KACHELBELA: Portrait #3 & #4. Expressions of Worship and The P...

KACHELBELA: Portrait #3 & #4. Expressions of Worship and The P...: Dear Diary, As earlier mentioned ( https://wordpress.com/view/nzakunashipae.wordpress.com ) this is a series #Portraits_of_Extravagant_Wo...

Portrait #3 & #4. Expressions of Worship and The Posture of the Heart

Dear Diary,

As earlier mentioned (https://wordpress.com/view/nzakunashipae.wordpress.com) this is a series #Portraits_of_Extravagant_Worship I shared during our Lunch Hour Fellowship at PEFA Church, Gikomba (10th-13th Sept. 2019). The series is derived from Matthew 26:6-12; Mark 14:1-8; John 12:1-11; Luke 7:36-48. It is about a woman who poured very expensive perfume on Jesus.

Portrait #3. There are different ways to express your act of worship.

Does God give us the right to choose how to express our worship to Him? Gleaning from the book of Psalms, the Psalmists expressed their worship in varied ways including but not limited to clapping hands, singing, shouting, playing instruments etc. From Matthew 26:6-12; Mark 14:1-8; John 12:1-11; Luke 7:36-48 narratives, I noted various people expressed their worship differently:

Withholding nothing from Jesus- Mary poured an expensive perfume on Jesus, laying her glory down she wiped His feet with her hair in humility, Luke 7:38; Serving God and people- “…Martha served,” John 12:2; Glorifying Jesus- Lazarus testified about Jesus; he was a living testimony of what Jesus does. In fact, John 12:11 tells us that on account of Lazarus many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in Him. I imagine while reclining at the table,  Lazarus may have said, “I was stone cold dead for four days when Jesus called out my name and here I am, alive!” Considering we are told in one of the narratives that the diner was held in Simon the Leper’s house, then I imagine his testimony was like this, “I was a dejected leper but Jesus touched me and made me whole!” Such testimonies bring glory to Jesus and draw many people to Him. Worship through lifestyle, “…offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,” Roman 12:1-2.  Paul describes our lives in Christ as worshipful. Our character/attitude must be as that of Christ, Phil 2:15.

Whichever way you choose to express your worship, what counts is Portrait #4. The posture of the heart 

The above narratives tell us that Jesus was reclining at table when the woman boldly and unashamed approached and poured her extravagant gesture on Him and wiped His feet with her hair. The reclining position forced the woman to  bow and kneel. Praising and worshiping God is done in many different positions and forms: Sitting – Acts 2:1-2, Kneeling – Psalms 95:6; Standing – Exodus 33:10; Lying flat/bowing down, 1 Kings 18:39; Bowing head – 2 Chronicles 29:30; Lifting hands – Psalm 63:4; Dancing – Psalm 149:3. Whichever way and posture you choose to express your worship; whether you shout, clap hands, kneel or stand before God, it is not the posture of your body, but of our heart that is  more important, Proverbs 4:23 says, “…for everything you do flows from it (heart).” If hurtful emotions creep in the heart they can make you to be bitter, angry, proud, indifferent, and unforgiving and hinder your worship.  God desires that your worship be holy and acceptable, flowing from a humble and loving heart.

How do you express your heartfelt worship to God? What is your heart posture?

Yours faithful scribbler,

NzakuNashipae

HOW GOD’S PEOPLE MISS GOD’S HEART

Dear Diary,

#The_Superficial_Search

Have you ever met people who hop from one church/fellowship to another or are you one of them? Recently I met one and I asked him, “…aah, but why are you relentlessly hopping from one church to another?” His answer, “I couldn’t find God there!”

In Hosea chapter 5, God isn’t impressed by Israel’s superficial deeds and search for Him. Their deeds were not directed to Him; their pride testified against them; they were not faithful in their hearts and they didn’t acknowledge God, Hosea 5:4-5. In fact, Hosea 6:4 tells us that their faithfulness quickly dissipated like the early morning dew. Their worship and search for God were superficial, Hosea 5:6. The spiritual leaders changed the godly standards to their advantage thinking they could get away with it, v.10.  Aware of their sickness, God’s people turned to Assyria for help instead of turning to God, v.13!

