WORSHIP

Tonight in our ladies study, we are looking at God as Creator and Sustainer.  We are almost done with "The One True God," a study of God's attributes by Paul Washer.  Having a good understanding of who God reveals to us that He is, should have a huge impact on our lives.  It will bring us into deeper reverence for God, give us purpose for why we are here, humble us, and bring us into deeper worship of Him.  These two attributes, God as Creator and Sustainer,  are no different.


Preparing for tonight, I did a lot of studying on worship.  Tozer says, "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."  He also says, "Without worship, we go about miserable."

Psalm 150:6 "Let everything that has breath, praise the Lord!"

I was thinking of some things that keep us from worshiping God the way He deserves, and what steps we can take to become better worshipers.  After all, "The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever!"  

Many people go to church thinking that is worship.  Church alone is not worship.  Worship is an attitude of the heart.  As my friend Karen put it, "Worship is a lifestyle." 

"When I worship, I would rather my heart be without words than my words be without heart"(Lamar Boschman).  Some may use the excuse that "well, I just don't like their style of worship..."  Again, worship is a matter of the heart.  It's not FOR us or ABOUT us!


Boschman says, "Worship is first and foremost for HIS benefit, not ours, though it is marvelous to discover that in giving Him pleasure, we ourselves enter into what can become our riches and most wholesome experience in life."


No matter the style of worship, as long as it is not unbiblical and the words don't contradict Scripture, one can close their eyes and focus on the Lord.  This gives Him glory -- even if you don't know the song!  I have learned to worship with modern songs and old hymns alike.  Worship is in my heart between me and the Lord.  Sometimes, it's just a choice to tune out your surroundings, close your eyes and focus on Him.  This can be done corporately in church, or privately, anytime of the day in my home -- to music, or not!


"There is a necessity for true worship among us.  If God is who He says He is and if we are the believing  people of God we claim to be, we must worship Him" (Tozer).


So, what steps can we take to be more faithful in worship to the Lord, who is worthy of all that I am, just because of who He is???


1.  Surrender.  Lay yourself down.  Humble yourself and kill your pride.  In private, be willing to get away with the Lord and tell Him how wonderful He is!  Any time, raise your hands to Him, as a sign of complete surrender!  Who cares what people think? Get lost in the Lord and worship Him without reserve!


2.  Obey.  We need to recognize that worship is a command.  Praising God is something we must do, if we are believers.  It doesn't have to look the same for any two people.  But we are called to worship, and Scripture DOES give Biblical methods in which to function.


3.  Pray.  Ask God to teach you how to worship Him, and to give you a greater desire to do so!  Then, open your Bible, and study worship!  God will be faithful to teach you!


Some practical things?


1.  Read Psalms to the Lord, especially those that exalt Him and speak of His wonders.
2.  Worship all the time.  At home in your closet.  At church with the body.  With music.  Without.  Ask yourself, is my heart giving God the glory He deserves?  Have I told Him lately how wonderful He is?
3.  When worshiping corporately, as you sing, stop and pray.  Verbally speak blessings to the Lord.


Remember, we serve the same Lord and are called to express delight to the same God which brought David to dance!  Creation is calling out in praise to God!  Is your voice joining in?  Do you regularly make a joyful noise to bring him Him delight?


Just think of all that God has done for you.  He CREATED you.  He sustains you and gives you EVERY SINGLE breath!  That alone, makes Him worthy of praise!

John 4:23 "But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him."

"As John 4:23 says, it's time, as worshipers of God, to give Him all we have.  For when he is exalted, everything about me is decreased.  So many times we stand in the way of really stepping into the secret place of worship with God.  Just abandon tradition and the "expected" ways of praise and worship and get lost in the holy of holies with the sole intention of blessing the Father's heart"  (Jessica Leah Springer).

Psalm 148

Praise the Lord!

Praise the Lord from the heavens;

Praise Him in the heights!

Praise Him, all His angels; 

Praise Him, all His hosts!

Praise Him, sun and moon;

Praise Him, all you stars of light!

Praise Him, you heavens of heavens,

and you waters above the heavens!

Let them praise the name of the Lord,

for He commanded and they were created.

He also established them forever and ever;

He made a decree which shall not pass away.

Praise the Lord from the earth,

you great sea creatures and all the depths;

Fire and hail, snow and clouds;

Stormy wind, fulfilling His word;

Mountains and all hils;

Fruitful trees and all cedars;

Beasts and all cattle;

Creeping things and flying fowl;

Kings of the earth and all peoples;

Princes and all judges of the earth;

Both young men and maidens;

Old men and children.

Let them praise the name of the Lord,

for His name alone is exalted;

His glory is above the earth and heaven.

And He has exalted the horn of His people,

The praise of all His saints --

of the children of Israel,

A people near to Him.

PRAISE THE LORD!