"Prepare For The Days Ahead?" l Utah VidDevo l VidDevoChurch

How Should We Prepare For The Days Ahead?

Saturday, April 29th, 2006

• Current Events
• End Times
• Signs Of The Times

My question comes from a statement in your “Habakkuk Speaks…conclusion” lesson. Toward the end after the comparisons between how America is now and the warnings about the judgment to befall Israel then, you make the statement that we should not just wait around for the inevitable to happen, that we should use this time to prepare. My question is, how are we to prepare?

Q. My question comes from a statement in your “Habakkuk Speaks…conclusion” lesson. Toward the end after the comparisons between how America is now and the warnings about the judgment to befall Israel then, you make the statement that we should not just wait around for the inevitable to happen, that we should use this time to prepare.

 My question is, how are we to prepare? Do we prepare in the natural by stockpiling food and water in anticipation of an EMP or demise of our economy?

 Do we buy gold and other commodities to trade and barter with? 

Or are we to prepare spiritually only…to learn to take the Lord at His word that He will see us through, that He really means Matthew 6:31-33 and will be our only source of sustenance?

I am not sure how to reconcile in my mind that He will provide for our needs without doing something to prepare that which is within my control. But, if one does prepare to the best of ones’ ability to sustain life, ie stockpiling, planning, etc, isn’t that disobedience towards the Lord for not taking Him at His word? Wouldn’t that show that ones faith is little? Then again, He gave us a mind and a brain to think with and the ability to prepare. HELP! A little guidance is needed please.

A. I believe our preparation should be on two fronts. First we should recognize that God is faithful and we will be sustained through difficult times by faith in Him. 

Therefore we should work to strengthen our faith. 

We do this by exercising it, walking by faith even though we aren’t currently experiencing difficulty. Learn to rely on the Lord again as at the beginning, not making any decisions without seeking His will. Pray without ceasing, pray about everything. Study His word daily, especially Psalm 62. Put Him back in charge. Cultivate like minded friends and study with them.

Second we should begin simplifying our lives and our lifestyles. 

Start divesting ourselves of things that distract or enslave us. Live a life closer to our basic level of need, below our means. Get rid of high or variable interest debt and stop accumulating new debt. Sell off unneeded assets, especially those with debt attached, or that are depreciating in value. Follow the example of the animals like ants and squirrels, who when life is good and easy, stock up for times when it won’t be. 

Get and/or stay current on our tithing. In short become better stewards of our resources.

Above all remember that even the experts will find themselves unprepared to react to the difficult times that may be ahead. Only God can see the end from the beginning. Only He can guide you safely through the storms of life. And only He has promised to do so.

"Questions About Heaven" l Utah VidDevo l VidDevoChurch

Questions About Heaven

Saturday, April 29th, 2006

• Grace
• Life After Death
• Rapture
• Salvation

Q. In my reading and after talking to several people I know, I’m wondering about Heaven…as everyone does now and then. My question is: 

Who goes there when they die? or does anyone?

I ask because the bible has a lot of mention of people “sleeping for a time” until the judgement in Revelation.

It seems that maybe we die and sleep until the judgment, then perhaps wind up in our “prepared place” after the 1000 years of Christ’s reign on earth or something to that effect. But to add to my confusion, Christ says on the cross that the criminal next to him will be with Him in paradise that very day. Christ also says a lot about who will enter His kingdom…and it’s a lot more than faith alone, in Jesus’ words. 

Can you help me figure this out?

A. In response to your first question, all believers who die leave their earthly bodies behind while their spirits go to be with the Lord. 

When they’re resurrected at the time of the Rapture they get new, Heavenly versions of their old Earthly bodies.

The concept of believers sleeping for a time came from two errors. 

The first stems from Paul’s letters. He never talks about believers dying, but only of them “falling asleep” in the Lord. 

It was his way of saying that while their earthly life had ended, they hadn’t ceased to exist, and would be reunited with new physical bodies at the resurrection.

The second error has to do with the now discredited belief that the spirits of people who die have a time of waiting until the resurrection. 

