THE EMOTIONAL HEALTH OF A PASTOR
DMin Module
Singapore Bible College
November 16-20, 2009
Professor: Theresa Clement Tisdale, Ph.D.
Course Description
The work of Christian ministry has many emotional hazards. These will be examined as they pertain to a pastor’s emotional health. This course is designed to assist pastors (missionaries and other full-time workers) in identifying these psycho-emotional issues as well as the areas of potential weakness, temptation and vulnerability, and to provide resources for dealing with these concerns and issues.
Attention will be given to aspects of the minister’s personal and family life, role expectations and conflicts, anger and depression, guilt and shame, stress and burnout, self-esteem and sexuality. The minister is encouraged to exercise self-care as a means of building his/her resources and reserves, and to learn to set boundaries so that he/she can survive and thrive for the long haul in the ministry.
Course Format
The course will include lecture, class discussion, small group discussion, as well as one-on-one consultation with the professor.
Course Requirements
1. Readings. Students are required to read the standard 3000-page DMin course requirement from the Bibliography. The books in bold are required reading; however, if you have read them already you are allowed to “skip” them but must report that you have read them before. These will not count for the 3000-page requirement. Proceed to read the other books. Specify the books you have read (and the number of pages in each book). Submit a record for all the books read on a one-page paper. Due: November 16, 2009. [10%]
2. Reflection Papers. Write a 5-7 page reflection paper each on the following books: (a) The Art of Pastoring by David Hansen, (b) Going the Distance by Peter Brain, and (c) The Soul of Leadership by Ruth Barton. Due: November 16, 2009
Note: These papers are meant to be personal reflections and constructive critiques rather than a summary of the book. [10% each]
3. A Research Paper: Write a research paper on one of the following topics as it pertains to clergy and/or people in ministry: Dealing with … (a) Depression, (b) Anger, (c) Guilt and Shame, (d) Anxiety, (e) Loneliness, (f) Sexual Issues, (g) Low Self-Esteem, (h) Codependency or (i) Stress and Burnout. (15-20 pages). Due: January 16, 2010; please submit via email to tctisdale@apu.edu.
Note: the paper should include both a discussion of the topic as well as resources for healing. [30%]
4. A Paper on “Personal Wholeness as a Foundation for Ministry.” The focus of this paper is your personal journey toward wholeness. This will include a narrative account of your own healing journey, including a discussion of what have been your prominent struggles and areas of growth, as well as what resources for healing you have sought. Reflections about yourself may be drawn from personality assessments (TJTA, MBTI, DISC, etc.) that you have done and/or from experiences you may have had in any sort of counseling, healing prayer, or spiritual direction. You may also integrate realizations you have had about yourself as a result of any of the books you have read. You may also draw from reflections and realizations you have had about yourself as a result of lectures, class discussions, and/or consultation. In this paper you are to give an honest and realistic appraisal of yourself including your joys and sorrows, strengths and weaknesses, growth and struggles, potential and vulnerabilities. Discuss where you have seen growth as well as where you feel stuck or where you need to grow. Reflect on your past, your present and your future. (12-15 pages). Due: January 30, 2010. [30%]
Note: As this is a highly personal paper, it will be kept strictly confidential.
Bibliography
1. Manning, Brenan & Anderson, Fil. 2005. Running on empty: Contemplative spirituality for overachievers. Waterbrook Press.
2. Anderson, Ray. 2001. The shape of practical theology: Empowering ministry with theological praxis. IVP.
3. Barna, George. 1993. Today’s pastors. Regal Books.
4. Ford, Leighton & Barton, Ruth Haley. 2008. Strengthening the soul of your leadership: Seeking God in the crucible of ministry. IVP.
5. Brain, Peter. 2004. Going the distance: How to stay fit for a lifetime of ministry. Matthias Media.
6. Exley Richard; Galli, Mark & Ortberg, John. 1994. Dangers, toils & snares: Resisting the hidden temptations of ministry (Mastering ministry’s pressure points). Multomah.
7. Buchanan, John & Galloway, John. 2003. Ministry loves company: A survival guide for pastors. WJK Press.
8. Greenfield, Guy. 2001. The wounded minister: Healing from and preventing personal attacks. Baker Books.
9. Hansen, David. 1994. The art of pastoring: Ministry without all the answers. IVP.
10. Kouzes, James, & Posner, Barry. 2008. The leadership challenge. Jossey-Bass.
11. Lamb, Jonathon. 2006. Integrity: Leading with God watching. IVP.
12. Lee, Cameron, & Balswick, Jack. 1989. Life in a glass house: The minister’s family in its unique social context. Zondervan.
13. London, H. B., & Wiseman, Neil. 1993. Pastors at risk: Help for pastors, hope for the church. Victor Books.
14. McBurney, Louis. 1986. Counselling Christian workers. Word Books.
15. McIntosh, Gary & Rima, Samuel. 1998. Overcoming the dark side of leadership: The paradox of personal dysfunction. Baker. OR
16. McIntosh, Gary & Rima, Samuel. 2007. Overcoming the dark side of leadership: How to become an effective leader by confronting potential failures. Baker.
17. Merrill, Dean. 1989. Clergy couples in crisis: The impact of stress on pastoral marriages. Word Books.
18. Nouwen, Henri J. M. 1989. In the name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian leadership. Crossroad.
19. Nouwen, Henri. 1994. The wounded healer: Ministry in contemporary society. Darton, Longman, & Todd.
20. Peterson, Eugene. 1987. Working the angles: Trigonometry for pastoral work. Eerdsman.
21. Dawn, Marva, Santucci, Peter & Peterson, Eugene. 2000. The unnecessary pastor: Rediscovering the call. Regent College Publishing.
22. Prior, Kenneth. 1990. Perils of leadership: Overcoming personal battles. IVP.
23. Rima, Samuel. 2000. Leading from the inside out: The art of self-leadership. Baker.
24. Sciacia, Fran. 1992. Wounded saints: The secrets of Elijah, Moses, David, Jeremiah, Job, Jonah, Jesus and others who triumphed over emotional pain. Baker.
25. Shelley, Marshall. 1988. The healthy, hectic home: Raising a family in the midst of ministry. Word Books.
26. Swenson, Richard, 2004. Margin: Restoring emotional, physical, financial, and time reserves to overloaded lives. NavPress.
27. Swenson, Richard, 1998. The overload syndrome: Learning to live within your limits. NavPress.
28. Ulstein, Stefan.1993. Pastors off the record: Straight talk about life in the ministry. IVP.
29. Willard, Dallas. 2002. Renovation of the heart: Putting on the character of Christ. IVP.
30. Wilson, Michael Todd & Hoffman, Brad. Preventing ministry failure. IVP.
The Emotional Health of a Pastor
November 16-20
Discussion Topics
1. Ministry: Demands & Hazards
2. Ministry: Roles, Expectations, Pressures & Conflicts
3. Honesty, Authenticity & Integrity in Ministry
4. Theory & Theology of Emotions and Holistic Models of Growth
5. The Pastor & Stress/Burnout
6. The Pastor & Depression
7. The Pastor & Anger
8. The Pastor & Assertiveness
9. The Pastor & Guilt/Shame
10. The Pastor & Loneliness
11. The Pastor & His/Her Sexuality
12. The Pastor & His/Her Marriage/Family
13. The Pastor & His/Her Spirituality
14. The Pastor & Self-Care: Becoming a Wounded Healer
15. Other Concerns & Issues
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Can u be used by God?
Prescribed by the Great Physician
*****************************
The next time you feel like GOD can't use you, just remember...
Noah was a drunk
Abraham was too old
Isaac was a daydreamer
Jacob was a liar
Leah was ugly
Joseph was abused
Moses had a stuttering problem
Gideon was afraid
Samson had long hair and was a womanizer
Jeremiah and Timothy were too young
David had an affair and was a murderer
Elijah was suicidal
Isaiah preached naked
Jonah ran from God
Naomi was a widow
Job went bankrupt
Peter denied Christ
The Disciples fell asleep while praying
Martha worried about everything
The Samaritan woman was divorced, more than once
Zaccheus was too small
Paul was too religious
Timothy had an ulcer..AND
Lazarus was dead!
And Don't forget
Jesus Helped them all!!!!
Now! No more excuses!
God can use you to your full potential.
Besides you aren't the message, you are just the messenger.
And one more thing...Share this with a friend or two..
In the Circle of God's love, God's waiting to use your full potential.
The SON is shining and He can certainly use you!
Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.
Live simply, Love generously, Care deeply, Speak kindly.......
Leave the rest to God.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
It is the Word of God alone that can ‘change’ and ‘touch’ people
Fast-Growing Indian Church Pastor: My Secret is Prayer
Monday, Sep. 14, 2009 Posted: 4:49:41PM HKT
This Singapore pastor is never busy.
Rain or shine, he spends at least two hours with God in prayer each day. And he believes that this has been the key to the success of his ministry.
With his unhurried routine of life, Pastor Roy Daniel Mathew has raised an Indian congregation from three to nearly 100 people in less than a year.
And his plan: to make members of 10,000 Indians in his congregation within five years, a significant aspiration for the smallest of the three main ethnic groupings in Singapore.
Born to a missionary family in the state of Kerala in Southwest India, Roy, 32, says that was not how he became a pastor.
In the one-and-a-half hour session he spent with The Christian Post, he told of how from as early as ten years of age, he had pastors telling him God had called him to be a pastor.
Roy, a younger man then, did not want to live his life as a preacher, for he knew how pastors had to suffer financial hardship even in Kerala at that time.
The most that he was willing to do was to accompany his father on his ministry visits to various parts of India including Orissa where they had 20 pastors. There, in the Indian state best known to the world today for its anti-Christian persecution, Roy could not help but count his blessings for having been born in a place like Kerala. While his hometown was a ‘beautiful’ place, Orissa had practically nothing to attract anyone.
The pastor, whose name was Thomas, who he had gone to visit lived in a ‘small’, one-room house in a ‘very remote’ and ‘very dry’ village. Yet the preacher was a ‘happy’ man. The younger Roy could not help but ask the pastor what made him stay on.
He replied, simply: God called him to do this. That touched Roy deeply. He was already experiencing something of the reality of God’s call to him when the small business he started was ‘destroyed’, he believes, by God. That night, Roy got on his knees before God, and surrendered his life completely to Him, to do whatever He wanted, and to go wherever He wanted.
Since then, the young man began to prepare himself for fulltime ministry as a pastor by praying and reading and studying the Bible.
After one year, his life was changed. He began to preach alongside his father, and saw miracles take place in people’s lives through the Word of God. Roy realised that revival was not about healing, but about people realising their sin, their problems with other people. And this could only happen through the Word of God.
The Indian pastor never imagined that he would be called to preach in Singapore. But when he weathered many adverse circumstances including the diabetic condition and pregnancy of his wife, and the difficulty of staying on in Singapore being a foreigner, he realised that everything went smoothly because it was God’s plan for him to minister here.
Starting out with three people, one more person other than him and his wife, the pastor embarked on a serious effort to pray solely for his ministry, not even his personal needs. In addition to his consistent two hours of prayer daily, Roy went through 21 days of fasting going on nothing but water, twice, and held seven day fasts on numerous occasions.
Because of his strong prayer life, he experienced a strengthening of his spiritual life. It is impossible for believers who dedicate two hours of their day to prayer to sin, he said.
This was also how he met the people who eventually became members of his fast-growing congregation. Roy leads the Indian service at City Missions Church that meets in High Street Centre.
Prayer is the only thing that Jesus Christ ‘systematically’ taught His disciples even though He asked them to do many other things such as preach the Gospel and heal the sick, the pastor stressed, suggesting that those who learn to pray well learn to do all the other things well as well. He gave the example of Yonggi-Cho, who is not the best preacher, and yet he founded the largest congregation in the world. Yonggi-Cho is known for his prayer life.
How does Roy sustain two hours of prayer? By recording his prayer topics in a book and praying through them systematically, he said.
The pastor also prays in other tongues. Asked what he thought about criticism that many Christians who pray in other tongues do so artificially, the Indian preacher says he agrees with that.
Believers are called to declare the greatness of God in the heavenly language, and they cannot end at making the same utterances every time.
They need to ‘mature’, he said, much as human beings mature from being babies to children to teenagers and finally to adulthood. Roy says that whenever he prays, he prays things that he has never prayed before.
He emphasised that it is the Word of God alone that can ‘change’ and ‘touch’ people. Preaching is the essence of a pastor’s ministry, rather than the performing of signs and wonders, he said, arguing that it is wrong for entire church services to be started just for miracles.
Churches should focus on preaching the Word of God and see healings take place in addition, rather than focusing on the healings.
At the end of the session, Roy was asked for his comment on the mindset of many believers particularly in the West that as long as they have said a sinner’s prayer, they can live as they would like to.
In his reply, the pastor used the example of the civil law the leaders of India promulgated shortly after independence in 1947. Although free from the British colonisers, the Indian people were not given ‘real’ freedom; they enjoyed freedom, but only within the law. Without a law, India would disintegrate, he explained.
In the same way, Christians have salvation, freedom from the devil, but they enjoy that freedom only within the law of God.
Monday, Sep. 14, 2009 Posted: 4:49:41PM HKT
This Singapore pastor is never busy.
Rain or shine, he spends at least two hours with God in prayer each day. And he believes that this has been the key to the success of his ministry.
With his unhurried routine of life, Pastor Roy Daniel Mathew has raised an Indian congregation from three to nearly 100 people in less than a year.
And his plan: to make members of 10,000 Indians in his congregation within five years, a significant aspiration for the smallest of the three main ethnic groupings in Singapore.
Born to a missionary family in the state of Kerala in Southwest India, Roy, 32, says that was not how he became a pastor.
In the one-and-a-half hour session he spent with The Christian Post, he told of how from as early as ten years of age, he had pastors telling him God had called him to be a pastor.
Roy, a younger man then, did not want to live his life as a preacher, for he knew how pastors had to suffer financial hardship even in Kerala at that time.
The most that he was willing to do was to accompany his father on his ministry visits to various parts of India including Orissa where they had 20 pastors. There, in the Indian state best known to the world today for its anti-Christian persecution, Roy could not help but count his blessings for having been born in a place like Kerala. While his hometown was a ‘beautiful’ place, Orissa had practically nothing to attract anyone.
The pastor, whose name was Thomas, who he had gone to visit lived in a ‘small’, one-room house in a ‘very remote’ and ‘very dry’ village. Yet the preacher was a ‘happy’ man. The younger Roy could not help but ask the pastor what made him stay on.
He replied, simply: God called him to do this. That touched Roy deeply. He was already experiencing something of the reality of God’s call to him when the small business he started was ‘destroyed’, he believes, by God. That night, Roy got on his knees before God, and surrendered his life completely to Him, to do whatever He wanted, and to go wherever He wanted.
Since then, the young man began to prepare himself for fulltime ministry as a pastor by praying and reading and studying the Bible.
After one year, his life was changed. He began to preach alongside his father, and saw miracles take place in people’s lives through the Word of God. Roy realised that revival was not about healing, but about people realising their sin, their problems with other people. And this could only happen through the Word of God.
The Indian pastor never imagined that he would be called to preach in Singapore. But when he weathered many adverse circumstances including the diabetic condition and pregnancy of his wife, and the difficulty of staying on in Singapore being a foreigner, he realised that everything went smoothly because it was God’s plan for him to minister here.
Starting out with three people, one more person other than him and his wife, the pastor embarked on a serious effort to pray solely for his ministry, not even his personal needs. In addition to his consistent two hours of prayer daily, Roy went through 21 days of fasting going on nothing but water, twice, and held seven day fasts on numerous occasions.
Because of his strong prayer life, he experienced a strengthening of his spiritual life. It is impossible for believers who dedicate two hours of their day to prayer to sin, he said.
This was also how he met the people who eventually became members of his fast-growing congregation. Roy leads the Indian service at City Missions Church that meets in High Street Centre.
Prayer is the only thing that Jesus Christ ‘systematically’ taught His disciples even though He asked them to do many other things such as preach the Gospel and heal the sick, the pastor stressed, suggesting that those who learn to pray well learn to do all the other things well as well. He gave the example of Yonggi-Cho, who is not the best preacher, and yet he founded the largest congregation in the world. Yonggi-Cho is known for his prayer life.
How does Roy sustain two hours of prayer? By recording his prayer topics in a book and praying through them systematically, he said.
The pastor also prays in other tongues. Asked what he thought about criticism that many Christians who pray in other tongues do so artificially, the Indian preacher says he agrees with that.
Believers are called to declare the greatness of God in the heavenly language, and they cannot end at making the same utterances every time.
They need to ‘mature’, he said, much as human beings mature from being babies to children to teenagers and finally to adulthood. Roy says that whenever he prays, he prays things that he has never prayed before.
He emphasised that it is the Word of God alone that can ‘change’ and ‘touch’ people. Preaching is the essence of a pastor’s ministry, rather than the performing of signs and wonders, he said, arguing that it is wrong for entire church services to be started just for miracles.
Churches should focus on preaching the Word of God and see healings take place in addition, rather than focusing on the healings.
At the end of the session, Roy was asked for his comment on the mindset of many believers particularly in the West that as long as they have said a sinner’s prayer, they can live as they would like to.
In his reply, the pastor used the example of the civil law the leaders of India promulgated shortly after independence in 1947. Although free from the British colonisers, the Indian people were not given ‘real’ freedom; they enjoyed freedom, but only within the law. Without a law, India would disintegrate, he explained.
