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| Vinegar in a Wound |
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Vinegar in a Wound
I recall attending church with my mother a few times several years ago before I came to know the Lord. I was always eager to hear the message that the pastor had to deliver, but what made me the most uncomfortable, the thing that made me want to get up and run out of the building was the fact that they were singing all those cheerful songs. How could they be so happy? I remember even being condemned by some and asked why I was not shouting and praising God. It made me feel guilty and very much out of place.
It was only years later, after the love of God had penetrated my heart, that I came to understand how much we can bless God when we sing His praises. I truly believe that when we sing heartfelt songs unto the Lord it blesses Him. It brings Him joy and in return we are strengthened by that.
The Joy of the Lord is your Strength
The reason I mention this today is to ask how you react when you see someone in in your church, who during praise & worship, just stands there? Maybe they squirm around with hands in their pockets or maybe even just sit down. Do you look at them and wonder how they can stand in the presence of the Lord and not rejoice? Do you look upon them as being cold, hard-hearted, or hypocritical? Do you make comments to them that make them feel out of place? Has the thought ever occurred to you that the person may not be hard-hearted, but yet heavy-hearted? The bible says this:
Proverbs 25:20 Singing cheerful songs to a person with a heavy heart is like taking someone’s coat in cold weather or pouring vinegar in a wound.
Now that I look back on those frustrating times, and now that I am filled with the love of the Father, and now that my old heavy heart has been circumcised, I can read the above verse and have complete compassion for those that are burdened with a heavy heart. This verse is real to me because it reflects previous experiences. I have known what it is like to feel cold in church. I have known the feeling of having vinegar poured in a wound.
Hopefully this verse will stick with you for a while. I encourage you to take a look around the body with whom you may be worshiping with this weekend, or whenever. Seek out those that are not clapping. Seek out those that are not singing and dancing. Look for that one guy standing with his family but has his hands in his pockets and cannot wait to sit back down.
Those very people want to worship God. They need to worship God. Their strength has been zapped from not worshiping God. The body of Christ needs all the strength we can get in times such as these. They need your encouragement. I exhort you to do something to help lift that heavy heart. Take them to lunch. Ask for their number. Give them a compliment. Put some cash in their hand. Don't just go to church, be the church!
In love,
Michael |
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Don't just go to church....BE THE CHURCH!
I love it. Great word today Michael.
Blessings |
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Michael, you may remember I blogged about such a guy as this: "Look for that one guy standing with his family but has his hands in his pockets and cannot wait to sit back down."
I've sought out folks such as this before. They are usually very abrupt and guarded, willing you away with their choppy answers to your cheerful greeting. I suppose it is enough to express concern and a willingness to pray, and then pray right then, either with them or (perhaps better) back in your seat. Your concern for people is great, and appreciated, Michael. Love to ya man. |
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| Truth is Truth ! Thanks for the reminder Michael........... |
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Hi there Val: It's been so long! Thanks for the great comment!
Mike: What's happening my brother? I also recall your blog on "Worshiping with a dead man?" In fact, I thought of you and your blog instantly when I read the subject verse in Proverbs this morning. Prayer is definitely one of the greatest things we can do, yes. But a little cash slipped in someones palm often opens that door! Agree?
Paul: It's good good to see you too my friend. I do hope all is well! |
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| Slip them cash??? Haha, gotta admit, never thought of that! |
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Sugz |
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July 25, 2008 at 11:44am |
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| I got hooked with lunch...that allowed this person to talk to me in a setting that wasn't so intimidating...it works...Great word Michael!!! BE THE CHURCH!!! Bless you Brother!!! |
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Deb |
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July 25, 2008 at 2:31pm |
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| You wrote..."Do you look at them and wonder how they can stand in the presence of the Lord and not rejoice?" I sing on the praise team and two Sundays a month I am in front of the congregation, so I see a lot of faces. But there are two faces that stand out. A husband and wife who never, ever smile, rarely sing along (only if it is an older hymn that they recognize), and it bothers me so much I have had to stop looking in their direction. I wonder how can they stand there and be so sour looking? How can they not raise their hands in praise when they hear the words to the songs we sing, even if they are not old hymns? I don't get it, but I do feel so sorry for them because somewhere along the line, I think they missed something vitally important. And I pray they find it before it is too late. |
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| I am hearing you Deb. let me ask you, who's role is it to reach those individuals? |
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MsSuga: I almost didnt recogize you with the new name and new look and all! Hooked with lunch? I can relate. After being homeless and walking the streets for a couple of years, a meal will open the ears of most unbelievers!
Thank God for the bread of life! |
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Cheryl |
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July 25, 2008 at 6:13pm |
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Mike man, I know this first hand....through many different parts of this walk for my daughter's safety and mine, I have had moments that I could not sing...it was HUGE that I wore matching clothes and showed up!!! I have been persecuted in several churches before,...no one understands the walk of Job, and that is what my walk has been compared too.....
Be the Church..... |
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Tom |
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July 25, 2008 at 7:18pm |
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Amen Michael
Those were the closing words from our Pastors sermon last Sunday! The Spirit of The Lord is Speaking!
BE the Church ! |
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| You know what? sometimes I am the person who isn't clapping and getting all into it cuz something is heavy on my heart. So I don't really think much if someone ain't right into it. And let's face it: there are ppl who love the Lord very much, but don't dance and shout and make a ruckus like others. so we can't and should NOT judge ppl based upon their actions during "worship" time. There's a guy who attends my church once in a while, sits right up front and Hallelujahs, jumps up and down and dances, and then he goes home and beats his wife. And yes, that is a FACT, not heresay. So never judge a book by its exterior. |
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Hi Lara!
I understand what you're saying. This blog was not and is not about judging others. It's about keeping a watchful eye out for those that may have a heavy heart!
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Jen |
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August 07, 2008 at 1:28pm |
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I think this is good -- seeking those with a heavy heart who may be in need of support. So, if we can be open and compassionate God can use us to reach out and to see beyond outward appearance. Nice statement, Michael. I also think everyone's different, like Lara said, and not everyone expresses themselves physically in worship service. Worship should fill our everyday life in our obedience (in my opinion that's what Christ meant about those who worship in spirit and in truth). 'Still working on that one -- always will be in this life. |
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