HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!
(Now let's eat some pumpkin pie)
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Monday, November 22, 2010
Sunday Setlist / 11.21.10
Here's what the 9:00am service at Highland Community Church looked like on November 21, 2010:
Alive and Running (G)
Welcome and Announcements
Glory to Your Name (D)
Holy, Holy, Holy (D-E)
We Fall Down (E)
Scripture Reading
Message
Offering
Doxology (A)
Dismiss
THE BAND:
Jonathan David Eckberg - guitar/vocals
NOTES:
I was traveling this week for the NCAA DIII Cross country National Championship Meet out in Iowa. Since one of the girls on my team qualified it meant that I was on the road from early Thursday morning until late on Saturday evening. With trying to fit a weeks worth of work into the first three days of the week there was no way to squeeze a practice in, so I gave our guys the week off. Pastor Wise was on vacation this week so Jeff Graw, one of our Elders, spoke. I wasn't sure exactly what he was preaching on so I decided to keep the theme of the morning on GOD's holiness.
THE SONGS:
Alive and Running - We've been teaching this Kristian Stanfill song for several weeks in a row now. I think this was the last week we'll do it for a while. It has a very different feel on the acoustic than it does with the full band (duh!). However it works very well. Some of the more uptempo songs are hard to put together without sounding like you're leaving too much space, but this one works.
Glory to Your Name - This is another Dave Hunt tune. Everytime I write about him on here I recommend you check him out. This week is no different. This is a phenomenal worship song. Seriously, look up Dave Hunt. You'll be sure to find several new worship tunes that work great for all kinds of church services.
Holy, Holy, Holy - VERY traditional arrangement. We did all four verses. (all? - I really don't know how many verses are in the original writing). We came out of "Glory to Your Name" straight into "Holy, Holy, Holy" and made a key change between v.3 and v.4, which set us up to roll seamlessly into "We Fall Down" in the key of E.
We Fall Down - I love the chorus to this song. There is nothing more powerful and beautiful than to hear GOD's people sing "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lamb". It an incredible, and yet miniscule, taste of what we will be a part of in Heaven (all throughout the book of Revelation).
Doxology - We closed with the Doxology. We typically follow the David Crowder version of the song and today was no different. It's a very simple arrangement, but I like it. It's easy to follow and stays interesting.
To see what other congregations around the country are singing check out the Sunday Setlist at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/
Alive and Running (G)
Welcome and Announcements
Glory to Your Name (D)
Holy, Holy, Holy (D-E)
We Fall Down (E)
Scripture Reading
Message
Offering
Doxology (A)
Dismiss
THE BAND:
Jonathan David Eckberg - guitar/vocals
NOTES:
I was traveling this week for the NCAA DIII Cross country National Championship Meet out in Iowa. Since one of the girls on my team qualified it meant that I was on the road from early Thursday morning until late on Saturday evening. With trying to fit a weeks worth of work into the first three days of the week there was no way to squeeze a practice in, so I gave our guys the week off. Pastor Wise was on vacation this week so Jeff Graw, one of our Elders, spoke. I wasn't sure exactly what he was preaching on so I decided to keep the theme of the morning on GOD's holiness.
THE SONGS:
Alive and Running - We've been teaching this Kristian Stanfill song for several weeks in a row now. I think this was the last week we'll do it for a while. It has a very different feel on the acoustic than it does with the full band (duh!). However it works very well. Some of the more uptempo songs are hard to put together without sounding like you're leaving too much space, but this one works.
Glory to Your Name - This is another Dave Hunt tune. Everytime I write about him on here I recommend you check him out. This week is no different. This is a phenomenal worship song. Seriously, look up Dave Hunt. You'll be sure to find several new worship tunes that work great for all kinds of church services.
Holy, Holy, Holy - VERY traditional arrangement. We did all four verses. (all? - I really don't know how many verses are in the original writing). We came out of "Glory to Your Name" straight into "Holy, Holy, Holy" and made a key change between v.3 and v.4, which set us up to roll seamlessly into "We Fall Down" in the key of E.
We Fall Down - I love the chorus to this song. There is nothing more powerful and beautiful than to hear GOD's people sing "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lamb". It an incredible, and yet miniscule, taste of what we will be a part of in Heaven (all throughout the book of Revelation).
Doxology - We closed with the Doxology. We typically follow the David Crowder version of the song and today was no different. It's a very simple arrangement, but I like it. It's easy to follow and stays interesting.
