I’ve not been watching the basketball games on TV lately. By reading my Facebook wall and my son calling to let us know, UK Wildcats moves into the Final 4. Even though I don’t watch the games, and of course it has nothing to do with my religious beliefs, many Christians do watch. Matter of fact I’ve never seen so many get so physical with shouting and jumping up and down over the games. I have no intention of judging so please forgive me if you get that impression. I can’t help but wonder if someone can get extremely excited over a game that is here today, gone tomorrow, why they can't get that excited over a risen Saviour who is eternal and has delivered them from Hell. I’m only trying to understand. Is it because we are afraid of what others will think of us in church? Is it because we may attend a denomination where shouting or jumping may be forbidden?
If you have a desire to shout to the Lord or jump with spiritual excitement and it’s forbidden in your church then maybe you are in the wrong church. God is so worthy to be praised. We need to regroup ourselves as Christians and know it’s ok to shout to the Lord, not for the purpose of being seen or heard from fellow Christians but because we adore Him, we praise Him with voice, we worship with movement. We need to stop being a “stick in the mud”. We need to allow God to take control of our lives. We need to re-evaluate our Christian walk and put our priorities in the right place.
Listen I have no problem with music. Gosh, I don’t know how to say this because I love most types of music. I think when music is sex related or cursing throughout the song or even play electronic games with cursing and a lot of violence then we are crossing the line in our service to God. I feel the same with TV shows or movies. If we’d rather listen to worldly music, watch worldly shows or movies we are crossing the line in our service to God. God should be first in everything.
Again my intentions is not to judge. However, I feel very strongly about saying what God has laid on my heart. To be truthful with you this message is correcting my spirit also.
Again, it’s ok to shout and dance before the Lord.
Psalms 5:11 But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever SHOUT for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.
Psalms 35:27 Let them SHOUT for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.
Psalms 149:3 Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.
Psalms 150:4 Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.
We should never fear what others think of us. It is what God thinks of us that matters. We need to be focused on our Heavenly Father.
I challenge each of you who reads this newsletter to begin a Bible study regimen. We need Bible study groups in our churches and if that doesn’t work for you then have one in your home. Gather a few friends and set one hour one day a week to fellowship and study.
I feel very urgent in saying this to someone who is reading this newsletter. You know if it’s you. If your life isn’t where it should with God. If your life is not lined up with his will for your life then you need to correct this. Only you and the Lord can make it right again. Please don’t put it off. Don't be afraid to shout and/or dance before the Lord. He is worthy to be praised!
