Chapters 5&6 Critique/Summary Scripture Reflection – Min. Jessica Lee
Living my life in a way that pleases God is top priority. The demands of this life and our pursuit of the things we want have a way of dominating our time and attention. We must realize that everything this life has to offer is temporary. 30 years from now, our daily stressors, accomplishments, material possessions and bank accounts will be meaningless. The only thing that really matters is our relationship with God. Sadly, there are many people who will spend their lives on self-fulfillment and will delay or completely ignore preparing themselves for eternity. Enjoy life, accomplish great things, build wealth but don’t allow yourself to be distracted from what is really important. God rejoices when we change our lives for Him…The truth is that we all have something we can improve upon in terms of our relationship with God. The good news is that no matter how short we have fallen in the past, He is anxiously waiting to receive us when we decide to do better in the future. All of us should take some time to evaluate our lives and try to identify some things that you can improve upon. The next step is to commit to making changes in our life. Even one life adjustment will certainly improve our relationship with God.
In chapter 5 on page 54 the author delves into the basis on why we as worshippers and believers of Christ should understand that, worship should be practiced. This statement brought me back to our first week of class when I mentioned music, as seen in the Bible, trains us in the practice of remembering who God is and what he has done. When you delve deeper into the word “practice” it states that it is, the act of doing something again and again in order to learn or improve. Another definition states, to do or preform habitually or customarily; make a habit of. When I wrote that music trains us in the practice of remembering who God is I looked at it to say how we as Christians/Believers practice learning the scriptures. Or we practice reading and studying the Bible. Some of us practice waking up early in the morning or sometime throughout our day to go to our altars and pray.
Worship is a lifestyle. It’s the gathering of believers to practice our beliefs and celebration of Him. Worship also Involves Surrender of Our Lives. Worship Is Putting Our Focus on Him. True worship is based on the desire to honor God. It requires a personal revelation of God as found in the Scriptures. Worship is not based on my likes or dislikes. It is not based on my personal preferences or priorities. It is a focus on Him. Worship also Involves ‘Getting Out of the Way.’ We must learn to remove our worries, our opinions, our questions, and ourselves—so we can worship with appropriate honor. It’s letting go. Sometimes, we get in the way of our own experience of genuine worship. Worship Involves Personal Sacrifice. Praise can be easier when times are good, or we have had the big victory. It requires a sacrifice of our own feelings and fears so we can give Him the focus He deserves. The only way you can do any of this is to practice it daily. God created us to Worship Him. True worship is based on a right understanding of the nature of God and coming before God valuing God’s worth. We get the honor to come together with a body of fellow believers and sing praises, offer prayers, hear accounts of God, of the history of God’s faithfulness; all to enhance our ability to treasure God above all things. This is true worship at its core, making God our crowning jewel of life, and lifting Jesus as the name above all names. Understand from the outset that the purpose of God creating you was for His glory, for His purposes, and not your own. You are not the center of the universe. He is. From Genesis to Revelation, the focus of Scripture is God, not man. God created us to worship, and we will worship and serve something. It will either be the true God, a false god or gods, or ourselves.
References: Whaley, Vernon M (2021) Exalt His Name: Book 1
1 Corinthians 14:15 “So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding.”
First Corinthians 14:1–25 describes why the gift of prophecy is superior to the gift of tongues in church services, especially when nobody with the gift of interpreting tongues is available. Prophecy benefits everyone in the room with a revelation from God. Praying in a tongue, when nobody can interpret, only benefits the one praying. In fact, displaying the gift of tongues without interpretation may do more harm than good—it generates confusion and division. In contrast, the use of prophecy provides the opportunity for unbelievers to hear from God, be convicted about sin, and come to faith in Christ and genuine worship. The same applies to prophecy and the gift of discerning spirits. Orderliness and building up the church are guiding principles for any worship meeting. Modern churches are divided on the extent to who which these gifts are given or should be practiced. Most times we must read ahead of and after a scripture text to fully understand its true meaning.
Paul declares that he will not pray without the use of his mind. He will pray to God with both his own spirit and his mind. Singing praise songs is another kind of prayer. They are directed to God. Paul declares that he will sing praise to God with both spirit and mind, as well. In order to accomplish this, Paul will only pray and sing with words he understands. If in a church service, he will only pray in tongues if he—or someone else—is able to interpret what is being said. Otherwise, the mind will be left out of the process. There is a proper place for the intellect in Christianity. In praying and singing, both the mind and the spirit are to be fully engaged. When we sing, we should also think about the meaning of the words. When we pour out our feelings to God in prayer, we should not turn off our capacity to think. True Christianity is neither barren intellectualism nor thoughtless emotionalism.
