Boast

Psalm 34

1. I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord; the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.

The word "boast" comes from the word Halal, a root word meaning to shine, to flash forth light, to praise, boast, be boastful, boastful ones, to glory, to praise, to be praised, be made praiseworthy, be commended, be worthy of praise, to act up, and the list of applications goes on.

I've been attending Baptist Churches for the past 39 years and I've never once witnessed any of those assemblies "act up" in boastful appreciation of the Lord.

All churches need structure and procedure but not the stuffed shirts. When was the last time you "boasted" on the Lord?

You do realize that we are to boast on the Lord during the good times and the bad times. Through good health and bad health. Through secure times and through fearful times.

We are to praise him continually. To "act up" for His glory.

 

...it distracts while the sermon is being given, or interferes in prayer.

I really don't suppose this is what the Scripture is referring to.

 

No, churches should not "act up" nor should individuals "act up" to the point of making fools of themselves. No jumping over pews, no running the isle, no blabbering or sputtering or spitting.

The point here is that we are to "act up" as not being ashamed to speak of the Lord constantly and to be excited about what he has done for us to the point others can see our joy.

Consider those beings who encircle the throne crying Holy, Holy, Holy, 24/7, nonstop, from eternity past to eternity future. Certainly they are not being fools as we apply and use the word fool.

We are to "rejoice" in the Lord always. To shine a spot light on Him. To give Him all the credit for all things good or bad that impact our lives. Continually giving Him praise.

Folks are really "acting up" when their testimony demands praise for themselves.

 

The only real point I was trying to make here is that it's okay to rejoice in the Lord..., over and above what way too many stuffed suited Churches will otherwise allow.

People show up for Church and sit in same pews they have been roosting in for the past 25 years; the Pastor gives a hand signal when he's seeking an Amen; Sister Abigale eyeballs all the other women for appropriateness of dress; the general gossip going around about this or that..., my goodness folks..., lighten up!!!

In all reality our Church is wherever we happen to be at any given moment. The Lord promises to be with us every step of every day so we don't have to be in Church - the physical building - to rejoice in Him. Or, heaven forbid I should say, "Act Up" for the Lord.

I can just imagine that in some churches the stiffed necked individuals would literally fall out of the pews should they decide to eyes right or eyes left should a calamity befall them.

Don't you get it? Meeting at a designated place to worship the Lord should be a happy occasion. To fellowship with each other. To enjoy the time and take home memories of a lost soul coming to salvation. Not some board ridged ceremonial gathering three times a week.

I think a good rule of thumb would be this. Before joining a church one should sit outside and watch how the folks exit the building. If the doors fly open and people flee to their cars then chances are something is amiss.

If, on the other hand, people casually walk out stopping to talk with each other shaking hands and hugging, etc., then something might just be happening inside worthy of investigating a little farther.

The younger generation is not into your style of life. Why, some men even get their ears pierced. After salvation they might discover that practice really means they are now a Freed Slave.

 

Old Union Brother, change is hard and scary for some. People become entrenched and will not budge no matter the consequences. The Scribes and Pharisees refused to change as they enjoyed the rut they were in.

Needless to say, the message should never change. Jesus Saves! The general make up and flow of any Church Service should never get out of hand.

All most all Baptist Churches begin with the Choir. The Pastor then offers up any announcements for the good of the Church, then a congregational song followed with tithes and offerings, another congregational song followed by a special or two perhaps and then the preaching service. Thirty minutes later everyone goes home.

What would happen if one Sunday morning the Pastor suspended the norm and began the message first to be followed by the music after the invitation?

I'll tell you what would happen. Some folks would lose their composure, I'm sure. I'm certainly not advocating things be reversed specifically..., but what if they were?

 

I believe you would still be bored. Dear one, not saying for sure, but believe I am conversing with a babe in Christ. My church has them, and don’t know of any that doesn't.

But hold you fire for a moment. I admit I may be wrong. Perhaps it is complacency I see in your posts.

Everyone is entitled to their opinions.

The "babes in Christ" that I see are Sister Thelma and Uncle Bob who have sat in the exact same pew for the past 25 years; Bubba the Deacon who at 12 o'clock sharp raises his arm as if looking at his watch in order to signal the preacher it's time to wind it down; the Choir Director's wife who has their 12 year old daughter in pantyhose and high heels for the special music; those who are selective in who's hand they shake; can't forget the woman who told my wife, "My, what cute 'little' diamonds those are"; those certain ones who are visited in the hospital while sick..., you know the kind of folks I'm referring to, don't you ituttut?

Yeah, I'm a babe in Christ or perhaps some might call it complacency I suppose. What I see however are individuals so important they consider themselves doing God a favor by just showing up on Sunday morning. Yeah, those kind. Those sticks in the mud.