“Our Lofty Idealism would argue that all Christians should be perfect, but a blunt realism forces us to admit that perfection is rare even among the saints. The part of wisdom is to accept our Christian brothers and sisters for what they are rather than for what they should be.
We do not wish to excuse the laziness of the saints or to provide carnality with a place to hide, but it is necessary that we face facts. And the plain fact is that the average Christian–even true Christian–is yet a long way from being like Christ in character and life. There is much that is imperfect about us, and it is fitting that we recognize it and call upon God for charity to put up with one another. The perfect church is not on this earth. The most spiritual church is sure to have in it some who are still bothered by the flesh.

An old Italian proverb says, “He that will have none but a perfect brother must resign himself to remain brotherless.” However earnestly we may desire that our Christian brother go on toward perfection, we must accept him as he is and learn to get along with him. To treat an imperfect brother impatiently is to advertise our own imperfections.”

Galatians 5:16-26

Life by the Spirit

¹⁶So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. ¹⁷For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. ¹⁸But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.

¹⁹The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; ²⁰idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions ²¹and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.²⁴Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. ²⁵Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. ²⁶Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

The idea of “being connected” has perhaps become ubiquitous with this new digital age we live in, for alot of people.

There is an understood idea that we are always “connected” to everyone through the digital worlds of technology. We perhaps as a culture too connected in that aspect of life. There is obviously some good with being socially connected and through digital technology , connections with people can be really great, but there is a level of being OVER saturated with social connections, that actually robs us of a connection with our something greater than ourselves.

People are connected to alot of things, some normal things like; jobs, family, relationships, and somethings which are not healthy, vices that can control thought and time. What we are “connected” to determines alot about what we portray in our lives. Alot of who we are, comes from what we are being influenced by or connected to.

Ephesians 2:1-5 (NIV) As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. but because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

The premise of reality in which there is an ultimate connection with true life, in it’s most pure, beneficial, and enlightening forms comes from a place of eternal connectivity. This is the place where is there is a connection of the soul to the ultimate source of life, and life abundantly. This is a “spiritual” connection, that no other form of connection can bring. This is true connection, to all that is, and all that will be. This is a connection to God , a connection with eternity.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NIV) He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men.

“Being connected” to God means alot of things. But the main thing you might discover on this journey is a sense of  ”Oneness” with God, in which you find yourself constantly being connected to the influence of a stream of consciousness coming from God Himself. The more we open ourselves up to perceiving this “signal” from God, the more we can be connected to the mind of God, and be blessed and enlightened by His presence.

Open our lives to His presence…

Revelation 3:20 (NIV) Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.

John 1:12-13 (NIV) Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God — children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

The simplest of things can begin your connection to the God, the most infinite source of all reality. A simple prayer asking God to reveal Himself to you, a thought of desire and request , wanting to know God, and to hear His voice. The practice of knowing God, is the practice of being connected to His presence, and that is true connection.

More on in this CONNECT series coming..

Whew!

God is on control, whether we like it or not!  Hopefully we can find comfort in that, and that everything is going according to God’s plan. Often times in life we have stress, panic and fear, because we are loosing sight of this basic truth. It’s easy to fall into a state of despair when we loose sight of God’s all-powerful-ness and the truth that : if God is truly GOD, then realistically, He’s got life under control. It’s when we submit ourselves to trusting in Him, that we see the rewards of His soverienty. When we leave trust, and resort to fear and panic, it is a sign that WE are back in control. In our own hands, or in the hands of others, there is no certainty in life as to where our destiny lies, hence the fear and panic that we can experience.

With faith in God , even in the midst of life’s unknown factors, we can REST [ Heb 4] in God’s dirrection, as we actively give Him the permission to guide our actions, thoughts, and desicions and to arrange our life’s path, in alignment with His loving perfect plan for our lives.

There are many good examples in the Bible of God being in control. One might be the story of Peter coming out of the boat to meet Jesus on the water.Peter only began to sink when he looked down, and lost sight of Jesus. Read here Matthew 14:22-33

Take God with you every step of your day, and you’ll see the promises of God being fufilled in your life all along the way.

