^{Numbers 25:3} So Israel joined in worshiping the Baal of Peor. And the LORD's anger burned against them.


I am glad God burns with anger when I turn from Him and worship a cheap imitation.

I used to kind of freak out when I saw the words anger and God in the same sentence but it now brings a holy fear that then leads to a holy comfort.

In one corner (its a big corner) you have the creator of all the Universe, all the earth and every human being that has ever existed...

In the other corner you have the idol Pe‘or who was used as a latrine and the worship of the idol consisted of excrementing before it.  Wow.

But really isn't all worship before any other god pretty smelly.

Theologically and from a Hebrew definition point of view the anger that the bible announces is not the anger we probaby know too well...a sinful, emotional anger.

It is righteous indignation that allows God to be "angry" about sin but to love us anyway.

His love for us depends on His character, not on ours.

The beauty and mind blowing truth is His anger fell upon His son Jesus Christ. 

We now have peace with God by faith in Jesus

He has given us a new heart that desires Him

Where once we were enemies with God we are now on His side

We don't just have a treaty, we now fight together as friends, brothers, soldiers

He is our commander in Chief leading us into a righteous battle against injustice

Our weapons are worship

Our weapons are love

Our weapons are serving

Our weapons are talking & listening to Him - prayer

Our weapons are agreeance

Our weapons are thankfulness

Thank you Lord we now have peace with you

Thank you Lord you were angry that we did not worship you

Thank you Lord you took our punishment

I refresh my commitment to turn from cheap imitations today

It all hangs on this

+jk

Judges 5:6-8 (message)

 Public roads were abandoned, travelers went by backroads. Warriors became fat and sloppy,no fight left in them. Then you, Deborah, rose up; you got up, a mother in Israel. God chose new leaders, who then fought at the gates. And not a shield or spear to be seen among the forty companies of Israel.

(NIV)

⁷ Village life in Israel ceased, ceased until I, Deborah, arose, arose a mother in Israel.⁸ When they chose new gods, war came to the city gates, and not a shield or spear was seen among forty thousand in Israel.

One person stood up.
One person arose.
One life can make a difference.
One heart fully committed can change a nation.
You and God are the majority.

Village life, community ceases to exist, but Deborah arose as a leader

The whole nation was choosing to serve other gods yet she chose to serve God

The tide was against her

The warriors that once fought had become lazy and apathetic

The people had lost their will to fight

Popular opinion was against her

But she arose

As she arose God chose new leaders to arise with her

As you arise others will follow...who is waiting today for you to make a stand?

The world may say to abandon church and community of faith, but we arise

David made a decision that he and his house will serve the Lord

Abraham against all hope in hope believed

Joshua and Caleb brought back a positive report of the promise land despite the Giants and opposition

Daniel would not bow down to the king of this world, but continued to pray

Joseph arose in every situation through continuing to trust God and his dream came to past

Today fight the good fight of faith

Arise and shine for your glory has come

God is for you

He is with you

As surely as the sun rises God is alive and faithful

Jesus arose for us

Death could not keep Him down

That same power now lives in you, this very day

So be like Deborah, Arise and believe

You and God are the majority


+jk

“Sing to God, sing praise to his name, extol him who rides on the clouds — his name is the LORD— and rejoice before him. A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.”- Psalm 68:4-5


Why do we sing?

"One of the reasons we sing is to remind ourselves that it’s not about us – and we get to be part of it (God’s story)…" Rob Bell

I have grown up singing every day and every week...music seems to run through my veins(not that I am good at it, just that I really like it), it inspires me, challenges me, changes me, reminds me and is beyond me.

Words leave my mouth and go beyond my mind when I sing...singing is acknowledging that life is bigger than you

Singing to God is faith...because we sing in the good, the bad and the ugly because of who He is.

Singing is a physical statement of the joy that exists inside your heart for you are redeemed and saved by the name of Jesus.

He rides on the clouds and His name is the Lord...lets rejoice before Him!

He is high above yet he is a father to the fatherless, he is a defender of the helpless and He is Holy.

Why do I sing?

He is my everything.  I am designed to worship.  All of humanity was designed to worship. 

Lets join together and sing!

John 1:12: Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—

Restore to me my innocence oh Lord

Give me a heart that believes again

Help me to see the best in people and to trust

Lord recover this mind that doubts and rebels

Let me run again with no fear

I am yours

Your child Lord

Receive me

I believe.

+jk