Reading: Genesis 21-22:1-19

Theme: Isaac’s Birth and Sacrifice

Scripture:

1Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. 2Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.” Genesis 22:1-2 NIV

Observation:

Here, we learned that God tested Abraham.  I’m sure you all know the story very well. So let’s just put ourselves in Abraham’s shoes for a moment.  How can a good God who promised someone a son suddenly ask him to sacrifice this only son as a burnt offering? Imagine the feelings and thoughts and, maybe, anguish that rose up in Abraham’s heart – just speculating.  As a dad, myself, I cannot fathom the idea.  But Abraham, as the story goes, got up early the next morning and went on a journey to go do what God told him to do.  Whether or not he struggled about God’s instruction, I don’t know for sure, but, one thing is clear – he obeyed God.  His faith was made complete by what he did.

Application:

I learned here that God has the authority to test our faith.  Some tests may be easy to handle and overcome, while others can be overwhelming.  But in my opinion, our trials don’t compare with the ones that the heroes of faith like Abraham, Moses, Elijah, apostle Paul, just to name a few, went through.  Tests from God help us become the men and women of God He intends us to be.  It builds our character and our faith in God.

Prayer:

Father God, I trust You because Your ways are not my ways and Your thoughts are higher than mine.  Have Your way in me and my family and do as You please.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

junn

Here’s one the powerful songs we do at Liberty…. “Worshiping You” by Deluge

Theme – Identity  Today’s Reading: Psalm 8, 139 & Proverbs 10

Day 10

Scripture:

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24 (NIV)

Observation:

Psalm 139 we learned that David acknowledges God as his Creator. David’s awareness of God’s wisdom and power as matchless is clear. David has an intimate relationship with God. He praises God for his greatness. He also talked about his anger towards his enemies with God. But he humbly sought God’s counsel, ready to be changed.

Application:

God, our Creator, knows everything about us even before the whole universe came to existence. God does know us inside and out, and He knows everything we’ve gone through. He knows every pain, disappointment, rejection, failure, even our darkest motives. Everything is in plain sight before Him. We are laid bare before Him! David, in his humility, is fully aware of this and seeks God’s help to search his deepest thoughts, and lead him into righteousness and everlasting LIFE. Just like David did, we must ask God to show us the condition of our hearts daily and let us see how desperately we are in need of HIM to make us right with Him, who alone can give us eternal LIFE.

Prayer:

God, you are holy. Create in me a clean heart that I may please You and You alone. I want to be more like Jesus. Amen!

junn

Just want to share this video with you “Search Me, Know Me” by Kathryn Scott

 

 Jump Start - Pt.3: Play Now | Download

Jessica DiSabatino

When it comes to your spiritual life have you ever felt like you were in a car that just wouldn’t start?  In this series we want to give you the tools to accelerate your spiritual growth.  Over four weeks we are going to look at the book of Acts and challenge ourselves to grow in strength and power like we never have before.

Some people think that worship is something we do at church when we sing. They define worship as the slow music and praise as the fast and upbeat music.

Being a musician, myself, I once thought that way also. I was reminded by Mr. Clint Brown, a well-known worship leader from the U.S. many years ago, when he said that praise and worship has nothing to do with the genre or tempo of a song. Worship IS what we DO! How we spend our time - are we cultivating our relationships with our spouse, children, relatives and friends? Are we good stewards of God’s resources? etc. In other words, worship is a LIFESTYLE.

Apostle Paul wrote in one of his letters, Romans 12:1-2 ”Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.” Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.

Also, we need to unlearn some of the false ideas or false beliefs we have acquired over the years on what real worship is. I believe God can speak to us through the songs we sing in our church services (which is phenomenal) and it touches the very core of our being – it’s amazing! I think it is important to understand WHY we are worshiping and WHO is the object of our worship. God can speak to us in so many ways. We must always ask God to give us good ears and good hearts to hear Him when He speaks. Every time we obey Him, we become the person God wants us to be.

But the more I know and love the Lord, the more I learn what true worship really is.

Preparing a set list of songs every week is one of my responsibilities at Liberty International Church. I pray that we will hear from God as we express our love and adoration to Him through our singing and playing our musical instruments.

Below are the songs for this Sunday (21.02.10) - take a listen and let me know your thoughts.

“YOUR GRACE IS ENOUGH”

“DESERT SONG”

“FIND ME AT THE CROSS”

“BEAUTIFUL”

Blessings!

Junn

Do We Really Need a Practice Run?

Okay, so I must admit that I was kind of skeptical about attending an event at the Rogers Centre where the title was trying to duplicate what the Bible vaguely refers to as heaven.  But I thought it might be a good idea - maybe the seats would be covered with gold - or maybe they would give out jeweled crowns to all attendees.  

On the way there I geared myself up to sing songs from the 1980’s and be quasi embarassed by another less than excellent Christian production.   As I travelled along the TTC singing “Jehovah Jireh” (don’t worry not out loud) I was rudely interrupted to break up an ensuing fist fight.  At this point I knew that at least this night would be memorable.  

And memorable the night certainly was.  When the scantly clad Hawaian dancers entered the stage - someone leaned over to me and aptly said, “I believe this the least amount of clothing I have ever seen people worship in.”  At this point I knew the night was going to be good.  From the amazing production (lights and sound) to the absolutely beautiful artistic expressions of worship - I was mesmerized from beginning to end.  

Seeing different cultures and people groups worship together with one sound was breathtaking.  And I can’t wait until next year’s event.  

Next year - I won’t be embarrassed to invite people - in fact I would even consider inviting people who didn’t know Jesus.  

DD