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Sanctify the Altar PDF Print E-mail
Written by Les and Des   
Saturday, 27 June 2009 13:25

Sanctify the Altar!

That same day Nadab and Abihu, Aaron's sons, took their censers, put hot coals and incense in them, and offered "strange" fire to GODsomething GOD had not commanded. Fire blazed out from GOD and consumed themthey died in GOD's presence. Moses said to Aaron, “This is what GOD meant when he said, To the one who comes near me, I will show myself holy; Before all the people, I will show my glory.”  And don't leave the entrance to the Tent of Meeting lest you die, because GOD's anointing oil is on you." They did just as Moses said. GOD instructed Aaron, "When you enter the Tent of Meeting, don't drink wine or strong drink, neither you nor your sons, lest you die. This is a fixed rule down through the generations. Distinguish between the holy and the common, between the ritually clean and unclean. (Lev 10:1-3, 7-10 The Message)

     A few weeks ago, as I was praying, I felt the Lord speak to my heart:  “Sanctify the altar” I heard Him say.  I wasn’t exactly sure what He meant, so I began to pray about it and to study it out.  The first scripture that came to mind was the story of Nadab and Abihu, as quoted above.  It is one of those troubling passages, like the stories of Uzza (I Chronicles 13:10) and Ananias  and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-10) where seemingly innocent and uninformed people are struck dead by God in the act of serving Him.  In human understanding, not the most effective of advertising campaigns!

   But God-understanding is not human-understanding.  He said “For my thoughts are not your thoughts and neither are your ways my ways” (Isaiah 55:8) and “God does not see as humans see.  Humans look at outward appearances, but the Lord looks into the heart” (I Samuel 16:7).  Only God can truly know the thoughts and intents of a man’s heart, but the story of Nadab and Abihu can give us some interesting perspectives on how God intends to be worshiped.  

   First of all, Nadab and Abihu, along with Moses and Aaron, were invited by name (Exodus 24:1) to come into the presence of the Lord.  Exodus 24:11-12 says “So they saw God and then they ate and drank.  Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Come up to me on the mountain.  Stay there, and I will give you the stone tablets with the teachings and commandments I have written for the people’s instructions.’”  Aaron had two other sons, Eleazar and Ithamar, but the text seems to indicate that Nadab and Abihu were singled out for special honor. They were the heirs apparent to the high priesthood that was bestowed upon their father, Aaron. But along with special honor comes special responsibility.  

   The bible tells us that they offered “strange” fire unto the Lord.  Strong’s concordance defines the Hebrew word for “strange” thusly: “A primitive root; to turn aside (especially for lodging); hence to be a foreigner, strange, profane; specifically (active participle) to commit adultery.”  Our English word “profane” comes  from a Latin word that literally means “out of the Temple” or “Apart from the Temple.”  It carries with it the idea of commonality or secularity.  In other words, “a common thing.”  It is the opposite of Holy.  

   The Hebrew word for Holy, qôdesh, means “apartness, holiness, sacredness, separateness.”  In other words, “to set apart.”

   What Nadab and Abihu did not seem to get is that God went to GREAT lengths to set forth that He is holy.   He is set apart.  Not unapproachable.  But those who come into His presence must do so with preparation and with a right heart-attitude.  

   My theory (and there are lots of theories) is that Nadab and Abihu witnessed the sovereign move of God in response to the first priestly sacrifice as fire came down from heaven and consumed the sacrifice (Leviticus 9:24).  Can’t you just hear them saying “Wow!  How awesome was that?  If God sends fire from heaven in the Outer Court, what will happen if we bring sacrifices into His presence, in the Holy of Holies?”

   The problem was, God said only the High Priestand then only once a yearwas to enter the Holy of Holies.  He also said that the fire to burn the incense was to come from the coals of the Brazen Altar which was never to be extinguished.  Furthermore, the High Priest was to lay aside his priestly garments and to dress in plain, white linen when he came before the Lord.  All of these commandments were violated by Nadab and Abihu.  But moreover, I think that they did not sanctify, or set apart, the Lord in their hearts.  They made the worship of the Most High God, a common thing.