In the same way, Christians have salvation, freedom from the devil, but they enjoy that freedom only within the law of God.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
I've lifted you above confused noise
I Am Raising You Above Your Confusion!
Tuesday, 15 September 2009 11:54 AM EDT
Chuck D. Pierce
Prophetic Insight
Editor's Note: Below is a prophecy Chuck Pierce received as he sought the Lord in prayer during the first week of September.
The Lord is saying: "There is a wind that is beginning to blow the dust from your shelf. You are being called and will be sent forward again.
"There will be fastings in this next season that you didn't experience in the last season. But the fastings will be for the enlargement of your territory.
"I am beginning to amass My people and join them together in troops. They will be land- and structure-changers. They will find and release those [who] were held captive by old ruling systems and release them to be restored. Many of these captives will be the leaders of My armies in days ahead.
"I am beginning to move on those people [who] have not known angelic intervention, and they will know angelic intervention.
"I am beginning to blow again, and some will say, ‘I must leave the mixed structure of my old Jerusalem, the place of my beginning, [which] was mixed with sorrow and religion. I must come to Antioch, be renewed, and [be] sent from there into where I need to go in the future.' At this time, I am ordering the way for you to leave, be sent, return new, and complete what was not completed in the last season. I will come now and use what you have seen in your past as a pattern to propel you past the enemy and into the future.
"Look around you. Things might seem to be the same, but I have positioned you high on the mountain, and even the place that looks familiar no longer is familiar to you! I have raised you up to give you a vision of what I would do to bring down, build up and recreate your destiny that is waiting for you. The heavens are opening up over you and if you will ‘see,' I will use you to create the new.
"Hear the sounds of confusion that were confusing you. I have lifted you above that confused fray! I will cleanse and redirect My purposes in you. I've lifted you above confused noise and structures that would have held you captive.
"Sound has movement, and confused sounds were moving around you. I will show you new ways to overrule the enemy, and then you will descend as I send you back into the confused noise of the world that you once knew. You will be like a battle axe that has been anointed to cut through and form a path in the midst [of] the enemy's territory.
"I've been disciplining and training you in new ways. You will be My engineer of a new highway. You will engineer the way ahead. You will move ahead in a new way. ... You will begin to set an order that hasn't been set. You will begin to be the engineer and know how things are measured and lined out for the future.
"But you'll say, ‘I don't feel trained.' But I will train you as I give you one piece at a time. I will cause you to engineer a new way. I have a heavenly release that I am bringing down upon you, and from the heavenly sound you will re-engineer the highways through the confusion in the earth realm.
"I've had to pluck the very depths of your soul. I've had to create a sound in your soul that you didn't even know was there. I've had to pull your personality from deep within you because the sounds of the world had captured My sound in you and diverted your personality.
"I have settled you so your impatience that was linked with the cares of the world would not rule your soul. I have formed a Rest Center on your behalf so you could gain a strategy to move through the dark night of your soul and into day.
"I've brought a new assignment to your life that will cause your personality to shine in Me. I have plucked the sound of your soul and caused your heart to create a sound that will express My heart. Now your soul will resound with Me."
About the author: Chuck D. Pierce is the president of Glory of Zion International Ministries in Denton, Texas (gloryofzion.org). He is known for his accurate prophetic gifting and has been used by God to mobilize prayer throughout the world. Pierce is also the author of many books, including his two most recent, Interpreting the Times and Redeeming the Time (both Charisma House).
Prophetic Insight is a weekly bulletin offering timely and relevant messages for the body of Christ from recognized prophetic voices. It is prepared by Maureen Eha, features editor for Charisma magazine. You can follow her on Twitter at MaureenEha. And please spread the good news by sending this e-newsletter to your friends and encouraging them to subscribe.
Tuesday, 15 September 2009 11:54 AM EDT
Chuck D. Pierce
Prophetic Insight
Editor's Note: Below is a prophecy Chuck Pierce received as he sought the Lord in prayer during the first week of September.
The Lord is saying: "There is a wind that is beginning to blow the dust from your shelf. You are being called and will be sent forward again.
"There will be fastings in this next season that you didn't experience in the last season. But the fastings will be for the enlargement of your territory.
"I am beginning to amass My people and join them together in troops. They will be land- and structure-changers. They will find and release those [who] were held captive by old ruling systems and release them to be restored. Many of these captives will be the leaders of My armies in days ahead.
"I am beginning to move on those people [who] have not known angelic intervention, and they will know angelic intervention.
"I am beginning to blow again, and some will say, ‘I must leave the mixed structure of my old Jerusalem, the place of my beginning, [which] was mixed with sorrow and religion. I must come to Antioch, be renewed, and [be] sent from there into where I need to go in the future.' At this time, I am ordering the way for you to leave, be sent, return new, and complete what was not completed in the last season. I will come now and use what you have seen in your past as a pattern to propel you past the enemy and into the future.
"Look around you. Things might seem to be the same, but I have positioned you high on the mountain, and even the place that looks familiar no longer is familiar to you! I have raised you up to give you a vision of what I would do to bring down, build up and recreate your destiny that is waiting for you. The heavens are opening up over you and if you will ‘see,' I will use you to create the new.
"Hear the sounds of confusion that were confusing you. I have lifted you above that confused fray! I will cleanse and redirect My purposes in you. I've lifted you above confused noise and structures that would have held you captive.
"Sound has movement, and confused sounds were moving around you. I will show you new ways to overrule the enemy, and then you will descend as I send you back into the confused noise of the world that you once knew. You will be like a battle axe that has been anointed to cut through and form a path in the midst [of] the enemy's territory.
"I've been disciplining and training you in new ways. You will be My engineer of a new highway. You will engineer the way ahead. You will move ahead in a new way. ... You will begin to set an order that hasn't been set. You will begin to be the engineer and know how things are measured and lined out for the future.
"But you'll say, ‘I don't feel trained.' But I will train you as I give you one piece at a time. I will cause you to engineer a new way. I have a heavenly release that I am bringing down upon you, and from the heavenly sound you will re-engineer the highways through the confusion in the earth realm.
"I've had to pluck the very depths of your soul. I've had to create a sound in your soul that you didn't even know was there. I've had to pull your personality from deep within you because the sounds of the world had captured My sound in you and diverted your personality.
"I have settled you so your impatience that was linked with the cares of the world would not rule your soul. I have formed a Rest Center on your behalf so you could gain a strategy to move through the dark night of your soul and into day.
"I've brought a new assignment to your life that will cause your personality to shine in Me. I have plucked the sound of your soul and caused your heart to create a sound that will express My heart. Now your soul will resound with Me."
About the author: Chuck D. Pierce is the president of Glory of Zion International Ministries in Denton, Texas (gloryofzion.org). He is known for his accurate prophetic gifting and has been used by God to mobilize prayer throughout the world. Pierce is also the author of many books, including his two most recent, Interpreting the Times and Redeeming the Time (both Charisma House).
Prophetic Insight is a weekly bulletin offering timely and relevant messages for the body of Christ from recognized prophetic voices. It is prepared by Maureen Eha, features editor for Charisma magazine. You can follow her on Twitter at MaureenEha. And please spread the good news by sending this e-newsletter to your friends and encouraging them to subscribe.
Monday, September 14, 2009
A tongue twister can wipe out a relationship in seconds!
HOW TO DESTROY A RELATIONSHIP IN AN INSTANT
By Dawn Scott Jones
Monday, September 14, 2009
The Bible tells us "when words are many, sin is not absent" (Prov. 10:19, NIV). That's because the tongue can cause quite a storm. Though only a small member of our bodies, it is very unruly and can create havoc in just moments.
Like a swirling tornado of ruinous words, a tongue twister can wipe out a relationship in seconds. One brief "touchdown" from this destructive verbal cyclone can instantly blow the roof off a peaceful household or tear down a bridge of trust that took years to construct. As dangerous and untamable as a rogue wind, the tongue, when unleashed, can create devastating -- even irreparable -- damage.
But what can we do about it? The Bible also declares "the human tongue can be tamed by no man. It is a restless (undisciplined, irreconcilable) evil, full of deadly poison" (James 3:8, "The Amplified Bible").
Does that mean we are helpless to control it? No! Though the tongue may be as impossible to tame as the wind and waves, we do have a responsibility. In fact, the apostle James wrote, "If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless" (James 1:26, NIV).
We may not be able to "tame" the tongue so that it permanently obeys us, but we are instructed to "keep a rein on" or "reign over" the tongue. Our religion is worthless and ineffective if we cannot measure our words and discipline our tongues to speak only those things that are edifying, gracious and truthful. Sometimes keeping silent is better than even good words. "He who holds his tongue is wise," Proverbs says (Prov. 10:19).
The Bible is full of scriptures that teach us about the incredible force of the tongue and our obligation to "reign over" it. It is clear that God is concerned about the way we speak.
But there's more. It is not just the actual choice of words God is interested in; it is the motive behind the words. The condition of the heart, which cultivates our speech, is His primary concern.
Jesus confirmed this truth in one of His dialogues with the Pharisees. He told them, "You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matt. 12:34).
Jesus didn't mince words. He let us know that if we store up evil things in our hearts, the poison will overflow into our mouths and be released through our conversations. Conversely, if we store up good things in our hearts, the flowing river of our words will be uncontaminated and full of life.
The Lord made it clear that it is not what enters into our mouths that defiles us, but what proceeds out of our mouths (see Matt. 15:11). In other words, we are not corrupt because we speak bad words; we speak bad words because of the corruption in our hearts. Our mouths and our hearts are linked together in an inseparable way. If we are unsurrendered in our hearts, we will be unsurrendered in our speech. God's solution is for us to submit both heart and tongue to Him.
That is why David wrote, "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer" (Ps. 19:14). Solomon, too, acknowledged the connection between the head and the heart when he admonished: "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips" (Prov. 4:23-24).
Since the real heart of the issue then, is the issue of the heart, it is important that we guard our hearts with all diligence and continue to submit to God's probing and testing. He alone knows our true condition. As long as we seek to please Him, as David did, and allow Him to purify our hearts, we can avoid the devastation tongue twisters bring.
PRAYER POWER FOR THE WEEK OF 9/14/2009
This week pray that the words of your mouth and the meditation of your heart be pleasing to the Lord. Ask Him to create a clean heart and renew a right spirit within you. Pray that your words would be sweet and used to bring healing and restoration to others. As you pray with a pure heart, pray for God to move upon our nation, reveal His truth and turn it back to Himself. Thank Him for His continued protection and ask Him to expose those who devise wicked plans in opposition to His will for our nation, Israel and the rest of the world. Ps. 19:14; Prov. 4:23-24
Visit us at www.spiritledwoman.com (click on the address to get there now) where you'll find encouragement, inspiration, fellowship and fun. Please feel free to forward this Power Up! to a friend by clicking the "Send to a Friend" button at the top of this newsletter. (Don't use the forward button on the toolbar of your computer. If you do and one of the people you send it to "unsubscribes," you'll be unsubscribed as well and we won't know it. This won't happen if you click "Send to a Friend.")
By Dawn Scott Jones
Monday, September 14, 2009
The Bible tells us "when words are many, sin is not absent" (Prov. 10:19, NIV). That's because the tongue can cause quite a storm. Though only a small member of our bodies, it is very unruly and can create havoc in just moments.
Like a swirling tornado of ruinous words, a tongue twister can wipe out a relationship in seconds. One brief "touchdown" from this destructive verbal cyclone can instantly blow the roof off a peaceful household or tear down a bridge of trust that took years to construct. As dangerous and untamable as a rogue wind, the tongue, when unleashed, can create devastating -- even irreparable -- damage.
But what can we do about it? The Bible also declares "the human tongue can be tamed by no man. It is a restless (undisciplined, irreconcilable) evil, full of deadly poison" (James 3:8, "The Amplified Bible").
Does that mean we are helpless to control it? No! Though the tongue may be as impossible to tame as the wind and waves, we do have a responsibility. In fact, the apostle James wrote, "If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless" (James 1:26, NIV).
We may not be able to "tame" the tongue so that it permanently obeys us, but we are instructed to "keep a rein on" or "reign over" the tongue. Our religion is worthless and ineffective if we cannot measure our words and discipline our tongues to speak only those things that are edifying, gracious and truthful. Sometimes keeping silent is better than even good words. "He who holds his tongue is wise," Proverbs says (Prov. 10:19).
The Bible is full of scriptures that teach us about the incredible force of the tongue and our obligation to "reign over" it. It is clear that God is concerned about the way we speak.
But there's more. It is not just the actual choice of words God is interested in; it is the motive behind the words. The condition of the heart, which cultivates our speech, is His primary concern.
Jesus confirmed this truth in one of His dialogues with the Pharisees. He told them, "You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matt. 12:34).
Jesus didn't mince words. He let us know that if we store up evil things in our hearts, the poison will overflow into our mouths and be released through our conversations. Conversely, if we store up good things in our hearts, the flowing river of our words will be uncontaminated and full of life.
The Lord made it clear that it is not what enters into our mouths that defiles us, but what proceeds out of our mouths (see Matt. 15:11). In other words, we are not corrupt because we speak bad words; we speak bad words because of the corruption in our hearts. Our mouths and our hearts are linked together in an inseparable way. If we are unsurrendered in our hearts, we will be unsurrendered in our speech. God's solution is for us to submit both heart and tongue to Him.
That is why David wrote, "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer" (Ps. 19:14). Solomon, too, acknowledged the connection between the head and the heart when he admonished: "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips" (Prov. 4:23-24).
Since the real heart of the issue then, is the issue of the heart, it is important that we guard our hearts with all diligence and continue to submit to God's probing and testing. He alone knows our true condition. As long as we seek to please Him, as David did, and allow Him to purify our hearts, we can avoid the devastation tongue twisters bring.
PRAYER POWER FOR THE WEEK OF 9/14/2009
This week pray that the words of your mouth and the meditation of your heart be pleasing to the Lord. Ask Him to create a clean heart and renew a right spirit within you. Pray that your words would be sweet and used to bring healing and restoration to others. As you pray with a pure heart, pray for God to move upon our nation, reveal His truth and turn it back to Himself. Thank Him for His continued protection and ask Him to expose those who devise wicked plans in opposition to His will for our nation, Israel and the rest of the world. Ps. 19:14; Prov. 4:23-24
Visit us at www.spiritledwoman.com (click on the address to get there now) where you'll find encouragement, inspiration, fellowship and fun. Please feel free to forward this Power Up! to a friend by clicking the "Send to a Friend" button at the top of this newsletter. (Don't use the forward button on the toolbar of your computer. If you do and one of the people you send it to "unsubscribes," you'll be unsubscribed as well and we won't know it. This won't happen if you click "Send to a Friend.")
We have to be loving, tolerant and accepting of people who are very different from us.
Kong Hee on Church Growth
Tuesday, Sep. 8, 2009 Posted: 1:54:46AM HKT
Source: Click here
In the comparatively short span of two decades, City Harvest Church has become the largest congregation in Singapore.
And yet, for many pastors and believers, the phenomenal growth of the church is at best a mystery or a feat of which only a few are capable.
At worst, it is a tell-tale ‘sign’ of the shallowness of faith and lack of discipleship of the members.
For The Rev Dr Kong Hee, who founded CHC, the growth was unexpected.
Two themes emerged in the course of the email interview he graciously accepted from The Christian Post.
It was primarily the clear vision of God’s passion and calling to the believers and the relentless obedience of the small group of individuals that pioneered the church that enabled CHC to succeed in its outreach.
In the following full transcript, the CHC founder explains how the church has come so far and where it is headed, and then some.
The Christian Post: Your anniversary theme is City Harvest Church Celebrates 20 Years of Growth. How did CHC grow over the past two decades?
The Rev Dr Kong Hee: When I look back at all our achievements, I must honestly say that it is all God. As we continually yield ourselves to Him, truly He has taken us from glory to glory. It has indeed been an exhilarating ride with the Holy Spirit.
CHC is built on 3 core pillars. The first is the Great Commandment: loving God wholeheartedly and loving people fervently. Our love for God must translate into loving our neighbours. So we want to find a hurt and heal it, find a need and meet it. We want take the anointing of God outside of our physical confines into a broken-down world, to build a “Church Without Walls.” To do that, we have to be loving, tolerant and accepting of people who are very different from us. We love them unconditionally and help them become happy, productive people. With this mindset, we have grown the church to the size it is today.
The second pillar is the Great Commission: preaching the gospel of the kingdom in all the nations. Jesus didn’t just die for our own countrymen, He laid down His life for the whole world. From the urban cities to the rural villages, every person should have the chance to know Jesus and hear of what He has done for him or her. The secret to successful missions is still church-planting. Our strategy in missions is to disciple locals to build relevant, contemporary, Spirit-filled churches. Today, we have 45 affiliate churches and 10 Bible schools in the region. We are growing at the rate of one church every 2-3 months.
The third pillar is the Cultural Mandate of bringing Christ into our contemporary culture. We don’t believe in isolating and sanitizing our members from the world. On the contrary, we inspire them to engage society as salt and light, to be useful citizens---to have a “holy worldliness.” We are to be the representative of Christ in the marketplace of business, education, civil service, arts and entertainment, and the mass media. We must listen to the “messages” that is coming out of popular culture and understand the needs of our generation. Only then can we effectively meet those needs in a way and language the people of the 21st century could understand.
CP: What was CHC like at the very beginning and in its early years?
