When I began to study worship, as it exists in the church today, and as a need in my own life, I came across very quickly the actual meaning of the word, both in Hebrew and in Greek. My discovery reminded me of Josiah’s discovery of the scrolls (2 Chronicles 34). If this simple finding is true, woe is me and all of us.

Both the Hebrew shawkhaw and the Greek proskuneo, the two main words for worship in your Bible, carry the idea of prostration. That’s not just bowing, it’s lying flat out on your face before God.

Bible words can sometimes be generic, even created for a purpose by well-meaning translators. I have long spoken of the word “baptize” as an example of this. The Greek baptidzo is not subject to a long list of interpretations. It can only mean “immerse.”

But the church of the famed King James’s day practiced a whole array of water activities when dealing with one of Christ’s commands. They sprinkled people with a bit of water. They poured water over the head, as Hollywood loves to depict the act in its Bible movies, with no authority from Scripture. And they dunked people.

What were the King James translators to do? They invented a word based on the sound of the Greek word, “baptize”, and the church went merrily on in its oblivion. Today “baptize” can mean anything you want it to mean.

So with “worship,” I fear. A man sitting in a chair, coldly singing from an old hymnbook, is said to be worshiping. People running around a room speaking in ecstatic utterances is also a worshiper. Raised hands are considered worshipful hands. Music is the essence of modern worship.

Contemporary music, that is, with the new ritual that must include a very expensive set of drums, with a shield blocking the deafening sounds from the congregation; a keyboard; electric guitars… you know the drill.

But the Hebrew and Greek words I found early on defy all of that. It’s to your knees, to your face, aware of Who He is!

I’ve seldom seen this in a church “worship service” but I have seen it, via video, in the Muslim mosque. That’s a telling fact, is it not? Believers in the false god Allah seemingly revering their deity more than the Christians do theirs?

That’s not the whole truth, but it is a fact to be considered when looking at Christian worship.

So, what is the whole truth? Best here to look at several passages of Scripture on the subject. God has told us what makes Him happy, what He is looking for. I trace the concept through the Bible.

Genesis. Cain and Abel. We all know the story. Cain’s garden variety of offerings, maybe even the best of his crop, given to God. But God wasn’t looking for that. Abel gave something that cost a life. Bloodshed. Sacrifice. This hurts.

That’s the first clue about offerings given to God. It hurts. But it is given in joy at the same time. Here, God, take my best. Let the blood speak to you of my love.

Noah wanted to give a similar offering when the ark travels were finished, and life was beginning anew on the planet. His burnt offerings were so pleasing to God that He promised never to destroy every living thing again. Powerful worship when God is pleased in this way.

So, clue two. Offer to God when He is not specifically asking for something. Do it just because you want to give to Him. You have no idea how far such a sacrifice will resonate in Heaven.

Genesis 22 tells the famous story of the patriarch Abraham under his most severe of trials, the demand for the sacrifice of his own son. Perhaps the very essence of worship is here described. Abraham tells the men who traveled up that hill with him that he is going up yonder hill to worship. And here all the conventional descriptions of the word fall off, even the ones I have insisted come from the Hebrew and Greek. Here is true worship.

What are the elements visible? A heart devoted to God. A heart-rending demand to be obeyed. No bowing or prostrating here. The body position isn’t everything. Abraham’s heart forever lies prostrate before his God. The evidence is his obedience.

Yes, the attitude of the heart is shown by the position of the body, we get it. But see the position of Abraham’s body, his hand poised above his son’s throat, every nerve and muscle taut and determined. Soon the hand will move downward. Are these positions not acceptable worship? Was not Abraham worshiping in this position?

Every worship time with God demands a new searching of the heart and positioning of the body. God cannot stand vain repetitions in body or words. His mercies are new every morning and so must be our worship. And you will note I am not yet speaking of corporate worship, which had not yet developed.

I see worship in Abraham’s servant, Genesis 24. When he realized his mission had been accomplished in the providence of God, his reaction, probably learned from his master, was to bow down his head and worship.

Notice carefully what the Scripture is calling worship here. Is it the bowing of the head, that shows the reverence to be involved? Is it the words that flowed from the servant’s grateful heart? Listen:

“Blessed be the Lord God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken His mercy and His truth toward my master… “

A combination, I think. Pure gratitude reverentially offered to a powerful merciful God. That’s worship!

In Exodus 24:1 is the narrative of the seventy-four men called up to the heights of Sinai. First, they are to “worship from afar.” The next verses tell of various sacrifices and offerings given to God. Outward worship with rituals attending, when they are commanded, do indeed please God.

But at best all of this is “from afar.” Soon they will be called up to see the God of Israel. Such splendors they viewed! Then Joshua and Moses are to move on even farther for a more intense look from within a cloud of glory. We can only imagine the trembling worship which Moses offered.

More clues. Bring an offering to God. Bring yourself. Stay in worship until He calls you up higher? Not everyone is a Moses, not everyone has the same call, but do you and I stay in His Presence long enough to see if there is more that He wants to reveal to us?

When we see Joshua in the book by his name (5:14) worshiping God, it is on his face. No one is ruling out body compliance in all the talk of the special men and events of the Old Testament and New. You are talking to the Lord of all the universe. Show respect, reverence, awe.

