There is a lot of emphasis in churches today on praise and worship. Cancel Unsubscribe. Hard times set in on the elderly lady, and she prayed for GOD to send her some assistance. The Roman Tax Collector Core fell into 2 groups; The General Tax Collector who annually demanded lawful taxes for property such as farms, land and houses, individuals and, income taxes. Praise Choruses An old farmer went to the city one weekend and attended the big city church. Yet his mission that day was clear. Did he choose friendship with the Romans who held less prejudice against him? The following is a list of the stories I have written. Few of them ever admitted that the cityâs most despised outcast was bound for heaven. When we worship, we affirm the truth of God’s Word, and it is being rooted deep in our hearts. Being poor, I had little access to the ancient scrolls of my time. There was a congregation that decided to have four worship services each Sunday. I must stay at your house today.â I remember the surprised look on Zacchaeusâ face when Jesus called him from that tree. I noticed you staring at that big tree, and thatâs why I approached you. just 10 miles outside this city. 26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed. The little man in the tree never expected what followed when Jesus looked up to speak to him. So, let me ask youâ¦what do you think would have happened if Zacchaeus had held to his pride and ignored the pre-destined call from Jesus? He turned to go to the bus. Youâll find that in Luke 15:1-2. He declared that Zacchaeus, who had been lost, was a son of Abraham. Itâs worth reminding that every word of the Bible is alive, everlasting, truthful, meaningful and purposeful. Just a short time before, Jesus had told about this in a parable to the Pharisees who objected to his association with tax collectors and sinners. Surely, Jesus must have been anticipating who Zacchaeus would become, once he embraced his divine love! Praise & Worship will continue to be a Christ-focused body of believers; making disciples and sharing the Good News of Jesus with all of southwest Missouri and beyond. Now I am a novelist and short story writer. There was one for those new to the faith. There seems no end of ways for you to learn whatâs important. That old shop there, its roof patio is typical of the times. So much has changed in my city; my culture and yours; yet nothing has changed in the hearts of so many men. The psalmist writes, “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: … The Jews considered the Jewish tax collectors to be robbers and thieves. They wouldnât believe you anyway. Thankfully, I was mentored by students, faculty and InterVarsity staff that modeled holiness for me in a way that spurred me on, and some of the IVCF staff members who were huge in my life during those years are our closest friends even today. The old road entering the city was just a wide, dusty swath through our vineyards. Anyway, I can tell you that he should never have ran in the street, because rich well-dressed men never ran with their skirt lifted to expose their legs. He mission included intruding into Zacchaeusâ life to show him unconditional acceptance; to show him how to live through him. His declaration of charity; his confession of past extortion; his offer of repentance were lost on the judgmental Jews that surrounded him. They collected taxes from Jews and traveling vendors of other nations for such unreasonable things such as each person crossing a bridge (in both directions) and exiting that bridge, also to enter certain properties or areas of the city. I hope you enjoy these stories and I pray they will encourage and give you hope. That raised a peculiar question in my mind on that dayâ¦but Iâll get to that later. Yes, I knew Jesus, at first as âTeacher,â as did most people at the time. So, why do you suppose that he choose to be a tax collector? Frankly, I wondered why he didnât go up on a nearby shop roof for a good view. Letâs walk to that bench under its shade and Iâll get started. What Jesus said next stunned the crowd. Did you know that your #praise and worship is very powerful and is a weapon that can unlock doors, close doors, break chains, bring healing and deliverance, cause the enemy to back up and take his hands off you, your love ones and community?. Written material may not be duplicated without permission. Next thing I see is Zacchaeus perched in this tree, his outer garment dirty and torn by the limbs. A sacrifice of praise is choosing to praise God in our brokenness a It has three topics connected with Terry Law: his work with World Compassion Ministries; the loss of his first wife and divorce from his second; and the power of prayer and worship in his ministry and personal life. This was the work of God in Jesus Christ! I found myself fully and completely in love with Jesus Christ. The man formerly controlled by greed was now mastered by inexpressible, heavenly love. Many people know the story of Zacchaeus in the Bible. I began “leading worship” long before I truly understood what it meant to live a life of worship. Slide 1 of 5. 