To see what other congregations around the country are singing check out the Sunday Setlist at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/
Friday, November 19, 2010
Make a Choice
In I Kings 18 the prophet Elijah stands before all the people of Israel and asks them "How long will you waver between two options? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him." (v.21)
The people respond with silence.
They do not reject the GOD of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They don't turn their backs on the faith of their fathers. They don't disregard GOD's hand in bringing His people out of Egypt. They don't deny how He parted the sea so that Israel could cross on dry land. They don't ignore the victory He secured through Joshua at Jericho. They don't belittle the leadership of David or the wisdom of Solomon. At least not directly.
The problem is not that the people stand opposed to GOD. The problem comes in the fact that the people simply don't care enough to stand with GOD. The people still believe all they were taught about the GOD of Israel. They follow most of the law and they worship GOD. However, they've allowed their faith to be corrupted by the followers of Baal. There has been a time of justification that has pulled the people from the worship of GOD and opened them to compromises that allow for these other religious practices to slip in and take control. They do not knock GOD from his place as Lord, they simply force him to share it.
We see this earlier in scripture with the Israelites at Mt. Sinai. Moses has gone up the mountain to speak with GOD. The people become concerned that Moses could be dead and GOD may have forgotten them so they ask Aaron to melt their gold into a calf for them to worship. The people are not denying GOD's place, but they simply do not worship him properly. They feel that by worshipping a single aspect of GOD they may please him. They elevate something other than the entirety of who He is to the place of worship. This never pleases GOD.
So again, we come back to Elijah on Mt. Carmel, the people have begun to worship something other the entirety of GOD and who He is. I think they really don't see anything wrong with this. I see nothing here to show that the people are embarrassed that Elijah has called them out. We don't see an immediate repentance. We simply see a people stand, dumbfounded, in silence.
The problem here is, as is the root with all our sin, idolatry. On the surface it is very easy to see. The people worship Baal as a god. I think the root of this idolatry though is much deeper. It is not that the people say "Baal is our only god". The root of the issue is that the people say, "GOD is not god enough for us. We need Baal too."
Now we start to feel a little of what these people are going through. It's easy to say, I would never worship something in place of GOD. It becomes much more difficult to look at ourselves in the mirror when we start examining what we feel we need IN ADDITION to GOD in order to be happy, satisfied, fulfilled, content, etc.
If the LORD spoke to me and said, "Jonathan if you love me you will give up music. Get rid of your equipment, delete your iTunes account, and never sing another song ever again." I think I might greet Him with stunned silence. I love the LORD and my desire is to be the man He has called me to be and to glorify Him through all I do, but to be perfectly honest, I would struggle with giving up music. That is one of the idols I struggle with in my life. I don't think of my love of music taking the place of GOD, but if I cannot be satisfied in Christ alone, if it takes the addition of music, than I am in the same place as the Israelites at Mt. Sinai or Mt. Carmel.
I think one of the most profound things I've ever heard came from J.D. Greear, so if you follow my blog you'll hear me come back to it often. Greear said to overcome idolatry, "We must be captured by a vision of the beauty of the ONE TRUE GOD." The point is that until we realize who GOD is and what He has done in our lives we will never give him the full glory that is due His Name. We will never be satisfied in a GOD who we do not truly worship.
So the choice now sets before each of us today: Is GOD all He tells us He is? Is GOD enough for me today? Will I give Him the full glory that is due His Name? Will I follow GOD or will I follow Baal?
I choose GOD. How about you?
The people respond with silence.
They do not reject the GOD of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They don't turn their backs on the faith of their fathers. They don't disregard GOD's hand in bringing His people out of Egypt. They don't deny how He parted the sea so that Israel could cross on dry land. They don't ignore the victory He secured through Joshua at Jericho. They don't belittle the leadership of David or the wisdom of Solomon. At least not directly.
The problem is not that the people stand opposed to GOD. The problem comes in the fact that the people simply don't care enough to stand with GOD. The people still believe all they were taught about the GOD of Israel. They follow most of the law and they worship GOD. However, they've allowed their faith to be corrupted by the followers of Baal. There has been a time of justification that has pulled the people from the worship of GOD and opened them to compromises that allow for these other religious practices to slip in and take control. They do not knock GOD from his place as Lord, they simply force him to share it.
