Your Spiritual Act of Worship
We so often hear people talk about worship. Some people consider worship as a time of the week. Some people consider it only as something they do on Sunday. Others view it as a lifestyle. So what does it mean in Romans chapter 12 when Paul speaks about your “spiritual act of worship”? To completely understand this concept, we must first look at what Paul discusses just prior to chapter 12, which is the subject of God’s mercy. In chapter 11, Paul discusses the history of the people of Israel. In this chapter he talks about how Israel’s stumbling made way for the salvation of the Gentiles. But in this rebellion, he still found a remnant in Israel and spared the nation from total destruction. God was able to use even the wrongdoings of His chosen people to draw the Gentiles to himself. At the end of chapter 11, Paul has one of my favorite doxologies of praise to the Lord:
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable His judgments, and His paths
beyond tracing out!
Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been His counselor?
Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?
For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things.
To Him be the glory forever! Amen!
Romans 11:33-36
Paul then proceeds to the subject of being a living sacrifice. He starts chapter 12 with the idea that in order to fully understand our obedience to our Holy God, we must view ourselves in light of God’s mercy. We should be living sacrifices because of the fact that we deserve eternal separation from God. Even though this it what we deserve, the Lord has had compassion and mercy on us and allowed us to serve Him. We should seek holiness and the smile of God. “This is your spiritual act of worship (Romans 12:1).” The “spiritual act” is not merely a ritual activity, but instead it involves the heart, mind and will. It is an act of obedient service. This passage always reminds me of the famous hymn we all love “When I survey the Wondrous Cross.”
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small:
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my ALL.
With His Song, Aaron
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Everything is Meaningless
Everything is Meaningless
As you know, last week I was in Baltimore, Maryland with our wonderful youth. I was reminded of so many things about God and about our daily struggle against the forces of darkness. There were countless stories of men and women who were seeking the things of this world and eventually ended up being disappointed by what they were seeking. They would agree with the author of Ecclesiastes when he wrote “Meaningless! Meaningless! Utterly Meaningless! Everything is meaningless (Ecc. 1:2)”. They know what it is like to work and work and then at the end of the day, gain nothing. There was one story that I will remember for a long time. The man’s name is Kenny. Kenny was a successful mechanical engineer. He, in the world’s eye, had everything going for him, but he was still missing something. He found himself at a point in day to day life where the disappointments and toils left him seeking other things to satisfy the emptiness in his heart. These things were leaving him even emptier. He ended up losing it all and coming to the Helping Up Mission in Baltimore, Maryland. It was there that he found what was missing in his life. He realized at that point that everything in his life was meaningless and void without a relationship with Jesus Christ. He eventually turned his life over to Christ and is now in a leadership role at the Mission.
Maybe you or someone you know is in that same boat. You may not literally be at the lowest place in your life where you need the help of a shelter, but you may be looking at life and thinking it is meaningless. I think even Christians can get to this place. You may be working and striving in your job and see no point. You may be at home with your children and wonder what good you are doing. You may, as Peter did, not have your eyes on Jesus. It is time, Christian, to refocus on the One who gives our life meaning. Return your focus back to Christ. It is in a growing relationship with God that you will find purpose and meaning. Kenny, a successful engineer, found meaning in Jesus and now volunteers at a homeless shelter. What will it take for you to refocus?
Aaron Hodges
As you know, last week I was in Baltimore, Maryland with our wonderful youth. I was reminded of so many things about God and about our daily struggle against the forces of darkness. There were countless stories of men and women who were seeking the things of this world and eventually ended up being disappointed by what they were seeking. They would agree with the author of Ecclesiastes when he wrote “Meaningless! Meaningless! Utterly Meaningless! Everything is meaningless (Ecc. 1:2)”. They know what it is like to work and work and then at the end of the day, gain nothing. There was one story that I will remember for a long time. The man’s name is Kenny. Kenny was a successful mechanical engineer. He, in the world’s eye, had everything going for him, but he was still missing something. He found himself at a point in day to day life where the disappointments and toils left him seeking other things to satisfy the emptiness in his heart. These things were leaving him even emptier. He ended up losing it all and coming to the Helping Up Mission in Baltimore, Maryland. It was there that he found what was missing in his life. He realized at that point that everything in his life was meaningless and void without a relationship with Jesus Christ. He eventually turned his life over to Christ and is now in a leadership role at the Mission.