Worship experiences continue through the history of Israel, usually connected to animal sacrifice. But unfortunately, it is predicable that outward forms will eventually replace the true worship for which Jesus longs, and with which He is pleased.

David reminds us in the Psalms to worship the Lord “in the beauty of holiness” (Psalm 29:2). His holiness? Ours? Whatever way you see it, holiness is a part of true worship.

New Testament believers are admonished to lift up holy hands when worshiping. All other worship is vain and insulting to a holy God. Dirty hands must be cleansed in the blood before being lifted up.

David also tells us to worship in fear. Where is this taught today, in the extravagant showy spectacles being called worship by our generation? Fear? More like fun in our time. Feel-good stuff. Brilliant music. Incredibly expensive sound and lighting systems, with smoke thrown in to keep up with the world’s ways.

Makes me happy. How about You, holy Lord? Does it make You happy? Perhaps this can only be answered on an individual basis. Those truly worshiping at the event please Him. The event itself, maybe not.

And David continues the exhortation to bow down, in 95:6. Tell your body what’s going on. This can easily be carried out in private worship, as can all the Psalms. No one is suggesting that in every meeting, people are all laid out on the floor, that all are bowing and physically humbling themselves. Yet, why not? Would such displays be wrong? Out of order?

The problem with the displays that are taking place today is that they are connected to the music of the world and the rock concert atmosphere. It seems to be a practice of the young, the ones who know least about God’s Word and the deep truths there.

Do the lights have to be dimmed? Does the music have to threaten everyone’s hearing capacities? Is there no way for us to humble ourselves before the Lord without replicating the world?

I hate to mention them again, but in fact the Muslims do spread out before Allah. They do bow before him, some of them I am sure being quite sincere. But nothing of Western heavy metal or deafening drum is brought in. I can only imagine the contempt they have for a people who are forever following the culture, instead of demanding that the culture follow them.

Just for the record, Isaiah also mentions how false worshipers lie prostrate before their false gods. So does Daniel. Nebuchadnezzar demands that all are to fall before his statue. There is no body function, including “tongues”, that is not, somewhere in the world, done by unbelievers.

Unbelievers know how to worship. Those actions themselves are not proof of a true allegiance to the living God. But neither is their absence a thing to be praised.

The New Testament is a bit unclear, at first glance, when dealing with the subject of worship. Pagan astronomers come to worship Jesus. We remember their gifts. Do we remember also that they fell down? Not passed out. Deliberately took the knee, and probably more, to adore this new King. Worship is falling down, in heart, yes, but also in body.

This is the worship Satan wanted of Christ in the wilderness. The common thread continues. Just fall down and worship me. The two ideas are one. Fall down. Worship.

Paul says that those who hear a genuine interpretation of a foreign language, given by one who has never learned that language, will fall down on their face and worship God! That’s supposed to be the instinct of one who confronts the Reality of Heaven. Fall down. Worship.

1 Corinthians is packed with clues about public worship. At least, we see what the church in Corinth had become. Not sure that all of this was supposed to be in every church, but the example is here before us, so let’s take a look.

1 Corinthians 14:26 talks of the things that happened in a church meeting. Note first that everyone who wanted to could participate. This was no study in the performing arts. This was fellowship. People wanted to share what was on their hearts.

Paul restricts certain utterances and sets in order the way of their being manifested, but the general idea of communal sharing is not rebuked. One person might have a psalm, one might teach, one might manifest a miraculous gift. Keep it orderly, says Paul.

So that’s what church looked like? At least, at Corinth.

The book of Revelation is packed with worship. The very words spoken in Heaven are given to us to utter on earth.

Jesus, in speaking to His church in Philadelphia announces that those professing to be God’s people mistakenly, will be directed to come and worship at the feet of true believers.

Not that they would worship the believers, but that they will be forced to acknowledge that the true God of Heaven is in these people. And how does one arrive at another’s feet? Fall down.

Twenty-four elders, modeling plurality of eldership in the visible church, sit with Christ in Heaven. That is, when they are not worshiping Him. How? Falling down, casting crowns before Him.

So engrained is the habit of falling down in Biblical worship and in that first century, that John actually falls down twice in worship to an angel that is speaking to him. He is quickly corrected. But you get the point. Worship is a humbling reverential experience.

Where is it being practiced today? I hear the noise. Where is the awe? I mean awe of Him, not awe for the music band.

We cannot leave the Scriptures without pointing out perhaps the most crucial aspect of what is to be our worship experience: the Spirit of God. Paul claims in Philippians 3:3 that we are those who worship “in the Spirit.”

And then there is the classic fourth chapter of John. The woman at the well.

We know well the story of a woman convicted of her sin and confronted with the very Messiah of Israel. We know of her evangelistic efforts, and how a whole town turned out to hear Jesus.

But hidden in that passage is a truth that we still desire and need to discover.

God is looking for a group of people. When He finds them, He is pleased. Jesus tells us their general description, but we are left on our own to track down His meaning.

The woman was a Samaritan. Samaritans were despised by “true” Jews because their religion had been compromised over the years. First, when the Kingdom was divided into Judah and Israel, Israel became eventually a headquarters of false worship. Wrong place. Wrong sacrifices.

