Clap, Shout and Sing!

nospam@example.com (Pastor Rick Wiater) — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 06:11:22 -0700

Psalm 47:1 O clap your hands, all peoples; shout to God with the voice of joy. V.6 Sing praises to God, sing praises, sing praises to our King, sing praises;

Clapping, shouting, and singing, these are three ways in which we acknowledge the supremancy of our God, the God of Abraham. Singing may not seem unusual when it comes to worship, but what about clapping and shouting. Could clappping and shouting really be a means of worshipping God and giving Him the glory that is due His name? I'm not suggesting that these are the only means of worship, but the psalmist does call all the peoples of the earth to acknowledge God in these ways. We don't seem to mind clapping and shouting when it comes to sporting events, or when we've been entertained by someone. Why should we be hesitant to acknowledge the One who created the heavens and the earth and provided salvation for His people? Maybe we need to start off each day with a standing ovation and a shout of praise to the One who loves and cares for us?

It seems to me that the psalmist is shouting to God with a voice of joy because he realizes with God on his side, who could be against him. He is not afraid of acting in an unbecoming manner because he knows who rules over heaven and earth. The psalmist is convinced that God reigns over all the nations of the earth right now, not some time in the future. He is encouraging us to applaud God for who He is.

In Romans 12:1 we are called to present our bodies a living sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is our spiritual service of worship. We are to applaud, shout and sing to God with our entire being, not just our hands and mouth. We are called to live a life of worship throughout the scriptures. One of the words used for worship in the Old Testament means to bow before someone who is superior. We are to daily bow our lives before God as a servant to a loving and compassionate king.

In the New Testament the word worship means to send a kiss towards. When we are living our lives in worship to God we are sending a kiss of adoration and love towards Him. Let's applaud our God, let's shout to Him with joy, let's sing His praises all day long, but let's not forget to live our lives in worship to Him in everything we do and say.

God help us this day to live for Your honor and glory!

Our Mission...

nospam@example.com (Admin) — Sun, 01 Jan 2006 19:34:00 -0700

Good Shepherd Church desires to glorify God by reaching people with the message of God's love and incorporating them into the local church family. Teaching them through ministry of God's Word, experiential worship, fervent prayer and practical service how to mature in Christ. Releasing them to serve within and beyond the local church.

REACHING -- The scriptures tell us that Jesus came to seek and save that which is lost and to destroy the works of the devil. The Church has been commissioned by the Lord Jesus to continue this work until His ultimate return.

TEACHING -- Jesus spent a significant amount of time during His earthly ministry teaching in various places. Prior to His return to the right hand of the Father He instructs the earthly Church to "teach". The Holy Spirit has many ways to assist the Church in carrying out this responsibility, primarily through the scriptures.

RELEASING -- Good Shepherd Church sees all it's members as ministers who are equipped and gifted by our heavenly Father for good works. Our desire is to help people discover and develop their giftings and release them under authority of the local church to exercise those gifts to accomplish the will of God.

Good Shepherd Church - Mission Statement

Clap, Shout and Sing!

Our Mission...