Category: Christian Living

The Bible always stresses a balance between the content of one’s beliefs and the resulting conduct in one’s life. A good example is found in Ephesians 4:1-3. “I, therefore, the prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live worthily of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (NET).

Paul admonishes us to live worthily of the calling with which you have been called. He means that we must live a life worthy of our high calling in Christ Jesus. Our practice should equal the teachings of our doctrine. We should take great pains to see that our lives are lived in perfect balance. The Biblical principle for living the Christian life is quite simply stated: The believer puts into daily practice the principles of the Word of God by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.

In order to live a balanced Christian life, there must be good sound Biblical teaching. I have never seen any mature Christian who did not have a good understanding of the teaching of the Word of God. Practice without sound Bible teaching will go off in any and every direction. We can never attach too much importance to solid Biblical doctrine.

How can a Christian live a life worthy of the Gospel of Jesus Christ if he does not know what the Christian life is all about? At the same time we must never detach the importance of putting into practice what we understand to be true. How then do we live a life worthy of our calling? The Christian life is not the same thing as the culturally accepted norms of the local community in which we live. The world is antagonistic to the Christian life (1 John 2:15-17). God has called us out of the darkness into his marvelous light  (1 Peter 2:9b NET).

How tragic when you can’t tell the difference between the standards of the culture and the local church. We were spiritually bankrupt, emotionally in bondage, and morally corrupt. However, when we were saved God awakened us to a new life and gave us the power to live that new life. We are now spiritually alive. But God, being rich in mercy, because of his great love with which he loved us, even though we were dead in transgressions, made us alive together with Christ – by grace you are saved! (Eph. 2:5 NET) The apostle Paul wrote, So then, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; what is old has passed away – look, what is new has come! (2 Cor 5:17 NET)

Therefore, the apostle Paul admonishes us to, Be completely humble. That is the opposite of arrogance and self-assertion. The world tells us to stand up for our rights. Be assertive. Demand respect. The Bible says, Instead of being motivated by selfish ambition or vanity, each of you should, in humility, be moved to treat one another as more important than yourself (Phil. 2:3 NET). The world philosophy pulls in one direction, the Holy Spirit insists on another. Do you put other people’s needs and interests before your own?

Are you out for number one? We need to be gentle with people. The word Paul uses for gentle is power under control. Meek doesn’t quite give the sense of the original. A gentle person is a strong person under God’s control. This is what it means to be a Spirit filled. A Spirit-filled believer is a Spirit-controlled person. Jesus was this kind of a person, and he set an example for us. Take my yoke on you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls(Matt. 11:29 NET).Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth (Matt. 5:5 NET). That will be true because all who are not will kill themselves off in power struggles.

We must be patient. Literally, it means long-tempered. It is the attitude that will never give in when the going gets tough. It sticks with it and reaps the rewards. It is the attitude that never admits defeat in disappointments and discouragement but persists to the end. It is the attitude that refuses to retaliate, bears insults and injury without bitterness and complaint. Patience comes over a long time of suffering. I doubt if anyone is a patient who has never suffered physically, emotionally, or spiritually in life. We learn patience through the things we suffer (Rom. 5:3).

God is very patient with us and we need to become like him.

Bearing with one another in love is how we respond to the unloving behavior of other Christians toward us. How do we put up with one another? What is our typical response when other people do us evil? What is my attitude when I see two Christians having problems in their relationships? What is my attitude toward problems in a church? Do I do as Paul suggests here, making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace? (v. 3 NET)Paul is saying the Holy Spirit has already given us this unity when we put our faith in Christ.

We are not called upon to create this unity, but to “keep the unity. Pride destroys this unity in the Spirit. Overpowering self-assertion destroys vital relationships with other believers. Being short-tempered, rude, and non-extending our love to those who act ugly to us destroys all effort at keeping this unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Churches grieve the Holy Spirit just as individuals do (4:30-31). Let’s be determined to walk in the Spirit and keep ourselves under his control.

Selah!

