before the day the worship ends what did they do

the redeemed church worship

Can the virtual activity substitute physical activity and still allow the spiritual reality manifest its impact in the physical realm? Can virtual church worship do any or all of the physical declarations of faith in God with spiritual impact in the advancement of the Kingdom of God? 

When did the day the worship ended start?The day when it became singular. Before that day there was nothing in singular. The following passages from the New Testament on worshiping the worships were done all by worshippers in pleural. We, they, men, women, our, us, brothers and sisters. Church worship requires more than one person. The question is: can one individual worship online with an online live or recorded service conducted by a “church” online of which he may/may not be a member? The sound of voices emitted from the online “church” has been filtered through the virtual space and digital transmission and reception to reach this individual. What does it mean compared with attending a real physical church? His own voice and sound of worship cannot reach and congregate and merge with the voice and sound made similarly by another individual worshipper across the virtual space and digital filter. There is no synergy of the depth and width of the voices of the whole congregation, even assuming all individual members really faithfully attends and participates in the worship online together. There is no resonance bouncing off voices across virtual spaces. Experience tells us the immense synergic power of praying in the Spirit in unison with the whole congregation. And the early believers knew this powerful tool. It started with 120, not 1. And the 120 were together, not separated by space and time. There was no filter between the sound made by each individual. They gathered together, filled with the Holy Spirit, worshipped together, prayed together, went out to minister together, and lived the supernatural Christian church lives just as Jesus had trained and equipped them to do.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Bible verses on New Testament worship and what happened/fruits were resulted . Note that when these passages were written the word “worship” referred to more than one persons congregating together with their focus on God and His words and their worship were sacrifices to God.

Acts 2:46They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity— (Result: great joy and no lack)

Acts 13:2One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.” (Result: hearing God and acting correctly to change the world)

Acts 16:13-15 ¹³ On the Sabbath we went a little way outside the city to a riverbank, where we thought people would be meeting for prayer, and we sat down to speak with some women who had gathered there. ¹⁴ One of them was Lydia from Thyatira, a merchant of expensive purple cloth, who worshiped God. As she listened to us, the Lord opened her heart, and she accepted what Paul was saying. ¹⁵ She and her household were baptized, and she asked us to be her guests. “If you agree that I am a true believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my home.” And she urged us until we agreed. (Result: divine appointment met and the birth of the first local house church there in the midst of adversities!)

Acts 26:7In fact, that is why the twelve tribes of Israel zealously worship God night and day, and they share the same hope I have. Yet, Your Majesty, they accuse me for having this hope! (Result: Paul became who he became, a powerful fervent witness for Christ even till today!)

Romans 12:1-2 A Living Sacrifice to God 12 And so, dear brothers and sisters,^[a] 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.^[b] 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

(Result: giving the right kind of sacrifices to God and in turn receiving the supernatural transformed mind which aligns with the perfect will of God. Note that God speaks of the living body specifically as a sacrifice He wants. What does the human body do in worship? The normal living human body can lift up our hands, raise our voices to sing praises, bow and kneel down, pray in understanding and in Spirit. The body can say “Amen” to the words of God being read out in worship. The body can respond to God’s calling and sending to go preach the Gospel and make disciples of many nations.)

Philippians 3:3For we who worship by the Spirit of God are the ones who are truly circumcised. We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort, (Result: We can worship in the way that pleases God and we have the status of being the true heir of Abraham by faith.)

1 Timothy 2:1 Instructions about Worship I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. (Result: prayers and intercessions for others, giving and hearing God’s answered prayers’ /healed testimonies, giving thanks)

1 Timothy 2:8In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy. (Result: men’s worship and praising God healed and brought freedom from harmful emotion and behavioral issues)

Hebrews 9:14Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. (Result: the act of worshiping the living God is a physical declaration of the power of the blood of Jesus Christ who qualifies us to be worshipper!)

Hebrews 12:28Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. (Result: Just as the Israelites worshipped God in a congregation, so do the New Testament believers. God wants the right attitude be manifested as a congregation.)

An ending question: Can the virtual activity substitute physical activity and still allow the spiritual reality manifest its impact in the physical realm? Can virtual church worship do any or all of the above physical declarations of faith in God with spiritual impact in the advancement of the Kingdom of God? How many worshippers have strayed away and, worse, been lost to the lures and snares of other gods? The answer is obvious. So, when was the day the worship stopped?

