I like coming here.
I like this Blog. Most of the time I even like what I say.
I like the connection.
I like putting words on a webpage screen that hopefully will help someone know JESUS more.
I even like the attempts I make to be funny from time to time.
I have experienced some trepidation with some posts, and I am getting better about it — thank You, HOLY SPIRIT.
So I am saying today I am thankful for The White Stone Blog, that I get to write here, and for every dear person who comes here to read. And I am thankful The Father has provided and kept this blog free of Ads!
Travel safely today. GO with GOD.
There is an enemy out there.
5Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. 6Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 8Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:9Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. 10But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. 11To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. source 1 Peter 5
We talk about it. We go to places of worship as we call them. We sing songs of worship, as we call them. I wonder does GOD call it worship? Do you ever wonder that too?
But are we worshipping The One True God? And how can we know if we are or are not?
What is worship anyway?
All good questions. Can we answer them here? I don’t know, but we can seek answers here for sure.
Are you familiar with the story of Nebuchadnezzar, his statute, and his demand of the people in the plain of Dura? If you are not I hope you will use the link above and read Chapter 3 of the Book of Daniel.
There were three (3) Hebrews in the province of Babylon named, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. Those were their Babylonian names. Their Hebrew names were Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, respectively. (If you are interested in a little more about their names, click HERE.)
So what was going on in Babylon? Nebuchadnezzar. Poor guy. He was so messed up but GOD loved him -and he was not even a Jew. Chapters 1 through 4 of Daniel tell the story of Nebuchadnezzar. I am thinking he finally got it right and I am thinking we might get to meet him in Heaven. I am hoping so.
But I’m off point.
In Chapter 3, Nebuchadnezzar is so full of himself, that he had a statute of himself erected and he demanded to be WORSHIPPED.
That set me off on this trail.
Nebuchadnezzar, in my humble opinion, was set on controlling the people. And that meant obedience. I mean you can’t control the people, unless they obey you. Can you?
It seems to me man is never satisfied as long as he wants to control other men (please understand this includes women too – as all mankind). There’s just something about people that causes them to want to control other people. And it causes so many problems. But I’m slightly off-point.
Worship. We can attend a song service, sing every song, raise our hands, and jump a pew, but if we are not yielded to consistently, daily, obeying GOD, we are not worshipping Him. Instead, we just may be worshipping the traditions of men.
Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah understood obedience. They understood that bowing down before that statute was an affront to The One and Only Holy Holy Holy GOD. And they refused to do it.
Worship. I made a note in the margin of my Bible.
True worship is yielding to the CONTROL of GOD.
Am I yielded to being controlled by GOD? Daily, consistently?
Am I ever growing more and more obedient to Him? Am I more and more obeying what I read in the Bible, practicing the commands and precepts found there? Practicing them in my home? Practicing them in public?
More and more times are coming to afford us opportunities to choose to worship (obey) GOD or the traditions of men.
Today we can examine ourselves and we can pray, for ourselves and each other. Not a one of us is exempt from the distractions, snares, strategies, and traditions set in place by the evil one. Let us guard our hearts and all our senses so that we will grow more and more obedient and thereby worship our GOD with every breath. 1 Peter 5:7-9, Proverbs 4:22-24
It’s not the music. It’s not the song. It’s not the sermon. It’s not the place. It’s OBEDIENCE.
Nebuchadnezzar wanted to control the people, he lusted for worship. And from the majority, he got it. There are many Nebuchadnezzars in our world, sometimes they are people, sometimes, just things.
WORSHIP GOD. Only HE is worthy. HE is the ONLY safe One to worship. The only safe one to unconditionally obey.
Would you concur that GOD cares about your health?
Spiritual. Emotional. And Physical.
1 Peter 5:7 New Living Translation 7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.source
And if you are familiar with the Ministry of YESHUA, then you know He healed physical infirmities — to me, that equals that He cares for us.
Would you also concur that depression is common among us? Perhaps we would be shocked if we knew just how many people are taking prescribed medication for depression.
The common practice is once you start you continue taking the pharmaceuticals for the remainder of your earthly life.
I know from personal experience there are exceptions. JESUS does care.
I read an article today summarising conclusive research that there is a more effective way of dealing with depression and anxiety than medication.
We are glad you are here; stay a while, look around, and be encouraged. We estimate there to be over 3,000 posts here at The White Stone Blog. Please know my hope is ALWAYS to help and NEVER harm. I have voiced many opinions and thoughts here since 2007 and by now I MAY NOT EVEN AGREE with all of them and some of my grammar and punctuation likely needs editing. But this is changeless: JESUS is our ONLY Savior and Hope. Do you KNOW Him?
GO with GOD.
Are you interested?