5.0 out of 5 stars The Sacrifice of Praise: Stories Behind the Greatest Praise and Worship Songs of All Times Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2008 This is a terrific book for use as a devotional book or a resource book. Of course I knew Zacchaeus! Families ate their meals and spent leisure time high up on roofs, away from the dust and dung of the crowded street. Another for those who liked traditional worship. You sir, are a top-drawer writer, and obviously a devout Christian. At the time of Christ, the Jewish nation was under taxation by the Roman Empire. This Week at Praise & Worship: Sunday, January 10 @ 9:00 am: Sunday Morning Bible Study entitled: “Growing in God’s Word,” In-Person and on Zoom. I AM HAVING A HARD TIME. David Sheward, "The Real Story … I call him friend now but in those days, I usually kept my distance from him. He was the Shepherd who would save the lost.It was a dry, hot day. Some books of your generation say that the Sycamore-fig tree of Judea was considered unclean because its fruits were used to feed the pigs.2 I wonât say one way or the other, but surely Zacchaeus would not have climbed that tree, if he hadnât traded his pride and willingly suffered great embarrassment for the opportunity to see Jesus up close. Still, keeping the dust down was a great problem. Still others didnât seem to fully recognize that they had just witnessed a miracle. PLEASE LORD, SEND ME SOME GROCERIES!!" I suppose that hardened hearts were incapable of seeing the very work of God before them. I like to think that when Iâm writing about the Lord, Iâm actually worshiping Him. A Spirit-guided reading of this Scripture reveals much more than does the song; the truly wonderful message of Godâs love and grace poured out on mankind, in the life of Jesus Christ. Freedom Kids Bible Videos! Writing short stories is an amazing experience as I allow my imagination to create people, places and situations that I can share with you, the reader. Children are taught a little song that is based on this Scripture. I love to lift up the name of Jesus in what I write. He was a funny sight! Writing stories about Jesus is very rewarding and brings me so much joy. Did I become a member of âThe Way?â Iâll tell you about that later. I prefer to think that he wasnât going to let his wealth come between his soul and God. Iâm very amused by the vernacular of your day. Imagine that! But I was in Jericho to see Jesus enter our ancient city. What Iâm about to tell you is based entirely on Godâs word. The father ran to meet his long lost son, so I imagine that he raised his skirt or he would have tripped in the field. The little rich man was tucked in a tree, his eyes glued on the Messiah trudging along in the dusty street. After all, he was rejected by family and friends and became one of the most despised people in the city. You would have never read about the miracle of a soul converted in Jericho. © Copyright 2009 Praise-and-Worship.com Many people know the story of Zacchaeus in the Bible. Well, Iâm a poor Jew, born in 4 B.C. Many were crooked, self-enriching men. I bet some of you are singing it in your head as you read this! âWhich one is this Jesus that I hear talk about?â He asked excitedly, âI want to see him.â âThere, at the front of the crowd,â I replied. I pray you are blessed and enjoy them as much as I have. praise to God is a vehicle of faith which takes us into His presence and power! The little man did well to climb the tree. Maybe you have the answer. Sharon writes: "I am a housewife/writer. Worship quote-63: Story “A worship that will have staying power is a worship that is firmly grounded in the old, yet aware of and concerned for new ways to respond to the old, old story.” ... “Teach your children to sing praise and worship to God―it is the purest form of prayer, especially praise, it is prayer with no self interest. I see that you brought along your Bible, so go ahead and read Luke 19:1-10. He was considered to be a cheater, turncoat and sinner; although Scripture does not say that he cheated anyone. The Widow’s Mite: Mark 12:41-44. Now, let me tell you about my friend Zacchaeus. There are dozens of books on the history and origins of famous hymns, but few on the contemporary praise songs that are used in evangelical Christian churches on Sundays. Luke 19:1-10, right? As part of His family, we will continually reach out to the lost. I see that youâre uneasy but Iâd like to speak with you. Fortunately, the Holy Spirit did not let that happen. No need for panicâ¦Iâm harmless and youâll probably never tell of this encounter with me to another living soul. Oh well, I promised you a story, and thereâs a mighty important one about the tree that caught your eye, and the little man named Zacchaeus. I learned to read and count using the writings and numbers scratched into pieces of broken clay that were used by the traders and in the shops. God's Word possesses all of His might and power. Loading... Unsubscribe from Kyei Amoako? The Bible says in Psalm 22:3 that He actually lives and dwells in our praises. Your story had been in the praise-and-worship short story file for some time. But I felt drawn into his presence, into his love. Oh, I see that I have shocked youâ¦that usually happens to everyone I meet. And another for those who had a bad experience with church and were complaining about it. (© 2010 John Miller â All rights reserved. All rights reserved, Stories by Dorothy (Dotts) Lewellyn Justice, The Night Disco Died, or Will the Real Jesus Please Sign in. Iâm really here before you. Yes, I was there on the hillside to hear it. After