Why?

Thursday, ‎September ‎22, ‎2022

Good morning, Lord

Verse of the Day: James 4:17 Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin

Memory verse: Romans 12:1: Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.

Today's reading: ECCLESIASTES 10-12 GALATIANS 1

Why?

God never changes. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. That is not how we are. People say, "I am who I am-I am what I am". This is not, however, how God wants us to stay. You will always be you, yes, but God's plan for us is to grow into the image of Christ Jesus.

People read this and say, "Well, then, I must change what I do." That may be true. But I believe it may not be so much in what we do but how we do it. This may sound odd from a man who encourages folks to do the same thing everyday-Read the scripture everyday by a plan-Pray everyday by a prayer list-meditate on God-write down your thoughts(journal); memorize scripture. All these things are 'what' we do.

So what do I mean in changing 'how' we do this daily time with God? It is our attitude. But- we must come to God and ask Him for more of what He wants us to have. We must want more. What does all this mean?

We have said the same Lord's prayer everyday for years. We have repeated the same things in our Sunday worship times together-the same creed, the same songs-we are taught to do the same things over and over. Even in the new, progressive churches with all the great effort to create a great experience, it becomes repetition. None of this is bad. To create an atmosphere where all are of one mind is scriptural.

This exactly is the point-one mind. If we are not to change what we do, we must change how we do it-with one mind. It must start at home. I contend that if we are of one mind with Christ Jesus in The Holy Spirit, any single individual can have as great an experience daily with Christ-at home alone-as they can have in the best of corporate worship experiences of today.

In fact, if your experience is not real at home, the great worship at church can only be that-at church. If we have to go to church to experience God, this means we must change the 'how' in our daily time with God. It is in how much we enjoy God in our spirits daily that we can take this with us to make corporate worship so much better. No matter how good or bad our singing voice is, the joy in our hearts encourages those with whom we worship corporately.

By the same token, the dryness in our hearts can also influence our worship together.

So, how can I take that joy with me everywhere? This is what God intends, right?

You know what you do in your time alone with God. If you don't, then make a plan and work it.

But the 'how' we do our devotional life is shaped by the 'why'. Why do you pray? Well, because the Bible says to. OK, but at some point, we must pray to the glory of God. We must serve to the glory of God.

Psalm 23 says, 'You lead me in the way of righteousness for 'Your' name sake.

We do a lot because we are 'supposed to'-'this is the way we've always done it'. Do we do any of it for 'His name sake'?

Jesus said,"When you pray, say, Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done..."

1 Corinthians 10:31 ►So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

God has done all for us-given all for us. Why do we do what we do? Our reason should be to be conformed into the image of Christ to the glory of God.

If your 'why' is off-If you do what you do to make yourself 'feel' better, at least your are doing it, but, ask God to change why you do what you do. Ask God to make it about Him and not you and He will. All He wants is a willing heart.

Romans 12:1: Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.

Worship of God, not self...

...because He loves us...

Father in Heaven,

Forgive me for doing it all for me. Change my heart to want to do it all for you. All Glory to You.

Father of all, God of all glory,

In the name of Christ Jesus,

Amen