What are you stressing out about today? What are you fearful or panicking over ? What are you depressed or despairing about ? Give it to God first, surrender it to God. When we “give it up to God” we are giving up and deferring the laboring and emotional burdening over our issues and circumstances, that are causing us un-due grief. If we are “letting go” it is letting go of that kind of approach or tactic in dealing with our issues. These emotional symptoms are signs that we are miss-appropriating the burdens of life onto our own shoulders in the first place. Jesus is asking to take the weight of life’s issues onto Him self. He says”

28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

If we are not experiencing what Jesus is referring to here, then we are not taking on His “yoke” or weight , but carrying our own, we need to switch out our backpacks of burdens for His easy-to-carry bag of blessing. – Hopefully you get that, so I can suspend with the cheesy alliterations, and word-pictures.

We can “give it over to God “, and expect God to move, because we have then given Him control.

When one says” i’ve given it over to God” but is still stressing out about an issue, it’s evident that part of it is still on that person’s phycological “shoulders” or still on their mind bothering them.  It’s easier said than done some times, that is for sure. But if we can allow Him to do it, what a blessing it will be.

Some people are driving themselves mad because of the stresses of life, driven mad because of past issues in their lives that are not resolved. People “go crazy” when they don’t have an “out” to relieve their heart and mind of all the turmoil that vexes them. Jesus is that relief, Jesus is your crutch, if not your gurney or stretcher, Jesus is the hostpital bed, He is the care-taker of your soul.

Some people have said ” well..Christianity is a crutch” – as if that is a negative indictment. As if they have the will power,strength and ability to “handle it all” – it’s all on them apparently. [ no wonder people are soo stressed out and on edge]  The fact it is that Christianity is more than a crutch, it’s is like a complete Hospital for the soul, a constant source of health, healing, love, care, sympathy, therapy, and treatment. All facilitated through a relationship, with God, in Jesus Christ, brought to you by the Holy Spirit living in us. Sound cheesy ? Well I’d say dealing with constant neurotic behavior is much less attractive. Though our society tries to glamorize it’s vices, and make neurotic and “crazy” behavior seem cool and attractive, it is actually a glorification of Chaos and Confusion, life in this state  is tortured,  vacant and unfulfilling.

Resting in Jesus, you will find the peace you are looking for.

Here are some more verses that highlight God being in control, let’s be take these things in and see what God can do in our lives, when we give Him control.

Genesis 1:1 NKJV) In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

(1 Samuel 2:6-9 NKJV) “The LORD kills and makes alive; He brings down to the grave and brings up. {7} The LORD makes poor and makes rich; He brings low and lifts up. {8} He raises the poor from the dust And lifts the beggar from the ash heap, To set them among princes And make them inherit the throne of glory. “For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, And He has set the world upon them. {9} He will guard the feet of His saints, But the wicked shall be silent in darkness. “For by strength no man shall prevail.

(2 Chronicles 7:13-14 NKJV) “When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, {14} “if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

(Psalms 24:1 NKJV) The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein.

(Psalms 75:6-7 NKJV) For exaltation comes neither from the east Nor from the west nor from the south. {7} But God is the Judge: He puts down one, And exalts another.

(Psalms 107:8-43 NKJV) Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men! {9} For He satisfies the longing soul, And fills the hungry soul with goodness. {10} Those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, Bound in affliction and irons; {11} Because they rebelled against the words of God, And despised the counsel of the Most High, {12} Therefore He brought down their heart with labor; They fell down, and there was none to help. {13} Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, And He saved them out of their distresses. {14} He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, And broke their chains in pieces. {15} Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men! {16} For He has broken the gates of bronze, And cut the bars of iron in two. {17} Fools, because of their transgression, And because of their iniquities, were afflicted. {18} Their soul abhorred all manner of food, And they drew near to the gates of death. {19} Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, And He saved them out of their distresses. {20} He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions. {21} Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men! {22} Let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, And declare His works with rejoicing. {23} Those who go down to the sea in ships, Who do business on great waters, {24} They see the works of the LORD, And His wonders in the deep. {25} For He commands and raises the stormy wind, Which lifts up the waves of the sea. {26} They mount up to the heavens, They go down again to the depths; Their soul melts because of trouble. {27} They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, And are at their wits’ end. {28} Then they cry out to the LORD in their trouble, And He brings them out of their distresses. {29} He calms the storm, So that its waves are still. {30} Then they are glad because they are quiet; So He guides them to their desired haven. {31} Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men! {32} Let them exalt Him also in the assembly of the people, And praise Him in the company of the elders. {33} He turns rivers into a wilderness, And the watersprings into dry ground; {34} A fruitful land into barrenness, For the wickedness of those who dwell in it. {35} He turns a wilderness into pools of water, And dry land into watersprings. {36} There He makes the hungry dwell, That they may establish a city for a dwelling place, {37} And sow fields and plant vineyards, That they may yield a fruitful harvest. {38} He also blesses them, and they multiply greatly; And He does not let their cattle decrease. {39} When they are diminished and brought low Through oppression, affliction and sorrow, {40} He pours contempt on princes, And causes them to wander in the wilderness where there is no way; {41} Yet He sets the poor on high, far from affliction, And makes their families like a flock. {42} The righteous see it and rejoice, And all iniquity stops its mouth. {43} Whoever is wise will observe these things, And they will understand the lovingkindness of the LORD.