   The Good News Bible translates Leviticus 10:10 as follows:  “You must distinguish between what belongs to God and what is for general use, between what is ritually clean and what is unclean.” (Leviticus 10:10 GNB)

   What profanes the sacred is the lack of or loss of distinction. People have become sovereign, even as in the last days men shall be lovers of their own selves. The lines of delineation between the sacred and the common have been blurred, erasing the separation necessary to preserve holiness. A news program reports dozens killed in a bombing in Iraq and during the commercial break Ronald McDonald hops across the screen. The advertisement impacts the message of the news story. People have seen so much violence on television that when they see real violence, they often report that it didn’t seem real; it was like a movie. In the same way, we have lost the clear differences God expects between His culture and the world’s.

   In a lot of churches today, the worship of God has become a common thing.  The altar has been profaned.  The hearts of the priests and the worshipers have been lifted up.  The worship has become a rock concert and the priests and levites, rock stars.  God would say to you as He said to Israel: “Isn't it true that a son honors his father and a worker his master? So if I'm your Father, where's the honor? If I'm your Master, where's the respect?” GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies is calling you on the carpet: “You priests despise me! You say, ‘Not so! How do we despise you?’ "By your shoddy, sloppy, defiling worship." You ask, 'What do you mean, "defiling"? What's defiling about it?' "When you say, 'The altar of GOD is not important anymore; worship of GOD is no longer a priority,' that's defiling. And when you offer worthless animals for sacrifices in worship, animals that you're trying to get rid ofblind and sick and crippled animalsisn't that defiling? Try a trick like that with your banker or your senatorhow far do you think it will get you?" GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies asks you. "Get on your knees and pray that I will be gracious to you. You priests have gotten everyone in trouble. With this kind of conduct, do you think I'll pay attention to you?" GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies asks you. "Why doesn't one of you just shut the Temple doors and lock them? Then none of you can get in and play at religion with this silly, empty-headed worship. I am not pleased. The GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies is not pleased. And I don't want any more of this so-called worship! "I am honored all over the world. And there are people who know how to worship me all over the world, who honor me by bringing their best to me. They're saying it everywhere: 'God is greater, this GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies.' "All except you. Instead of honoring me, you profane me. You profane me when you say, 'Worship is not important, and what we bring to worship is of no account,' and when you say, 'I'm boredthis doesn't do anything for me.' You act so superior, sticking your noses in the airact superior to me, GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies! And when you do offer something to me, it's a hand-me-down, or broken, or useless. Do you think I'm going to accept it? This is GOD speaking to you! "A curse on the person who makes a big show of doing something great for mean expensive sacrifice, sayand then at the last minute brings in something puny and worthless! I'm a great king, GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies, honored far and wide, and I'll not put up with it! "And now this indictment, you priests! If you refuse to obediently listen, and if you refuse to honor me, GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies, in worship, then I'll put you under a curse. I'll exchange all your blessings for curses. In fact, the curses are already at work because you're not serious about honoring me. Yes, and the curse will extend to your children. I'm going to plaster your faces with rotting garbage, garbage thrown out from your feasts. That's what you have to look forward to! "Maybe that will wake you up. Maybe then you'll realize that I'm indicting you in order to put new life into my covenant with the priests of Levi, the covenant of GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies. (Malachi 1:6-2:4 The Message) 
Last Updated ( Saturday, 27 June 2009 13:33 )
 
Making a Praise Team more than a House Band PDF Print E-mail
Written by Les and Des   
Saturday, 27 June 2009 13:16

