Why I Worship

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

If I can Just SEE Him…

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Luke chapter two tells us the story of a man named Simeon.

25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.27 So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law,28 he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:29 “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word;30 For my eyes thave seen Your salvation31 Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,32 A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.”

I have, over the past few years, become a very enthusiastic Oklahoma City Thunder fan. I decided for the 2011-2012 season to purchase season tickets to all of their home games. Great fun!

I am unable to go to some of the games because of my work as a worship leader at a church. When I can’t go, I sell the tickets.

It is amazing to me what some people will pay to watch a sporting event.

When the Miami Heat came to town, people were spending very large amounts of money for tickets. Why? Well, I will not say his name because I’m NOT a fan, but “you know who” was in town. People would say “I just want to see him play!”

We have heard time and time again that God is going to do something beyond our wildest imagination in these last days. That He is going to move in such a mighty way that it an only be attributed to His power and glory.

My prayer, for years, has been “Father, please just let me see it. Let me be close by when it happens. I don’t care if I’m involved at all, if I’m on a stage, or holding a microphone. Just let me see it.”

My expectation is at the highest place it’s ever been to see a move of our mighty God. I believe it’s coming soon.

What’s your level of expectation? Are you, like Simeon, waiting with great desire to see what God has promised? Or are you allowing the routine things of life dull your expectation for what God has in store?

My prayer for you today is that you will allow the joy of the Lord to become your strength for waiting. That just the knowledge that he has promised to move will awaken your heart and soul to seek Him and his purpose for your life.

Those verses at the top of this post mention that Simeon was “devout”, that He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and that the Holy Spirit was on him and had revealed to him a promise from God. Then it says he went to the temple…

My prayer for you is that you will not only be awakened and have strength for the waiting, but that you will also be so moved by the promise of God, that you will do something about it.

Don’t just sit there and miss your promise!!!

Increasing Your Capacity

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When God is calling us to increase in our capacity to serve His body, there will be times when we feel as if we are being stretched in every direction.

Here are some great thoughts on stretching by Pastor Jody Andrews in our staff devotional time this morning.

S– Stay Focused. Don’t allow yourself to become distracted from the thing God is preparing you for.

T– Trying never gets the job done. We must determine in our hearts to press on toward the goals set before us.

R– Random accomplishments do not produce sustained success. Success is proven with consistent effort.

E– Easy doesn’t equal “shortcut.” Difficult doesn’t equal “door shut.” Don’t be fooled by your circumstances.

T– Teachable people exceed their teacher. Jesus said “You shall do these things and greater.”

C– Character matters. Your talents may get you on the stage, but only your character will keep you there.

H– How is your serve? We must continually teach ourselves to serve others.

Allow God to STRETCH you today into the man or woman he has created you to be.

Be Blessed!

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?

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