Category Archives: Daily Treasures for the Soul and Spirit

Worship

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What is worship?

Is it going to church and singing songs?

Do we have to be in church to truly worship?

Our concept of worship affects every aspect of our lives, so let us consider some thoughts on worship:

Worship is the response of our heart, soul and spirit to the very character of God.

It is an inner response to who God is, which often will be exhibited in an outward response.

From our worship, flows our walk of fellowship with God, our walk of faith,

and our walk with other believers.

So then our worship is offered up to God   (“an holy priesthood,  to offer up spiritual sacrifices,

acceptable to God by Jesus Christ”  1 Peter 2:5 ),  and then our ministry comes down from God.

Here are some thoughts on Worship:

What worship is NOT:

It is not hearing a sermon.

It is not coming to the Lord to make a request, or get something.

It is not coming together to meet with other fellow believers.

It is not coming to be “refreshed”.

When we worship, we do not come before the Lord to be blessed;  we come in worship because we have already been blessed.

 It is coming to the Lord with our best:  (Mary anointing Jesus – John 12:1-11)

          ….our gift must be costly

            ….brought in humility

            ….all in the room were benefitted by her worship and the gift of her worship

It involves a separation to God. (“ I and the lad will go yonder and worship” – Gen.22:5)

It involves obedience to God. (Clean hands and a pure heart – Psalm 24:3,4)

It involves a grateful heart (Deut. 26:10)

It involves giving not asking (Deut. 26:10)

It is done joyfully (Deut. 26:11)

Worship is a work of God in our hearts based on the word of God.  (James 1:22)

It is not haphazard, and is seen as being obedient. (1 Cor. 14:33,40)

One day we will see Him face to face and will then begin worshiping Him in His presence for all eternity.

But we need to be a true worshiper now.

Requirements of worship:

Redemption and righteousness are required before we can worship God “in Spirit and in truth” ( John 4:24).   It includes a heart directed to Him in Love (“We love Him because He first loved us” ….1 John 4:19), a reverence, a sacrifice, and a purity of heart.

To truly worship in sacrifice for the Lord it should cost us something.  It will at least cost us our time and energy.  It may cost us our substance, our talent, and our comfort zone.

Worship requires our best for the Lord.

G. Campbell Morgan’s definition of sacrilege is:  “Taking something that belongs to God and using it profanely;  but even worse, giving something to God that means nothing to me”.

David would not sacrifice to God if it did not cost him something ( 11 Samuel 24:24).

A requirement for worship is humility ( Isa. 57:15;  James 4:6 ).

Is there always an outward visible (to someone else) response?

Absolutely not…I can worship God in my heart, mind and spirit no matter where I am,

and it may not be evident to anyone else.

Can it be that I am so overwhelmed with the very character of an awesome God that

I cannot possibly contain it….YES!!!!

Do I have to be in church to worship God?   No.

I can be anyplace when the magnificent grace of God so grips my soul that I cannot help but

praise him or offer up to him a heartfelt praise in the form of word or song.

It could be an emotional response of my spirit to the Lord, interpreted to God

by His Spirit ( Rom. 8:26 & 27 ).

So where do we get the idea that we worship only in Church?

Because God says …  “Do not forsake the assembling of our selves together” ( Hebr. 10:24 & 25 ).

We do come together collectively to worship, but if we think that we can only worship then,

or limit ourselves to only trying to worship then, we miss the greatest power in worship.

The collective worship should be the sharing  in outward expressions of “Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs” ( Ephes. 5:19)  with others.

But this worship comes from and is the “overflow”

of the worship that has already taken place in our own lives privately with our Lord.

Our worship is to be directed to God and for Him alone.

God says that …”They that worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in truth.”  ( John 4:24 )

So what does that mean?

We must worship Him in the Spirit, through the Holy Spirit;  and in truth.

What is truth?  The word of God.

And Who is Truth?  The Living Word of God…Jesus Christ ( John 14:6; and John 1:1,14 )

Our worship must be according to the word of God.

We cannot worship pleasing God if we are doing it in an unbiblical way or contrary to

what it is that God says is acceptable for true worship.

Hebr. 10:22 says…”Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith,

having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.”

Ask the Lord to teach you how to worship Him in your private life,

in your own private time alone with God.

Ask the Lord to teach you who He is according to His very Character,

and learn to respond to Him from your soul and spirit.

A very good way to do this is to read God’s word every day and look for the character of God

in the scriptures.

As you see His character ….His Goodness, His care for His people, His provision,

His protection, or His mercy and Grace,  stop then and thank Him for who He is (worship Him for that),

and maybe even the evidence of His working in your own life in some way.

