Friberg's Friday Favorite

Job and Worship

When you think of the story of Job, does worship come to mind? If so, what circumstances shaped his worship?

Job's life was blessed. He had ten children, land, animals, and good health. Job could worship God without distraction from any outside situations. Enter Satan. He thought that Job would curse God if he lost everything (Job 1:10-11). After getting permission from God, Satan attacked job in two rounds. Both attacks displayed Job's amazing integrity and true heart of worship.

The first attack came on Job's earthly possessions. All of Job's land, family, animals, and belongings were taken away. Following this first attack, Job declared that the name of the Lord should be praised (Job 1:21).

The second attack came on Job's body, physically and emotionally. He obtained boils and verbal attacks through his closest friends. As Vernon Whaley put it, the character and integrity of a person is revealed in hard times and under pressure (Called To Worship). In the end, Job fell on his face, surrendered himself once again to the Lord, and worshiped with all that was in him (Job 42:2-6).

A person may display a life of worship on Sunday morning. However, just like the story of Job states, adversity will truly reveal a person's integrity in worship. Our worship should not be affected by the stability of some earthly possessions. We should worship God for who He is, not for what we own.

Our worship should properly be displayed through a life of integrity in a honest relationship with God.

Wednesday's Brian Teaser

Here we go:

What king can you make if you take -
The head of a lamb
The middle of a pig
The hind of a buffalo
and the tail of a dragon?

Prize to the winner!

I'd Rather Have Jesus

Take a minute to answer this questions - What is your favorite song? Think about it for a moment...

Why is that song your favorite? Perhaps a couple of songs came to mind. What memories enhanced the importance of the song(s)?

Personally, I have a number of favorite songs. However, I have one favorite hymn, I'd Rather Have Jesus.

About 10 years ago, I was volunteering at my dad's church as the worship leader (and youth director). I was finishing my senior year of college and I did not know where I was headed after college. I did not have a job lined up. I knew I wanted to serve the Lord in a full-time capacity. However, I did not know where God was calling me to serve. My prayers seemed to go nowhere. I felt like I was out on an island and God was so far away (it is funny how things seem when looking back at them).

One Sunday, my brother was asked to come and speak to the congregation. He was preparing to leave on a mission trip/internship to Ghana, West Africa. He spoke from his heart about how important it is to serve God. He talked about the apostle Paul and his love for Christ. He challenged the church (and me) to view everything around us as nothing and to view Christ as everything.

At the end of his message, he sang the hymn that George Beverly Shea penned years ago:
I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold.
I'd rather be His than have riches untold.
I'd rather have Jesus than houses or lands.
I'd rather be led by His nail-pierced hand.

Than to be the king of a vast domain, or be held in sin's dread sway.
I'd rather have Jesus than anything this world affords today.

God spoke to me through my brother and gave me an outstanding perspective on my life. Having Jesus was all that mattered. I had peace knowing that He was more important than anything the future could bring.

When I sing this hymn, I am reminded about God's amazing greatness and grace in my life. I know that I would rather have Him than anything else this world can give.

Great Worship Team

I am part of an excellent worship team. From the people in the tech booth to the person playing the drums, the individuals that I lead worship with every week are simply outstanding.

What makes them so great? Their talent? Their ability to lead? Their heart for God and the church? Yes, yes, and yes. But, what I experienced yesterday was another shining example of the quality of team that I work with.

I made the song list early in the week. We had our typical Wednesday night rehearsal. Everything went well and I anticipated a powerful worship service. Then, early Sunday morning, I was informed that two of the four singers were sick. These two singers were responsible leading a couple of the songs (including a violin solo and leading the song I blogged about last week, Healer).

When I arrived to our early Sunday morning rehearsal, I shuffled up the team. I gave a vocal mic to a guitarist and used the keyboard player as a vocalist. The other two vocals were asked to sing a little more as well.

The result? A home run. The team did an outstanding job and the congregation freely worshiped God. Healer went great and I believe many were able to expresses genuine worship to God.

Here are some comments that I received when I came into work this morning (from e-mails and Sunday cards):
- Worship today was really good. Way to go!
- Wonderful praise & worship! This week I've been dealing with healing from some issues. Worship really ministered to me...
- Thank you for a wonderful worship service today.
- Thank you for being vessels God works through.

It is nice to be part of a team that can be flexible through adversity with a genuine heart of service for God.