Kong: Twenty years ago, when CHC first started with a group of 20 young people, we lacked both the experience and resources in starting a church. However, even though our pockets were empty, our hearts were full of passion toward God and a great desire to serve His purpose in our generation. Other churches in Singapore were skeptical of the sustainability of this church of youths, and viewed it with no small measure of suspicion. It was totally unheard of that a church could be independently started by young people, and many in the public were wondering if we were even a proper church.
At that time, CHC did not have its own physical building as well and we had to meet from place to place such as the Katong Park Hotel (Duke Hotel), NTUC Auditorium, Ministry Of Environment Building, National Productivity Board Auditorium, World Trade Centre (now HarbourFront) and Westin Stamford Hotel (now The Fairmount), just to name a few. There were even times when the members did not know where the next service was going to be held! But despite the uncertainty and resistance, we chose to obey the call of God and live a life of spiritual commitment and discipline. I continued preaching messages like faith, prayer and fasting, giving, discipleship, ministry and evangelism, and these values have become the core beliefs and foundation of our church today. By the grace of God, our perseverance paid off and we have grown to what we are today. We have never looked back since.
CP: What is your personal testimony like? How did you come to know Christ and desire to serve Him? And what inspired you to start CHC?
Kong: I received Jesus Christ as my personal Savior and Lord in 1975. After my conversion, I attended a small neighborhood Anglican church for the next 13 years. In 1989, I felt the call of God to enter into full-time Christian service. By then, I had graduated with a degree in Computer Science from the National University of Singapore and was working for a publishing house. Having held several small, but successful, evangelistic campaigns in Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines, my original intention was to become a missionary in Southeast Asia. In April that year, I left the Anglican church that I had been attending since a child and set out to become a staff evangelist with “Christ for Asia,” a Singapore-based missions organization.
During one of my trips to the Philippines, the Holy Spirit spoke into my heart, “Kong, return to Singapore and raise up a new generation of believers that would take Asia by storm.” Truly, God’s ways are higher than our ways. At that same time, a group of young people that I had previously ministered to approached me and wanted me to be their shepherd, to pastor and lead them. With the support and encouragement of numerous senior pastors in the city, I decided to pioneer a new work, and hence, put aside my desire of becoming a church-planter in the mission fields.
CP: We know that it is God who grows the Church, but how did CHC allow Him to do that exactly? Do you have any encouragement for churches that have hit the growth ‘plateau’?
Kong: When the Lord first spoke to me about pastoring a church, I had no idea how this vision will come to pass at that time or how the church is going to be like. Since our inception, our modus operandi for winning the lost has been through the Caring System and Friendship Evangelism, where we build meaningful friendships with them and meet their needs with the love of God. At the same time, I was actively discipling the young people in the basics of Christianity: the Word of God, prayer, life in the Holy Spirit, soul-winning, church life, etc. And step by step, God brought us from a humble beginning of 20 people to what we are today, a church of 27,086 weekly attendees.
Coupled with a constant vision and love for the lost, I believe these are the factors that have propelled our church forward. Our leadership and members are always mindful that God’s desire is that everyone should be reached with the Gospel. We have a saying in CHC that “as long as there is one unsaved person out there, the church is not big enough.” We refuse to allow our present size to make us complacent and stop reaching out to the lost.
Inevitably, all churches will go through challenging times or hit a “plateau” in their growth cycle. The important thing to do apart from praying and believing is to persist and keep on keeping on. When we are determined to live out the will of God and fulfil His call upon our lives against all odds, our breakthroughs will come.
CP: With over 27,000 members, what are the main challenges of discipleship? How does CHC overcome that?
Kong: One of the things we have guarded closely over the years is the values or “DNA” of City Harvest Church which can be summed up as the church’s spirit of excellence and uncompromising attitude toward the things of God. In spite of our size, we try our best to ensure it is passed down, year after year, to the rank and file. This would not have been possible without an effective cell group system. In our church, over 1,000 cell group and ministry leaders each lead one or two cell groups, each averaging 15 people. Cell group meetings are held once a week — and in between, conduct fellowship, counseling, Bible studies, and many other activities.
As our church grows larger in numbers, "cell groups provide the optimum context for effective discipleship,” where members can still forge close relationships with fellow Christians in a much smaller setting. Smaller cell groups help foster strong bonds of friendship among church members, and particularly among the young, the positive peer pressure helps to keep values intact. Thankfully, CHC members are still very committed to prayer and fasting. Overnight prayer meetings are regular occurrences, and this year the church has embarked on “Prayer365” which ensures that at on any given day throughout the year, there are City Harvest cell groups interceding for the vision of the church and the needs of the members.
CP: What would you say is the biggest crisis in Christianity today?
Kong: One of the foremost challenges facing Christianity today is for the need for the church to stay relevant in order to meet the needs of a rapidly evolving society. For those who have been brought up in traditional, conservative, legalistic Christianity, there is always a discomfort in relating or engaging human society or its popular culture. Somehow, we have been taught that culture is worldly, carnal and demonic. But culture is simply a reflection of what people value and enjoy in life. In fact, culture is not a “secular” concept; it has its beginning in the Scripture.
In Genesis 2:15, when God told Adam to take care of the Garden of Eden, the word He used was cultura or “culture.” In its simplest sense, “culture” means taking the raw materials or resources that God has given to man and creatively nurturing them to their fullest potential. These resources may come in the form of talents, gifts and abilities. And even if they are outside the scope of direct church work, we should seek to develop them fully for the glory of God, with the confidence that “every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning” (James 1:17).
God is the Creator and creativity is in His nature. On the other hand, Satan is never creative. Sin has no originality. The devil is not the giver of visions and dreams; the Holy Spirit is. Whenever we see something beautiful in the realm of music, art, science, or even human sexuality, it should be natural for us to show an appreciation for it, because it reflects the beauty that originates from God. Conversely, when we see something being distorted or perverted, we mustn’t condemn or curse it; instead, we should seek to redeem it back to God’s original purpose for it.
As Christians of the 21st century, we can’t withdraw into our little shell of religious correctness. More than ever before, we need to engage culture and provide the answer the world is desperately seeking for. The Bible says, “We are ambassadors for Christ” (2 Cor. 5:20). A good ambassador must understand the habits, thinking, values and language of the people he (or she) is sent to. He may not readily accept any portion of the culture of the host country, but nonetheless must be diplomatic enough to represent his president well. Similarly, we are sent as the representatives of the King of kings and Lord of lords to a broken-down world. The Bible encourages believers to engage culture in positive ways and have the ability to “diplomatically” know what portion of culture to accept or to reject. Being a kind, polite, non-condemning and non-judgmental Christian is consistent with having the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23).
Let us be relevant to the real world. “Relevance” means that we should work toward excellence, realism, and fully covering the entire scope of the human experience. Let us become relatable to a real world with real problems. Only in that process can we introduce a lost generation to a real God with real life-changing solutions.
CP: Can you name some of the ‘frontiers’ that CHC is and will be moving into in the near and distant future?
Kong: Spiritually, we want to grow CHC and raise up more disciples locally and overseas. For that, our aim is to plant more churches and start more Bible schools in the major cities in Asia. In terms of our community services, we would like to start more schools, medical centres, orphanages and rehabilitation centres in the poorer regions of Asia. We presently have about 30 such centres and would like to take it to 100 if the Lord permits. Locally in Singapore, if possible, we would love to work with the authorities to build old folks homes, elderly care centers, and maybe even a hospital someday.
In the next 20 years, it is my prayer that our members will really build happy, healthy marriages and families. They will live useful and productive lives in the marketplace of the world. The City Harvest DNA is one of love, acceptance, colour, creativity and progressiveness. We hope to positively bring these values into the societies that we are working in, and re-present a Christ who is loving, accepting, colourful, creative and progressive.
CP: As a Pentecostal raised in a mainline denomination, what would you say are the reasons for divisions between the newer, independent churches and older mainline denominations? What are some practical steps both sides could take to minimise this conflict?
Kong: In the last decade or so, the Singapore church scene has seen an increase in inter-denominational cooperation such as the LoveSingapore movement, Festival of Praise and the Global Day of Prayer event organized by the Evangelical Fellowship of Singapore, just to name a few. These have done a lot of good in uniting and creating meaningful working relationships among the different churches. A better understanding and appreciation of the different ministries carried out by the respective churches has also been fostered.
As a church, we do not see any major “divisions” or differences between the newer independent churches and the mainline traditional denominations as the basis of our faith originates from the same Source, which is the Bible. There may be some differences in our approach, methods and style of worship, but our essential beliefs and fundamental doctrines remain the same for all churches.
CP: Do you have any other comments?
Kong: I believe the finest days for the Church are ahead of us. There is no limit to what God can do through a person or a church who lives by the Word, partners with the Holy Spirit and walks in total obedience to God!
Tuesday, Sep. 8, 2009 Posted: 1:54:46AM HKT
Source: Click here
In the comparatively short span of two decades, City Harvest Church has become the largest congregation in Singapore.
And yet, for many pastors and believers, the phenomenal growth of the church is at best a mystery or a feat of which only a few are capable.
At worst, it is a tell-tale ‘sign’ of the shallowness of faith and lack of discipleship of the members.
For The Rev Dr Kong Hee, who founded CHC, the growth was unexpected.
Two themes emerged in the course of the email interview he graciously accepted from The Christian Post.
It was primarily the clear vision of God’s passion and calling to the believers and the relentless obedience of the small group of individuals that pioneered the church that enabled CHC to succeed in its outreach.
In the following full transcript, the CHC founder explains how the church has come so far and where it is headed, and then some.
The Christian Post: Your anniversary theme is City Harvest Church Celebrates 20 Years of Growth. How did CHC grow over the past two decades?
The Rev Dr Kong Hee: When I look back at all our achievements, I must honestly say that it is all God. As we continually yield ourselves to Him, truly He has taken us from glory to glory. It has indeed been an exhilarating ride with the Holy Spirit.
CHC is built on 3 core pillars. The first is the Great Commandment: loving God wholeheartedly and loving people fervently. Our love for God must translate into loving our neighbours. So we want to find a hurt and heal it, find a need and meet it. We want take the anointing of God outside of our physical confines into a broken-down world, to build a “Church Without Walls.” To do that, we have to be loving, tolerant and accepting of people who are very different from us. We love them unconditionally and help them become happy, productive people. With this mindset, we have grown the church to the size it is today.
The second pillar is the Great Commission: preaching the gospel of the kingdom in all the nations. Jesus didn’t just die for our own countrymen, He laid down His life for the whole world. From the urban cities to the rural villages, every person should have the chance to know Jesus and hear of what He has done for him or her. The secret to successful missions is still church-planting. Our strategy in missions is to disciple locals to build relevant, contemporary, Spirit-filled churches. Today, we have 45 affiliate churches and 10 Bible schools in the region. We are growing at the rate of one church every 2-3 months.
The third pillar is the Cultural Mandate of bringing Christ into our contemporary culture. We don’t believe in isolating and sanitizing our members from the world. On the contrary, we inspire them to engage society as salt and light, to be useful citizens---to have a “holy worldliness.” We are to be the representative of Christ in the marketplace of business, education, civil service, arts and entertainment, and the mass media. We must listen to the “messages” that is coming out of popular culture and understand the needs of our generation. Only then can we effectively meet those needs in a way and language the people of the 21st century could understand.
CP: What was CHC like at the very beginning and in its early years?
Kong: Twenty years ago, when CHC first started with a group of 20 young people, we lacked both the experience and resources in starting a church. However, even though our pockets were empty, our hearts were full of passion toward God and a great desire to serve His purpose in our generation. Other churches in Singapore were skeptical of the sustainability of this church of youths, and viewed it with no small measure of suspicion. It was totally unheard of that a church could be independently started by young people, and many in the public were wondering if we were even a proper church.
At that time, CHC did not have its own physical building as well and we had to meet from place to place such as the Katong Park Hotel (Duke Hotel), NTUC Auditorium, Ministry Of Environment Building, National Productivity Board Auditorium, World Trade Centre (now HarbourFront) and Westin Stamford Hotel (now The Fairmount), just to name a few. There were even times when the members did not know where the next service was going to be held! But despite the uncertainty and resistance, we chose to obey the call of God and live a life of spiritual commitment and discipline. I continued preaching messages like faith, prayer and fasting, giving, discipleship, ministry and evangelism, and these values have become the core beliefs and foundation of our church today. By the grace of God, our perseverance paid off and we have grown to what we are today. We have never looked back since.
CP: What is your personal testimony like? How did you come to know Christ and desire to serve Him? And what inspired you to start CHC?
Kong: I received Jesus Christ as my personal Savior and Lord in 1975. After my conversion, I attended a small neighborhood Anglican church for the next 13 years. In 1989, I felt the call of God to enter into full-time Christian service. By then, I had graduated with a degree in Computer Science from the National University of Singapore and was working for a publishing house. Having held several small, but successful, evangelistic campaigns in Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines, my original intention was to become a missionary in Southeast Asia. In April that year, I left the Anglican church that I had been attending since a child and set out to become a staff evangelist with “Christ for Asia,” a Singapore-based missions organization.
During one of my trips to the Philippines, the Holy Spirit spoke into my heart, “Kong, return to Singapore and raise up a new generation of believers that would take Asia by storm.” Truly, God’s ways are higher than our ways. At that same time, a group of young people that I had previously ministered to approached me and wanted me to be their shepherd, to pastor and lead them. With the support and encouragement of numerous senior pastors in the city, I decided to pioneer a new work, and hence, put aside my desire of becoming a church-planter in the mission fields.
CP: We know that it is God who grows the Church, but how did CHC allow Him to do that exactly? Do you have any encouragement for churches that have hit the growth ‘plateau’?
Kong: When the Lord first spoke to me about pastoring a church, I had no idea how this vision will come to pass at that time or how the church is going to be like. Since our inception, our modus operandi for winning the lost has been through the Caring System and Friendship Evangelism, where we build meaningful friendships with them and meet their needs with the love of God. At the same time, I was actively discipling the young people in the basics of Christianity: the Word of God, prayer, life in the Holy Spirit, soul-winning, church life, etc. And step by step, God brought us from a humble beginning of 20 people to what we are today, a church of 27,086 weekly attendees.
Coupled with a constant vision and love for the lost, I believe these are the factors that have propelled our church forward. Our leadership and members are always mindful that God’s desire is that everyone should be reached with the Gospel. We have a saying in CHC that “as long as there is one unsaved person out there, the church is not big enough.” We refuse to allow our present size to make us complacent and stop reaching out to the lost.
Inevitably, all churches will go through challenging times or hit a “plateau” in their growth cycle. The important thing to do apart from praying and believing is to persist and keep on keeping on. When we are determined to live out the will of God and fulfil His call upon our lives against all odds, our breakthroughs will come.
CP: With over 27,000 members, what are the main challenges of discipleship? How does CHC overcome that?
Kong: One of the things we have guarded closely over the years is the values or “DNA” of City Harvest Church which can be summed up as the church’s spirit of excellence and uncompromising attitude toward the things of God. In spite of our size, we try our best to ensure it is passed down, year after year, to the rank and file. This would not have been possible without an effective cell group system. In our church, over 1,000 cell group and ministry leaders each lead one or two cell groups, each averaging 15 people. Cell group meetings are held once a week — and in between, conduct fellowship, counseling, Bible studies, and many other activities.
As our church grows larger in numbers, "cell groups provide the optimum context for effective discipleship,” where members can still forge close relationships with fellow Christians in a much smaller setting. Smaller cell groups help foster strong bonds of friendship among church members, and particularly among the young, the positive peer pressure helps to keep values intact. Thankfully, CHC members are still very committed to prayer and fasting. Overnight prayer meetings are regular occurrences, and this year the church has embarked on “Prayer365” which ensures that at on any given day throughout the year, there are City Harvest cell groups interceding for the vision of the church and the needs of the members.
CP: What would you say is the biggest crisis in Christianity today?
Kong: One of the foremost challenges facing Christianity today is for the need for the church to stay relevant in order to meet the needs of a rapidly evolving society. For those who have been brought up in traditional, conservative, legalistic Christianity, there is always a discomfort in relating or engaging human society or its popular culture. Somehow, we have been taught that culture is worldly, carnal and demonic. But culture is simply a reflection of what people value and enjoy in life. In fact, culture is not a “secular” concept; it has its beginning in the Scripture.
In Genesis 2:15, when God told Adam to take care of the Garden of Eden, the word He used was cultura or “culture.” In its simplest sense, “culture” means taking the raw materials or resources that God has given to man and creatively nurturing them to their fullest potential. These resources may come in the form of talents, gifts and abilities. And even if they are outside the scope of direct church work, we should seek to develop them fully for the glory of God, with the confidence that “every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning” (James 1:17).
God is the Creator and creativity is in His nature. On the other hand, Satan is never creative. Sin has no originality. The devil is not the giver of visions and dreams; the Holy Spirit is. Whenever we see something beautiful in the realm of music, art, science, or even human sexuality, it should be natural for us to show an appreciation for it, because it reflects the beauty that originates from God. Conversely, when we see something being distorted or perverted, we mustn’t condemn or curse it; instead, we should seek to redeem it back to God’s original purpose for it.
As Christians of the 21st century, we can’t withdraw into our little shell of religious correctness. More than ever before, we need to engage culture and provide the answer the world is desperately seeking for. The Bible says, “We are ambassadors for Christ” (2 Cor. 5:20). A good ambassador must understand the habits, thinking, values and language of the people he (or she) is sent to. He may not readily accept any portion of the culture of the host country, but nonetheless must be diplomatic enough to represent his president well. Similarly, we are sent as the representatives of the King of kings and Lord of lords to a broken-down world. The Bible encourages believers to engage culture in positive ways and have the ability to “diplomatically” know what portion of culture to accept or to reject. Being a kind, polite, non-condemning and non-judgmental Christian is consistent with having the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23).