all, as you see in the Bible, Jesus is the Good Shepherd searching for his wayward sheep. My name? Since they can see your face and reactions, letâs step away from the crowd so we can speak together, in private. These were Jews; willing contractors to the Roman authorities and allowed to collect taxes as they saw fit. I saw the effect of a beginning and endless faith, expressed in joy as he welcomed Jesus to go to his home. I could see that in his face, and he had no word of rebuke for Zacchaeus. "It Is Well with My Soul" by Horatio Spafford. DIVINE INTRUSION AT JERICHOBy John Miller. As I've said before, we can worship our Lord through the written word. Let me tell you a little more about Zacchaeus. We will warmly invite all to belong and help everyone learn His story. I decided to go back and re-read it. Thatâs true. Messianic fever ran high among the excited crowds who followed Jesus. Thatâs right; I told Zacchaeus that Jesus was coming but I never expected his reaction! God's grace and His justice, His omnipresence and His holiness, His majesty and His glory are not quiescent attributes, but are active and dynamic. God is eternally active. I know now that it was because of his newfound seed of faith. Some shops wouldnât trade with them. Itâs from the Bible. I was plain to me that Jesus was there to save his soul. I bet some of you are singing it in your head as you read this! This simple act of giving an offering in the temple caught the … To remedy that, Phil Christensen and Shari MacDonald offer Celebrate Jesus: The Stories Behind Your Favorite Praise and Worship … I have 2 children and 5 grandchildren. Iâm curious why that is. It wasnât there. And as God is, so is His Word.1 It is only when we firmly trust His word that we dig deeply for its fullest meaning in our lives. I was there for the miraculous feedings and always a little curious about his parables. All rights reserved. You must be curious about me. Let me fill in the blanks, so that you get the richest meaning of Godâs message in those verses. I was a distant and curious follower of Jesus; just one of many faces among the crowds sitting on a hillsides. A short story, titled Robohnya Surau Kami, by A. Web Ruble writes: I am a retired newspaper reporter of some 40 years, and a couple of those years I was religion writer at The Oregonian, Oregon's largest daily. But then, he wasnât welcome at those shops unless he was spending money. Such is the impetus for this story told to an un-expecting tourist in Jericho by an imaginary onlooker from that day when Jesus came to Jericho. Itâs important that you understand his background. Iâm sure that your tourist guide on the bus has told the story of Zacchaeus climbing a Sycamore-fig tree. We are a prideful bunch! He rose awkwardly to his feet to stand before Jesus. Right before me, Zacchaeusâ face revealed that his hardened heart was changed, its door had swung wide open and it was filled with grace. Well, on with my story. No one in Jericho would have known that Jesus could change the most despised man in the city to become his follower. Robert J. Morgan, Then Sings My Soul: 150 of the World’s Greatest Hymn Stories, 2003. It seems to me that your generation should have all the answers for living. Your generations have had many years to read the Bible and learn about what happened in the time of Jesus and here in Jericho. By the way, as I tell you this story, I want you to consider something important about Scripture. How about that! In fact, I am not mentioned anywhere in the Bible. I saw it! No, Iâm not crazy and youâre not dreaming. In my day, we took time to let stories linger in our thoughts, so we wouldnât forget the meaning of the smallest word. In Isaiah 55:11, as elsewhere in Scripture, God declared the power and purpose of his faithful word for us. Well, Zacchaeus was a Jew and a chief tax collector who sat at a booth. Shock and inexpressible joy combined in his facial features, as he jumped down from the tree limb, scraping his knees on the ground. Nowadays, you carry around little devices loaded with of electronic books. The next morning the lady went out on her porch and noted a large bag of groceries and shouted, "PRAISE THE LORD." He quickly looked back to see that the old man wasnât there either. He had suddenly recognized Jesus as his Master! karaoke; videoke; praise and worship song; easy to follow lyrics; great synchronization between music and text This is the mystery and the miracle of the breakthrough power and presence of God when we worship! GOD I NEED FOOD!! Iâll never forget the day that Jesus came to Jericho. A Funny Little Story about Hymns and Praise Songs - by Author Unknown Articles on the Christian Walk, Systematic Theology and Practical Theology Today, many Christians are turning back to the puritans to, “walk in the old paths,” of God’s word, and to continue to proclaim old truth that glorifies Jesus Christ. But certainly, rich Jews of the city would never climb a tree in the presence of others. These tax collectors were allowed to keep part of the revenue for themselves. It once was a prosperous commercial and agricultural region, heavily traveled by tradesmen and vendors in camel caravans from the nearby Jordan Valley and elsewhere. Did you know that when Jesus entered Jericho, he was only week away from his crucifixion? Closer to the square and shops were cobble stone streets. How could I not? That was his game. Well, let me tell you. God had a plan; God owns grace and poured it out on us that day. All that was before him was the familiar surroundings seen from his favorite chair; his Bible, opened to Luke Chapter 19, rested in his lap. You asked me earlier if I had become a member of âThe Way.