(to continue: in the next article I will further substantiate the above with bible verses on how God wants the genuine, original, and true as against the counterfeit, copy/image, and fake.)

kainotes, 2021-12-05

Esther’s fast 28-30th November: prayer list for nations and personal needs and tips on fasting

Philippians 4:6-7

This is a random list for those who are joining us in this forthcoming three days’ fasting and prayer challenge. It is a guide for those who do not have their own list. Do let the Holy Spirit lead you and prompt you as you spend time in the Lord’s presence.

The watchman’s proposed schedule for the day (morning, afternoon and evening sessions) based on a list given by intercessors on matters pertinent at the time.

Session one: Praise and worship, pray in tongue, read and meditate God’s words, asks the Lord for revelation words, vision and sign.

1. Holy Communion, thanksgiving prayer.
2. Psalm 91 prayer for all loved ones, believers, all the family of God.
3. General protection for the people of God under the same psalm.
4. Psalm 103:1-5 for all the good things the Lord does for the believers: forgives all sins, heals all diseases, redeems from death, crowns with love and tender mercies, fills our lives with good things, renew our youth like the eagles.
5. Read the rest of Psalm 103 and proclaim the goodness of God.

Session Two: Praise and worship, pray in tongue, read and meditate God’s words, asks the Lord for revelation words, vision and sign.

First of all, we thank God for giving us His truth, health, wisdom, knowledge, counseling, might, courage, and the reverent fear of the Lord! We are grateful to Him for all the goodness, hope, supply, our family, relatives, friends, partners in the Lord, brothers and sisters in Christ, and the church that He has given us according to His richness in glory! All praises and glory be to our God!

Let us humble before God, meditate on His words, and pray. The Holy Spirit helps us understand and know how to fast and pray. Let the Holy Spirit lead us to know God and the Lord Jesus better, pray according to God’s will, and be thankful with a heart of reverence, worship and praise, and thankfulness for all past, present and future protections and abundant supplies, let us read, meditate and declare God’s kingdom, its advancement, and how God’s people may continue to live our lives, and complete the good works that God has started in each of us. Let the Lord show us how to prevent the dark forces (thieves) from continuing to steal, kill and destroy everything that God has given to His people, and how to pray fervently for the future of our descendants. Pray for the Holy Spirit to enlighten us regarding our future, how to deal with the present events, and how to use the Sword of the Holy Spirit—God’s Word to continue to live out the life of Christ, relying on the power of the Holy Spirit, be the light and salt of the Lord, and a testimony of his resurrected life!

1. Intercession for your own nation, America, Israel and any other nations the Lord prompts you.
2. Prayer points for current events to consider when praying: America (your own nation and any nation you can think of) is hurting. The social-economic-religious hindrances, and losses related to virus related restrictions, job loss, small business closed down, community separation, family and education disruption, loss of Christian (church) fellowship and inter-personal bonding (in church activities and gatherings), polarizations (political, social class, racial, gender, economic group etc.), divisions and disruptions in law and order resultant great suffering, fear, insecurities, and anxieties. Financial indebtedness, and uncertainty of secured stable employment and entrepreneurship.
3. Prayer points for Israel:
   1. Restoration and Reconciliation – Pray for: Jewish people in Israel and throughout the world to be restored and reconciled to God through faith in Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah; Reconciliation between Jewish and Christian people, Jewish and Arab people – in the Land of Israel and all over the world
   2. Watchmen – – Pray for: God to raise up “watchmen” in each nation of the world who are dedicated to praying for Israel and the Jewish people. Houses of prayer worldwide to develop a heart to pray for Israel and the Jewish people; Growth in strategic prayer for Israel today around the world.
   3. Peace and Protection – Pray for: Guidance and wisdom for Israeli and world leaders pursuing peace for Israel; Protection from the plans of Israel’s natural and spiritual enemies; All involved would recognize that true peace will only come from God.

Session three: Praise and worship, pray in tongue, read and meditate God’s words, asks the Lord for revelation words, vision and sign.

Repeat the above on the second and third day, continue with the prayer points which you hav not covered on the previous day. Continue to let the Holy Spirit guide you to pray and proclaim the words of God, as revealed to you when you pray or read God’s words. Pray in tongue as much as you can. Take a short nap or lie down when needed during breaks.