Then things got worse, as Israel sank into idolatry, worshiping the gods of their neighbors, in the ways those neighbors worshiped. Finally, they were taken captive by the Assyrians, who sent their own people to live in the land which had yielded its population to the conquerors.

There was a return eventually, but the mix was never resolved: Assyrian religion, mixed with a backslidden form of Judaism.

The woman, however, had been raised to believe that Samaritan ways were best. Aren’t we all subject to that syndrome?

Samaritans probably were taught that they were more open. More liberal. Ecumenism, you know. She was wrong to think Mt. Gerizim was the proper place of worship, and Jesus even told her so. “You don’t know what you worship!”

Yes, it had gotten that bad. Do the young know what they worship today, or are they merely caught up in a musical euphoria?

One thing she knew though. Messiah would come and set things in order. Her faith in Messiah suddenly paid off! But Jesus added some more to His revelations on that day. He told her that, even though Jewish worship was superior to Samaritan worship at the moment, soon there would be a sweeping away of all such geographically-oriented worship and something new would stand in its place.

He explained to her that God was interested, even now, for people to worship Him from inside, from the spirit. He thereby suggested that the outward form of worship was not the issue at all. He further told her that a true worshiper would have to be one who worshiped the true God.

“You know not what you worship” won’t do any more. You must know Whom you worship. And not just any “Whom” will do. There is only One Who is called the Truth. You must worship Him.

Worshiping Jesus from the inside. Such a revelation. Such a change from worshiping an unknown god with external ceremonies.

Worship then is to be spiritual first, then physical. Worship is to be located within, not in a specific location. Beyond this, no rules are given, no format. At least, not here.

We see how slowly over time this mandate for pure inward worship disintegrated and became a Roman priesthood following rigid regulations, suffocating the life out of worship, then claiming that this was the only worship allowed by the church.

Such suffocations eventually produce reformation. It happened in the form of Luther and Calvin and the rest. So much better. Rules remained, and rules still excluded. But the improvement was so marked that no one noticed for the longest time that ritual still governed worship.

The slowly evolving evangelical churches brought more relaxing of traditional rules. And yet more bondage in some ways. It isn’t long before a church or a denomination, whether yours or mine, the best of them, begins to feel that their order is the order when Jesus has called for no particular order.

I did not just say that there should be no order in the church. Each church must maintain the holy decorum demanded by its profession of commitment to a holy orderly God. If we have viewed the creation lately, we all must be aware of how orderly things are, and how order is not a bad word after all.

Pentecostals and charismatics declared war on some of the remaining issues of legalistic worship rules, but alas, they also created some rules of their own, equally exclusive.

For example, now there was to be a separate class of believers: the Spirit-filled.

Their “utterances” were to be held in awe and set the “utterers” apart as a holy club that could hear from God. A new priesthood, if you will. Like all priesthoods, it divided. And in some ways, it turned the progress of the church in the wrong direction.

For these people, the Scriptures often were not the final say. Rather, experience began its unhealthy rule in Christendom.

Offshoots of the Pentecostals were the charismatics, who could be found in every major denomination, and all the minor ones too. The movement caught hold, for better or worse.

But alas, it went even further into negative territory. A new offshoot, summed up today in the initials NAR.

Now, worship could mean anything the “experienced” desired. Falling down in a faint was one treasured addition. Walking and running around the building, carefully stepping over the “slain”, that was in. Utterances of persons speaking out of their own spirits multiplied. Barking like dogs. Laughing like hyenas. Feigned drunkenness. And of course the growing power of music to control crowds.

Was all of this, worship?

I find it interesting, don’t you, that the New Testament never mentions a “worship service.” The first Christians “continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer.” Did they not continue in worship? Is that included in the “prayer” part?

Just asking. But it seems to me, looking at “worship services” through the centuries, that perhaps Jesus is looking for those -individuals – who will worship Him in Spirit (or spirit) and truth. Alone, you can feel free to do whatever you want in praising God.

Just sayin’. Something to think about. Public worship is so varied, so regimented. Can you find a “worship service” that obeys Jesus’ basic mandates: reverence, falling down (voluntarily), giving gifts etc. Without being disorderly, of course.

Order is enjoined upon us because public meetings attract visitors, who, as Paul said in another but similar context, will be watching, and calling you mad if you behave as madmen. We must not turn them off to the Gospel on their first visit! Yet we should not sit as dead men either.

So we’ve been through the Bible…

But wait. Did we leave out the Book of Acts? Is this not the definitive description of what church ought to look like? Was not worship the central part of every meeting recorded in that history? Let’s see.

The first meeting. The arrival of the Holy Spirit. Some say it started as a prayer meeting of about 120. That’s not as easy to prove as you might think. There is a moving back and forth about who was present from time to time in the first two chapters of Acts. Acts 1 talks first of the remaining eleven disciples, their final encounter with Jesus and angels, their return to the upper room.

Was the upper room a rented banquet hall or just a room upstairs, large enough to have a final meal with Jesus, and house the waiting apostles? We aren’t told. But you would think that we were told.

What is stated is that these apostles stayed in fellowship with about 120 other followers of Jesus. Where they all met together is quite probably at another location, not the apostles’ temporary apartment!

At one of their regular meetings, Matthias was selected as Judas’ replacement. But chapter one ends speaking of the eleven.