(Proverbs 16:4 NKJV) The LORD has made all for Himself, Yes, even the wicked for the day of doom.

(Isaiah 45:4-9 NKJV) For Jacob My servant’s sake, And Israel My elect, I have even called you by your name; I have named you, though you have not known Me. {5} I am the LORD, and there is no other; There is no God besides Me. I will gird you, though you have not known Me, {6} That they may know from the rising of the sun to its setting That there is none besides Me. I am the LORD, and there is no other; {7} I form the light and create darkness, I make peace and create calamity; I, the LORD, do all these things.’ {8} “Rain down, you heavens, from above, And let the skies pour down righteousness; Let the earth open, let them bring forth salvation, And let righteousness spring up together. I, the LORD, have created it. {9} “Woe to him who strives with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth! Shall the clay say to him who forms it, ‘What are you making?’ Or shall your handiwork say, ‘He has no hands’?

(Isaiah 66:1-2 NKJV) Thus says the LORD: “Heaven is My throne, And earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest? {2} For all those things My hand has made, And all those things exist,” Says the LORD. “But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, And who trembles at My word.

(Lamentations 3:38-41 NKJV) Is it not from the mouth of the Most High That woe and well-being proceed? {39} Why should a living man complain, A man for the punishment of his sins? {40} Let us search out and examine our ways, And turn back to the LORD; {41} Let us lift our hearts and hands To God in heaven.

(Matthew 6:9-14 NKJV) “In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. {10} Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. {11} Give us this day our daily bread. {12} And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. {13} And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. {14} “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

(Matthew 11:25-26 NKJV) At that time Jesus answered and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes. {26} “Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.

(Acts 17:24-28 NKJV) “God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. {25} “Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things. {26} “And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, {27} “so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; {28} “for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’

(Romans 1:16-23 NKJV) For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. {17} For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” {18} For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, {19} because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. {20} For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, {21} because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. {22} Professing to be wise, they became fools, {23} and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man; and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

(Romans 8:28-39 NKJV) And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. {29} For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. {30} Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. {31} What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? {32} He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? {33} Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. {34} Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. {35} Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? {36} As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” {37} Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. {38} For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, {39} nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

(Romans 9:15-23 NKJV) For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.” {16} So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy. {17} For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth.” {18} Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens. {19} You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will?” {20} But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, “Why have you made me like this?” {21} Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor? {22} What if God, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, {23} and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory,

(1 Corinthians 1:25-31 NKJV) Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. {26} For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. {27} But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; {28} and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, {29} that no flesh should glory in His presence. {30} But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God; and righteousness and sanctification and redemption; {31} that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the LORD.”

(Ephesians 1:11-12 NKJV) In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, {12} that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.

(Colossians 1:13-17 NKJV) He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, {14} in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. {15} He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. {16} For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. {17} And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.

(James 4:6-10 NKJV) But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” {7} Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. {8} Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. {9} Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. {10} Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

(Revelation 4:11 NKJV) “You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.”

I had been having a discussion via facebook with some close friends on the subject of Worship, and how we should worship God.

Matt:

wonders why people use banners during worship…i think it brings attention to the people waving them!! Thoughts on this? how is this biblical?

