Worship

Worship is centering our minds attention & hearts affection on the Lord. Is Praise & adoration a regular part of your day?

Entering into His presence & encountering the vastness of His glory will stir us to respond emotionally and in actions. We get a clearer view of the significance of the fact that the Glorious God of the universe has chosen us, and loves us. We can’t help but see our condition rightly. Then like many that have gone before us we will fall on our knees, or faces, or lift our hands with tears of submission & adoration.

Worship is our response both personal and corporately to God for who He is, and what He has done. Take some time and think about what our response should be to God, who is Worthy, Holy, Glorious, Majestic, Powerful, & Wonderful. Can we even perceive the extent of His glory?

Since Worship is an intentional thing, shouldn’t we gather Sunday mornings worshiping already? Do you think that something special happens when the Lords people gather together to Worship? Do you ever think much about what it means to offer ones whole life as an act of worship?

Why do we sing together during the time we call worship during the service? What’s happening exactly? What’s happening to you? What kind of emotions do you experience? Do the words matter? Does the type of music matter?

“Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name. And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭13:15-16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Take some time to read Revelation 5:6. As you read it grasp the magnificent scene and what is happening. Worship is something we should want to do because eternal life has already started for us. It seems that worship is also a portal through which we enter into intimacy with Him. Jesus said we will worship in Spirit & in truth so let’s grow by proclaiming it with our tongues & lives.

To grow in the stream of worship we need to increasingly consider the depth & breadth of His majesty. Read again Revelation 4. Think about what John saw, and then, as you can, take some more time and just quietly contemplate the Holiness, Glory, & Power of almighty God.

 The Poor

One time a  friend gave me a print out of all the Bible references to the poor. I enjoyed reading through them, & seeing some consistent themes.

1. God wants us to be mindful of those experiencing poverty, to care about them, their reality, & our ability to affect. 
2. Almost all of the references are directed at the giver, not the receiver. 
3. Our being generous illustrates the loving generosity of God.
4. When we get this right, good things happen.   

Obviously these are simple observations of scriptures rich in context & meaning. But I find it helpful sometimes when dealing with the realities of poverty to remember the big picture. To remember that Jesus wants us to see that our hearts & actions are connected to the larger mission He has called us to.

I sometimes get asked if feeding people & clothing people for free isn't just creating & enabling dependence. Perhaps they are right in some instances. But here's the question. Why is there no mention of any conditions in the gospels for helping the poor? Jesus's words always seemed to be in the context of "just do it" why do you think it's like that?

Perhaps it's because freely giving & serving is the best illustration of His free Grace & Mercy towards us? Or perhaps it is because in a relationship, even a dependent one where there is trust, truth, & teaching for change can happen

Most of the people I have encountered are truly grateful for the help they receive.

I have also observed that If you bless people on the margins,  you will also bless the city.