Hey everybody! Welcome to “A Word of Truth.” In this powerful Sunday Service message, Bishop Shaver dives deep into what God really desires from our worship and sacrifice, taking us straight to the Book of Isaiah Chapter 1.
Hey everybody! Welcome to “A Word of Truth.” In this powerful Sunday Service message, Bishop Shaver dives deep into what God really desires from our worship and sacrifice, taking us straight to the Book of Isaiah Chapter 1.
Hey everybody! Welcome to “A Word of Truth.” In this powerful Sunday Service message, Bishop Shaver dives deep into what God really desires from our worship and sacrifice, taking us straight to the Book of Isaiah Chapter 1.
It turns out God is looking for authenticity, not just activity. Stop Wasting God’s Time: Real Repentance vs. Ritual
Bishop Shaver explains that sometimes, our spiritual actions become repetitive and “robotical”. Just like the ancient Israelites who brought animal sacrifices (blood sacrifices) but lacked genuine repentance, we can sacrifice our time or money without our heart being truly involved. If our heart isn’t in it, we might just be wasting God’s time. God emphatically states He is “full of the burnt offerings of rams” and “delight[s] not in the blood of bullocks”. He declares that these “vain oblations” and solemn meetings are troubling to Him; He is weary of them.
The core issue? God needs our heart. We need to stop trying to impress God with a “Pharisee spirit” or great words.
Coming As You Are
Instead of performing, we are called to be real. We need to humbly acknowledge our weaknesses, failures, and how much we need God’s presence and power. Our righteousness isn’t found in our works, but only through the blood of Jesus Christ. God reminds us of His incredible offer found in Isaiah: “though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool”. If we are willing and obedient, we will “eat the good of the land”. Drawing from Psalms 51, we learn that the sacrifices God truly accepts are a broken spirit and a broken and contrite heart. That’s how we can be honest with the Lord and deal with our situations.
The Importance of Preparation and Obedience
Bishop Shaver shares stories about being unprepared for a mountain climb (like Mount Rainier) and how that resulted in failure and frustration. Spiritually, we often come unprepared for the mission before us, then blame the enemy when we fail. We learn that when struggles hit, God might want us to identify our weaknesses and understand that we need more spiritual training. Instead of expecting God to move the mountain instantly, sometimes He wants to teach us how to climb it so we can see further and gain distance in our perspective. Deliverance comes in obedience! Simple acts of worship, like bowing or clapping your hands (making a joyful noise unto the Lord), are acts of obedience that can secure healing and freedom, even when doctors and X-rays say otherwise. We should practice our praise at home so that when we come to the house of God, we come prepared to perform, not just to practice.
Stay in Your Calling
The message emphasizes the need for the church to let the Holy Spirit move and get back to the basics of salvation, focusing on seeing the sick healed and the delivered saved. It’s crucial to stay in the calling and gifts God has planted for you, even if it feels small. We are urged to ensure that everything we do—preaching, singing, ushering—brings glory and honor to Jesus Christ, not attention to ourselves. Finally, check out the incredible faith of the Centurion in Matthew 8: Jesus marveled at his understanding of authority, declaring, “I have not found so great faith, no not in Israel”. Let this message encourage you to humble yourself, believe in God’s perfect plan, and step into a new day filled with genuine praise!. Give God glory and praise today! Amen
