SINAI Temple Fellowship Perumbavoor

07/09/2021

4 Dangers of Condemning Worship Styles We Don’t Like

Sadly, the term “worship wars” has become a reality in churches today, leading to dissension among the body of Christ and in some cases splitting churches.

We have somehow come to believe that worship equates solely to music and if it’s a musical style we don’t like – or if it’s at a tempo that’s too fast or too slow, too traditional or too contemporary – we use it (and not the accuracy of Scripture being preached) to decide whether or not we will attend a certain church.

As if worship was ever about our personal preferences.

Jesus told a Samaritan woman worship wasn’t about where it was done – in a sanctuary, warehouse, converted storefront, or home – but about how it’s done. And He wasn’t talking about a beat or lyrics. He said, “true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers” (John 14:23 NASB).

Note that Jesus didn’t say true worshipers will prefer Gregorian chants, the hymns of the early 1800s, or contemporary music while raising their hands. To worship in spirit and truth means our attitudes are in check and we have a heart surrendered to God. It’s often difficult to be critical or condemning of something when our hearts are surrendered to God.

The Bible speaks of the dangers of putting ourselves and our preferences over others and even though we might believe we’ve got a good spiritual reason for liking or disliking a certain form of worship, God’s Word gives us reasons not to condemn something that is ultimately for Him.

Here are four dangers of condemning worship styles we don’t like.

1. It makes worship about us, not God.

Worship is not about us. It’s about recognizing the worth-ship of God. Therefore, when we impose what we like in terms of worship we’re getting it all wrong and putting the focus on ourselves. In a sense, we are making ourselves God…the one to whom the worship should please.

When Satan tried to do that he got expelled from heaven. When we try to do that, we exemplify pride – the no. 1 thing God hates, according to Proverbs 6:16.

Remember Who worship is for and it will help you realize you’re not in a position to pass judgment on whether or not you like it. In fact, better to ask God what He thinks of it, as a reminder that it’s about Him, not you and me.

2. It fosters within us an attitude of entitlement.

When we believe we can condemn certain worship styles that we don’t prefer, what’s to keep us from believing we can choose our preference of communion cracker, length and style of prayer, a certain translation of the Scriptures, and the type of believers we want to fellowship with? We are a people known to readily express our condemnation over the clothing people wear to worship services and yet we are to be known as a people who express love. Jesus said, “I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all people will know that you are My disciples: if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35). Do all people know that you are a disciple of Christ by your love for other believers – or your outspoken opinions, preferences, and condemnation of the way other believers worship?

Instead of having an attitude of entitlement, heed the exhortation of Colossians 4:2 and “Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving.”

3. It presumes our tastes are more important than God’s.

In the mid-1990s, I played a contemporary Christian music song by the group, Petra, to end my adult Sunday school class on the Psalms. I thought Petra’s song, “Let Everything That Hath Breath” (based on Psalm 150) was a powerful illustration of the “exclamation mark” that Psalm 150 puts on the entire book of Psalms. An older gentleman, known for his Bible knowledge and years in the faith, loudly proclaimed after the song that I had brought him “to hell and back” with that “loud rock music.” Yet, teen-aged Eddie, a new believer whom we had prayed into that class, thought the music was great. He then began a preference of contemporary Christian music over his secular collection at home.

How can one song, with lyrics that praise God, bring one person “to hell and back” and light up another’s eyes at the prospect of “cool music that glorifies God”? The music was not about Howard that day who felt he went to hell and back, nor was it about Eddie who had been exposed to very little contemporary worship music. It was about the God whom the song exhorted all to praise. While everything that hath breath was to praise the Lord, the older gentleman in class that morning used his breath to condemn what he heard. And the sad thing is, instead of hearing the message of Psalm 150 in jubilant voices, he heard only the beat, synthesizer, and a set of drums.

Nowhere in God’s Word does He condemn worship based on a musical style. God, apparently, is more concerned with our hearts, our humility, and our obedience. In 1 Samuel 15:22, we hear God’s opinion: “to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.” In other words, obeying God’s command to not judge one another, or something we don’t like, which then brings dissension to the body of Christ, is better than our own singing, giving, or any other form of sacrifice for God, including what we might see as our “cause.”

When you and I start to cringe at the sound of worship music we don’t like, the real question that must be asked is “God, what do You think of the worship?” While the music might be rubbing you the wrong way, your God may be smiling at those engaging in lifting Him up. Isn’t that the point? When we get God-focused, about every attitude that comes our way, and surrender it to the Lord, that is when we truly worship. Putting Him and His thoughts and purposes above ours (Isaiah 55:8-11), keeps our agenda out of worship meant for our Creator and Savior.