This time has sometimes been called soul-sleep. 

We now know that time is a physical property and only affects physical beings. When your spirit leaves your body time ceases to exist for you because your spirit is not a physical entity. 

Therefore you will not be aware of the passage of any time between the moment when your spirit leaves your earthly body and the moment when it first inhabits your heavenly one, even though for physical beings several years may have passed in the interim.

It’s a tricky notion of science, made possible by Einstein’s Theory of Relatively. 

But it proves that someone traveling faster than the speed of light can actually make time go backwards. Spirits travel at the speed of thought. It also explains scientifically how God can know the end from the beginning. He’s a Spirit and not governed by time.

As to who will enter the Kingdom, the clearest explanation is found in Ephesians 1:13-14. “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.”

At the moment you first heard and believed the Gospel God saved you, and before you could do anything good to deserve it or anything bad to lose it, He sealed His Holy Spirit within you as a deposit that guarantees your place in His Kingdom. 

For it’s by Grace that you’ve been saved, not by works. All the good works you’re called to do are meant to demonstrate your gratitude for His free gift of salvation, not to earn or keep it.

"What Happens To An unsaved Soul?" l Utah VidDevo l VidDevoChurch

What Happens To An unsaved Soul?

Sunday, April 30th, 2006

Q. I just read ‘Revelation 2 And 3 … Seven Letters To Seven Churches, Part 1, and have a question about the ‘It’s the second death that you have to watch out for.  It’s the permanent one.’ statement.

Regarding the second death, what exactly happens to an unsaved soul? I’ve heard three views; the soul is banished to Hell to suffer eternal punishment by torment; the soul is totally destroyed and no longer exists (meaning there is no Hell); and the soul is totally separated from God in some inaccessible place, though not Hell, rather a dark place to spend eternity.

What’s your view?

A. There are four major views concerning the existence and duration of Hell. The Traditionalist view holds to the concept of eternal punishment for the unsaved, first in Hades while awaiting the Great White Throne judgment of Rev. 20:11-15, and then in Hell forever.

 Traditionalists believe that this eternal punishment is the 2nd death.

The Conditionalist view says that the Bible doesn’t teach immortality for the unsaved, and therefore the notion of eternal punishment is not Scriptural. Like the Traditionalists, Conditionalists also believe that the unsaved go to Hades to be tormented while awaiting the Great White Throne judgment, but then they serve a period of time in Hell to receive the punishment levied against them at the judgment before being destroyed. They call this destruction the 2nd death.

The metaphorical view is just that, it’s not real.

The Purgatorial view is held by the Catholic Church and claims that Purgatory is a place where everyone goes to earn their way into heaven by suffering for their sins first.

Neither the Metaphorical view nor the Purgatorial view can be supported by scripture, so I’ve rejected them. I’ve always considered myself a Traditionalist and see nothing in Scripture to justify changing.

"More Questions About Heaven" l Utah VidDevo l VidDevoChurch

More Questions About Heaven

Saturday, April 29th, 2006

• Life After Death

You say that people who are in heaven can see what is going on here on earth. God says there will be no tears or sadness in heaven. Seems to me if they can see us it would indeed make them sad with tears to see the millions that are lost….Not to mention the suffering.

Q. I visit your web site often. It’s great! One question… You say that people who are in heaven can see what is going on here on earth. God says there will be no tears or sadness in heaven. Seems to me if they can see us it would indeed make them sad with tears to see the millions that are lost….Not to mention the suffering.

A. If we retained our Earthly perspective when we go to be with Him that would be true. But we don’t. 1 Corinthians 13:12 says “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” Everything we’ve been unable to understand or explain during our lives will suddenly become clear as God’s perfect plan is revealed.

And once the Kingdom Age begins, to make our joy complete, memories of our Earthly life with all its failings and shortcomings will fade away as God makes everything new. “The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.” (Isaiah 65:17)

"Where Do We Go When We Die?" l Utah VidDevo l VidDevoChurch

Where Do We Go When We Die?