Message by Wil Pounds (c) 2006

Whenever  God has sought to accomplish something in the earth for the sake of His Kingdom, He has always chosen a man, given him faith, vision, and provision for it, and has surrounded him with people who are committed to that cause. Although the people will love and respected the man, it not just about the man; it’s about the vision. I am not sure if most of us have an understanding of the importance of vision. I really pity the person who has no vision or cause and is not connected to any.

Jesus was the greatest visionary ever, but He had 12 men whom He trained to run with His vision ( Matthew 10:1 , 2). Gideon had 300 (Judges 7:7 ). Without a vision, the people will perish, but without the people, the vision will perish. The bottom line is; we all need each other.

Every vision must be nurtured, watched over and protected. It is the responsibility of the people to conduct their lives in an orderly fashion and be sure that they are not a hindrance to that cause (Luke 9:46-48 ). All it takes is one self-centered person who is not immediately dealt with to cause confusion and draw more attention to themselves than the vision. The vision we are a part of must be greater than our petty jealousy, envy, and strife.

 Many people have walked away from where the Lord has positioned them over an argument or disagreement that was petty and unprofitable. They allowed their condition to become greater than the vision they were a part of. Many of these same people have been unfruitful in their walk with God for years because of their refusal to forgive and refocus on purpose, cause, and vision. There is more to vision than preaching, singing, casting out devils, healing the sick, or winning people to Christ. We must live the kind of lifestyle that the Lord will say; well done!  Whether it is the local church vision, missions ministry, traveling music ministry, or an evangelistic ministry; you must have a forgiving attitude, a humble heart, and a love walk that overlooks the shortcoming of those around you.

You must be careful (prayerful) not to separate yourself from the person or the vision that is connected to fulfilling your destiny. For every person in the body of Christ, there is a vision and an anointing that the Holy Spirit will,  cause you to be attracted to for your good. When you get connected to the ministry with the vision that you should be a part of, stick to it like glue! The anointing on that ministry will cause you to experience great joy, peace,  illumination, and a sense of belonging and purpose.

But beware! The enemy will try to manipulate situations and your emotions to cause you to walk away. Don’t do it! Even if you have to pray through the night, shed some tears and turn down your plate and fast for a few days to conqueror your emotions and your imagination, just do it. There is no perfect church, perfect ministry, perfect vision, or a perfect leader. Don’t waste your time looking for one; it doesn’t exist! But, there is a vision, an anointing and ministry for you and your imperfections, and when you find it, you will know it. Remember, you must become a runner with your part in the vision. Speak with your leader and make yourself available. Be submitted, be faithful, be committed, be on time. As
you run with your part in the vision, your destiny will be fulfilled.

Bishop
McIver

Bishop/Pastor/Author/Publisher/Entrepreneur/Radio Producer/Conference Speaker

Overflowing Life Christian Center, Allentown, Pa

From ancient times to the present, dancers have expressed ideas, stories, and rhythm with their bodies. They use a variety of dance forms that allow free movement and self-expression, including classical ballet, modern dance, and culturally specific dance styles. The Biblical significance of dance is better understood by thoroughly examining the diversity and frequency with which scripture uses terms for dance.

Hastings Dictionary of the Bible defines dance as “an expression of the feelings by movements of the body, more or less controlled by a sense of rhythm.”
The bible says that in him we move, breathe and have our being. God made the human body with both eyes and ears, and the “Body of Christ” also needs to see and hear, to be seen and heard. When we can visualize the nature and character of God we can better understand and better worship Him. Dance adds the visual aspect to worship.

Dancing seems to have occurred at certain very great occasions in Israel’s history.

Ex 15:20—Miriam leads the dance after the Red Sea crossing, Israel birthed
as a nation.
2 Sam 6:14—Dance ushered in the establishment of the Davidic Kingdom and a new order of worship. Jer 31:4,13—Dance and the return from captivity in Babylon.

Dance is the fulfillment of prophecy.

