The Cost of Worship

Last night at youth group, Chris was teaching about 2 Samuel 24.  The context is a sin of David - he pridefully numbered the people of Israel.  God disciplined him by bringing three days of pestilence on the land (killing 70,000 men of Israel).  The pestilence ended, and David was bringing an offering before God at the threshing floor of Araunah.  Araunah makes a generous and sacrificial offer - he offers to give the floor to David at no cost.

In 2 Samuel 24:24, David replies to Araunah,

"However, the king said to Araunah, "No, but I will surely buy it from you for a price, for I will not offer burnt offerings to the LORD my God which cost me nothing" So David bought the threshing floor..."

This is the true attitude of worship.  Too often we think of worship as actions we do, but true worship includes an attitude of worship, and worship without sacrifice is not true worship at all.  Doing worshipful acts without a heart of worship and without offering a sacrifice to God, this is worth little.

As I posted yesterday, I continue to encourage you.  Don't offer one-handed, half-hearted, non-sacrificial worship and service to the Lord of all things who chose you for adoption as sons and daughters.  Give Him your all.  Consider nothing worth more than God - consider all as a sacrifice before the Lord.

Luke

Off topic, with this post I've made April the most active posting month on this blog this year with 5 posts.  That's pathetic lol.  That's my fault for being inactive.  Next month we will do more, or at least I will.  Let's get back to the golden days, like the 41 posts from March 2008 lol.

Two Hands

Hey all!  Jars of Clay came out with their new album, Long Fall Back to Earth, last week.  I bought it on release day, and I recommend buying it - it's really good!

I mention the CD because of a song on it called "Two Hands."  It reminded me of how I treat God sometimes:

I use one hand to pull you closer

The other to push you away

It is a constant battle between the Christian's sinful flesh and the Spirit of God inside him or her.  The apostle Paul said, "For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another."  (Galatians 5:17).  The goal of all believers is mentioned in the chorus of the song:

If I had two hands

Doing the same thing

Lifted high, lifted high

So a quick encouragement today - pray that God would enable you to use both hands in His service today, and not just one.  A half-hearted, "one-handed" service is not what God wants - He wants our all.  Don't do the minimum you feel will let you squeak by, but be diligent; pursue godliness with maximum effort.

I've put up the song "Two Hands" in the player on the sidebar so you can check it out.

God bless!

Luke

-phil

Well, Thursday night Kade and I went with some friends to a church in Harrison, which is about an hour and forty-five minutes away. And do you know what we did? We went to a Phil Wickham concert! And if you didn't know, he is my favorite musician! The music was great and I loved the new songs he did!

I meant to bring my cd for him to sign, but I forgot it. So I ended up having him sign the shirt I bought there! I also had him sign the shirt I was wearing, and my shoes! It was really cool because I was wearing white Pumas, and he signed it with a purple pen! But one of the coolest things was that I got to talked with Phil's wife (Nice lady. They got married in February) and I found out that Phil (or at least his wife) knew me from posting on his blog! Incredible night!

All For His Son's Glory!
-Kole

P.S. I also passed my Driver's test on Wednesday, and got my license on Friday!

Shine On, Shine On!!

Here's a music video we put up. It's a great song, and one of my favorite music videos.

Matthew 5:14 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before all men that they may see your good works, and glorify your father who is in heaven."

From Needtobreathe with love,
Kade

Drivers Test

Yesterday I took a driving test... and failed... sad isn't it. I was disappointed, but the Lord knows what's best. Just another good reminder that God is sovereign and is using disappointments to bring us closer to him. For some reason it wouldn't have been good for me to pass. Maybe I was hoping to find happiness in that instead of in Christ (and his coming which Pastor Ed talked a little about at youth group)! I might have been to proud had I passed. But whatever the reason for God not giving us what we want, when we want it, we need to be thankful for what we have and understand that if God has saved us we need nothing else! Jaroslav Pelikan said these as some of his last words, “If Christ is risen, nothing else matters. And if Christ is not risen— nothing else matters.”

All For His Son's Glory!
-Kole