Book Text Reflections Chapters 5&6 and Scripture Reflection I Corinthians 14:15 Chapter 5 - Honest Worship Honest prayer begins with being true to self. The example given in the text of a broken congregation full of hurt and anger being caringly led to healing and joy was a great view inside many of today’s churches. I believe the statement “churches are like hospitals” is valid. Wounded Christians are many with varying levels of love of our Lord. Awareness prepares triage upon arrival. The range of needs God will address can range from complicated spiritual surgery to a few stitches of encouragement; the beginnings of good spiritual health development with a personal love for God. In this hospital church we all have a part in the on-going wellness of one another. Thinking of the many roles working together, Romans 8:28, to potentially positively effect a single person, there are a multitude of need-based opportunities to minister, educate, walk along-side, observe healing and restoration. The desired result: Honest worship in prayer, words and song both in private and as a congregation. Experientially developed strengthened faith. Looking at their charts from triage to wholeness in Christ His story is, one by one, replicated. Brokenness was the daily prescription that created a new heart to bless the Lord at all times with continuous praise. The entire hospital/church staff takes part in prayer and worship fully expecting the same from God.
Chapter 6 - Created to Worship In Genesis 1 all creation was made to worship its creator Elohim (Hebrew meaning: rendering for God. This chapter allow the learner to better relate to the magnitude of God’s creative magnificence and wonder. Everything was made for man to enjoy in communication with the maker Himself. Praise and honor is our Lord’s due. Thanksgivings would exhaust thick books if the effort was made to list them. These are just a few from my spirit in this moment. New life across every form of existence: humanity, living natural environments, agriculture, animals, biblical precedents for living life, a bird’s ability to fly, star lit night skies, the air we breathe. Each group along with their subgroups have a divine purpose.
Theme Reflection: I Corinthians 14:14-15 Paul’s experiences of tongues - These two verses clarify the difference between praying in a known vs unknown language. We understand English. Communicating our thoughts and desires to God is not a stretch. However, when gifted with speaking in tongues we are out of our human element. We have no understanding of the words or sounds that come from the heart. Paul uses a few different phrases to describe his experience as he prayed in tongues. In 1 Corinthians 14:15, he was praying ‘with the spirit’. That must mean his own spirit, because at other times he prayed ‘with the mind’. In 1 Corinthians 14:14, his description is ‘my spirit is praying’. Praying with our mind are often full of our own desires and thoughts. Our thoughts disappear when we pray with our spirit. The mind gains nothing from prayer in tongues because prayer in tongues is prayer in an unknown language. The Holy Spirit gives the words. To pray with the spirit is a gift from God. During prayer in tongues, Paul was using his mouth and breath not his mind. He had control over his speech and had a choice to speak words that came from his mind, or from his spirit. He did both. He would use his mind so that people could understand. But did not neglect the gift of tongues. v19 …”yet in the church, I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than 10,000 words in a tongue.”
Sunday 8 /29/21 KWU59 Theme :” Worship with Understanding: Cultivating God’s Presence while understanding Music Theory” 1 Corinthians 14: 15 New King James Version What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding. Cross reference: 1 Corinthians 14:26
Ephesians 5:19 From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Music theory is the study of the practices and possibilities of music. The Bible supports using music as a means to worship and praise God, bringing closeness in the relationship, but not in the sense of making one more perfect and like God. Music connects all creation and human being. Music has power it influence, purify the mind, trigger act of recognition of discovery. Music theory is frequently concerned with describing how musicians and composers make music, including tuning systems and composition methods among other topics David played his harp as to make Saul feel better and even used as a weapon of preventing evil spirts from coming upon Sau. David’s Musical Therapy, 1 Samuel 16:14-23. Music influences the mind. Psalm 150:4 Psalm 150:1-6 Critique for chapters 5-6 Honest Worship chap. 5 Honest worship involves a Sincere, Personal Evaluation of My Own Love for God. Author speaks of being skilled in presenting to large crowds but was he effective. He was gifted at exciting people. He was skilled in leading large crowds but his heart was full of pride. He harbored bitterness toward brothers in Christ. Anger in his heart often flared up toward those in authority. Author was bound in legalism. He lived with the spirit of discontent with an ungrateful heart toward the God whom I claimed to worship. However he could lead from the outside view people in music at rousing and excitement revival services, rarely did he lead God’s people in true, genuine worship. In reality God had to change his heart /page 52-53 ” Worship is more than service, more than reverence, more than submission. A. W. Tozer’s words: Worship is to feel in the heart. / pg. 53-56 . How does one worship honestly? First, to worship must worship with a broken