The Highest Occupation

 by Dr. Warren Wiersbe

Read Psalm 100:1-5

The next time you sing the doxology in a worship service, remember that you are singing Scripture, a version of Psalm 100. This psalm is a digest of instructions on how to worship the Lord.

Who should worship the Lord? "Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands!" (v. 1). God wants the whole world to worship and give thanks to Him. Why are we to go into all the world and preach the Gospel? So that all the world will one day be able to make a joyful shout to the Lord.

How should we worship the Lord? First, by serving. "Serve the Lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing" (v. 2). We are to serve the Lord with gladness because there's joy in our hearts and because the joy of the Lord gives strength.

Second, we worship Him by singing. "Come before His presence with singing." I fear that too often in our services, singing becomes routine. We hold the hymnal and sing the songs that we know so well, but our minds and hearts are a million miles away. Think about and rejoice in the words you sing.

We also worship the Lord by submitting to Him. "Know that the Lord, He is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture" (v. 3). Submit to Him. Follow Him. Obey Him.

Finally, we worship the Lord by sacrificing. "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise" (v. 4). You don't need to sacrifice animals on an altar, but you can give your time, money and skills.

Why should we worship the Lord? "For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations" (v. 5).

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The highest occupation of the Christian life is worshiping the Lord. 

Never allow your worship to become routine or artificial.

 Worship Him with a joyful and thankful heart by serving, singing, submitting and sacrificing.

Million Dollar Q   Movies--Right or Wrong?

Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:5-9, Philippians 1:9-10, Philippians 4:8

Going to the movies can be a lot of fun but it's also a minefield, littered with "stuff" we're not sure we want our kids taking in. God also wants us to be wise with our time, our money and what we put into our minds. So, it makes sense to check reviews, pay attention to what others say and set your own family guidelines for what you will and will not see. Helping your children understand why you set standards is key; you're responsible before God for teaching them and helping them grow to maturity.

What Does God Say?

Read Deuteronomy 6:5-9. List the times and places we are to instruct our children.

One goal in teaching is to help them develop discernment. Philippians 1:9-10 says, "And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what it excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ."

God provides a good filter in Philippians 4:8 for what we take in to our hearts and minds, no matter how old we are or the entertainment we prefer: "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."

My Thoughts

What are some areas where your children need to learn discernment?

List the definitions of "true," "honorable," "just," "pure," "lovely," "commendable," "excellent" and "worthy of praise." Then draw up a chart with those definitions and have your children help you evaluate a video or film accordingly.

My Part

Consider these ideas to help you and your kids become discerning. However, it will take some of your time too. You might even have to sit through their movie. Remember, this can also apply to television, DVDs, music, books, magazines, etc.

Ask your children questions about what they saw. What did they like? What didn't they like? Why or why not? What did it say about good and evil, about God? What did it say about how we treat people or ourselves, about success or failure, about violence, sexuality, etc.?

Discuss it. Don't turn it into an argument, but talk about these issues. This allows you and your kids to sort through the messages and views in a film.

Look into God's Word. Always take your children back to what God says about these things.

If God was on the earth will HE see sit with you and see Movie. Did God save us to see Movie ? Will God be happy to see us there during HIS second coming comes to take us.

 The Christ in Christian

Scripture: John 14:1-14

There's a phrase that gets used during the Christmas season, "Keep the 'Christ' in Christmas." It's a call to remember what the season is all about--the birth of Christ, our Savior.

Here's another phrase that's just as important: "Keep the 'Christ' in Christian."

Receive

On the final night before His Crucifixion, Jesus shared with His disciples many things. Among them is this memorable verse: "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.'

"Philip said to him, 'Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.' Jesus said to him, 'Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father'" (John 14:6-9, ESV).

Jesus is essential for our salvation. Who He is and what He has done for us provide the pathway to a relationship with God. He is the reason we are called Christians--followers of Christ.

There are people today who say, like Philip, "Show us God, and that's enough." But if we don't appreciate Jesus' person, and we don't appreciate Jesus' words and we don't appreciate the works of God done through Jesus, we can say we're Christians, but are we?

Let's keep the Christ in Christian. Let's not be content with having obtained salvation; let's live like Jesus lived. Let's take that message of love and forgiveness to a world that needs to hear it. And let's model those principles in our own lives. Let's be "Christ"ians.

Reflect

Read John 1:1-14 and think about the following questions:

1. How might Jesus respond to someone who says he can know God apart from Christ?

2. How has Jesus promised to help those who follow His example?

3. How do you keep the "Christ" in Christian? How do you take the message of love and forgiveness to those around you?

Respond

What does it mean to you to be a Christian? Is it just another label or does it define your life? Spend some time today and write out a "mission statement." What do you want your life to be about as a Christian? What are your goals as a Christian? Keep your statement in your Bible or somewhere you'll see it often.

    WATCH THIS VIDEO

  A PERSON FROM INDIA WALKED AS GOD WANTED HIM TO WALK.

 LIVED A TOTAL SURRENDER OF HIS LIFE FOR THE SAKE OF MOST HIGH.

SHALL WE TRY TO  LIVE ATLEAST REST OF OUR LIFE AS PER THE PLAN OF GOD OR STILL FOOL OURSELVES BY OUR OWN THOUGHTS AND PLANS.

WE ARE IN END TIMES;  A WAKE UP CALL OF EVERYONE.

WE ARE BUSY IN WHAT?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWKewbUauy4

    &

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUlAdE0cFKA

In-Law Problems

                     Scripture: 1 Timothy 5:1-2, Romans 12:10, Galatians 5:14-15, Ephesians 4:2-3

It's a tough situation when your "in-laws" become "out-laws"--but it happens. In all probability your in-laws mean well, but it can still be irritating. How can you deal with this type of situation and not alienate your in-laws, or worse yet, your spouse? The Bible has the answer.

What Does God Say?

"Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father. Treat younger men like brothers, older women like mothers, younger women like sisters, in all purity" (1 Timothy 5:1-2, ESV).

How are you to treat older men?

Which of the following would best reflect this type of attitude?

By word or action, indicate he should mind his own business.

Avoid any contact with this person.

Express appreciation for his concern and assure him you will consider his advice.

Become angry and refuse to talk.

How are you to treat older women?

How would you want your mother to be treated by someone else?

My Thoughts

Think back to an encounter you've had with your in-laws. Write out a response below that would be consistent with the instructions you find in 1 Timothy 5:1-2.

My Part

Always remember that your in-laws are not your enemies. Ask God to give you a true love for your spouse's parents and remove any bitterness that you might have toward them. If you have offended them in word or action, seek their forgiveness.

Additional Scripture to read: Romans 12:10, Galatians 5:14-15, Ephesians 4:2-3