A BIBLE STUDY SURPRISE
To those of you who live in my area, you have to be surprised with the Tuesday night Bible study. I have lived in this house for 15 years and in Athens, Georgia for over 40 years and have never had a Bible study in my house. But, the Lord has changed all of that during these last 10 weeks.
Every Tuesday night at 7:00 pm we begin with praise music. Our flag song is “Hallelluia Anyhow,” and we sing with joy. We expect over 40 this coming Tuesday for our last Bible study of the summer. God is doing powerful things in Athens, Georgia.
Here is our lesson from this last week:
If you believe that Paul spoke in context, then you have to accept that Romans 12:1-21 is all about worship. He begins by saying this, “In view of God’s mercy,” which means that if you understand the mercy of God, then you can present your bodies as a living sacrifice. He means to literally present your body. Worship is a physical thing - you have to stand up and worship God. In doing so, your worship becomes holy and pleasing to God. Singing just for fun is not worship; it’s fun. Worship is holy. In the process of worship your mind is renewed, because your spirit is fed. Worship feeds the spirit of man. If you do not worship, you are a sick puppy because your mind never rests. It is contantly worried about the future.
Then, in worship the will of God is revealed. The will of God for the day, about health, about work, about money, about decisions - all this can be revealed to you while you sing. Worship is a miracle. God speaks to our needs during the act of worship. It is a response from the Father to you. Worship is like faith. It grows in content and importance. Thus, the will of God will increase in power over your life. The will of God can be good, but can be also pleasing and if you insist, it can be perfect. Just like faith, it has a measure of strength to it.
Paul next warns us to be careful to not become proud, since you are members of a body and a body must work for the common good. Finally, Paul says that during worship you will be given the opportunity to prophesy. Prophesy is a gift to the common man. You do not have to be a prophet or a pastor to prophesy. It is the act of edifying and comforting someone with a word from God. It’s a gift of the Holy Spirit. Saying something positive and holy over someone’s life is from God! The devil does not do that! The interesting thing here is this: IT HAPPENS IN THE ACT OF WORSHIP!!Are you willing to worship God with all your mind, with all your heart AND with all your body?
Rick Bonfim
Sounds like a great place to be on Tuesday nights!
While I agree with what you said, in reference to what Paul said, in Romans 12, I also believe he meant that we should go further than just verbal worship of God. I think he is saying that we should present our bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, in view of, or because of everything He has done for us, especially the sacrifice of His Son! It is our spiritual and/or reasonable service to do so! I think it means that since God has given us the very life of Jesus Christ; Jesus literally gave everything of Himself in absolute service to others, we then, ought to do the same. I believe our “Spiritual/reasonable act of worship” is our serving others.
I’m not saying you’re wrong at all. I just see Paul’s meaning a little differently than you do.
Thank you so much fo all you do, and may God bless you!
Because of HIS Commission,
Jerry Yates
Jerry Yates Ministries
2000 Mt. Carmel Rd.
Newnan, GA., 30263
(770)252-9176
jkyates@bellsouth.net
www.indieheaven.com/artists/jerryyates
www.sonicbids.com/JerryYates
www.jerryyatesministries.com
“Sing to HIM a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with a loud and joyful sound”(Psalm 33:3)!
Comment by Jerry Yates — May 24, 2008 @ 12:23 pm
Hi Rick,
Good word! Nancy and I are doing well up here in British Columbia doing campus ministry. We moved from Montana 5 1/2 years ago to be missionaries here.
Our role is to oversee our staff team and plant campus groups. The ministry is growing. You can visit our website @ www.ucmonline.ca
I was thinking about your word to me 8 years ago this past week that you gave to me in 2000. “I have called you to plant ministries.” God has helped us launch a few here. I love seeing new groups launched so students can be reached with the good news. Nancy is teaching a 3 part series at our home church young adults group on prophecy. They are eating it up and are hungry for more.
Anyway. Bless your home group. We have fond memories of you.
John
Comment by John Engels — May 24, 2008 @ 3:30 pm
Dear Rick,
It is most thrilling that you and Mary Lucy are having that kind of Worship and Study in your home every Tuesday. It wasn’t until I met both of you and really began the understanding of true “Worship” as well as Love and the GRACE of Our Lord and Savior”, and what truly Paul’s words meant. Until you allow your SELF to let go and allow the true “Worship” become a part of your life, you will never get it!!!!
Worship is when God does reveal all to you in your health, wealth, your whole body and your mind is free for the Holy Spirit to enter in. You are completely free to listen to revive to renew, no other way that I have found do I really enter in to the place that I am with the Father, whole, in mind body spirit, healing takes place, rest takes place, renewal takes place, its not an act as it seems to have become in so many of our churches. WE HAD A GREAT WORSHIP this morning. No, you had a great time of singing some great songs this morning.
If you ever enter into “Worship”, as Rick is speaking of, you will never be the same again. And you will never be satisfied again, when you’re in a place where there is a “Worship Service” in any given place: You will enjoy the singing but it wasn’t the kind of Worship that we are talking about:
Its Worship contrasted by I spent time “In Worship”, this morning, or tonight, or Tuesday night at Rick and Mary Lucy’s. Trust me, not to be rude to anyone that hasn’t Gotten It!! And I don’t necessarily mean receiving of “IT”. Once you have experienced “Worship” as Rick is describing, you will forever know the difference.
I Challenge anyone that is reading this, if you have not done so, do this challenge. No matter where you live:
Go to hear Rick speak, sit in one of his Revivals, better yet, go to Brazil on a mission trip with Rick or Mary Lucy!!!!
I promise you one word: NEVER!!! You will never be the same, whether you experience it or not, if you do, Your Whole Life Will Change. Like it or not. If you don’t experience it, you will have witnessed what “WORSHIP” of which you have never known before. Whether you receive it is up to you, but you can never again say you don’t know what it is. And you will understand Paul’s words as they were written.
God Bless,
Matthew 28: 16-20
Judy Williams-Mason
Comment by Judy Williams-Mason — May 27, 2008 @ 7:50 pm
Rick,
I am so blessed to be part of this weekly bible study. God is using it to bring a new spiritual depth to my life. I am thankful that He chose you and Mary Lucy to mentor me in my current journey. You are such a blessing to me!
I am eternally grateful for the Body of Christ that attends faithfully, ministering to one another. I will miss Tuesday nights this summer. Looking forward to September!
Dancing with Him!
Jennie Armstrong
Comment by Jennie Armstrong — May 31, 2008 @ 7:53 am