Lindsay:

Not a huge fan myself, but probably people are reading about this banner waving in the psalms..i.e. Psalm 20:8

Val:

Yeah, I think banner waving can be distracting. Banners and flags and stuff are for parades and stuff.

Ben

It depends on the consensus of the people gathered and what is the norm of that group, and also what “worship ” really means. If we are gathering to celebrate God, maybe it should be even MORE extravagant? But perhaps there should be more reserved services too. All in all whatever we have come to as being “worship” in a group setting is some what contrived and pagan based. Gatherings need to be re-thought to get to the real point of what worship actually is, and to be directed as such. i.e. “what is this time for? ” what are we doing here?Worship = ? A time of adoration? in what form ? People used to only allow upright piano’s and no electric guitars, now they are common place. The main thing is what people have agreement on, with in what is acceptable in terms of scripture. What does God really care to see from us? If worship “isn’t about us” then shouldn’t we be looking at the Word and see what activities qualify as “Worship” instead of just making it up.. -Yup, I chimed in!

My response might have seemed to have an air of superiority or “know-it-all” attitude, but sincerely I was answering the question the best I could , really to help my self clarify what I believed about worship, or what I would say to someone asking me an honest question. I just didn’t want to answer it in a lazy way.  [ though maybe it wasn't the right context for a full paragraph! LOL - so maybe this is a better place to do so.

Later on me and my friends were having a good humored discussion while having fun chiding each other on our "expertise" in worshiping, and who is a more devoted Sunday corporate worshiper. Of course this is the kind of conversation that you can only have with friends that know your heart and you feel comfortable teasing and jesting with one another in a way that only good friends can, it's all healthy, fun and in good humor. AND at the heart of it a good discussion, on the true heart of Worship.

I stand by my comments earlier,

In that

What does God really care to see from us? If worship "isn't about us" then shouldn't we be looking at the Word and see what activities qualify as "Worship" instead of just making it up?

- Asking our selves, why are we there, what do we want to do at a gathering of worship? If we don't have a perspective on worship, then we have lost or do not have a perspective on God or what it really is all about, and we need to go back and understand that.

This is one of many topics that can go on and on, but what prompted me to put it down was the vision/dream I had which really put it into perspective for me.

In the dream I could see all across America, perhaps the world, like a fly-over style view.

I would come over these crowds of people in different areas gathered in very large groups , one group then another in another area [ this was over spans of thousands of miles], there were many gathered in many areas. It was a Sunday, and it was people gathered in praise and worship of Jesus.

As a whole they were all singing up to God, singing praise and worship songs together ” we lift your name on high” etc.. it was beautiful and it was happening all over the place.

The impression that I got, was that on Sunday, especially, it is a day, where many people gather, and God is receiving this adoration and Love from people, who are recognizing Him and in thanks singing songs and praising and adoring Him.

It was all going up to God, from all over the place, and God was listening.

The praise was going up like electric waves of light, from the different crowds all over the land, in rejoicing to God. It was like cheers of songs and like bursts of light coming up out of the shouts. In certain pockets,some people were really into it and some were just getting there, but were still weak. But even those in the crowds who were only half-hearted worshiping, or singing along with the crowd, it was apparent that it was still part of the whole picture of worship.

Some people, like when children sing, they are singing, but not really thinking about what they are singing or doing, it’s just following along in innocence and mis-understanding, but yet, they are participating in this gathering of all-together in worship of the Creator.

This picture , really showed me the over all picture of the body of Christ together, all over , in different denominations and different gatherings, but what was seen by God was the praise and joy in the hearts of the people joining together to collectively praise God.

It  this day, particularly, Sunday, where the people came out for God, however many there were, out of all the days of the week to honor God in this way.  It was a special thing, and it truly blessed God. It also made me wonder how many we are worshiping God? How many are there out there taking time to gather and give thanks? If we only have 52 sundays a year, than each time is truly valuable and should be regarded as such.

When we realize that it is God who we are actually singing to, praying to, giving thanks and showing our Love to, it makes a difference in our awareness that we aren’t just doing this as a gathering to hear each other, but that God might hear us and be blessed. It is His hears we are seeking to reach, and in our unity and our whole -hearted care together we are blessing the Lord with what we can do together.

