Chapter 5 (part 2)

3. Praise and Worship

Let’s shift focus and look at another area that certainly has “leaked out” of the Reform Judaism I am being exposed to. An integral part of each service in the Christian movement I have been involved in is the “Praise and Worship.” While Reform Judaism speaks the words of praise and worship in their services, and often in their mouths even in casual conversation, the “spirit” of the words they speak do not seem to be reflected in their actions or attitude. I understand they are worshiping God, but I am “greedy” to do more than just speak “words.” My “worship” involves my mouth, but also my spirit and my body!

Praise and Worship (P&W) is an area where I see the Christian community can influence the Jewish community. The originators of P&W are, of course, the Jewish people; David and his son Solomon are perhaps the strongest examples and have the most visible operation of P&W. “God inhabits the praises of His people.”

In the Reform Judaism to which I am exposed I find “form” but not “substance.” As a Christian I was exposed to music that gave time and direction to the soul so it could come in tune with the Presence of God in the spirit and move into a Presence of God that could be “felt.” Now, I am not trumpeting the “need” for emotional response and involvement, although emotions will come into play, but I am indicating that the “soul” needs to be “moved out of the way” in order to enjoy the “spiritual” Presence of the Maker; and that music is a medium designed by Him to assist that “movement.”

We are aware of the depths that music stirs within us. But in many ways we have cut ourselves off from that “stirring” in relationship to God. Within three “songs” the majority of the participants in a church service at the Haven Church “felt” the Presence of God and could begin to open themselves up to that Presence and the effects of it.

While Judaism relies on many songs, and often enjoys wonderful instrumentation, the “retreat” of the “soul” rarely seems to take place. The Presence of God is undoubtedly in a Reform Jewish service, the focus on God is there, but the release to the workings of that Presence are not yet visible to me.

“Worship,” which I define as spiritual, physical, and verbal praise flowing from our “spirit,” focusing folks towards God, generally in a corporate setting, seems to be lacking in the form I am used to. Great respect for God is evident in the Jewish life, but “worship” in that sense, is absent. I believe God enjoys our Worship…it is an expression of our Respect and Honor directed towards Him, a “sweet fragrance” in His Presence.

In “Worship and Praise” many Christians not only use their mouths, but also each part of the three part man. As P&W (“Praise and Worship”) continues, in my experience, the Presence of God comes into the place and the people. God “inhabits the praises of His people” I am told in the Word…and I have found it to be absolutely true! That requires yielding to His Presence by putting down the “soul” part of our being (mind, emotions, will) and then releasing those same three elements for God to touch! And, my, how He does! Then we see the responses of raised hands, the joyfulness increasing, and folks on their knees and faces, with all forms of physical expression, including the dance, as He is permitted to touch the spirit, soul, and body! Our old teaching has quenched that in most “churches.” P&W was never meant to be dry, but to drench us with being in the Presence of our Creator/Lover/God! Again, like it was in the Garden of Eden, we are “designed” to respond to our “Lover!”

The Three Part Being

Let’s look at that “soul” part of us. Again, permit me to share another portion of a “message” (or teaching) with you. I do this because the “soul” is the part that almost universally “blocks” our response and interaction with God…

“THE REALITY OF THE SPIRITUAL”

LIMITATIONS OF THE SOUL

BECAUSE OF THE SOUL’S INABILITY TO COMPREHEND THE REALITY OF THE SPIRITUAL REALM, MANY FOLKS HAVE GREAT DIFFICULTY UNDERSTANDING SPIRITUAL THINGS.

AND, BECAUSE OF THAT, MANY NEVER MOVE INTO THE REALITIES THAT GOD HAS MADE AVAILABLE.

MANY DON’T BELIEVE THAT THE REALITIES OF THE KINDGOM OF GOD CAN BE MANIFESTED IN THE NATURAL WORLD THEY CURRENTLY LIVE IN, AND, THEREFORE, THEY WILL, AND CANNOT, ENJOY THEM.

WE KNOW THAT THE SOUL (DEFINED AS THE MIND, WILL, AND EMOTIONS-AND INCLUDING THE IMAGINATION) MAKES ALL ITS JUDGMENTS BASED ON THE INPUT OF THE FIVE SENSES.

THINGS THAT THE SOUL CANNOT SEE, HEAR, SMELL, TASTE, OR TOUCH, IT CONSIDERS AS A “NON-REALITY.”

