#608 Worship – Celebrating God

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Worshipping God in local congregations is often called a celebration of God and His worthiness to be worshipped.  Some Christians are hesitant to use the word “celebration” when referring to the worship of God believing the word lacks reverence; however, that is exactly what we are doing when we worship God, celebrating not only His worthiness but His love, salvation, and goodness toward us as Christians.  Celebration is not determined by what type of service we are attending; we celebrate God in the contemporary “praise” services, and we are celebrating God in the most reverent traditional services when we sing the precious old hymns together, pray together, read Scripture responsively, and listen to God’s Word preached by His servant.  When we worship we are taking our lead from the celebratory worship recorded in the Book of Psalms, best exemplified by the words of celebration and worship penned in Psalm 100.  Let us celebrate God in all of our services devoted to His worship!

Celebrate your God, thanking, praising, and loving Him for all He has done for you!

“Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, al ye lands.  Serve the LORD with gladness:  come before His presence with singing.  Know ye that the LORD He is God:  it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.  Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise:  be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.  For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations.”  (Psalm 100:1-5)

May God Richly Bless You Today

#606 Worship – “Worthship” of God

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

When Ron Allen’s statement, “Worship is an active response to God whereby we declare His worth,”[1] refers to God’s worth, this reference is from a derivation of the word “worship.”  “Worship” comes from an Anglo-Saxon word that was later modified to the word “worthship,” and then later to the word “worship,” having the meaning “to attribute worth.”  We will often hear of people saying they worship someone or something other than God, essentially saying that they place their primary sense of worth on that person or thing.  This is a very slack usage of the true meaning of the word; however, it also may be an indication of misguided devotion if they do place such a high worth on the person or thing.  God alone is worthy of our worship, ascribing to Him the utmost worth He so greatly deserves.

Who or what do you worship?

“Saying with a loud voice, ‘Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.’”  (Revelation 5:12)

May God Richly Bless You Today

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[1] Ronald Allen and Gordon Borrow, Worship, Portland:  Multnomah Press, 1982

#602 Worship – Going Through the Motions of Church

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As we look at worship it is important to realize that it is much more than going through the motions of church on Sunday mornings.  Many Christians who have dropped out of going to church say they are “bored” with church and have a desire for a more meaningful experience with God, not finding it in churches that just go through the motions.  Genuine Christians want to not just know who God is, but know Him in a more personal way, to put Him first, and to have fellowship with Him in corporate worship settings.  As Creator, sustainer, and author of our salvation, God is worthy of our worship, and the Holy Spirit speaks to us personally as we join in worship with fellow Christians.  As we learn more and more about true worship, we will experience more and more of the richness of being one of God’s followers.

As you attend your local congregation the next time, think about whether it is truly worshipping God in the service or just going through the motions of church!

“Stop bringing meaningless offerings!  Your incense is detestable to Me.  New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations—I cannot bear your worthless assemblies.”  (Isaiah 1:13 – NIV)

May God Richly Bless You Today