Worship, September 4

Worship, September 4

So they came to Jerusalem. And Jesus went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves.
And He would not allow anyone to carry wares through the temple.
Then He taught, saying to them, "Is it not written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations'? But you have made it a 'den of thieves.'"
And the scribes and chief priests heard it and sought how they might destroy Him; for they feared Him, because all the people were astonished at His teaching.

Mark 11:15-18, www.solascriptura.com

Jesus, very seldom did You show anger outwardly. Here You teach us a great deal about what a church should not be. It is not a place where the focus is on raising money, advancing personal interests, or a place where social relationships rise above our purpose in being there.

You bring us to church to worship, together, to sing praises, together, and to jointly support the ministry of the church and You teach us elsewhere it is good to be in the House of the Lord.

But here, the focus is on the primary function of a church and the Body of Believers and that focus is prayer. When we gather together You expect us to think of our time there as a time we spend listening and speaking of You, lifting our spirits up to Your Spirit, seeking refreshment that only You can provide. We are taught to pray unceasingly and particularly when we enter into Your presence, together. What a joy it is Jesus to be welcomed by You.

Bless our worship we pray, in Your Holy name, amen

Bruce Caldwell

Worship, September 4, 2008

Worship, September 4, 2008

So they came to Jerusalem. And Jesus went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves.
And He would not allow anyone to carry wares through the temple.
Then He taught, saying to them, "Is it not written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations'? But you have made it a 'den of thieves.'"
And the scribes and chief priests heard it and sought how they might destroy Him; for they feared Him, because all the people were astonished at His teaching.

Mark 11:15-18, www.solascriptura.com

Jesus, very seldom did You show anger outwardly. Here You teach us a great deal about what a church should not be. It is not a place where the focus is on raising money, advancing personal interests, or a place where social relationships rise above our purpose in being there.

You bring us to church to worship, together, to sing praises, together, and to jointly support the ministry of the church and You teach us elsewhere it is good to be in the House of the Lord.

But here, the focus is on the primary function of a church and the Body of Believers and that focus is prayer. When we gather together You expect us to think of our time there as a time we spend listening and speaking of You, lifting our spirits up to Your Spirit, seeking refreshment that only You can provide. We are taught to pray unceasingly and particularly when we enter into Your presence, together. What a joy it is Jesus to be welcomed by You.

Bless our worship we pray, in Your Holy name, amen

Bruce Caldwell

Worship, August 15, 2008

Worship, August 15, 2008

I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go into the house of the LORD."
Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek your good.

Behold, bless the LORD, all you servants of the LORD, who by night stand in the house of the LORD!
Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD.
The LORD who made heaven and earth bless you from Zion!

Ps 122:1, 9, Ps 134:1-3, www.solascriptura.com

Father, we have a choice as to whether we "enter into the House of the Lord" to worship. You teach us that it is to be a happy moment, a time of gladness.

Sometimes we do not want to go to church, for a lot of different reasons, but You teach us that is where we are able to join in and joyfully share our witness with others. When we attend church, we are there to "bless the Lord" and to receive Your blessings.

If we stay away Father, and if everyone else stayed away, would there be no church; would it fall into disuse and become the property of someone else? We know that it would Father, so help us today, to resolve to be part of the body of believers, the true Church, who bring our contributions of joy and substance in support of public praise.

Father, we know that the Sabbath was a gift to us, a day set aside to rest and to honor You. Give us wisdom and discernment in this matter, we pray in Jesus' Holy name.

Bruce Caldwell

Worship #3

O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob!... O God, behold our shield, and look upon the face of Your anointed. For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD will give grace and glory; no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man who trusts in You!



Psalms 84:8-12, www.solascriptura.com



Father, we do believe You hear our prayers and that You look upon us. We do not fully grasp how you can see so many of us that constantly call upon You but we know You are omnipresent and that Your Spirit witnesses (declares Your presence) to us. We know that we are as the gentle breeze, directed by You (John 3:8), so when we feel the evidence of that breeze, help us to know it is in all probability one of the ways that You manifest Your presence.



We know You spoke from the clouds and said, "This is my Son in whom I am well pleased." We know the Spirit descended from heaven "like a dove" upon Jesus and remained upon Him. You spoke to Moses through the burning bush. Father, help us not to doubt that You are present and that You intervene in our lives more than we know, sometimes sending angels, even when we are not aware of their presence.



Father, we would truly rather occupy the lowest office in heaven and to dwell with the wicked. What a wonderful song; a day in Your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. You are our sun and shield for eternity. Bless us this day, we pray in Jesus' Holy name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Worship #1

I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the LORD; the humble shall hear of it and be glad. Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together. I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces were not ashamed.



Psalms 34:1-5, www.solascriptura.com



Father, our natural response to your love is one of worship and praise. We will someday learn that the occasional joy of a perfect worship service here is but a hint of what we will experience when we are in Your presence in heaven.



We know that we do not have to be in church to praise You. Here the Psalmist reminds us that our worship of You can be continual, even in the midst of stressful times. When we turn to You in the middle of difficulties, our family and friends notice, and that serves as an encouragement to them.



We know that when we seek You, You hear us. Sometimes we lament because of our distress but is that because we are not leaning upon Your understanding and Your presence in our hearts? Teach us today that we truly never walk alone whether we are experiencing joy or challenges.



Our countenance is much improved, to the delight of our acquaintances, when we are not ashamed of you but to the contrary it is a testimony of Your presence. Bless us this day, we pray in Jesus' name, amen.



Bruce Caldwell

Worship #2

How lovely is Your tabernacle, O LORD of hosts! My soul longs, yes, even faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young-- even Your altars, O LORD of hosts, my King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in Your house; they will still be praising You... Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, whose heart is set on pilgrimage.



Psalms 84:1-5, www.solascriptura.com



Father, since their is no tabernacle in heaven, we know this Psalm refers to the Millennium Temple where all nations will participate in an annual pilgrimage to Jerusalem. The people will desire to celebrate in Your courts and worship will be exuberant. The wandering Sparrow and swallow will find comfort there and build nests for their young and Your altars will be in around the Temple, at rest, no longer seeking a home.



Worship there Father will be so spontaneous and blessed that the praise will ring to the heavens. We sometimes feel that true worship is surrounded by a quiet and pious circumstance, and it often is, but now we see a glimpse of what it will yet be.



Help us today to better see what is yet to come and teach us that our worship of You will be more and more glorious as time passes. We will celebrate victory as never before. Bless us this day, we pray, in Jesus' Holy name.

Bruce Caldwell