Moving From Theology To Doxology

Moving From Theology To DoxologyBishop Jim Swilley The title of the Bible's last book, The Revelation of Jesus Christ, is also translated as "The Apocalypse," or better said "The Unveiling," specifically, the final unveiling of Jesus, the King! This beautiful book, which describes through prophetic symbols the ultimate triumph of the Christ, is not only a message of hope and reconciliation for the earth, it is also an anointed Psalter. But it has, unfortunately, become primarily associated with doom and gloom and dark, ominous threats of things to come in recent years. This modern concept of The Apocalypse has evolved from a pessimistic paradigm that is the result of a legalistic interpretation of the Scriptures and a misunderstanding of original languages.But John's glorious vision of the Lamb's dominion is actually built around seven joyous doxologies which describe what he saw and heard every time heaven (or the spirit-realm) was opened up to him:Mass Choirs. Loud, exuberant singing. Orchestras with enormous brass sections. And songs of worship sung in unison by countless saints, martyrs, overcomers, angels and every other created thing in heaven, in earth, and even in "Hades!"And I heard every created thing in heaven and on earth and under the earth [in Hades, the place of departed spirits] and on the sea and all that is in it, crying out together, To Him Who is seated on the throne and to the Lamb be ascribed the blessing and the honor and the majesty (glory, splendor) and the power (might and dominion) forever and ever (through the eternities of the eternities)! (Revelation 5:13 - Amp)The word doxology is defined as a liturgical prayer or hymn of praise to God and is from the Latin doxologia (a combination of doxa, meaning praise, glory and honor) and logos (which means speech or "to speak"). The verb that is translated into English as "to worship" is found twenty-four times in The Revelation, far more than in any other New Testament book.In fact, these references to worship in John's vision make up almost half of its New Testament occurrences. Also, the word "Hallelujah," which means "to shout the Hallel to Jah" and is the only word that is the same in every language on earth, is only found in The Revelation!And this brings us to the universal purpose of worship: it is the means by which all people of faith are able to move from theology--from studying God, espousing their ideas about God, arguing and dividing over the doctrines of God, fighting and starting wars over their different concepts about God--and enter into the dimension of doxology, where the top priority is simply to join with all creation in fulfilling its purpose of glorifying God.In a word, doctrine divides us, but worship unites us, and the "unveiling"--or the place where we behold nothing but the Lamb of God--occurs through our worship!

VERSE:

VERSE: Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, andheard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. -- Philippians 4:9 http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Philippians+4:9&translation=kjvTHOUGHT: As we seek to pass on the faith to our children, our friends,our younger spiritual "children" in the faith, we must rememberPaul's example. He taught the truth; passed on the truth that hadbeen revealed and passed on to him; he displayed that truth in hislife; Paul then called on the people he was mentoring to put thistruth into practice in their daily lives. This would enable them tofully experience the presence of God in their lives and find thepeace that God so longs to give them.PRAYER: Father, help me be a better teacher in word and deed as I seekto influence those around me, those who need my help in theirChristian walk, and those in my family seeking to grow in yourgrace. In Jesus' name. Amen.

The Importance of Worship

The Importance of WorshipBishop Walter S. Thomas Psalm 100:2Worship is the environment in which the saint lives and lives abundantly. The heroes and sheroes of the Bible understood that it was worship that gave them access to the very presence of God and allowed them to enter the most holy places and be blessed. Isaiah said that he saw the Lord and the vision he had was one of both awe and fear. He saw the Lord high and lifted up and he saw his himself as one who did not deserve to be in God's presence. Worship is an eye opener for all of us.The psalmist breaks out into praise just thinking about the Lord and as such takes time to remind all who are in his sphere of influence to worship the lord. He admonishes and encourages all to spend quality time in the very presence of the Lord allowing God to bathe them in the glory of the Spirit. Moreover, this is not some half hearted action; it is one we do with festive excitement and gladness. We are happy just to be in his presence.How important is it for you to spend time with God and to spend that time acknowledging your love for him? This is a critical question. It will guide and govern our daily activities. It will cause us to change the plan of every day and cause each day to reflect our love and respect for the Lord. I believe this is a change we need to make. We do love the Lord, but we do not always show it in our worship. I do not mean that we do not shout or cry. I mean we take our relationship with God for granted and do not spend the quality time with God that we should. We call God now and then; we do not seek another minute in His presence. Let this be a different day and start of different days. Let this day be marked by our worship and let God know on a daily basis that we can not live without Him, nor do we want to. It's time for us to rise up and "worship the Lord with gladness."

