Building a better future through literacy education
Empowering the Next Generation
Building a better future through literacy education
About Phyllis Moss Publishing
My Mission
My mission is to help my sons be successful in life, to publish all books, articles and songs that I have ever written, and to share what God has given me with those who are interested.
My Motivation
I love working for and being used by God to help others. Whether it is in a church setting, a classroom or a parking lot, I have always considered working for God to be an honor. Finding your purpose and walking in it is the greatest motivator there is. For me, that is being a mom to my wonderful sons. I've had some incredible jobs, but motherhood is by far the greatest. Yet, something inside of me pushes me to help more than me and mine. And so here we are.
My Method
They say we never grow out of loving stories, and everyone has one. Well, I have many stories and I love telling them. A former pastor once said, "when you put your hand in the hand of God it is an adventure!" I have found that to be the absolute truth. I love sharing with others how faithful God has been to me on this awesome journey with Him. I've often found myself in settings where I wished I could take my family and friends. It's through my stories that I take others to the places that God has taken me.
My Ministry
The Roc Renaissance Program is a community music program for youth who want to learn to sing and/or play the piano. Phyllis Moss Publishing will donate 10% of its proceeds to help fund this program. Lessons are offered Monday through Friday. For more info or to make a donation please visit www.rocrenaissance.org
The Publisher's Corner
Worship: From A New Testament Perspective
I was recently asked by a pastor friend of mine if I could recommend a worship book based on New Testament teaching. I taught worship at her church many years ago in Florida. Her question inspired me to expound on the teaching I did at her church, and so many others. That teaching was based on the tabernacle but has New Testament significance.
I think it's important to define worship first because there has always been so many definitions floating around. My favorite is "expressing one's love to God". I like that definition because it is simple but it also encompasses both Old Testament and New Testament theology.
In the Book of Exodus God told Moses to tell Pharoah to let His people go so that they could come out into the wilderness and "worship" Him. The word worship there means to "reverence and to serve". One who truly loves or reverences another will also serve them. Don't tell me that you love me and then you see my kids suffering and do nothing. That's not true love. In the New Testament Jesus told us that we are to love God with all our "heart, soul and mind". It is in this spirit and truth that we are to worship God because God is looking for true worshippers. (John 4:24) That's why worship cannot be taught. It flows out of the heart of those who truly love God and are in relationship with Him.
God often shows us the end of a thing at the beginning. That is exactly what happened here. After God delivered the Children of Israel from Egypt, God told them that the plan was to make them, "a kingdom of priest, and a holy nation." (Exodus 19:6) God began by giving detailed instructions for the development of the tabernacle and later the temple so that He could dwell among His people. Each part of the tabernacle, especially the furniture, represented some aspect of the Messiah's character. He would come to deliver them a second time, this time from a system of atonement that didn't work. The Messiah would come bringing a new and better covenant.
It's important to note that worship directed to God has always been under attack. It was the reason for the war in heaven and the struggle continues here on earth. Both Solomon's temple and later Herod's temple, were destroyed by earthly enemies (most likely inspired by unseen enemies). But God's plan would prevail.
Stephen makes the connection between the Old and New Testament during his speech in the Book of Acts. He reminds us that although God orchestrated the use of the tabernacle and the building and re-building of the temple, God is too big to dwell in temples made with hands. (Acts 7:48-49) He references the words of the prophet, Isaiah, who reminds us that heaven is God's throne. (Isaiah 66:1) Then Paul comes along and ask, "don't you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit?" (1Corinthians 6:19-20) The God of the universe wanted to dwell among His people, and for a season dwelt in the physical edifices that were carried from place to place and later built. But under the New Covenant God would dwell in us. We are now the temples of God.
This is significant! Now wherever we are, worship can and should take place. What a strategy!! We no longer have to travel to Jerusalem to one building in order to worship God. We no longer have to worry about the enemy who still targets and destroys God's houses of worship. And as promised, God has made us a "royal priesthood, and a holy nation". (1Peter 2:9) Not only that, each of us is also a living stone in the spiritual house (1Peter 2:5) that God is building unto Himself, of which Jesus is the chief cornerstone. (1Peter 2:6) No longer do we bring dead sacrifices as they did under the Old Covenant. God now requires "living sacrifices". (Romans 12:1) In short, if you have submitted your life to God as a living sacrifice, you are both a temple for the Most High God and a part of the ecclesia or "called out ones", the true church that God is building in the spirit.
So, the next time you go to your earthly church, remember that your worship is important. Better yet, before you get to church, worship because where you are, worship can happen.
