Who doesn’t want to be blessed? I could use a few today but Paul reminds me that Jesus said; “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” My wife and I have been listening to Pastor Rick Warren and in one of his recent messages he talked about finding someone who is going through more problems than we are to serve. What a key to blessing that is. Learning to give a blessing opens us to seeing and appreciating the blessing that God has already given us!
Praising Giod
Worship is a Choice
If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” Jesus answered, “It is written, “Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.” Luke 4:7-8
In the wilderness the devil came to Jesus and gave him a limited time offer, Bow down and worship and for a while I will give you all their authority and splendor. This immediate ascension to a seat of power required no cross no obedience and no difficulties. It reminds me of some of those furniture commercials telling us that there is no money down and no payments for a year. Putting off the sacrifice of paying for stuff is pretty tempting. We have a a choice to make: pay up now or pay lots more but way later. Jesus decided to wait for the right time and the right way and in choosing that path He chose real worship.
Temptations and the dark places of our lives are places where in practical ways we get to choose who we will worship. Worship is not when we are surrounded by friends in an air conditioned church lifting our hands to softy music. The best worship happens in the hard places and the deserts of our soul. We can give our highest praise when there is the highest price on our decision.
Worship has nothing to do with our emotions or rewards. Worship is based on what God has promised. Our choice to worship is about who we will trust and whose word we treasure. Will our worship be based on how it will profit us or, will it demonstrate our complete dependence on Jesus? When we choose Jesus and choose what He chose then our reward is sure though its value may not be seen till it is revealed by eternity’s light.
Have We Worshiped?
Were the songs familiar? How many people were in church today? What did our friends think about the service?
True confession time…all those thoughts made their way through my mind today. I sat in my seat, gave my offering and even sang every song. But did I really worship today? And if I didn’t worship then what exactly was I doing? As I get older I pray I would simply be more honest with God and others. Jesus told the Samaritan woman that God is looking for real true worshippers. Worshipping God truly must begin with being true, telling the truth and obeying the things that He truly asks me to do. When I really truly worship Him then He will really truly seek me and teach me how to worship him more!
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