Friday, April 28th, 2006

• Judgment
• Life After Death
• Millennium
• Rapture

I read your question and answer regarding Paradise. I have been under the impression that when we die we merely fall asleep until the rapture or second coming. Are you saying that we immediately go to heaven?

Q.I read your question and answer regarding Paradise. I have been under the impression that when we die we merely fall asleep until the rapture or second coming. Are you saying that we immediately go to heaven? If so can our loved ones already gone there look down and see what is going on here on earth?

Also, what happens to the unsaved when they die? They don’t immediately go to hell do they?

A. The answer to your first question is Yes. While our bodies are discarded, our spirits go immediately to be in the presence of God. Then at the resurrection we’re given new perfect bodies. And while nobody knows for sure, many people, myself included, believe that departed spirits are aware of (but not involved in) happenings on Earth.

The unsaved go to a temporary place of confinement adjacent to Paradise. Before the cross the saved and unsaved could see each other and converse across a deep chasm that kept each group in its own area. While the saved were comforted, the unsaved experienced excessive heat and deprivation.

 Since the cross Paradise has been empty as saved spirits go directly to be with the Lord, but the unsaved are still sent to this place of torment to await their final judgment at the end of the Millennium.

"Spirits Resting In The Grave?" l Utah VidDevo l VidDevoChurch

Spirits Resting In The Grave?

Tuesday, May 2nd, 2006

• Life After Death
• Rapture

Q. The Bible says at the Rapture, upon Jesus’ return the dead will arise first and then those of us that are saved and still living at that time will be raised next. Does this mean that our ancestors spirits are presently at rest in the grave?

A.  No. If they’re believers who died since the cross, their bodies were buried and soon returned to the dust from which they came (Genesis 3:19).  But their spirits have gone to be with the Lord in Heaven and have been in His presence ever since.

In 2 Cor 5:6 Paul said as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, and in 2 Cor. 5:8 he said we would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. Therefore it’s one or the other, in the body and away from the Lord, or away from the body and with the Lord.

In 1 Thes. 4:14 Paul said at the time of the rapture, God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep (died) in Christ. That means their spirits will accompany Him when He comes for the Church in 1 Thes. 4:16-17.

He said the dead will rise first, meaning their spirits will be joined with new resurrection bodies. Immediately thereafter we who are still alive and are left will be changed from mortal to immortal without passing through death.  All this will happen in the twinkling of an eye (1 Cor. 15:51-53) and after that we’ll all be with the Lord forever.

“In my Father’s house are many rooms. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am” (John 14:2-3).

"Accuracy Of The New Testament?" l Utah VidDevo l VidDevoChurch

The Accuracy Of The New Testament

Tuesday, May 2nd, 2006

• Bible Accuracy
• Bible Origins
• New Testament

Q. I enjoyed your article “Who’s Laughing Now?” and your response to “disproving the bible”. I hear many different skepticism’s regarding the bible and its historical accuracy. Some include the idea that the bible has been translated many times, and that there wasn’t any paper “back then” so how could the text have been saved?

One book titled “Quoting Jesus”, claims original manuscripts have been lost, and what remains of the bible is just translations that people use for their own gain. Could you elaborate on what remains of the original manuscripts and how the bible has been proved to be an accurate replica of what was first written?

A. According to Christian Apologetics and Research Ministries (www.carm.org), New Testament documents are better preserved and more numerous than any other ancient writings. 

There are 5,686 Greek manuscripts in existence today for the New Testament, thousands more than for any other ancient text. Because the copies are so numerous, they can be cross checked for accuracy. This process has determined that the internal consistency of New Testament documents is about 99.5% textually pure. In addition there are over 19,000 copies in the Syriac, Latin, Coptic, and Aramaic languages. The total supporting New Testament manuscript base is over 24,000.

Almost all biblical scholars agree that the New Testament documents were all written before the close of the first century. If Jesus was crucified in 30 A.D., then that means that the entire New Testament was completed within 70 years. 

This is important because it means there were plenty of people around when the New Testament documents were penned who could have contested the writings. In other words, those who wrote the documents knew that if they were inaccurate, plenty of people would have pointed it out. 

