Psalm Chapter 26A Psalm of David.
If we are serious about living for God and living a life of holiness, we should not be afraid to ask the Lord to examine our hearts that we have no hidden sin which causes us trouble in the flesh. We may not even see it but there is a great chance others will see it. The enemy of our souls, the adversary who is Satan, has a purpose and that is to cause us to mess up and ruin our testimony before the world so that others will not find the salvation through Jesus our Messiah (Christ). The church can be a beacon of light to bring the gospel or can become a stumbling block to many if they depart from their first love for the Lord and start to ignore the word of God taken in context. Instead of spreading the true gospel of salvation through faith in Jesus, we may begin to tear down one another. Some in the middle ages condemned others to death because they believed a little different than the established church at that time. We do this when we get our eyes off Jesus as our source of salvation and transfer it to a group of people or a church body. Error in doctrine must be corrected but it must be done with as much patience and love as we can give and never should we persecute or kill someone who disagrees in doctrine. Trust God to take care of these things. Let love and restoration be in our minds, and not have a desire to get even and get rid of someone. We should grieve if one leaves us because of offense and not because of God's calling them to another direction. We should care for that one. If they go to another church fine but we should make sure they don't give up on God. One soul is so precious. What will help us is faith in God's ability to change a life. Don't give up on anyone. Plead to the throne of God for the souls of the lost and those who have backslidden. Let us not help them to get further away from God by lashing out in cruelty and accusations.
This kind of love overlooks unimportant things but also will correct serious error. If we truly loved our children, we would not let them do something that will cause themselves harm.
This is loving kindness. This is mercy, This pleases God.
Determine to walk in the truth of God's word.
A dissembler is someone who pretends to be something he or she is not. To be vain is empty show or for nothing, a waste of time. Pretense is to be avoided and not to make a habit of keeping company with such persons.
Follow not a multitude to do evil. If we become unequally yoked with unbelievers, we may become like them. This doesn't mean we never bring them the gospel but it means that we are not to hang around them and appear to agree with their sin.
Being thankful is so important. How many times do we thank God for sending Jesus to save us from sin? How much do we thank God for His presence, for His word, and for His Holy Spirit that He gives to all who obey Him. Publish to tell of His goodness to others.
How much do we love to be with other believers in the House of the Lord?
Being in the wrong place at the wrong time is trouble.
Coming together to worship God among others that believe is so precious.
This doesn't tell us how often to come together but the more the better. There is no set rules but we need to desire the company of other believers. God has even given us at least here in the United States such a variety of churches with different worship methods. There is so many to choose from. I don't worry about going around trying to find the right church. If we make sure our own hearts is right, God will lead us to a good place of worship. It will not be perfect because that which is perfect has not yet come. (Jesus Christ's Second Coming). If every saint of God was already perfect, then we wouldn't need bible study, correction, preaching or the gifts of the spirit. Don't look for a perfect church but study the bible and find one that teaches the closest to what the bible teaches according you what understanding you have, so that you don't cause a lot of division by be disagreeable. Have a teachable spirit though and be ready to change if the Holy Spirit shows you some other understanding. Check everything out by the word of God though because there are some that want followers after themselves and rob Jesus Christ of glory and then some are agents of Satan teaching doctrines of devils. Our God provided the bible for us to read and understand so that we are not lead astray by false doctrine. Take heed though. There isn't one church that is the right one to the exclusion of all the others. Many have been led into error by claiming their church is "the church". The true church is made up of many believers from all denominations, non-denominations and anywhere where the gospel is believed. It is not limited to the Catholics, the Baptists, the Methodists, Lutherans, Pentecostals, or Charismatic churches. We can't put God in a box and claim that He is going to save one group of people and send all others to hell. Please wake up. Jesus died on the cross to save the lost. He is not going to limit that to any one group. The only exception is that we have to come through Jesus Christ. There is no other way to be saved.
Like I've said many times that if there had been another way of salvation, God would not have allowed Jesus to suffer in one of the worse death's imaginable. Jesus literally died and took the punishment for our sins. Sins that He did not commit.
Listen to what Jesus said: No ones comes to the Father (God) except through faith in Jesus. Not faith in the Mormon Church, the Jehovah's witness, the Catholic Church, or any Protestant Church. Jesus is our salvation. Jesus died on the cross to save us from our sins. Jesus is the way the truth and the life. Churches are good and we need them but Jesus is our Lord and savior. He is not limited to any one of the churches in the world today. That is why I do not speak of my own church affiliation in these articles. I'm not here to push one church above another but to exalt Jesus Christ. Another fact to consider is the worship methods. Some like the new contemporary style of praise and worship. Some like more traditional hymns and some like the southern gospel hymns. None should be mocked and put down as evil when faithful worshippers are worshipping God in Spirit and in truth. I see articles on the Internet condemning the contemporary ones and comparing them to cults. I cringe at that. We must not false accuse. God sees the hearts of these believers. He knows if they are for real. There is no way we can know that. If you any are uncomfortable with this type of worship, God has provided many others. He loves you, but don't condemn innocent people who love God just because you disagree with them. Worship and hearing the word of God should be our desire. Some prefer the southern gospel time of hymns and worship songs. There are older traditional hymns of faith that older denominations enjoy. God looks within the inner person not on the genre of the music. One thing I would like to say to worship leaders. Seek to that which brings true worship and focuses on Jesus Christ. God will guide and direct if we sincerely ask Him to have His way. He knows what is best for what kind of congregation is gathered to worship. Whatever method of worship we prefer, remember that one way isn't necessarily the way the apostles did it and the only way to worship. People are different, traditions are different and it doesn't have to be all one way or all another. True worship comes from deep inside us. God sees that. There may be places where they have no music, they can still worship God in prayer and praise. Some worship God in the service they do for the church or for others. God seeks us to worship Him in Spirit and in truth. Our worship with or without music should be toward our savior and Lord.
Above all things love is the key to true worship.
If we can keep just two commandments: Love God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself, you would automatically be able to keep all the commandments in the bible. Love and compassion should never be replaced by harsh legalism and unrighteous judgments. -DC
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