Marshall Mabry - Undignified Worshiper of Jesus Christ

Some worship thoughts for followers of Jesus Christ!

Pride and Boasting

It is amazing that our Lord chose idol worship as the focus of the First Commandment. There is a reason why it has such significant standing. His truth has showed me that pride is at the root of every sin. At times, all of us struggle with who is in control of our lives. It is when we allow ourselves to direct our lives (without His counsel) we are inviting disaster. When our focus is purely on servicing ourselves, we are saying I can do this…, I can control this…, by my own strength I can predict and manipulate the outcome of my service.” This selfish focus takes us from the God’s will. C. S. Lewis said it was very difficult to be in the devil’s mindset to continue writing the “Screwtape Letters.” Even now, my flesh and spirit battle for control of my life to write this devotion centering on pride and boasting. It is a battle that His grace has won already.

  • 1 Corinthians 1:27-31 “27 Instead, God deliberately chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose those who are powerless to shame those who are powerful. 28 God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important, 29 so that no one can ever boast in the presence of God. 30 God alone made it possible for you to be in Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made Christ to be wisdom itself. He is the one who made us acceptable to God. He made us pure and holy, and he gave himself to purchase our freedom. 31 As the Scriptures say, “The person who wishes to boast should boast only of what the Lord has done.””
  • Psalm 20:7 “Some nations boast of their armies and weapons, but we boast in the LORD our God.”
  • Psalm 34:2 “I will boast only in the LORD; let all who are discouraged take heart.”
  • 2 Corinthians 10:17 “As the Scriptures say, “The person who wishes to boast should boast only of what the Lord has done.””
  • 2 Corinthians 11:30 “If I must boast, I would rather boast about the things that show how weak I am.”

It is only when we truly worship, we chose to remove our pride. For where pride exists, idol worship remains and we continue in disobedience to our Lord’s First Commandment. It is when we truly worship; we fully recognize His awesome greatness. It leaves us eternally grateful for His love, amazed and bewildered at His grace and mercy. We are forever thankful for our gifted response.

(Taken from a devotion written April 1, 2006)

A Prayer For Worship Leaders

Heavenly Father!
Holy is Your Name! As your children, we are in eternally thankful for Your work at Calvary. You are our only Worship Leader! You are the object of our worship. Father, I lift up Your worship leaders in Your church.
Holy Father!

  • Bless them with an overwhelming desire to pursue the knowledge of Your love.
  • Bless them with a passionate hunger for Your Word and righteousness.
  • Bless them with spiritual wisdom.
  • Bless them with a reverent fear of You, Holy God!
  • Bless them with a deep, true love to be merciful.
  • Bless them with trials that strengthen their resolve to worship You and lead Your worshipers in spirit and truth.
  • Bless the work of their hands as they labor for Your Kingdom.
  • Bless them with the passion to sing and create new songs for Your glory.
  • Bless them with an awed respect in honor of tradition.
  • Bless them with an overflowing sense selflessness and humility.
  • You alone are worthy of our praise. You alone are worthy of honor, power and glory. You alone are God.
    May they honor You with their lives. I lift this prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, Our King, Our Lord Forever and ever.
    Amen

    From Entitlement to Enslavement

    Jesus said that only those who listen and obey His Father’s commandments were His brothers and sisters. He said this right in front of His mother, Mary, and personal family members. Excepting Christ and obedience to the Word of God is the only membership card to the exclusive family of God.

    Once you receive Christ as Lord and Savior, you can not use or cheapen God’s grace as a “get out jail” free card. Paul says we become slaves in obedience to Christ. It is a spiritual journey that grace affords for the development of Christ’s disciples. You can not waffle between the pleasures and comfort of the world and the sacrifices necessary in your life to follow Jesus. There will be hard choices along your journey that will test the metal of your convictions.

    The greatest measurement of love is personal sacrifice — including offering up your life. Every Christian is called to martyrdom for the Kingdom of God. You may not give up your life in the great testimony of a public crucifixion, but you will give up your life in some form of obedience for the advancement of Christ’s Kingdom.

    In the patience and testing of our faith, we will experience trouble. But glory and praise be to God, for our eternal reward is heaven. There we find rest and comfort as part of God’s “forever family” in the presence of Jesus.

    Remember Who You Were

    “So you can be all Christ wants you to be!”

    1 Timothy 1:15 – “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners–of whom I am the worst.”

    Paul makes this statement as a testimony to the greatness of God’s mercy and grace. Paul believed that – if God would save him, “the greatest of all sinners,” anyone who put their faith in Christ could be saved. Paul’s acknowledgement and awareness of his sin, his past failures, his inability to personally attain holiness, gave glory to the faithfulness of God’s love. Paul was a man who persecuted and executed Jesus followers. Yet, even then, God in His great mercy and love, redeemed and used Paul’s life for His glory.