But we have absolutely no ancient documents contemporary with the first century that contest the New Testament texts.

"Holy Spirit A Woman?" l Utah VidDevo l VidDevoChurch

Is The Holy Spirit A Woman?

Friday, April 28th, 2006

• False Teaching
• The Holy Spirit

Q. I recently found a web-site with a series of articles authored by someone who appears to have a true love for Christ and I feel I have learned a lot about Jesus from these articles.

But I have a couple of questions I would like to ask you. As regards the Holy Spirit, he says the Spirit is “feminine” our “Spiritual Mother”. I have read in other books that the “gender” when referring to the Spirit is “neuter”. If you could recommend any good teaching dealing with this topic(the Holy Spirit) I would appreciate it.

A. The notion of the Holy Spirit being feminine comes from the pagan view that God was once a woman before the patriarchs of Israel hijacked the people’s religion and made God a man around the time of King Josiah.

They claim that the people retained the feminine deity in the form of Shekinah, which is a Hebrew name for the Holy Spirit. According to them, Shekinah was called Asherah in Canaanite theology and was a fertility goddess and the consort of Jehovah. It was said that Jehovah and Shekinah met in the Holy of Holies each Friday night as the Sabbath began, to act out the Song of Solomon in a sexual liaison. For more information on this you can read my study called “When God Was A Woman.” It’s in the Selah directory under Tough Questions Answered.

While there is neither Biblical nor historical support for this idea and the very idea is repulsive to both Jews and Christians, it has re-emerged recently in the DaVinci Code where Shekinah is referred to as “the divine feminine”.

Of course this belief constitutes blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, a sin that our Lord said would not be forgiven in this life or the next.

"Fighting For Moses" l Utah VidDevo l VidDevoChurch

Fighting For Moses

Saturday, May 6th, 2006

• Interpreting Verses
• Old Testament

After Moses died, why were Satan and the Archangel Michael contesting over his body?

Q. After Moses died, why were Satan and the Archangel Michael contesting over his body?

A. You’re referring to the verse in Jude 9. But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”

The popular answer to this question is that God needed the body of Moses in order to send him back as one of the 2 witnesses of Revelation 11. 

In Matt 17:3on the Mt. of Transfiguration we’re shown Moses and Elijah in physical bodies, recognizable to Peter, so maybe that’s the case. 

And though Scriptures teach that God buried Moses (Deut. 34:5) no one has ever found his grave. Elijah, of course, was taken live into heaven with his body intact.(2 Kings 2:11)

"Did God Create Sin?" l Utah VidDevo l VidDevoChurch

Did God Create Sin?

Tuesday, April 25th, 2006

• Interpreting Verses
• Sin

I recently “discovered” a verse in the book of Isaiah 45:7 and I quote, I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these [things]. If a strict interpretation of the Bible is used, then this means that God creates evil, or in my mind, sin?

Q. I recently “discovered” a verse in the book of Isaiah 45:7 and I quote, I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these [things].  If a strict interpretation of the bible is used, then this means that God creates evil or in my mind sin? What are your comments regarding this verse?

A. In the sense that Satan, a being created by God, introduced evil into the world, then ultimately God created the source of evil, as Isaiah 45:7 says. Man, however, chose to disobey God and commit the first sin, resulting in man’s sin nature. God then provided His own shed blood to reverse the effects of our sin nature bringing things full circle.

James 1:13-15 explains it like this. When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

And so while evil came into the world through one of God’s creatures, each of us is responsible for how we respond to it, and for whether we accept the remedy God has provided for our own sins.

"Defending The Bible" l SCHOOL OF THE BIBLE l Q&A l Utah VidDevo l VidDevoChurch

Defending The Bible Against Attacks

Tuesday, April 25th, 2006

• Faith
• Salvation
• Spiritual Life

Until the time comes for us to leave what is the best scriptural or worldly defense against these periodic onslaughts by unbelievers?

