How can we prepare ourselves to worship the Lord?

What is the difference between giving "mini-sermons" to the Lord and worshiping at the Breaking of Bread?

Far too often, our worship consists of recounting some events in the Lord’s life, more details about His trials, mocking and abuse, and facts about His sufferings on the cross. It almost becomes ritualistic. He is worthy of so much more worship that we will ever be able to bring to Him and certainly of much more than ritual. We have an entire Bible that speaks of His worth. If worship is truly our highest occupation (Philippians 3:3)," TARGET="_blank">Philippians 3:3), then we should devote to it our fullest endeavors and our greatest capacities (Mark 12:33)." TARGET="_blank">Mark 12:33).

This question points to a possible failure when a brother has diligently prepared his worship. Would a priest spend more time arranging wood than dividing and placing the sacrifice on the altar? The material gathered from Scripture is worship only to the extent that it has drawn our hearts to more deeply appreciate Christ. The appreciation of Christ is what delights the Father’s heart (John 4:23)." TARGET="_blank">John 4:23). Telling the Father the resultant worship is more important than telling Him all the background. The believers may not follow all the thought process that produced the worship, but they can heartily say "Amen" to the result. More important, the Father fully knows the depths from which the worshiper has drawn his worship.

D. Oliver
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Severl programs for Bible puzzles that you can printout are listed below.

or

Choose one of the 350 Sunday school worksheets that you can printout so student have several types of Bible puzzles including word find and crossword puzzles. You can printout the PDF files on 8.5x 11 paper.

Create and printout one of the following Bible puzzle programs.

Word Find

Word Scramble

Crossword Puzzle Creator

Cryptogram Puzzle Creator

Fallen Quotes

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Sentence Scramble Maker

The sentance scramble maker program will take any sentence that you make and turn it into a word scramble program like those you find in the newspaper. The sentence scramble maker is designed to make Bible verses into word scramble puzzles, but you can use any sentance you like and scramble it.

Click here to go to the Sentence Scramble Maker.

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How can I serve the Lord in the assembly?

How can I serve the Lord in the assembly?

Answering this could take many pages, but a few suggestions might help. As the question emphasizes, this is primarily service for the Lord. Therefore, honor the Lord by being at all the assembly gatherings (Hebrews 10:25)." TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 10:25). Come prepared to give something to the Lord whether you are a sister or brother (13:15; 1Pe 2:5)." TARGET="_blank">1Pe 2:5). Live a godly life that manifests Christ (Titus 2:11, 12)." TARGET="_blank">Titus 2:11, 12). Maintain separation from the world and sanctity from sin (2 Corinthians 6:11-7:1)." TARGET="_blank">2 Corinthians 6:11-7:1). Know the Spirit’s power through a life of communion (Ephesians 6:1-18)." TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 6:1-18).

But that is incomplete if the Christian life does not reach out to other believers and to unbelievers. Zeal for the gospel will inspire habitual, personal testimony to unbelievers. Working to bring unbelievers to the Sunday school or gospel meetings is a responsibility for all.

"Encourage (JND) one another daily" (Hebrews 3:13)." TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 3:13). "Consider one another" (Hebrews 10:24)" TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 10:24) so that we will perceive others’ needs. "By love, serve one another" (Galatians 5:13)." TARGET="_blank">Galatians 5:13). Some will appreciate a visit, which may include, as did the Lord (John 21:12-18)," TARGET="_blank">John 21:12-18), material and spiritual provision. Seek the restoration of wanderers. "Bear ye one another’s burdens" (Galatians 6:2)" TARGET="_blank">Galatians 6:2) with a responsive, sensitive heart. Know when a "word in season" (Isaiah 50:4)" TARGET="_blank">Isaiah 50:4) will help and when a home-cooked meal will be more helpful. "Use hospitality one to another" (1 Peter 4:9)" TARGET="_blank">1 Peter 4:9) for the furtherance of the gospel, the preservation of the young or vulnerable, and the strengthening of fellowship with all the believers in the assembly. Find ways to act and things to do that will increase the unity of the assembly around Christ (Mark 9:34," TARGET="_blank">Mark 9:34, 50b). "Pray one for another" (James 5:16)." TARGET="_blank">James 5:16).

Serving in the assembly includes helping to maintain the assembly’s meeting place. Cutting the grass, planting flowers and shrubs, maintaining the grounds, painting the outside trim, washing toilets, sweeping floors, moving chairs, changing light bulbs, and organizing the storage closet are some low-profile ways to serve the Lord - and expend youthful energy.

D. Oliver
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What is the sin of "railing"?

What is railing as referred to in 1 Corinthians 5:11" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 5:11?

In practice, the issue of railing has been one of the most difficult problems to handle. The accusation of railing has been abused at times. An answer to this question requires great care and the fear of God.