We see this earlier in scripture with the Israelites at Mt. Sinai. Moses has gone up the mountain to speak with GOD. The people become concerned that Moses could be dead and GOD may have forgotten them so they ask Aaron to melt their gold into a calf for them to worship. The people are not denying GOD's place, but they simply do not worship him properly. They feel that by worshipping a single aspect of GOD they may please him. They elevate something other than the entirety of who He is to the place of worship. This never pleases GOD.
So again, we come back to Elijah on Mt. Carmel, the people have begun to worship something other the entirety of GOD and who He is. I think they really don't see anything wrong with this. I see nothing here to show that the people are embarrassed that Elijah has called them out. We don't see an immediate repentance. We simply see a people stand, dumbfounded, in silence.
The problem here is, as is the root with all our sin, idolatry. On the surface it is very easy to see. The people worship Baal as a god. I think the root of this idolatry though is much deeper. It is not that the people say "Baal is our only god". The root of the issue is that the people say, "GOD is not god enough for us. We need Baal too."
Now we start to feel a little of what these people are going through. It's easy to say, I would never worship something in place of GOD. It becomes much more difficult to look at ourselves in the mirror when we start examining what we feel we need IN ADDITION to GOD in order to be happy, satisfied, fulfilled, content, etc.
If the LORD spoke to me and said, "Jonathan if you love me you will give up music. Get rid of your equipment, delete your iTunes account, and never sing another song ever again." I think I might greet Him with stunned silence. I love the LORD and my desire is to be the man He has called me to be and to glorify Him through all I do, but to be perfectly honest, I would struggle with giving up music. That is one of the idols I struggle with in my life. I don't think of my love of music taking the place of GOD, but if I cannot be satisfied in Christ alone, if it takes the addition of music, than I am in the same place as the Israelites at Mt. Sinai or Mt. Carmel.
I think one of the most profound things I've ever heard came from J.D. Greear, so if you follow my blog you'll hear me come back to it often. Greear said to overcome idolatry, "We must be captured by a vision of the beauty of the ONE TRUE GOD." The point is that until we realize who GOD is and what He has done in our lives we will never give him the full glory that is due His Name. We will never be satisfied in a GOD who we do not truly worship.
So the choice now sets before each of us today: Is GOD all He tells us He is? Is GOD enough for me today? Will I give Him the full glory that is due His Name? Will I follow GOD or will I follow Baal?
I choose GOD. How about you?
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Sunday Setlist / 11.14.10
***So I wrote this out on Sunday afternoon, but then I forgot to post it and just saw it this morning. Oops.
Here's how we ran the 9:00 am service at Highland Community Church in Highland, IL:
Here's how we ran the 9:00 am service at Highland Community Church in Highland, IL:
THE SERVICE:
Alive and Running (G)
Welcome & Announcements
Offering
Happy Day (A)
Overcome (A)
Scripture Reading – Isaiah 42:5-12
Before the Throne of God Above (D)
Message
Overcome (A) - chorus only
Dismiss
Overcome (A) - chorus only
Dismiss
Alive and Running (G)
THE BAND:
Jonathan David Eckberg - guitar/vocals
Tim McDaniel - drums
Joe Szoke - bass
Aaron McDaniel - guitar
NOTES:
We had a guest speaker in today - Vince Dachioli. He was fantastic. We loved having him be a part of our Sunday morning. The difficult part of having a guest speaker is that sometimes you have no idea what the message is about. This was one of those Sundays. Normally, I try to get in touch with our guests early in the week to discuss what they will teach on and see if there is anything I can do to help support the message (any particular songs or anything in the order of service that can move us to be prepared to hear from the LORD that morning). However, I didn't have a chance to speak with Vince this week. I chose, then, to have a very generic theme to what we were singing. It turned out that everything flowed perfectly. Vince spoke our response to personal suffering and how it comes back to our faith in a sovereign GOD who provides for us in times of trouble and how that gives us new opportunities to minister to people. Total GOD's doing that everything flowed together today. At the end of the service I made the decision to sing just the chorus of "Overcome" as the response. We didn't really have anything planned for a response because we had no idea where the message would lead us or how long it would be. As Vince approached the conclusion of the sermon I felt like "Overcome" was perfect, so we rolled into it.