When I was younger , my family used to sing together, around a piano, we would sing hymns and songs, and we would go to retirement homes and hospitals and in front of our church and sing to people [ in matching plaid outfits that my mom made no less]

Going and singing to some one, is one of the most personal things you can do to show some one you love, your love, and i’m sure it lifted them up in such a deep way.   When a parent sings to their child, it is one of the most bonding experiences that they could have together. It’s a precious thing, full of innocence and sincerity. When a lover sings to his love ,or writes a song to them it is one of the most heart felt gestures one could do to show love.

Much could be said of this, but imagine the joy of being  sung to and appreciated in many of these ways. I think God is surprised and blessed when we take the time to thank Him for all that He has done for us everyday, we at least can give Him one day a week together to do so, and in the process, we are blessed too.

For Scripture Verses on Worship through out the Bible read more here :

Exodus 15:19-21
For the horse of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea, and the LORD brought again the waters of the sea upon them; but the children of Israel went on dry land in the midst of the sea. And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.

Exodus 23:25
Worship the LORD your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you,

Exodus 34:14
Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.

Duet 16:27-29
Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy in his dwelling place. Ascribe to the LORD, O families of nations, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength, ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name. Bring an offering and come before him; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.

Judges 5:3
“Hear this, you kings! Listen, you rulers! I will sing to the LORD, I will sing; I will make music to the LORD, the God of Israel.”

1 Samuel 18:6-7
When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with tambourines and lutes. 7 As they danced, they sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.”

2 Samuel 6:13-17,20-23
Now King David was told, “The LORD has blessed the household of Obed-Edom and everything he has, because of the ark of God.” So David went down and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David with rejoicing. When those who were carrying the ark of the LORD had taken six steps, he sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf. David, wearing a linen ephod, danced before the LORD with all his might, while he and the entire house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouts and the sound of trumpets As the ark of the LORD was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD, she despised him in her heart. …..When David returned home to bless his household, Michal daughter of Saul came out to meet him and said, “How the king of Israel has distinguished himself today, disrobing in the sight of the slave girls of his servants as any vulgar fellow would!” David said to Michal, “It was before the LORD, who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the LORD’s people Israel — I will celebrate before the LORD. I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes. But by these slave girls you spoke of, I will be held in honor.” And Michal daughter of Saul had no children to the day of her death.

2 Kings 17:36
But the LORD, who brought you up out of Egypt with mighty power and outstretched arm, is the one you must worship. To him you shall bow down and to him offer sacrifices.

1 Chronicles 15:16
David told the leaders of the Levites to appoint their brothers as singers to sing joyful songs, accompanied by musical instruments: lyres, harps and cymbals.

1 Chronicles 16:9
Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.

1 Chronicles 16:23
Sing to the LORD, all the earth; proclaim his salvation day after day.

2 Chronicles 5:13
The trumpeters and singers joined in unison, as with one voice, to give praise and thanks to the LORD. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, they raised their voices in praise to the LORD and sang: “He is good; his love endures forever.” Then the temple of the LORD was filled with a cloud,

2 Chronicles 20:19-23
Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the LORD your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.” After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the LORD and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: “Give thanks to the LORD, for his love endures forever.” As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated. The men of Ammon and Moab rose up against the men from Mount Seir to destroy and annihilate them. After they finished slaughtering the men from Seir, they helped to destroy one another.

2 Chronicles 29:28
The whole assembly bowed in worship, while the singers sang and the trumpeters played. All this continued until the sacrifice of the burnt offering was completed.

Psalm 9:1
I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.

Psalm 30:4
Sing to the LORD, you saints of his; praise his holy name.

Psalm 30:11
You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,

Psalm 59:16
But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.

Psalm 95:6
Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker;

Psalm 99:5
Exalt the LORD our God and worship at his footstool; he is holy.

Psalm 100
Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his [a] ; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Psalm 138:1
I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee.

Psalm 149:3
Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.

Psalm 150
Praise the LORD! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty expanse. Praise Him for His mighty deeds; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness. Praise Him with trumpet sound; Praise Him with harp and lyre. Praise Him with timbrel and dancing; Praise Him with stringed instruments andpipe. Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD!

