CLEANING UP FOR WORSHIP SERVICES

“Then the priests and Levites purified themselves, and purified the people, the gates, and the wall" (Neh. 12:30 NKJV).

After the completion of the walls, Nehemiah ordered a great dedication service. Much preparation went into this special worship service. This gives us some good lessons applicable for today. Thus we want to note the purification preparation - the priests, people, and places were all purified.

Priests purified - “The priests and the Levities purified themselves.” Folks in places of leadership need to be pure. For the congregation to be pure, there must be pure ministers. A minister must first practice purity in his own life before he preaches purity to the people. In our verse, the priests and Levites were not hypocritical in this matter of purity; they started with themselves. Today, instead of sanctity, scandal is common place among religious leaders. Little wonder our congregations are so corrupt.

People purified - “The priests and Levites . . . purified the people.” A polluted congregation will hinder spiritual growth. A polluted congregation will keep a church from doing much for the Lord. Today, our churches are plagued by a lack of moral purity which is taking away from the effectiveness of the ministry. There is even a problem with personal hygiene as some folks do not bother to clean up themselves before coming to church. All of this shows disrespect for God and brings dishonor to God.

Places purified – “Then the priests and Levites purified themselves, and purified the people, the gates, and the wall.” This involved purification ceremonies and sacrifices of some sort. We need to apply these same principles to our churches today. The sanctuary, classrooms, rest rooms and nursery all need to be cleaned up for the services. This also include the church grounds. Failure in these matters indicates a lack of devotion and interest in promoting the honor of God.

(Adapted from Butler Daily Bible Reading)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“Righteousness in your heart produces beauty in your character!”

Anonymous

Word Study

Draw near

In Heb. 4:16 we read, “Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (NASB).

Draw near is the Greek word proserchomai (προσέρχομαι = pros-er'-khom-ahee). It is made up of two words: “pros” which means facing, and “erchomai” which means come. Thus the word means to come facing toward, to approach, come near, and visit. Figuratively, proserchomai means to worship, draw near, go near to. In the Septuagint as well as the New Testament proserchomai carries the idea of approaching the altar or God. Further, the word is in the present tense meaning believers are to continually draw near to the Lord in prayer, worship, and devotion.

Under the Old Covenant, only the high priest could draw near to the Holy of holies on the Day of Atonement, and not without blood. Because of Christ’s finished work on the Cross and His present mediation as our High Priest, believers today can boldly approach God’s presence. Drawing near to the throne of grace is a reflection of our faith or trust that at His throne we will obtain all that we need to live for Him and serve Him.

Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus

Old Testament Prophecy – Soldiers would gamble for Messiah’s garment (Psalm 22:18)

New Testament Fulfillment – Matt. 27:35

Bible Facts

A seed must die to produce new life (1 Cor. 15:36-38). In John 12:24, the Lord Jesus said, “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.” In this verse we have remarkable confirmation of two of the fundamental concepts in biology: Cells arise only from existing cells, and a grain must die to produce more grain. The fallen seed is surrounded by supporting cells from the old body. These supporting cells give their lives to provide nourishment to the inner kernel. Once planted, this inner kernel germinates resulting in much grain.

Bible Quiz

Whom does Paul describe as “a true son in the faith?”

**Answer to last week’s trivia: My name is Methuselah, and my dad was a godly man who walked with God. In the end he was taken to Heaven. Do you know the name of my godly dad? Enoch (Gen. 5:21-24 NKJV).

That’s in the Bible

"Joy comes in the morning”

“For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:58 KJV).

“Joy comes in the morning” - The expression “joy comes in the morning” refers to the blessing that comes after suffering. Night and morning are contrasted, as weeping and joy. So, David reminds us that our season of suffering - this lifetime -is brief compared to the length of time we will rejoice throughout eternity. The tears of this life, including those that accompany chastening, are brief and few compared to the measure of joy we will know throughout eternity. Weeping may last throughout the nighttime of this life, but a new day of incomparable, unending joy will dawn for us when Jesus comes again.

Did You Know - Christian History

James Gilmour was born on June 12, 1843 at Cathkin, Scotland. He was a Scottish Protestant Christian missionary in China and Mongolia. He served with the London Missionary Society.

Gilmour learned about Christ from godly parents and grandparents. His mother usually read him stories of missionaries. Because of his parents’ prosperity, he was able to afford an education and was an outstanding student. To Gilmour, Christianity was not merely a classroom exercise. In the evenings, he would travel alone to speak with workers as they walked home, reminding them of their eternal souls.

In 1870, he sailed for China, planning to work in Mongolia. Soon after his arrival, 22 Roman Catholic priests were massacred. This did not bother Gilmour who was willing to die if it advanced God’s work. He learned Mongolian and engaged in years of seemingly fruitless evangelism. The common folk accepted him because he came with all his goods in a backpack just as their own lamas did. His expenses averaged just six cents a day. He healed the sick with simple remedies. Medicine became his main tool for touching lives.

During one eight months’ campaign he saw about 6,000 patients, preached to nearly 24,000 people, sold 3,000 books, distributed 4,500 tracts, traveled 1,860 miles and spent about $200, and added that only two individuals openly confessed to believe in Christ. He longed for a helper on his field, but the Society was unable to supply him.

Gilmour began to pray for a helper. He saw a portrait of a young woman. Convinced that God meant her for him, he wrote asking her to marry him. Eventually, they were married in 1874. Braving Mongolia’s dust storms, she quickly learning the language. Gilmour considered her a better missionary than himself.

Eleven years and two sons later, Emily died. Gilmour sent the boys back to Scotland to be reared by their grandparents. Worn out with travels and lack of necessities, he died in North China at age 47 from a severe and sudden case of Typhus Fever.

A Little Humor

A woman angrily jumped out of her car after a collision with another car. “Why don’t people ever watch where they’re driving?” she shouted wildly. “You’re the fourth car I’ve hit today!”

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“If we be ruled by sin, we shall inevitably be ruined by it!”