Let us be relevant to the real world. “Relevance” means that we should work toward excellence, realism, and fully covering the entire scope of the human experience. Let us become relatable to a real world with real problems. Only in that process can we introduce a lost generation to a real God with real life-changing solutions.
CP: Can you name some of the ‘frontiers’ that CHC is and will be moving into in the near and distant future?
Kong: Spiritually, we want to grow CHC and raise up more disciples locally and overseas. For that, our aim is to plant more churches and start more Bible schools in the major cities in Asia. In terms of our community services, we would like to start more schools, medical centres, orphanages and rehabilitation centres in the poorer regions of Asia. We presently have about 30 such centres and would like to take it to 100 if the Lord permits. Locally in Singapore, if possible, we would love to work with the authorities to build old folks homes, elderly care centers, and maybe even a hospital someday.
In the next 20 years, it is my prayer that our members will really build happy, healthy marriages and families. They will live useful and productive lives in the marketplace of the world. The City Harvest DNA is one of love, acceptance, colour, creativity and progressiveness. We hope to positively bring these values into the societies that we are working in, and re-present a Christ who is loving, accepting, colourful, creative and progressive.
CP: As a Pentecostal raised in a mainline denomination, what would you say are the reasons for divisions between the newer, independent churches and older mainline denominations? What are some practical steps both sides could take to minimise this conflict?
Kong: In the last decade or so, the Singapore church scene has seen an increase in inter-denominational cooperation such as the LoveSingapore movement, Festival of Praise and the Global Day of Prayer event organized by the Evangelical Fellowship of Singapore, just to name a few. These have done a lot of good in uniting and creating meaningful working relationships among the different churches. A better understanding and appreciation of the different ministries carried out by the respective churches has also been fostered.
As a church, we do not see any major “divisions” or differences between the newer independent churches and the mainline traditional denominations as the basis of our faith originates from the same Source, which is the Bible. There may be some differences in our approach, methods and style of worship, but our essential beliefs and fundamental doctrines remain the same for all churches.
CP: Do you have any other comments?
Kong: I believe the finest days for the Church are ahead of us. There is no limit to what God can do through a person or a church who lives by the Word, partners with the Holy Spirit and walks in total obedience to God!
We do not apologise for increasing the academic rigour and standard
Largest Pentecostal/Charismatic Seminary Celebrates 30th Anniversary
Monday, Sep. 14, 2009 Posted: 9:02:42PM HKT
Source: Click here
The largest Pentecostal/Charismatic theological institution here has celebrated its 30th anniversary.
TCA College concluded its celebrations in early September with the graduation of its 20th batch of students.
In his personal message, the President of TCA College, The Rev Wilson Teo, highlighted the academic achievements of the seminary.
The Rev Teo named the increased academic rigour and standard as one of the achievements of the institution, which was founded by Trinity Christian Centre to raise Christian leaders for missions.
“Given our validation with the University of Wales and our accreditation with the Asia Theological Association, we are ensuring that our students are well equipped to handle the ministry and also an excellent student of God’s Word,” said The Rev Teo, responding to feedback from his students and faculty alike that the programmes at TCA College had become more demanding.
“This cannot be compromised given the high standing needed for anyone who ministers God’s Word in the Church or the market place. We do not apologise for increasing the academic rigour and standard because we know that we are grounding our students in strong biblical foundations that will help them in their future ministries. Students will need to work even harder than before and I know that they will be grounded on a solid foundation.”
Moreover, TCA College has established itself as the largest Pentecostal/Charismatic Christian college in Singapore and Malaysia, with over 1,000 students and more than 550 graduates.
These students come from more than 170 churches worldwide and are attracted by the ‘strong’ Pentecostal and Charismatic distinctives of the seminary, according to The Rev Teo.
The college president says it will continue to ‘harness’ the distinctive and offer courses that will equip students with ‘proper’ teaching in the area. The Rev Teo noted the college is presently investing in more resources in the area and aims to be a resource centre for Pentecostal and Charismatic studies in the region.
The president's message was posted on the TCA College website.
The Singapore campus of the TCA College has students from 34 nations.
Nathanael Ng
nathanael@christianpost.com
Monday, Sep. 14, 2009 Posted: 9:02:42PM HKT
Source: Click here
The largest Pentecostal/Charismatic theological institution here has celebrated its 30th anniversary.
TCA College concluded its celebrations in early September with the graduation of its 20th batch of students.
In his personal message, the President of TCA College, The Rev Wilson Teo, highlighted the academic achievements of the seminary.
The Rev Teo named the increased academic rigour and standard as one of the achievements of the institution, which was founded by Trinity Christian Centre to raise Christian leaders for missions.
“Given our validation with the University of Wales and our accreditation with the Asia Theological Association, we are ensuring that our students are well equipped to handle the ministry and also an excellent student of God’s Word,” said The Rev Teo, responding to feedback from his students and faculty alike that the programmes at TCA College had become more demanding.
“This cannot be compromised given the high standing needed for anyone who ministers God’s Word in the Church or the market place. We do not apologise for increasing the academic rigour and standard because we know that we are grounding our students in strong biblical foundations that will help them in their future ministries. Students will need to work even harder than before and I know that they will be grounded on a solid foundation.”
Moreover, TCA College has established itself as the largest Pentecostal/Charismatic Christian college in Singapore and Malaysia, with over 1,000 students and more than 550 graduates.
These students come from more than 170 churches worldwide and are attracted by the ‘strong’ Pentecostal and Charismatic distinctives of the seminary, according to The Rev Teo.
The college president says it will continue to ‘harness’ the distinctive and offer courses that will equip students with ‘proper’ teaching in the area. The Rev Teo noted the college is presently investing in more resources in the area and aims to be a resource centre for Pentecostal and Charismatic studies in the region.
The president's message was posted on the TCA College website.
The Singapore campus of the TCA College has students from 34 nations.
Nathanael Ng
nathanael@christianpost.com
Friday, September 11, 2009
Fasting that we become more sensitive in the Spirit
THE DISCIPLINE OF FASTING
Source: Click Here
I remember as a new Christian, walking down the street, saying, "Lord, I don't know anything about fasting. No one has every taught me anything about it. How do I learn what to do?" I crossed the street and went into a Christian bookstore. I asked for the section on fasting, but there wasn't one. There was only one book on fasting and it was very thin. Ever notice that the books on fasting are never fat? I was so disappointed. I left the store and prayed, "Jesus, there's no books to teach me, but I am you’re disciple, please teach me to fast."
What He began to show me caused me to get very excited about fasting. I just wanted to practice doing it all the time, I just wanted to learn. I wanted to see the benefits of it. He would teach me how to fast for short times and long times. But then something changed. I don't know how or when, but something changed and I lost the excitement of getting to fast, and began to feel like I must fast. It became a commandment. I became afraid that if I didn't fast, that something bad would happen to me. That God would punish me if I didn’t fast. It took me a long time to recover that. Now I'm in a different place today. He taught me how to fast again, in a way that I really enjoy doing it, because I love the reward, and I love doing things in the secret place to please my Father in heaven.
I like the rewards of fasting. I'll say to the Lord, "I would like this and I am going to fast towards it." It's never something selfish. I don't fast to get more money for myself, I fast for spiritual things. "Lord, I have a brother who is hurting... I will fast for him." The reward is, he gets a spiritual breakthrough and I get very excited as I anticipate it coming. Then the brother says, "I don't understand this, I've had such a breakthrough with God." I say, "Well, praise the Lord, God is good." But inside, I'm thinking, "HALLELUJAH! I missed a meal or two and my brother gets more freedom.” It's so satisfying. So, I fast with a reward in mind and it makes it easier.
I want to be a disciple. Don't you? It's exciting. I'm not a disciple of the church; I'm not a disciple in some program. I'm a disciple of Jesus Christ! I want to know Him. I want to walk with Him. I want to do what He did to become what He is.
NOT BY COMMANDMENT
There is no commandment to fast in the New Testament. Fasting must also come out of discipline and desire, not a commandment. Jesus assumed that we will do what He did, in the manner in which He did it:
"Moreover, when you fast… do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.” (Matthew 6:16-18)
Verse 17, 18: "But when you fast… anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly."
John the Baptist fasted often. So did the Pharisees, at least twice a week. And both of their disciples fasted also. They needed to do the disciplines their masters (teachers) did in order to become like their masters:
"Then they said to Him, "Why do the disciples of John fast often and make prayers, and likewise those of the Pharisees, but Yours eat and drink?" (Luke 5:33)
"Then the disciples of John came to Him, saying, `Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?' And Jesus said to them, `Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.'" (Matthew 9:14)
"The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank You that I am not like other men; extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.’I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.' And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!'
`I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.’" (Luke 18:11-14)
If we also approach fasting as a commandment we will become self-righteous or legalistic about it. It is a slippery slope. This is why it is important that fasting remains within the frame-work of grace, where we don’t have to do it, but we get to.
THERE ARE REWARDS FOR FASTING
There are rewards for fasting. These rewards are what stimulate our desire to do any of the disciplines Jesus did.
Jesus illustrated this by pointing out that some people fasted so that they would appear spiritual to others. That was the reward they got for missing so many meals. They did this because they could see the acclaim others had gotten for fasting so much. This "apparent spirituality” became the fuel behind their discipline. The fact is, Jesus and John the Baptist both fasted extensively and had deep spirituality. But this motivation can become perverted, so that we fast to gain the approval of others. Be careful that your fasting does not become a way to get others to like you, or for you to like yourself. Some conclude that God to like us more when we fast and gets angry with us when we don’t. One way to test this motive is to see how you think God reacts when you break a fast.
“'Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face so that you do not appear unto men to fast, but unto your Father, which is done in secret: and your Father which sees in secret shall reward you openly.” (Matthew 6:16, 17)
When we fast in secret, God will reward us openly. What are these rewards? Is alright to use the rewards that God gives to stimulate our desire to fast? Here are some rewards worth fasting for:
- So that we and our family can come into what God has for us.
- So that we become more sensitive in the Spirit, which helps us to more effectively minister to others.
- So that we break a bondages or habits in our lives or in the lives of others.
- So that we build our lives around eternal priorities, rather than the dictates of our flesh.
- So that we have better health in order to serve the Lord longer.
It would be best if you started a fast with a predetermined goal in mind. Then when you are tempted to eat something, compare it to the result you are seeking. When tempted to break a fast, I often tell myself, “I can eat that anytime, but I want this thing that I desire of God more.”
INCITING A DESIRE TO FAST
Based upon Isaiah 58, if we fast for the right reasons, we can expect the following rewards:
- Then your light shall break forth like the morning,
- Your healing shall spring forth speedily,
- And your righteousness shall go before you;
- The glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.
- When you call, the LORD will answer; when you shall cry out, and He will say, 'Here I am.'"
- Then your light shall dawn in the darkness, and your darkness shall be as the noonday.
- The LORD will guide you continually,
- And satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones;
- You shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.
- Those from among you shall build the old waste places;
- You shall raise up the foundations of many generations;
- And you shall be called the “Repairer of the Breach”,
- And “The Restorer of Streets to Dwell In”.
Source: Click Here
I remember as a new Christian, walking down the street, saying, "Lord, I don't know anything about fasting. No one has every taught me anything about it. How do I learn what to do?" I crossed the street and went into a Christian bookstore. I asked for the section on fasting, but there wasn't one. There was only one book on fasting and it was very thin. Ever notice that the books on fasting are never fat? I was so disappointed. I left the store and prayed, "Jesus, there's no books to teach me, but I am you’re disciple, please teach me to fast."
What He began to show me caused me to get very excited about fasting. I just wanted to practice doing it all the time, I just wanted to learn. I wanted to see the benefits of it. He would teach me how to fast for short times and long times. But then something changed. I don't know how or when, but something changed and I lost the excitement of getting to fast, and began to feel like I must fast. It became a commandment. I became afraid that if I didn't fast, that something bad would happen to me. That God would punish me if I didn’t fast. It took me a long time to recover that. Now I'm in a different place today. He taught me how to fast again, in a way that I really enjoy doing it, because I love the reward, and I love doing things in the secret place to please my Father in heaven.
I like the rewards of fasting. I'll say to the Lord, "I would like this and I am going to fast towards it." It's never something selfish. I don't fast to get more money for myself, I fast for spiritual things. "Lord, I have a brother who is hurting... I will fast for him." The reward is, he gets a spiritual breakthrough and I get very excited as I anticipate it coming. Then the brother says, "I don't understand this, I've had such a breakthrough with God." I say, "Well, praise the Lord, God is good." But inside, I'm thinking, "HALLELUJAH! I missed a meal or two and my brother gets more freedom.” It's so satisfying. So, I fast with a reward in mind and it makes it easier.
I want to be a disciple. Don't you? It's exciting. I'm not a disciple of the church; I'm not a disciple in some program. I'm a disciple of Jesus Christ! I want to know Him. I want to walk with Him. I want to do what He did to become what He is.
NOT BY COMMANDMENT
There is no commandment to fast in the New Testament. Fasting must also come out of discipline and desire, not a commandment. Jesus assumed that we will do what He did, in the manner in which He did it:
"Moreover, when you fast… do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.” (Matthew 6:16-18)
Verse 17, 18: "But when you fast… anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly."
John the Baptist fasted often. So did the Pharisees, at least twice a week. And both of their disciples fasted also. They needed to do the disciplines their masters (teachers) did in order to become like their masters:
"Then they said to Him, "Why do the disciples of John fast often and make prayers, and likewise those of the Pharisees, but Yours eat and drink?" (Luke 5:33)
"Then the disciples of John came to Him, saying, `Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?' And Jesus said to them, `Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.'" (Matthew 9:14)
"The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank You that I am not like other men; extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.’I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.' And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!'
`I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.’" (Luke 18:11-14)
If we also approach fasting as a commandment we will become self-righteous or legalistic about it. It is a slippery slope. This is why it is important that fasting remains within the frame-work of grace, where we don’t have to do it, but we get to.
THERE ARE REWARDS FOR FASTING
There are rewards for fasting. These rewards are what stimulate our desire to do any of the disciplines Jesus did.
Jesus illustrated this by pointing out that some people fasted so that they would appear spiritual to others. That was the reward they got for missing so many meals. They did this because they could see the acclaim others had gotten for fasting so much. This "apparent spirituality” became the fuel behind their discipline. The fact is, Jesus and John the Baptist both fasted extensively and had deep spirituality. But this motivation can become perverted, so that we fast to gain the approval of others. Be careful that your fasting does not become a way to get others to like you, or for you to like yourself. Some conclude that God to like us more when we fast and gets angry with us when we don’t. One way to test this motive is to see how you think God reacts when you break a fast.
“'Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face so that you do not appear unto men to fast, but unto your Father, which is done in secret: and your Father which sees in secret shall reward you openly.” (Matthew 6:16, 17)
When we fast in secret, God will reward us openly. What are these rewards? Is alright to use the rewards that God gives to stimulate our desire to fast? Here are some rewards worth fasting for:
- So that we and our family can come into what God has for us.
- So that we become more sensitive in the Spirit, which helps us to more effectively minister to others.
- So that we break a bondages or habits in our lives or in the lives of others.
- So that we build our lives around eternal priorities, rather than the dictates of our flesh.
- So that we have better health in order to serve the Lord longer.
It would be best if you started a fast with a predetermined goal in mind. Then when you are tempted to eat something, compare it to the result you are seeking. When tempted to break a fast, I often tell myself, “I can eat that anytime, but I want this thing that I desire of God more.”
INCITING A DESIRE TO FAST
Based upon Isaiah 58, if we fast for the right reasons, we can expect the following rewards:
- Then your light shall break forth like the morning,
- Your healing shall spring forth speedily,
- And your righteousness shall go before you;
- The glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.
- When you call, the LORD will answer; when you shall cry out, and He will say, 'Here I am.'"
- Then your light shall dawn in the darkness, and your darkness shall be as the noonday.
- The LORD will guide you continually,
- And satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones;
- You shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.
- Those from among you shall build the old waste places;
- You shall raise up the foundations of many generations;
- And you shall be called the “Repairer of the Breach”,
- And “The Restorer of Streets to Dwell In”.
The duty of God’s children is to hide His Word in their hearts
God's Word in Our Hearts
by Thomas Manton
“Thy Word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against Thee” (Psa. 119:11). The duty of God’s children is to hide His Word in their hearts, and in so doing there must be a right end; their knowledge of it and delight in it is to be directed to practice.
One duty and necessary practice of God’s children is to hide the Word in their hearts. See it confirmed by a Scripture or two: “This book of the Law shall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou shalt meditate therein day and night” (Josh. 1:8); “Receive, I pray thee, the law from His mouth, and lay up His words in thy heart” (Job 22:22). Lay up His words as we would do choice things, that they may not be lost; and lay them up as a treasure to be used upon all occasions. In the heart let them not swim in the brain or memory only, but let the affections be moved therewith, “Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly” (Col. 3:16): be so diligent in the study of the Scripture that it may become familiar with us, by frequent hearing, reading, meditating, conferring about it. As a stranger, let it not stand at the door, but receive it into an inner room; be as familiar as those that dwell with you. God complaineth of His people “I have written to him [Ephraim] the great things of My Law, but they were counted as a strange thing” (Hosea 8:12). To be strangers to the Word of God, and little conversant in it, is a great evil.
