Sunday, July 31, 2005

A Consuming Fire!














Deaf worship under the beautiful sky! (August 24th)

"The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters." Ps. 24:1-2 (niv)

"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe for our "God is a consuming fire."

See to it, then, that you do not refuse his gracious call and offered salvation.

See to it that you do not refuse Him who speaks from heaven in His Word, with infinite tenderness and love; for how can those escape, who turn from God in unbelief or apostacy (led astray), because "There is no fear of God before their eyes. (Romans 3:18 (niv), while He so graciously seeks them to be reconciled, and to receive his everlasting favor! God's dealing with people under the gospel, in a way of grace, assures us, that he will deal with those who despises the gospe of our Lord Jesus Christ, in a way of judgment.

"Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed - not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence - continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose." Philippians 2:12-13 (niv)

We cannot worship God acceptably, unless we worship him with reverence and godly fear. Only the grace of God enables us to worship God the right way! God is the same just and righteous God under the gospel as under the law. The inheritance of believers, which is eternal life with the Father, is secured to them (the faithfuls); and all things pertaining to salvation are freely given in answer to prayer.

Let us seek for grace, only the grace God gives, only the grace we receive through Christ, His Son, that we may serve God with reverence and godly fear. Think of the church, in the book of Acts, throughout Galilee and Samaria, "..was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord." Acts 9:31 (niv) Why? Because our God is a "consuming fire!"

"Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water." Revelation 14:7 (niv)

2 comments:

Aggiema (Michelle) said...

Mark,

Can't imagine it being cool enough in July to hold worship outside but God works in mysterious ways! Looks like the deaf ministry is going great. Keep up the good work. We keep thinking we will get back to VA. sometime but it is a long way from Texas. By the way great picture of your girls, they have grown so much just like Kaitlyn has. Love to your family from the Kennedy's.

Mark Lowenstein said...

Wowow! What a surprise! So glad to hear from you from cowboy country! haha! :) You know what? We miss Texas and it's a great state to live in!! Missed seeing the tumbleweeds and as what my daughter used to say, summer snow (cotton), in West Texas! :)

(Laughing) Yes!! It was a tremendous blessing from God! It has been soooo hot a couple days before (an actual first heat wave of the summer of '05). We ran into a roadblock lacking interpreters due to conflicting plans and vacation. VBS was underway and all the rooms were taken over by them! There was no room for us to worship in. The only alternative was, outside! But it as been so hot we were afraid it wouldn't be very comfortable for all of us, especially me when preaching! But God changed all that for us! He dropped the temperature down to the 70's after an average low of 87!! It was extremely awesome!

Please send us a pic of Kaitlyn. I am very sure she has grown so much! Bless you all in Texas!!