Duty With Many Interests

 June 21
 Daily Reading – 1 Chron. 26-27 / Acts 2:1-36

GOD SAID:

1 Chronicles 26:12 Among these were the divisions of the porters, even among the chief men, having wards one against another, to minister in the house of the LORD.

GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

      Some of the ministries in the church today are hard to find in the bible. There are not any Sunday School teachers listed as such in the bible. However, we do find the instruction to teach the word of God, and over the years churches have found that graded classes on a Sunday morning is a wonderful way to do that. Therefore, the need for Sunday School teachers within the church is vital to that ministry. Missions Board Director is also not found written in the pages of God Word. Yet we are commanded as the Church to go into all the world a preach the gospel. To do so, we need these wonderful Ambassadors for the Lord and the church going out to various regions of the world. To make sure that the missionaries are continually presented to the church and the church is presented to the missionaries we have a Missions Board and a Director of that Board.

      The role of Greeter is not mentioned as such either. Yet, this position is found under another title in scripture. They are called the Porters, a duty with many interests. There was a group of porters assigned to each of the many gates. They were to open and secure these gates. Another responsibility the Porter had was to guard against unwanted intruders. They also had the task of assisting worshipers with any needs they might have in worship and were considered encouragers as well. That sure sounds like today’s Church Ushers and Greeters to me.

GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

    Every person serving in any capacity within the church, has more going on behind the scenes than most of us can imagine. So when you see someone serving in church, remember to thank them for their sacrifice of service to the Church and the Lord.

Who will you thank this week?

     
Living In His Word Ministries
    “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12

Done With Music Instead

 June 20
 Daily Reading – 1 Chron. 23-25 / Acts 1

GOD SAID:

1 Chronicles 25:1Moreover David and the captains of the host separated to the service of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals: and the number of the workmen according to their service was:

GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

      Everyone who knows me knows that I am a creature of habit. I eat pretty much the same things every time I go to certain restaurants. At one restaurant in our town, I have had the same thing for breakfast so often, that not only do the waitresses ask me if I want my usual, but other people will go in and say, “I’ll have Pastor Frank’s usual.” If we all are honest, we all are somewhat habitual people. We often try to park in the same area of the parking lot at the grocery store. As you get older, that becomes necessary so that you can remember where your car is when you come out. When walking into church, you most often sit in the same seats. The order of service follows a familiar pattern week after week. We do things fairly routinely in our lives. However, what would you think if next Sunday the Music leader began by reading the song lyrics and the Pastor sang the message instead of preaching? Same words, just done with music instead.

      In 1 Chronicles 25:1 it says the people; “should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals:” We are so used to thinking of prophecy as being the spoken word, it’s hard to imagine God speaking to us in any other way. The fact is that many of the songs in the bible were composed by prophets and were prophetic in nature. Prophesying means to speak or sing by inspiration. God’s message is God’s message whether spoken or sung.

GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

    We read the book of the Psalms, when in reality, they are songs that we just don’t know the tune to. The Bible speaks of music and singing so often, we out to listen for God’s voice in our hearts, sometimes done with music instead of just words.

In what song has God spoken to you?

     
Living In His Word Ministries
    “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12

Do What I May, Intention

 June 19
 Daily Reading – 1 Chron. 20-22 / John 21

GOD SAID:

1 Chronicles 22:14 Now, behold, in my trouble I have prepared for the house of the LORD an hundred thousand talents of gold, and a thousand thousand talents of silver; and of brass and iron without weight; for it is in abundance: timber also and stone have I prepared; and thou mayest add thereto.

GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

      Have you ever been told you are not allowed to do something? Even worse, being told you may not do something, that someone else is told they can do. Too often peoples ego’s get bent out of shape during these situations. You begin thinking, “I can do that just as good as, or better than they can.” If the truth is told, you may be right. However, for one reason or another, you’re being asked not to do something. So, now what? Well, instead of getting angry or hurt, just develop the “I’ll do what I may do,” attitude.

