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How to praise God
newgene87:
So, with all these truths, its been made me look twice at the church today; regarding just about everything. So now, stepping out, I find myself wanting to praise God. I'm thankful at times and when I am; I find myself praising God like I used to do when I was growing up in my traditional church. And it makes me question those methods. Like, where did shouting or even saying "Hallelujah " come from? What does it mean and where is the scriptural grounds of it? Ive read and listened to ray's teaching on Worship and I know Praise is not worship in itself but a form of worship; but I still find myself wanting to praise God "Right" or "Correct", Scripturally and according to truth.and can someone tell me how this crossrelates to worship too? And same as raising the hands, clapping, bowing (this seems so elementary) but is this scriptural and under new testament Christians? I was raised in the traditional baptist black church where they shout, stomp, dance, scream, cry, and all the ruckus (I guess its universal) - but now, I want to praise God but according to the truth. I hope I make some sense. Thanks. And as always thank you all for the love and counsel. I truly love the members and people of this forum.
Dave in Tenn:
I saw a documentary on TV years before I stumbled on B-T. It was about the old 'Shaker' religion. It started out with a certain emotional and physical 'freedom' in worship, but before long all the 'moves' became choreographed and written down in the 'worship/hymn' books--the 'right' way to worship. I think the same thing happens in more 'expressive' churches, even though it might not be formally acknowledged. People feel like doing things, or are encouraged to do things, that turn quickly into 'religion'. I know that in my youth, ALL these 'raising of hands' and physical and verbal expressions might have begun well, but never ended well.
There are many examples in scripture of people behaving in certain ways in the act of worship. There's nothing wrong with any of them in and of themselves. But we can't 'worship' while we're still carnal. Worship MUST be in Spirit and in Truth. Carnal charades are either for public consumption or private 'feeding of the flesh'. I don't have time to look it up, but there is a scripture that warns against those whose God is their 'bellies'. One meaning of the Greek word translated 'belly' is 'the emotions'. Literally, it's 'the bowels', which in the greek idiom is the seat of emotions. I'm not trying to turn bible-scholar on you, but it makes one think.
Anyways, 'worship' is in obedience. While there may be a place for 'obeying' the manner of worship, there is much, much more to obedience than that. Do what you want in this regard, but watch your heart. You'll know when it changes from 'freedom' to bondage. You can be 'free' encased in concrete, and in bondage while dancing before the Lord.
Just thoughts. I hope they're helpful.
newgene87:
Beautiful Dave. I liked that alot. And in saying that John, I have the verse in mind BUT what does it mean to "worship in spirit and in truth"? It sounds good to me, but honestly, I don't know what it means. And does that " worship" involve "Praise"?
Deborah-Leigh:
Jesus did not go round shouting Hallelujah, or singing his head off like a lunatic! GREAT point newgene87. 8) ;D
Jesus saw Himself as united, not separated, dependent, not independent, of God. Jesus thought, saw, practised and preached, Himself, as ONE with God. THAT’S high praise, made ENDURINGLY manifest! No Free will right! 8) Just what we've learned here! ;D
Not putting God at arms length when the flood to worship, and thanking Him and crying out loud for JOY, is felt, know this as the JOY OF God flooding your being! That's a gift connection of you with GOD. 8) When you feel JOY, that is the JOY of God. It is not YOUR joy to give TO God, it is the JOY OF GOD, given TO YOU, that the mind, like Satan wanting to steal, will quickly make claim and pervert you to think it is YOUR Joy to give to GOD! This is just like the teaching about King of Assyria Isa 10:12 who thought it was his power that gave him his force as a King, and as Ray expounds was "the fruit of his ARROGANT HEART" LOF 15C.. and all along, everything the King had was from God and was of God! :D LOL...
The mind can't stand that such JOY, is OF God. It hates to think God is so joyfull, so it immediately wants to put God in His Place and you on your knees as a sniveling howling idiot singing hallelujah in a hall of equally blind leading the blind jubilant folks. They burn out eventually.... ;D Okay, okay, King David went through the streets filled with the Joy of God and he made a real spectacle of himself, much to the embarrassment and disdain of his wife! LOL :D ;D...and we know how that ended! ;D..for King David, that is :D...Again Ray discloses and expounds that King David died wanting his enemies slain!...Not good. Not good, yet certainly for our admonition! ;D
Not putting God at arm’s length distance from you but drawing close to God for God is not away, above or beyond, but is closer than the mind in deep seated hatred towards God and leaning on its own understanding, can believe or even wants you to know! :D Look how Ray expounds this...
"Blessed are YE [all you disciples]..." (Ver. 11).
"...for great is YOUR [disciples'] reward..." (Ver. 12).
"YE [disciples] are the salt of the earth..." (Ver. 13).
"YE [disciples] are the light of the world..." (Ver. 14).
"Let YOUR [disciples'] light so shine..." (Ver. 16).
"For verily I say unto YOU [disciples]..." (Ver. 18).
"For I say unto YOU [disciples]..." (Ver. 20).http://bible-truths.com/lake16-D3.htm
You are only “Ye” because GOD made you. You have what’s yours, because GOD gave it to you.
IN JOYFUL awe, that surpasses the understanding of the mind, praising, thanking, revering, and acknowledging God for the gift of YOU...that GOD has created, that is YOU, and all! What does that mean?
...worshiping, they’ll look on His Face, their FOREHEADS MIRRORING GOD!....Rev22 The Message Version ~ 8) ;D
Arc
mharrell08:
--- Quote from: Arcturus on December 30, 2011, 04:54:33 AM ---Okay, okay, King David went through the streets filled with the Joy of God and he made a real spectacle of himself, much to the embarrassment and disdain of his wife! LOL :D ;D...and we know how that ended! ;D..for King David, that is :D...Again Ray discloses and expounds that King David died wanting his enemies slain!...Not good. Not good, yet certainly for our admonition! ;D
--- End quote ---
What was wrong with King David dancing and singing to praise God? What did that have to do with wanted his enemies slain while lying on his death bed?
Judges 5:2-3 “When leaders lead in Israel, when the people willingly offer themselves, Bless the LORD! Hear, O kings! Give ear, O princes! I, even I, will sing to the LORD; I will sing praise to the LORD God of Israel.
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