SINCE THE SPIRITUAL REALM FALLS ENTIRELY IN THIS CATEGORY THE TENDENCY OF THE SOUL, IF IT IS NOT RENEWED BY THE WORD AND THE SPIRIT, IS TO AUTOMATICALLY REJECT SPIRITUAL THINGS; AND, IN REJECTING SPIRTUAL THINGS, IT CAUSES THEM TO BE NOT REAL FOR THAT INDIVIDUAL.

SO WHEN THE WORD DEFINES FAITH AS:

Heb. 11:1 ¹Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

THE SOUL GOES ON “TILT!;” THE SOUL DOES NOT, CANNOT, OPERATE ON SPIRITUAL “HOPE,” OR, ON “THINGS NOT SEEN!”         

THE “HOLE” IN THE SPIRIT

MAN, CREATED BY GOD, DESTINED BY GOD FOR FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD; EQUIPPED BY GOD FOR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD; HAS A BUILT-IN NEED FOR GOD IN  ORDER TO FULFILL WHAT HE WAS DESTINED TO BE.

MAN, WITHOUT GOD, IS INCOMPLETE.

MAN, WITH A CONNECTION TO GOD, BECOMES COMPLETE.

THERE IS A YEARNING TO HAVE RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD BUILT INTO EVERY PERSON ON THE EARTH. WE SEE IT EXPRESSED EVEN IN CULTURES THAT HAVE NOT BEEN EXPOSED TO THE WORD BECAUSE THEY WERE ISOLATED FROM CONTACT WITH THE GOSPEL. WE HAVE A NEED TO WORSHIP AND A DESIRE TO RELATE IN SOME WAY TO A “GOD” EXPRESSED, CRUDELY, IGNORANTLY, AND SOMETIMES BARBARICALLY, IN THE INCAS, IN THE AMERICAN INDIAN, IN TRIBAL BELIEFS IN AFRICA.

HERE IS MY “TAKE” ON THAT...

Jer. 1:4-5 ⁴Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, ⁵Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

I PERSONALLY BELIEVE THAT AT THE MOMENT GOD PLACED OUR SPIRIT BEING INSIDE THOSE TWO CELLS IN OUR MOTHER’S WOMB, WE GOT A GLIMPSE OF WHAT FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD WAS (EVEN THAT THAT “FELLOWSHIP” EXISITED LONG BEFORE THAT MOMENT!) ….AND THAT WE STRUGGLE ALL OUR LIVES TO GET BACK INTO THAT RELATIONSHIP. THAT’S THE “HOLE” IN OUR SPIRIT THAT ONLY FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD CAN FILL.

AT THAT MOMENT OF CONCEPTION WE ARE EXPOSED BY GOD TO HIS PLAN FOR OUR LIVES AND HE PLANTS HIS DESTINY WITHIN US; A DESTINY AND PLAN THAT EXISITED WITHIN HIM “BEFORE THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE WORLD;” A DESTINY THAT CAN ONLY BE FULFILLED IN RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM.

ONE CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAT “LIVING” WAS LIKE FOR ADAM AND EVE, WHO HAD THAT FULL FELLOWSHIP AND RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD, AFTER THAT WAS TAKEN AWAY BY WILLFUL SIN.

YET, THAT SAME LONGING IS IN THE SPIRIT OF EVERY PERSON IN THE EARTH!

SO, HOW DO WE GET THAT “SOUL” TO RECOGNIZE THAT SPIRITUAL THINGS ARE REAL?

WELL, WE EDUCATE IT!

WHAT IS THE SPIRITUAL REALM?

THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE WORD TELLS US THAT ALL WE SEE AROUND US IS CREATED OUT OF SOMETHING THAT EXISTED LONG BEFORE THERE WAS A UNIVERSE OR A PLANET CALLED “EARTH.” IT TELLS OUR SKEPTICAL SOUL THAT GOD ALWAYS EXISTED. THE SOUL CAN ONLY GRASP “TIME” (WHICH IT EXISITS IN CURRENTLY) SO IT HAS TROUBLE WITH ANTHING “ETERNAL!” 

Heb. 13:8 ⁸(GOD…) the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

Rev. 1:8 ⁸I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

GOD ALWAYS EXISTED. THERE IS NO “TIME” WITH HIM AS WE KNOW IT. “TIME” WAS CREATED IN GENESIS.