      David wanted to build a place of Worship for the Lord. He had the authority as king, he had the available helpers, he had the wealth, and the ambition to get the job done. What he did not have was God’s blessing. In fact, God clearly told him, NO! Not only did God tell him No, but also, that his son was going to be allowed to do it. So what did David do? Instead of being hurt and sulking off in a corner, he simply intended to do what he could instead. God said you may not build the building, however I may still gather supplies. I may also get the helpers together. I may set in the hearts of the people to follow my son’s lead when he builds. Too often we get upset dwelling on the one thing we may not be allowed to do, and do not see the hundreds of things that we can do. When life sets before us a situation where we might not be allowed to do something, let’s just develop the, “I’ll then Do What I May,” Intention.

GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

   Every position of support in the ministry is an important position. Even the role of pastor, deacon, trustee, etc., are all simply support roles in the work of the Lord. Let’s intend simply to do what we may do, and leave management decisions to God.

What might you do to help?

     
Living In His Word Ministries
    “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12

Dwells Where Man Is

 June 18
 Daily Reading – 1 Chron. 17-19 / John 20

GOD SAID:

1 Chronicles 17:5 For I have not dwelt in an house since the day that I brought up Israel unto this day; but have gone from tent to tent, and from one tabernacle to another.

GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

      Over the years I have had people get upset with others who used the church building for other functions. I do understand their concerns at times. This building, known as the church house, is special and not like just any other building. This place has been set apart for the worship of the Lord, and is special. However, we must remember, this is simply a building made with sticks and bricks. While it’s true, God is omnipresent, meaning everywhere at once, God does not inhabit this building standing empty of its people, any more than He would dwell in the train station downtown. God has never been consumed with the idea of dwelling in structures. He has always been much more interested in dwelling where man is.

      In 1 Chronicles 17:5 God conveys this truth to King David. He said; “For I have not dwelt in an house since the day that I brought up Israel unto this day; but have gone from tent to tent, and from one tabernacle to another.” God did present Himself in the tabernacles, and later in the temples built, as a central place to worship Him. Yet, at the same time, we find God present in the battles Israel fought, dealing with the people when they would sin, and speaking to the prophet Nathan in 1 Chronicles 17:3 at home during the night. While God may present Himself to man at various places, God has always desires to be where man is, not in a box.

GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

    Today, God dwells in the soul of every child of God. If we are in the Church House, God is there. Also when we are in our own house, this selfsame God is there. What a comfort to know He is ever present in our lives.

Since God dwells where man is, where are you taking Him?

     
Living In His Word Ministries
    “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12

Do We Mean It

 June 17
 Daily Reading – 1 Chron. 15-16 / John 19:31-42

GOD SAID:

1 Chronicles 16:36 Blessed be the LORD God of Israel for ever and ever. And all the people said, Amen, and praised the LORD.

GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

      People file into church, fellowship with their friends, find a seat and get ready for Sunday morning worship. The choir or special music sing and people shout “AMEN.” The morning prayer is finished and people agree with “AMEN.” The pastor delivers the message that God has laid upon his heart for that day, and spread throughout the sermon you hear people say “AMEN.” Yet when Sunday night and Wednesday night services role around, you look around, and see that the same “AMEN” folk are nowhere to be seen. What does AMEN mean to them anyway?

      The Children of Israel in today’s verse shout, “AMEN, and praised the Lord.” Yet as we read on we’ll see that this great nation really did not mean AMEN at all. You see, the word AMEN means; “So be it,” or “Truly.” It’s a word of agreement with what’s been said before it. Israel had just said that they agreed with the statement, “Blessed be the LORD God of Israel for ever and ever.” For ever and ever? That didn’t happen. In fact, God removed them from the promised land for not being faithful to Him. In Revelation 3:14 it says; “And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;” Jesus is referred to as “AMEN,” meaning the trustworthy one. Our AMEN’S should mean the same. We are trustworthy to the Lord in what we agree with.

GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

    It’s easy to get caught up in a moment and not think about what we are saying. Sometimes we get in a habit and say words without even thinking. Yet when we say AMEN, it really ought to mean something. So be it, truly, or trustworthy.

Do we really mean AMEN when we say it?

     
Living In His Word Ministries
    “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12