And the next verse (2:1) talks about how they (who?) were in one accord when the Spirit fell. The common assumption is that 120 were gathered together, squeezed into an upper room. But that is not stated.

“They” (and the antecedent is “the eleven”) were in one place (unspecified) when the Spirit fell. This is the Spirit that Jesus had often promised the disciples when He walked with them. It would seem that they would be the only ones who could truly know what was happening. Peter certainly did.

The Holy Spirit descended, and people began to speak. That’s what we know. Miraculously, they spoke in the languages of all the people present! There was a broadcasting of the wonderful works of God.

Then it seems that everything pointed to a clear message (the apostles’ teaching) outlining the plan of salvation, followed by a response, and a 3000- person addition to the church via water baptism.

That was church on Day one. Not meant to be “prescriptive”, the pattern for all time, but “descriptive”, a telling of history. Glorious history, our history, but history. God would never repeat His original outpouring. The Spirit had arrived and everyone knew it.

The first worship service then, was a miraculous outpouring, a proclamation of the Gospel in many languages to all the foreigners present, and a further proclamation of that Gospel in the language of the day.

That’s as far as God went. Why have we tried to go so much further? Church is about the Word. The Spirit brings the Word. Church is not about musical extravaganzas, or weirdness. The Church edifies by speaking truths from Heaven, words now recorded in your Bible.

2. As to the next meetings: We are told of the striking dead of a man and his wife, for lying to the Spirit. Church discipline, totally lacking in today’s movement.

The Word is established by miracles of healing. The community practically lives together, shares fully with each other, prays. But no word yet of a formal worship service with strict rules.

3. The first Gentile meeting. A group of family and friends of Cornelius are meeting in expectation of something they know nothing of. They know how to worship, though, and begin to do obeisance to Peter.

They are people of prayer. Peter comes and preaches Jesus to them. The Spirit falls again, and the people begin to praise God. Another baptismal service, but still no formal worship outline.

4. A prayer meeting. Peter is in jail for preaching the Gospel. The church meets together to pray. Peter is freed and shows up at the meeting. This is the church at its finest, but no official worship service here.

5. Another prayer meeting. These seem rather common for the time. Lydia is part of an outdoor Jewish prayer group when Paul joins her and leads her to the Lord. Not a church service here.

6. Breaking bread. It seems that the habit of meeting on the first day of the week has begun, and a communion service is established. No rules are given, no formalities. Jesus’ institution of the Supper was likewise simple and free. We all know what happened to that simple meal.

7. In prison. Paul is the last person we see in Acts, and at the end of the book he is having regular meetings with enquirers. He preached and taught, that much we know.

Put all this together and we see again the summary we mentioned earlier, quoting Acts 2:42. The first-century church continued regularly in the teaching of the apostles (we call this the New Testament today), fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer.

We are left scratching our heads as we seek the formalities of a worship service, complete with musicians, incense, rituals, vestments… and today, oh so much more.

Old Testament worship, specifically under David, was very musical and exciting. We can assume that much of this was carried over into New Testament times. Perhaps that explains why there is so little said in the New Testament?

Paul enjoins Ephesians and Colossians to be singing and making melody in their hearts, and (in some translations) to each other, but that is hardly evidence for a formalized program followed ritualistically every week. Agreed?

The question is a thorny one for me, for I have seen and been part of the “dead” and formalistic groups. I have seen also the performance-oriented churches that hire the best in the business – and church music is a business these days – to come and revamp their “worship” experience.

Pastors soon lose control in many of these places, as King Music reigns. What can poor Pastor say? The church is growing, and that’s what it’s all about, isn’t it? Growth? Why, to go back where we were is unthinkable! Right? Well, no.

Oh for pastors/elders who are free! No one’s income, in a free church, depends on the changing ways of his flock. The world is kept on the outside, and inside is a sense of holiness, awe, love. People are living for Jesus throughout the week, and thus come to the service ready to share as did the Corinthians, albeit with much more order that did they.

There’s a psalm. A teaching (by a man). A Scripture. Special prayers. True communion! And when they sing, they care not if a full-fledged rock-style band is blaring behind them. They can worship without instruments at all if they desire.

But alas, I know of no such place. Do you? Why must I only look back to a New Testament church to find what pleased God so much? And when true worship is present, must it always evolve into the sensual and demonic?

Lots of great questions, I think. Not as many great answers.

First, we must understand Royalty. Royalty- A person of royal rank or lineage. In royalty you have your Emperor, King, Queen, Prince, and so on.

Every Emperor has it’s empire, which consists of many territories, Nations, or kingdoms. Every King has it’s kingdom, and every Prince has it’s Principality,and every Priest has their levitical priesthood.

God(the father) has a massive Kingdom, where his son Jesus(God the son) reign’s as King of all kings and Lord of all Lords. But God(the father) reigns as emperor over the kingdom.

Now that we understand royalty, lets see where we fall in in the royal side, and what lineage do we have in Jesus Christ.

When a king and a queen comes together and brings forth a man child, the young boy is automatically born a prince who will one day become king. Same thing goes for a woman child who is born a Princess and will soon become a queen.Satan understands royalty, and where he came from. Jesus said in Luke 10:18-19 ” I beheld Satan as lightening fall from heaven.” Jesus didn’t say I beheld satan as lightenin fall out of the clouds, or out of the sky, but he said from Heaven. see “the fall of lucifer” Isaiah 14:12-19. Only a king, queen, prince, or someone in royalty can wear a crown. And when God created Adam he gave him a crown of dominion over all the earth (Genesis1:26). (Because he was Prince Adam, and his father who created him is God the father/ emperor/ king).