GENESIS TELLS US THAT GOD, WITH FAITH, SPOKE, INTO WHAT WAS A CHAOTIC EARTH, REALITIES FROM HIS HEADQUARTERS, A SPIRITUAL PLACE CALLED HEAVEN, AND BY FAITH AND WORDS CAUSED THEM TO COME INTO A NATURAL REALITY  BOUNDED BY SOMETHING ELSE HE CREATED, “TIME. “

THAT GOD TOOK ELEMENTS AND QUALITIES HE HAD INSIDE HIMSELF AND CREATED A NATURAL REALITY CALLED “MAN.” THAT THAT “MAN,” WHICH HE CREATED IN A MALE AND FEMALE VERSION, HAD WITHIN IT, NOT JUST HIS IMAGE, BUT A GIFT THAT SEPARATED IT FROM ALL ELSE HE HAD EVER CREATED BEFORE. THAT GIFT WAS “FREE WILL” AND IT ENABLED MAN TO RETURN SOMETHING GOD WANTED TO EXPERIENCE…BEING LOVED, NOT BECAUSE HE WAS THE CREATOR, BUT BECAUSE THE CREATION DESIRED, FREELY, TO RETURN TO HIM FROM WITHIN ITSELF, PART OF ITS VERY NATURE AND CORE…LOVE.

THE ANGELS WORSHIP GOD BECAUSE THEY ARE SO DESIGNED; MAN WORSHIPS GOD BECAUSE HE DESIRES TO…OR NOT.

ANGELS LOOKED ON WHAT GOD HAD CREATED IN MAN AND SAID…WHAT IS THIS THAT GOD HAS MADE NOW?
Heb. 2:6-8 ⁶But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him? ⁷Thou madest him a little lower than the angels(HEBREW: “GOD”); thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands: ⁸Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.

ANGELS IN FACT, WERE CREATED BEFORE MAN, AND THEN SUBJECTED TO SERVE MAN!
Heb. 1:13-14 ¹³But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? ¹⁴Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

BECAUSE OF THE ”FREE WILL” IN MAN, AND BECAUSE OF THE NATURE AND IMAGE OF GOD WITHIN HIM, MAN RESISTS BEING IN “SUBJECTION” TO ANYTHING; HE WAS, AFTER ALL, DESIGNED TO BE THE RULER OF THIS NATURAL UNIVERSE AND THIS PLANET. MAN WAS ASSIGNED BY GOD TO HAVE “DOMINION,” OR RULERSHIP, OVER THIS PLANET AND THIS UNIVERSE. THEY WERE CREATED BY GOD FOR GOD, AND MAN’S, ENJOYMENT.

GOD REVEALS THE SPIRITUAL REALM TO US

ONLY A BLINDED FOOL WOULD DENY THE REALITY OF THE SPIRITUAL…A FOOL BLINDED BY THE gOD OF THIS WORLD, TRICKED BY THE LIES OF THE ENEMY THAT SAY THE “IMAGE” OF GOD WITHIN HIM, AND THE ABILITIES HE POSSESSES BECAUSE OF THAT, SOMEHOW MAKE HIM HIS OWN “GOD!”

WE POSSESS A BODY SO INTRICATE AND WONDERFUL THAT IT BAFFLES DOCTORS WHO STUDY IT ALL THEIR LIVES. EVERY PART OF IT SO WONDERFUL THAT THE NATURAL SHOUTS THE REALITY OF A CREATOR…NO WAY MAN COULD HAVE COME UP WITH IT!

WE LIVE IN A WORLD ON THE EDGE OF A UNIVERSE SO VAST THAT WE SHRINK INTO INSIGNIFICANCE WITHOUT A CREATOR AND A PURPOSE!

EVERY STAR IN THE NIGHT SKY TRUMPETS THE REALITY OF A CREATOR…HOW COULD MAN POSSIBLY BE REPONSIBLE FOR THAT SHINING VASTNESS? HOW COULD IT HAPPEN BY “ACCIDENT?”

Psa. 19:1-3 ¹The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handywork.

²Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge.

³There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.

Psa. 97:6 ⁶The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory.

AND THEN THE WORD ANNOUNCES THE SPIRITUAL TO US IN EVERY LINE, IN EVERY WORD, TO SUCH A DEGREE THAT FAITH LITERALLY OOZES FROM THE WORDS IN A BOOK INTO US!

AND THEN REVEALS AND EXPLAINS THE SPIRITUAL SO PLAINLY THAT YOU HAVE TO NOT READ IT TO REMAIN IGNORANT!