spirit. Second, we must practice worshiping. Third, God is more interested in us knowing Him than in the commitment to form. Fourth, our public worship must be an outgrowth of our private time with God. Chapter 6 Created to Worship pg. 51-61: Genesis 1 first introduces the Spirit moving across the water as Elohim, God, Mighty Creator, and judge: In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth (Gen 1:1-2). Elohim is the Hebrew rendering for God, the “Father of all creations,” “Ancient of Days.” Strategy and revelation is to know God in knowing God is worship. Knowing Gods Creation is attention to skill, and attention to design, detail, and intent. So I come to another revelation that music theory is created by God. Music is extension of His deity-heaven. Music has a breath; temple, chords, sound, rhythm. Music is an gift from God. God created music. Mathematical equations played out in unison. Is this how the spirit of God lives in us when we develop a relationship? We walk and breathe in harmony this unseen source/force. We march to a higher temple, calling. We submit and humble ourselves to a note, half note sometimes C minor. God had written a song for each and every person called purpose in our hearts. Five principles about creation that have a profound effect on our Worship: Majesty refers to God’s splendor and dignity. We worship because God desires a relationship with us. Col 1:15-17 Everything was and is created by God. So music is an instrument breathed on into life as an instrument of praise and worship. Music has purpose. Each person tuned to the same fork as 100 piano creating unity giving praise to one source flowing in pitch to the highest cord on musical note of pure Love. Let’s reach it together. Walk in it, Walk through it, and Walk with it. Let us walk in Love, this is our purpose.
Stephanie Tucker Weekly Reflections on Chapters 5-6 Aug. 29, 2021
I minister with the Levites at Hopewell. We sing songs of inspiration, encouragement, praise, worship and conviction. We are responsible for setting the atmosphere of praise and worship in the sanctuary by the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It’s a privilege. It’s an honor. It’s a huge responsibility. But most of all, my praise and worship is my personal expression of the heart I have for God. I’ve always worshiped Him through my conversations with Him, through my writings to Him, through reminding others of His might and goodness. So, when I read in chapter six that I was created to worship and glorify Him and to honor that purpose, I become thankful and humbled that He allows me to continue to do the very thing He created me to do! The songs we minister not only uplift others but also come alive in me as I minister, even as I practice the music at home. Honest worship requires that beautiful brokenness that causes the lyrics to take on a most personal meaning. For instance, “Take It To The Lord In Prayer” carried me through all of the past two weeks when I was troubled with an issue that had me in despair. The words of that song reminded me that my help comes only from the Father, if I would only completely trust Him with it and let Him work it out according to His will. Through my tears, I surrendered it in prayer and in turn, was granted a peace that freed me to praise Him as I knew I should. I worshiped Him in my home, had intimate talks with Him, shared my testimony with a close friend and ministered in service from an honest, personal place that would not have been effective had I have not surrendered and trusted Him. Worship is truly seeing God as God and our lives must indeed be lives of true and honest worship. It’s an experience of the heart, a spiritual transplant that is 100% successful. How great is our God!
My Holman Christian Standard Study Bible states, "When praying and singing, both the mind and the spirit are to be fully engaged. When we sing, we should also think about the meaning of the words."
Oftentimes, in a corporate setting of praise and worship, we find ourselves so influenced by the music, the sound of the singers, the praise of others that we neglect to remember that this is a personal experience with the almighty God. It is a spiritual experience that is meant to elevate us in our relationship with Him. We learn to mimic the exhaltations and murmerings of others until it becomes a self-developed way of worship. But that isn't the intended way of worship. In concert with the Holy Spirit, we are to be edified through expressions of praise, worship and understanding. Our Father does not communicate through a coded, unintelligible language that leaves us confused; nor, does He want us to make utterances to Him and not have an understanding that will leave us edified.
When David danced after the Ark of the Covenant was returned to its proper resting place, he was delirious in the spirit. He danced out of his clothes. And when his wife scolded him, he rebuked her. He knew the depth and meaning of his dance of praise. He understood fully what he was saying to God through his dance. This left him edified fully in his spirit and God was pleased.
Ephesians 5:23 reminds us that we are being renewed in the spirit of our minds. This means that we are to have a clear understanding of God's word and its working in our lives. This allows us to, in turn, worship and praise with clarity, boldness and honesty. Colossians 3:16 tells us to sing with gratitude in our hearts. How can we be truly grateful for something that we don't even comprehend? How can we truly express to our Father the depth of our praise if our minds cannot process the depth and translate that depth (truth) to our hearts and then to our lips?
