Friday, November 7, 2014

November 8, 2014

"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

Is your life "ship" shape? What is your state of being?

The "ship" I want to examine is "worship".

What is worship and what should I "be" to enjoy it? I think Jesus gives some clues.

Let's begin with a definition of the word "worship". It has its roots in "worth". To "worship" means to acknowledge and honor the "worthiness" of God.

Therefore, to "be" a worshiper means to be a giver. What does Jesus ask you to give?
Give your best. "Deny yourself", Jesus says.

Being a worshiper requires that I give God my best energy, my best effort, and my best focus. That means I withhold it from myself and my other interests and give it all to Him! He gets my first and I keep the leftovers.

How does that work?

My first thoughts in the morning should be directed toward Him. My heart is aimed at Him. My first hour is given to Him. As a worshiper I am being brought into fellowship with Him. I am acknowledging His worth and drawing value from Him.

Worship is not something reserved for one hour on Sunday morning. Worship is something I do 24/7 365! It is a state of being. I don't "do" worship but I must "be" a worshiper. I deny myself to honor Him. I offer my best to Him. I acknowledge His worthiness and draw my worth from Him. Sunday morning "worship" should be the gathering of worshipers who come together to corporately share what they have individually enjoyed all week!

Have you worshiped God today?

How will you have you acknowledged His worth? Have you attached your worth to Him?

Will you purpose to go to church next week not to worship but to go worshiping? 

Determine not to "do" worship but to "be" a worshiper!