Why I Worship

What Is Worship, Why Do We Worship, How to Worship

A Lifestyle of Worship?

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1Samuel 13:14 states that “the Lord has sought out a man after His own heart…”

We know, of course that Samuel is speaking about the young King David. So, here’s the question… What does it mean to be “a man after God’s own heart?”

Some say it was the fact that David was always quick to repent when confronted with his sin. Some believe that it was his humility in his dealings with King Saul. Some say it was his willingness to abandon himself and “worship the Lord with all his might.”

The theological offerings could go on and on but I’d like to know what you think.

I hear people constantly making statements like “We’ve gotten church all wrong!”, or “Most church leaders are crooks!”, or; I think the popular one right now is “We shouldn’t be worried about GOING to church, we should just concentrate on BEING the church.”

I only have one rule for this discussion: POSITIVE STATEMENTS ONLY!

I want us to look at this as a body (if you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He came to earth, lived a perfect life, died on a cross, and rose again on the third day, then we are in the same boat) and see if we can define what it is that the church is supposed to be. I want to find out what it means to “be the church.” I am asking God this year to make me one of those people to whom He would refer as “a man after His own heart.”

Ok… Here we go… What do you think?

 

 

Adam, Where are you?

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Worship touches every part of the make up of a human being.

It requires us to focus our mind on the concepts of who God is and who he has created and called us to be. It requires us either to bring our bodies into a submissive, humble, and quiet posture before Him or to take an emboldened stance of declaration of His character through the lifting of our hands, the clapping of our hands, or through some type of dance.

Worship also requires us to allow our emotions to respond to God in ways that may sometimes be uncomfortable or even seem out of character of us on an individual basis. Sometimes we worship with a sense of militarism in declaring the character of our God, and sometimes we almost end up in a heap on the floor in tears when we come to the realization of the grace, love, and forgiveness that has been poured out for us.

In any of these situations where worship is taking place, there is one constant… vulnerability.

Vulnerability is the key to true worship. When we come before God in worship; whether in private or in public, we must be willing to lay ourselves bare before God. This is why we refer to certain aspects of worship as “a sacrifice of praise.”

Genesis 3:8-10 brings us what I believe to be some of the saddest words to ever be written:

“When they heard the sound of God strolling in the garden in the evening breeze, the Man and his Wife hid in the trees of the garden, hid from God. God called to the Man: “Where are you?” He said, “I heard you in the garden and I was afraid because I was naked. And I hid.””

Gods answer to Adam in verse 11 is so freeing if we will let it get to our spirit; “Who told you you were naked?”

When you come before God in worship, do you come to him hidden and fearing that He will see what you’ve done and feel differently about you, or do you realize that your sin didn’t change His feelings for you?

He knows you… He loves you just the way you are… and he wants to walk with you today…

Where are you?

Feel free to leave a comment.

The rain is coming…

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Last week I was at work and I walked out of the break room which is in the interior part of the building.  As I walked out I took a deep breath realizing there was a familiar aroma in the air.  Rain… Unbeknownst to myself and my coworkers, it had begun to pour rain outside, but with the structure of our building we have limited view of the outside world.  Yet, even inside this huge building with all the windows closed the unmistakable smell of rain filled the air     and we all began migrating to the windows to see what was happening outside.

Over the last few months, there has been an aroma in the air that is familiar and refreshing to my spirit.  It is promising the arrival of something we’ve longed for and needed for years.  There is a thirst in the land for an outpouring of the presence of God in the earth…Heaven on Earth, and as we His people humble ourselves and pray, seek His face, and turn from those things that separate us from Him, He is hearing from heaven and the healing rain is coming.

Do you smell it?