Now when Satan fell from heaven to the earth because he wanted God’s throne, he saw Adam’s beautiful crown of dominion and he wanted that too! Remember…Jesus said the thief, which is the devil, comes not but for to steal, kill, and to destroy (John 10:10). And by subtility, and trickery he deceived Adam and stole his crown causing adam to fall. Whenever a king defeats another king by slaying him, the king’s crown who was slain falls off of his head, and the other king picks it up and put’s it upon his head. Now that king is over the region, territory, or kingdom he has just won (2nd Samuel 12:30). So Adam lost his crown to the devil (Lamentations 5:16) Who is now the prince of this world and the prince of darkness……but Jesus is the Prince of peace.

Be not dismayed children of the most high God. Because we have already gotten our crown’s back. Only this time, it is a king’s crown (Revelation 1:5-6). When Jesus came on the scene as the second Adam to redeem us from poverty, sickness, and the second death, he was God the son in the flesh. Then comes satan, who tries to deceive and trick Jesus just like he did Adam. By satan being prince of this world he tried to offer Jesus all of the materialistic things of this world since it was his to give anyway, only this time it did not work. The Lord rebuked him (Matthew 4:1-11). When it was almost time for Jesus to die/become glorified, he heard his father’s voice from heaven, and Jesus said.”Now is the judgment of this world;Now shall the Prince of this world be cast out (meaning the devil). (John 12:28-32) it was time for the devil to give up that crown.

After Jesus died he went into hell (Colossians 2:15) trampled death under his feet, seized the prince of hell, and deprived the enemy of ALL his power openly in front of all the other demons and imps.We need to know how the enemy works, since it is obvious that he uses the same tactics all the time “deception.” Satan works with the thought process, and in order for it to work he needs you to agree with him. (that’s spiritual law) Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall Agree on earth as touching anything, it shall be done (Matthew 18:19). Remember to every Genuwine there is a counterfeit. The devil operates contrary to God’s word. Just as God needs your agreement in Heaven for his will to be done in earth, the devil needs your agreement also. If you agree with God for good, you will get good things. If you agree with the devil for bad, you will get bad things. So what can we do to stop it?

We must not walk in the vanity of our own mind. If something comes to your mind that does not match up with the word of God, it’s NOT God. Cast it down. (Romans 12:2) We must not be conformed to this world, but we Must be transformed by the renewing of our mind, that we must prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.

If it’s that simple why are people still bound? And why are people not casting down all of these thoughts and imaginations?

Because of (2nd Corinthians 4:4) Which says The god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them (now we know the god of this world is satan). Wherein in time past you walked according to the course of this world, according to the Prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience (Ephesians 2:2). For we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against Principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. If you noticed, the last two scriptures I gave you talks about rulers in high places. A Prince is a ruler who sits in a high place. And a Principality is a territory, position, or jurisdiction of a prince.

Satan is the Prince of this world, and in order to be a prince you have to have people to rule over (Proverbs 14:28). Since satan is the head general he calls one of his demons, also known as fallen angels who rebelled with him and was thrown out of heaven. He calls his demon of fornication (fornication means to have sexual entercourse before you are married, which is also a sin) and gives him an assignment to seduce, mislead, deceive, and intice the people to have sex prematurely. Then that young man or woman agrees with him in their mind and gets someone else to agree with them, thinking it’s cool and that it’s the thing to do. Before you know it the whole region is doing it. Once the devil sees this, he promotes the demon of fornication into a prince, sets him high up in the air to give assignments to the other demons under him to rule over the multitude he now has, blinding their minds and deceiving them. The prince of fornication now has his Principality which is a territory, position, or jurisdiction of a prince.

If you notice when you go to a certain place there are certain people there. 4 example, JUST USING AN EXAMPLE. On 53rd you might have homosexuals in that area. On 69th you might have lesbians in that area. That’s how he works, he has to go to a certain place or territory where he can get people to agree with him. There are different principalities in different areas. The devil does the same thing with the demon of homosexuality. Once he gets enough people to agree with him he gets promoted into a Prince. The demon of lesbianism, witchcraft, and all sorts get promoted into a prince in high places. This is how we must fight them. We must first Plead “call on the blood of Jesus.” and do what (Ephesians 6:12) says. ” For we wrestle not against flesh and bood, but against Principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Cast down those imaginations, lustful desires, thoughts, and evil ways that comes in your mind. Because as a man thinks, so is he. Pulling down strongholds. In order for something to be pulled down it must be above you so you can pull it down. In order for you to cast something down, it must be in the air so it can be cast down.

In closing, Once ALL of these principalities are cast down, they will fall and their crowns will fall off of their heads. Remember I told you that whenever a king’s crown has fallen in battle someone has to pick it up (2nd Samuel 12:30). That someone is Jesus Christ son of the living God. When he does pick up those crowns he will dust them off and they will be made crowns of Righteousness (Revelation 19:12). Now Jesus will be in the place where those principalities used to be, and now Jesus can break the bondage from off of the minds of the people and they can now choose Jesus. That’s why Jesus said (John 12:32) “And I, If I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” The devil came to keep us in bondage, but Jesus came to set the captives free.