   Making a Praise Team more than a House Band

There are several ways churches build their Praise and Worship teams.  Some go and look for talented musicians with offers of money and other perks.  That church’s desire is to have the best musicians, best singers, best sound, and best show.  The purpose of this is to use the band/singers to draw people to this church.  It is so sad because there are times that it doesn’t matter whether the musicians are saved or not. Maybe they will get saved later, but it is more important how talented they are.  (Les was offered church jobs long before he was saved.)  This is sad, but true.  In this situation, the band is more comparable to a “house band,” like a lot of bars have.   The job of the band is to learn the “top 40” in Christian radio worship.  This is the music that “the people” are hearing day in and day out on the radio during the drive to work.  For most, when they sing these songs, they are not actually engaged in a time of Worship in the presence of God. But the song makes them “feel something.”  Not necessarily a bad thing, but not worship, in Spirit or Truth either.  

   Unfortunately we are in a season of “bubble gum” worship on the radio.  Because these songs get so much air play, if you vary the tempo, change the key, change how many times you sing the chorus, or alter anything else about that song, people’s radar will go off with  “Warning, Warning, Warning, Will Robinson! There is something not right about this song!”  Thus any attempt at worship is thwarted because there is a glitch happening in the mind of the members of the praise team, and  congregation.  Truthfully, unless your church has invested and hired the best musicians, they will not be able to reproduce the radio sound you hear everyday.   Am I saying all radio worship is wrong? No! It is great exposure, but we also can’t do “songs” based on their popularity, or the artist’s interpretation.

   Another way to build a Praise and Worship Team is to tell everyone to come, sing, dance, or play an instrument.  If you are looking for a place to belong, the choir or praise team may be a good place to startor so we think.  This type of Worship Team really has no discipline, no requirements, and no respect for the position.   It is the social club of the church.

   Our view point is that being a part of a praise team is a calling.  It is not about everyone’s flattering words about how great you sing or play, it is about ministering to the Lord.  Les has told me over and over that he is not the technically talented musician he once was.  Once he got saved, it was years and years before the Lord really let him back in music.  Music had been his “god” and God wasn’t going to have a “golden calf” placed between Him and Les.  But, God called “us” to minister before Him.  Being called to minister TO HIM is much greater than playing, singing, and ministering to His people or to anyone else.  I want to encourage you to read Ezekiel 44, but I am going to pull out a couple of verses that show God’s heart. 

   Ezekiel 44:12-16  “Because they ministered to them before their idols, and caused the house of Israel to fall into iniquity, therefore I have lifted up My hand against them, says the Lord Jehovah, and they shall bear their iniquity.  And they shall not come near Me, to do the office of a priest to Me, nor to come near any of My holy things, in the most holy place; but they shall bear their shame and their abominations which they have committed.   But I will make them keepers of the charge of the house for all its service, and for all that shall be done in it.  But the priests, the Levites, the sons of Zadok, who kept the charge of My sanctuary when the sons of Israel went astray from Me, they shall come near Me to minister to Me, and they shall stand before Me to offer to Me the fat and the blood, says the Lord Jehovah.  They shall enter My sanctuary, and they shall come near My table, to minister to Me, and they shall keep My charge.

   A Praise and Worship team should be PRAYER WARRIORS!!!  The music should not be picked by style, preference, or taste.  What does GOD want this team and congregation to sing?  HE knows each heart better than anyone else.  Ideally each member of a praise and worship team would spend the week seeking God regarding the songs to be sung.

   The praise team is like a “wait staff:” Waiters and Waitresses eager to minister to the Lord.  Our goal should not have anything to do with music, but with a total focus of pleasing God.  In the best setting, practice time is worship; church time is worship; and alone time is worship.  Being called to minister in praise and worship is one of the highest callings that exist.  Do you want to minister to people or do you want to minister to God?  As for me, I would choose to hear God say: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”  How about you?   

Last Updated ( Saturday, 27 June 2009 13:34 )
 
The Call PDF Print E-mail
Written by Les and Des   
Monday, 27 April 2009 15:47

The Call 

Recently we were being introduced to some friends of friends.  One of the ladies exclaimed, “Oh are these the Missionaries?”  The person introducing us, said: “No, these are the prison ministers!”  Now what I heard was; “No, these are ONLY the prison ministers.” 

