Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few.

Ecclesiastes 5

Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few. Ecclesiastes 5:1-2

I continue my study today of Ecclesiastes using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for this book.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Ecclesiastes 5:1-6, which covers the first division of the commentary chapter titled Religion Is Meaningless without Jesus - the first division specifically is referred to in the commentary as Religious Ritual without the Fear of God Is Meaningless.  Here the commentary describes the woeful state of American Christianity, which has become consumer oriented-focusing on the satisfaction of the worshiper vs God who of course should be the object of a worship.  The commentary shares: "religion has become a means to use God for what we really want rather than an experience of standing in awe of the living God."  As the commentary digs into the details of Ecclesiastes 5:1-6, it shares how empty rituals of sacrifice are not pleasing to God - God wants a heart of repentance and trust and faith in Him.  Our church attendance must not be simply out of habit but truly a time of going to God in awe of who He is and being grateful for the amazing grace He has poured out for us.  On the subject of church ritual and sacrifice (i.e. tithing, etc.) God wants us to offer our bodies as a "living sacrifice" (Romans 12:1) as we should do everything for the glory of God.  We are also referred to 1 Samuel 15:22 that describes how God wants obedience to His commands not empty ritual.  The commentary then moves to the topic of prayers and how we are to approach prayer as part of worship.  Pointing to vv2-3, the commentary refers us to Matthew 6:7-8 and shares "[t]he person thinks because of how they pray, what they pray, or how many words they use that God will be favorable toward them. Some people think they must pray in King James language for God to actually listen and answer. Others think they have to be casual and refer to God as “Daddy” to be heard. What you say or how you say it is not the issue. The issue is your heart. But we so often think our heavenly Father is like earthly parents who can be asked at the right time or in the right way and we can get the answer we want."  The commentary concludes for this division's text by exploring vows in vv4-6.  We are warned not to make empty vows with God as it shares: "Solomon says in verse 5 that it is better not to make a vow than to vow and not pay it. Hold your tongue. Keep your mouth shut. One example in our culture where we make vows is marriage. It is better to be single and unmarried than to get married and break your vows. In addition to marriage vows, we make private and public promises to God—like dedicating ourselves that we will raise our children to know and love Jesus, that we will be a better spouse, that we will give to some church campaign, or that we will not lose our temper anymore with our children—but we fail to keep our promises. We dedicate ourselves in front of God and the church to raise our babies right, and we start out so well, but once they grow up and ball games or recitals start happening on Sundays, we get out of church. You make a promise not to yell at your kids on Sunday, but by Wednesday you are tired, and they grate on your nerves so you explode. Solomon says not to let your mouth make you sin and not to tell the messenger it was a mistake to make that vow. The messenger most likely refers to a temple official who ensured vows were fulfilled (Enns, Ecclesiastes, 68)."  Breaking a vow with God angers Him and this is dangerous indeed - see Acts 5 for the story of Ananias and Sapphira as an example of God's wrath for those who do not deal honestly with God.  We should not try and manipulate God but instead revere Him and worship Him with a true and repentant heart that is grateful for His amazing grace.  

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of amazing grace and whose mercies are new every morning and never cease.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such incredible blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and energy.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few.

Ecclesiastes 5

Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few. Ecclesiastes 5:1-2

I continue my study today of Ecclesiastes using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for this book.  Today, my focus is an unassisted review of Ecclesiastes 5:1-6, which covers the first division of the commentary chapter titled Religion Is Meaningless without Jesus - the first division specifically is referred to in the commentary as Religious Ritual without the Fear of God Is Meaningless .  Here, Solomon calls out those who focus on the "theater" of church worship - where the focus is on something other than God - this could be the self-edifying prayers of a worshiper, or the sermon from the pastor, both of whom may be focusing on self-glorification vs glorifying God.  For worship, Solomon rightly seeks to focus our hearts solely on Jesus and His glory.  God not only deserves this glory, we exist for this purpose!  Also, God is in control (He is in heaven - v2) and we should be careful how we approach God, recalling how inappropriate worship in scripture (see also how Aaron's sons died in Leviticus 10:1-2) is sinful.  We are to love God first, then love others and our worship should reflect this focus. Yes, God wants us to worship Him in song and praise, to offer heartfelt and authentic prayers, but he also wants us to "be still and know that [He] is God" (Psalm 46:10).

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a good, good Father and I love You - You are worthy of my worship and I know that is why I exist.  Thank You for the blessings of a church that respects Godly worship.  I am not deserving of the blessings for how You directed me to my church, and how You bless me in so many other ways - my cup overflows!  I am not deserving because my sin is great and it is daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

(“Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!”)