I am glad that even now Jesus is far above ALL principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and EVERY name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come. And he put ALL things under his feet (Ephesians 1:19-22).

Praise God, in Jesus name. To be continued…………….

Until recently, filing bankruptcy has carried a stigma of failure and being dishonest. Many people have avoided filing for bankruptcy, even to their own demise, because of the stigma. No one really wants to file for bankruptcy, at least those of us that are honest, but sometimes circumstances make the process unavoidable. It's interesting to see how this stigma questioning someone's honesty and labeling them a failure even came about. While no one will really come out and say that they started this negative label, I suspect it was perpetrated by the credit industry. They know that once a person hires a bankruptcy lawyer, they probably will not get paid back anything. Initially, a debt collection company will call to make arrangements for payment and tried to befriend the individual in financial trouble. Most people don't realize it, but they will feel guilty if they don't pay their new friend. When a person hits the end of their rope and doesn't have anything to give them the gloves come off and the character assassination begins. Debt collectors are paid based on what they collect so they don't have a problem being the ones that try and destroy a person's character with threats and berating them.

The interesting facts are the most common reasons for someone filing for bankruptcy are unemployment, a medical illness that causes loss of work with large medical bills, and family problems like divorce. So when a debt collector calls a person and accuses them of being dishonest for not paying their debts, it seems to me that all of these reasons are beyond their control and there is nothing wrong with filing bankruptcy. People need to understand the source of the information that is making them feel bad about themselves. A quick way to remove the guilt is to speak with a bankruptcy lawyer and they will be able to set the individual straight about their situation. For someone who needs to feel better about themselves all they need to do is look at the recent study they came to the conclusion that the average American family is only three weeks away from having to file bankruptcy. This conclusion was based on the amount of debt that the average American household has and compares it with their savings and income. In most households, debt is on the rise, a savings account is nonexistent and income is on the decline.

For those that still feel the guilt and shame of filing bankruptcy , all they need to do is open the Bible and use it for a moral compass. It is true that the Bible sets it straight that we are expected to pay are just debts. I don't think anyone would argue this point, even those filing for bankruptcy. However, the Bible talks about the balance between the moral and legal obligation to pay those debts and to consider the need for compassion and the requirement that those debts must be canceled at periodic intervals. This comes from Deuteronomy 15 in the Old Testament of the Bible and is the basis for how Congress created the Bankruptcy Code. The cancellation of debts every seven years was spoken clearly in the Scripture. Deuteronomy 15: 1-2 says "At the end of every seven years you shall grant a release. And this is the manner of the release: every creditor shall release what he has lent to his neighbor, his brother, because the Lords release has been proclaimed. "

So the next time a debt collector calls and starts berating the individual, they should break out their Bible and let the debt collector know the truth about filing bankruptcy and how it should be treated morally and legally.

Currently the world is facing an uncertain future with climate change and global warming taking its toll. Add to that the threat of nuclear war as North Korea continues to threaten its neighbours and others by improving its ballistic missile capabilities. Nations are also jumpy about China’s build up of the Scilly Islands and the military base it has placed there. But these are only some of the immediate dangers to the population.

Disease and the overuse of antibiotics are producing stronger germs that are resistant to them. Nations that allow the production of less effective drugs are a major part of the problem. India is one such place and companies there are sending inferior drugs and medical components to hospitals and the like where they are adding to the problem.

Most countries are feeling the effects of climate change in various ways. Summers are hotter, particularly in the Northern Hemisphere while in Australia has just recorded the hottest ever winter temperature with Sydney reaching 26 degrees Celsius and the Wester suburbs even hotter. People went swimming in the ocean and winter still has a month to go.

This is putting things out of balance and drought followed by super fires is not only impacting on the production of food but on the populations of some areas to survive. Places in Africa are burying their dead as the toll from famine rises.

There is no way the situations can be reversed and with the population exploding globally prices are rising, jobs are failing, and houses are in short supply. The future is bleak and it was all foretold in biblical prophecies. We are in the last days, according to them, and one of the pointers is the Internet.

Micah 4:1 states that “in the last days the Mountain of God will appear in the tope of the mountains and all people will flow unto it.” It is obvious that this is the means by which God can speak to the world and everyone has access to it to take heed of the message.

Isaiah 26:19 promises: “The dead men shall live… and the earth shall cast out the dead.”

My reincarnation proves that everyone has returned who ever lived (Job 5:19-21), and that explains the huge population growth. There is no heaven or hell and religions are largely to blame for the state of the world because of the lies and deception put out there.

This is the noise published on the Internet that has come to the ends of the earth (Jeremiah 25:31). It is the start of the end and “the slain of God shall be… from one end of the earth unto the other” (ibid:33). The stage is set to bring it about.

The word in the Greek is Aster or Astro. This is where we get the word Astronomy. Astronomy is a study of the stars with all their astrophysical systems. This would include our solar system. The solar system is an example of a star system. The sun is one of several kinds of stars. Some stars pair up with others. Some are grouped as global star systems. Some are grouped as open clusters. Some are very big while others are very small. All are in systems called galaxies. The whole system is called the universe. Even though there have been studies from the beginning of time, we know very little about them.