Maybe you or someone you know is in that same boat. You may not literally be at the lowest place in your life where you need the help of a shelter, but you may be looking at life and thinking it is meaningless. I think even Christians can get to this place. You may be working and striving in your job and see no point. You may be at home with your children and wonder what good you are doing. You may, as Peter did, not have your eyes on Jesus. It is time, Christian, to refocus on the One who gives our life meaning. Return your focus back to Christ. It is in a growing relationship with God that you will find purpose and meaning. Kenny, a successful engineer, found meaning in Jesus and now volunteers at a homeless shelter. What will it take for you to refocus?
Aaron Hodges
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Restoration Ahead
Restoration Ahead
Last week we began talking about Jerusalem and the New Jerusalem that is to come following the millennial reign of the Messiah. Last Sunday night, the Pastor starting me thinking even more about Jerusalem. In the evening service, George brought up the fact that if we say we believe something we need to back it up with Scripture. I have always believed that but not always put that into practice. When it comes to Jerusalem, God’s chosen people; I have always believed that it was important how they are treated even in today’s political climate. I have heard that said from many pulpits and in many Sunday school classes, but very rarely I have heard the biblical backing for this thought. Therefore, I decided that I would look into this subject a little deeper. Not being a Biblical scholar, I was unsure where to find more information concerning Jerusalem, so I decided to go to the Old Testament books of prophecy and see if I could locate anything. I started reading Zechariah. Zechariah is not a book that I read a lot because it is full of symbolism. For a concrete thinker like me, books like Zechariah can be daunting at the least. Reading it this time, I was specifically looking for facts about the future of Jerusalem. I not only found that information but came across even more jewels in the book. In Zechariah 1:14, we are introduced to God being a jealous God. “I am very jealous for Jerusalem and Zion (1:14).” I can somewhat understand God being a jealous God. I chose my wife 16 years ago and am very jealous for her. I would do anything to protect her. This is a very small scale jealousy compared to God’s jealousy toward Jerusalem. Zechariah chapter 1 refers to God’s judgment on those countries that seek to hurt Jerusalem. There were countries in the past that God used to bring judgment on Jerusalem, but now he is ready to bring restoration to His chosen people and destruction to those countries against His chosen people. In Deuteronomy 32:10, Jerusalem is even described as “the apple of God’s eye.” Harming God’s chosen people is like striking the pupil of God’s eye. Chapter 2 describes the restoration of Jerusalem in great detail. Also in this chapter, we find that there will be others who are joined with God’s chosen people in the future. There will be a place for even you and me. Praise be to God!
And now let the earth resound with praise,
For our Savior God He Reigns!
He is high and lifted up!
Arise! For the King of glory waits!
HE IS COMING BACK AGAIN!
Please pray for our Nation during this time to be wise in our relationship to Israel!
Aaron Hodges
Last week we began talking about Jerusalem and the New Jerusalem that is to come following the millennial reign of the Messiah. Last Sunday night, the Pastor starting me thinking even more about Jerusalem. In the evening service, George brought up the fact that if we say we believe something we need to back it up with Scripture. I have always believed that but not always put that into practice. When it comes to Jerusalem, God’s chosen people; I have always believed that it was important how they are treated even in today’s political climate. I have heard that said from many pulpits and in many Sunday school classes, but very rarely I have heard the biblical backing for this thought. Therefore, I decided that I would look into this subject a little deeper. Not being a Biblical scholar, I was unsure where to find more information concerning Jerusalem, so I decided to go to the Old Testament books of prophecy and see if I could locate anything. I started reading Zechariah. Zechariah is not a book that I read a lot because it is full of symbolism. For a concrete thinker like me, books like Zechariah can be daunting at the least. Reading it this time, I was specifically looking for facts about the future of Jerusalem. I not only found that information but came across even more jewels in the book. In Zechariah 1:14, we are introduced to God being a jealous God. “I am very jealous for Jerusalem and Zion (1:14).” I can somewhat understand God being a jealous God. I chose my wife 16 years ago and am very jealous for her. I would do anything to protect her. This is a very small scale jealousy compared to God’s jealousy toward Jerusalem. Zechariah chapter 1 refers to God’s judgment on those countries that seek to hurt Jerusalem. There were countries in the past that God used to bring judgment on Jerusalem, but now he is ready to bring restoration to His chosen people and destruction to those countries against His chosen people. In Deuteronomy 32:10, Jerusalem is even described as “the apple of God’s eye.” Harming God’s chosen people is like striking the pupil of God’s eye. Chapter 2 describes the restoration of Jerusalem in great detail. Also in this chapter, we find that there will be others who are joined with God’s chosen people in the future. There will be a place for even you and me. Praise be to God!
