Tag Archives: corporate worship

Prepare

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Genesis 16-19

This past Sunday in Sunday School we talked about worship, our responsibility and God’s acceptance of our worship. We agreed that our present day Church seems to have adopted a more casual approach to worship, more so than when we were young. We wondered if God was pleased.

Today I read In Exodus what God told the Israelites to do before approaching Him. And I was interested in what my study Bible said about 19:9-11:

“Moses was told to consecrate the people. This meant getting them physically and spiritually ready to meet God. The people were to set themselves apart from sin and even ordinary daily routine in order to dedicate themselves to God. The act of washing and preparing served to get their minds and hearts ready. When we meet God for worship, we should set aside the cares and preoccupations of everyday life. Use your time of physical preparation to get your mind ready to meet God.” (Chronological Life Application Study Bible (KJV); Tyndale House Publishers; 2004; page163) (emphasis mine)

So often we approach worship in the same way we attend a sporting event, high-fives and laughter. Some attend worship service with less thought than they put into going to a neighborhood picnic. Many churches have foregone a prelude because, either no one listens anyway, or it is deemed “traditional.” The worship service begins when the song leader, over the chatter and noice, says, “Good morning!”

Is that how you pursue worship of our Holy God? Are your actions before approaching Him important? The Bible seems to think so. Thinking about this today has me considering how I approach my quiet time each day as well. I am convicted.

Let’s prepare our bodies, minds, hearts, and souls for worship this week, and every time we dare approach God. Sunday’s primary objective is not to catch up with your friends. Take time to greet them after you worship. The primary objective is God, and only God.

As you shower, tie your shoelaces, drive the car, walk through the doors of your church, direct your attention to the important reason why you do those things. Take a seat, bow your head, quietly lay your sins at the feet of the One you are there to worship. Prepare your heart. He doesn’t accept our worship if we don’t.

Are you prepared to worship? Really prepared? You need to be.

See You In Church!

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Deuteronomy 12

God was adamant that the Jews go to church to worship Him. They were not to do their own thing, or worship at a more convenient place. And they were not supposed to stay home and worship Him there. That was because the Holy Spirit had not been given, and the only place they could meet God was at the place He chose.

I know we live after the cross. We have God’s Holy Spirit with us 24/7. I am worshiping God sitting in my enclosed porch this morning. But I wonder if we can’t learn something from God’s words to Israel about worshiping together with fellow believers.

The writer of Hebrews (10:25) tells us:

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another – all the more as you see the Day approaching.

The COVID thing has made it so easy to neglect corporate worship. Many of you are simply out of the habit of getting up on a Sunday morning to go to church. You might turn on a live-stream or TV preacher and feel you’ve satisfied God. And maybe you have. I’m not your judge.

I’m thankful for technology for legitimately homebound people to be able to hear God’s Word preached, to sing and worship along with their church family. But I think even they would say they are missing something important. That face to face, hand-shaking, bear-hug kind of fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ can’t be had through the TV. The writer of Hebrews tells us the “meeting together” is the encouragement we need during these times.

You may truly worship God sitting in your jammies in front of the TV. At least I hope you do, without distraction. Your attention to the service is no less important than if you were sitting in your pew.

But if you are one who is able to get out, and simply choose to stay home instead of attending your church’s worship service, let me ask you why? Are your reasons those that honor God? Or just excuses out of your own comfort and convenience? Have you convinced yourself you don’t “need” church?

God, in Hebrews 10:25, tells us it’s important as the day of Christ’s return draws near. And that was written 2,000 years ago. Could it be even more important today?

See you in church!

May 2 – Brotherly Unity

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Psalm 133

This psalm goes perfectly with yesterday’s Scriptures. When we realize that we are brothers and sisters as God’s children through the blood of the Savior, we should be united in our love, our service, and obedience to Him. That unity, the psalmist says, is like precious oil on our heads, or like morning dew. It’s refreshing. It’s energizing. It’s healing. And we who know the Lord according to Scripture have received God’s blessing – life forever. United forever with each other around the Throne of God.

Is worshiping God in a church setting, with other believers important? What does the Bible say about that?