We had a guest speaker in today - Vince Dachioli. He was fantastic. We loved having him be a part of our Sunday morning. The difficult part of having a guest speaker is that sometimes you have no idea what the message is about. This was one of those Sundays. Normally, I try to get in touch with our guests early in the week to discuss what they will teach on and see if there is anything I can do to help support the message (any particular songs or anything in the order of service that can move us to be prepared to hear from the LORD that morning). However, I didn't have a chance to speak with Vince this week. I chose, then, to have a very generic theme to what we were singing. It turned out that everything flowed perfectly. Vince spoke our response to personal suffering and how it comes back to our faith in a sovereign GOD who provides for us in times of trouble and how that gives us new opportunities to minister to people. Total GOD's doing that everything flowed together today. At the end of the service I made the decision to sing just the chorus of "Overcome" as the response. We didn't really have anything planned for a response because we had no idea where the message would lead us or how long it would be. As Vince approached the conclusion of the sermon I felt like "Overcome" was perfect, so we rolled into it.
THE SONGS:
Alive and Running - We debuted this song last week and got a great response from it. I think the congregation took to it really well. We played this week as part of the actual set to kick us off and end up with. Because this is new we will probably play it again next week just to make sure people know it and then it will move into a slot on the normal rotation.
Happy Day - We hadn't played this song in a while, but it's such a good tune. We keyed it down a little this week. We have always played it in "C" and I just feel like I strain a little to sing it there. So if I'm straining to sing it I know that a whole lot of the congregation are straining too. So we dropped it to "A" and I think it really helped get people involved. I think one of the easiest mistakes to make as a worship leader is to key things to our own voices and not the congregation. You want everything to sound great, so you put things in your own range, but we have to constantly keep the congregation in focus when choosing the keys in addition to choosing the songs.
Overcome - I absolutely love this song by the Desperation Band. The bridge is so stinking powerful. It is take straight from Revelation and it say, "And we will overcome/By the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimony/everyone, overcome" - I could sing that bridge over and over and over again. Just a sweet sound. We play pretty close to the Desperation Band's arrangement of the song.
Before the Throne of GOD Above - our scripture for the day was Isaiah 42:5-12. This hymn was a great fit and an excellent bridge from the scripture to the message. We always do a very traditional sound to this hymn. I love the part of the song that says, "Because a sinless Savior died/My sinful soul is counted free/For God the just is satisfied/To look on sin and pardon me/To look on sin and pardon me". Such a great song.
To see what others around the country were singing today, visit the Sunday Setlist at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/.
To see what others around the country were singing today, visit the Sunday Setlist at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Sunday Setlist / 11.7.10
Here's what went down at the 9:00am service at Highland Community Church:
Call to Worship: Alive and Running (G) [Stanfill/Giglio/Younker]
Welcome & Announcements
Offering
GOD of Wonders (G) [Byrd/Hindalong]
Scripture Reading – Psalm 23
You Never Let Go (A) [Redman]
Reflection
How Deep the Fathers Love for Us (E) [Townend]
Reflection
How Deep the Fathers Love for Us (E) [Townend]
Communion
Message – the Good Shepherd – John 10:11-18
All the Way My Savior Leads Me (F) [Crosby - adapted by: Tomlin/Redman]
Dismiss
Alive and Running (G)
The Band:
Jonathan David Eckberg - guitar/vocals
Tim McDaniel - drums
Aaron McDaniel - electric guitar
Joe Szoke - bass
Notes:
Such a great morning at HCC. Some of it may be attributed to everybody getting that extra hour of sleep, but sometimes you just have to stop and look around and realize that GOD is pretty cool. Today was just one of those days where everyone was engaged in worship and you could feel the synergy of the voices of GOD's people rising up in adoration and thanks. Love it!
We ran our worship set a little different this week. Normally I try to put as much of the music together as possible and that is our way of "tuning in" to what GOD has to speak through the message that day. This week, however, we were more of the glue to the service. Each song tied us from one thing to the next. We opened with a new song, then came from the offering into the next, the third song tied the scripture in to the message, then we had the next song take us into communion and followed the message with the response. Again, a little different than what we are used to, but it flowed really well this morning.
We ran our worship set a little different this week. Normally I try to put as much of the music together as possible and that is our way of "tuning in" to what GOD has to speak through the message that day. This week, however, we were more of the glue to the service. Each song tied us from one thing to the next. We opened with a new song, then came from the offering into the next, the third song tied the scripture in to the message, then we had the next song take us into communion and followed the message with the response. Again, a little different than what we are used to, but it flowed really well this morning.
