SEEK HIS FACE

 

 WHEN YOU’RE IN DEEP :

“They saw the works of the Lord, his wonderful deeds in the deep” - Psalm 107:24, NIV

The scripture says is Psalm 107:23, “They that go down to the sea and do business in deep waters, they will see the wonders of God.” Friend, you and I were created to do business in deep waters. In other words, we’re not supposed to have little dreams or little plans. We are supposed to have big dreams. We are supposed to go out into the deep things God has for us.

But understand, when you’re out there in the deep waters, you can’t touch the ground. You can’t see the shoreline, and at times, it can get a little rocky. You may not always see how things are going to work out. But, the scripture tells us that deep calls to deep. In other words, God is the one who has called you to the deep waters. He is with you, and He knows there are deep things on the inside of you. Remember, in deep waters, you are not alone. God is with you, and He’s causing those deep things inside of you to come forth.

If you feel like you are out in the deep today, if you feel like you are overwhelmed, remember, you are in the right place and God is with you. You will see His wonderful deeds in the deep, and you will fulfill the plan He has in store for you.

To: GORDON WILLIAMS

Subject: Why do Churches empathize Praise and Worship but not Signs, Wonders, and Miracles

 
 
Why do Churches empathize Praise and Worship but not  Signs, Wonders, and Miracles and are they not part of their package?

Acts 2
22 "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know ---

Acts 8
6 And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

13 Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done.

Acts 15
12 Then all the multitude kept silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul declaring how many miracles and wonders God had worked through them among the Gentiles.

Acts 19
11 Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul,

1 Corinthians 12
10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.

28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.

29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles?

Galatians 3
5 Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? ---

Hebrews 2
4 God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?

To: walthope@hotmail.com
Subject: Re: Why do Churches empathize Praise and Worship but not Signs, Wonders, and Miracles
Date: Mon, 6 Jan 2014 00:35:41 -0500

Hi Walter: 

They emphasize a so-called praise which exalts themselves and it is really entertainment.  Praise means living a life that has repented for the person’s sin and been forgiven by Jesus Christ, Baptized with the Holy Spirit and preaching the Gospel with the Signs, Wonders & Miracles, using the Gifts of the Holy Spirit in ministry.  Paul describes to us what a worship service is supposed to look like in 1 Cor. 14: 26f. 

I took a few minutes this morning to watch Jeremiah’ show from NYC.  He had some rock band blasting people’s ears as they did their not-so-spiritual dancing and then he went into a long history of the Bible which was really an advertisement for his own new Bible version, complete with all kinds of foot notes and side notes in which shares his Baptist theology and which you can buy for $50.00 or 70.00 or 80.00 USA.  So the boring so-called worship service was really paid advertisement for his latest merchandise. 

As Paul wrote, “In their case the God of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is in the likeness of God” (2 Cor. 4: 4).  Jesus warned, “How can you believe, who receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes only from God” (Jn. 5: 44).  This is what their “entertainment” is all about. 

Back many centuries ago, because of the problem of musicians and singers taking people’s attention away from Jesus in church services, many churches put the organist and the choirs and singers up in a balcony behind all the worshippers who could hear them but not see them.  I have come to believe that we should start building churches which prevent the musicians and their bands out of sight.  When the music gets too loud so that the worshippers cannot be heard singing and it goes on too long which turns people’s attention away from God, it is no longer worship.  It is self-seeking artists who are there to get the attention (glory) of the people who have come to worship God in Spirit and in Truth which is made impossible by the unspiritual (meaning not inspired by the Holy Spirit) music. And, by the way, some Roman Catholic churches are still putting their musicians in the music loft where they can be heard but not seen.   I know that this nothing new to you.  But of Scriptural Praise and Worship it is not.  Keep on keeping the Faith!  Yours in Jesus Christ,  Gordon.