4. It can be a stumbling block to others.

When Paul addressed the “eating wars” among the Roman believers – some who refused to eat food sacrificed to idols, others who found nothing wrong with it because idols were just wooden objects – he stressed that their concern for younger believers should trump their own convictions and preferences.

“Let’s not judge one another anymore,” Paul wrote in Romans 14:13, “but rather determine this: not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s or sister’s way.” Although he was talking about personal convictions toward food, how we feel about different worship styles certainly applies as that (not eating food sacrificed to idols) is a primary subject of contention among many believers today.

In Philippians 2:2, Paul instructed believers to make his joy complete by “being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.” What if we were to have that perspective when it came to the worship in our churches? Paul further instructs: “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others” (verses 3-4 ESV).

If a teaching or doctrine or practice is contrary to the Word of God, we must speak up about it. But where personal interest comes in, we are to strive for unity. God said there is nothing “unclean” for a believer in Christ who is redeemed from the Old Covenant Law. That includes different worship styles.

When is judgment appropriate in the church? When it comes to lovingly confronting other believers who are in sin and only after we’ve made sure we’ve unloaded the log from our own eye before trying to remove the splinter from another’s (Matthew 7:3-5).

How Should We React When We Don’t Prefer the Worship?

The next time critical or judgmental feelings rise up in you about the worship happening around you, think of ways to be grateful for the worship that is taking place. Are others around you engaging in a focus on God, while you are quietly condemning the “music”? Is God being glorified through the words (regardless of the venue)? And most importantly, ask yourself Is my heart pleasing to God in this moment? Then seek to place your focus back on the One worth worshipping, not how others around you are doing it.

If you’re in a church that is battling through the “worship wars” or if you, personally, are struggling through it, ask yourself, Should worship – the very recognition and praise of our Holy God – be a subject of battle, struggle, or judgment in the first place? When you and I can surrender our own preferences to God and say, as Jesus did to His Father, “Not my will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42), we are getting closer to understanding what worship is really all about.

27/04/2021

4 Things You Should Value More Than Safety and Comfort

Who doesn’t like to be comfortable?

We all need rest when we are weary, but when the comfort and safety of our lives become more important than godly living, we are in danger of being lulled to sleep spiritually. When we are dull in our faith, we are not alert to the danger of temptation. Basking in the wrong kind of comfort can deceive us into thinking we are safe from attacks.

The ancient city of Sardis was overtaken by Cyrus, king of Persia, because the citizens of Sardis became so comfortable in their lives, they ignored the need for maintaining their fortress. They thought their city was impenetrable. Without repair and diligence, the walls crumbled, and the enemy silently overcame them with hardly any resistance.

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8)
On more than one occasion, Jesus answered questions and criticism about life’s priorities. His agenda was always on the will of the Father and that meant He gave up a lot of comfortable nights where he prayed instead of sleeping on a pillow in His mother’s house.

And no one can be a better example of giving up safety for the sake of God’s kingdom. Jesus willingly went to the cross and suffered unspeakable pain and torture because He looked forward to the joy of the resurrection and the fulfillment of God’s will for the world (Hebrews 12:2). His comfort and safety were not even considered in what He did.

We need to consider four things that are more important than our comfort or safety.

1. The Word of God

When the devil tempted Jesus to turn stones to bread, He had fasted for 40 days. His body was weary, and he was hungry. He did have the power to create bread from stones. Yet He knew physical food was not as important as feeding on the words of His Father. Because He put priority on the Word of God, He was able to resist the temptation to create a miracle for His own comfort. This would have given Satan a victory, but Jesus was able to overcome the ploy that His enemy used with better food than a loaf of bread.
Man shall not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. (Matthew 4:4 NIV)

Mary of Bethany saw something in Jesus that few others discerned. She saw that the need to sit at His feet and listen to heaven’s teaching was more important than the housework that needed to be done. These earthly tasks will always be there, but God’s word feeds our soul and changes us (Proverbs 4:20-22).

But few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her. (Luke 10:42)
The power of the Word gives us discernment against false teachings and manmade rules (Mark 7:13).

