This last weekend was the annual Bible conference at our church. I love it every year, and this year was no different. It was called, "Fire on the Mountain". Dr. Block is a O.T. scholar and he also helped in translating the New Living Bible. He knows his stuff. I was challenged, convicted, and encouraged all the same. Here are just a few things that really stuck.
Main premise of the conference: True worship involves reverential acts of submission and homage before the Divine Sovereign, in response to His gracious revelation of Himself, and in accordance with His will.
#1. No where in the bible do the people say, "I love you Lord.". Interesting we say this all the time and don't think twice about it. Love (ahavie) in the Hebrew, which I am sure I spelled wrong, means a covenant commitment demonstration in action of the next person. They never say they love the Lord, because it would be putting themselves on the same plain as God himself. He also said early on in the weekend, that we say, "I love you Lord, but I hate your precepts!" Ouch, that one hurt a little. I know I don't say the words, that I hate His precepts, but my rebellious actions are a reflection of that truth in my life. He said our prayer should be more like this, "Lord change my pathetic lack of love that I have for you."
#2. He talked on Isaiah 6:9-10 where God asks, "Whom shall I send?" and Isaiah responds, "Here I am, send me!". Dr. Block's comment really struck me and I hope to remember it: "The calling is to do what God has called us to and the fruit is up to God. The fruit is not a reflection of my faithfulness." So many times I measure myself against the fruit and this can be very discouraging.
#3. Throughout scripture when the people worshiped, they fell down before the Lord. (knees or face) If I do not ever find myself in this position before the Lord then, I'm afraid to say, I can't claim to be a true worshiper of the Lord. When people worship authentically then the fruit will be a transformed life and they will "go out"! (There would be no need for anymore volunteer drives, now would there be:)
#4. Our culture is the only culture that doesn't realize they have a problem. (sin being the issue) We walk around saying, "I'm ok, you're ok!" We have sanitized our souls. (falsely) This is so sad to me! I'm praying that my children would not end up buying into this lie of our culture.
He also preached Sunday morning on Prayer. Here are the things I took away from that:
Daniel 9:1-24
#1. We pray as if we are the center of the universe! (ouch, I'm guilty!!!)
#2. Prayer starts with God trying to get through to us.
#3. We are the ones who have turned from God, the problem is with us. God always keeps His word.
#4. God is at the center. God's name is stamped on His people. People are drawing conclusions about God because of me wearing His name. God's reputation is at stake and the welfare of His people. God doesn't need us but he stakes his reputation on us. (Oh, how humbling, is that.) He calls us to cast our cares on Him for Jesus sake~not our own.
When was all said and done, a part of me felt like such a shmuck!!! I fall so, so very short, and I do know this, but so many times I try to cherry coat my sin and gloss over it, by comparing myself to others. Oh I am so much like the Pharisees. I am thankful for the gentle rebuke through this conference and humbled at the great love my Saviour has for me. What a good God.
Thankful He doesn't leave me to myself,
Connie
