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| Volume 17 Number 5 May 2015 | Page 10 |
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| Volume 17 Number 5 May 2015 | Page 10 |
Editor's Note
Bonnie Rushmore
The Greek word “proskuneo” is most frequently translated “to worship.” It means “to make obeisance, do reverence to” (from pros, “towards,” and kuneo, “to kiss”). It is used of an act of homage or reverence to God (Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words).
Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary defines worship as, “Reverent devotion and allegiance pledged to God; the rituals or ceremonies by which this reverence is expressed. The English word worship comes from the Old English word “worthship,” a word which denotes the worthiness of the one receiving the special honor or devotion.”
Our worship is directed to God, and all throughout the Bible we have examples of God’s people worshipping Him. In Genesis 12:18 and 13:18 Abraham built altars to God for worship. In Exodus 35:1-40:38, Moses instructed about the building of the tabernacle, and he stated God’s plan for how the Israelites were to worship Him. After the death of Christ and the beginning of the church, God changed how He wanted Christians to worship Him.
Our worship is no longer ceremonial with a priest offering sacrifices to God on our behalf, but it is personal, individual praise to God on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7). Our worship consists of singing praises to God (Ephesians 5:19-20: Colossians 3:16); giving (1 Corinthians 16:2); preaching the Word of God (Acts 20:7); partaking of the Lord’s Supper (Acts 20:7); and prayer (1 Corinthians 14:15). Our worship must be done in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). Hebrews 10:25 states, “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” We are to come together as one body of Christians to not only worship God but as well as to encourage one another. This would include Sunday morning and evening services, midweek Bible study and any other designated time appointed by the leaders of the local congregation of which we are members.
There are some who suggest that they can worship on their own. They do not need to gather with other Christians to worship God. However, a byproduct of assembling with other Christians to worship God is the fellowship and encouragement gained while gathering with the saints at every opportunity. I became painfully aware of this need the past few months as I dealt with pancreatic cancer. Due to the risk of catching some bug going around and rather cold temperatures, I have missed many Sunday evening and Wednesday Bible classes. I missed the fellowship and encouragement of other Christians.
[Editor’s Note: As with other areas in life, too, we humans often do not fully appreciate what we have and take for granted – until we cannot have it anymore. Christian fellowship worshipping together is a jewel worth pursuing. ~ Louis Rushmore, Editor]
Julene Nulph
“Please take this down to the recyclable basket,” I asked my young son as I handed him the plastic bottle. He took the bottle as he swallowed hard and choked back his tears. He took a step in the right direction then stopped and hollered at me, “I can’t, I’m scared!” The recyclable basket was located in our basement, and this night was dark and cold. Though the basement is clean and carpeted with plenty of possible lights along the way, my son had a fear that overrode the facts. He was afraid and that’s all that he cared to consider. As adults, we also have fears, and as Christians, fear can affect our walk with our Lord. Yet, as His disciples, we need not be slaves to fear. Romans 8:15 states, “For you did not receive the Spirit of bondage again to fear but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.’”
One way fear can affect our walk with the Lord is that fear keeps us frozen. Have you ever found yourself in a situation with which you knew you were unhappy, but due to fear you made no change? This could be with your job, a relationship, where you live, your health or any number of situations. Perhaps you are in a place where sin in present, and yet you make no change for you fear the future. Second Timothy 1:7 states, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and of love and a sound mind.” Maybe you are afraid to make a decision, fearing you will make the wrong choice. God has given us the ability to make choices. Don’t let fear keep you frozen! Make that change that you know you should make.
A second way that fear affects our walk with the Lord is that fear fights our faith. Fear causes us to doubt. We doubt ourselves, we doubt that God can do it, we doubt our success, we doubt our abilities or we doubt God will care. Fear is a lack of confidence, a lack of faith. David, in Psalm 27, has written a beautiful declaration of his faith. David had much to fear, yet he relied on God, and David kept his faith. David had confidence that God would help him in his time of need (Psalm 9:9). Don’t let fear cripple your faith. Bust the shackles of fear, and have faith in God! Jesus said , "…if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘move from here to there’ and it will move and nothing will be impossible for you” (Matthew 17:20).
A final way that fear affects our walk with our Lord is that fear forfeits our future. When a person lets fear keep him or her frozen and gobble up one’s faith, a better future is forfeited. One will never know how much better a situation can be if he or she doesn’t cast out fear. One will forfeit experiencing God’s protection, love and providence while remaining in fear. A beautiful future awaits; a new start can begin. One doesn’t need to be afraid if God is his or her helper. In Hebrews 13:5-6 God has said He will never leave us or forsake us. What a comfort it is to know that God cares for His children and has blessings in store for each one!
Fear knows no age bracket; it knows no gender, no race and no nationality. Fear will freeze whomever it can catch, fight anyone’s faith and replace it with doubt and forfeit any positive future. Don’t let fear negatively affect your walk with God. Live as the Psalmist wrote in Psalm 62:8, “Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.” Amen and Amen!