Personal growth prayer points:

The Lord’s Teaching on Prayer | The Secret Place: God wants a close relationship with us. Fast and pray helps us to focus on Him, and build relationship with Him. “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”—Matthew 6:5-6

When you get up in the morning, make some effort to take a shower (or clean up as much as possible), comb your hair, dress as if you are meeting an important guest, and you want to look your best. After you take the bother to make yourself presentable, and dress smartly, you are not likely to want to go back to bed. Take your cups of warm water as if it is your usual warm drinks (coffee, tea, or other beverages), slowly and enjoy them. Beware of dehydration. Drink more water.

Read the Bible as though it is a personal letter to you. Meditate on the words. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you its meaning. Ask the Holy Spirit which book to read and start reading as the first book comes to mind. Don’t worry about what the Lord will be saying. Just obey and read. The revelation will come as you read. The conversation will come and you will find that the Lord is talking to you about certain things He wants you to know or pay attention to and act on them. Recalls of memories. Things at hand. And the things ahead. You can ask Him stuff and He will answer.

Relationship has many levels. Relationship with an acquaintance is very different from that with someone you love and whom you know love you too. What kind of a friend are you if you keep talking a monologue? What kind of friend He is if you think you can manipulate Him for your benefit? Think of the kind of close relationship you would like with God. What kind of God is He? Know Him. Fast and pray is a good time to know God. Even when you are unable (too tired) to verbalize your thoughts, you know He knows what you think. You can be assured of His goodness and mercy that follows you all the days of your life.

Personal prayer points: This depends on your situation and needs. The Holy Spirit may prompt you to forgive, or repent, or both. This often happens when we come into the holy presence of God. You may be confident in your position in Christ and believe that a born again Christian needs not repent. However, if you have no peace and discern a barrier between God and you, the best thing to do is to ask the Holy Spirit. Let the Lord show you what to do. Let there no hindrance between you and God.

There are many foundation Bible verses on our position in Christ, all the blessings in Christ, what we have and what can do in Christ. Read them and reaffirm. Read and meditate verses on God’s promises and their context. Pray accordingly.

Ask the Lord to help you do a SWOT analysis on your spiritual condition. Your strength, weakness, what opportunities to grow, and what threats are there that may be a hindrance to your growth as a Christian , committed to fulfill the Great Commission. (Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-20). Pray and make an action list.

Set a goal to finish reading several New Testament books, such as Paul’s letters, during the three days. You can also listen to the audio Bible instead or read and listen at the same time. (I will place some links at the end of this blog).

I will be updating my readers daily on fresh revelation. Here are some words of encouragement for all of us:

2 Corinthians 2:14 ¹⁴ Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.

Philippians 4:6-9 ⁶ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Meditate on These Things

⁸ Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. ⁹ The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

Kainotes, Nov 27, 2020

Link to Audio Bible —Contemporary English Dramatized Audio (With Text)

https://www.youtube.com/user/beto18sn

You have found grace in My sight, and I know you by name

Exodus 33-34 (excerpts)
The Command to Leave Sinai
33:1 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Depart and go up from here, you and the people whom you have brought out of the land of Egypt, to the land of which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, ‘To your descendants I will give it.’
7 Moses took his tent and pitched it outside the camp, far from the camp, and called it the tabernacle of meeting. And it came to pass that everyone who sought the Lord went out to the tabernacle of meeting which was outside the camp.
9 And it came to pass, when Moses entered the tabernacle, that the pillar of cloud descended and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the Lord talked with Moses. 10 All the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the tabernacle door, and all the people rose and worshiped, each man in his tent door. 11 So the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. And he would return to the camp, but his servant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, did not depart from the tabernacle.
12 Then Moses said to the Lord, “See, You say to me, ‘Bring up this people.’ But You have not let me know whom You will send with me. Yet You have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found grace in My sight.’ 13 Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in Your sight. And consider that this nation is Your people.”

14 And He said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

15 Then he said to Him, “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here. 16 For how then will it be known that Your people and I have found grace in Your sight, except You go with us? So we shall be separate, Your people and I, from all the people who are upon the face of the earth.”

17 So the Lord said to Moses, “I will also do this thing that you have spoken; for you have found grace in My sight, and I know you by name.”
18 And he said, “Please, show me Your glory.”

19 Then He said, “I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.”

34:5 Now the Lord descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the Lord. 6 And the Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth,

The Faith of Moses
Hebrews 11:23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command.