2. Time with God

Jesus often withdrew from the crowds and even His own disciples to pray (Matthew 14:23). He knew the value of uninterrupted fellowship. If the Son of God had to hear from His Father, how much more do we? The followers of Jesus were so inspired by the way He prayed, they asked to be taught to pray the same way.
One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” (Luke 11:1)

Before He was crucified, Jesus spent time teaching His disciples about what was to come. Through these words, He stressed the importance of abiding in Him.

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit: apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5)

They were about to experience a trial like nothing that had ever happened to them. We know now they didn’t fare too well with his warnings as they all valued their comfort more than praying with Him in the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:45-46). Yet after they were filled with the Holy Spirit, they remembered Jesus’ words. Exposing the world to the gospel became the most important goal of their lives. Comfort and safety took a backseat to the fulfillment of Christ’s commission.

3. The Needs of Others

Jealousy is a trap the devil used all through the Bible and still uses today. From Cain and Abel to the disciples of Jesus, the temptation to elevate self above all else rises in unfocused souls. James and John wanted to be given places of honor next to Jesus’ throne in His kingdom. This caused discord among the other men. Jesus answered this request in a way that disappointed their lofty aspirations.

Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Matthew 20:26-28)

Jesus displayed this example of humility when He washed their feet at the last Passover they shared together (John 13:4-5).

We are admonished in James 2:1-3, not to exalt ourselves in an assembly by choosing the best seats in the house. Rather allow the leader of the congregation to bring us up to a higher level if that’s where we need to be. Exalting self will result in dishonor and embarrassment.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. (Philippians 2:3)

4. Our Spiritual Reputation

We all desire acceptance, but we are not to value our reputation in society so much that we compromise truth to prevent exclusion and rejection. But we do need to guard our spiritual reputation because this is how the world judges the image of Christ (Romans 8:9).

Jesus certainly wasn’t concerned about the opinions of others when it came to proclaiming the kingdom of God. Telling the Pharisees they were whitewashed tombs and hypocrites wasn’t the way to make friends with them. But He didn’t come to bring peace but a sword (Matthew 10:34). He came to divide worldliness from righteousness. Offenses will come but when they come because of the gospel’s sake we are to rejoice (Matthew 5:11). The way the world sees God is the way He is portrayed through believers. We should guard our spiritual example as we would a treasure chest.
Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. (Galatians 1:10)

We are His representatives and if we are behaving the same way the world is, why should any unbeliever want to belong to the Lord? Our character should show the world we are different because we belong to the King of the universe and hopefully whet their appetite to know more.

Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. (Romans 14:13)

The Rewards of Giving Up Comfort and Safety

When Saul met Christ and became Paul the apostle, he separated himself from worldly influences and went into Arabia to learn from God (Galatians 1:15-17). He gave up his position as an influential Pharisee to pursue revelation of the One he had met. But Paul considered the life achievements that he gave up to be nothing compared to knowing Christ (Philippians 3:8).

That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. (Philippians 3:10-11)

The fellowship of His sufferings would include giving up comfort and safety, but the intimate knowledge of the Son of God outweighs any discomfort we can experience.

When our focus is where it belongs, we can look forward to the reward of following Christ.

Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. (Luke 9:23-24)

03/03/2021

10 Spiritual Habits that Will Increase Your Inner Peace

1. Gratitude

He is with me to help me remember gratitude for my precious life.
Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

No matter what is going on in my life, I can be thankful that I have another day. I can be thankful when I notice that my basic needs are met. There are people in this world that don’t have their necessities. They can be thankful that I can pray for them. Most of all, I can be thankful that God is with me.

2. Be Slow to Speak and Quick to Listen

He is with me to help me listen more and wait to speak my mind.
Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. James 1:19
Often, I want what I want when I want it. Therefore, my mouth can speak much too quickly. I’m much better off when I take a deep breath and hold those initial thoughts.
Then I can listen completely to another person’s thoughts before I compose my reply. And even after I’ve listened, sometimes the first thing out of my mouth should be a question. Can you tell me more? How do you feel about that? Questions convey compassion to another person. In this world, opinions are voiced very quickly. Opinions give insight as to how someone is feeling. But everyone should get a chance to share freely.

3. Be Humble and Gentle

He wants to show me how to be humble and gentle in my daily interactions.

Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. Philippians 2:3-4
It’s funny that when I look to help someone else, somehow my needs get met too. God takes care of me as I help others. Christ didn’t come into the world to show Himself as great. He already knew who He was. He came into the world to help and save others.