Q. What a month it seems for the skeptics and heretics. In the last 10 minutes on CNN.com I read about how scientists have made new links in the theory of evolution and also now the gospel of Judas has been made public. My personal gut reaction is that these are tools of deception that may be harnessed by the Antichrist to confuse and mislead those who remain after the gathering up of the church. But, until the time comes for us to leave what is the best scriptural or worldly defense against these onslaughts?

A. As I’ve mentioned before the Christmas and Easter seasons are prime opportunities for skeptics and unbelievers to try and confuse those folks whose faith is not grounded in Scripture. The best defense is to know what you believe and why, and be able to articulate it when confronted with these attacks.

Ephesians 6:10-17 counsels us, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 

Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

In other words, we need to open our Bibles, do our homework, and be as ready and able to defend the truth as the enemy is to defend a lie.

"A Son’s Suicide" l SCHOOL OF THE BIBLE l Q&A l Utah VidDevo l VidDevoChurch

A Son’s Suicide

Monday, April 24th, 2006

• Forgiveness
• Salvation

Q. The son of friends has committed suicide and I have no idea how to console them.  They were so hopeful that he would eventually come to know the Lord and then this tragedy happened.  Is there anything at all in the Bible that could give them any hope for his soul? Anything you could offer would be of great help at this horrible time.

A. One of the most difficult things we face in life is trying to console others in a tragedy like this where the deceased is apparently not saved.

Here’s what we know. Hebrews 9:27 states that man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.  Deciding whether or not to accept the Lord’s pardon for one’s sins is the over riding purpose of our lives, but at the moment of death the time for deciding has ended.

But I can say this with assurance.  The Lord promised that everyone who asks receives (Matt 7:7-8). Even if your friend’s son literally sought God’s forgiveness with his last conscious thought, he will have received it. That’s the message from the thief on the cross who died moments after recognizing Jesus as his Lord.  He was in paradise with the Lord that very day (Luke 23:42-43).

Just because no one witnesses a dying person’s confession, doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. It’s a matter between the person and the Lord.  An impending death, even at one’s own hand, can cause even an uncertain mind to suddenly understand.  The Lord wants everyone to be saved (1 Tim. 2:3-4), and I believe He’s there with each dying person listening for that final plea.  If I were in your position, I would hold out this hope in consoling your friends, and pray that this would help them find peace in their time of need.

"Not All Environmentalists Are Pagans!" l SCHOOL OF THE BIBLE l Q&A l Utah VidDevo l VidDevoChurch

Not All Environmentalists Are Pagans!

Friday, April 21st, 2006

• Current Events
• Prophecy
• Rapture
• Relationships

I need to ask this question, I have asked it before to others and have gotten no response. Why is it “pagan” to be an animal rights activist and environmentalist?

Q. I just recently discovered your website. You have helped me to really understand Bible prophecy. I have very much enjoyed reading your articles, until I came to “The Watchman.” I have been a Christian my whole life, but I am also a staunch animal rights activist and environmentalist and was very insulted when I read your comment about “pagan environmentalists.” How dare you make a sweeping generalization of this nature! There are many people like me who are concerned for the environment and all of its inhabitants and are also Christians.

Why is it “pagan” to be an animal rights activist and environmentalist? Do you really think that God approves of the way that humans have treated the land and the animals that he gave us?  Were we not told to be the stewards of the animals? I love all of God’s creatures, and I am no more pagan than you are. I will continue to fight for animals and the environment until the Rapture happens, or I die. You might want to refrain from making generalizations like that, you could actually lose some people to whom you are ministering — isn’t that also what racists do?!!!

A. I guess I really hit a hot button with you. Here’s what the “Watchman” article said. “Lately pagan environmentalists are being joined by re-constructionist Church leaders in an effort to fight global warming.”  The statement was made in the context of the doctrine of inclusivism in the Church. The group of Christian leaders I was referring to are members of the Evangelical Climate Initiative. While they repudiate all forms of Creation Worship, they have accepted financial support in the form of grants from environmentally conscious foundations either associated with or friendly toward a pagan world view.

