Category: Worship

Please Don’t Complain About God

On By Ed AlgreenIn Ask and Receive, Bible Believing, Celebrate God, Christian, God Cares For Us, God our Provider, Obedience, Our Help comes from God, Praise, Thank You Jesus, Victorious Life, WorshipLeave a comment

SCRIPTURE: Exodus 16.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

6 So Moses and Aaron said to all the people of Israel, “By evening you will realize it was the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt. 7 In the morning you will see the glory of the Lord, because he has heard your complaints, which are against him, not against us. What have we done that you should complain about us?” Ex 16:6-7 (NLT)

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

So often we whine about each other, about the weather, about our jobs, about our finances, about the food or meals available to us, or even our own family at times. In fact, you name it and we probably complain about it at one time or another. When we come down off these tangents, we should stop and think about how we have been blessed by God to have each of these things in the first place. As we think about the ways that God has blessed us with great friends, brothers and sisters in Christ, people who care about us and love us, about the wonderful weather that we enjoy – especially compared to many other areas of the country and/or world that we read about, and we may be fortunate enough to have a job whereas many do not, we may be fortunate enough to have money to buy the necessities of life whereas many do not. Friends, I believe that, like me, you can understand what I garnered from this passage, I am, and no doubt many of you reading this are, indeed people blessed by God in many ways. So when we whine, what are we really doing? Unfortunately, and shamefully so, we are whining and complaining about how God has really messed up. Has He really? I hope that we will quickly realize that we are to be a thankful people, thankful in all things that God showers on us, His children that He loves so much that He gave up everything for. Let’s stop the belly-aching and instead be in a mode of constant praise, worship and thanksgiving to our loving God, and our provider of all good things.

PRAYER
(With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Father I am so ashamed for whining when really I have no reason to. Thank You for providing, thank You for blessing me in so many ways each and every day. I am truly blessed, and I am truly thankful for all that I have and all that You provide for me. Please help me to never whine or complain, and remind me when I do that it is against You.

WWJS (What Would Jesus Say)

On By Ed AlgreenIn A Lamp unto My Path, Allegiance to the Lamb, Bible Believing, Bold Confidence, Follow Jesus, Humility, Imitator of Christ, Obedience, Our Help comes from God, Pleasing to God, Reflecting Christ, WorshipLeave a comment

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 15.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

7 You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you, for he wrote,

 8 ‘These people honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me.9 Their worship is a farce,
for they teach man-made ideas as

commands from God.’
“ Matt 15:7-9 (NLT)

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

Jesus was questioned by the Pharisees who had come to analyze the man whom their people were so enthused with and following everyday to witness miracles and to be taught the principles of God. Jesus then told the Pharisees how He felt about their actions and their worship. My mind then reflected on ‘What Would Jesus Say’ to me about my words (the things that I say); my thoughts; the content of my heart; my act of worship and that of my church. Too often I believe that we carry on like we have no master, and often I’m sure that we say things that would not be words from Jesus’ mouth. Furthermore we often do well at going before God at select times and, using our ‘churchy’ intellect we tell Jesus how we love and adore Him, then as soon as we walk outside the doors of the church building, or get over the tragedy for which we were praying so hard, we quickly transform into the way of our friends or peers. Are we a ‘farce’? Can anyone look at us at anytime and truly see that we are representatives of God? Are we a part of the problem or working to solve the problems that Isaiah spoke of? I am convinced that the problem still exist today, but I am also convinced that we serve a God big enough to help those of us interested in overcoming the problem. God wants us to be more like Him every day. As we turn lose of self and grasp hold of the hand that could help us live out holy lives dedicated to Him and representing Him in every way, then our daily lives will look more like Jesus and we will have more of an impact for the kingdom in our daily earthly walk.

PRAYER
(With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Father, I wouldn’t dare point fingers at anyone, because I am a part of the crowd that Your fingers are pointed towards, for I often fail in living this life totally under Your control and guidance, and no doubt You look at me and consider me a ‘farce’ at times. Please accept this as my honest plea for help me to be a stronger, more committed child of the King today. Help me to never give in to the earthly thoughts of doing unkind things or saying unkind words just because I am in this world, for I serve a Savior that is way bigger – bigger than all the struggles I might face; stronger – stronger than any temptation that may weaken my witness; but praise be to God for You are also more loving than anything or anyone in this world; You are definitely more capable than anyone or anything I can turn to for help to overcome my weaknesses; and caring enough to grant my desire to represent You better in my every action, thought or deed. You are God, and I am Your servant, please grant me the strength to honor and obey Your commands.

One Who Worships Daily

On By Ed AlgreenIn Christian, Disciple, WorshipLeave a comment

A Quality of a Mature, Reproducing Disciple of Jesus Christ

How can I surrender my whole heart/life as worship?