“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” Jer 31:4 (“virgin of Israel” = the Bride, the end time church).

Dance is a sign of blessing and restoration in the church.

2 Sam 6:13-14—dance is associated with the restoration of the glory of God to his people. The joy of our heart has ceased; our dance has turned into mourning” Lam 5:15—the absence of dance is a sign of judgment.

Dance resists the enemy (Jam 4:7).

3 main occasions for dance in Israel’s day—harvest, marriage, victories in battle—all 3 of which spiritually point to the end times. When we dance it is a sign to Satan that his time is short! The authority of the feet—Gen 3:5, Rom 16:20, Ps 8:6, etc.—Satan is particularly nervous about what your feet are doing!

The range of expressive movement which the Bible describes includes leaping, jumping, running, to hop, skip, whirl, turn, twist, spiral, spin, to writhe or contract, to gallop, prance, stamp feet, to tremble, to circle around, to laugh and rejoice, to stretch, be limber, to throw up the hands, to clap, bow down, fall down prostrate, arise and stand up.

A. Mahol—“to dance with joy” over the blessings of God both present and future.
1) Ps 149, 150—because of His mighty acts and greatness.
2) Jer 31:31—because of future blessings.
3) N.T. parallel “choros” Luke 15:25 (dancing at banquet of prodigal son).

B. Mehola—“a joyous dance of celebration” usually for military victories or festivals.
May include round dances, interpretive or imitative dance (pantomimic dance), or responsive movement to a dance leader (“choregos” in Greek).
1) Song 6:13—“the dance of Mahanaim” or 2 armies (military).
2) Ex 15:20—victory over Pharoah’s armies (responsive).
3) 1 Sam 18:6-7—David & Saul’s victory (military).
4) N.T. parallel “orcheomai”—to dance in a row or rings as in ranks (Mark 6:22)

C. Hul—root word with 2 primary meanings: “writhing in travail or trembling,” and “whirling in a spiral motion.” Used in a broader sense, more figuratively applies to emotions or attitudes associated with the movements.
1) Ps 97:4—the earth saw and “trembled;” Is 23:5—“agony” at God’s judgment.
2) Jer 23:19—God’s anger in a “whirlwind;” Hos 11:6—whirling of a sword.

D. Giyl—“to circle in joy”—rejoicing at God’s works or attributes.
1) Ps 45:15—joy of a wedding procession.
2) 2. Is 9:3—joy of a redeemed nation.
3) Zech 9:9—joy of the coming Messiah
4) 4. Ps 118:24—rejoice in a new day.
5) N.T. parallel “agalliao”—to exult & jump for joy (1 Pet 1:6-8, 4:13, Rev 19:7, Luke1:14, Luke 10:21)

E. Pazaz—“to be supple or agile in movement, to spring up.”
1) 2 Sam 6:16—David leaping before the ark.
2) N.T. parallel “hallomai”—Acts 3:8 healed lame man leaped up.

F. Dalag—“to leap” as hurtling over an object.
1) Song 2:8—leaping on the mountains.
2) 2. 2 Sam 22:30—leaping over a wall.

G. Ragad—“to stamp feet and skip about” as in playful movements of children.
1) Job 21:11—children dancing
2) 2. Ps 29:6—Lebanon to “skip” like a calf.

H. Yadah—“to throw up the hands” in confession of praise, to acknowledge God’s character, or to acknowledge sin (surrender)
1) Ps 86:12—“praise” Him with all your heart.
2) Ps 105:1—“give thanks” “make known His deeds among the peoples!”
3) Ps 32:5—“acknowledge” sin and “confess” transgressions to the Lord.

I. Shaha—“to fall down in worship, to bend or stoop”
1) Is 45:14—“they shall fall down to thee.”
2) 2. Is 49:23—“they shall bow down.”

