judgment.

In Ecclesiastes, literally, Solomon spoke of the judgment, referring to our great accountability before God. So, let us understand how one should proclaim God's truth:
- Should teach the people knowledge.
- Should seek to find acceptable words.
- Should seek to bring forth that which is upright - words of truth.
- Should make our words as goads and well-driven nails, with point and direction.
- Should bring forth the words given by one Shepherd.
- Should realize that good study is wearisome to the flesh and be willing to pay that price.

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 
13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

Matthew Henry Ecclesiastes Ch 12 Commentary
I. The summary of religion. Setting aside all matters of doubtful disputation, to be religious is to fear God and keep his commandments.

1. The root of religion is fear of God reigning in the heart, and a reverence of his majesty, a deference to his authority, and a dread of his wrath. Fear God, that is, worship God, give him the honour due to his name, in all the instances of true devotion, inward and outward. See Rev. 14:7.

2. The rule of religion is the law of God revealed in the scriptures. Our fear towards God must be taught by his commandments (Isa. 29:13), and those we must keep and carefully observe. Wherever the fear of God is uppermost in the heart, there will be a respect to all his commandments and care to keep them. In vain do we pretend to fear God if we do not make conscience of our duty to him.

II. The vast importance of it: This is the whole of man; it is all his business and all his blessedness; our whole duty is summed up in this and our whole comfort is bound up in this. It is the concern of every man, and ought to be his chief and continual care; it is the common concern of all men, of their whole time. It is nothing to a man whether he be rich or poor, high or low, but it is the main matter, it is all in all to a man, to fear God and do as he bids him.

Under The Sun by MICHAEL CARD

May all who come here, if they ask for it, be granted eyes to see and ears to hear what the Spirit of the Lord is saying.

Maranatha,
Anna