In the Silence of Worship

We often think of worship as something we do, sing or listen to. But as I was reading my Bible this morning I came across Psalm 105 where David lists nine attributes of a worshipper. At first He talks about the kind of worship we are all familiar with such as singing about how great God is and making sure everyone hears. But then David goes on to list four things we do in silence.

Psalm 105:3-4 Glory in His name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Look to the Lord and His strength. Seek His face always.

In this Covid-19 year with just two days remaining till Thanksgiving it can be a struggle to focus on being truly grateful. When I came across this morning’s verse and was encouraged I saw that four silent acts of faith that matter far more to God than all the noise coming from our mouths or instruments. Today we will look at just the first two.

Glory in His Holy name – So is that like the Pentecostal church we visited years ago where we were startled by someone who suddenly stood up and shouted “Glory!”? Does it mean saying, “God is good!” when we’re in church? Or just maybe glorying in His name means something looking forward expectantly to seeing God’s glory in every small thing of my day. Those silent moments of worship are like what Jesus said about the kingdom of God being a small seed that grows into the largest plant in the garden.

Let the hearts of those who seek your face rejoice – Genuine rejoicing lips are rooted in honest rejoicing hearts. You might wonder if seeking God’s face isn’t like a religious game of hide and seek with the Almighty. No! NO! He wants us to find Him just as my wife delighted in hiding baskets filled with chocolates and colored eggs for our children to find on Easter morning. But our children had to be seeking. They had to read and follow the clues she left behind on tiny folded pieces of paper. As they raced from place to place their excitement grew till suddenly behind a doorway or inside a closet they each joyfully found what they had been looking for! Do you have a joyful testimony of something you discovered this year as you spent some of that extra Covid-19 time on seeking His face?

If it has been a struggle to set aside quiet time to just sit in the presence of God and seek Him I hope this music from Eric Terlizzi which I loved to listen to while I prayed some years back may be a blessing to you as well.

My Story & Faith with YoungMin You

Some of you may never have watched YoungMin You play his piano but his life’s story and powerful Christian testimony will still impact you heart. I rarely post long videos but this so touched and encouraged me that I’m posting it today for you. May God bless us all as with His help we do what He has called us to do. No lockdown, quarantine or social chaos can separate us from His love!

In Everything Give Thanks

Most of us know that we need to be thankful in every situation. But maybe we try and fail sometimes because we forget that thankfulness that is only once piece of a big puzzle. Finding where it will fit in our lives includes reading what comes before the well known verse in Thessalonians.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Be joyful always. Pray continually. Give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Wow! That all sounds like a pretty tall order in 2020 as some of us are wondering if they’ll even let us sit down at the table with our own families. But God never intended to simply leave off a few instructions for us to do and then leave town. No Jesus is right here with us and we can begin rejoicing when we remember that he came. Then we can pray because He gave us His Holy Spirit who is teaching us how to pray every day. And now we can give thanks because no matter what…Jesus loves me this I know. For the Bible tells me so!!

I hope you like the video for this coming week. I break into the Christmas carol bin for Joy to the World. How Great Thou Art seemed appropriate as we remember God’s goodness even in what seems a horrible year and Jesus Loves Me is always my own go-to song whenever I am facing confusing or difficult times. I know He is always by my side and that no matter how old I get, I am still His child!! Be blessed. Have a great week-end everybody!