Offer up a heartfelt, Holy Spirit driven response to the AWESOME GOD

that loves you and desires your worship.

Then pray scripture back to Him.  For example…..

I Chron. 16:29 says… “Give unto the Lord the Glory due unto His name; bring an offering,

and come before Him;  worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness”.

We might pray…..Lord, help me to be holy before you.  Help me to worship you with the glory due to you.

Lord, I have nothing to give to you, but I give you myself.

Ask the Lord…

….. to show you Himself now through His word

…..to teach you what it means to really know Him

…..to have the “power of the resurrection” (Phil. 3:10) in your life for your walk with Him

…..to show you what it means to walk by faith like those in Hebrews 11.

…..to truly know what yieldedness to His Spirit is in your life

…..to teach you what true worship is for you

He so desires our worship, and it pleases the very heart of God when we respond to Him in this way.

Obedience with Honor.

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Posted on March 4, 2014 

Ephesians 6:1 says for the “Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor thy Father and Mother…”
Do our children have a submissive spirit and good attitude, obeying from the heart, or are they just doing as we say with a resentful, resisting spirit?   If they have the wrong attitude or spirit, they may be obeying but they are not “honoring” in their obedience.  Honor for the parent will give the right attitude and a sweet submissive spirit in their obedience.
Is this the attitude we have in our obedience to the Lord? Do we honor the Lord, giving Him the sweet obedience that He deserves?  Are we honoring Him as we obey and serve?  Maybe our children will learn this best by example?  Are we as wives honoring our husbands?

Posted in Daily Treasures for the Soul and Spirit, Encouragement for the Heart, Wives

Worship

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What is worship?

Is it going to church and singing songs?

Do we have to be in church to truly worship?

Our concept of worship affects every aspect of our lives, so let us consider some thoughts on worship:

Worship is the response of our heart, soul and spirit to the very character of God.

It is an inner response to who God is, which often will be exhibited in an outward response.

From our worship, flows our walk of fellowship with God, our walk of faith,

and our walk with other believers.

So then our worship is offered up to God   (“an holy priesthood,  to offer up spiritual sacrifices,

acceptable to God by Jesus Christ”  1 Peter 2:5 ),  and then our ministry comes down from God.

Here are some thoughts on Worship:

What worship is NOT:

It is not hearing a sermon.

It is not coming to the Lord to make a request, or get something.

It is not coming together to meet with other fellow believers.

It is not coming to be “refreshed”.

When we worship, we do not come before the Lord to be blessed;  we come in worship because we have already been blessed.

 It is coming to the Lord with our best:  (Mary anointing Jesus – John 12:1-11)

          ….our gift must be costly

            ….brought in humility

            ….all in the room were benefitted by her worship and the gift of her worship

It involves a separation to God. (“ I and the lad will go yonder and worship” – Gen.22:5)

It involves obedience to God. (Clean hands and a pure heart – Psalm 24:3,4)

It involves a grateful heart (Deut. 26:10)

It involves giving not asking (Deut. 26:10)

It is done joyfully (Deut. 26:11)

Worship is a work of God in our hearts based on the word of God.  (James 1:22)

It is not haphazard, and is seen as being obedient. (1 Cor. 14:33,40)

One day we will see Him face to face and will then begin worshiping Him in His presence for all eternity.

But we need to be a true worshiper now.

Requirements of worship:

Redemption and righteousness are required before we can worship God “in Spirit and in truth” ( John 4:24).   It includes a heart directed to Him in Love (“We love Him because He first loved us” ….1 John 4:19), a reverence, a sacrifice, and a purity of heart.

To truly worship in sacrifice for the Lord it should cost us something.  It will at least cost us our time and energy.  It may cost us our substance, our talent, and our comfort zone.

Worship requires our best for the Lord.

G. Campbell Morgan’s definition of sacrilege is:  “Taking something that belongs to God and using it profanely;  but even worse, giving something to God that means nothing to me”.

David would not sacrifice to God if it did not cost him something ( 11 Samuel 24:24).

A requirement for worship is humility ( Isa. 57:15;  James 4:6 ).

Is there always an outward visible (to someone else) response?

Absolutely not…I can worship God in my heart, mind and spirit no matter where I am,

and it may not be evident to anyone else.

Can it be that I am so overwhelmed with the very character of an awesome God that

I cannot possibly contain it….YES!!!!

Do I have to be in church to worship God?   No.

I can be anyplace when the magnificent grace of God so grips my soul that I cannot help but

praise him or offer up to him a heartfelt praise in the form of word or song.

It could be an emotional response of my spirit to the Lord, interpreted to God

by His Spirit ( Rom. 8:26 & 27 ).

