Wednesday, January 11, 2017

January 12, 2017

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:1-2

Romans 12 is such a gold mine of spiritual truths! The more you dig the more you find.

As I was looking over verses one and two I noticed it gives a great picture of what powerful worship looks like.

Powerful worship begins with sacrifice. Worship involves offering something of worth. How else can you express the worth you find in God but to give something you value the most. Paul says to offer your body, yourself as a living sacrifice.

In ancient days no one could come into the presence of royalty without an offering. How can you enter into the presence of the King of Kings without offering your best - yourself. Worship is not a casual event. Here Paul reminds you that when you enter in you must be all in!

Coming into God's presence fully surrendered allows God to respond to your worship. When you consecrate yourself to Him He moves upon your heart and mind with His Spirit. The result is a transformed mind and a renewed heart. God cleanses the sin that had separated you and allows you to experience intimate spiritual fellowship with Him. THAT IS WORSHIP!

Authentic worship is transformational. When you sincerely worship and when you actually meet God, you will never be the same. The result of a renewed heart and transformed mind is the ability to hear from God! God can now trust you with new truths and deeper revelations. You leave worship a different person than when you came.

Is that how you worship or are you a "casual" worshiper?

Do you consecrate yourself to God when you come to worship? Do you come with an attitude of "getting something from God" or do come to give something to God?

Are you the same person you where before you worshiped or do you allow God to change you? Will you offer yourself completely to God today?