â Well, I did that day! The local vendors had left their shops unattended to join the townspeople who jammed the street to gawk at the visitors. Bible Studies. Obviously, Jesus saw it too because something supreme happened at that moment. So, what do you think motivated Zacchaeus to drop his pride and climb the tree to see Jesus? Yes, he was an adult and responsible for his actions outside their home. Find album reviews, stream songs, credits and award information for Bible Story Songs - Praise & Worship on AllMusic - 2003 She stood on her porch and shouted "PRAISE THE LORD. They could only mutter condemnation of him and ridicule Christ. Is that why he later opted to buy his acceptance among the rich? There were Gentiles in the crowd and any one of them might have climbed that tree. Thatâs what âput us on the map,â as you moderns like to say. Children are taught a little song that is based on this Scripture. He was also friends with the Romans. His gratitude for saving grace had radically changed the life of the hated tax collector. Whatever the cause, I always assumed that his life was empty, despite his wealth. Let me leave you with this thought. Iâd say that Zacchaeus was well aware of the cost of his occupation to his parents; to himself. What does this say about love of money? Zacchaeus quickly closed up his booth and ran into the crowd. The crowd was stunned by Jesus inviting himself to the home of a sinner of Zacchaeus. Clearly, he needed nothing from Zacchaeus in order to grant him the gift of love, where only despise and hate had existed. I pray they will bless you as I was blessed when I wrote them. Doing all this is fine but the 30 minutes or so usually allocated to this does not constitute … Iâll take it from there. For reasons I still donât understand, I ran first to tell Zacchaeus. Web from United States writes: "John Miller -- Your story "Touching The Jesus in You" is excellent. Well, the brochure youâre holding says that itâs the oldest city in the world. The practical understanding that many people have of this subject is that praise and worship is the first part of a church service. Imagine what a follower of Christ might have said about Zacchaeus at this point: âToday, Zacchaeus has passed through the eye of a needle!â Oh yes, it was the most splendid day in Jericho! Criticize The Meaning Of Worship By Robohnya Surau Kami 1089 Words | 5 Pages. Also, (1) Iâd like to share some of my short stories with you, and, (2) I hope you enjoy over 300 short stories from our Guest Writers here as well. A. Navis is one of Indonesia’s classical literary work which tells a story of an old man, kakek, who was very religious, but eventually suicide himself after he received a mockery for his religious acts from one of the characters, named Ajo Sidi. He didnât know what to expect but his deliberate and risky action didnât go unnoticed by Jesus. But his life changed that day---forever! I knew I needed forgiveness; that I wanted what Zacchaeus had just received; that I could never live without Jesus anymore than could the new Zacchaeus. Enjoyed hymn sings with extended family, many of whom are no longer with us. The second Tax Collector Group, known as Deputy or Under-collectors, sat at booths alongside roads, bridges and at entrances to the public buildings and the main parts of town. Blessings by Laura Story. I want to thank the writers who have shared their stories. They probably overcharged him, just to get back at him for his greed. Although, I did hear Jesus speak of such a happening, when he told the parable of the Prodigal Son. âLook Lord,â I heard him say, as he disclaimed his sinful past and offered to make restitution for his cheating. I donât think he saw me; at least he wasnât looking my direction. The name Zacchaeus means ârighteous one or pure one.â His parents must have expected something great of him to give him that name. My stories were written with love, so enjoy them for what they are. ... “Worship is an act that develops feelings for God, not a feeling for God that is expressed in an... Worship, Quote. Letâs walk slowly, Iâm an old man. God calling for Zacchaeus perched in a tree; some say an unclean tree, to meet his Son. Even the size or number of cart wheels could be taxed. See more ideas about hymn, praise songs, praise and worship. Others who were curious and looking for a show, tagged along. I think that he already knew all about the little man in the tree. Thank you so much for sharing your view on that old Gospel story. The Bible tell us that “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through #God to the pulling down of strong holds”– 2 Corinthians 10:4 Worship will help us Break through the Prison - Acts 16 Act 16:25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Surely the Holy Spirit was at work here. As a Jew, somewhere in the depths of his soul he knew his Maker, and the talk of Jesus that had reached his ears had fulfilled a divine plan for the meeting at Jericho. Could this be the Messiah, they wondered, come to deliver them from their Roman oppressors? He fully intended to intrude into Zacchaeusâ life of pride and greed. He was not alone. Zacchaeus had surrendered to his Lord, Christ Jesus! Some there would never believe that this sinner could be saved. Praise and worship is the “gate-pass” which allows us to enter the sacredness of His glory. The lyrics to this uplifting hymn, ironically, … Thereâs plenty time for telling this story. They greeted him as he traveled to the holy city, attracted by his preaching and miracles. Christian Short Stories By Sharon Niese . Never was there such commotion in all of Jericho!People have asked me, âWhy did Zacchaeus run to climb the tree?