The noun translated "railer" in 1 Corinthians 5:11" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 5:11 is used in only one other passage (1 Cor. 6:10)." TARGET="_blank">1 Cor. 6:10). The related noun, "railing," appears twice in 1 Peter 3:9" TARGET="_blank">1 Peter 3:9 ("not rendering . . . railing for railing") and once in 1 Timothy 5: 14," TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 5: 14, translated "speak reproachfully." The related verb is always translated "revile" in its four uses (John 9:28;" TARGET="_blank">John 9:28; Acts 23:4;" TARGET="_blank">Acts 23:4; 1 Cor. 4:12;" TARGET="_blank">1 Cor. 4:12; 1 Pet. 2:23)." TARGET="_blank">1 Pet. 2:23). The other related word is translated "reviled again" (1 Pet. 2:23)." TARGET="_blank">1 Pet. 2:23).

A blending of the meanings given by various language helps (Vine, Thayer, Strong, Moulton and Milligan, and Kittel) and commentators indicates that railing is abusive, insulting language intended to wound, vilify, and defame another. It is persistent, purposeful character assassination.

Railing may involve some degree of truth (John 9:28;" TARGET="_blank">John 9:28; 1Tim. 5:14)," TARGET="_blank">1Tim. 5:14), but is directed in a derisive, destructive way. In Acts 23," TARGET="_blank">Acts 23, Paul understands that when the Scriptures forbid speaking evil of a ruler (v. 5), this includes railing (or reviling, v. 4). Therefore, although evil speaking may not be railing, all railing is evil speaking. The use of this family of words (railer, railing, revile) in the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the OT) adds another element to its meaning. The uses include hatred (Gen. 49:23)," TARGET="_blank">Gen. 49:23), striving or chiding - expressing disapproval (Ex. 21:18; 17:2, 7;" TARGET="_blank">Ex. 21:18; 17:2, 7; Num. 20:3, 13;" TARGET="_blank">Num. 20:3, 13; Deu. 33:8)," TARGET="_blank">Deu. 33:8), slander (Pro. 10:18)," TARGET="_blank">Pro. 10:18), brawling (25:24), and contention (26:21; 27:15). This seems to add the thought of contentiousness to the meaning of railing.

Contrasting with most of the other sins in the passage (1 Cor. 5:11)," TARGET="_blank">1 Cor. 5:11), railing requires a subjective judgement (made by spiritual leaders) as to when its continued practice constitutes the offender a railer.

D. Oliver
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In what ways does the Spirit of God lead us?

In what ways does the Spirit of God lead us?

Since it identifies us as sons of God (Rom 8:14)," TARGET="_blank">Rom 8:14), being led by the Spirit of God should characterize our lives. Paul’s teaching assumes that all believers are led by the Spirit (Gal 5:18)." TARGET="_blank">Gal 5:18). The Spirit leads us both rationally (through our minds) and mystically (through an inexplicable awareness). The former needs to be emphasized and is more easily explained. If we are not willing for be led by the Spirit daily, we will not likely be sensitive to His leading in "special experiences."

The Spirit of God and the Word of God both reflect the same source and must agree. Generally, therefore, the Spirit leads through the clear directives of Scripture. Thankfully, He not only directs but also enables our walk (Gal 5:16-18)." TARGET="_blank">Gal 5:16-18).

The more we walk in the Spirit, the deeper will be our acquaintance with "the things of the Spirit of God" (1Co 2:10-16)." TARGET="_blank">1Co 2:10-16). As the Spirit unfolds to us the mind of God, we learn through the Word of God the principles by which God works. Increasingly, therefore, the principles of Scripture will guide us. Daily subjection of our will to the Scriptures cannot be distinguished from the leading of the Spirit in our lives. To more fully know the mind of God through His Word is a life-long challenge. The Spirit leads us rationally by enriching our minds with the practical knowledge of God. As we submit, He both directs us and enables us to please God.

One of the greatest difficulties in life is to be honest with ourselves. That is why the mystical leading of the Spirit is difficult to discuss. Too often we attribute our own preference to the leading of the Spirit. The Spirit of God superindends our circumstances and often directs us through them, but always in keeping with the Word of God.

Two verses in Psalm 25" TARGET="_blank">Psalm 25 instruct us in knowing God’s ways. Verse 12 emphasizes reverence for God, acting to please Him. Verse 10 points to meekness. The meek humbly submit to God and totally depend on Him. Who could boast about possessing these qualities? To hear a voice behind us "saying, This is the way, walk ye in it" (Isa 30:21)" TARGET="_blank">Isa 30:21) is always an evidence of God’s grace. Nevertheless, this is not something for which we need to beg God. He desires to lead us through His Word (rationally) and to prompt us as we are sensitive to His will (mystically). Self-consciousness and self-occupation will not produce this. In many ways, this is a sacred secret between the soul and God. We obey His written Word and, through the Spirit, He takes care of the rest.

D. Oliver
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Can a Christian consume blood?

Are we to Suppose that the injunction to abstain from blood (Genesis 9:4)" TARGET="_blank">Genesis 9:4) holds good to day?