The Songs:
Alive and Running - I love this song. Such a great message of hope in Christ Jesus and a call to take that hope out into our world. This is a new one for the congregation (and most of the band). So to "break it in" we used this as a call to worship for the morning and the played it again as a dismissal. We play the arrangement straight off of Kristian Stanfill's "Attention" album. The only thing we change is that we play it in the key of G instead of B (where Stanfill plays it). I end up keying down most everything we play. It just seems that most of the "popular worship", or whatever you'd like to call it, is always WAY too high for the average person to sing. So, again, I end up keying most things down a bit (some of Tomlin's stuff I key down two or two-and-a-half steps!!!).
GOD of Wonders - We had a good bit of discussion as a band about this song at rehearsal. The way the other guys have always played this song was much bigger than the standard arrangement, it had a heavier rock feel to it. They like it that way, unfortunately I felt it needed the softer, smoother sound of standard version for service this week. It was a case of me having to step and say, "this is what we're doing". The guys have a great deal of say in what we do on any given song. For the most part I don't dictate what parts are played, or what sounds the guys should bring to the table, unless I feel strongly that a song needs something in particular. There is a fine line to walk as a worship leader. To get the best our of the other musicians you have to give them as much creative freedom as possible. At the same time, there are instances in which you have to step up as a leader and take charge. This will not always be a favorable decision to the other musicians, but you have to lead, so lead.
You Never Let Go - The scripture reading for the morning was Psalm 23. So we didn't really have a choice of any song other than this one (at least not in my head). This is a song we do on a regular basis. We always build it pretty big by the time it hits the bridge. Very theatrical and borderline over-the-top, but it works.
How Deep the Father's Love for Us - After "You Never Let Go", we gave people a few quite moments of reflection and preparation for our time of communion, no talking, no music, just silence. You can tell that this always makes some people really uncomfortable, but it's a such a wonderful tool that we don't know how to use anymore. We are constantly filling our days with noise - some good, some bad, but noise none the less. There is something beautiful about sitting silently before GOD and letting Him speak. After the reflection time I played "How Deep...". This is one of my all-time favorite worship songs. When I am sitting alone at home and having a time of personal worship this is one of the songs that gets played EVERY time. I don't know how you can sing the second verse and not be brought to the brink of tears - "Behold the man upon the cross/My guilt upon his shoulders/Ashamed I hear my mocking voice/Call out among the scoffers // It was my sin that held him there/Until it was accomplished/His dying breath has brought me life/I know that it is finished" Because I love this one so much, I always prefer to play this song with just the acoustic guitar and vocals. It brings a sharper focus to the words that are being sung. And when the words are as poignant as the ones here I don't see how you could desire anything more.
All the Way My Savior Leads Me - We sang this as a response to the message, which was about Jesus as the good shepherd. Pastor Wise was discussing our need to follow the shepherd and how he cares for us, protects us, and leads us. Our arrangement was pretty simple. But it was very spacious. I played the primary guitar part on the electric with a ton of delay and a touch of overdrive from an Ibanez Tube Screamer. It just beefed up the sound a ton. I ran a slow arpeggio, but with the delay it filled up the sound. The rest of the band added some really sweet touches, especially Aaron on the lead guitar. He was playing these great harmonic-swells that had almost a pedal-steel quality to them. It was beautiful.
So that how we rolled at HCC. To see what our brothers and sisters around the country are singing you can check out the Sunday Setlist at theworshipcommunity.com.
GOD of Wonders - We had a good bit of discussion as a band about this song at rehearsal. The way the other guys have always played this song was much bigger than the standard arrangement, it had a heavier rock feel to it. They like it that way, unfortunately I felt it needed the softer, smoother sound of standard version for service this week. It was a case of me having to step and say, "this is what we're doing". The guys have a great deal of say in what we do on any given song. For the most part I don't dictate what parts are played, or what sounds the guys should bring to the table, unless I feel strongly that a song needs something in particular. There is a fine line to walk as a worship leader. To get the best our of the other musicians you have to give them as much creative freedom as possible. At the same time, there are instances in which you have to step up as a leader and take charge. This will not always be a favorable decision to the other musicians, but you have to lead, so lead.
You Never Let Go - The scripture reading for the morning was Psalm 23. So we didn't really have a choice of any song other than this one (at least not in my head). This is a song we do on a regular basis. We always build it pretty big by the time it hits the bridge. Very theatrical and borderline over-the-top, but it works.