4. Show Reverence for God

He reminds me who He is and that when I look to Him, things seem better.
But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God. Daniel 6:10
When my habit is to show reverence for and thank God daily, I will do it no matter what is happening in the world. Chaos is always alive in the world, but God is the antidote to that chaos. Letting His peace into my heart will keep the chaos out.

5. Exercise Daily

He helps me to take care of my body and my health.
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Romans 12:1

1 Timothy 4:8 says that training my mind and spirit for godliness is more important than physical training. Godliness is more important because it will last for all of eternity. But physical activity is also good for this life. My body was created for movement. Muscles, bones, and joints were created for me to move freely. So taking care of my physical body honors God’s creation.

6. Serve Others and Bear with Them in Love

He helps me to look to others more often than I look to myself.
For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. Galatians 5:13

Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Colossians 3:13

I am free to live however I want but the things I want to do should help others in some way. My freedom is enhanced when I help others to be free as well.

In the same way, I always need to remember that I make mistakes all the time. God graciously forgives me when I repent. So I must forgive the mistakes of others as well.

7. Praying Instead of Worrying

He reminds me to pray instead of worry.
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Worrying is a waste of time. It does nothing except make me anxious. It is a natural tendency, but I can make every effort to notice I’m doing it as quickly as possible and then turn the same words that are running through my mind as worry into a prayer to my living God. He cares for me and wants me to experience His peace. Instead of thinking, Why is this happening, I can speak, Lord, I may never know the why behind this but I have trust that you will use it for your good.

8. Read God’s Word

He shows me that the answers I really need are within the Bible.
Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. Joshua 1:8

When I make it a habit to read a little of God’s Word daily, I learn something every day. I learn new perspectives. I learn about God’s hope and peace. I learn that Satan may win a few battles, but God wins the war.

9. Run from Sexual Immorality

He gives me a way out when I’m tempted to do wrong.
The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. 1 Corinthians 10:13

Sexual immorality starts small but if it isn’t stopped gets out of control very quickly. People want to do whatever they want with whoever they want. And this leads to the world where we are currently living—a world where s*x trafficking is a billion-dollar industry worldwide.

But this isn’t God’s way. Everyone needs to put up boundaries and make themself accountable.Bad actions desire secrecy and if they get it, they grow. Letting light in brings accountability and a way out.

10. Remember God Is with You

He will see me through to the end.
Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Matthew 28:20

As a Christian, God is with me every day. To help me. To love me. To bring me peace

03/12/2020

25/11/2020

12/11/2020

10 Scriptures to Remind You: God Is with You Always

1: No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. - Joshua 1:5
2: Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. – Joshua 1:9
3: ...for He has said, “I will never [under any circumstances] desert you [nor give you up nor leave you without support, nor will I in any degree leave you helpless], nor will I forsake or let you down or relax My hold on you [assuredly not]! – Hebrews 13:5 (AMP)
4: ...and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. – Matthew 28:20
5: David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the Lord is finished. – 1 Chronicles 28:20
6: I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you. – Genesis 28:15
7: The Lord will not reject his people; he will not abandon his special possession. – Psalm 94:14 (NLT)
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. – 1 Peter 2:9 (emphasis added)
8: For the Lord your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your ancestors, which he confirmed to them by oath. – Deuteronomy 4:31
9: The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? The Lord is with me; he is my helper. I look in triumph on my enemies. - Psalm 118:6-7
10: Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close. Psalm 27:10 (NLT)

Did those verses lift your faith? I hope the truth of those Scriptures are beginning to burn in your heart now. If not, read them again and again—until this truth sinks deep into your soul. God will never, ever, ever forsake or desert you because he truly loves you that much.

Why Can You Trust God?
I want you to walk away from reading this with your faith and hope truly restored so I must remind you of one last important truth: it is impossible for God to lie. Consider these two simple verses:
God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through? – Numbers 27:19
So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls… – Hebrews 6:18-19

I don’t know where your situation is today. I don’t know how stormy the seas are in your life right now. I don’t know if everything is upside down and you have no idea how you are going to make it to tomorrow. I don’t know if you just spent a sleepless night in tears, wondering when this season in your life will end. I don’t know any of those things.

Here is what I do know. God loves you deeply. He has not forgotten you. He has not forsaken you or ever left your side and he will fulfill what he has promised in his word to do for you. My prayer today is that you would find strength, peace, and comfort in the God who is with you always. I leave you with these words reminding you of how faithful God truly is.
If we are faithless, He remains faithful [true to His word and His righteous character], for He cannot deny Himself. – 2 Timothy 2:13 (AMP)