We are not only children of God, we are His friends. Friends know about and understand one another. Friends speak secrets to one another and trust that it is safe there. Friends come our rescue in our time of need. Friends provide a shoulder to lean and cry on. Friends encourage, protect, love and support. Friends cheer when you succeed and comfort you when you fail. Friends have understandings among each other that others may not comprehend; but, they know and that is sufficient for them. That is how our relationship, our praise, our worship should be with our Father so that when we open our mouths to praise, our minds set it all straight and our praise is clearly expressed not only to ourselves but also to God.
08/29/2021 Weekly Material Critique/Summary Chapters 5-6 Weekly Theme Reflection for Chapters 5-6 “Worship with Understanding”: Cultivating God’s Presence while understanding Music Theory
I Corinthians 14:15 [verses 14, 16 & 17] (kjv) 14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. 15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. 16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest? 17 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified. We must remember that GOD is a spirit. The word of GOD instructs us to worship in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). “In Spirit” indicates something that is not seen with our natural senses through our eyes, ears, nose month or fingers. The preceding verse number 14 gives the illustration of praying in an unknown tongue. Tongue representing an unknown language. If you pray in the spirit in an unknown language, then you would not know what you are saying in your prayer, thereby rendering your prayer “unfruitful”. If you do not know what you are praying for, you will not know whether your prayer has been answered. So verse 15 asks, “What is it then?” When we pray, we must pray in the spirit, but also with understanding. The follow-up verses, 16 and 17, add more clarity and context. As I paraphrase “Else…how shall those present, who are unlearned say Amen or “so be it” as you give thanks, because they do not understand what you said”. You gave thanks, but no one else is edified (uplifted, enlightened, instructed)
When we worship, it is not about us. Our worship is for GOD’s glory. In particular, corporate worship, is about edifying the body of Christ, God’s people encouraging them, uplifting them, enlightening the, instructing them as we go before the throne of GOD, glorifying him.
Keeping our scripture at 1Corinthians 14:15 in mind, our worship must be genuine and honest. We must personally evaluate our relationship with GOD, and our love for him. There cannot be true worship without obedience. So in our personal evaluation of our love for GOD, we must ask ourselves if we obey GOD. As imperfect beings, there are times when we will fall short, and choose to follow our will, instead of God’s will. We could be harboring bitterness, envy, anger, unwholesome desires, pride or any number of “thorns” we have to contend with. In his wisdom, GOD has provided for our forgiveness and redemption of those short comings, in Jesus Christ. All we have to do is confess and repent.
As we express our love to GOD we so often get caught up in serving GOD and not actually loving GOD. What comes to my mind is the example of Mary and Martha in Luke chapter 10. Martha was busy working and serving Jesus and the others, while Mary was sitting at the feet of Jesus. Martha even asks Jesus to get Mary to help her. In response Jesus tells Martha “Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her.” They both love Jesus, and trust him. Both told Jesus “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” So, they know he has the power to heal. If you have read the book about the five love languages, you will readily recognize that Martha’s love language is acts of service, while Mary’s love language is quality time. Both love languages are important in our worship, but we need to be aware of what drives our worship, in whatever form it takes, that it is not driven by pride, arrogance, or selfishness.
Note: Martha was serving the needs of others, ahead of her own need. She was grieving the death of her brother Lazarus. Mary was grieving as well, but chose to sit at the feet of Jesus to be consoled, verse 33 says she was crying.
It sounds a little bit like an oxymoron, and I really had to think about it, but on page 55 of “Exalt His Name”, the author says “Honest Worship involves a Genuine, Unselfish Expectation of Love from God”. Hmmm, so my worship must be genuine, unselfish, and expect love from God? 1. Genuine refers to something that is true and authentic. I get that. My worship must be true; must be what it seems to be. 2. Unselfish means that I must be unselfish in that I am willing to put others needs ahead of my own. 3. Expectation tells me that I must believe that something will happen. Happen, namely, Love from God.
My take-away or understanding, in the context of this study is that our worship must be honest, authentic, in the spirit. Our worship must be spurred by unselfish motives, as we understand that worship is not about us, but about the needs of GODs people and to Glorify GOD.