So where do we get the idea that we worship only in Church?

Because God says …  “Do not forsake the assembling of our selves together” ( Hebr. 10:24 & 25 ).

We do come together collectively to worship, but if we think that we can only worship then,

or limit ourselves to only trying to worship then, we miss the greatest power in worship.

The collective worship should be the sharing  in outward expressions of “Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs” ( Ephes. 5:19)  with others.

But this worship comes from and is the “overflow”

of the worship that has already taken place in our own lives privately with our Lord.

Our worship is to be directed to God and for Him alone.

God says that …”They that worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in truth.”  ( John 4:24 )

So what does that mean?

We must worship Him in the Spirit, through the Holy Spirit;  and in truth.

What is truth?  The word of God.

And Who is Truth?  The Living Word of God…Jesus Christ ( John 14:6; and John 1:1,14 )

Our worship must be according to the word of God.

We cannot worship pleasing God if we are doing it in an unbiblical way or contrary to

what it is that God says is acceptable for true worship.

Hebr. 10:22 says…”Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith,

having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.”

Ask the Lord to teach you how to worship Him in your private life,

in your own private time alone with God.

Ask the Lord to teach you who He is according to His very Character,

and learn to respond to Him from your soul and spirit.

A very good way to do this is to read God’s word every day and look for the character of God

in the scriptures.

As you see His character ….His Goodness, His care for His people, His provision,

His protection, or His mercy and Grace,  stop then and thank Him for who He is (worship Him for that),

and maybe even the evidence of His working in your own life in some way.

Offer up a heartfelt, Holy Spirit driven response to the AWESOME GOD

that loves you and desires your worship.

Then pray scripture back to Him.  For example…..

I Chron. 16:29 says… “Give unto the Lord the Glory due unto His name; bring an offering,

and come before Him;  worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness”.

We might pray…..Lord, help me to be holy before you.  Help me to worship you with the glory due to you.

Lord, I have nothing to give to you, but I give you myself.

Ask the Lord…

….. to show you Himself now through His word

…..to teach you what it means to really know Him

…..to have the “power of the resurrection” (Phil. 3:10) in your life for your walk with Him

…..to show you what it means to walk by faith like those in Hebrews 11.

…..to truly know what yieldedness to His Spirit is in your life

…..to teach you what true worship is for you

He so desires our worship, and it pleases the very heart of God when we respond to Him in this way.

H. A. Ironside said:

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Posted on July 16, 2015 by Eliece Rybak

“Christ is a substitute for everything, but nothing is a substitute for Christ.”

“No one…. who really wants to count for God can afford to play at Christianity.”

“If lips and life do not agree, the testimony will not amount to much.”

“Time is given us to use in view of eternity.”

“No one ever lost out by excessive devotion to Christ.”

“Christianity is Christ!”

Posted in Daily Treasures for the Soul and Spirit, Statements from Men and Women of Renown, Uncategorized

Plow Deep In Me, Great Lord

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Posted on July 12, 2019 by Eliece Rybak

“That I May Know Him….”

“Plow deep in me, Great Lord,    

  Heavenly Husbandman…

     That my being may be a tilled field,     

the roots of grace spreading far and wide,     

until Thou alone are seen in me,    

  thy beauty golden like summer harvest,     

thy fruitfulness as autumn plenty.

I have no Master but Thee,

No law but Thy will,

No delight but Thyself,

No wealth but that Thou givest,

No good but that Thou blessest,

No peace but that Thou bestowest.

I am nothing but that Thou makest me,

I have nothing but that I receive from Thee

I can do nothing but that grace adorns me.

Quarry me deep, Dear Lord,

and then fill me to overflowing

with Your Living Water.

AMEN.”

Phil. 3:10a “That I may know Him…”. 

Acts 20:24b   …”that I might finish my course with joy,

and the ministry

which I have received of the Lord Jesus,

to testify the Gospel of the grace of God.” Posted in Daily Treasures for the Soul and Spirit, Encouragement for the Heart, Revival

The Character of our Great God.

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Posted on July 3, 2014 by Eliece Rybak

The Promises of the Lord in scripture reflect His character:

“Praise God from whom all Blessings flow….”