â Thatâs a good question, one with many possible answers. Was he merely securing the best viewing post ahead of someone else? Itâs not unimportant. Was he ridiculed for his small size? God bless you! No, the others canât see or hear me as you do. ), ________________________________________________, 1 Robert Preus, The Power of God's Word,http://www.mtio.com/articles/bissar101.htm, 2 Climbing High to See Jesus, Christian Family Fellowship, http://www.cffm.org/teachings/climb.shtml, © Copyright 2009 Praise-and-Worship.com When I saw the dust rise in the road, kicked up by the feet of the approaching throng of intruders to our city, I knew it had to be Jesus and his followers. Can you imagine what alienation and hatred they suffered as a result of their sonâs association with the Roman authorities as a tax collector? Jesusâ response to Zacchaeusâ confession was not to judge him nor offer approval of his works of charity. What if he had opted to stay at his tax booth and kept his false religion of money to himself? I can see by your face that you would never entertain that thought. Yet, his parents took the blunt of cruel jokes and ridicule from their neighbors. Oh yes, thatâs true. Let’s go deep together to learn the whole story of Jesus and how He is inviting all of us to participate in His mission to restore all things! By the way, do you know that there is no other recorded case where Jesus invited himself to a home? Jesusâ divine intrusion at Jericho had great purpose; to show incomprehensible love, forgiveness and mercy. There is no new theology. âThank you for telling me the story,â the tourist said, he was otherwise speechless. Some people say he was merely curious. Iâd like to tell you a story. I quickly found my time and place to surrender fully to my Lord. We "warm people up" with some fast songs (praise) and then we sing some mellow songs of adoration. Disclaimer: No Copyright infringement intended, contents belong to it's rightful owner. He had sold himself out to the Romans and became wealthy at the expense of his own people! Therefore, our worship must be informed at every point by the Word of God as we seek God’s own instructions for worship that is pleasing to Him.” — R.C. You can read about that in 1 John 4:9. He had no Jewish friends and wasnât all that friendly to locals and passers-by, except to the rich Gentile traders. They had missed the miracle occurring right before their eyes; the conversion of Zacchaeus was the fulfillment of Christâs very purpose for coming into the world. Kenneth Osbeck, 101 Hymn Stories , 1982. What precious times those were. The crowd swelled as locals from shops joined them to follow Jesus across the dusty road nearing this very square. One for those who had lost their faith and would like to get it back. One of the merchants stared up at him, sneering and murmuring snide comments, while others strained their necks to see Jesus over the shoulders of taller people. He came home and his... Music, Hymn, Humor, Worship, Praise. Jesus had a way, a commanding presence about him that Iâll never forget. Christian Short Stories By Web Ruble. I see that your bus is loading, so you better get aboard. Great teaching and learning resource for churches, parents and children. To use your vernacular, Jesus is a game changer! You know that Jesus said, âZacchaeus, come down immediately. Power of Praise - Ultimate Praise & Worship - The Story Behind the Music Kyei Amoako. Carts were subject to search and their contents taxed, as was the animal pulling the cart or the people riding in them. If Jesus said it, then I suspect that he was making an important point. Sep 6, 2015 - Hymns have been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember. I and others might have missed out on a miracle of salvation that day. Now, to address your interest in Jericho. There was a lot of pushing and shoving. I think that Jesus anticipated finding the strange little man sitting up in a tree. The Jews hated paying tribute to Rome, funding the foreigners on their soil who oppressed them and worshiped their many gods displayed in surrounding public buildings and in Rome. You neednât worry about the bus leaving without you. Praise and Worship Prayers When leading worship during a church service or meeting, it can often be helpful to read an inspiring bible passage that reminds us of God's goodness and presence with us. As the Bible story progresses through Joshua, Judges, 1 & 2 Samuel and 1 & 2 Kings, it becomes clear that the people of God are not giving God the worship he deserves. Camel caravans and donkey carts had worn deep ruts in it; making walking was a bit precarious.
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