Psa. 119:103-105 ¹⁰³How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

¹⁰⁴Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.

¹⁰⁵Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

EVIDENCES OF THE REALITY OF GOD AND THE SPIRITUAL LEAP FROM EVERY PAGE, AND WE SEE THE MINISTRY OF RABBI JESUS LITERALLY BRINGING HEAVEN TO EARTH AND EXPLAINING, AS WELL AS MANIFESTING, TO US THE REALITY OF THE SPIRITUAL; EXPLAINING OUR “CONNECTION” US TO THE CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE ON A ONE-ON-ONE, PERSONAL, LEVEL!

WHEN WE PUT ALL THESE THINGS TOGETHER THE REALITY OF THE SPIRITUAL REALM BECOMES PLAIN AND VISIBLE TO EVEN CHILDREN!

MAN HAS TO WORK REALLY HARD, AND ACCEPT THE LIES OF THE ENEMY COMPLETELY, TO HAVE THE FOOLISH COURAGE TO DENY THE SPIRITUAL!

LOVE AND GRACE BROUGHT US TO THIS PLACE

NOW, LET ME INTERJECT HERE, THAT THE INITIAL ENTRANCE INTO OUR LIVES BY THE SPIRITUAL IS A RESULT OF GOD’S IMMENSE LOVE FOR HIS CREATION MAN, AND AN ACT OF “GRACE.”

John 6:44-45 ⁴⁴No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. ⁴⁵It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.

THE RABBI, JESUS, IS SAYING THAT THE LOVE GOD HAD FOR YOU CAUSED HIM TO DRAW YOU TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD, AND FROM THAT TO RESTORED FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM. IT WAS GOD’S LOVE FOR YOU, AS HIS PERSONAL CREATION IN HIS IMAGE, THAT MOTIVATED HIM TO EXTEND HIS LOVE AND GRACE INTO YOUR EARTHLY LIFE AND MAKE YOU AWARE OF HIM.

HOWEVER, AFTER “SALVATION,” CONTINUED GROWTH IN THE THINGS OF GOD IS UP TO US, AND OUR FREE WILL.

GOD KNOWS OUR SOUL

Lam. 3:58 ⁵⁸O Lord, thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul; thou hast redeemed my life.

BECAUSE GOD CONSTRUCTED US FROM DIRT, HE KNOWS EXACTLY HOW OUR SPIRIT, SOUL, AND BODY OPERATE. HE IS THE GOD OF THE SPIRITUAL, THE NATURAL, AND THE SOULISH!

GOD KNOWS THE STRUGGLES OF OUR SOUL TO COMPREHEND AND ACCEPT THE SPIRITUAL REALM. BECAUSE OF THAT, HE DESIRES TO MINISTER TO THE SOUL TO REASSURE AND COMFORT IT.

GOD DOES THAT BY HIS PERSONAL TOUCH, WHICH WE CALL THE “ANOINTING.” THAT TOUCH OF GOD WHICH STIRS US IN OUR SPIRIT AND IN OUR SOUL, AND EVEN INOUR PHYSICAL BODY, IS PART OF GOD’S PLAN OF MINISTRY TO US.

OUR SOULS NEED TO “FEEL” GOD; SO, WHEN WE PERMIT HIM, HE TOUCHS US IN A WAY OUR VERY SOULS CAN COMPREHEND. HE STIRS OUR EMOTIONS AND CHALLENGES OUR MINDS AND ENCOURAGES OUR WILLS.

GOD ALSO, ON OUR BEHALF, OPERATES IN THE NATURAL, SENSE, REALM, WITH SIGNS, WONDERS, AND MIRACLES FOR THE VERY PURPOSE OF CAUSING OUR SOULS TO EXPERIENCE THE REALITY OF THE SPIRITUAL REALM MANIFESTED IN A WAY THE SOUL CAN COMPREHEND WITH THE FIVE SENSES (WHICH ARE THE ONLY THINGS IT CONSIDERS AS “REAL”). GOD UNDERSTANDS EXACTLY WHAT OUR SOUL’S NEED IN ORDER TO MORE READILY ALLOW HIM ACCESS THROUGH OUR SPIRIT INTO THE NATURAL BY REASSURING OUR SOUL THAT WHAT IT CANNOT COMPREHEND BY THE SENSES IS NONETHELESS REAL. THAT IS CALLED “FAITH!”

Next:  WHAT “RENEWAL” OF THE SOUL BRINGS