All good things must come to an end, so it is also with Whatifchurch.com. For a time, God called us and a number of others to dream and pray for ministry and vision in the Mound community. Even though this will not be accomplished how we planned, I believe that the prayers on behalf of this community and the ministry through this group of people was for a purpose! Our labors for His kingdom are never in vain. The simple reality is God has the master plan. It doesn’t always turn out as we wish, but it will always turn out the way God desires.
In the last week, I have heard of two very exciting ministries being planned and formed in the Mound area. I watch and wait in great expectation for what God will do next in this west suburbs community.
Lately, I have been giving prayer considerable thought. It would seem that prayer becomes more significant to us as we are in times that require a good measure of faith.
I am humbled by Matthew 6:8 “Therefore do not be like them [meaningless repetition, see vs. 7], for your Father knows what you need, before you ask Him.”
The Father knows of those things that I am having need of. He knows what I will ask, he is expecting it. God is paying attention to my life and my needs. This goes so far beyond materialistic things. Think about this for a while and the implications of this simple verse.
This song just moves me to worship. This has got to be one of my favorite worship songs right now. Jennie Lee Riddle, the writer of the song, has a story posted on Myspace about the inspiration behind this song. Check it out, here. I appreciate all the air play that Phillips, Craig & Dean get for this, but my favorite version by far is this one by Kari Jobe and the Gateway Worship team.
Powerful time of worship! Enjoy.
If the player doesn’t load for you, click on the link below to take you directly to the YouTube video.
Shana Tova Umetukah. In the Hebrew language, this phrase is a common New Year’s greeting which means “a good and sweet year.” Another common Hebrew greeting for the New Year celebration is L’shana Tovah, meaning “for a good year.” In big holiday events, like New Year’s Day, I am always fascinated by wondering what God thinks of these. For the most part, we can get some great insight by reading about the Jewish Feast and Holidays. For certain celebrations and times of the year, God gave the Isrealites instruction on how to celebrate. It is incredible how much imagery of Jesus Christ can be found in the Jewish Feasts.
The Jewish New Year celebration is call Rosh Hashanah which means literally “head of the year.” Of course if you know anything about the Jewish calendar you know this holiday happens in the Jewish month of Tishri which for us is in September. However, the concept of celebrating a new year remains the same.
Sometimes I think we need to remember that many holidays we celebrate go back to ancient celebrations centered around the “Ancient of Days.” This God we worship has been worshiped from the beginning of man, and the Jews have celebrated this God way longer then Christians. We can learn much from how God instructed them to celebrate.
During Rosh Hashana (also called the Feast of Trumpets, see Numbers 29:1, see also Nehemiah 8) the Israelites celebrate a sacred assembly in which they frequently blow a shofar. Alfred Edershiem in his book The Temple: Its Ministry and Services
wrote:
…the Rabbis hold that the blowing of trumpets is intended, first, to bring Israel, or rather the merits of the patriarchs and God’s covenant with them, in remembrance before the Lord; secondly, to be a means of confounding Satan, who appears on that day specially to accuse Israel; and lastly, as a call to repentance— as it were, a blast to wake men from their sleep of sin. (p 236)
What a great way for us to remember to celebrate the new year. First and foremost let’s remember our covenant with God written in the blood of Jesus Christ (Matthew 26:17-30). Let us remember to repent and call a time of repentance. Make it a time of celebration and remembrance. Shana Tova Umetukah.
As a Pastor I am always looking at ways that help people to grow spiritually. One of the key factors I have found is when people get a desire to know more about God and regularly meditate on His Word (The Bible), they become changed. If you desire a huge change in your life and a want to grow spiritually get in God’s Word every day.
I have created a new website to help people incorporate this into everyday life. All of us have the regular use of modern technology, all the time. All day long we use cell phones and computers. This new website will allow you to get a bite size helping of the Word on a daily basis, delivered directly to you. You can have it sent to your email, your cell phone, or any RSS compatible reader. Eventually I hope to add numerous social media like Facebook, Texting and Twitter. No commentaries, no fluff, just God’s Word. Read it, pray it, let it change you!
Check out The Word Delivered, and get ready for a powerful life change!
