Worship in Truth and Love In The House of God
Worship in Truth and Love In The House of God
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Why Does Our Heart and Mind Matter in Worship?
This is a chapter that keeps coming up and the Lord seems to want me to learn what this particular reference pertains to in terms of the churches in America, as well as my own position concerning worship.
Focus:
If you take the time to read Ezekiel 46: verses 9 to 10, notice the way the procession of people enters and exits. Also, notice the prince involved here. He enters first and exits last. The prince exits the same way in which he came.
Commentary:
The part that stuck out to me the most was this, Jesus is the Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6) and He will be leading us into the house of God to worship. He will be in the midst of us, as we worship Him and our Daddy God, Yahweh.
The crowd is expected to enter one way and exit another, so there is no disorder. (1 Corinthians 14:33). The other aspect I thought about this is what we do when we worship God. How do we enter to worship Him, and how do we exit the place of worship? The people of Ezekiel's day did not love God with all of their hearts, minds, and souls because they entered with pride and were defiled with blood all over their hands. They were head-deep in sinful ways, with no atonement being given.
When we go to worship God, we need to remember, that He is in the midst of us as a congregation. He is always with us and goes before us in fact.
What Does Jesus Say?
Ezekiel 46:1-15
‘Thus says the Lord God: “The gateway of the inner court that faces toward the east shall be shut the six working days; but on the Sabbath it shall be opened, and on the day of the New Moon it shall be opened. The prince shall enter by way of the vestibule of the gateway from the outside, and stand by the gatepost. The priests shall prepare his burnt offering and his peace offerings. He shall worship at the threshold of the gate. Then he shall go out, but the gate shall not be shut until evening. Likewise the people of the land shall worship at the entrance to this gateway before the Lord on the Sabbaths and the New Moons.
The burnt offering that the prince offers to the Lord on the Sabbath day shall be six lambs without blemish, and a ram without blemish; and the grain offering shall be one ephah for a ram, and the grain offering for the lambs, as much as he wants to give, as well as a hin of oil with every ephah. On the day of the New Moon it shall be a young bull without blemish, six lambs, and a ram; they shall be without blemish. He shall prepare a grain offering of an ephah for a bull, an ephah for a ram, as much as he wants to give for the lambs, and a hin of oil with every ephah. When the prince enters, he shall go in by way of the vestibule of the gateway, and go out the same way.
“But when the people of the land come before the Lord on the appointed feast days, whoever enters by way of the north gate to worship shall go out by way of the south gate; and whoever enters by way of the south gate shall go out by way of the north gate. He shall not return by way of the gate through which he came, but shall go out through the opposite gate. 10The prince shall then be in their midst. When they go in, he shall go in; and when they go out, he shall go out. At the festivals and the appointed feast days the grain offering shall be an ephah for a bull, an ephah for a ram, as much as he wants to give for the lambs, and a hin of oil with every ephah.
“Now when the prince makes a voluntary burnt offering or voluntary peace offering to the Lord, the gate that faces toward the east shall then be opened for him; and he shall prepare his burnt offering and his peace offerings as he did on the Sabbath day. Then he shall go out, and after he goes out the gate shall be shut.
“You shall daily make a burnt offering to the Lord of a lamb of the first year without blemish; you shall prepare it every morning. And you shall prepare a grain offering with it every morning, a sixth of an ephah, and a third of a hin of oil to moisten the fine flour. This grain offering is a perpetual ordinance, to be made regularly to the Lord. Thus they shall prepare the lamb, the grain offering, and the oil, as a regular burnt offering every morning.”
Commentary:
This is a chapter that keeps coming up and the Lord seems to want me to learn what this particular reference pertains to in terms of the churches in America, as well as my own position concerning worship. If you take the time to read the verses in 9 to 10, notice the way the procession of people enter and exit. Also, notice the prince involved here. He enters first and exits last. the prince exits the same way in which he came. The part that stuck out to me the most was this, Jesus is the Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6) and He will be leading us into the house of God to worship. He will be in the midst of us, as we worship Him and our Daddy God, Yahweh. The crowd is expected to enter one way and exit another, so there is no disorder. (1 Corinthians 14:33). The other aspect I thought about this is what we do when we worship God. How do we enter to worship Him, and how do we exit the place of worship? The people of Ezekiel's day did not love God with all of their hearts, minds, and souls because they entered with pride and were defiled with blood all over their hands. They were head deep in sinful ways, with no atonement being given.
When we go to worship God, we need to remember, that He is in the midst of us as a congregation. He is always with us and goes before us in fact. Deuteronomy 31:8, Psalm 95:6, John 4:23-24, Romans 12:1-2, 1 Samuel 15:22, Isaiah 29:13,
More about worship in the word of God
Have we seen these “Revivals” in play, within this country?
