How Do You Worship?
Friday Feelings by Tom Penrod
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The devil will do almost anything to derail my attempt to write about our loving Savior, Jesus Christ.
As I started writing this story my actions to add a photo almost totally upset my cart; and caused me to stop writing and just sit and pout, but that would make the devil smile and give fuel to my defeated heart.
But the Holy Spirit will not allow me to be defeated by the evil one, in this writing.
I was surprised that when I asked Unsplash for a photo depicting Worship that this was my second choice. I was expecting a crowd at a football game or maybe people applauding a musician or actor.
But…
Does this photo depict worship?
The Holy Bible tells us: “At the name of Jesus, every head shall bow, and every knee shall bend.’’ (Philippians 2:10, Romans 14:11, Isaiah 45:23)
So…
When we enter to worship of God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit we enter with our heads bowed, and perhaps we even kneel as we enter His presence, just as the prophets of the Old Testament, bowed and covered their face in the presence of God.
And then…
We lift our eyes to the Lord in praise and thanksgiving for all the wonderous gifts He gives us every day. And as we raise our eyes to sing; we also, stand and raise our hands in a gesture to receive His gifts.
But we don’t just receive His gifts, with our open arms we extend His gifts to our neighbor. Sometimes just a smile and a warm welcome to God’s sanctuary. But more times we extend God’s gifts when we meet a friend on the street saying, “God bless you” and we extend God’s gifts when we help someone in their time of need.
Therefore…
Worship begins with reverence in the presence of our God. We are human, we are sinners, and we deserve God’s punishment, so we enter His presences with humility. But, Our Loving Father, has mercy and grace on us, and showers us with gifts. Gifts of forgiveness and salvation, through His dear Son, Jesus. Gifts of peace and hope and love through the power of the Holy Spirit. And as we receive these gifts we raise our eyes, hearts, and hands to Him in Thanks and Praise.
With these open arms we invite all God’s people to sing His Praise.
Tom Penrod is a preacher and ranch hand in fly over country USA.
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