What is it to hide the Word in our hearts? (
1) To understand it, to get a competent knowledge of it; we take in things into the soul by the understanding: “When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul” (Prov. 2:10).
(2) When it is assented unto by faith. The Word is settled in the heart by faith, otherwise it soon vanisheth: “The Word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it “ (Heb. 4:2).
(3) When it is kindly entertained. Christ complained “Ye seek to kill Me, because My Word hath no place in you” (John 8:37). Men are so possessed with lust and prejudice, that there is no room for Christ’s Word. Though it break in upon the heart with evidence and power, yet it is not entertained there but cast out again as an unwelcome guest.
(4) When it is deeply rooted. Many men have flashes for a time: their affections may be much aloft, and they may have great elevations of joy, but no sound grace: ”ye rejoiced in his light for a season” (John 5:35). The Word must be settled into a standing affection, if we would have comfort and profit from it. We read of “The engrafted Word” (James 1:21): till there be the root of the matter in us, in vain do we expect fruit.
The reasons why this is one great duty and practice of the saints to hide the Word in their heart are two: first, that we may have it ready for our use. We lay up principles that we may lay them out upon all occasions. When the Word is hidden in the heart, it will be ready to break out in the tongue and practice, and be forthcoming to direct us in every duty and exigency. When persons run to the market for every pennyworth, it doth not become good housekeepers. To be seeking of comforts when we should use them, or to run to a book, is not so blessed as to hide it in the heart. “A good scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of Heaven...bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old” (Matt. 13:52). He hath not only this year’s growth but the last year’s gathering (for so is the allusion): he hath not only from hand to mouth, but a good stock by him. So should it be with the Christian, which is a very great advantage.
First, it will prevent vain thoughts. Why is evil so ready and present with us? Because our stock of spiritual knowledge is so small. A man that hath a pocket with more brass farthings than pieces of silver, will more readily draw out farthings than shillings; his stock is greater. So vain thoughts will be more ready with us, unless the Word dwell richly in our hearts. “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth good things” (Matt. 12:35). The workings of our spirits are as our treasure and stock. The mind works upon what it finds in itself, as a mill grinds whatever is put into it—chaff or corn. Therefore, if we would prevent evil thoughts and musings of vanity all the day long, we must hide the Word in our hearts.
Second, when you are alone and without outward helps, your hearts will furnish you with matters of counsel, or comfort, or reproof: “My reins instruct me in the night season” (Psa. 16:7). When we are alone, and there is a veil of darkness drawn upon the world, and we have not the benefit of a Bible, a minister, or Christian friends, our reins will instruct us; we may draw out of our heart that which will be for our refreshing. A Christian is to be a walking Bible: to have a good stock and treasure in himself.
Third, it will supply us in prayer. Barrenness and leanness of soul is a very great defect, which God’s children often complain of. One great reason is because the Word of God does not dwell plenteously in them. If the heart were often exercised in the Word, the promises would hold up our hearts in prayer, enlarge our affections, and we should be better able to pour out our spirits before Him. “My heart is inditing a good matter” (Psa. 45:1). What follows? “My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.” When the heart is full, the tongue will be loosed and speak freely. What is the reason we are so dumb and tongue-tied in prayer? Because the heart is so barren. When the spring is dry, there will be little water in the stream. “Take the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God,” then follows “praying with all supplication” (Eph. 6:17, 18). When we have a good store of the Word it will burst out in prayer,
Fourth, it will he a great help to us in all our affairs. Proverbs 6:21, 22, speaking of the precepts of God, “bind them upon thy heart; when thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; when thou awakest it shall talk with thee.” Upon all occasions the Word will be ready to cast in seasonable thoughts. When we awake, our first thoughts in the morning will begin with God, to season the heart all the day; and as we are about our business, the Word will hold our hearts in the fear of God; and when we sleep, it will guard us from vain dreams and imaginations. In a wicked man sin engrosses all his thoughts: it employs him all the day, plays in his fancy all the night; it solicits him first in the morning, because he is a stranger to the Word of God. But a man that is a Bible to himself, the Word will ever be upon him, urging him to duty, restraining him from sin, directing him in his ways.
Fifth, it is a great relief against temptations to have the Word ready. The Word is called “The Sword of the Spirit.” In spiritual conflicts there is none like it. Those that ride abroad in time of danger will not be without a sword. We are in danger, and had need handle the Sword of the Spirit. The more ready the Scripture is with us, the greater advantage in our conflicts and temptations. When the Devil came to assault Christ, He had Scripture ready for him, whereby He overcame the tempter. The door is barred upon Satan, and he cannot find such easy entrance, when the Word is hid in our hearts, and made use of pertinently. “I write to you, young men, because ye are strong.” Wherein lies their strength? “And the Word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one” (1 John 2:14). O it is a great advantage when we have the Word not only by us, but in us, engrafted in the heart! When it is present with us, we are more able to resist the attacks of Satan. Either a man forgets the Word or has lost his affections to it, before he can be drawn to sin,
Sixth, it is a great relief in afflictions. Our fainting in trouble come from ignorance or forgetfulness: “Ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of Him” (Heb. 12:5). If we had a herb growing in our garden that would ease our smart, what, are we the better if we know it not? There is no malady but what has its remedy in the Word. To have a comfort ready is a great relief. Seventh, it makes our conference and conversation with others more gracious. “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh” (Matt. 12:34). When we have a great deal of hidden treasure in the soul it will get out at the tongue, for there is a quick intercourse between the heart and the tongue. The tap runs according to the liquor wherewith the vessel is filled. Come to men of an unsavory spirit, pierce them, broach them, give them occasion again and again for discourse, and you get nothing but frothy communication from them and vain talk. But now a man that has stored his heart with the Word is ever and anon interposing for God. Like a bottle filled with wine, he must have vent. As the Spouse’s lips are said to “drop as honeycombs,” they are ever putting forth savoury expressions in their converse with others.
Before I go to the second reason, let me anticipate an objection. Is not this to take from the Spirit and give it to the Word? And that to the Word not as written in God’s book, but as it is in our hearts Will not this be to ascribe all to created grace? I answer (1) Without question, it is the office of the Spirit to bring things to our remembrance, and the great help He gives is by suggesting such passages as may be of most seasonable relief to the soul in temptations, in prayer, and in business (John 14:16). But what is ascribed to the Scriptures and grace is not to the robbing of the Spirit, for the Scripture is of His inditing, and grace is of His working; yea, we still reserve the chief honour to the Holy Spirit, for He not only works grace, but works by grace. He not only indites the Scripture, but operates by it; it is He that quickens prayer, and therefore it is ill trusting to our own understanding and memory, for it is the Spirit that is the great Remembrancer, and impresses upon the mind seasonable thoughts.
(2) I grant further, the children of God are subject to much forgetfulness of the Truth that is impressed upon their hearts; partly through the present cloud and mist which the temptation raiseth. The Psalmist had truths enough to support him, yet he said, “Until I went into the sanctuary of God, I was foolish and ignorant; I was as a beast before Thee” (73:17, 22). There is so much dullness upon the children of God that they cannot remember seasonable thoughts; as Hagar had a fountain by her, yet she did not see it till God opened her eyes (Gen. 21). So under temptation all are benighted, and the light that is in the understanding is obscured. And partly through the little sense they have for the present need of the comforts which the Word propounds; few are so wise as to lay up for a bad year. And partly through sloth and negligence, being taken up with other things. It is possible sometimes that we may be guided by the Spirit, and act right merely by the guidance of the Holy Spirit, without any interposing and concurrence of our own understandings as John 12:13 compared with verse 16:—“They took branches of palm trees and went forth to meet Him; and cried, Hosanna, blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord...these things understood not His disciples at the first; but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of Him, and that they had done these things unto Him.” Mark they were guided by the Spirit to do that they knew not for the present.
(3) The Holy Spirit makes use of a sanctified memory, bringing Scripture to our remembrance as we have need. It is made their act, because the Holy Spirit made use of their memories: they “remembered that it was written, The zeal of Thine house hath eaten Me up” (John 2:17). They that neglect to search and hide the Word in their hearts, have not such seasonable refreshment; for God works more strongly with the strongest graces; there where there is the greater receptivity, there is the greater influence; those that are ignorant cannot expect such help as those having the Word dwelling richly in them.
The second reason is, therefore should we hide the Word in our hearts, because God doth so in the work of conversion: “I will put My laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts” (Heb. 8:10). The mind is compared to tables of stone, and the heart to the ark; and so this is required of us to “write them upon the table of our heart” (Prov. 7:3). How doth this follow? because God does in conversion, therefore it is our duty? I answer (1) God requires what He works to show the creature’s duty, as well as the power of His own grace. God is to convert, yet do you turn; circumcise your heart and I will circumcise; mortify your members, and yet “If ye through the Spirit do mortify. “He gives and requires, to engage the subserviency of our endeavours, and to make us sensible of our obligation. (2) This follows because this work must he gone over and over that it may be more explicit. We must revive the work, and put a fresh copy of the Law into our hearts, to keep the old work a-foot.
Use 1. To persuade you to study the Scripture, that you may get understanding and hide the Word in your hearts for gracious purposes. This is the Book of books: let it not lie idle. The world can as well be without the sun as the Bible—Psalm 19 speaks first of the sun, then of the Law of God, which is to the Christian as the sun is to the outward world. Consider the great use of the Word for informing the understanding and reforming the will. The Word of God is able “to make the man of God perfect, and thoroughly furnished” (2 Tim. 3:17). “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to Thy Word” (Psa. 119:9). A young man that is so heedless and headstrong, and in the very heat of his lusts, yet there is enough in the Word to cleanse, tame, and subdue him to God. Therefore let us get it into our hearts. To this end:
Meditate often on it: “Mary kept all these sayings” (Luke 2:19). How did she keep them? She “pondered them in her heart.” Musing makes the fire to burn, and deep and constant thoughts are operative. The hen which straggles from her nest when she sits a-brooding produces nothing; it is a constant incubation which hatches the young. So when we have only a few straggling thoughts, and do not brood upon the Truth; when we have flashes only, like a little glance of a sunbeam upon a wall, it does nothing; but serious thoughts, through the Lord’s blessing, will do the work. Urge the heart again and again. Ask, is this a Truth?—then what will become of me if I disregard it; is this the Word of God, and does it find no more entertainment in my heart?
Receive it in the love of it. The Apostle makes this to be the ground of apostasy: “because they received not the love of the truth” (2 Thess. 2:10). O let it soak into the affections. If it lie only in the tongue or in the mind, only to make it a matter of talk and speculation, it will he soon gone. The seed which lies upon the surface, the fowls of the air will pick it up. Therefore hide it deeply; let it soak further and further. First men have a naked apprehension of truth, then it gets into the conscience, then it lies in the heart, then it is laid up. When it is dearer than our dearest lust, then it will stick by us. When it breaks in upon the heart with evidence and power, you cannot keep both.
Use 2. To direct you what to do in reading. It is a notable preservative against sin, and an antidote against the infection of the world: “The Law of God is in his heart, none of his steps shall slide” (Psa. 37:31). As long as truth is kept lively and active, and in view of conscience, we shall not slide, or not so often. We have many temptations to divert us from obedience; but we are in safety when the Law of God is in our heart. See how it was in Joseph’s heart: “How can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?”—against God, that is of such sovereign majesty; of such infinite goodness and mighty power, so able to save and to destroy! Every time you read the Scripture you should lay up something. The best way to destroy ill weeds is by planting the ground with right seed. Then for promises: what have you hidden in your heart for comfort against desertions and afflictions? In a time of trial you will find one promise gives more comfort and support than all the arguments that can be produced by reason. “This is my comfort in my affliction: Thy Word hath quickened me” (Psa. 119:50). He had a word to support him: therefore let us treasure up the promises. So for threats, especially against the sins we are most inclined to: “Who among you will give ear, and hear for the time to come?” (Isa. 42:23). It is well with you for the present, but matters to come are put off, little cared for: Amos 6:3. You should think of and provide against what will come afterward.
So in hearing. Do not hear lightly, but hide the Word in your heart, that it be not embezzled by your own negligence, forgetfulness, running into carnal distractions; that it be not purloined by Satan, that he may not snatch away the good Seed out of your soul. When the Word is preached, there is more company present than is visible; there are angels and demons in the assembly. Whenever the sons of God meet together, Satan is there too. The Devil is present to divert the mind by wandering thoughts, by raising prejudices that we may cast out the Word—or by excuses, delays, evasions, putting it off to others when we begin to have some sense of our sin and danger. The Devil is loath to let us go too far, lest Christ get a subject into His kingdom. Therefore let us labour to get something into the heart by every sermon: some fresh consideration is given out to set you a-work in the spiritual life. A conscientious waiting upon God will find something every time. It is sad to consider how many have heard much, and laid up little or nothing at all; it may be they have laid it up in their notebooks, but not laid up the Word in their hearts.
For meditation. Meditate upon the Word: do not study it in a cursory manner, or content yourselves with a slight taste, or a little volatile affection; but ponder it seriously, that it may enter into your very heart. Hasty and perfunctory thoughts work nothing. Meat must be well chewed and digested, if you would have it turn into good blood and energy. You must follow the Word closely till it settle into some affection. So much then for David’s practice: “Thy Word have I hid in my heart.” The second thing is the aim and end of it: “that I might not sin against Thee.”
In hiding the Word in our hearts there must be a right design: our knowledge of it and delight in it are to be directed to practice. First, we must not study the Word merely out of curiosity, that we may know what is said there, as men will pry into civil art and secular subjects. So the Athenians flocked about Paul: Acts 17:18-21; so for novelty’s sake men may have an affection in the Word—“ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light” (John 5:35). There are certain adulterous affections we have to the Word when it is new and fresh, but when it grows familiar we loathe it. This affection to the Word is soon spent.
Second, we must not hide the Word in our heart that we may be able to teach others, that we may make a gainful trade of it. Alas! a man may teach others and be himself a castaway. Look, as in coining of money, an iron stamp may impress the character and print upon a piece of silver or of gold, so God may use the gifts of some men to beget faith in others, and perish themselves. “We have prophesied in Thy name,” yet “depart from Me; I know you not” (Matt. 7:22-23).
Third, this must not be our end either: not merely for delight. Largeness of knowledge brings a content with it, as it is an addition to our equipment. Truth is the object of our understanding, and may please an unsanctified mind. Not merely out of subserviency to some base and inferior ends, that we get esteem in the world or the reputation of knowing persons, but as it is an elevation of the understanding. Every delight in Truth is not a delight in God! There is a natural delight we have in the contemplation of any sublime truth: this is merely a delight in the work of our own faculties, when the affections are terminated in bare knowledge—as it is a high and mysterious truth, or as it is a delectation to the understanding.
Fourth, we are not merely to study the Word for the comfort of it, and the suitableness to the conscience. As man is a reasonable creature, he will delight in knowledge; and as he has a conscience which presages death and judgment to come, he may delight in the comfort of it. Many search out promises, but do not love precepts. The stony ground seem to have a joy; they may delight in the comfortable part of religion, but this joy comes to nothing—this gladsome forward spring is no sure prognostication of a plentiful harvest. Then only do we receive the Word aright when we look to the holy part, and mortify our natural desires and affections. Many deal with the Word as great men do with fleshly companions—willing to entertain them at their tables—to hear their discourse, because of the pleasantness of their mirth; but to enter into bonds for them, and discharge them from debt, or better their fortunes, that they will not do. So many will give Christ and the Word, especially the comfortable part of it, entertainment; but they are loath to take the duty of the Gospel unto themselves. Therefore it is not enough to study the Word merely that we may cherish our own persons with the comforting part of it, but we must also study the holy part and that which does require our duty. Then let us labour to hide the Word in our hearts as David did: that we may not sin against God.
Condensed by Arthur W. Pink. Originally edited by Emmett O'Donnell for Mt. Zion Publications, a ministry of Mt. Zion Bible Church, 2603 West Wright St., Pensacola, FL 32505. www.mountzion.org
by Thomas Manton
“Thy Word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against Thee” (Psa. 119:11). The duty of God’s children is to hide His Word in their hearts, and in so doing there must be a right end; their knowledge of it and delight in it is to be directed to practice.
One duty and necessary practice of God’s children is to hide the Word in their hearts. See it confirmed by a Scripture or two: “This book of the Law shall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou shalt meditate therein day and night” (Josh. 1:8); “Receive, I pray thee, the law from His mouth, and lay up His words in thy heart” (Job 22:22). Lay up His words as we would do choice things, that they may not be lost; and lay them up as a treasure to be used upon all occasions. In the heart let them not swim in the brain or memory only, but let the affections be moved therewith, “Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly” (Col. 3:16): be so diligent in the study of the Scripture that it may become familiar with us, by frequent hearing, reading, meditating, conferring about it. As a stranger, let it not stand at the door, but receive it into an inner room; be as familiar as those that dwell with you. God complaineth of His people “I have written to him [Ephraim] the great things of My Law, but they were counted as a strange thing” (Hosea 8:12). To be strangers to the Word of God, and little conversant in it, is a great evil.
What is it to hide the Word in our hearts? (
1) To understand it, to get a competent knowledge of it; we take in things into the soul by the understanding: “When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul” (Prov. 2:10).
(2) When it is assented unto by faith. The Word is settled in the heart by faith, otherwise it soon vanisheth: “The Word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it “ (Heb. 4:2).
