Tuesday, November 9, 2010

November 9, 2010

"Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me." Luke 9:23

What do worship and stewardship have to do with each other? Why mention them in the same context?

I remind you that I define stewardship as "godly life management". Stewardship implies that you have a responsibility to manage your life in a way that honors God and accomplishes His will for you and through you. When you do that you add value to you life and demonstrate God's value in your life. That IS worship!

Worship isn't DOING, worship is BEING! You do worship because you are a worshipper.

I came across this excerpt from an article about worship that expresses this truth:

In his article ’Celebrating God in Authentic Worship’, pastor Glenn Wagner (Calvary Church, Charlotte, NC) points out: "I believe that one of the most evangelistic tools the church possesses, one desperately needed in today’s society, is authentic worship. People want to know, first of all, if God exists; then second, can they relate to Him? If God exists, is it really possible to connect with Him in a vibrant, dynamic way? In genuine, authentic worship, observers see real people connecting powerfully with the real God."


"The outflow of a focus on God, a submission to the real Jesus, and an emphasis on ever-deepening relationships is an energetic, joyful, Spirit-filled, congregational worship of the triune God. Genuine celebration erupts when God’s people discover who they are in Christ. And powerful prayer arises from the hearts of those who have truly entered the presence of God." PreachingNow Newsletter, June 25, 2002

Authentic worship is powerful because it involves the presence of the Lord. When you consider the power of entering the presence of God for and hour or so - what could happen if you LIVED in the presence of God?

Again, enter stewardship. Stewardship is managing your life in a way that allows you to dwell in the presence of God! God calls you to steward your life in such a way that you can be a worshipper.

How?

Desire Him. Deny yourself. Daily follow!

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