WORSHIP

Does it really matter where I worship?

God's Response:

The Lord has rejected His own altar; He despises His own sanctuary. He has given Jerusalem's palace's to her enemies. They shout in the Lord's Temple as though it were a day of celebration.

Lamentations 2:7

[God says,] "I hate all your show and pretense--the hypocrisy of your religious festivals and solemn assemblies.... Instead, I want to see a mighty floor of justice, and endless river of righteous living."

Amos 5:21, 24

Our Takeaway:

Our place of worship is not as important to God as our pattern of worship. A church building may be beautiful, but if its people don't sincerely follow God, the church will decay from within. The people of Judah, despite their beautiful Temple, had rejected in their daily lives what they proclaimed in their worship rituals. Thus, their worship had turned into a mocking lie.

When you worship, are you merely mouthing words you don't really mean? Do you pray for help you don't really believe it will come? Do you profess a love for God you don't really feel? Earnestly seek God, and catch a fresh vision of His love and care. Then worship Him wholeheartedly--wherever you are.

Big T's Thought To Ponder:

Does it really matter where we worship? Absolutely NOT!

Quite to the contrary. God has no interest in being a part-time Savior to the men and women of the world. His greatest desire in our lives is to have ALL OF US, 100% of the time. Scripture instructs us to "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the Will of God in Christ Jesus for you." This doesn't mean that we have to pray without a break; walking around muttering empty prayers throughout our days and nights.

(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

What I think Paul is telling us in the instruction for our lives, is that we can actually live life here on earth walking (6) inches off the ground by abiding in His Spirit! He can accomplish His "prepared beforehand", full/complete life through an intimate, full-time, obedient and submissive relationship with Him - putting Him in the 1st position of our life.

Jesus wants His property back! He wants our whole heart, mind, body and soul on Sundays while fellowshipping and allowing the Holy Spirit to sharpen us through His Church Body. He knows that a Godly relationship requires commitment, one that is SOLD OUT Monday through Sunday... constantly keeping our eye on the prise, Jesus Christ our Loving Savior.

1 Corinthians 6:19 - "Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's." (WOW!)

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."

Psalm 99:5 - "Exalt the Lord our God, And worship at His footstool - He is holy.

Psalm 29:2 - "Give unto the Lord the glory due to His names; Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness." I could get carpel tunnel typing out all the truths and promises we have in Christ...

The Risen Savior wants our worship; fellowship; prayingness and uninterrupted attention throughout each day/night. Yes, at work...at home...at the supermarket...at school...the barber... on the golf course...in the theater...at the neighborhood social gathering... everywhere...

Ask the Lord to for brokeness and complere reliance each morning through confession and supplication. Ask the Lord to allow the Holy Spirit to be overflowing with inside us through our submission and desire for His Will. Take-time-to-spend-time; get transparent with Him and share from you heart. Get to know who our Redeemer is.

I call it, "Going steady with E.D.D.Y.".... We are to do it:

• Early;
• Daily;
• Diligently;
• Yielding...

We are free In Christ to worship Him wherever & whenever we choose to! Let Him have all of you today!