Ecclesiastes 3:1-4
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,

Isaiah 35:10
and the ransomed of the LORD will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

Isaiah 44:23
Sing for joy, O heavens, for the LORD has done this; shout aloud, O earth beneath. Burst into song, you mountains, you forests and all your trees, for the LORD has redeemed Jacob, he displays his glory in Israel.

Isaiah 51:11
The ransomed of the LORD will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

Jeremiah 3:31-3-5
“I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness. I will build you up again and you will be rebuilt, O Virgin Israel. Again you will take up your tambourines and go out to dance with the joyful.”

Jeremiah 31:13
Then maidens will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.

Malachi 4:2
But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall.

Matthew 4:10
Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’ “

John 4:23
Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.

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.

Revelation 5:13
Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!”

Revelation 14:7
He said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.”

Revelation 15:4
Who will not fear you, O Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.”

What does Forgiveness mean to you?

Has you ever been forgiven of something you have done that you shouldn’t have against some one else? Have you ever Forgiven some one of a wrong they have done against you?

- What is the message to us from the Scripture, on the subject of Forgiveness.

And the question for the day:

How many times should we forgive others?

– Things to ponder, and please feel free to leave a comment for discussion !

In your anger remember mercy – In your judgement, remember Love.

“Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it.” – Mark Twain.

A quote on forgiveness;

Read Matt. ch 18

It takes sensitivity to the Lord, to the Holy Spirit, to listening to the conscience that we have been given in Christ. I truly know that we CAN hear the voice of God speak in us guiding us in many ways. We just need to engage with His Spirit, this comes through waiting on the Lord, in Worship, praise and seeking, in private moments, in gathering with others and throughout our day. Galatations chapter 5 is a good place to read as well as Ephesians 5 -

- BP

Isaiah 51: 3-16

The LORD will surely comfort Zion
and will look with compassion on all her ruins;
he will make her deserts like Eden,
her wastelands like the garden of the LORD.
Joy and gladness will be found in her,
thanksgiving and the sound of singing.

⁴ “Listen to me, my people;
hear me, my nation:
The law will go out from me;
my justice will become a light to the nations.

⁵ My righteousness draws near speedily,
my salvation is on the way,
and my arm will bring justice to the nations.
The islands will look to me
and wait in hope for my arm.

⁶ Lift up your eyes to the heavens,
look at the earth beneath;
the heavens will vanish like smoke,
the earth will wear out like a garment
and its inhabitants die like flies.
But my salvation will last forever,
my righteousness will never fail.

⁷ “Hear me, you who know what is right,
you people who have my law in your hearts:
Do not fear the reproach of men
or be terrified by their insults.

⁸ For the moth will eat them up like a garment;
the worm will devour them like wool.
But my righteousness will last forever,
my salvation through all generations.”

⁹ Awake, awake! Clothe yourself with strength,
O arm of the LORD;
awake, as in days gone by,
as in generations of old.
Was it not you who cut Rahab to pieces,
who pierced that monster through?

¹⁰ Was it not you who dried up the sea,
the waters of the great deep,
who made a road in the depths of the sea
so that the redeemed might cross over?

¹¹ The ransomed of the LORD will return.
They will enter Zion with singing;
everlasting joy will crown their heads.
Gladness and joy will overtake them,
and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

¹² “I, even I, am he who comforts you.
Who are you that you fear mortal men,
the sons of men, who are but grass,

¹³ that you forget the LORD your Maker,
who stretched out the heavens
and laid the foundations of the earth,
that you live in constant terror every day
because of the wrath of the oppressor,
who is bent on destruction?
For where is the wrath of the oppressor?

¹⁴ The cowering prisoners will soon be set free;
they will not die in their dungeon,
nor will they lack bread.

¹⁵ For I am the LORD your God,
who churns up the sea so that its waves roar—
the LORD Almighty is his name.

¹⁶ I have put my words in your mouth
and covered you with the shadow of my hand—
I who set the heavens in place,
who laid the foundations of the earth,
and who say to Zion, ‘You are my people.’ “

3 He will not let you stumble;
the one who watches over you will not slumber.
4 Indeed, he who watches over Israel
never slumbers or sleeps.

5 The Lord himself watches over you!
The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.
6 The sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon at night.

7 The Lord keeps you from all harm
and watches over your life.
8 The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go,
both now and forever.