(3) When it is kindly entertained. Christ complained “Ye seek to kill Me, because My Word hath no place in you” (John 8:37). Men are so possessed with lust and prejudice, that there is no room for Christ’s Word. Though it break in upon the heart with evidence and power, yet it is not entertained there but cast out again as an unwelcome guest.
(4) When it is deeply rooted. Many men have flashes for a time: their affections may be much aloft, and they may have great elevations of joy, but no sound grace: ”ye rejoiced in his light for a season” (John 5:35). The Word must be settled into a standing affection, if we would have comfort and profit from it. We read of “The engrafted Word” (James 1:21): till there be the root of the matter in us, in vain do we expect fruit.
The reasons why this is one great duty and practice of the saints to hide the Word in their heart are two: first, that we may have it ready for our use. We lay up principles that we may lay them out upon all occasions. When the Word is hidden in the heart, it will be ready to break out in the tongue and practice, and be forthcoming to direct us in every duty and exigency. When persons run to the market for every pennyworth, it doth not become good housekeepers. To be seeking of comforts when we should use them, or to run to a book, is not so blessed as to hide it in the heart. “A good scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of Heaven...bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old” (Matt. 13:52). He hath not only this year’s growth but the last year’s gathering (for so is the allusion): he hath not only from hand to mouth, but a good stock by him. So should it be with the Christian, which is a very great advantage.
First, it will prevent vain thoughts. Why is evil so ready and present with us? Because our stock of spiritual knowledge is so small. A man that hath a pocket with more brass farthings than pieces of silver, will more readily draw out farthings than shillings; his stock is greater. So vain thoughts will be more ready with us, unless the Word dwell richly in our hearts. “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth good things” (Matt. 12:35). The workings of our spirits are as our treasure and stock. The mind works upon what it finds in itself, as a mill grinds whatever is put into it—chaff or corn. Therefore, if we would prevent evil thoughts and musings of vanity all the day long, we must hide the Word in our hearts.
Second, when you are alone and without outward helps, your hearts will furnish you with matters of counsel, or comfort, or reproof: “My reins instruct me in the night season” (Psa. 16:7). When we are alone, and there is a veil of darkness drawn upon the world, and we have not the benefit of a Bible, a minister, or Christian friends, our reins will instruct us; we may draw out of our heart that which will be for our refreshing. A Christian is to be a walking Bible: to have a good stock and treasure in himself.
Third, it will supply us in prayer. Barrenness and leanness of soul is a very great defect, which God’s children often complain of. One great reason is because the Word of God does not dwell plenteously in them. If the heart were often exercised in the Word, the promises would hold up our hearts in prayer, enlarge our affections, and we should be better able to pour out our spirits before Him. “My heart is inditing a good matter” (Psa. 45:1). What follows? “My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.” When the heart is full, the tongue will be loosed and speak freely. What is the reason we are so dumb and tongue-tied in prayer? Because the heart is so barren. When the spring is dry, there will be little water in the stream. “Take the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God,” then follows “praying with all supplication” (Eph. 6:17, 18). When we have a good store of the Word it will burst out in prayer,
Fourth, it will he a great help to us in all our affairs. Proverbs 6:21, 22, speaking of the precepts of God, “bind them upon thy heart; when thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; when thou awakest it shall talk with thee.” Upon all occasions the Word will be ready to cast in seasonable thoughts. When we awake, our first thoughts in the morning will begin with God, to season the heart all the day; and as we are about our business, the Word will hold our hearts in the fear of God; and when we sleep, it will guard us from vain dreams and imaginations. In a wicked man sin engrosses all his thoughts: it employs him all the day, plays in his fancy all the night; it solicits him first in the morning, because he is a stranger to the Word of God. But a man that is a Bible to himself, the Word will ever be upon him, urging him to duty, restraining him from sin, directing him in his ways.
Fifth, it is a great relief against temptations to have the Word ready. The Word is called “The Sword of the Spirit.” In spiritual conflicts there is none like it. Those that ride abroad in time of danger will not be without a sword. We are in danger, and had need handle the Sword of the Spirit. The more ready the Scripture is with us, the greater advantage in our conflicts and temptations. When the Devil came to assault Christ, He had Scripture ready for him, whereby He overcame the tempter. The door is barred upon Satan, and he cannot find such easy entrance, when the Word is hid in our hearts, and made use of pertinently. “I write to you, young men, because ye are strong.” Wherein lies their strength? “And the Word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one” (1 John 2:14). O it is a great advantage when we have the Word not only by us, but in us, engrafted in the heart! When it is present with us, we are more able to resist the attacks of Satan. Either a man forgets the Word or has lost his affections to it, before he can be drawn to sin,
Sixth, it is a great relief in afflictions. Our fainting in trouble come from ignorance or forgetfulness: “Ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of Him” (Heb. 12:5). If we had a herb growing in our garden that would ease our smart, what, are we the better if we know it not? There is no malady but what has its remedy in the Word. To have a comfort ready is a great relief. Seventh, it makes our conference and conversation with others more gracious. “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh” (Matt. 12:34). When we have a great deal of hidden treasure in the soul it will get out at the tongue, for there is a quick intercourse between the heart and the tongue. The tap runs according to the liquor wherewith the vessel is filled. Come to men of an unsavory spirit, pierce them, broach them, give them occasion again and again for discourse, and you get nothing but frothy communication from them and vain talk. But now a man that has stored his heart with the Word is ever and anon interposing for God. Like a bottle filled with wine, he must have vent. As the Spouse’s lips are said to “drop as honeycombs,” they are ever putting forth savoury expressions in their converse with others.
Before I go to the second reason, let me anticipate an objection. Is not this to take from the Spirit and give it to the Word? And that to the Word not as written in God’s book, but as it is in our hearts Will not this be to ascribe all to created grace? I answer (1) Without question, it is the office of the Spirit to bring things to our remembrance, and the great help He gives is by suggesting such passages as may be of most seasonable relief to the soul in temptations, in prayer, and in business (John 14:16). But what is ascribed to the Scriptures and grace is not to the robbing of the Spirit, for the Scripture is of His inditing, and grace is of His working; yea, we still reserve the chief honour to the Holy Spirit, for He not only works grace, but works by grace. He not only indites the Scripture, but operates by it; it is He that quickens prayer, and therefore it is ill trusting to our own understanding and memory, for it is the Spirit that is the great Remembrancer, and impresses upon the mind seasonable thoughts.
(2) I grant further, the children of God are subject to much forgetfulness of the Truth that is impressed upon their hearts; partly through the present cloud and mist which the temptation raiseth. The Psalmist had truths enough to support him, yet he said, “Until I went into the sanctuary of God, I was foolish and ignorant; I was as a beast before Thee” (73:17, 22). There is so much dullness upon the children of God that they cannot remember seasonable thoughts; as Hagar had a fountain by her, yet she did not see it till God opened her eyes (Gen. 21). So under temptation all are benighted, and the light that is in the understanding is obscured. And partly through the little sense they have for the present need of the comforts which the Word propounds; few are so wise as to lay up for a bad year. And partly through sloth and negligence, being taken up with other things. It is possible sometimes that we may be guided by the Spirit, and act right merely by the guidance of the Holy Spirit, without any interposing and concurrence of our own understandings as John 12:13 compared with verse 16:—“They took branches of palm trees and went forth to meet Him; and cried, Hosanna, blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord...these things understood not His disciples at the first; but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of Him, and that they had done these things unto Him.” Mark they were guided by the Spirit to do that they knew not for the present.
(3) The Holy Spirit makes use of a sanctified memory, bringing Scripture to our remembrance as we have need. It is made their act, because the Holy Spirit made use of their memories: they “remembered that it was written, The zeal of Thine house hath eaten Me up” (John 2:17). They that neglect to search and hide the Word in their hearts, have not such seasonable refreshment; for God works more strongly with the strongest graces; there where there is the greater receptivity, there is the greater influence; those that are ignorant cannot expect such help as those having the Word dwelling richly in them.
The second reason is, therefore should we hide the Word in our hearts, because God doth so in the work of conversion: “I will put My laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts” (Heb. 8:10). The mind is compared to tables of stone, and the heart to the ark; and so this is required of us to “write them upon the table of our heart” (Prov. 7:3). How doth this follow? because God does in conversion, therefore it is our duty? I answer (1) God requires what He works to show the creature’s duty, as well as the power of His own grace. God is to convert, yet do you turn; circumcise your heart and I will circumcise; mortify your members, and yet “If ye through the Spirit do mortify. “He gives and requires, to engage the subserviency of our endeavours, and to make us sensible of our obligation. (2) This follows because this work must he gone over and over that it may be more explicit. We must revive the work, and put a fresh copy of the Law into our hearts, to keep the old work a-foot.
Use 1. To persuade you to study the Scripture, that you may get understanding and hide the Word in your hearts for gracious purposes. This is the Book of books: let it not lie idle. The world can as well be without the sun as the Bible—Psalm 19 speaks first of the sun, then of the Law of God, which is to the Christian as the sun is to the outward world. Consider the great use of the Word for informing the understanding and reforming the will. The Word of God is able “to make the man of God perfect, and thoroughly furnished” (2 Tim. 3:17). “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to Thy Word” (Psa. 119:9). A young man that is so heedless and headstrong, and in the very heat of his lusts, yet there is enough in the Word to cleanse, tame, and subdue him to God. Therefore let us get it into our hearts. To this end:
Meditate often on it: “Mary kept all these sayings” (Luke 2:19). How did she keep them? She “pondered them in her heart.” Musing makes the fire to burn, and deep and constant thoughts are operative. The hen which straggles from her nest when she sits a-brooding produces nothing; it is a constant incubation which hatches the young. So when we have only a few straggling thoughts, and do not brood upon the Truth; when we have flashes only, like a little glance of a sunbeam upon a wall, it does nothing; but serious thoughts, through the Lord’s blessing, will do the work. Urge the heart again and again. Ask, is this a Truth?—then what will become of me if I disregard it; is this the Word of God, and does it find no more entertainment in my heart?
Receive it in the love of it. The Apostle makes this to be the ground of apostasy: “because they received not the love of the truth” (2 Thess. 2:10). O let it soak into the affections. If it lie only in the tongue or in the mind, only to make it a matter of talk and speculation, it will he soon gone. The seed which lies upon the surface, the fowls of the air will pick it up. Therefore hide it deeply; let it soak further and further. First men have a naked apprehension of truth, then it gets into the conscience, then it lies in the heart, then it is laid up. When it is dearer than our dearest lust, then it will stick by us. When it breaks in upon the heart with evidence and power, you cannot keep both.
Use 2. To direct you what to do in reading. It is a notable preservative against sin, and an antidote against the infection of the world: “The Law of God is in his heart, none of his steps shall slide” (Psa. 37:31). As long as truth is kept lively and active, and in view of conscience, we shall not slide, or not so often. We have many temptations to divert us from obedience; but we are in safety when the Law of God is in our heart. See how it was in Joseph’s heart: “How can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?”—against God, that is of such sovereign majesty; of such infinite goodness and mighty power, so able to save and to destroy! Every time you read the Scripture you should lay up something. The best way to destroy ill weeds is by planting the ground with right seed. Then for promises: what have you hidden in your heart for comfort against desertions and afflictions? In a time of trial you will find one promise gives more comfort and support than all the arguments that can be produced by reason. “This is my comfort in my affliction: Thy Word hath quickened me” (Psa. 119:50). He had a word to support him: therefore let us treasure up the promises. So for threats, especially against the sins we are most inclined to: “Who among you will give ear, and hear for the time to come?” (Isa. 42:23). It is well with you for the present, but matters to come are put off, little cared for: Amos 6:3. You should think of and provide against what will come afterward.
So in hearing. Do not hear lightly, but hide the Word in your heart, that it be not embezzled by your own negligence, forgetfulness, running into carnal distractions; that it be not purloined by Satan, that he may not snatch away the good Seed out of your soul. When the Word is preached, there is more company present than is visible; there are angels and demons in the assembly. Whenever the sons of God meet together, Satan is there too. The Devil is present to divert the mind by wandering thoughts, by raising prejudices that we may cast out the Word—or by excuses, delays, evasions, putting it off to others when we begin to have some sense of our sin and danger. The Devil is loath to let us go too far, lest Christ get a subject into His kingdom. Therefore let us labour to get something into the heart by every sermon: some fresh consideration is given out to set you a-work in the spiritual life. A conscientious waiting upon God will find something every time. It is sad to consider how many have heard much, and laid up little or nothing at all; it may be they have laid it up in their notebooks, but not laid up the Word in their hearts.
For meditation. Meditate upon the Word: do not study it in a cursory manner, or content yourselves with a slight taste, or a little volatile affection; but ponder it seriously, that it may enter into your very heart. Hasty and perfunctory thoughts work nothing. Meat must be well chewed and digested, if you would have it turn into good blood and energy. You must follow the Word closely till it settle into some affection. So much then for David’s practice: “Thy Word have I hid in my heart.” The second thing is the aim and end of it: “that I might not sin against Thee.”
In hiding the Word in our hearts there must be a right design: our knowledge of it and delight in it are to be directed to practice. First, we must not study the Word merely out of curiosity, that we may know what is said there, as men will pry into civil art and secular subjects. So the Athenians flocked about Paul: Acts 17:18-21; so for novelty’s sake men may have an affection in the Word—“ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light” (John 5:35). There are certain adulterous affections we have to the Word when it is new and fresh, but when it grows familiar we loathe it. This affection to the Word is soon spent.
Second, we must not hide the Word in our heart that we may be able to teach others, that we may make a gainful trade of it. Alas! a man may teach others and be himself a castaway. Look, as in coining of money, an iron stamp may impress the character and print upon a piece of silver or of gold, so God may use the gifts of some men to beget faith in others, and perish themselves. “We have prophesied in Thy name,” yet “depart from Me; I know you not” (Matt. 7:22-23).
Third, this must not be our end either: not merely for delight. Largeness of knowledge brings a content with it, as it is an addition to our equipment. Truth is the object of our understanding, and may please an unsanctified mind. Not merely out of subserviency to some base and inferior ends, that we get esteem in the world or the reputation of knowing persons, but as it is an elevation of the understanding. Every delight in Truth is not a delight in God! There is a natural delight we have in the contemplation of any sublime truth: this is merely a delight in the work of our own faculties, when the affections are terminated in bare knowledge—as it is a high and mysterious truth, or as it is a delectation to the understanding.
Fourth, we are not merely to study the Word for the comfort of it, and the suitableness to the conscience. As man is a reasonable creature, he will delight in knowledge; and as he has a conscience which presages death and judgment to come, he may delight in the comfort of it. Many search out promises, but do not love precepts. The stony ground seem to have a joy; they may delight in the comfortable part of religion, but this joy comes to nothing—this gladsome forward spring is no sure prognostication of a plentiful harvest. Then only do we receive the Word aright when we look to the holy part, and mortify our natural desires and affections. Many deal with the Word as great men do with fleshly companions—willing to entertain them at their tables—to hear their discourse, because of the pleasantness of their mirth; but to enter into bonds for them, and discharge them from debt, or better their fortunes, that they will not do. So many will give Christ and the Word, especially the comfortable part of it, entertainment; but they are loath to take the duty of the Gospel unto themselves. Therefore it is not enough to study the Word merely that we may cherish our own persons with the comforting part of it, but we must also study the holy part and that which does require our duty. Then let us labour to hide the Word in our hearts as David did: that we may not sin against God.
Condensed by Arthur W. Pink. Originally edited by Emmett O'Donnell for Mt. Zion Publications, a ministry of Mt. Zion Bible Church, 2603 West Wright St., Pensacola, FL 32505. www.mountzion.org
Jesus was a unique Master in every regard
ARE YOU A BELIEVER... OR A DISCIPLE?
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If we could, many of us would go from being a believer to becoming a minister right away. I know that I would have and, unfortunately, some people do. Yet there is a long valley between these two phases of release. This gap is called discipleship.
In our culture today, there are few parallels that help us to understand the original concept of discipleship. The idea of apprenticeship is close, but not close enough. In the oriental culture of Jesus’ day, a philosopher, sacred author, or teacher would have students join them for a period of time, abandoning everything else in order to learn the special knowledge they had attained. The master would personally tutor a disciple or a pupil. The student would receive both oral teaching as well as hands-on practice under the watchful eye of the tutor. One Greek Lexicon described a disciple as someone who "learns by experience". Originally, disciples were students of a walking school, who imitated their teacher’s daily disciplines in order to gain his special understanding, spiritual insights, or power. This was based on the simple idea that if a student was going to fully comprehend what the teacher knew they would have to do what the teacher had done. This ancient form of spiritual instruction is still practiced today in many oriental cultures and Eastern religions.
A master would select those he thought had the potential to be his disciples. Before the course began, a price to be paid would be set by the students in exchange for this special privilege. The disciples might also have to serve the master by drawing his water, preparing his food, or doing some other form of menial service. One who excelled at becoming like his teacher could expect some of the renown of the master to rub off on him, heightening his own standing in society. This could even result in him having disciples of his own some day.
JESUS’ UNIQUE DISCIPLESHIP PROGRAM
Today, we see many Christians who are under-developed in their commitment or obedience to Jesus’ teaching. Of them, some might say, “They know Him as their Savior, but not as their Lord.” Or you could say, “They are believers, but not disciples.” The terms “Master and Lord” relate to the practice of discipleship. In fact, both titles are still used in Great Britain’s higher education system today.
According to the Strong’s Dictionary, the title Master means (GK. 1320) didaskalos; an instructor (generally or specifically):-- doctor, master, and teacher.