If not, how quote verse 6 to justify capital punishment? Or does 1 Timothy 4:1-5" TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 4:1-5 allow us to eat all things even blood, so long as we give thanIs?

Sometimes we have to complain that the divisions of the chapters in our Bible cut the sense, but in this case the division between Genesis 8" TARGET="_blank">Genesis 8: and 9, though it may seem awkward, is really useful to the right understanjing of the passage. God’s covenant with man, guaranteeing him from a recurrence of the deluge “while the earth remaineth,” with an uninterrupted continuance of harvests, seasons and diurnal changes is contained in the two closing verses of ch. 8. This is known as the Noachian Covenant. In Genesis 9:1-7" TARGET="_blank">Genesis 9:1-7 we have God’s blessing on Noah, accompanied by (1) a promise, V. 2 (2) a provision, V. 3; (3) a prohibition, v. and (4) a penalty, VV. 5, 6, in which penalty was embodied the entrusting of govermuent into the hands of men.All this, however, was apart from the covenant, which is unconditional, and which is brought up again in vy. 9-12, thus: verse 9—its universality; 9-I I—its perpetuity, V. x2—its token, the rainbow.

As for the prohibition and penalty attaching to the blessing, we should not know whether they were perpetually binding on man or the children of God, apart from the rest of the Scriptures. As far as I can see, the penalty attaching to murder has never been abrogated and is binding to-day as a governmental act, on rulers to whom God has entrusted the sword for executing justice on evil doers, especially murderers. As for the prohibition to eat blood, it held, as we know, under the law (see Leviticus 17:10-11)," TARGET="_blank">Leviticus 17:10-11), and in the Acts period Acts 15:20)," TARGET="_blank">Acts 15:20), but has, I believe, been abrogated for us, not only by such a Scripture as the questioner quotes; but by such a verse as 1 Corinthians 10:25" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 10:25: “Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no questions for conscience sake.” The heathen knew nothing of slaughtering after the Jewish method, so as to be sure of draining off the blood of the animal.

According to this verse, therefore, a believer might eat whatsoever was put before him, asking no question for conscience sake. Then it does not say, “But if any say unto you, This has the blood in it, eat not,” for that question we may infer was of no importance, but rather, “This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not” (v. 28). It is perfectly clear then that the injunction not to eat blood does not apply to Christians to-day. ‘rhe prohibition in Acts 15" TARGET="_blank">Acts 15 really has nothing to set against this, as things were then in a transition state, and the Corinthian Epistle had not been written.

W.H.

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Should I help match my friend with a girl friendl?

Is matchmaking helpful, wise, and Scriptural?

No. Cultural means of bringing a man and woman together differ widely. Our Western ways wouldn’t countenance a father’s sending his servant to find a wife for his son, as Abraham did for Isaac. As different as that scenario was, the common denominator is in the servant’s words, "I being in the way, the Lord led me" (Genesis 24: 27)." TARGET="_blank">Genesis 24: 27). The most important factor in bringing believers together is God’s leading. Matchmaking is God’s work. He is much wiser and more able in this work than we. Better than parents and closest friends, He knows what matching personality will most effectively contribute to His plans for each one.

Well-intentioned matchmakers may injure one or both of the "matched" individuals. The more God-honoring approach is to pray faithfully for both the man and woman involved.

D. Oliver
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Is the covering on a sister

Is the covering on a sister’s head meant to cover the sister herself or her hair?

Paul speaks of a man with his head covered and of a woman with her head uncovered (1Co 11:4, 5)." TARGET="_blank">1Co 11:4, 5). In the next verse, he says, "If a woman be not covered," and at the end of the verse, "Let her be covered." This is not teaching that the woman is to be covered, as though the head covering hides her. When her head is covered, the woman’s covering properly displays the truth of headship.

Paul is not teaching that the woman or her hair need to be hidden or covered. He is teaching headship, therefore when her head is covered, that is the woman’s covering.

D. Oliver
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When does the worship end at the Breaking of Bread?

When does the worship end at the Breaking of Bread?

Believers who worship by the Spirit of God (Phi 3:3)" TARGET="_blank">Phi 3:3) will come to the Breaking of Bread with overflowing hearts (Psalm 45:1)." TARGET="_blank">Psalm 45:1). Their worship begins before they come, but their united worship begins as the meeting opens. How could an assembly remember the Lord (1Co 11:24, 25)" TARGET="_blank">1Co 11:24, 25) without worshiping? The united worship ends with a closing prayer, but the fragrance of worship lingers in spiritual hearts long after the gathering is dispersed. Any prayer or singing following the actual breaking of bread will continue the worship. Since the believers have already "declared the Lord’s death" (1Cor 11:26)," TARGET="_blank">1Cor 11:26), it is likely that the Spirit would lead the worship to emphasize the Lord’s resurrection and glory. Spirit-led ministry at the close of the meeting would hardly quench the spirit of worship in the gathering.

And there is ample reason why worship should be integral to all our gatherings. Worship will be our eternal occupation.

D. Oliver
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