SCRIPTURE

Studied: Rom. 12:1–2, Psalm 27:6, 95:6–7

OBSERVATION (What is God saying here?)

  1. Romans 12:1-2 ~ And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
  2. Psalm 26:6 ~ Then I will hold my head high above my enemies who surround me. At his sanctuary I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy, singing and praising the Lord with music.
  3. Psalm 95:6-7 ~ Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the Lord our maker, for he is our God. We are the people he watches over, the flock under his care. If only you would listen to his voice today!

APPLICATION (How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

  1. God showers down such blessings upon us each day, and without reservation for how we may have acted with a brother, or even said to a sister. Therefore Paul is teaching us to give back our whole selves to God, and as we do we truly worship Him through our unselfishness, giving, emptying ourselves of this world and placing those sinful natures and desires at His feet, while seeking to be refilled with His holiness, grace and mercy. As we surrender ourselves wholeheartedly in this way, we learn of God’s will for our life which is ultimately the desire of every Christian.
  2. I believe as Christians we have a hope that in accepting Jesus as Lord, praising His name each and every day and living a life in close relationship to Him, that we would one day be rewarded by the King of kings with a glorious place at His feet together with many others on which we had an influence. Therefore we should dedicate ourselves to exactly that while we still have breath, praising His name each and every day!

In Appreciation!

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Celebrate God, Christian, Obedience, Praise, Righteousness, WorshipLeave a comment

SCRIPTURE

Studied: Nehemiah 8; Acts 1

OBSERVATION

Nehemiah 8:5-6 ~ Ezra was up on the high platform, where he could be seen by everyone, and when he opened the book, they all stood up. Ezra praised the great LORD God, and the people shouted, “Amen! Amen!” Then they bowed with their faces to the ground and worshiped the LORD.

APPLICATION

In the chapter before, the story is relayed about the people who returned from exile to Jerusalem and how they were called together so that Nehemiah could do a roll call. In this chapter the people were gathered at the Water Gate, and they asked Ezra, the high priest, to open the Law of Moses and read it to them, and the verses above give the rest of the detail. While I know that they had a lot to be thankful for, I am sure that God’s children today has equally as much to be thankful for. However I find it shocking how so many will allow the slightest excuse to keep them from God’s house on Sunday. Then, I find that so many will attend church but appear to be in a frozen state – either to be resurrected by the singing or hoping that the preacher will perform well. When last have we automatically stood to our feet when the Word of God was opened, or when have we bowed with our faces to the ground and worshipped the God of the universe in thanksgiving for all that He has done for us? We (Christians) were a people destined for hell, yet our loving Savior died on a cross that we may have life and have it more abundantly in Him. We know many friends or family sick or in hospital, yet in God’s love and grace He has seen fit to give us good health to enjoy each and every day. We should be like the people of Ezra’s day and be ready to stand and welcome the Word of God for hours on end. We should be in a constant mode of worship, and in respect to our Holy God, bow our heads to the ground or even lie prostrate on the ground as we petition before our God. People, friends, family, let us look for opportunities to hear the Word of God and give thanks to the Almighty, and let’s not wait until we are forced to do so because of circumstances that we might find ourselves in.

PRAYER

I pray that You will not have to force us to a position of where we find ourselves pleading at Your feet dear God, but that we might become a people who look forward to hearing Your Word. I pray that we might always be conscious of all that You did for us, and all that You do for us every day, so that we may be a people of praise and thanksgiving. Your Word is a lamp unto my feet, please help me to be constant in Your Word and look for every opportunity to learn more about You so that I may become more and more like You every day. Thank You for who You are and for all that You do in love and compassion towards me. You are an awesome God, my Savior, my Redeemer and my Friend, and I am eternally thankful to be Your son!

The Source of our Strength

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Christian, Faith, Power, Power of Prayer, Praise, Thank You Jesus, Victorious Life, WorshipLeave a comment

SCRIPTURE

Studied: Zechariah 12

OBSERVATION

Zechariah 12:3-5 ~ …. When all nations on earth surround Jerusalem, I will make every horse panic and every rider confused. But at the same time, I will watch over Judah. Then every clan in Judah will realize that I, the LORD All-Powerful, am their God, and that I am the source of their strength.

APPLICATION

God had protected Judah in so many ways, yet they kept on sinning and committing such evil deeds. Yet He (God) did another miracle in this particular battle realizing that His power would have to be recognized and then He would be given credit as the source of that miracle. Wow, what an awesome God! However I believe that I can very aptly reword that passage into something like this today: God had protected America in so many ways, yet they kept on sinning and committing such evil deeds. For God has blessed us so much as a nation, but yet we see Christians lackadaisical about reaching those that denounce the power, or even the existence, of God. Let’s consider this even in our local churches, where we see miracles wrought by God – yes, things that can only be explained as answer to prayer where we have seen God intervene and heal in a person’s life, or a total change of a situation that may have been affecting the church, yet we sit back and doubt the power of God or doubt the effectiveness of prayer? These are reasons to recognize God for the awesome power that He has displayed and for His compassion to work in our midst, then as His blessed servants, to celebrate in praise to the Almighty. In fact, this gives us reassurance and reason to be even bolder in our approach to the throne of God for even greater needs. Let us be quick to recognize God for His wonderful mercy and His great miracles that He works in our midst. There is nothing that our God can’t handle, for He is the source of our strength!