Jesus used the terms Master and Lord in the same sentence when speaking of His role in the disciples’ lives. To be someone’s Lord means to have significant influence in that person’s life. That is why Jesus asked, "But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do the things which I say?" (Luke 6:46)
LORD GK. 2962. kurios; from kuros (supremacy); supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implying. Mr. (as a respectful title):-- God, Lord, Master, Sir.
There will always be those who will exploit the master-disciple relationship, taking complete control over another’s life so that they become nothing more than a mindless personal slave. Jesus was a unique Master in every regard, but especially in this. He made it clear that He did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life for theirs. (Matthew 20:28) The idea of the master being a servant was unheard of. When Jesus started to wash the disciples’ feet, He was communicating a completely abstract concept. After He had finished, He asked His disciples, "Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Master and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do the same." (John 13:12-17)
Source: Click Here
If we could, many of us would go from being a believer to becoming a minister right away. I know that I would have and, unfortunately, some people do. Yet there is a long valley between these two phases of release. This gap is called discipleship.
In our culture today, there are few parallels that help us to understand the original concept of discipleship. The idea of apprenticeship is close, but not close enough. In the oriental culture of Jesus’ day, a philosopher, sacred author, or teacher would have students join them for a period of time, abandoning everything else in order to learn the special knowledge they had attained. The master would personally tutor a disciple or a pupil. The student would receive both oral teaching as well as hands-on practice under the watchful eye of the tutor. One Greek Lexicon described a disciple as someone who "learns by experience". Originally, disciples were students of a walking school, who imitated their teacher’s daily disciplines in order to gain his special understanding, spiritual insights, or power. This was based on the simple idea that if a student was going to fully comprehend what the teacher knew they would have to do what the teacher had done. This ancient form of spiritual instruction is still practiced today in many oriental cultures and Eastern religions.
A master would select those he thought had the potential to be his disciples. Before the course began, a price to be paid would be set by the students in exchange for this special privilege. The disciples might also have to serve the master by drawing his water, preparing his food, or doing some other form of menial service. One who excelled at becoming like his teacher could expect some of the renown of the master to rub off on him, heightening his own standing in society. This could even result in him having disciples of his own some day.
JESUS’ UNIQUE DISCIPLESHIP PROGRAM
Today, we see many Christians who are under-developed in their commitment or obedience to Jesus’ teaching. Of them, some might say, “They know Him as their Savior, but not as their Lord.” Or you could say, “They are believers, but not disciples.” The terms “Master and Lord” relate to the practice of discipleship. In fact, both titles are still used in Great Britain’s higher education system today.
According to the Strong’s Dictionary, the title Master means (GK. 1320) didaskalos; an instructor (generally or specifically):-- doctor, master, and teacher.
Jesus used the terms Master and Lord in the same sentence when speaking of His role in the disciples’ lives. To be someone’s Lord means to have significant influence in that person’s life. That is why Jesus asked, "But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do the things which I say?" (Luke 6:46)
LORD GK. 2962. kurios; from kuros (supremacy); supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implying. Mr. (as a respectful title):-- God, Lord, Master, Sir.
There will always be those who will exploit the master-disciple relationship, taking complete control over another’s life so that they become nothing more than a mindless personal slave. Jesus was a unique Master in every regard, but especially in this. He made it clear that He did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life for theirs. (Matthew 20:28) The idea of the master being a servant was unheard of. When Jesus started to wash the disciples’ feet, He was communicating a completely abstract concept. After He had finished, He asked His disciples, "Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Master and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do the same." (John 13:12-17)
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Isa 43:21 This people I have formed for myself; They shall declare my praise.
HEBREW WORDS RELATING TO PRAISE AND WORSHIP
1. Barak: to kneel or bow, to give reverence to God as an act of adoration, implies a continual conscious giving place to God, to be atuned to him and his presence
/ Psalm 34:1 I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
/ Psalm 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise. Be thankful to him, and bless his name.
/ Psalm 95:6 Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the Lord our maker.
2. Guwl: to spin around, under the influence of any violent emotion
/ Psalm 32:11 Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous; And shout for joy, all you upright in heart!
/ Psalm 35:9 And my soul shall be joyful in the Lord; It shall rejoice in his salvation.
/ Psalm 118:24 This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.
3. Hallal: to praise, to make a show or rave about, to glory in or boast upon, to be clamorously foolish about you adoration of God
/ Psalm 22:23 You who fear the Lord, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, glorify him, and fear him, all you offspring of Israel!
/ Psalm 44:8 In God we boast all day long, and praise your name forever. Selah
/ Psalm 63:5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, and my mouth shall praise you with joyful lips.
4. Ranan: to creak, to emit a stridulous sound, to shout aloud for joy
/ Psalm 7:17 I will praise the Lord according to his righteousness, and will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High.
/ Psalm 33:1 Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous! For praise from the upright is beautiful.
/ Psalm 98:4 Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth; Break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises.
5. Shachah: to depress or prostrate in homage or loyalty to God, bow down, fall down flat
/ Psalm 29:2 Give unto the Lord the glory due to his name; Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.
/ Psalm 66:4 All the earth shall worship you and sing praises to You; They shall sing praises to your name." Selah
/ Psalm 95:6 Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the Lord our maker.
6. Shuwr: strolling minstrelsy, to sing, singer (man or woman)
/ Psalm 18:49 Therefore I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the Gentiles, and sing praises to your name.
/ Psalm 33:3 Sing to him a new song; Play skillfully with a shout of joy.
/ Psalm 144:9 I will sing a new song to you, O God; On a harp of ten strings I will sing praises to you...
7. Tehillah: to sing hallal, a new song, a hymn of spontaneous praise glorifying God in song
/ Psalm 34:1 I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
/ Psalm 40:3 He has put a new song in my mouth -- praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, and will trust in the Lord.
/ Psalm 149:1 Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, and his praise in the assembly of saints.
8. Todah: an extension of the hand, avowal, adoration, a choir of worshipers, confession, sacrifice of praise, thanksgiving
/ Psalm 50:14 Offer to God thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High.
/ Psalm 69:30 I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.
/ Psalms 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise. Be thankful to him, and bless his name.
9. Yadah: to use, hold out the hand, to throw (a stone or arrow) at or away, to revere or worship (with extended hands, praise thankful, thanksgiving)
/ Psalm 33:2 Praise the Lord with the harp; Make melody to him with an instrument of ten strings.
/ Psalm 61:8 So I will sing praise to your name forever, that I may daily perform my vows.
/ Psalm 18:49 Therefore I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the Gentiles, and sing praises to your name.
10. Zamar: to touch the strings or parts of a musical instrument i.e. play upon it, to make music accompanied by the voice, to celebrate in song and music, give praise, sing forth praises, psalms
/ Psalm 66:2 Sing out the honor of his name; Make his praise glorious.
/ Psalm 71:22 Also with the lute I will praise you -- and your faithfulness, O my God! To you I will sing with the harp, O Holy One of Israel.
/ Psalm 144:9 I will sing a new song to you, O God; On a harp of ten strings I will sing praises to you...
11. Alats: to jump for joy, exult, be joyful, rejoice, triumph
/ Psalm 5:11 But let all those rejoice who put their trust in you; Let them ever shout for joy, because you defend them; Let those also who love your name be joyful in you.
/ Psalm 9:2 I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.
/ Ps 68:3 But let the righteous be glad; Let them rejoice before God; Yes, let them rejoice exceedingly.
12. Alaz: to jump for joy, exult, be joyful, rejoice, triumph
/ Psalm 28:7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise him.
/ Psalm 68:4 Sing to God, sing praises to his name; Extol him who rides on the clouds, by his name YAH, and rejoice before him.
/ Psalm 98:4 Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth; Break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises.
13. Anah-to eye or to heed, pay attention, to respond, to begin to speak, to sing, shout, testify, announce, give, account, afflict
/ Psalm 147:7 Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; Sing praises on the harp to our God...
14. Calal: to mound up, exalt, reflex, to oppose, cast up, exalt (self), extol, make plain, raise up
/ Psalm 68:4 Sing to God, sing praises to his name; Extol him who rides on the clouds, by His name YAH, and rejoice before him.
15. Caphar: to score with a mark, to inscribe, to enumerate, recount, celebrate, show forth, speak, talk, tell
/ Psalm 9:14 That I may tell of all your praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion. I will rejoice in your salvation.
/ Psalm 79:13 So we, your people and sheep of your pasture, will give you thanks forever; We will show forth your praise to all generations.
/ Isaiah 43:21 This people I have formed for myself; They shall declare my praise.
16. Chagag: to move in a circle, to march in a sacred procession, to observe a festival, to be giddy, celebrate, dance, to keep or hold a solemn feast (holiday), to reel to and fro
/ 1 Sam 30:16-17 And when he had brought him down, there they were, spread out over all the land, eating and drinking and dancing, because of all the great spoil which they had taken from the land of the Philistines and from the land of Judah.
17. Chuwl: to twist or whirl in a circular spiral manner, to dance
/ Judges 21:23 And the children of Benjamin did so; they took enough wives for their number from those who danced, whom they caught. Then they went and returned to their inheritance, and they rebuilt the cities and dwelt in them.
18. Dagal: to flaunt, to raise a flag, to be conspicuous, set up with banners, cheifest
/ Psalm 20:5 We will rejoice in your salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners! May the Lord fulfill all your petitions.
19. Gadal: to cause to be large, increase in estate, honor or pride, advance, boast, bring up, exceed, excellent, lift up, magnify, promote, speak proudly of
/ Psalm 34:3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.
/ Psalm 69:30 I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.
/ Psalm 70:4 Let all those who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; And let those who love your salvation say continually, "Let God be magnified!"
20. Giyl: a revolution (of time and age), exceeding joy, gladness, greatly, rejoice
/ Psalm 32:11 Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous; And shout for joy, all you upright in heart!
/ Psalm 65:12 They drop on the pastures of the wilderness, and the little hills rejoice on every side.
21. Gol: to call aloud, a voice or sound, bleating, crackling, cry, fame, lightness, lowing, noise, proclaiming, sing, sound, thunder, voice, yell
/ Psalms 95:1 Oh come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation.
/ Psalm 95:2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to him with psalms.
/ Psalm 98:4 Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth; Break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises.
22. Hilluwl: a sense of rejoicing, a celebration of thanksgiving for harvest, merry, praise
/ Lev 19:24 But in the fourth year all its fruit shall be holy, a praise to the Lord.
23. Kabed: numerous, rich, honorable, to make weighty
/ Psalm 22:23 You who fear the Lord, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, glorify him, and fear him, all you offspring of Israel!
/ Psalm 86:9 All nations whom you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name.
/ Psalm 86:12 12 I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart, and I will glorify your name forevermore.
24. Kabod: splendor, copiousness, glorious, glory, honorable
/ Psalm 29:1 Give unto the Lord, O you mighty ones, Give unto the Lord glory and strength.
/ Psalm 66:2 Sing out the honor of his name; Make his praise glorious.
/ Psalm 96:8 Give to the Lord the glory due his name; Bring an offering, and come into his courts.
25. Kara: to bend the knee, to sink, to prostrate, bow down self, bring down low
/ Psalm 22:29 All the prosperous of the earth shall eat and worship; All those who go down to the dust shall bow before him, even he who cannot keep himself alive.
/ Psalm 95:6 Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the Lord our maker.
26. Karar: to dance, whirl
/ 2 Samuel 6:14 Then David danced before the Lord with all his might; and David was wearing a linen ephod.
27. Macha: to rub or strike the hands together (in exultation), clap
/ Psalm 98:8 Let the rivers clap their hands; Let the hills be joyful together before the Lord...
28. Machowl: a round dance, dancing
/ Psalm 30:11 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness...
/ Psalm 149:3 Let them praise his name with the dance; Let them sing praises to him with the timbrel and harp.
/ Jeremiah 31:13 13 "Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old, together; For I will turn their mourning to joy, will comfort them, and make them rejoice rather than sorrow."
29. Mangiynah: a satire, music
/ Lamentations 3:63 Look at their sitting down and their rising up; I am their taunting song.
30. Massa: a burden, an utterance chiefly a doom, especially singing, prophecy, song, tribute
/ Habakkuk 1:1 The burden which the prophet Habakkuk saw.
Note: Habakkuk 3:19 The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer's feet, and he will make me walk on my high hills.
To the Chief Musician. With my stringed instruments.
31. Mechowlah: a dance company, dances
/ Exodus 15:20 Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took the timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.
/ Jeremiah 31:4 Again I will build you, and you shall be rebuilt, O virgin of Israel! You shall again be adorned with your tambourines, And shall go forth in the dances of those who rejoice.
32. Mizmowr: instrumental music, a poem set to notes, the word most frequently used for titles of the Psalms
/ Psalm 3:1 A Psalm of David when he fled from Absalom his son.
/ Psalms 13:1 To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.
/ Psalm 15:1 A Psalm of David.
33. Nacah: to lift, exalt, extol, hold, up, honorable, magnify, regard, respect, yield
/ Psalm 28:2 Hear the voice of my supplications when I cry to you, when I lift up my hands toward your holy sanctuary.
/ Psalm 63:4 Thus I will bless you while I live; I will lift up my hands in your name.
/ Psalm 134:2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the Lord.
34. Nagan: to thrum, to beat a tune with the fingers, to play a stringed instrument, to make music, sing to stringed instruments
/ Psalm 33:3 Sing to him a new song; Play skillfully with a shout of joy.
35. Natsach: to glitter from afar, to be eminent (as a superintendent), especially of the temple services and it's' music, to be permanent, excel, chief musician (singer), overseer, set forward, used in the title of the Psalms
/ Psalm 4:1 To the Chief Musician. With stringed instruments. A Psalm of David.
/ Psalm 5:1 To the Chief Musician. With flutes. A Psalm of David.
/ Psalm 8:1 To the Chief Musician. On the instrument of Gath. A Psalm of David.
36. Negiynath: instrumental music, a stringed instrument, a poem set to music, an epigram
/ Lamentations 5:14 The elders have ceased gathering at the gate, and the young men from their music.
37. Paras: to break apart, disperse, break, chop in pieces, lay open, scatter, spread (abroad, forth, selves, out), stretch (forth, out
/ Psalms 143:6 I spread out my hands to you; My soul longs for you like a thirsty land. Selah
38. Patsach: to break out (in joyful sound), break forth into joy, make a loud noise
/ Psalm 98:4 Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth; Break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises.
/ Psalm 98:6 With trumpets and the sound of a horn; Shout joyfully before the Lord, the King.
/ Psalm 100:1 Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands!
39. Pazaz: to solidify (as if by refining), to spring (as if separating the limbs), leap, be made strong
/ 2 Samuel 6:16 Now as the ark of the Lord came into the City of David, Michal, Saul's daughter, looked through a window and saw King David leaping and whirling before the Lord; and she despised him in her heart.
40. Ragad: to stamp, to spring about (wildly or for joy), aloud, noise, shouted
/ Ecclesiastes 3:4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; A time to mourn, and a time to dance...
/ 1 Chronicles 15:29 And it happened, as the ark of the covenant of the Lord came to the City of David, that Michal, Saul's daughter, looked through a window and saw King David whirling and playing music; and she despised him in her heart.
41. Renanah: a shout (for joy), joyful voice, singing, triumphing
/ Psalm 100:2 Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before his presence with singing.
42. Rinnah: a shrill sound, shout of grief or joy, gladness, proclamation, rejoicing, shouting, triumph, singing
/ Psalm 107:22 Let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.
/ Psalm 118:15 The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tents of the righteous; The right hand of the Lord does valiantly.
/ Psalm 126:6 He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
43. Rowmam: exaltation, praise, be extolled
/ Psalm 66:17 I cried to him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue.
44. Ruwa: to split the ears with sound, shout (for alarm or joy), blow an alarm, make a joyful noise, shout for joy, sound an alarm
/ Joshua 6:20 So the people shouted when the priests blew the trumpets. And it happened when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat. Then the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.
/ Psalm 47:1 Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph!
/ Psalm 65:13 The pastures are clothed with flocks; The valleys also are covered with grain; They shout for joy, they also sing.
45. Samach: to brighten up, cheer up, make glad, make merry
/ Psalm 31:7 I will be glad and rejoice in your mercy, for you have considered my trouble; you have known my soul in adversities...
/ Psalm 48:11 Let Mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of your judgments.
/ Psalm 105:3 Glory in his holy name; Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the Lord!
46. Sameach: blithe or gleeful, glad, joyful, making merry, hearted, rejoice
/ Psalm 96:11 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; Let the sea roar, and all its fullness...
47. Sason: cheerfulness, welcome, gladness, joy, rejoicing, mirth
/ Psalm 119:111 Your testimonies I have taken as a heritage forever, for they are the rejoicing of my heart.
48. Shabach: to address in a loud tone, a loud adoration, a shout, proclaiming with a loud voice (unashamed), to glory, triumph, power, a testimony of praise
/ Psalm 63:3 Because your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise you.
/ Psalm 106:47 Save us, O Lord our God, and gather us from among the Gentiles, to give thanks to your holy name, to triumph in your praise.
/ Psalm 145:4 One generation shall praise your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.
49. Shaown: uproar (as a rushing), destruction, noise, pomp, rushing, tumult
/ Psalm 66:1 Make a joyful shout to God, all the earth!
/ Psalm 81:1 Sing aloud to God our strength; Make a joyful shout to the God of Jacob.
50. Shebach: adore, praise, to adulate
/ Daniel 2:23 "I thank you and praise you, O God of my fathers; You have given me wisdom and might, and have now made known to me what we asked of you, For you have made known to us the king's demand."