Chapters 5&6 Critique/Summary
ReplyDeleteScripture Reflection – Min. Jessica Lee
Living my life in a way that pleases God is top priority. The demands of this life and our pursuit of the things we want have a way of dominating our time and attention. We must realize that everything this life has to offer is temporary. 30 years from now, our daily stressors, accomplishments, material possessions and bank accounts will be meaningless. The only thing that really matters is our relationship with God. Sadly, there are many people who will spend their lives on self-fulfillment and will delay or completely ignore preparing themselves for eternity. Enjoy life, accomplish great things, build wealth but don’t allow yourself to be distracted from what is really important. God rejoices when we change our lives for Him…The truth is that we all have something we can improve upon in terms of our relationship with God. The good news is that no matter how short we have fallen in the past, He is anxiously waiting to receive us when we decide to do better in the future. All of us should take some time to evaluate our lives and try to identify some things that you can improve upon. The next step is to commit to making changes in our life. Even one life adjustment will certainly improve our relationship with God.
In chapter 5 on page 54 the author delves into the basis on why we as worshippers and believers of Christ should understand that, worship should be practiced. This statement brought me back to our first week of class when I mentioned music, as seen in the Bible, trains us in the practice of remembering who God is and what he has done. When you delve deeper into the word “practice” it states that it is, the act of doing something again and again in order to learn or improve. Another definition states, to do or preform habitually or customarily; make a habit of. When I wrote that music trains us in the practice of remembering who God is I looked at it to say how we as Christians/Believers practice learning the scriptures. Or we practice reading and studying the Bible. Some of us practice waking up early in the morning or sometime throughout our day to go to our altars and pray.
Worship is a lifestyle. It’s the gathering of believers to practice our beliefs and celebration of Him. Worship also Involves Surrender of Our Lives. Worship Is Putting Our Focus on Him. True worship is based on the desire to honor God. It requires a personal revelation of God as found in the Scriptures. Worship is not based on my likes or dislikes. It is not based on my personal preferences or priorities. It is a focus on Him. Worship also Involves ‘Getting Out of the Way.’ We must learn to remove our worries, our opinions, our questions, and ourselves—so we can worship with appropriate honor. It’s letting go. Sometimes, we get in the way of our own experience of genuine worship. Worship Involves Personal Sacrifice. Praise can be easier when times are good, or we have had the big victory. It requires a sacrifice of our own feelings and fears so we can give Him the focus He deserves. The only way you can do any of this is to practice it daily. God created us to Worship Him. True worship is based on a right understanding of the nature of God and coming before God valuing God’s worth. We get the honor to come together with a body of fellow believers and sing praises, offer prayers, hear accounts of God, of the history of God’s faithfulness; all to enhance our ability to treasure God above all things. This is true worship at its core, making God our crowning jewel of life, and lifting Jesus as the name above all names. Understand from the outset that the purpose of God creating you was for His glory, for His purposes, and not your own. You are not the center of the universe. He is. From Genesis to Revelation, the focus of Scripture is God, not man. God created us to worship, and we will worship and serve something. It will either be the true God, a false god or gods, or ourselves.
References:
Whaley, Vernon M (2021) Exalt His Name: Book 1
Scripture Reflection – Min. Jessica Lee
ReplyDelete1 Corinthians 14:15 “So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding.”
First Corinthians 14:1–25 describes why the gift of prophecy is superior to the gift of tongues in church services, especially when nobody with the gift of interpreting tongues is available. Prophecy benefits everyone in the room with a revelation from God. Praying in a tongue, when nobody can interpret, only benefits the one praying. In fact, displaying the gift of tongues without interpretation may do more harm than good—it generates confusion and division. In contrast, the use of prophecy provides the opportunity for unbelievers to hear from God, be convicted about sin, and come to faith in Christ and genuine worship. The same applies to prophecy and the gift of discerning spirits. Orderliness and building up the church are guiding principles for any worship meeting. Modern churches are divided on the extent to who which these gifts are given or should be practiced. Most times we must read ahead of and after a scripture text to fully understand its true meaning.
Paul declares that he will not pray without the use of his mind. He will pray to God with both his own spirit and his mind. Singing praise songs is another kind of prayer. They are directed to God. Paul declares that he will sing praise to God with both spirit and mind, as well. In order to accomplish this, Paul will only pray and sing with words he understands. If in a church service, he will only pray in tongues if he—or someone else—is able to interpret what is being said. Otherwise, the mind will be left out of the process. There is a proper place for the intellect in Christianity. In praying and singing, both the mind and the spirit are to be fully engaged. When we sing, we should also think about the meaning of the words. When we pour out our feelings to God in prayer, we should not turn off our capacity to think. True Christianity is neither barren intellectualism nor thoughtless emotionalism.