Everlasting Love – Jere. 31:3

Everlasting joy – Isa.35:10; 51:11; 61:7

Everlasting salvation – Isa.45:17

Everlasting strength – Isa.26:4

Everlasting kindness – Isa.54:8

Life everlasting – Gal.6:8

In the shadow of His wings – Psalm 63:7

Everlasting arms under us – Deut.33:17

Our refuge and fortress – Psalm 91:2

Rock that is higher than I – Psalm 61:2

His presence – Psalm 23: 4

We are called by Him – Isa.54:5,6

He carries our sorrows, bears our grief – Isa.53:3,4

Poured out His soul for me – Isa.53:12

He is our Husband – Isa.54:5

He sustains us – Psalm 55:22

He heals the broken hearted – Psalm 147:3

Infinite understanding – Psalm 147:5

He is near to us – Psalm 34:18

He is with us – Isa. 43:2,5

He claims me; I am His – Isa. 43:1

I am precious in His sight – Isa. 43:4

Our soul and breath in His hand – Job 12:10

His soul delights in me – Isa. 42:1; Psalm 16:3

His stretched out hand to us – Isa. 9:12m

Our name is in the book of life – Phil. 4:3; Rev. 21:27

We are given a new name – Isa.62:2; Rev.2:17; 22:4

We are a crown to Him – Isa.62:3

Rejoices over us as our bridegroom – Isa. 62:5

Our soul is joyful in God – Isa. 61:10

He is our potter; we are the clay – Isa.64:8

He is full of compassion – Psalm 145:8; Lamentations 3:22

He gives power to the faint – Isa. 40:29

He has chosen us – Isa. 41:9

He changes NOT – Malachi 3:6

He upholds the righteous – Psalm 37:17

New song in my mouth – Psalm 40:3

He holds my right hand – Isa. 41:13; Isa. 42:6

He thinks about me; the thoughts are many – Psalm 139:17,18

He will give me a heart to know Him – Jere. 24:6,7

He made us heirs with Christ – Romans 8:17

He adopted us into His family with full privileges – Rom. 8:15

He comforts us – John 14:16,26

His Spirit bears witness (testifies) to us – Rom. 8:16

His Spirit cooperates (helps) in our weaknesses – Rom.8:26

He sealed us for all eternity – Ephes. 1:13,14

He guides us into all truth – John 16:13

Christ prayed that we would have His joy fulfilled in us – John 17:13

Christ prayed we would behold (perceive, discern) His glory – John 17:24

He is preparing a mansion and crowns for us – John 14:6; 1 Thes. 2:19

We will reign with Christ – Rev. 20:6

We can walk with Him in fellowship – I John 1:5-10

We can know His power in our life – Phil. 3:10

We have a righteousness of God by faith – Phil. 3:9

We are found in Him – Phil. 3:9

Christ is in us – Colos. 1:27

Our life is hidden with Christ in God, and we will appear with him –

Colos. 3:3,4

Posted in Daily Treasures for the Soul and Spirit, Encouragement for the Heart, Recent Postings

Susannah Wesley’s Defination of Sin

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Posted on March 2, 2014 by Eliece Rybak

Each of us may have our own definition of sin, but this one from Susannah Wesley to her preacher son is …really amazing.
….whatever weakens your reasoning,
….what ever impairs your tenderness of conscience,

….whatever obscures your sense of the things of God,
….whatever takes away your desire for spiritual things,
In short  ….whatever increases the power and authority of the flesh over the Spirit,

Then, this thing is sin, no matter how innocent it may be in itself.

Posted in Encouragement from Other Ladies, Mothers of Young Children, Uncategorized

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus…”

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Posted on March 10, 2014 by Eliece Rybak

The hymn says….”Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His Glory and Grace.”      (By Helen H. Lemmel, 1864-1961)     Helen was inspired by a gospel tract that  said:

” So then, turn your eyes upon Him, look full in­to His face and you will find that the things of earth will ac­quire a strange new dim­ness.”

She wrote:

“O soul, are you weary and troubled?  No light in the darkness you see?
There’s a light for a look at the Savior,  And life more abundant and free.

His Word shall not fail you—He promised;  Believe Him, and all will be well:

Then go to a world that is dying,  His perfect salvation to tell!”

She wrote:

I always use this hymn as a foundation for personal worship.  As my “heart and spirit sees” the face of my Savior Jesus, and grasps hold of the truth that He can take any burden, heal any pain, dry any tear….  then the things of this life that weigh heavy on me ….become very dim and loose their “grip” on my being.   It is the face of the Lamb of God that took away the sins of the world.  He conquered sin, death, pain, and sorrow.  He is the victory (1 Cor. 15: 50-58).

But I note here that if we have our eyes on Jesus, we will also see the Lost…the ones that do not yet know the Savior.  May this hymn inspire us to “go to the world that is dying” with the message of our Savior.

Note:   One of the hymnals of Helen Lemmel was used by the Evangelist Billy Sunday.  She also was a vocal music teacher at The Moody Bible Institute, in Chicago.

Posted in Daily Treasures for the Soul and Spirit, Hymns, Uncategorized