There are indications that the star systems were made for God’s angelic host. Our solar system was created for the benefit of the human race. The universe is an example of God’s handiwork. It declares the glory of God. It also tells us the sun has a circuit.

The Bible tells us God “stretched out the heavens as a curtain.” He also named all the stars. We know the universe is still expanding. The Bible tells us the universe is very large, but not infinite. God is bigger than the universe.

The Bible tells us God is in every area of the universe, but He is not a part of it. In other words, the universe is not God. We are told in the Bible that it is a sin against God to worship the universe. It also tells us that the stars do not rule our lives. According to Genesis 1:14-19 they were to be “for signs, for seasons, and for days and for years.” One set of stars is what we call the zodiac. The horoscope and astrology are perversions of God’s original purpose for the universe.

We will always have questions of which we stumble over. One such question is that if the universe is only thousands of years old, how come we can see stars that are billions of light years from us. I am sure this is no problem with God. The fact we do have problems with it only shows our finiteness. Here are some possible solutions. Perhaps light travels differently in space than we have been taught to think. Maybe light travels much faster in space than on the earth. If you calculate the expansion of our universe with the data we have today, distances in the universe were much closer in the past than they are today. The other possibility is that the stars are not as far from us as we think. One thing about it, God’s Word takes precedence over our limited knowledge. If God says it, that should settle it once and for all.

We are created to worship God and give Him glory and praise. If we do not worship God we will worship something or someone else. There is not a person on this planet that is not worshiping something or someone. We become what we worship. Those who are worshiping “mother earth” are as cold and calloused as the soil under their feet. Their lives are a mess. They have no plans or purposes for their existence. They have no concern for the needs of others. “Their foolish hearts are darkened.” They have fallen into the sad state of affairs that is recorded in Romans 1:17-32.

Paul, the Apostle, gave us three things that will keep people from falling out of step with their Creator-God. These are found in Romans 1:14-16. In the first place, he realized he was indebted to the whole human race to give them what God had given him. Next, he was ready to “preach the gospel” to those in Rome. And lastly, he was not “ashamed of the gospel of Christ.” Our only hope today, as in all generations, is for us to get back to God and His truth, which is found in the Bible, that will set us free to live life to the fullest.

A Review of Biblical Reference Tools

I chose one topic ('Jubilee') and wrote a comparative assessment of the treatment the topic receives in The Anchor Bible Dictionary , The New Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible , The Harper Collins Bible Dictionary and D. Bruggemann 's Reverberations of Faith .

Anchor Bible Dictionary

In defining the 'Year of Jubilee', The Anchor Bible Dictionary (ABD) covers socioeconomics, theology, exegesis, historicity, ethics and eschatology in it applies to the topic. Well researched, (more interesting?) Sermons and more thorough exegetical papers can be developed using this source. Of the four dictionaries reviewed, Anchor is perhaps the best source of this type of information, sans analysis of modern implications. A theologically oriented work, aside from uncommonly interested lay readers, ABD will remain the preserve of theologians.

Harper Collins Bible Dictionary

Brief and concise, the Harper Collins Bible Dictionary (HCBD) gives the basic facts, including proper English pronunciation and the Hebrew derivation. The historical function; the what, when, and why 'jubilee' was proclaimed, is listed without detail, and the entire entry comprises one summary paragraph. This dictionary might best be used by anyone unfamiliar with biblical scholarship who requires concise definitions, easily understood. Conversely, theologians may find this quick study a simple refresher, convenient when a straight-forward definition is required. In its brevity, HCBD contrasts sharply to the other three dictionaries in this review.

Reverberations of Faith

Reverberations of Faith is a socio-theological work and editorial analysis. The historicity of jubilee, especially when pertaining to the 'covenantal imagination of ancient Israel' is admitted to be unverified. So the opinion expressed in this reference work is by definition partly speculative. 'Reverberations of Faith' presents Jubilee as potentially relevant to present-day economics, though it submits this 'requires immense moral imagination'. A weakness is the leap of faith the reader must make in embracing the interpretation. Any disagreement on their part means the work is potentially less valuable, however, this can also turn to advantage if there is agreement. Regardless, the utility of the work is much in evidence when deadlines are looming. Very useful for crafting sermons, exegetical interpretations and all efforts relating the bible to the present-day, in ways perhaps the unchurched and weekly congregants alike can (often) relate to.

New Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible

The New Interpreter's Dictionary (NID) expends an extra paragraph explaining the evolution of Jubilee as amplified in Isaiah 61 and the synoptic gospels, intimating an eschatological element in the subject. Brief explorations in socioeconomics, exegesis, historicity and ethics are also offered. Like ABD, NID is principally for theologians and is a theological work. Using NID and ABD jointly may comprehensively verify information. NID is much shorter, making it perhaps more useful when time is of the essence.

The changing economy has created an atmosphere of despair all over the globe. But the positive side is that when employees are downsized most people will look for other avenues of acquiring incomes. Many will look to starting their own businesses. If you are in a position where you are having to reinvent yourself and you're not sure how to start a business then "The Start Your Own Business Bible" can help you start the business of your dreams.

