WORSHIP IS THE KEY TO A RICH SPIRITUAL LIFE
_______________________________________________________
“True worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship Him.” – John 4:23 –
Worship is our opportunity to come before God to give Him due glory, reverence and gratitude. The Father is seeking worshipers who actively honor Him with their hearts and lives. For we were created to worship. If our hearts are not aligned with God… if our priorities are out of balance… our worship will be directed elsewhere, away from our Author and Creator.
Worship at its essence is uniting in harmony with the true nature of God… worshiping Him for all He is and all He has done. It is an awakening of His Spirit within us. For we are not our own. We belong to God. His Spirit is His gift to us bought at the ultimate price by our Savior Jesus (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
How do we worship God? There are many ways both corporately and individually. Our music, prayers and thanksgiving offer Him praise and adoration. Time in His Word listening to Him speak to our spirits shows our love for Him. Enjoying God’s creation expresses our appreciation to Him. Doing good in this world brings honor to His name. Even our everyday lives and work can be a form of worship as we seek to glorify Him in all we do.
Where does worship of the Most High God fit into your life? Is He the One around whom your life revolves? Is Jesus the One who holds your heart?
“I need to worship because without it I can forget that I have a big God beside me and live in fear. I need to worship because without it I can forget His calling and begin to live in a spirit of self-preoccupation. I need to worship because without it I lose a sense of wonder and gratitude and plod through life with blinders on. I need to worship because my natural tendency is toward self-reliance and stubborn independence.” – John Ortberg, Evangelist
† Worship shifts our perspective from the earthly to the heavenly – We are lifted above the mundane… our day-to-day routine existence. Focus is taken off our everyday annoyances… our worrisome trials… our troublesome obstacles… onto our mighty, overcoming God. We are reminded that He alone has the power to bring about change.
“The point is not to completely understand God but to worship Him. Let the very fact that you cannot know Him fully lead you to praise Him for His infiniteness and grandeur.” – Francis Chan
† Worship offers praise to God for who He is – His attributes are measureless. Our God is eternal and holy, ever faithful and full of grace. He is transcendent and omnipotent… yet immanent and personal. He is sovereign and righteous… wise, just and altogether good. He is loving, compassionate, merciful and forgiving.
“Worship is giving God the best that He has given you.” – Oswald Chambers
† Worship offers gratitude to God for all He has done – His mighty works are endless. At creation, He spoke the universe into existence. In His light darkness flees, for Christ has won the victory over all evil. Fear dissipates in His powerful presence. He works mightily in our lives daily… moving mountains… performing miracles… and transforming us into a reflection of Himself. Our gratitude to Him is limitless.
“Jesus answered, ‘It is written: Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’” – Luke 4:8
† Worship awakens us from our complacency – Our desire to worship will ebb and flow. We may be immersed in this world, yet we are not of this world. We dare not forget our first love (Revelation 2:4). At times, authentic worship may pour from our hearts naturally. Yet often we need to choose to worship… to allow the Holy Spirit to awaken us to His wondrous presence.
“The heart of God loves a persevering worshipper who, though overwhelmed by many troubles, is overwhelmed even more by the beauty of God.” – Matt Redman
† Worship revives our sense of wonder – God opens our eyes to the miracle that is life. For He is our life. It is about Him, not us. Awe and adoration of our wondrous God wells up within us when we worship. He ignites our passion to reach out with His love to the lost… to point them to the One their souls truly long to worship.
“It is in the process of being worshipped that God communicates His presence to men.” – C.S. Lewis
† Worship refreshes and renews us – God draws us to Himself and encourages us. We experience a fresh infilling of His Spirit. He conforms us more closely into His likeness. His peace, joy and hope permeate deep into our hearts. In His presence is where we discover His rest. We are newly inspired to please and glorify Him.
“I can safely say, on the authority of all that is revealed in the Word of God, that any man or woman on this earth who is bored and turned off by worship is not ready for heaven.” – A.W. Tozer
† Worship prepares us for eternity – If we find our worship to be humdrum and uninspired, perhaps we have drifted away from God. One day, we will be united with the countless who have chosen Him in life everlasting. We will join in heaven’s worship… a glorious chorus of praise… praising the God of Creation, the Author of Life, for all eternity. What a blessed promise!