PRAYER

Father God, I have seen Your hand at work on more than one occasion and I have heard praise reports of even more cases where You have intervened through healing, protection, or just facilitating a situation that seemed impossible to myself or a fellow Christian. I recognize that You are the source of my strength, and our strength as a church, or a body of believers. May I always look for the work that You do, and use that to not only build on my dependence of You, but to especially use that to praise and glorify Your holy name. You are an awesome and all powerful God, may I be quick to not only ask for help, but to recognize Your hand at work and to celebrate that in praise to You. Thank You for loving me enough to be the source of my strength!

Let’s Just Praise the Lord!

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Christian, Power of Prayer, Praise, Thank You Jesus, Victorious Life, WorshipLeave a comment

SCRIPTURE

Studied: Luke5

OBSERVATION

Luke 5:24-26 ~ … Jesus then said to the man, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk home.” At once the man stood up in front of everyone. He picked up his mat and went home, giving thanks to God. Everyone was amazed and praised God. What they saw surprised them, and they said, “We have seen a great miracle today!”

APPLICATION

The man that was once lame, after being healed, took up his bed and walked home giving thanks to God! Everyone was amazed at what they had seen and they praised God! My God is alive today and miracles are still happening. What has happened to God’s people for us to seem so unmoved by the miracles of God today? I believe that several reason have attributed to this, although none of them should really stop us from giving God praise for the mighty works that He does every day:

  • We often give doctors credit for things wrought by God. Thank God for the great doctors we have today and for the way that medical science has developed, but my family once asked a doctor if a family member would live to overcome a serious illness and the doctor correctly and honestly responded “I don’t know that, I’m not God”. There are times that doctors are amazed by the progress someone has made, or how they have overcome a certain medical condition. They know that there is nothing medically that they have done to help that person and, if that doctor knows God personally, they will quickly say where that healing must have originated. There is so much to praise God for each time we see a brother or a sister overcome illness. Let’s not forget to go back to the throne where we petitioned God to touch that person, and offer up thanksgiving and praise for answered prayer.
  • False prophets – there is so much being done today for the sake of television, publicity, or for self edification, that children of God discern, and then doubt, when they hear about what some consider ‘healing’ from an individual, rather than from God. This has been so widespread that we tend to question everything (in our own minds) anymore. This is unfortunate, but should be a discerning factor and therefore not interfere with our praising God for His amazing work in the lives of those that we pray for.

Bottom line is that we need to remember each time that we pray from someone and see answers to prayer, we need to rejoice personally, and we need to share that with our church family so that they could praise God with us, and so they could be encouraged to also pray for loved ones they know who may need a touch from God. God is still in the miracle working business. Join me in looking for those miracles and then let us praise the Almighty for the great work that He does in our midst. ‘

God – Deserving of our Praise!

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Celebrate God, Christian, God Reigns, Love, Obedience, Praise, WorshipLeave a comment

SCRIPTURE

Studied: Psalm 145 

OBSERVATION

Psalm 145:1-4 ~ I will praise you, my God and King, and always honor your name. I will praise you each day and always honor your name. You are wonderful, LORD, and you deserve all praise, because you are much greater than anyone can understand. Each generation will announce to the next your wonderful and powerful deeds.

APPLICATION

When I see God’s handiwork all around me in the many things that He has provided for me; when I reflect on the way that He protects me from harm each time I move/travel; when I stop and reflect on the good health that He has blessed me with; for the wonderful family He has blessed me with to help me through each day; then there’s my work family, church family, friends, work income that enables me to provide for my family each day. Wow, I will always honor and praise the name of Jehovah for being my God, my King and my provider! I pray that as I reflect on the wonderful Savior that I know and adore and I lift up His name in praise, that my daughter and all of our younger generation on which I may have influence, will truly take note and have a desire to want to also follow my Lord and Savior in a similarly intimate way, for David reminds us in the latter part of this passage that each younger generation should learn from their older generation.

PRAYER

Lord I pray that I may be a positive influence on those that are looking up to their older generation. May they be positively affected by my walk, and may I not be a stumbling block to any. Please help me to always be reminded of the ways that You are active in my daily walk of life, and help me to always reflect on this in praise and honor to You. Thank You for being my God, my Savior and my Lord! “

Celebrate “God” Day!