How Deep the Father's Love for Us - After "You Never Let Go", we gave people a few quite moments of reflection and preparation for our time of communion, no talking, no music, just silence. You can tell that this always makes some people really uncomfortable, but it's a such a wonderful tool that we don't know how to use anymore. We are constantly filling our days with noise - some good, some bad, but noise none the less. There is something beautiful about sitting silently before GOD and letting Him speak. After the reflection time I played "How Deep...". This is one of my all-time favorite worship songs. When I am sitting alone at home and having a time of personal worship this is one of the songs that gets played EVERY time. I don't know how you can sing the second verse and not be brought to the brink of tears - "Behold the man upon the cross/My guilt upon his shoulders/Ashamed I hear my mocking voice/Call out among the scoffers // It was my sin that held him there/Until it was accomplished/His dying breath has brought me life/I know that it is finished" Because I love this one so much, I always prefer to play this song with just the acoustic guitar and vocals. It brings a sharper focus to the words that are being sung. And when the words are as poignant as the ones here I don't see how you could desire anything more.
All the Way My Savior Leads Me - We sang this as a response to the message, which was about Jesus as the good shepherd. Pastor Wise was discussing our need to follow the shepherd and how he cares for us, protects us, and leads us. Our arrangement was pretty simple. But it was very spacious. I played the primary guitar part on the electric with a ton of delay and a touch of overdrive from an Ibanez Tube Screamer. It just beefed up the sound a ton. I ran a slow arpeggio, but with the delay it filled up the sound. The rest of the band added some really sweet touches, especially Aaron on the lead guitar. He was playing these great harmonic-swells that had almost a pedal-steel quality to them. It was beautiful.
So that how we rolled at HCC. To see what our brothers and sisters around the country are singing you can check out the Sunday Setlist at theworshipcommunity.com.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Fill 'er Up
I am not a Biblical scholar. I can't read Greek or Hebrew. I don't understand every detail of what the Bible teaches. At times in my study of the Word I am left with questions. But I have seen the truth of the Word of GOD shine through time and time again. Even though I don't completely understand every aspect of the scriptures, I understand enough to convince me that it is wholly consistent and that there is no other grouping of writings that makes sense, in terms of the spiritual life, when placed next to the Bible. This is part of what keeps me coming back to my Bible day after day.
Now it does not surprise me that many people reject the Bible and its teachings. The Bible is tough on us sometimes. What we learn in scripture is that we are evil, wretched, fallen beings in need of a savior, and that that savior was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, was crucified for our mistakes (called "sins"), then conquered death as he rose from the grave after three days. It also then teaches us that we gain eternal life when we believe in Jesus Christ, this proves that we are not the center of our worlds and that we must be willing to let go of our selfish desires and grab ahold of the will of GOD. Now this runs contrary to our sinful, selfish nature. So why, if given no other information than this, would I agree to that?
It all sounds a little ridiculous.
However, it is through a study of the scripture and of ourselves (that is, ourselves in relation to said scripture) that we cannot avoid the truth of the Bible. It speaks very clearly to who we are and how we exist. Still you will see a great number of people who are fooled by teachings other than the Bible. There is a constant barrage of half-truths and misdirections that are thrown at us from all sides, be they television advertising, false religion, or just appeals to our most basic, selfish, and foolish instincts. The answer to such attacks is simple. KNOW THE WORD OF GOD.
Proverbs 27:7 says, "He who is full loathes honey, but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet."
You see we are all hungry. We were created to have a relationship with GOD our Father and since the fall we are born and raised outside of that relationship. Because of this separation we find ourselves always searching to fill that gap, that need, that is now in place. Everyone tries to fill that gap with something. For many it is a spiritual quest, of sorts. They try other religions, sects, and cults, but they're never satisfied. Others try to fill the void with stuff, money, success, relationships, sex, food or drugs, but they never satisfy either. It is only in Jesus Christ that we find the gratification of that deep seeded need.
It is this need that creates the deep-seeded hunger to be filled. This is why it is important to know the Word of GOD. When we understand the Bible we are filled, we receive the bread of life. In John 6:35, Jesus says, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry..." On the other hand, when we lack Biblical knowledge, we will use something else, anything else, to fill our lives up. This is where so many people are lead astray. They are taken in by lies and half-truths that are enticing on the surface, though, in the end, they lead to destruction.