    Albert Barnes’ Commentary on the verse:

  • “That an acknowledgment that we are sinners is not inconsistent with evidence of piety, and with high attainments in it. The most eminent Christian has the deepest sense of the depravity of his own heart and of the evil of his past life.”
  • Popular New Testament Commentary:

  • “Such is ever the cry of the conscience, when, ceasing to compare itself with others, it sees itself as in the sight of God.”
  • F.B. Meyer’s write this…

  • “It is only when we see God, that we know ourselves and repent in dust and ashes.”
  • The Pharisee and the Tax Collector
    Luke 18:9 -14 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable:
    “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people–robbers, evildoers, adulterers–or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

    Jesus tells this story of two totally different people praying. Many of us that are “churched,” are very much like the Pharisee. Leaning on our faithful, religious practices to the point of elevating ourselves over people we consider of lesser value to God and His Kingdom. Humbleness, humility and repentance are the cornerstones to the faith required to “boldly” approach the “Throne of Grace” for mercy. We can only enter boldly by our faith in what Christ has done. We must always remember we are still sinners saved by grace. For this we give thanks, we rejoice, and we pray without ceasing. Life has freedom, life has joy, life has real peace — under God’s grace.

    Albert Barnes’ Commentary on the verse:

  • “The prayer of the publican was totally different from that of the Pharisee. He made no boast of his own righteousness toward God or man. He felt that he was a sinner, and, feeling it, was willing to acknowledge it. This is the kind of prayer that will be acceptable to God. When we are willing to confess and forsake our sins, we shall find mercy,”
  • Proverbs 28:13 ” Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.”

  • John Wesley’s commentary basically states that coming before God in the humility of shame is more honest than the regulation of fear.
  • Remember the shackles of your old life, so that you may fully enjoy this moment of freedom you have in Christ.

    Jesus Commandments

    Beware of Evil Influences
    “Be careful,” Jesus said to them. “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
    (Matthew 16:6, NIV)

    We have so many influences competing for our attention and submission. Some are good for us and some are bad. Nonetheless, the more time we spend fascinated by the things of this world, the more we become saturated in their messages and themes. In this commandment Jesus warns us to “be on guard” concerning the spiritual teachings of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

    A Pharisee is defined by the dictionary as “a member of an ancient Jewish sect, distinguished by strict observance of the traditional and written law, and commonly held to have pretensions to superior sanctity.” Subsequently, a Sadducee is defined as “a member of a Jewish sect or party of the time of Jesus Christ that denied the resurrection of the dead, the existence of spirits, and the obligation of oral tradition, emphasizing acceptance of the written Law alone.”

    We all deal with self-righteousness. We all need more grace and humility. Outward complaining can show the heart of a person struggling with self-righteousness. You may not like the unexpected “pickle left in your sandwich,” but have you considered that there may be more to the “pickle” story? There usually is! I believe the opposite of self-righteousness is displayed through humility. Real compassion needs the testimony of sacrificial service. The deeper valleys we tread during our service will be the proof of God’s love, grace, and mercy working in our lives.

    Father, Protect us from the evil influences to our soul in this world. Especially, our own minds! Help us to guard our eyes, ears, hands and heart from the things of this world that would obscure or obstruct our pursuit of You. O Lord! Break our will! May the Holy Spirit reign over all our decisions, guide our steps, and lead us in Your Way everlasting! In Christ’s Name, Amen.

    Does God Hate?

    Does God hate? Yes.
    But can we truly define the context of that “hate?” This is just as difficult a question as the one we believe is easy; Does God love? Yes!

    The most important thing to remember is that God is God, we are not. (Exodus 20:2) He is the God of justice. (Luke 18:7) He has mercy on who He wants to have mercy. (Romans 9:15) His way is higher than ours. (Isaiah 55:9) He is holy and righteous. (Psalm 145:17) It will take “Eternal Life” to know the One, True God. (John 17:3) To know God’s hatred and to know the length, breadth and height of His love will take an eternity. (Ephesians 3:18) As Job and David concur sometimes “we speak of things too wonderful for us to understand.” (Job 42:3, Psalm 139:6) We simply need to remain joyous, thankful and prayerful in our current faith (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) and allow the Holy Spirit to direct our revelations and growth in the Truth.

    In Psalm 139:21-22 David states “O Lord, shouldn’t I hate those who hate you? Shouldn’t I despise those who oppose you? Yes, I hate them with total hatred, for your enemies are my enemies.”

    From my understanding of this Psalm, I believe David is repenting. He knows God knows him. David acknowledges God’s supreme sovereignty over all creation and his life. He asked God to search him for offensive ways so he can have victory over his ungodliness and lead him in God’s way. I believe his reference to God’s hatred was a test against his own self-righteousness.

    I believe knowing just a tidbit of God’s hatred would spiritually overwhelm us in our present state, just as Moses could not look fully upon the face of God. It is much better for us to seek the knowledge of His love for it is the present, real glimpse we have of eternity.

    I leave you with this great quote by George Horne taken from “Treasury of the Psalms.”