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Celebrate God, Christian, God Reigns, Righteousness, Worship1 Comment

SCRIPTURE

Studied: Lamentations 3

OBSERVATION

Lamentations 3:22-24 ~ The LORD’s kindness never fails! If he had not been merciful, we would have been destroyed. The LORD can always be trusted to show mercy each morning. Deep in my heart I say, “The LORD is all I need; I can depend on him!”

APPLICATION

In the earlier verses of this chapter the prophet went through quite a discourse beating up on himself. He had quite a pity party, expressing how he felt like he had been placed in a corner and forsaken by even God. He was totally depressed. However, in these verses he thankfully came to himself and acknowledged the true God who had proven himself to him over the years. I believe that old Satan will often do this to distract us from the real truths and blessings of God. It is so important that we keep our minds fixed on Jesus. To achieve this, it is really important that we stay closely in the Word, and communicate with God on a regular basis, for without these efforts we are led by a wicked world and by Satan himself. Friend, Jesus is the one I serve and I trust that you will accept Him as Lord of your life and place your faith and trust in Him daily. There is no other like Him, whether you consider friends or mentors/leaders in your life. He is the only one that cares for, and loves us unconditionally and at all times. He knows our weaknesses, and can help us overcome and live victorious lives to represent Him in our daily lives, around those that really know us. Let’s let them see Jesus in us today, so that He may be glorified by all.

PRAYER

Father, I pray that You will be worshipped and adored today by each of us that were so craftily designed by Your hand, and loved so intently that you gave everything to help us enter the doors of heaven to be with You one day. There are so many ‘days’ celebrated anymore, ‘donut day’ or ‘chocolate day’ and any other day imaginable, but may this be YOUR day, celebrated by Your children so that those that need to know You as Lord will truly see You and know that You are God and that they too can know and serve You. Thank You Father for the awesome God that You are to me.

No Worries, Be Happy Christian!

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Born Again, Christian, Heaven, Peace, Resurrection Day, Righteousness, Worry no more, WorshipLeave a comment

SCRIPTURE

Studied: Revelation 7 

OBSERVATION

Revelation 7:14-17 ~ …  Then he said to me, “These are the ones who died in the great tribulation. They have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb and made them white. “That is why they stand in front of God’s throne and serve him day and night in his Temple. And he who sits on the throne will give them shelter. They will never again be hungry or thirsty; they will never be scorched by the heat of the sun. For the Lamb on the throne will be their Shepherd. He will lead them to springs of life-giving water. And God will wipe every tear from their eyes.”

APPLICATION

Wow, wow, wow! Here are some exciting notes about what will happen to Christians after this life is over on earth:

  • We will stand in front of God’s throne – imagine how awe inspiring that will be;
  • We will serve Him day and night – To be in the presence of the Almighty will be breathtaking! To serve Him non-stop will be our heart’s desire, truly multiplied many times over the joy we receive from serving Him here on this old earth!
  • We will be protected by the living God! – We rest so much more comfortably when we are sheltered; imagine the peace in knowing that much like a chicken that protects her chicks under her wing, so will it be when God spreads His arms of love and protection over us. That’s ultimate love and protection!
  • We will never be hungry or thirsty! – Now the Word doesn’t say that we will gorge ourselves with food day and night, but rather we will never huger or thirst again. With the wellness program that I am blessed to be a part of right now, I have learned how much less food we really need when we only eat when hungry. I don’t think for a moment that we will be starved, I just believe that our minds will be so centered on loving, serving and worshipping our Lord and Savior, that food will not be a concern.
  • We will never be scorched by the heat of the sun! – Praise God! Because I suffer so much in the heat from today’s outdoor work and activities. The Word says in another place that Jesus will be the light, not the sun, so this is exciting to be reminded that our environment will be much more inviting and comfortable.
  • The Lamb, Jesus Christ, will be our shepherd! – No worries like today when a loved one loses a husband, dad or life leader, for our Shepherd will be Jesus!
  • He will lead us to springs of life-giving water! – Jesus said that He gives us water that will cause us to never thirst again. This is the water that some today will charge thousands of dollars per ounce for, because they could advertise that it produces ‘Life’! This is the water that Jesus will lead us to daily!
  • God will wipe away every tear! – Today we may cry over death in our family, disappointments over certain acts by loved ones, mourning with a friend because they hurt. Whatever it is, there will be no need to worry any longer because God will be in control and He will give us such assurances and love that we will have nothing to mourn over. Oh, Happy Day!!

PRAYER

Wow, what power-packed verses, Lord Jesus. Thank You for giving me a hope! Thank You for providing such a home for me to look forward to! Thank You for providing a means today that gives me assurance of a place in glory with You! Thank You for forgiveness of sin! Please continue to speak to my family and friends so that they too may all join me around Your throne when You see fit to call us home.