/ Daniel 4:34 And at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored him who lives forever: For his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation.
51. Shiryah: a song, singing, musical song
/ Psalm 96:1 Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! Sing to the Lord, all the earth.
/ Psalm 98:1 Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! For he has done marvelous things; His right hand and his holy arm have gained him the victory.
52. Suws: to be bright, cheerful, be glad, make mirth, rejoice
/ Psalm 35:9 And my soul shall be joyful in the Lord; It shall rejoice in his salvation.
/ Psalm 40:16 Let all those who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; Let such as love your salvation say continually, "The Lord be magnified!"
/ Psalms 119:162 I rejoice at your word as one who finds great treasure.
53. Taga: to clatter, slap hands together, clang an instrument, to become bondsman by hand clasping, blow a trumpet
/ Psalms 47:1 Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph!
54. Teruwah: an acclamation of joy or a battle cry, clangor of trumpets, sounding of an alarm
/ Psalm 27:6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in his tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.
55. Zammar: an instrumental musician, singer
/ Ezra 7:24 Also we inform you that it shall not be lawful to impose tax, tribute, or custom on any of the priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, Nethinim, or servants of this house of God.
56. Zemar-instrumental music
/ Daniel 3:7 So at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the horn, flute, harp, and lyre, in symphony with all kinds of music, all the people, nations, and languages fell down and worshiped the gold image which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
/ Daniel 3:10 You, O king, have made a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, shall fall down and worship the gold image...
57. Zemirah-a song to be accompanied by instrumental music
/ Psalms 95:2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to him with psalms.
58. Zimrah: a musical piece, song to be accompanied by an instrument, melody, psalm
/ Psalm 81:2 Raise a song and strike the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the lute.
/ Psalm 98:5 Sing to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of a psalm...
1. Barak: to kneel or bow, to give reverence to God as an act of adoration, implies a continual conscious giving place to God, to be atuned to him and his presence
/ Psalm 34:1 I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
/ Psalm 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise. Be thankful to him, and bless his name.
/ Psalm 95:6 Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the Lord our maker.
2. Guwl: to spin around, under the influence of any violent emotion
/ Psalm 32:11 Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous; And shout for joy, all you upright in heart!
/ Psalm 35:9 And my soul shall be joyful in the Lord; It shall rejoice in his salvation.
/ Psalm 118:24 This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.
3. Hallal: to praise, to make a show or rave about, to glory in or boast upon, to be clamorously foolish about you adoration of God
/ Psalm 22:23 You who fear the Lord, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, glorify him, and fear him, all you offspring of Israel!
/ Psalm 44:8 In God we boast all day long, and praise your name forever. Selah
/ Psalm 63:5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, and my mouth shall praise you with joyful lips.
4. Ranan: to creak, to emit a stridulous sound, to shout aloud for joy
/ Psalm 7:17 I will praise the Lord according to his righteousness, and will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High.
/ Psalm 33:1 Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous! For praise from the upright is beautiful.
/ Psalm 98:4 Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth; Break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises.
5. Shachah: to depress or prostrate in homage or loyalty to God, bow down, fall down flat
/ Psalm 29:2 Give unto the Lord the glory due to his name; Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.
/ Psalm 66:4 All the earth shall worship you and sing praises to You; They shall sing praises to your name." Selah
/ Psalm 95:6 Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the Lord our maker.
6. Shuwr: strolling minstrelsy, to sing, singer (man or woman)
/ Psalm 18:49 Therefore I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the Gentiles, and sing praises to your name.
/ Psalm 33:3 Sing to him a new song; Play skillfully with a shout of joy.
/ Psalm 144:9 I will sing a new song to you, O God; On a harp of ten strings I will sing praises to you...
7. Tehillah: to sing hallal, a new song, a hymn of spontaneous praise glorifying God in song
/ Psalm 34:1 I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
/ Psalm 40:3 He has put a new song in my mouth -- praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, and will trust in the Lord.
/ Psalm 149:1 Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, and his praise in the assembly of saints.
8. Todah: an extension of the hand, avowal, adoration, a choir of worshipers, confession, sacrifice of praise, thanksgiving
/ Psalm 50:14 Offer to God thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High.
/ Psalm 69:30 I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.
/ Psalms 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise. Be thankful to him, and bless his name.
9. Yadah: to use, hold out the hand, to throw (a stone or arrow) at or away, to revere or worship (with extended hands, praise thankful, thanksgiving)
/ Psalm 33:2 Praise the Lord with the harp; Make melody to him with an instrument of ten strings.
/ Psalm 61:8 So I will sing praise to your name forever, that I may daily perform my vows.
/ Psalm 18:49 Therefore I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the Gentiles, and sing praises to your name.
10. Zamar: to touch the strings or parts of a musical instrument i.e. play upon it, to make music accompanied by the voice, to celebrate in song and music, give praise, sing forth praises, psalms
/ Psalm 66:2 Sing out the honor of his name; Make his praise glorious.
/ Psalm 71:22 Also with the lute I will praise you -- and your faithfulness, O my God! To you I will sing with the harp, O Holy One of Israel.
/ Psalm 144:9 I will sing a new song to you, O God; On a harp of ten strings I will sing praises to you...
11. Alats: to jump for joy, exult, be joyful, rejoice, triumph
/ Psalm 5:11 But let all those rejoice who put their trust in you; Let them ever shout for joy, because you defend them; Let those also who love your name be joyful in you.
/ Psalm 9:2 I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.
/ Ps 68:3 But let the righteous be glad; Let them rejoice before God; Yes, let them rejoice exceedingly.
12. Alaz: to jump for joy, exult, be joyful, rejoice, triumph
/ Psalm 28:7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise him.
/ Psalm 68:4 Sing to God, sing praises to his name; Extol him who rides on the clouds, by his name YAH, and rejoice before him.
/ Psalm 98:4 Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth; Break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises.
13. Anah-to eye or to heed, pay attention, to respond, to begin to speak, to sing, shout, testify, announce, give, account, afflict
/ Psalm 147:7 Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; Sing praises on the harp to our God...
14. Calal: to mound up, exalt, reflex, to oppose, cast up, exalt (self), extol, make plain, raise up
/ Psalm 68:4 Sing to God, sing praises to his name; Extol him who rides on the clouds, by His name YAH, and rejoice before him.
15. Caphar: to score with a mark, to inscribe, to enumerate, recount, celebrate, show forth, speak, talk, tell
/ Psalm 9:14 That I may tell of all your praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion. I will rejoice in your salvation.
/ Psalm 79:13 So we, your people and sheep of your pasture, will give you thanks forever; We will show forth your praise to all generations.
/ Isaiah 43:21 This people I have formed for myself; They shall declare my praise.
16. Chagag: to move in a circle, to march in a sacred procession, to observe a festival, to be giddy, celebrate, dance, to keep or hold a solemn feast (holiday), to reel to and fro
/ 1 Sam 30:16-17 And when he had brought him down, there they were, spread out over all the land, eating and drinking and dancing, because of all the great spoil which they had taken from the land of the Philistines and from the land of Judah.
17. Chuwl: to twist or whirl in a circular spiral manner, to dance
/ Judges 21:23 And the children of Benjamin did so; they took enough wives for their number from those who danced, whom they caught. Then they went and returned to their inheritance, and they rebuilt the cities and dwelt in them.
18. Dagal: to flaunt, to raise a flag, to be conspicuous, set up with banners, cheifest
/ Psalm 20:5 We will rejoice in your salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners! May the Lord fulfill all your petitions.
19. Gadal: to cause to be large, increase in estate, honor or pride, advance, boast, bring up, exceed, excellent, lift up, magnify, promote, speak proudly of
/ Psalm 34:3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.
/ Psalm 69:30 I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.
/ Psalm 70:4 Let all those who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; And let those who love your salvation say continually, "Let God be magnified!"
20. Giyl: a revolution (of time and age), exceeding joy, gladness, greatly, rejoice
/ Psalm 32:11 Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous; And shout for joy, all you upright in heart!
/ Psalm 65:12 They drop on the pastures of the wilderness, and the little hills rejoice on every side.
21. Gol: to call aloud, a voice or sound, bleating, crackling, cry, fame, lightness, lowing, noise, proclaiming, sing, sound, thunder, voice, yell
/ Psalms 95:1 Oh come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation.
/ Psalm 95:2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to him with psalms.
/ Psalm 98:4 Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth; Break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises.
22. Hilluwl: a sense of rejoicing, a celebration of thanksgiving for harvest, merry, praise
/ Lev 19:24 But in the fourth year all its fruit shall be holy, a praise to the Lord.
23. Kabed: numerous, rich, honorable, to make weighty
/ Psalm 22:23 You who fear the Lord, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, glorify him, and fear him, all you offspring of Israel!
/ Psalm 86:9 All nations whom you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name.
/ Psalm 86:12 12 I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart, and I will glorify your name forevermore.
24. Kabod: splendor, copiousness, glorious, glory, honorable
/ Psalm 29:1 Give unto the Lord, O you mighty ones, Give unto the Lord glory and strength.
/ Psalm 66:2 Sing out the honor of his name; Make his praise glorious.
/ Psalm 96:8 Give to the Lord the glory due his name; Bring an offering, and come into his courts.
25. Kara: to bend the knee, to sink, to prostrate, bow down self, bring down low
/ Psalm 22:29 All the prosperous of the earth shall eat and worship; All those who go down to the dust shall bow before him, even he who cannot keep himself alive.
/ Psalm 95:6 Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the Lord our maker.
26. Karar: to dance, whirl
/ 2 Samuel 6:14 Then David danced before the Lord with all his might; and David was wearing a linen ephod.
27. Macha: to rub or strike the hands together (in exultation), clap
/ Psalm 98:8 Let the rivers clap their hands; Let the hills be joyful together before the Lord...
28. Machowl: a round dance, dancing
/ Psalm 30:11 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness...
/ Psalm 149:3 Let them praise his name with the dance; Let them sing praises to him with the timbrel and harp.
/ Jeremiah 31:13 13 "Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old, together; For I will turn their mourning to joy, will comfort them, and make them rejoice rather than sorrow."
29. Mangiynah: a satire, music
/ Lamentations 3:63 Look at their sitting down and their rising up; I am their taunting song.
30. Massa: a burden, an utterance chiefly a doom, especially singing, prophecy, song, tribute
/ Habakkuk 1:1 The burden which the prophet Habakkuk saw.
Note: Habakkuk 3:19 The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer's feet, and he will make me walk on my high hills.
To the Chief Musician. With my stringed instruments.
31. Mechowlah: a dance company, dances
/ Exodus 15:20 Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took the timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.
/ Jeremiah 31:4 Again I will build you, and you shall be rebuilt, O virgin of Israel! You shall again be adorned with your tambourines, And shall go forth in the dances of those who rejoice.
32. Mizmowr: instrumental music, a poem set to notes, the word most frequently used for titles of the Psalms
/ Psalm 3:1 A Psalm of David when he fled from Absalom his son.
/ Psalms 13:1 To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.
/ Psalm 15:1 A Psalm of David.
33. Nacah: to lift, exalt, extol, hold, up, honorable, magnify, regard, respect, yield
/ Psalm 28:2 Hear the voice of my supplications when I cry to you, when I lift up my hands toward your holy sanctuary.
/ Psalm 63:4 Thus I will bless you while I live; I will lift up my hands in your name.
/ Psalm 134:2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the Lord.
34. Nagan: to thrum, to beat a tune with the fingers, to play a stringed instrument, to make music, sing to stringed instruments
/ Psalm 33:3 Sing to him a new song; Play skillfully with a shout of joy.
35. Natsach: to glitter from afar, to be eminent (as a superintendent), especially of the temple services and it's' music, to be permanent, excel, chief musician (singer), overseer, set forward, used in the title of the Psalms
/ Psalm 4:1 To the Chief Musician. With stringed instruments. A Psalm of David.
/ Psalm 5:1 To the Chief Musician. With flutes. A Psalm of David.
/ Psalm 8:1 To the Chief Musician. On the instrument of Gath. A Psalm of David.
36. Negiynath: instrumental music, a stringed instrument, a poem set to music, an epigram
/ Lamentations 5:14 The elders have ceased gathering at the gate, and the young men from their music.
37. Paras: to break apart, disperse, break, chop in pieces, lay open, scatter, spread (abroad, forth, selves, out), stretch (forth, out
/ Psalms 143:6 I spread out my hands to you; My soul longs for you like a thirsty land. Selah
38. Patsach: to break out (in joyful sound), break forth into joy, make a loud noise
/ Psalm 98:4 Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth; Break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises.
/ Psalm 98:6 With trumpets and the sound of a horn; Shout joyfully before the Lord, the King.
/ Psalm 100:1 Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands!
39. Pazaz: to solidify (as if by refining), to spring (as if separating the limbs), leap, be made strong
/ 2 Samuel 6:16 Now as the ark of the Lord came into the City of David, Michal, Saul's daughter, looked through a window and saw King David leaping and whirling before the Lord; and she despised him in her heart.
40. Ragad: to stamp, to spring about (wildly or for joy), aloud, noise, shouted
/ Ecclesiastes 3:4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; A time to mourn, and a time to dance...
/ 1 Chronicles 15:29 And it happened, as the ark of the covenant of the Lord came to the City of David, that Michal, Saul's daughter, looked through a window and saw King David whirling and playing music; and she despised him in her heart.
41. Renanah: a shout (for joy), joyful voice, singing, triumphing
/ Psalm 100:2 Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before his presence with singing.
42. Rinnah: a shrill sound, shout of grief or joy, gladness, proclamation, rejoicing, shouting, triumph, singing
/ Psalm 107:22 Let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.
/ Psalm 118:15 The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tents of the righteous; The right hand of the Lord does valiantly.
/ Psalm 126:6 He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
43. Rowmam: exaltation, praise, be extolled
/ Psalm 66:17 I cried to him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue.
44. Ruwa: to split the ears with sound, shout (for alarm or joy), blow an alarm, make a joyful noise, shout for joy, sound an alarm
/ Joshua 6:20 So the people shouted when the priests blew the trumpets. And it happened when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat. Then the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.
/ Psalm 47:1 Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph!
/ Psalm 65:13 The pastures are clothed with flocks; The valleys also are covered with grain; They shout for joy, they also sing.
45. Samach: to brighten up, cheer up, make glad, make merry
/ Psalm 31:7 I will be glad and rejoice in your mercy, for you have considered my trouble; you have known my soul in adversities...
/ Psalm 48:11 Let Mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of your judgments.
/ Psalm 105:3 Glory in his holy name; Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the Lord!
46. Sameach: blithe or gleeful, glad, joyful, making merry, hearted, rejoice
/ Psalm 96:11 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; Let the sea roar, and all its fullness...
47. Sason: cheerfulness, welcome, gladness, joy, rejoicing, mirth
/ Psalm 119:111 Your testimonies I have taken as a heritage forever, for they are the rejoicing of my heart.
48. Shabach: to address in a loud tone, a loud adoration, a shout, proclaiming with a loud voice (unashamed), to glory, triumph, power, a testimony of praise
/ Psalm 63:3 Because your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise you.
/ Psalm 106:47 Save us, O Lord our God, and gather us from among the Gentiles, to give thanks to your holy name, to triumph in your praise.
/ Psalm 145:4 One generation shall praise your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.
49. Shaown: uproar (as a rushing), destruction, noise, pomp, rushing, tumult
/ Psalm 66:1 Make a joyful shout to God, all the earth!
/ Psalm 81:1 Sing aloud to God our strength; Make a joyful shout to the God of Jacob.
50. Shebach: adore, praise, to adulate
/ Daniel 2:23 "I thank you and praise you, O God of my fathers; You have given me wisdom and might, and have now made known to me what we asked of you, For you have made known to us the king's demand."
/ Daniel 4:34 And at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored him who lives forever: For his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation.
51. Shiryah: a song, singing, musical song
/ Psalm 96:1 Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! Sing to the Lord, all the earth.
/ Psalm 98:1 Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! For he has done marvelous things; His right hand and his holy arm have gained him the victory.
52. Suws: to be bright, cheerful, be glad, make mirth, rejoice
/ Psalm 35:9 And my soul shall be joyful in the Lord; It shall rejoice in his salvation.
/ Psalm 40:16 Let all those who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; Let such as love your salvation say continually, "The Lord be magnified!"
/ Psalms 119:162 I rejoice at your word as one who finds great treasure.
53. Taga: to clatter, slap hands together, clang an instrument, to become bondsman by hand clasping, blow a trumpet
/ Psalms 47:1 Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph!
54. Teruwah: an acclamation of joy or a battle cry, clangor of trumpets, sounding of an alarm
/ Psalm 27:6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in his tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.
55. Zammar: an instrumental musician, singer
/ Ezra 7:24 Also we inform you that it shall not be lawful to impose tax, tribute, or custom on any of the priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, Nethinim, or servants of this house of God.
56. Zemar-instrumental music
/ Daniel 3:7 So at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the horn, flute, harp, and lyre, in symphony with all kinds of music, all the people, nations, and languages fell down and worshiped the gold image which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
/ Daniel 3:10 You, O king, have made a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, shall fall down and worship the gold image...
57. Zemirah-a song to be accompanied by instrumental music
/ Psalms 95:2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to him with psalms.
58. Zimrah: a musical piece, song to be accompanied by an instrument, melody, psalm
/ Psalm 81:2 Raise a song and strike the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the lute.
/ Psalm 98:5 Sing to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of a psalm...
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