Things Like That

Friday, March 1, 2025

Good morning, Lord

Father in Heaven, I seek You first-Your peace-Your knowledge and discernment. Build my trust. I take up my cross and follow...In Jesus' name…

Memory verse: Psalm 73:25-26

25 Whom have I in heaven but you?    And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.26 My flesh and my heart may fail,    but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Verse of the Day: 2 Timothy 1:7

7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Daily Reading: Exodus 27-28 Matthew 21:1-22

You Do Many Things Like That

I have watched over the decades the different ways folks approach worship. As part of a seminary class, we were assigned to go to worship at five different denominations and write up what we saw. We had to watch everything they did and report on it. Right or wrong, I have done this all my ministry.

I want us to question how we worship and why. Do we do what we have been taught by our ‘denominational writings’ or what we have learned from our ‘elders’? Do we do what we do because it makes us feel good?

In Mark, chapter 7, Jesus ends this statement by saying,

13 “So you are teaching that it is not important to do what God said. You think that it is more important to follow your own rules, which you teach people. And you do many things like that.”

So much liturgy(established practices-stand, sit, read, recite, etc.)-or so much man made stuff-big screens and productions. All of this is for corporate worship. I want us to look at what we consider personal, private worship.

Romans 12:1&2 tells us to ‘present our bodies a living sacrifice’-this is our spiritual worship.

This means that whatever we do, we do for the Lord-for His glory. One writer defines worship:

“The inner essence of worship is the response of the heart to the knowledge of the mind. (Then later says) So. true worship is based on a right understanding of God’s nature, and it is a right valuing of God’s worth.” (in spirit and truth, John 4:23&24)

We can go through all kinds of liturgy over and over but if our heart is not turned from the action to the supremacy of God from a heart full of Him, it is not worship. If we do what we do for a euphoric feeling that is just emotional, that is the only reward.

When our minds know as much as we can about God(at this learning stage) and our hearts exult and glory in Him in love and in spirit and truth, this worship leads to our obedient actions in God’s service.

We must learn as much as we can about God’s nature and experience His power in our lives and let our hearts rejoice in His glory and follow the Holy Spirit to lead us in obedience. Then and only then(I believe) we are worshiping.

So, if we do ‘many things like that’, meaning what others tell us to do, instead of letting God teach us how to worship, we need to stop and ask God, “How do You really want me to worship?’

He will lead us in this path of righteousness.

...because He loves us…

Endless perfect God, may Your kingdom come. Give me more knowledge of You so my worship is deeper in spirit and truth. Forgive me for not listening to You. Lead me away from false worship.

Worthy Master of all.

In the name of Christ Jesus,

Amen