News

Love

DEFINITION
1. intense feeling of affection toward someone 2. a great interest in someone or something 3. God’s affection toward His creation; or our affection towards God

INSIGHT
Scriptures are filled with love letters from God to us and from men to God. In the Old Testament, God demonstrates his love for the Hebrew people as He is loyal to them, and asks for their loyalty in return. When Jesus comes, He beautifully demonstrates and illustrates what God’s love is all about. From the way he treats the poor, sick, and needy, to his gift on the cross, Jesus is always reflecting the love of His Father. This kind of love, known as “agape” in the Greek, means a sacrificial, redeeming, unmerited, unconditional love. Through His examples, Jesus challenges us to “love our neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 19:19 (NIV)). The disciples echo this commandment many times throughout the New Testament when talking about relating to others in the world as well as in the church. May we be “united in love” (Colossians 2:2 (NIV)) for the purposes of knowing God and making Him known.

“You will find all that is lacking in your heart in the heart of Jesus, dying on the cross. Then you will be enabled to love those whom you would naturally, in your pride hate.”
- Francois Fenelon

WORSHIP THE LOVING GOD
God, You are Love! Your Love is amazing and never fails! You have demonstrated Your Love for us so many times. We are grateful and humbled. You have our affection, devotion, and obedience. Teach us to love our neighbors and our enemies. We want to be a reflection of Your Love.

“This is how God loves us. God pays attention to us.”
-John Ortberg
Love Beyond Reason

Psalm 103 is a great Psalm of praise.

In its familiarity, we sometimes overlook an important word in verse 2. The word is “benefits.”

The scripture begins with “Bless the Lord, O my soul!” Before you read further, take a moment to just “bless the Lord.” Tell him how much you love him. Thank him for his steadfast and unending love for you. Acknowledge him as your strength and your provider.

Verse 2 says, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his BENEFITS.” The following verses spell out some of those benefits.

vs 3: He FORGIVES all your iniquity.
vs 3: He HEALS all your diseases.
vs 4: He REDEEMS your life from the pit.
vs 4: He CROWNS you with steadfast love and mercy.
vs 5: He SATISFIES you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Stop. Read. Listen.
Take a few minutes to read and absorb Psalm 103. God can use his scripture to draw you near to him in a personal time of worship. As you read, consider his greatness. Consider all that he has done for you.

Bless the Lord, O my soul!

As worship leaders, it is so important that we are confident in what we do.
Vocalists ~ know your words and the melodies or harmonies
Instrumentalists ~ know your chords, notes, music
Sound operators ~ know your board, your room, the vocals and instruments
Media (screens) ~ know the songs, the words, the flow, the order
Lead Worshiper ~ know the congregation, what they know, where you are going, etc.

Everyone, spend time in God’s word and in prayer as you prepare each week.

As you prepare to lead this week…
…be grateful for those God has brought your way.
…be grateful for the talent he has given you to lead others.
…be grateful for your relationships.
…be grateful for the opportunity to point others to Jesus through worship.

Comment here if you have more ideas of how worship leaders should be prepared so they will be more confident as they lead.

I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch of mine that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. John 15: 1-2 (ESV)

If you lead others, it is important that you are bearing fruit. It is important that others see the fruit of your ministry, not just your actions and words.

Take a moment and reflect on the fruit of your ministry. Then, take a moment and reflect on the fruit from YOU.

Read the following versions of the same scripture. Then, with an obedient heart, ask God to show you how to grow closer to the vine (Him) and ask him to bear more fruit in you and in your ministry.

I AM the True Vine, and My Father is the Vinedresser. Any branch in Me that does not bear fruit [that stops bearing] He cuts away (trims off, takes away); and He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit. (Amplified)

“I am the Real Vine and my Father is the Farmer. He cuts off every branch of me that doesn’t bear grapes. And every branch that is grape-bearing he prunes back so it will bear even more. You are already pruned back by the message I have spoken. (the Message)