Worship is an important part of our lives as believers. Each Sunday around the globe finds multitudes coming together in praise to our Lord.
But what if worship is more than singing and dancing before God? What if worship is intertwined throughout our lives and the manner of our hearts?
I propose that worship is much more than what we think it is; lets take a look and see.
It is easy to want rules for living. Something that tells us “do this” and “don’t do that” removes us from the need to walk in true relationship with God. If we can just figure out what he wants then we simply have to follow a to-do list.
But the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the work of The Kingdom is much more than what we are doing or not doing. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is about relationship, about nuance, about principles for living (not rules), and about our manner of being woven throughout everything.
Holiness is the call of those who claim to know God.
Holiness is the work of the cross done first in our own lives.
Holiness is our personal proving ground before we head out with the gospel to others.
Before Christ we were enslaved to our flesh. Our hungers were focussed on our physical body and our heart sins. We lied, we cheated, we were licentious and gluttons.
It was easy to hate. It felt good to slander. We brought others low so we could feel big. We were consumed with how we could bring pleasure to ourselves.
Then we came to know Christ.
The basis for all of our spiritual work and authority is the principle of agreement.
The foundation of all our spiritual work and authority is the work of Jesus Christ on the cross.
“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6
In his death, burial, and resurrection, we have been given the keys to life in Christ, relationship with Father God, and the Kingdom of God on earth.
More favor in India. This comes from Pastor Ravi,
“Dear sister till now, I and church members distributed Capturing God’s Heart studies,1456 to church Reverends and Presidents, c.s.i.Deans, Chairmen, Evangelists, Roman Catholic Catechist’s Pastor’s and many people.
They are reading and understanding the love of God and many local and non-local persons and non-local churches Director’s are asking me to distribute the God’s Heart studies.
We are using and understanding, very gracious and very comforted with holy ghost. Thank you dear lord Jesus.”
We simply give God the glory for the impact of the Holy Spirit via these simple Capturing God’s Heart studies.
In the Amplified Bible we find Jesus telling his disciples,
“But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you.” John 14:26
This is Pastor Timothy from his most recent crusade on July 3, 2013
Some years ago there was a prophecy spoken over Capturing Courage International that the Holy Spirit was going to go out from CCI all around the world; like colorful ribbons of joy and healing and comfort extending from our home base to many in many other places all over the globe.
We made note of this prophecy, and yet wondered at the vastness of the content, ‘How might this be?’ we asked.
As you may know we have been making available a small Bible study called Capturing God’s Heart on a monthly basis to indigenous pastors around the world. And we thought it was time to take a survey and to see how many people are being impacted so far.
While we do not have all replies yet, the first response from Pastor Timothy in India tells us this,
“I am going to many public crusades and pastors conferences and more churches for preach the word of god to the pastors and Christian leaders and many people as a main speaker in Andhra Pradesh in India.
Already we distributed Capturing God’s Heart studies to a minimum of 1000 church pastors and evangelists Christian leaders and bishops. 100’s of people they are reading and understanding and they are asking me for some more Capturing God’s Heart studies for distribution to many people; it is very needful to every church and everyone.
Many people are benefiting from the Capturing God’s Heart studies I am hearing from them some words they are telling with me, “We are healing and understanding, comforting, filled with holy spirit, Praise the Lord!”
My sister, your Capturing God’s Heart studies are really touching to the hearts of pastors and evangelists and every one in India.”
Pastor Timothy finishes off his email by requesting more God’s Heart Studies so that he can distribute them further.
One of the things we have learned at Capturing Courage is that when we show up and do our part, God shows up and does the rest. It is the pleasure of our Lord to take our simple offerings and make them into something that could have never been on our own.
While we have been regularly communicating with Pastor Timothy we had no idea that he was distributing Capturing God’s Heart to this extent. We know, that for every leader that receives one volume of God’s Heart that they in turn pass it on to anywhere from 10 – 500 other people themselves.
I’m not sure we are really going to be able to add up these numbers once they all start coming in.
We simply claim this work for the glory of God and God alone and in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
To find out more about Pastor Timothy’s ministry, go HERE
To Donate a one-time gift or to commit to a monthly support of Capturing Courage and the work we are doing go HERE
NOTE that our next trip is to Mozambique where there are 9 churches and then area pastors, evangelists, prophets and bishops waiting to fellowship with us. We are accepting donations specifically towards this trip. Make your donation HERE
“And then they were on the road. They preached with joyful urgency that life could be radically different; right and left they sent the demons packing; they brought wellness to the sick, anointing their bodies, healing their spirits.” Mark 6:12-13 Message
We find intimacy with our Lord through prayer, and yet for many of us we are unsure how to pray. We worry that we are not saying the right words. We may think that the burden of prayer lies with us. We may not understand how conversational prayer works.
While we do not have time for a full study of prayer here, we will look at a primary principle of prayer: – Come before the Lord with a commitment to honesty –
“Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.” Psalm 51:6
The Bible speaks many things about living a life unto God and when we do this the good fruit we experience.
Today I’m outlining just five principles that lead towards a long and prosperous life.
1. Honoring the Elderly
We will begin where the Bible begins, with one of the Ten Commandments given to Moses for the People of Israel. In Exodus we have record of the Ten Commandments with the fifth commandment,
“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.” Exodus 20:12
In Ephesians 6:1-3 we find this commandment repeated and noted as the first commandment with a promise.