J. Kara—“to bend the knee, to prostrate oneself.”
1) Ps 95:6—“come let us worship and bow down.”
2) Is 45:23—“every knee shall bow.”
3) N.T. parallel “kampto”—to bend or bow low (Phil 2:10)

K. Quwm—“to rise up and stand”
1) Song 2:13—arise my love.
2) 2. Is 60:1—“arise, shine; for your light has come!”

The range of expressive movement which the Bible describes includes leaping, jumping, running, to hop, skip, whirl, turn, twist, spiral, spin, to writhe or contract, to gallop, prance, stamp feet, to tremble, to circle around, to laugh and rejoice, to stretch, be limber, to throw up the hands, to clap, bow down, fall down prostrate, arise and stand up.

Dancers normally work with choreographers, who create original dances and develop new interpretations of existing dances. Because few dance routines are written down, choreographers instruct performers at rehearsals to achieve the desired effect. In addition, choreographers usually are involved in auditioning performers.

1. Halal

Halal is a primary Hebrew root word for praise. Our word “hallelujah” comes from this base word. It means “to be clear, to shine, to boast, show, to rave, celebrate, to be clamorously foolish.”Ps 113:1-3 Praise (halal) ye the Lord, praise (halal) o ye servants of the Lord, praise (halal) the name of the Lord.

Ps 150:1 Praise (halal) the Lord! Praise (halal) God in his sanctuary; Praise (halal) him in his mighty expanse.

Ps 149:3 Let them praise (halal) his name in the dance: let them sing praises with the timbrel and harp.

(Other references: 1Chr 2)

2. Yadah

2Chr 8:14; Ezra 3:10; Ps 22:22; Ps 63:5; Ps 69:30

Yadah is a verb with a root meaning, “the extended hand, to throw out the hand, therefore to worship with extended hand.” According to the Lexicon, the opposite meaning is “to bemoan, the wringing of the hands.”

2Chr 20:21 Give thanks (yadah) to the Lord, for his lovingkindness is everlasting.

Ps 63:1 So I will bless thee as long as I live; I will (yadah) lift up my hands in thy name.

Ps 107:15 Oh that men would praise (yadah) the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men.

Other references: Gen 49:8; 2Chr 7:6; 2Chr 20:21; Isa 12:4; Jer 33:11

3. Towdah

Towdah comes from the same principle root word as yadah, but is used more specifically. Towdah literally means, “an extension of the hand in adoration, avowal, or acceptance.” By way of application, it is appratent in the Psalms and elsewhere that it is used for thanking God for “things not yet received” as well as things already at hand.

Ps 50:14 Offer unto God praise (towdah) and pay thy vows unto the Most High.

Ps 50:23 Whoso offereth praise (towdah) glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.

Other references: 2Chr 29:31; Jer 33:11; Ps 42:4

4. Shabach Shabach means, “to shout, to address in a loud tone, to command, to triumph.”

Ps 47:1 O clap your hands, all peoples; shout (shabach) to God with the voice of joy (or triumph).

Ps 145:4 One generation shall praise (shabach) thy works to another and declare thy mighty acts.

Isa 12:6 Cry aloud and shout (shabach) for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, For great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.

Other references: Ps 63:1-4; Ps.117:1; Ps 35:27; Ps 106:47

5. Barak

Barak means “to kneel down, to bless God as an act of adoration.”

Ps 95:6 O come let us worship and bow down; let us kneel (barak) before the Lord our maker.

1Chr 29:20 Then David said to all the assembly, “Now bless (barak) the Lord your God.” And all the assembly blessed (barak) the Lord, the God of their fathers, and bowed low and did homage to the Lord and to the king.

Ps 34:1 I will bless (barak) the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

Other references: Job 1:21; Ps 96:2; Ps 103:1-2; Ps 18:46

6. Zamar

Zamar means “to pluck the strings of an instrument, to sing, to praise; a musical word which is largely involved with joyful expressions of music with musical instruments.

Ps 21:13 Be exalted O Lord, in Thine own strength, so will we sing and praise (zamar) Thy power.

1Chr 16:9 Sing to Him, sing praises (zamar) to Him; speak of all His wonders.