Book Text Reflections Chapters 5&6 and Scripture Reflection I Corinthians 14:15
ReplyDeleteChapter 5 - Honest Worship
Honest prayer begins with being true to self. The example given in the text of a broken congregation full of hurt and anger being caringly led to healing and joy was a great view inside many of today’s churches. I believe the statement “churches are like hospitals” is valid. Wounded Christians are many with varying levels of love of our Lord. Awareness prepares triage upon arrival. The range of needs God will address can range from complicated spiritual surgery to a few stitches of encouragement; the beginnings of good spiritual health development with a personal love for God. In this hospital church we all have a part in the on-going wellness of one another. Thinking of the many roles working together, Romans 8:28, to potentially positively effect a single person, there are a multitude of need-based opportunities to minister, educate, walk along-side, observe healing and restoration. The desired result: Honest worship in prayer, words and song both in private and as a congregation. Experientially developed strengthened faith. Looking at their charts from triage to wholeness in Christ His story is, one by one, replicated. Brokenness was the daily prescription that created a new heart to bless the Lord at all times with continuous praise. The entire hospital/church staff takes part in prayer and worship fully expecting the same from God.
Chapter 6 - Created to Worship
In Genesis 1 all creation was made to worship its creator Elohim (Hebrew meaning: rendering for God. This chapter allow the learner to better relate to the magnitude of God’s creative magnificence and wonder. Everything was made for man to enjoy in communication with the maker Himself. Praise and honor is our Lord’s due. Thanksgivings would exhaust thick books if the effort was made to list them. These are just a few from my spirit in this moment. New life across every form of existence: humanity, living natural environments, agriculture, animals, biblical precedents for living life, a bird’s ability to fly, star lit night skies, the air we breathe. Each group along with their subgroups have a divine purpose.
Theme Reflection: I Corinthians 14:14-15 Paul’s experiences of tongues -
These two verses clarify the difference between praying in a known vs unknown language. We understand English. Communicating our thoughts and desires to God is not a stretch. However, when gifted with speaking in tongues we are out of our human element. We have no understanding of the words or sounds that come from the heart.
Paul uses a few different phrases to describe his experience as he prayed in tongues. In 1 Corinthians 14:15, he was praying ‘with the spirit’. That must mean his own spirit, because at other times he prayed ‘with the mind’. In 1 Corinthians 14:14, his description is ‘my spirit is praying’.
Praying with our mind are often full of our own desires and thoughts. Our thoughts disappear when we pray with our spirit. The mind gains nothing from prayer in tongues because prayer in tongues is prayer in an unknown language. The Holy Spirit gives the words. To pray with the spirit is a gift from God.
During prayer in tongues, Paul was using his mouth and breath not his mind. He had control over his speech and had a choice to speak words that came from his mind, or from his spirit.
He did both. He would use his mind so that people could understand. But did not neglect the gift of tongues. v19 …”yet in the church, I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than 10,000 words in a tongue.”
Sunday 8 /29/21
ReplyDeleteKWU59
Theme :” Worship with Understanding: Cultivating God’s Presence while understanding Music Theory”
1 Corinthians 14: 15
New King James Version
What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.
Cross reference:
1 Corinthians 14:26
Ephesians 5:19
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Music theory is the study of the practices and possibilities of music.
The Bible supports using music as a means to worship and praise God, bringing closeness in the relationship, but not in the sense of making one more perfect and like God. Music connects all creation and human being. Music has power it influence, purify the mind, trigger act of recognition of discovery.
Music theory is frequently concerned with describing how musicians and composers make music, including tuning systems and composition methods among other topics
David played his harp as to make Saul feel better and even used as a weapon of preventing evil spirts from coming upon Sau. David’s Musical Therapy, 1 Samuel 16:14-23. Music influences the mind.
Psalm 150:4
Psalm 150:1-6
Critique for chapters 5-6
Honest Worship chap. 5
Honest worship involves a Sincere, Personal Evaluation of My Own Love for God.
Author speaks of being skilled in presenting to large crowds but was he effective. He was gifted at exciting people. He was skilled in leading large crowds but his heart was full of pride. He harbored bitterness toward brothers in Christ. Anger in his heart often flared up toward those in authority. Author was bound in legalism. He lived with the spirit of discontent with an ungrateful heart toward the God whom I claimed to worship. However he could lead from the outside view people in music at rousing and excitement revival services, rarely did he lead God’s people in true, genuine worship. In reality God had to change his heart /page 52-53
” Worship is more than service, more than reverence, more than submission. A. W. Tozer’s words: Worship is to feel in the heart. / pg. 53-56 . How does one worship honestly? First, to worship must worship with a broken spirit. Second, we must practice worshiping. Third, God is more interested in us knowing Him than in the commitment to form. Fourth, our public worship must be an outgrowth of our private time with God.