When I lived in Nashville, TN I had no money. There were a few months that I paid my bills and rent and was left with less than $100 to my name (I can vividly remember one month where I had $47 in my checking account and a $10 bill in my wallet). I became great at bargin shopping. The discount grocery store, Aldi's, was my best friend. One of the things I made sure to do was to only go shopping after I had eaten a meal. Why? Because when you're hungry everything looks good, but if you're full you are able to discern what you NEED and what simply looks good. Do you need to spend a couple dollars on cookies and ice cream, or is that money better used on meat and foods that can actually sustain you? It's astounding how much junk food you will buy when you're hungry.
Our spiritual hunger works the same. When we are overcome with desire we will reach for whatever is in front of us and offers to fill us up whether that idea will sustain us or not. When we take on the junk that the world offers us we find that what looks appealing will eventually cause us even greater pain. In our hunger we fail to recognize the bitterness. When we are are full with the Word of GOD, on the other hand, we are given the wisdom of the Spirit and we can see the truth for what it is. We are given strength to put off the things that Satan tempts us with, the sin that is sweet upon our lips but sours when it hits our stomachs.
So, today, fill up on the Word of GOD. Take time to let GOD's truth cover over you. Satiate the hunger of the will of the LORD.
Now it does not surprise me that many people reject the Bible and its teachings. The Bible is tough on us sometimes. What we learn in scripture is that we are evil, wretched, fallen beings in need of a savior, and that that savior was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, was crucified for our mistakes (called "sins"), then conquered death as he rose from the grave after three days. It also then teaches us that we gain eternal life when we believe in Jesus Christ, this proves that we are not the center of our worlds and that we must be willing to let go of our selfish desires and grab ahold of the will of GOD. Now this runs contrary to our sinful, selfish nature. So why, if given no other information than this, would I agree to that?
It all sounds a little ridiculous.
However, it is through a study of the scripture and of ourselves (that is, ourselves in relation to said scripture) that we cannot avoid the truth of the Bible. It speaks very clearly to who we are and how we exist. Still you will see a great number of people who are fooled by teachings other than the Bible. There is a constant barrage of half-truths and misdirections that are thrown at us from all sides, be they television advertising, false religion, or just appeals to our most basic, selfish, and foolish instincts. The answer to such attacks is simple. KNOW THE WORD OF GOD.
Proverbs 27:7 says, "He who is full loathes honey, but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet."
You see we are all hungry. We were created to have a relationship with GOD our Father and since the fall we are born and raised outside of that relationship. Because of this separation we find ourselves always searching to fill that gap, that need, that is now in place. Everyone tries to fill that gap with something. For many it is a spiritual quest, of sorts. They try other religions, sects, and cults, but they're never satisfied. Others try to fill the void with stuff, money, success, relationships, sex, food or drugs, but they never satisfy either. It is only in Jesus Christ that we find the gratification of that deep seeded need.
It is this need that creates the deep-seeded hunger to be filled. This is why it is important to know the Word of GOD. When we understand the Bible we are filled, we receive the bread of life. In John 6:35, Jesus says, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry..." On the other hand, when we lack Biblical knowledge, we will use something else, anything else, to fill our lives up. This is where so many people are lead astray. They are taken in by lies and half-truths that are enticing on the surface, though, in the end, they lead to destruction.
When I lived in Nashville, TN I had no money. There were a few months that I paid my bills and rent and was left with less than $100 to my name (I can vividly remember one month where I had $47 in my checking account and a $10 bill in my wallet). I became great at bargin shopping. The discount grocery store, Aldi's, was my best friend. One of the things I made sure to do was to only go shopping after I had eaten a meal. Why? Because when you're hungry everything looks good, but if you're full you are able to discern what you NEED and what simply looks good. Do you need to spend a couple dollars on cookies and ice cream, or is that money better used on meat and foods that can actually sustain you? It's astounding how much junk food you will buy when you're hungry.
Our spiritual hunger works the same. When we are overcome with desire we will reach for whatever is in front of us and offers to fill us up whether that idea will sustain us or not. When we take on the junk that the world offers us we find that what looks appealing will eventually cause us even greater pain. In our hunger we fail to recognize the bitterness. When we are are full with the Word of GOD, on the other hand, we are given the wisdom of the Spirit and we can see the truth for what it is. We are given strength to put off the things that Satan tempts us with, the sin that is sweet upon our lips but sours when it hits our stomachs.
So, today, fill up on the Word of GOD. Take time to let GOD's truth cover over you. Satiate the hunger of the will of the LORD.
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