Yes.
Will we see it again?
Hmm???😕
Well, let me ask you this:
Are we as a country willing:
To give up all filth, turn away from (repent) of all sinful ways, to walk in obedience, and in fear of our holy and righteous, One and True Living God?
Are we as a country willing:
To give up the lie that our all knowing God loves all ways of man, that there are all ways to heaven?
Are we as a nation willing:
To sacrifice our lives, the freedoms of this present life, and the comforts those freedoms afford us, for our all-powerful and just God?
How selfish IS this country?
How have we fallen?
God's word says these things: Romans 1:16-32, 1 Timothy 4:1-5, 6:3-10, 2 Timothy 1:8-12, 2 timothy 2:14-26, 2 Timothy 3: 1-9, Jude
With God, all things are possible. Matthew 19:26, Genesis 18:14, 1 Samuel 14:6, Job 42:2, Jeremiah 32:17, Jeremiah 32:27, Zechariah 8:6, Matthew 19:25
God didn’t promise this country’s founding fathers a covenant to our people to be preserved forever. He only did this with Israel.
There is a remnant in this land though, who really and truly are God’s chosen people, His holy nation, the ones Jesus died and paid the price for. We are His people when we love the Lord our God with all of our heart, soul (mind), and strength (body). This is important, because in order to love God, He loved us first, and showed us how to love Him…to die to our fleshly desires and follow Him. His sheep know His voice. Do you?
Vs 13-16
“Oh, that My people would listen to Me,
That Israel would walk in My ways!
I would soon subdue their enemies,
And turn My hand against their adversaries.
The haters of the Lord would pretend submission to Him,
But their fate would endure forever.
He would have fed them also with the finest of wheat;
And with honey from the rock I would have satisfied you.”
God has such a wonderful desire to bless His Creation, those who were made in His image. He wanted to bless Israel so much, He loves them so much.
God is pleased when we seek to know him, seek to understand Him, seek Him in truth, seek Him humbly and with a contrite heart, seek Him daily, every minute, always. We are constantly on His mind and He is always wanting us for Himself, to bring us to Himself, into His loving and safe arms. The enemy of the air, Satan and his minions, are the main troublemakers.
Ephesians 6:10-13
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the [b]wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
The main enemy is Satan, so why does this country allow him to rule this land now? We have all of this wickedness that has been allowed in this country, from sexual immorality everywhere you go, sexual perversion from the original design of God, which is a man with a woman in Holy union before God, abortion, hatred of marriage, hatred of the weak and infirm, selfishness on all levels, discord, hatred, chaos, disorder, murder, lies, lack of discernment, etc.
Take a look at these scriptures and see, discern, and know:
Romans 1:18-32
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 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, 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. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like [h]corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.
Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the [j]men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.
2 Timothy 3:1-9
But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was.
Revelation 2:4-6
Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
Revelation 2:14-16
But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.
Revelation 2:20-23
Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.
Revelation 3:1-3
‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.
Revelation 3:14-21
‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten.[l] Therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
So, with this in mind…If you want a revival and this country to come back to life (which is entirely possible), then what is already dead (our country) can come back to life like the Terebinth tree, which when cut down, its stump, or the remnant of that tree, can grow into something mighty over time.
About this tree:
Hosea 3
Then the Lord said to me, “Go again, love a woman who is loved by a lover and is committing adultery, just like the love of the Lord for the children of Israel, who look to other gods and love the raisin cakes of the pagans.” So I bought her for myself for fifteen shekels of silver, and one and one-half homers of barley. And I said to her, “You shall stay with me many days; you shall not play the harlot, nor shall you have a man—so, too, will I be toward you.” For the children of Israel shall abide many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred pillar, without ephod or teraphim. Afterward the children of Israel shall return and seek the Lord their God and David their king. They shall fear the Lord and His goodness in the latter days.
Isaiah 6:13
But yet a tenth will be in it,
And will return and be for consuming,
As a terebinth tree or as an oak,
Whose stump remains when it is cut down.
So the holy seed shall be its stump.”
From my research:
These trees are known as a “comeback” tree. They survive wonderfully in an extremely dry climate (wilderness of sorts), are not fast-growing, grow in harsh conditions, have extremely strong roots, and when grown, produce a large canopy for shade. This can be read about online at your leisure.
God would protect, provide, and place His hand back in place, if this country would only repent as a nation.
Repent means to do a 180-degree turn, opposite direction, from a complete left to a complete right, an about-face…towards God and His ways.