Last Updated ( Saturday, 27 June 2009 13:39 )
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Freedom PDF Print E-mail
Written by Les and Des   
Monday, 27 April 2009 15:50

Freedom

Clang, clang, clang, clang... Seven times they went Clang!  Clang is the sound of finality.  Clang is the sound of desperation.  Clang is the sound of no hope.  Clang is the sound of a huge metal door closing behind you and electronically locking.  No return.  No escape.  No turning back.  No mercy.  No future. 

Seven times we heard the sound of Clang as the big doors closed behind us and we were escorted into the very bowels of Lieber Correctional Institution near Charleston, SC.  At the end of our journey, we were in a 15 foot by 25 foot cage in the middle of Death Row.  On three sides of us, there were two tiers of cell blocks housing the very least of the least of South Carolina’s residents.  These are the ones who, whether in a moment of passion or with calculated deliberation, had snuffed out a life or lives, resulting in their being in this place at this time.  Perhaps they had raped a child, murdered a spouse, killed a police officer.  None of them were here for missing too much Sunday School.  On the fourth side was the windowed control room, containing a vast array of sophisticated electronic devices manned by the officers who observed and controlled every movement from behind bullet-proof glass.

Once we were ready, some of the inmates were allowed to come into the cage with us.  Thirteen inmates filed in and found seats on the small wooden benches.  Now these were not the padded pews that many of us are used to at our churches.  They were low-to-the-ground, plain, wooden benches without backs.  Uncomfortable, crowded, hard, no-frills benches.  As we began to worship, a different sound and different spirit began to invade that place.  It was the sound of light dispelling darkness.  It was a pure sound.  A heavenly sound.  The sound of many broken hearts crying out to Father God.  As I closed my eyes and allowed the sound of heaven to draw me into a heavenly place, I became aware of a much different scene.  Or was it different? 

In my mind’s eye, I saw Paul and Silas, beaten for casting out an evil spirit, imprisoned for offending the privileged few, being thrown into the bowels of the prison.  There was no light in that place.  There was no need to monitor their movement.  Their legs and arms were bound in stocks.  They didn’t know if they would live or die. 

And yet, at that moment, it didn’t really matter.  The only thing that mattered was that death no longer had a hold on them.  They were free.  Free to worship the King.  Free to live in His presence evermore.  Free from the penalty of death that we impose upon ourselves by a thousand careless choices to sin.  Free to experience the forgiveness of the One Who knew no sin.  If the Son has set you free…

And so they began to raise their voices in thanksgiving to the One Who had set them free.  First one, then another, then another and another and another.  Though they couldn’t see one another and, in all probability weren’t even aware of one another’s presence, their hearts and voices united in worship and praise to Freedom, Himself. 

As they were caught up into the presence of the Lord, a great earthquake came upon that place and the chains that bound them fell loose. The doors that held them swung open.  Freedom was beckoning.  But the freedom from the physical constraints was so much less than the freedom that they experienced in worshipping Jesus, that they hardly noticed.  When the jailer discovered that the prison doors were open, he was so distraught that he was on the brink of suicide. 

Startled from sleep, the jailer saw all the doors swinging loose on their hinges. Assuming that all the prisoners had escaped, he pulled out his sword and was about to do himself in, figuring he was as good as dead anyway, when Paul stopped him: "Don't do that! We're all still here! Nobody's run away!" The jailer got a torch and ran inside. Badly shaken, he collapsed in front of Paul and Silas. He led them out of the jail and asked, "Sirs, what do I have to do to be saved, to really live?" (Acts 16:27-30 The Message)

That Jailer found the truth of Jesus that day and was saved, along with his entire family.  He observed something of which no amount of preaching or teaching could have convinced him.  He observed Freedom.

Last Updated ( Saturday, 27 June 2009 13:41 )
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