And now let the earth resound with praise,
For our Savior God He Reigns!
He is high and lifted up!
Arise! For the King of glory waits!
HE IS COMING BACK AGAIN!
Please pray for our Nation during this time to be wise in our relationship to Israel!
Aaron Hodges
Peace and Joy
Peace and Joy
IT HAPPENED AGAIN! You may be asking yourself “What in the world is Aaron talking about?” Coming back from vacation, I was so ready to get back in the corporate worship saddle again. Many times right after a two week rehearsal break, the worship horse is very difficult to ride again. The choir and orchestra usually need a little warming up. I typically have so much bottled up inside that it is hard for me to restrain myself. But Sunday was much different. There was a sense of expectation from everyone that God was going to do something. That is exactly what happened. God showed up! The power of God was exhibited in a mighty way, and He used all of us to get it done. I have preached for the last year and a half that the choir and orchestra are so important when it comes to leading worship. When we worship, the congregation is more encouraged to worship. I was told by many individuals on Sunday that they really saw you all worshiping. That is what I desire every week. What made the difference? Was it the song selection? Was it our hearts? Was it a deep desire within us to see God work? Yes, I believe it was all of these and probably more.
What is it that should bring us the joy that we had on Sunday? Are we looking to music to bring us that joy? Are we looking to our friends and family to bring it to us? I hope that this is not where we are seeking our joy. Our peace and joy should come in the fact that “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 4: 8b).” We sing because we have been justified by Jesus Christ. We should not seek our joy through singing or playing. We should already have that joy before we even start a single note. Our corporate worship should be an overflow of the joy that we have in Christ.
Then how and when will our corporate worship experience see another high like we saw Sunday? It will only manifest when we realize where we came from and how much the Lord Jesus Christ has changed us. It will happen again when we enter in expecting God to work. It could come today! Let the following verse bring you such joy and peace today:
“You see, at just the right time, when you were still powerless,
Christ died for the ungodly.
Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, Though for a good man someone might dare to die.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners,
Christ died for us.” Romans 5:6-8
Aaron Hodges
IT HAPPENED AGAIN! You may be asking yourself “What in the world is Aaron talking about?” Coming back from vacation, I was so ready to get back in the corporate worship saddle again. Many times right after a two week rehearsal break, the worship horse is very difficult to ride again. The choir and orchestra usually need a little warming up. I typically have so much bottled up inside that it is hard for me to restrain myself. But Sunday was much different. There was a sense of expectation from everyone that God was going to do something. That is exactly what happened. God showed up! The power of God was exhibited in a mighty way, and He used all of us to get it done. I have preached for the last year and a half that the choir and orchestra are so important when it comes to leading worship. When we worship, the congregation is more encouraged to worship. I was told by many individuals on Sunday that they really saw you all worshiping. That is what I desire every week. What made the difference? Was it the song selection? Was it our hearts? Was it a deep desire within us to see God work? Yes, I believe it was all of these and probably more.
What is it that should bring us the joy that we had on Sunday? Are we looking to music to bring us that joy? Are we looking to our friends and family to bring it to us? I hope that this is not where we are seeking our joy. Our peace and joy should come in the fact that “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 4: 8b).” We sing because we have been justified by Jesus Christ. We should not seek our joy through singing or playing. We should already have that joy before we even start a single note. Our corporate worship should be an overflow of the joy that we have in Christ.
Then how and when will our corporate worship experience see another high like we saw Sunday? It will only manifest when we realize where we came from and how much the Lord Jesus Christ has changed us. It will happen again when we enter in expecting God to work. It could come today! Let the following verse bring you such joy and peace today:
“You see, at just the right time, when you were still powerless,
Christ died for the ungodly.
Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, Though for a good man someone might dare to die.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners,
Christ died for us.” Romans 5:6-8
Aaron Hodges
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