Walsh covers so many types of businesses, it's amazing. If you are interested in starting a business as a Book Binder, Body Guard, Modeling School, Employee Leasing, Paper Shredding, Miniature Golf or Storage Service, Walsh has all the information you will need to get started. Each opportunity has a " Lowdown " section which gives a brief example of what you will need to get started and what you could potentially charge customers. The "Start Up" section for each opportunity lists costs needed to get you up and running. Walsh also covers "Bottom Line Advice" which will give you the boost of confidence you need to get you on your way.

The best way to use this book is to determine what cash you have available right now to use and then figure out what interests you. You will also need to consider your work experience and background. Walsh has categorized the business profiles into five start-up categories:

• Under $ 2,000 = low out of pocket
• Between $ 2,000 and $ 5,000 = requires preplanning
• Between $ 5,000 and $ 15,000 = may need help from friends and family
• Between $ 15,000 and $ 40,000 = may require a small business loan
• Above $ 40,000 = may require a bank loan and investors

If you want to get away from the same type of job or business you've been doing for years, Walsh has over 500 new opportunities listed for you to consider.

Walsh has sections that will cover legal issues, business plans, and survival strategies so you don't fail. Section Three covers business tips which include the "Must-Have" checklist for new business which includes computers, phones, file cabinets, letterhead and anything else you could think of to get you going. Walsh also gives tips on how to create ideas to solve solutions to problems that may occur. There is also information for record keeping, time management, marketing and marketing trends to name a few. Walsh helps you become your own boss.

Richard Walsh is an editor and writer specializing in researching and developing print and digital products for medical, technical, and general readers. He is the author of Time Management, Second Edition. He lives in Southborough, MA.

Are you a Christian woman looking for a way to meet and interact with other women who share your faith?

If so, starting a women’s bible study is a great way to fellowship with other Christian women and to share the how God has moved in your life. But more importantly, a studying the bible is a good way to hold yourself and others accountable to read God’s Word on a consistent basis.

Working Out the Logistics of the Study

Before getting started, be sure you are committed to the idea of a women’s bible study. If you are interested in starting a bible study then you should be prepared to oversee the process. This does not imply that you must do all of the work yourself, but a fruitful bible study needs a leader to organize the particulars. This leadership role is a big responsibility that needs to be considered carefully and prayerfully.

Once you are ready to commit yourself to leading the study, it is time to consider the logistics:

o Are you willing to host the study in your own home? If not, you will need to find someone else who is willing to play hostess. Don’t forget about childcare.

o You will need to identify a discussion leader either yourself or someone else. This role could also be shared by a few different women to avoid having one person being overburdened.

o Choose on a format. Consider how often the group should get together. Every other week may be a schedule to start.

o Decide on your study curriculum. Will use an established women’s bible study guide or just walk your way through a book of the bible?

If you decide on using an established study guide you will need to locate a recommended resource. Do some research online and check your local Christian bookstore. Once you have identified some study guide candidates, schedule a meeting with your Pastor to get his input on your ideas.

Final Preparations and Invitations

Once you have worked out the logistics and received your Pastor’s approval you are ready to start recruiting participants. Talk to some of your friends at church and ask them to spread the information around. Ask your Pastor to make an announcement after your church service and put a notice in your church bulletin with your contact information.

Also, don’t overlook inviting some of your friends and neighbors who are unbelievers. You may think that unbelievers would be uncomfortable at a bible study, but you would be surprised how many stay at home moms are interesting in making new friends.

Stay committed to your plans and pray that God would bless your efforts. You may be surprised by how encouraging and fruitful a women’s bible study can be.

Updated August 2014.

Yes, we all know that, for the most part, most people do not have the time that they wish they had to read the Bible. To me, the Bible is a book that should be read in a very different way. For the most part, you take a book and you read from the first chapter and you continue to read until you reach the last page.

With the Bible, the best approach is a different approach. This Holy Book takes more than just reading. It takes time, patience and the willingness to open your heart and mind to the truth that is there within the pages of the Holy Bible.

I will list for you some of the best ways to read the Bible, and then I will sit back and ask you to share your ideas with me also. Could you please write and tell me if any of these ideas has helped you read more? And write and let me know what your own creative ideas are.

Good Ways to Read the Bible:

• Open the Bible, randomly, and place your hand on one page, one paragraph and read just those few lines or the whole paragraph.
• Go to a religious or spiritual bookstore and read the decorative items in there. (Most have Bible quotes on them), or pick up their Bible and read.
• Go to Barnes and Nobles Booksellers and find the Bible or Reference section and look for the most fashionable or interesting-looking Bible and take a peak inside and read a few lines.
• Go to a Bible class and read along with all your neighbors.

Those are all ways to read the Bible. What are your ideas?

Reading the Bible is easy, once you make the decision to do so. And once you have a plan, and a few different versions of the Bible, it becomes even easier. Some of the best Bibles that I have read were Bibles with pictures, photographs, color-coordinated words and pages. I really enjoy reading from a New Testament that has the words of Jesus Christ typed in red. This makes the promises and the instructions stand out from the rest of the words. So what’s your best way to read the Bible? If you have ideas, I would love to hear them. Please share your ideas about Bible reading with our viewers here. And I hope that you find your favorite version of the Bible to carry with you.

Updated August 2014.