Isaiah 55:
1“Ho! Everyone who thirsts,
Come to the waters;
And you who have no money,
Come, buy and eat.
Yes, come, buy wine and milk
Without money and without price.
2Why do you [a]spend money for what is not bread,
And your wages for what does not satisfy?
Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good,
And let your soul delight itself in abundance.
3Incline your ear, and come to Me.
Hear, and your soul shall live;
And I will make an everlasting covenant with you—
The sure mercies of David.
4Indeed I have given him as a witness to the people,
A leader and commander for the people.
5Surely you shall call a nation you do not know,
And nations who do not know you shall run to you,
Because of the Lord your God,
And the Holy One of Israel;
For He has glorified you.”
6Seek the Lord while He may be found,
Call upon Him while He is near.
7Let the [b]wicked forsake his way,
And the unrighteous man his thoughts;
Let him return to the Lord,
And He will have mercy on him;
And to our God,
For He will abundantly pardon.
8“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.
9“For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.
10“For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven,
And do not return there,
But water the earth,
And make it bring forth and bud,
That it may give seed to the sower
And bread to the eater,
11So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me [c]void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
12“For you shall go out with joy,
And be led out with peace;
The mountains and the hills
Shall break forth into singing before you,
And all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
13Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress tree,
And instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree;
And it shall be to the Lord for a name,
For an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.”
Haggai 1:
In the second year of King Darius, in the sixth month, on the first day of the month, the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, saying, “Thus speaks the Lord of hosts, saying: ‘This people says, “The time has not come, the time that the Lord’s house should be built.” ’ ”
Then the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet, saying, “Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins?” Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: “Consider your ways!
“You have sown much, and bring in little;
You eat, but do not have enough;
You drink, but you are not filled with drink;
You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm;
And he who earns wages,
Earns wages to put into a bag with holes.”
Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Consider your ways! Go up to the mountains and bring wood and build the temple, that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified,” says the Lord. “You looked for much, but indeed it came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why?” says the Lord of hosts. “Because of My house that is in ruins, while every one of you runs to his own house. Therefore the heavens above you withhold the dew, and the earth withholds its fruit. For I called for a drought on the land and the mountains, on the grain and the new wine and the oil, on whatever the ground brings forth, on men and livestock, and on all the labor of your hands.”
Isaiah 59:
1Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened,
That it cannot save;
Nor His ear heavy,
That it cannot hear.
2But your iniquities have separated you from your God;
And your sins have hidden His face from you,
So that He will not hear.
3For your hands are defiled with [a]blood,
And your fingers with iniquity;
Your lips have spoken lies,
Your tongue has muttered perversity.
4No one calls for justice,
Nor does any plead for truth.
They trust in empty words and speak lies;
They conceive [b]evil and bring forth iniquity.
5They hatch vipers’ eggs and weave the spider’s web;
He who eats of their eggs dies,
And from that which is crushed a viper breaks out.
6Their webs will not become garments,
Nor will they cover themselves with their works;
Their works are works of iniquity,
And the act of violence is in their hands.
7Their feet run to evil,
And they make haste to shed innocent blood;
Their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity;
Wasting and destruction are in their paths.
8The way of peace they have not known,
And there is no justice in their ways;
They have made themselves crooked paths;
Whoever takes that way shall not know peace.
Commentary:
Sin brings calamity, death, and darkness…God doesn’t want this for us…not one person, no matter how dark and wicked. Notice His arms are long enough and His ears are able to hear just fine. He sees all and knows all. Take a time in Psalm 139…notice…He sees and knows before you do, even the stuff your mind yet doesn’t know that your heart hides from your knowledge (hidden sins, Jeremiah speaks on this well, see those below. )
Scriptures:
Isaiah 59:
Vs 9-15
Therefore justice is far from us,
Nor does righteousness overtake us;
We look for light, but there is darkness!
For brightness, but we walk in blackness!
We grope for the wall like the blind,
And we grope as if we had no eyes;
We stumble at noonday as at twilight;
We are as dead men in desolate places.
We all growl like bears,
And moan sadly like doves;
We look for justice, but there is none;
For salvation, but it is far from us.
For our transgressions are multiplied before You,
And our sins testify against us;
For our transgressions are with us,
And as for our iniquities, we know them:
In transgressing and lying against the Lord,
And departing from our God,
Speaking oppression and revolt,
Conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood.
Justice is turned back,
And righteousness stands afar off;
For truth is fallen in the street,
And equity cannot enter.
So truth fails,
And he who departs from evil makes himself a prey.
Final Thoughts:
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