Worship

The term worship usually evokes the idea of music – the worship team in church, or worship CD’s, radio or concerts. However, it is far more than that … it is what you do with your life. Worship is both an internal attitude and an external action. It’s an inward bowing of the heart and outward displaying of honor. It is “reverential” on the inside and “transformational” on the outside. I believe worship is the gateway to freedom … spirit, soul, and body.

“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.” Colossians 3:15-17

When you’re thankful, it’s hard to be stress-filled. When you’re thankful, it’s hard to be negative. When you’re thankful, it’s hard to be bitter. When you’re grateful, it’s hard to allow the stuff that will weigh you down to weigh you down. Why? He says, “… let the peace of God rule your hearts …” The key is to be thankful. “Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to God.” What is God saying? The Word of God is activated in your life by the grace of God when you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. I especially love this part: “Singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

God is looking for true worshippers

“Take your everyday, ordinary life – your sleeping, eating, going-to-work and walking-around life – and place it before God as an offering.” – Romans 12:1 (MSG)

The purpose of worship is to get into God’s presence and set the atmosphere in our hearts and lives. Made in God’s image and according to His likeness, you are a spirit that resides in a body, and God designed your spirit to communicate with Him. Our spirit connects with God’s Spirit when we worship. It helps us acknowledge and give Him the glory He deserves … it helps us to Excel in the Spirit.

Worship God to Excel in the Spirit.

“But the time is coming—it has, in fact, come—when what you’re called will not matter and where you go to worship will not matter. It’s who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That’s the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship. God is sheer being itself—Spirit. Those who worship him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration.” – John 4:22:24 (MSG)