Chapter 6 Created to Worship pg. 51-61: Genesis 1 first introduces the Spirit moving across the water as Elohim, God, Mighty Creator, and judge: In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth (Gen 1:1-2). Elohim is the Hebrew rendering for God, the “Father of all creations,” “Ancient of Days.” Strategy and revelation is to know God in knowing God is worship. Knowing Gods Creation is attention to skill, and attention to design, detail, and intent. So I come to another revelation that music theory is created by God. Music is extension of His deity-heaven. Music has a breath; temple, chords, sound, rhythm. Music is an gift from God. God created music. Mathematical equations played out in unison. Is this how the spirit of God lives in us when we develop a relationship? We walk and breathe in harmony this unseen source/force. We march to a higher temple, calling. We submit and humble ourselves to a note, half note sometimes C minor. God had written a song for each and every person called purpose in our hearts.
Five principles about creation that have a profound effect on our Worship: Majesty refers to God’s splendor and dignity. We worship because God desires a relationship with us. Col 1:15-17 Everything was and is created by God. So music is an instrument breathed on into life as an instrument of praise and worship. Music has purpose. Each person tuned to the same fork as 100 piano creating unity giving praise to one source flowing in pitch to the highest cord on musical note of pure Love. Let’s reach it together. Walk in it, Walk through it, and Walk with it. Let us walk in Love, this is our purpose.
Stephanie Tucker
ReplyDeleteWeekly Reflections on Chapters 5-6
Aug. 29, 2021
I minister with the Levites at Hopewell. We sing songs of inspiration, encouragement, praise, worship and conviction. We are responsible for setting the atmosphere of praise and worship in the sanctuary by the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It’s a privilege. It’s an honor. It’s a huge responsibility. But most of all, my praise and worship is my personal expression of the heart I have for God. I’ve always worshiped Him through my conversations with Him, through my writings to Him, through reminding others of His might and goodness. So, when I read in chapter six that I was created to worship and glorify Him and to honor that purpose, I become thankful and humbled that He allows me to continue to do the very thing He created me to do!
The songs we minister not only uplift others but also come alive in me as I minister, even as I practice the music at home. Honest worship requires that beautiful brokenness that causes the lyrics to take on a most personal meaning. For instance, “Take It To The Lord In Prayer” carried me through all of the past two weeks when I was troubled with an issue that had me in despair. The words of that song reminded me that my help comes only from the Father, if I would only completely trust Him with it and let Him work it out according to His will. Through my tears, I surrendered it in prayer and in turn, was granted a peace that freed me to praise Him as I knew I should. I worshiped Him in my home, had intimate talks with Him, shared my testimony with a close friend and ministered in service from an honest, personal place that would not have been effective had I have not surrendered and trusted Him.
Worship is truly seeing God as God and our lives must indeed be lives of true and honest worship. It’s an experience of the heart, a spiritual transplant that is 100% successful. How great is our God!
Stephanie Tucker
ReplyDeleteReflections on 1 Cor. 14:14-15
My Holman Christian Standard Study Bible states, "When praying and singing, both the mind and the spirit are to be fully engaged. When we sing, we should also think about the meaning of the words."
Oftentimes, in a corporate setting of praise and worship, we find ourselves so influenced by the music, the sound of the singers, the praise of others that we neglect to remember that this is a personal experience with the almighty God. It is a spiritual experience that is meant to elevate us in our relationship with Him. We learn to mimic the exhaltations and murmerings of others until it becomes a self-developed way of worship. But that isn't the intended way of worship. In concert with the Holy Spirit, we are to be edified through expressions of praise, worship and understanding. Our Father does not communicate through a coded, unintelligible language that leaves us confused; nor, does He want us to make utterances to Him and not have an understanding that will leave us edified.
When David danced after the Ark of the Covenant was returned to its proper resting place, he was delirious in the spirit. He danced out of his clothes. And when his wife scolded him, he rebuked her. He knew the depth and meaning of his dance of praise. He understood fully what he was saying to God through his dance. This left him edified fully in his spirit and God was pleased.