The statement was neither meant to label all environmentalists as pagan nor all evangelicals as advocates of the Evangelical Climate Initiative (Many prominent Evangelicals are not). It was meant to question the appropriateness of an association combining Christian leaders and pagan environmentalists. “Don’t be yoked with unbelievers,” Paul warned. “What fellowship can light have with darkness?” (2 Cor. 6:14) I’m sorry that you saw it differently.

"Doctrine On Prophecy?" l SCHOOL OF THE BIBLE l Q&A l Utah VidDevo l VidDevoChurch

What’s The Author’s Doctrine On Prophecy?

Tuesday, April 18th, 2006

• Church Doctrine
• Millennium
• Prophecy
• Rapture
• Signs Of The Times

Which church doctrine most closely follows what you believe where Bible Prophecy is concerned?

Q. Which church doctrine most closely follows what you believe where Bible Prophecy is concerned?

A. I’m what’s known as a pre-trib pre-mil dispensationalist. That means I believe the rapture will occur before the Great Tribulation, that we’re living in a time before the Lord’s 1000 year reign on earth, and that He’s divided the history of man into 7 distinct periods or dispensations of which the Church age is the 6th and the coming Kingdom Age or Millennium is the 7th and final one.

"Children Raptured With Us?" l SCHOOL OF THE BIBLE l Q&A l Utah VidDevo l VidDevoChurch (Week 2)

Are Our Children Raptured With Us?

Tuesday, April 18th, 2006

• Rapture
• Salvation

I have two children ages 5 and 9 that I assume would be raptured along with us. Is there a scripture to support this view?

Q. I have been a born again Christian for over 20 years. I have always believed in the rapture, and my studies lead me to a pre-tribulation view. While I hope everyday that it could happen “today’! I have two children ages 5 and 9 that I assume would be raptured along with us. Is there a scripture to support this view?

A. All children too young to understand the gospel and make an informed decision about their salvation automatically belong to the Lord and will go in the rapture (Matt. 18:10-11 and Romans 7:9). In Biblical times the legal age of accountability was 12-13 among the Jews and 14-18 among Greeks and Romans, but I don’t believe the New Testament established a specific age for Christian children. Your 9 year old especially may be intellectually mature enough to understand what the Lord did for him at the cross and choose to accept it as payment for his sins, but that’s a matter for you and perhaps your pastor to decide.

SCHOOL OF THE BIBLE l Q&A l "Women Cover Their Heads In Church?" l Utah VidDevo l VidDevoChurch

Should Women Cover Their Heads In Church?

 Saturday, April 15th, 2006

• Church Doctrine
• Worship

Q. I periodically re-read sections of the bible. Each time I find more that I did not see before. This time I am in 1 Corinthians 11. I am concerned that I need to cover my head when I worship or pray. 

This chapter speaks about honoring your head (authority over you). It says men should be uncovered and women covered. I know that women used to wear hats etc. to church on Sunday  but that’s no longer the case anymore (at least in my church). Can you expand on what this chapter is referring to?

A. I believe that Paul was using a local custom to illustrate a timeless truth, and that is that our God is a God of order. He has established a hierarchy in His creation that begins with Him, then goes to Jesus, man and woman in that order. In the society of the day, a woman going out in public with her hair uncovered was a demonstrating her rebellion against that hierarchy. 

It was a sign that she was available, and therefore an insult to her husband. Paul was reminding them that our worship services are regularly attended by angels and out of respect for them we should be careful to adhere to the established order while in worship.

Today the head covering for women is not customary, but we should still be careful to act in a manner that pleases the Lord and is acceptable in His sight, especially in worship. For instance how many people routinely show up late for worship, or fail to demonstrate the proper reverence while there, or in other ways by action or appearance distract other worshipers?

 Would they look or act this way if they could see their angelic visitors, or even the Lord Himself in their midst? Worship is not a time for musicians to show how talented they are or for worshipers to call attention to themselves by the way they act or look. It’s a time to pay homage to the Lord, to focus on Him, and to express our gratitude to Him. It’s not about us, it’s about Jesus.