#The_Repercussion

Consequently, God withdrew Himself from them, Hosea 5:6. Left alone, they were vulnerable to enemy’s attacks and desolation, v.8-9. In subtle and obvious ways, God’s judgment came upon His people. he became to them like a moth and a lion, both brought about destruction, v.14-15. Ultimately, they missed God’s heart because they focused on and pursued superficial things.

What must we do not to miss the heart of God?

God is calling us: to return to Him, to humbly respond to His loving correction, Hosea 6:1; to genuinely acknowledge Him, v.3;  and to genuine and enduring faithfulness, v.4. He is calling us to genuinely pursue the knowledge of God (Hosea 4:6 tells us that God’s people perish for lack of knowledge). God would rather have a contrite heart and a broken spirit, full of mercy, than sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings, v.6.

When our search for the knowledge of God is not superficial, He reveals Himself and we receive restoration, 6:2.  “As surely as the sun rises, He will appear; He will come to us like the winter rains   like the spring rains that water the earth,” v.3.

Yours faithful scribbler,

NzakuNashipae

Accept the Challenge

Dear Diary,

#Accept_the_Challenge

I don’t know about you but I, me and myself are not a risk takers. At the same time I know that holding on to familiar environments and comfort zones results in wandering and failure to enjoy God’s blessings. Jabez’s prayer, “Oh, that You would bless me and enlarge my territory!” has been my prayer yet every time I figure out an enlarged territory or sphere of influence I freak out! This morning I read Joshua chapter 1 and I felt a nudge in my spirit to write this note to encourage myself and someone out there who has settled in a comfort zone stopping short receiving the real deal “Promised Land.”

God told Joshua, “Get ready to cross the Jordan River into the Land am about to give you-Israelites,” Joshua 1:2. You might agree with me that moving into untamed and unknown territory isn’t a decision to be taken lightly. In Joshua 3:14-16 tells us that at the time the Israelites took the challenge and broke camp to cross the Jordan in to the Promised Land, the people were a brand new generation, none of them had walked in the Promised Land before and besides, the river was at its flood stage yet as soon as the feet of the priests who carried the Ark of Covenant touched the water’s edge, the water from the upstream stopped flowing. It piled in a heap, a great distance away so the people crossed over.

Do you freak out whenever God challenges you to break camp and cross over into the land of Promise? Have you been wandering in the desert because you are holding on to your familiar environment and comfort zone? How do you move from there in to His promise?

First, receive the challenge. Get ready. Break camp.

Second, recognize God’s promise and commitment. Joshua 1:3, 5, “I will give you every place where you set your foot.” In addition, “No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.” You and I can accept the challenge because because we recognize God’s promise and commitment-His Powerful, personal and permanent presence with us.

Third, be intentional to obey God’s command, v. 7. Do as God directs you.

Yours faithful scribbler,

NzakuNashipae

Dear Diary,

When Search Engines don’t have Answers!

#God_has_the_Ultimate_Answers

#The_Great_and_Unsearchable_Things

Who hasn’t used a search engine to find an answer to nearly any subject? In fact, why over think when you can ask Mr. Google!

So, what is a search engine? It is a service that allows internet user to search for content via the World Wide Web (WWW). All the user needs to do is to enter keywords or phrases into a search engine and voila, results come even in form of images and videos! Some of the most popular search engines are Google, Bing, Yahoo, Baidu, AOL, Ask.com among others!

How many of us have intimate questions that no search engine can answer?

Jeremiah 33:2-3, “This is what the Lord says, He who made the earth, the Lord who formed it and established it—the Lord is His name: 3 ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’

Dear friend, you know what! You can search for answers from any search engine but there are some great and unsearchable things that Baidu, Yahoo or Google can’t give. In Jeremiah 33:3, God invites us to call to Him. He has guaranteed to answer and tell us those great and unsearchable things that no search engine can give.

How can God tell you great and unsearchable things? Through prayer in the name of Jesus Christ.

Have a blessed weekend

Yours faithful scribbler,

NzakuNashipae