Worship – Our Eternal Occupation – The Song of Life
– to bow in obeisance; expression of adoration
Worship is how we as created beings live - from the devotion of our heart. Who or what we worship is therefore demonstrated in the manner we live our life, and expressed with our “voice” through our “life song.”
The currency of worship is life poured out of our being and directed by us into a “receiver.” It is the currency of kingdoms – God’s Kingdom or the counterfeit kingdom(s), and it is the substance of communion in that relationship. We pour our lives into that which gives our life meaning - ignites our passion, inspires our creativity, fills our thought-life, draws on our time and energy, and defines who we are.
As humans, we are hardwired and programmed to worship. This means we worship by necessity of design, not merely cognitive decision. Like breathing, it is part of our nature. What we take into our being in the process is defined by where we direct our worship. This is our highest level of function, and it is why we were made. It renews life only when it is directed to the One worthy to receive it – our Maker. It is here that the Breath of Life is breathed back into our mortal body.
Slater Armstrong
©2006 Joining Our Voices
Music – “language of the spirit”
"It’s such an extraordinary thing, music. It is how we speak to God finally – or how we don’t. Even if we’re ignoring God - it’s the language of the spirit. If you believe that we contain within our skin and bones a spirit that might last longer than your time breathing in and out – if there is a spirit, music is the thing that wakes it up. And it certainly woke up mine. And it seems to be how we communicate on another level."
Bono
“After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music”
Aldous Huxley
“Music is a fair and glorious gift from God. I am strongly persuaded that after theology there is no art than can be placed on a level with music; for besides theology, music is the only art capable of affording peace and joy of the heart.”
Martin Luther
The highest function of music is to facilitate the personal and corporate expressions of worship toward its Creator and primal Source. Its ultimate value, therefore, is determined by its usefulness to these expressions of the heart of humanity, according to its intended eternal purpose.
- Slater Armstrong
Word –The Life - Knowing Jesus
Understanding His Word through Inductive Bible Study
SBS International
THE INDUCTIVE APPROACH
1. Your conclusions evolve out of what you have observed, seeking to lay
aside preconceived ideas.
2. This approach seeks to let the Scriptures speak for itself.
3. This approach studies the Scriptures in context.
THE DEDUCTIVE APPROACH
1. In the deductive approach one comes to the text with a thesis and then
seeks out passages to support the thesis.
2. One is dictating to the Scriptures rather than letting the Scriptures speak.
3. One has already, to a certain extent, drawn conclusions before reading the
whole text of Scripture in context.
THREE STEPS OF INDUCTIVE BIBLE STUDY
1. OBSERVATION: What does the text say?
2. INTERPRETATION: What did the text mean when it was written?
(exegesis) (Meaning to the original readers or hearers)
3. APPLICATION: How does the truth of this passage/book apply to
(hermeneutics) the 21st century?
These steps need to be done in their consecutive order. Observation is the foundation
and should be done first, followed by interpretation and ending with application.
Thorough observation leads to good interpretation and good interpretation leads into life
changing application.
Offering – The Treasure We Bring In Earthenware
– Our Hearts, Our Souls, Our Very Lives - and all that represents
Where your treasure is…(Matt. 6:21)
Sell all you have….follow me. (Matt. 19:21; Luke 10:21)
Through The Cross (Luke 9:23, 14:27; Romans 6)
No longer I but Christ…(Galatians 2:20; 2 Corinthians 5:15)
The “Gold Standard” of Worship – (Is. 18:3, 7)
- Nuba comes from the Meroitic term “nop” = gold!
For further reflection and understanding on living this life of utmost worship:
My Utmost for His Highest Devotional