24 By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 26 esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.

27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them.

29 By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned.

(Scriptures quoted from New King James Version Bible)

the power of prophetic praises: from a king

Today we look at how a king sang praises to the King of kings. David lived in the times before Christ when the Holy Spirit was not indwelling inside the people of God. But the Spirit of God led him to prophecy even at the time when he was surrounded by his enemies. Anyone familiar with the scourging and crucifixion of Jesus Christ can see the obvious parallels, and the writers of the gospel accounts—especially Matthew—bring them out through direct quotations of this psalm.
Psalm 22
For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be sung to the tune “Doe of the Dawn.”
1
My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
Why are you so far away when I groan for help?
2
Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer.
Every night I lift my voice, but I find no relief.

3
Yet you are holy,
enthroned on the praises of Israel.
4
Our ancestors trusted in you,
and you rescued them.
5
They cried out to you and were saved.
They trusted in you and were never disgraced.

6
But I am a worm and not a man.
I am scorned and despised by all!
7
Everyone who sees me mocks me.
They sneer and shake their heads, saying,
8
“Is this the one who relies on the Lord?
Then let the Lord save him!
If the Lord loves him so much,
let the Lord rescue him!”

9
Yet you brought me safely from my mother’s womb
and led me to trust you at my mother’s breast.
10
I was thrust into your arms at my birth.
You have been my God from the moment I was born.

11
Do not stay so far from me,
for trouble is near,
and no one else can help me.
12
My enemies surround me like a herd of bulls;
fierce bulls of Bashan have hemmed me in!
13
Like lions they open their jaws against me,
roaring and tearing into their prey.
14
My life is poured out like water,
and all my bones are out of joint.
My heart is like wax,
melting within me.
15
My strength has dried up like sunbaked clay.
My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth.
You have laid me in the dust and left me for dead.
16
My enemies surround me like a pack of dogs;
an evil gang closes in on me.
They have pierced[a] my hands and feet.
17
I can count all my bones.
My enemies stare at me and gloat.
18
They divide my garments among themselves
and throw dice[b] for my clothing.

19
O Lord, do not stay far away!
You are my strength; come quickly to my aid!
20
Save me from the sword;
spare my precious life from these dogs.
21
Snatch me from the lion’s jaws
and from the horns of these wild oxen.

22
I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters.[c]
I will praise you among your assembled people.
23
Praise the Lord, all you who fear him!
Honor him, all you descendants of Jacob!
Show him reverence, all you descendants of Israel!
24
For he has not ignored or belittled the suffering of the needy.
He has not turned his back on them,
but has listened to their cries for help.

25
I will praise you in the great assembly.
I will fulfill my vows in the presence of those who worship you.
26
The poor will eat and be satisfied.
All who seek the Lord will praise him.
Their hearts will rejoice with everlasting joy.
27
The whole earth will acknowledge the Lord and return to him.
All the families of the nations will bow down before him.
28
For royal power belongs to the Lord.
He rules all the nations.

29
Let the rich of the earth feast and worship.
Bow before him, all who are mortal,
all whose lives will end as dust.
30
Our children will also serve him.
Future generations will hear about the wonders of the Lord.
31
His righteous acts will be told to those not yet born.
They will hear about everything he has done.

Footnotes:
22:16 As in some Hebrew manuscripts and Greek and Syriac versions; most Hebrew manuscripts read They are like a lion at.
22:18 Hebrew cast lots.
22:22 Hebrew my brothers.

A HYMN FOR TODAY: I’m pressing on the upward way

Higher Ground today!

AAA watchman

Thirty years ago the watchman was born again, encountering the out pour of the love of God, crashing in, like never before, experiencing the Bible promise in Romans 5:5! In a traditional evangelical church he later attended, one hymn stood out and left a deep imprint which came to the forefront suddenly this morning. So the family ‘church’ worshiped with hymns today. Powerful, anointing and ageless the ancient hymns still are. By the time they realized they should have been worshiping in Spirit songs, they decided to skip, as they already had the anointing and presence of the Lord so powerful in them. After listening to a sermon on the power of joy (which was so appropriate), some of the members continued and interceded as led by the Spirit of the Lord. It was altogether an awesome day before the Lord.

Was the thirty years’ wait a long wait? Long…

View original post 319 more words