Revelation 15-16

(“Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!”) Revelation 16:15 

I continue my D-Group's study of Revelation using Stephen Witmer's commentary and study guide.  For this week, the study looks at Revelation 15-16.  For today, I focus on the commentary for these chapters and a summary of key takeaways/applications.  As an element of my post yesterday on the pause between the sixth and seventh bowls of God's wrath, I am reminded that God's words during this pause are a benediction, which my commentary defines as "a prayer for God’s blessing at the end of a letter or a worship service. " We must see Revelation as both a letter and a worship service - full of God's glory, His message to us, and full of praise. John Piper says that all of redemptive history God seeks one thing - worship of Him. For us to be ready, we must prepare our hearts for worship - non-ceasing praise and worship!

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My Prayer: Jesus, You are a good and perfect God and worthy of my worship and praise - non-stop!  You bless me daily and I am both grateful and undeserving.  My sins are great and they continue - daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sins towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.  

Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!

Leviticus 16

Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! Psalm 100:4

This morning, I continued my study of Leviticus using the Christ-Centered Exposition series commentary for this book - continuing chapter fourteen - God Forgives and Removes Sin - covering Leviticus 16:1-34, looking specifically at the second theme for the chapter - We Come into God's Presence with Care.  Here, the commentary theme for today highlights God's instructions for Aaron to follow on the Day of Atonement as described in great detail in Leviticus 16. God warns Aaron to follow these instructions to the letter "so that he may (does) not die" (v2, 13). The commentary writes how Aaron, after the death of his two sons as described in Leviticus 10, was surely more motivated to be careful to follow God's instructions. During my study of Leviticus, I've previously posted on the topic of how we are to approach worship carefully and with a right heart - certainly not flippantly or carelessly as we might if we are simply going through the motions. The commentary urges us to see this same application today: "we are not to approach God in a haphazard way or in the way that suits us in the moment.  We submit to what God says in His Word about how to approach Him.  He is God, not man.  He is our sovereign Lord, not our buddy, and we come into His presence with a keen awareness of that fact....We don't come into His presence naming our demands or imposing our opinions; we come into His presence giving Him praise as God and bowing our hearts in reverence out of fear of His holiness and awesome power."  The commentary provides both Matthew 6:9 and Psalm 100:4 as scriptural examples of how we are to approach God. 

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is always available for me - in worship, for prayer and quiet time studying the Word, etc.  Thank You!  Yet I am undeserving of how You bless me and protect me as I have often gone through the motions.  Please forgive me Jesus!  Help me overcome and turn from such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And Moses and Aaron went into the tent of meeting, and when they came out they blessed the people, and the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people. And fire came out from before the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the pieces of fat on the altar, and when all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces.

Leviticus 9

And Moses and Aaron went into the tent of meeting, and when they came out they blessed the people, and the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people. And fire came out from before the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the pieces of fat on the altar, and when all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces. Leviticus 9:23-24

This morning, I continued my study of Leviticus using the Christ-Centered Exposition series commentary for this book - moving on to chapter nine - Powerful Worship - covering Leviticus 9:1-24, looking specifically at the theme - Powerful Worship Follows Preparation for God's Presence.  Here, the commentary focuses on how in Leviticus 9 we see a description of the "inaugural worship service for the tabernacle that God had commanded to be built during Israel's wilderness wandering.  God had told them to build the tabernacle; they obeyed and built it.  God had told them to consecrate Aaron and his sons as priests, and they did that [Leviticus 8].  God had told them what sacrifices to offer and how to offer them [Leviticus 1-7]. Now, the time of preparation was over and the time of worship had arrived, and, and if any worship experience could be described as powerful, this one was powerful.  It was ordained by God, blessed by God, and visited by God.  God can use it to teach us something about powerful worship."

The commentary describes powerful worship as an undeniable demonstration of God's power moving in our life or in the life of others near us.  The commentary then pivots to how believers can consistently experience powerful worship as believers often do not experience such powerful worship because we are focused perhaps solely on secular aspects of the worship experience such as the music, or the sermon. Or believers may focus on earthly concerns or cares and such distractions prevent us from experiencing powerful worship. We are then urged to see how we don't experience powerful worship simply because we weren't ready to receive anything from God[, as p]owerful public worship is so often preceded by powerful private worship."  The commentary points out how the Israelites inaugural public worship was preceded not just by preparation via learning about how to perform the sacrificial system as the means of atonement or or learning about how priests are to be consecrated and ordained.  The inaugural worship was also preceded by a recognition and acknowledgement of all that God had done for Israel at that point: delivery from bondage in Israel (including the 10 miracles/plagues God demonstrated to Pharaoh/Egypt), provision for food and water in the wilderness, God's awesome presence at Mount Sinai, the giving of the Ten Commandments, etc. As we prepare for worship on Sundays, we too prepare our hearts for worship.  We should recognize and acknowledge all that Jesus has done for us and how He is all that we need.  We should pray that we exalt Him during our time in worship, and for God to prepare our hearts to receive Him and His Word for us.

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who has done so much for me - my words and worship cannot fully describe the breadth and depth of Your love for me, how You reign, and how awesome You are.  Thank You Jesus for Your love for me and of course for my salvation - the greatest gift of all time.  I am not dserving of such a gift and for how You love me.  I am often harsh with others.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.