Displaying items by tag: Worship Reflection - Disciples Today

Friday, 22 February 2013 16:29

Worship Directions - Singing Inward!

“Praise the LORD, O my soul." Psalm 104:1

“All my inmost being – praise his holy name!” Psalm 103:2

"March on, my soul; be strong!" Judges 5:21

Did you ever hear a song leader encourage the church before a specific song “The lyrics of this song are a prayer – It’s a great song for us to speak directly to God!”? “O Lord prepare me, to be a sanctuary..”

Or maybe – “Look someone in the eye as we sing with this song! Let’s encourage one another”? “Rise up O Men of God!”

These are examples of worship lyrics that are primarily “Vertical” or “Horizontal” in nature. With one the communication is directed to God. In the latter, it is directed towards one another.

Published in Worship

Sunday, 10 March 2013 16:30

All of Life is Worship - Part V of Lord's Prayer Studies

As we continue to reflect on worship in the Lord's prayer, we will deepen our appreciation of the truths found in this submissive request... "Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." Matthew 6:10

A quiet time tool for you to dig into the scriptures is included as well in this study.

If we truly pray this prayer, that God's will be done just as it is done in heaven, our lives will grow in humility and obedience. Did you ever stop and reflect how heavenly beings do God's will? Angels are quick and submissive - and they do God's will with humility and awe. (That is a different quiet time!) Worship helps people to center on our Holy God's praiseworthiness. Everything we do is to be done because of and for God's infinte worth! Worship puts our unworthiness in

to a healthy perspective where can appreciate God's goodness and grace.

Our flesh is so self-sufficient and prideful that God's people need to constantly feed truth about God's glory and holiness to their minds and hearts. Personally, it helps keep me on the narrow path as life goes on. We are here to glorify God. The most ancient texts in the Bible bring people back to this truth as well: Jeremiah captured this truth well when he said, "Consider then and realize how evil and bitter it is for you when you forsake the Lord your God and have no awe of me, declares the Lord, the Lord Almighty.” Jeremiah 2:19

Looking at worship through the words of Christ is a simple rewarding Bible study. In Part 1 we looked at God as OUR FATHER>> Part 2 explored the idea of COMMUNAL GROUP WORSHIP>>. Part 3 was an extensive look at the dozens of scriptures addressing the FEAR OF THE LORD>>, And Part 4 looked at the Kingdom of God - designed to bring GOD TO THE WORLD>> In this Bible study, the Lord would like us to deepen our conviction that all activities we do are a means to honor him.

“Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

What do you think while you pray this phrase to God?

It should be something like “Lord, let what happens on earth, be in accordance with your will in heaven.”

In context of “Your kingdom come” we are humbly recognizing God as Lord of heaven and earth.

For me, the goal of the prayer is my obedience to God’s will for my life. It can be “God’s revealed will” from direct commands of scripture or “God’s Sovereign will” from surrender to circumstances and divine providence.

In either case, God is glorified by our surrendered heart and obedience. Look at these scriptures about doing God’s will that reveal that the Lord is glorified by our deeds. Remember however, that what we do outwardly is only pleasing to God based on who we are inwardly. In this quiet time we will emphasize and look for the worship noted. If we are truly worshiping God from humble hearts, who we are on the inside will be aligned under the supreme worth of God. This quiet time is a good tool for you to dig on your own and note what you learn... Click HERE>>> for a printable version.

Scripture	God’s Will	How is God glorified? (Fill in)
Proverbs 14:31	Helping the Poor	i.e. Honor your God
John 15:8	Bearing Much Fruit
1 Corinthians 10: 31	Having a meal
2 Corinthians 4:15	Evangelism
Romans 12:12	Praying Faithfully
Leviticus 19:32	Respecting the Elderly
2 Corinthians 9:12-13	Sharing with Others in Need
Matthew 5:16	Shining your light
John 8:54	Displaying Humility
Psalm 130:4,	Forgiveness
Romans 12:6	Using Your gifts
Isaiah 38:19-20	Playing Music
Matthew 25:38, Romans 12:13	Hospitality
2 Corinthians 8:19	Serving the church
Psalm 85:9, Revelation 14:7	Fearing God
Proverbs 15:16	Contentment in non-materialistic living
Romans 13:1-7	Submission to Government
Psalm 30:1-2, Psalm 34:4-7	Perseverance in Trial
Phillipians 2:11, Hebrews 13:15	Confessing Jesus is Lord
Joshua 7:19	Confessing our sins
Romans 11:33 - 12:2	Offering our lives to God
1 Peter 4:16	Being persecuted for Jesus
Romans 15:5-6	Unity with others in the church
Psalm 13:5, 1 Timothy 1:12	Trusting in God’s power
Isaiah 24:1-16	When God's justice prevails
Proverbs 3:9-10	Financial Giving
Romans 14:8	Living and Dying
Luke 17:18	Displaying Gratitude
I Samuel 6:5	See your sin as it really is

Editor's Note: A similar quiet time idea is to read Romans 11:33-36 and 12:1-21 and list the deeds that are noted there as examples of being a living sacrifice, our spiritual worship.

All of life is worship! We live in the kingdom of God and all is for the King's glory!!

If something as basic as eating and drinking is a way to glorify God, certainly all of life is worship.Opportunities to worship God are present 24/7 365 days a year. Do God's will, "whether you eat or drink" in light of and for God's infinte worth! Honor him, for the ability we have to "live and move and have our being" comes only from him. Hold your breath

for a minute and realize you breathed 99.999999% of all other times in your life by the gracious hand of God! Worship puts our unwo

rthiness into a healthy perspective where we can appreciate God's unfathomable worth!

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:17

"Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven"

Click here for Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4

In Christ -

Jerry Maday

Worcester, MA

jerrymaday(@)gmail.com

worcesterchurch.org

Published in Quiet Times

Sunday, 31 July 2011 22:24

Worship in the Lord's Prayer: Part 3

The "fear of the Lord" is a theme seldom looked at as a type of worship. It is a topic Jesus introduces in the Lord's prayer with these 4 words: "Hallowed Be Your Name."

Published in Digging Deeper

Thursday, 13 October 2005 22:00

The Arts Reflect the Beauty of God

Message From the New Arts Editor for Disciples Today

Published in The Arts

Friday, 27 August 2010 00:46

God’s Love Heard and Seen in His Design of Music

In the Bible, our loving Lord is revealed as a builder, an architect, the creator, a carpenter, a potter, a weaver and the galaxy maker. Even in a tiny strand of DNA, design is in the heart of its structure.

“How many are your works, O LORD! In wisdom you made them all…” Psalm 104:24

Published in Christian Evidences

Saturday, 20 February 2010 03:05

To God's Ears, Humility Sings

As you come to him, the living Stone - rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him - you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." I Peter 2:4-5

Published in Worship

Friday, 25 December 2009 21:00

Psalm 2: Sing of the King's Son - Jesus

What a beautiful Messianic Psalm. It carries a divine, Davidic message to mankind; The Messiah is coming to rule over us. He is worthy of our worship! "Prayer for Boldness" from Acts 4:25 is based on this Psalm's opening text. Here is a short exposition and a vocal arrangement for your personal reflection on Christ's majesty.