Devotion

Is Worship That Important?

DrJayCook Worship , , ,

Did you watch the Super Bowl over the weekend?  Many people were hyped up and excited.  They talked about it and cheered on.  It is a natural thing to do when you are excited.

When your team does something good, you want to revel in it.  When you find a great sale, you want to tell your friends.  When your kids accomplish something, you want to post about it.

But often – when it comes to God – crickets.  We do little.  We say little.  We let it go.

Here in Mississippi, worship is not a foreign concept.  However, it is not always what it should be.  Many of us see it as an event you attend.  Many of us see it as an obligation to check off the to-do list.  Many of us see it as irrelevant and a timewaster.

Psalm 92 is a great passage on worship.  It points out how good it is to praise and make music to God (verse 1).  It encourages us to proclaim His love and faithfulness which is proven by what He has done (verses 2-5).  It warns us that a wicked person who does not truly worship God is foolish and will face severe consequences (verse 6).  But a righteous person who truly worships God will grow strong and flourish (verses 12-13).

Where do you fit in this?

Worship is crucial, yet many who go to church never draw near to God.

Psalm 132:7 states, “Let’s go to His dwelling place; let’s worship at His footstool.”  Worship brings you in direct contact with the all-knowing, all-loving, all-powerful Creator of the Universe.  He wants us to draw near.  He wants to fill us with His love until it overflows.  He is why we can love others.

Worship can lead to great change.  Consider Paul and Silas in Acts 16.  Because of their faith, they were beaten and thrown in prison.  Around midnight (despite their circumstances) they began to worship God, and God moved.  God opened the doors – literally.

We are not talking about positive thinking.  We are talking about being in the presence of God and seeing Him move.

Worship.

That is my challenge to you.  Worship Him for who He is.  Worship Him because He deserves nothing less.  Worship Him because He can change your life.

I found the following book insightful. You may as well. Click the picture to find out more…

Are the Instructions Important?

DrJayCook Bible , , ,

Have you ever assembled something without looking at the instructions?  Typically, it ends in leftover items and a spouse not happy with the results.

We do not always want to do things in the way we are told they should be done, but we often follow instructions when we know we should.  There are lots of things we do that we may not want to do because we want the outcome.  Some do not like to cook and clean dishes, but they do it to eat.  Some do not like working out, but they do it to stay fit.  Some do not like going to work, but they do it to earn an income.  Some do not like to cut the grass, but they do it to keep snakes and bugs away and to help their reputation.

Many people see the Bible as something that is important but not fun because they see it as a book of instructions.  The reality is that it is a gift.

God gave us the Bible, so we can know Him.  God gave it, so we can know who we are on our own.  God gave it, s we can see how others faced life.  God gave it, so we can know what honors Him and help us live.

How do you view the Bible?  Do you view it like Psalm 119:97 describes: “How I love your instruction!  It is my meditation all day long.”?

Do you recognize that knowing the Bible can help you live above sin – like we read in Psalm 119:11: “I have treasured Your word in my heart so that I may not sin against You.”?

Do you love to share the joy and truths found in it – like we read in Psalm 119:13:

“With my lips I proclaim all the judgments from Your mouth.”?

The Bible includes instructions, but those instructions are to help you know how to live a life that is truly worth living.  The Bible shows us who God is.  The Bible shows us how God provided salvation to all who would accept it.  The Bible shows us so much.

Most of the time, instructions are important.  All of the time, the Bible is important.

I challenge you to spend time reading it every day.  I challenge you to be involved in a church that relies on and teaches it.  I challenge you to cherish the gift God has given us.

Consider the following resource to dig deeper into this…

Do You Have a Tissue?

DrJayCook Christian Life, God, Immanuel , , , , , , , ,

Our family is SO sad because our 14-year-old puppy left us this weekend.  I enjoyed walking my dog, and she loved it, too.  However, it was a little tougher with the COLD weather of late.

I normally am not one who has a runny nose, but walking in the cold changes that.  Suddenly, my nose thinks it is a running faucet, and I need a tissue.  I am not one to carry tissues with me, but when I need one, I need one.

And that caused a lightbulb moment for me.  How often do we treat God like a tissue?  How often do we fail to acknowledge or talk to Him unless we are in need?  How often do we forget that He is with His children – always?

We just exited the Christmas season where we sang about Immanuel – God with us (Matthew 1:23).  But do we realize it?

Being a Christian is not about agreeing with some code or creed.  It is not about having your name on a membership role.  Being a Christian is about accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior, and when that happens, He saves you and comes into your life.  God lives in you.

Consider what Romans 8:9 states: “You, however, are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you.  If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.”  If you are a child of God, the Holy Spirit is in you.

Jesus promised this.  He said (in John 14:17) about the Holy Spirit: “‘He is the Spirit of truth.  The world is unable to receive Him because it doesn’t see Him or know Him.  But you do know Him, because He remains with you and will be in you.’”  And the reason is clear.  Jesus made a promise in Matthew 28:20: “‘…And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’”

He is not to be treated like a tissue.  He is with you always.  And that should means something to us.

First, it means that He is at work.  God is still active and moving.

Second, it means that He has a plan.  He clearly wants you to be part of it.

Third, it means that we can trust Him.  He will never leave His child, and He loves us.

Fourth, it means that we should act like we know it.  Our daily lives should demonstrate that we are His and live for Him.

So – if it is cold outside, grab a tissue.  But as you live your daily life, do not treat God that way.  He already is with you (if you are His child).  Live like it.

For better thoughts than I had on this, check out this classic, beloved book on the subject…