This was on the wall at the restaurant tonight:
Training Journal – 2/29/12:
I was reading in First Thessalonians this morning and this verse in chapter one caught me:
3We [Paul, Silas and Timothy] continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. (NIV)
Um, ok…”caught” is probably not the best word. “Convicted” is probably more appropriate…
Mainly because at times, if I were honest, Paul may have phrased this a little differently about me (…maybe even you).
Maybe something like:
3We continually [lift you] before our God and Father [because of] your work produced by guilt, your labor prompted by obligation, and your endurance inspired by fear of our [gracious] Lord Jesus Christ [and the totally wrong thought you have that you’ve got to “bank” good things to make Him love you, accept you, and answer your prayers].
x
Oh, to be like the Thessalonians…
Not feeling too well today…I’m in Florida for a work conference and the allergies are kickin’ my be-hind! Whine completed…now on the with post.
I was prepping for Sunday School this evening (Francis Chan’s Crazy Love), and two things hit me smack dab between the eyes:
I’ve been reading through the book of Nehemiah for a while – just taking my time, digesting small portions at a time. There is so much meat in this book about leadership, priorities, etc.; but, today as I was reading, I felt this sense of humility, privilege, and reverent fear as a worship leader.
I was in chapter eight where the people, after they have re-built the walls, gather to hear Ezra read the Law. He is assisted by many, but I focused on the Levites (who were appointed, under David, to a ministry of music and praise – specifically as, “ministers before the ark of the Lord, to invoke, to thank, and to praise the Lord.”) I focused on the Levites because they are basically what we call worship leaders today…just like me!
From Nehemiah 8:
2 – So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could understand what they heard
5 – Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was above all the people [on a box], and as he opened it all the people stood.
7 & 8 – …the Levites, helped the people to understand the Law, while the people remained in their places. They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.
Verses seven and eight hit me like a ton of bricks – a lump even formed in my throat. I am firm in the knowledge of my responsibilities as a worship leader (first) before the Lord and (second) to those I lead/serve; but what a profound and challenging reminder! Thank you Lord!
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