Ephesians 5:23 reminds us that we are being renewed in the spirit of our minds. This means that we are to have a clear understanding of God's word and its working in our lives. This allows us to, in turn, worship and praise with clarity, boldness and honesty. Colossians 3:16 tells us to sing with gratitude in our hearts. How can we be truly grateful for something that we don't even comprehend? How can we truly express to our Father the depth of our praise if our minds cannot process the depth and translate that depth (truth) to our hearts and then to our lips?
We are not only children of God, we are His friends. Friends know about and understand one another. Friends speak secrets to one another and trust that it is safe there. Friends come our rescue in our time of need. Friends provide a shoulder to lean and cry on. Friends encourage, protect, love and support. Friends cheer when you succeed and comfort you when you fail. Friends have understandings among each other that others may not comprehend; but, they know and that is sufficient for them. That is how our relationship, our praise, our worship should be with our Father so that when we open our mouths to praise, our minds set it all straight and our praise is clearly expressed not only to ourselves but also to God.
08/29/2021
ReplyDeleteWeekly Material Critique/Summary Chapters 5-6
Weekly Theme Reflection for Chapters 5-6
“Worship with Understanding”: Cultivating God’s Presence while understanding Music Theory
I Corinthians 14:15 [verses 14, 16 & 17] (kjv)
14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?
17 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.
We must remember that GOD is a spirit. The word of GOD instructs us to worship in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). “In Spirit” indicates something that is not seen with our natural senses through our eyes, ears, nose month or fingers. The preceding verse number 14 gives the illustration of praying in an unknown tongue. Tongue representing an unknown language. If you pray in the spirit in an unknown language, then you would not know what you are saying in your prayer, thereby rendering your prayer “unfruitful”. If you do not know what you are praying for, you will not know whether your prayer has been answered. So verse 15 asks, “What is it then?” When we pray, we must pray in the spirit, but also with understanding. The follow-up verses, 16 and 17, add more clarity and context. As I paraphrase “Else…how shall those present, who are unlearned say Amen or “so be it” as you give thanks, because they do not understand what you said”. You gave thanks, but no one else is edified (uplifted, enlightened, instructed)
When we worship, it is not about us. Our worship is for GOD’s glory. In particular, corporate worship, is about edifying the body of Christ, God’s people encouraging them, uplifting them, enlightening the, instructing them as we go before the throne of GOD, glorifying him.
Weekly Material Critique/Summary Chapters 5-6
ReplyDeleteKeeping our scripture at 1Corinthians 14:15 in mind, our worship must be genuine and honest. We must personally evaluate our relationship with GOD, and our love for him. There cannot be true worship without obedience. So in our personal evaluation of our love for GOD, we must ask ourselves if we obey GOD. As imperfect beings, there are times when we will fall short, and choose to follow our will, instead of God’s will. We could be harboring bitterness, envy, anger, unwholesome desires, pride or any number of “thorns” we have to contend with. In his wisdom, GOD has provided for our forgiveness and redemption of those short comings, in Jesus Christ. All we have to do is confess and repent.
As we express our love to GOD we so often get caught up in serving GOD and not actually loving GOD. What comes to my mind is the example of Mary and Martha in Luke chapter 10. Martha was busy working and serving Jesus and the others, while Mary was sitting at the feet of Jesus. Martha even asks Jesus to get Mary to help her. In response Jesus tells Martha “Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her.” They both love Jesus, and trust him. Both told Jesus “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” So, they know he has the power to heal. If you have read the book about the five love languages, you will readily recognize that Martha’s love language is acts of service, while Mary’s love language is quality time. Both love languages are important in our worship, but we need to be aware of what drives our worship, in whatever form it takes, that it is not driven by pride, arrogance, or selfishness.
Note: Martha was serving the needs of others, ahead of her own need. She was grieving the death of her brother Lazarus. Mary was grieving as well, but chose to sit at the feet of Jesus to be consoled, verse 33 says she was crying.
It sounds a little bit like an oxymoron, and I really had to think about it, but on page 55 of “Exalt His Name”, the author says “Honest Worship involves a Genuine, Unselfish Expectation of Love from God”. Hmmm, so my worship must be genuine, unselfish, and expect love from God?
1. Genuine refers to something that is true and authentic. I get that. My worship must be true; must be what it seems to be.
2. Unselfish means that I must be unselfish in that I am willing to put others needs ahead of my own.
3. Expectation tells me that I must believe that something will happen. Happen, namely, Love from God.
My take-away or understanding, in the context of this study is that our worship must be honest, authentic, in the spirit. Our worship must be spurred by unselfish motives, as we understand that worship is not about us, but about the needs of GODs people and to Glorify GOD.