June 3, 2008

How Do We Love God Practically - Part 2

	*by Nancy Missler*

In Part One we began a series on what it means to love God in our every day lives. In other words, what are the day-to-day steps in laying down our wills and our lives to God and loving Him as He desires.

We shared that there are eight steps to what I call my "Survival Kit." These are steps that God has laid out for us in Scripture to help us deal with our sin and become those open and cleansed vessels--loving Him.

The first four steps we covered in Part One. These are attitudes that we need to form daily. They are not steps we have to do each time we quench God's Spirit, but simply a mind-set we should have on each day.

Inner Court Ritual

The final four steps of the Survival Kit, however, are mandatory steps, ones we must do each time we sin and quench God's Spirit. These four steps are known as the "Inner Court Ritual," because they are the actual steps that the priests took in the Inner Court of the Temple in order to deal with their sin. First, the priests went to the ten Bronze Lavers to wash their hands and feet before worshipping, then they went to the holocaust Altar where they offered their sacrifices, and, lastly, they bathed totally in the Moulton Sea.

	*by Nancy Missler*

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David Needham, author of the book Birthright, states, "...the big task is not the finding of the truth, but the living of it!" I agree with him completely. What good are God's principles if they don't work in our hearts and change our lives?

With this in mind, let's put all we have learned so far (in our series "Loving God") into practical use. What are the steps in the moment by moment laying down of our wills and our lives to God? In other words, how do we love (agapao) God daily?

My Survival Kit

There are eight steps to what I call my "Survival Kit." These are steps that God has laid out for us in scripture to help us deal with our sin and become open and cleansed vessels for His use.

I literally go through these steps at least once a day, and sometimes as many as two and three times a day if I am dealing with something very difficult or extremely painful. These are the eight steps "back to freedom" of Spirit.

The first four steps, which we will cover in this article, are really formalities. These are attitudes we need to form daily. These are not steps we have to do each time we quench God's Spirit, but simply attitudes we need to have "on" each day. We might go over these prayerfully each morning, to remind ourselves to be cleansed vessels.

Searchlight w/ Jon Courson

Should Christians worship the Lord on the Sabbath day, that is, Saturday? The answer to this controversial question is absolutely yes! I am persuaded that the Christian should worship not only on the Sabbath day, but on everyday!

Why, then, do some say that our assembling together should be on the Sabbath day, (Saturday), and that those churches who assemble together on Sunday violate God's word? The argument they give is in keeping the Sabbath day, Saturday, they're keeping the fourth commandment which states, "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy (Exodus 20:8)."

Are we violating this commandment because we worship on Sunday? Have we, as some go so far as to suggest, taken "the mark of the beast" by meeting together on the first day of the week? Let's look at the issue in the light of God's Word!

Why was the Sabbath day given?

The Sabbath day was given primarily as a picture of our life in Jesus Christ. The word "Sabbath" literally means cessation or rest. Under the Old Covenant, it was to be a day of physical relaxation and spiritual restoration. Now, in Jesus Christ we have relaxation from our labors for salvation.

Webster's Dictionary: Friend: (frend) n. one attached to another by affection, regard, or esteem; an intimate acquaintance; a supporter or favorer of a cause,

My daughter has been having trouble lately with friendship! Recently we have begun a study in the bible in a few key areas, our words (respect, love and truth) and what it is to be a true FRIEND.

The Bible says: "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. " John 15:13

In the Webster's three principles are laid out for friendship. I applied an acronym to help me and my daughter to remember them ( A.R.E. ). In the acronym you would never say I ARE. It would be said YOU ARE. You are a good Friend, You are talented......... This could lead off into the other study we are doing on our words, but I will save that topic for another time.

Pro 24:17 Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: Pro 25:21 If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: Pro 18:24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

Jesus Gave the Ultimate example of these three ideals when he gave his life. He was accused by those he came to save, yet did not defend himself. Instead he prayed for them. Luke 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.

Berean: G961 Βεροιαῖος Beroiaios (ber-oy-ah'-yos) From G960; a Beraeaean or native of Beraea: - of Berea.