Ps 57:8-9 Awake my glory; awake harp and lyre, I will awaken the dawn! I will give thanks to Thee, O Lord among the peoples; I will sing praises (zamar) to Thee among the nations.

Other references: Ps 66:2-4; Isa 12:5; Ps 27:6; Ps 149:3; Ps 30:4

7. Tehillah

Tehillah is derived from the word halal and means “the singing of halals, to sing or to laud; perceived to involve music, especially singing; hymns of the Spirit.

Ps 22:3 Yet Thou art holy, O Thou who art enthroned upon the praises (tehillah) of Israel.

Ps 33:1 Rejoice in the Lord, o ye righteous, for praise (tehillah) is comely for the upright.

Isa 61:3 To grant to those who mourn in Zion, Giving them a garland instead of ashes, The oil of gladness instead of mourning, The mantle of praise (tehillah) instead of the spirit of fainting, So they shall be called oaks of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.

Other references: Ps 34:1; 1Chr 16:35; 2Chr 20:22; Deut 10:21; Exod 15:11; Ps 147:1-2

When people think of the word “puppet” most people think of Sesame Street, Muppets, or a children’s puppetry performance. However, puppets have a very long history and today they are used in many movies and theatrical productions as well as in ministry.

Puppets are fun, silly, and colorful. They live in a world of pretend, but they can talk about real issues. If ministering to children is your calling then starting a puppet ministry is a great way to fulfill that calling. Puppetry offers a unique way of presenting the Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Things you will need:

• Puppets
• Stage
• Scripts

Begin by asking for the Lord’s guidance through prayer, next decide on the ministry’s mission statement.

How To Build A PVC Puppet Stage:

PVCPipePuppetStage

Starting a senior program is a wonderful way to promote social engagement, physical activity, and mental stimulation among seniors. The types of activities that seniors would enjoy can vary widely based on their interests, abilities, and mobility. Here are some popular activities often enjoyed by seniors:

1. Exercise and Fitness Classes: Offer a range of classes like yoga, tai chi, low-impact aerobics, and chair exercises to promote physical health and flexibility.
2. Arts and Crafts: Organize art classes, pottery workshops, knitting circles, or other creative activities to tap into seniors’ artistic talents.
3. Outdoor Activities: Plan nature walks, gardening clubs, or bird watching excursions to keep seniors connected with the outdoors.
4. Games and Puzzles: Host game nights with card games, board games, and puzzles. These activities can be both entertaining and mentally stimulating.
5. Educational Workshops: Invite guest speakers to discuss topics of interest, like history, science, or literature. Learning opportunities are a great way to keep seniors engaged.
6. Music and Dance: Arrange musical performances or dance classes to bring joy and movement into their lives.
7. Cooking and Baking: Cooking demonstrations or group baking sessions can be fun and provide opportunities for socializing.
8. Technology Training: Offer classes on using smartphones, tablets, or computers to help seniors stay connected with loved ones and access online resources.
9. Volunteer Opportunities: Organize volunteer activities within the community, such as knitting blankets for charities or participating in local cleanup events.
10. Book Clubs: Create book clubs where seniors can read and discuss books together, fostering social interaction and intellectual stimulation.
11. Therapeutic Activities: Consider activities like meditation, mindfulness sessions, or pet therapy to promote relaxation and emotional well-being.
12. Travel and Exploration: Plan day trips to local attractions, museums, or historical sites to keep seniors engaged and explore their surroundings.
13. Inter-generational Programs: Connect seniors with children or young adults through activities like story time, mentorship programs, or art collaborations.
14. Memory Enhancement: Offer memory games and cognitive exercises to help seniors maintain mental acuity.
15. Holiday Celebrations: Organize festive events and celebrations for major holidays and special occasions.

Remember to consult with the seniors in your program to understand their preferences and needs. Flexibility and making them feel included are key to creating a program that caters to a diverse range of interests and abilities. Additionally, consider the physical and cognitive abilities of your participants when designing activities to ensure everyone can participate and enjoy the experience.