Discipline in Love

Discipline in Love 1 Corinthians 5:9-13 Dear Father, lover of righteousness and purity, Give us determination to keep your command not to associate with the immoral - not at all meaning the immoral of the world, the greedy and robbers, the idolaters, for then we would have to go out of the world - but not to associate with one who bears the name of a brother if that one is guilty of immorality or greed, or is an idolater, a reviler, a drunkard or robber - not even to eat with such a person. You have called us to judge those inside the church, not outside of it. You, our God, judge those on the outside. May we keep your command to "Drive out the wicked person from among us," but not "quench a smoldering wick" or "break a bruised reed." May we oppose only those who willfully persist in their humiliation of you, your gospel, and your church, and even then may we do it only for the salvation and good of all. In the name of Jesus I ask for wisdom in matters of discipline and for the loving spirit of the Savior himself. Amen.

VERSE:

VERSE: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confoundthe wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world toconfound the things which are mighty; -- 1 Corinthians 1:27 http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=1+Corinthians+1:27&translation=kjvTHOUGHT: The Cross is such an offensive symbol when viewed in its mostbasic and raw form. For God to become human flesh and live among usis unbelievable enough. For God to be subject to the vagaries andrigors of mortality and human needs is unthinkable. For God toendure the indignities and inhumanities of the Cross ispreposterous. But, that is the Gospel. What appears to be foolish,weak, and offensive has the power to re-make us and inspire us tounparalleled faith. When we come to the Cross and Resurrection ofJesus, we come to the impossible which was accomplished by God'sgrace for us and in us. Only God would bring us salvation in such away.PRAYER: Holy and gracious Father, I know that the Cross may be silly tosome people. I know that many people who wear the Cross as a symboldon't honor it. But Father, I confess that Jesus' willingness to goto the Cross for me is powerfully convicting and amazinglyreassuring. Thank you for this gift of love and sacrifice of grace.In Jesus' name. Amen.

DISCIPLINE IN TRUTH

DISCIPLINE IN TRUTH 1 Corinthians 5:1-8 http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=1+Corinthians+5:1-8Dear Father, who disciplines us for our own good,Save your church from the sexual perversions that are taking placein our society. Let us show your love to sinners and show them howto receive forgiveness. But may we also say, as Jesus said, "Sin nomore!"Help us to exercise discipline, even to the removal of unrepentantmembers, delivering them over to Satan for the destruction of theflesh so that their spirits may be saved in the day of the LordJesus. Help us not to cover up sin and then boast about ourtolerance! For a little yeast can ferment a whole lump of dough!Help us remove the leaven of sin, so that our churches may be likepure unleavened bread.Since Christ, our passover lamb, has been sacrificed, let uscelebrate the festival, not with the leaven of malice and evil, butwith the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.In the name of Jesus I ask for wisdom in matters of discipline andfor the loving spirit of the Savior himself. Amen.

The Psalms

The PsalmsPsalms 45-47
Thursday: Job 31-32Friday: Jeremiah 17-21Saturday: Mark 11-12
Psalms 45
1
My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.
2
Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.
3
Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty.
4
And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.
5
Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's enemies; whereby the people fall under thee.
6
Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.
7
Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
8
All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.
9
Kings' daughters were among thy honourable women: upon thy right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir.
10
Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father's house;
11
So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord; and worship thou him.
12
And the daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift; even the rich among the people shall intreat thy favour.
13
The king's daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold.
14
She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: the virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee.
15
With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought: they shall enter into the king's palace.
16
Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children, whom thou mayest make princes in all the earth.
17
I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever.
Psalms 46
1
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2
Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3
Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
4
There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
5
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.
6
The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.
7
The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
8
Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth.
9
He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.
10
Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
11
The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
Psalms 47
1
O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.
2
For the LORD most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth.
3
He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet.
4
He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved. Selah.
5
God is gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet.
6
Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises.
7
For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.
8
God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness.
9
The princes of the people are gathered together, even the people of the God of Abraham: for the shields of the earth belong unto God: he is greatly exalted.