    “A faithful servant hath the same interests, the same friends, the same enemies, with his Master, whose cause and honour he is, upon all occasions, in duty bound to support and maintain. A good man hates, as God himself doth; he hates not the persons of men, but their sins; not what God made them, but what they have made themselves. We are neither to hate the men on account of the vices they practise, nor love the vices for the sake of the men who practise them. He who observes invariably this distinction, fulfils the perfect law of charity, and hath the love of God and of his neighbour abiding in him.” — George Horne.

    Prayer
    Lord Jesus! Help us to examine ourselves daily, so that we may deny the stuff that keeps us from wholeheartedly following You. There is so much hatred in this world – help us to be the love and kindness, the peace and joy, the salt and light You called us to be. May it honor You, glorify You and testify to Your power in this world! Amen

    Jesus Commandments

    Strive for Inner Purity
    “10 Then Jesus called to the crowd to come and hear. “Listen,” he said, “and try to understand. 11 It’s not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth.” (Matthew 15:10-11, NLT)

    Jesus wants us to understand the true nature of “inner purity.” He doesn’t want us to get caught up in the traditions of men – especially the ones that turn religious. Many times, we try to shape God’s commandments to fit our convenience. Earlier, He scolds the Pharisees for making outward hypocritical statements. They were trying to use God’s commandments as a way to skirt their family responsibilities. Jesus called them “hypocrites” and “blind guides.”

    Eating food is a personal, physical thing that only affects your body, but speaking out loud is meant to be shared and affects everyone listening. Jesus wants us guard our hearts and words. In order to speak pure things, you must have a pure heart. If a heart is filled with depravity, it will live out a life of wickedness. But, if a heart strives to be clean, it will speak life-giving words.

    Lord Jesus! I know I can fail every day, because I am weak and sinful. Thank you for your mercy and grace! I know I cannot do any good on my own. Help me to always monitor my words and to seek those things in this life that make me more like You. May everything that I say be words given and guided by the Holy Spirit. May they give life, power, and blessing. Through Your Name I pray! Amen.

    Jesus Commandments

    Fear God and Nothing Else!
    “Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28).

    Here Jesus helps us understand “the beginning of wisdom.” Inside every one of us is a battle between “self and selfless.” Pride and humility. Love and hate. Give, keep or take. Everything is fine when it’s going our way. We can even convince ourselves we are doing the better thing instead of doing the “right” thing! We are more concern about the temporal things of this world and how they effect our lives, than praising the good things that effect the eternal condition of our souls. Keeping this commandment helps us guard our hearts, monitor our thoughts, and measure our words. As recorded in the final verses of Ecclesiastes (12:13-14) and supported later in the book of Romans (14:12), “we will all give an account to God.”

    Gracious Father, Help me to be reminded daily of my Lord’s commandments. So that I may truly worship You. I know that fearing You, as Jesus commanded is the greatest teacher to knowing your love. Oh to know Your love more! I will not fear the temporal powers of this world, for Your love will sustain me and Your grace is enough. Through Christ, my Lord and Savior I pray, Amen.

    Jesus Commandments

    Be Wise and Innocent
    “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves” (Matthew 10:16).

    Our Lord uses the behavioral examples of four different animals to help direct our understanding of this commandment.
    • Wolves are fierce and furious, voracious and ravenous, deadly and a nemesis – especially to sheep.
    • Snakes are cunning and wise – especially in avoiding danger.
    • Doves are harmless, docile, and innocent.
    • Sheep are meek and humble. They are harmless and inoffensive. They are a testimony to gentleness and meekness in a cruel world.

    Here, our Lord is sending us to be on mission (work/live) right in the middle of the wolf pack. It is by faith and by the power of the Holy Spirit that we give testimony to the mission of His gospel. However, He does not leave us with just the command to “go.” In addition, He commands us to “be wise and innocent” as we are on mission.

    Father, I cannot do any good apart from you. Nothing in me, by myself is good. Empty me O Lord! May Your Holy Spirit overwhelm my soul, my spirit, my body, my strength! Help me be wise and innocent in the duties of my mission for your glory and Kingdom through Christ our Lord! Amen.

    Jesus Commandments

    Pray for Laborers
    “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest” (Matthew 9:37–38).

    Evangelist Paul Mershon says “…prayer is indeed a power on which the gathering of the harvest and the coming of the Kingdom do in very truth depend.” In America, we live in a time where darkness is expanding. Though we claim to be a “Christian” country, the moral condition of our country continues to grow contrary to God’s standards. We are becoming more self-absorbed, disconnected, and slothful. We desire more governmental assistance and believe that “freedom of speech” gives us the right to criticize anyone and everything. We want “free” stuff at the expense of those who honestly work hard. We are more concerned about our personal comfort than our neighbor’s pain and suffering. Mershon’s point about prayer strikes at the core of Truth. It takes a self-denying, cross-bearing heart to labor in the field of souls. This type of heart eternally sees the horror of “lost souls” and moves into the action of prayer, and willingly offers their body and life to service the Harvest.

    Lord Jesus,
    Please don’t let me underestimate the importance of this commandment! Work in me, so I may work the field of souls. May I never grow weary in laboring for Your kingdom. Amen.

    Page 3 of 21

    Powered by WordPress & Theme by Anders Norén