The Power of Worship

It's been a busy morning, which is why I'm just now working on my daily devotional. So much for timeliness. Let's just say, ministry sometimes is done on the fly. On the way to one thing, something else comes up. I'm not complaining. I've come to expect it. It makes life interesting and ministry rewarding. But for those of you who were expecting a daily devotional, I'm sorry. There is a new link on this page for a daily devotional if for some reason I miss a day (which I don't expect to do, but I may be later on some days.)

Last evening nearly 40 persons from our church family gathered at Star Plaza Theater with hundreds of other Christians for a great concert by Third Day and the David Crowder Band. What an incredible night of worship. Third Day has created some of the most powerful modern hymns and worship songs of the past decade, and David Crowder's music has captured the heart of today's contemporary worship in his moving songs directed from our heart to the very heart of God. We listened, we clapped, we sang, we worshiped, we prayed in an incredible worship service that lasted nearly 3 hours.

Our hearts were stirred by these words of praise, especially this song. I love to worship, especially with contemporary music. I find it engaging. But regardless of the type of worship music that moves your heart, there is one element that remains constant, what we bring to it. The music can be the best, the words inspiring, the setting perfect, but if we don't bring a willing heart, an opened mind, a readiness to meet with God, we won't really worship.

I look forward to tomorrow. I always anticipate great things from Sunday's worship. Not because of the fun things planned or the message I get to give, but for the knowledge that God shows up to those who are prepared to see Him. How incredible is that?

And it's not that God waits for Sundays (or the Sabbath), but God is waiting for any opportunity to reach out to our waiting souls, through out every day and every week.

That's also why we worship together. One person's readiness may encourage anothers. One persons story or interaction may be the catalyst for another. A prayer, a song that's sung or played may just create the right circumstance for someone to meet God. Our interaction and our partnership is critical in this endeavor and others in the life of the church.

Paul told the Corinthians that, "you’re shoulder to shoulder with them all the way, your surplus matching their deficit, their surplus matching your deficit. In the end you come out even. As it is written, 'Nothing left over to the one with the most, Nothing lacking to the one with the least.'" (2 Corinthians 8:13-15, The Message) He wasn't talking specifically about worship but about the life we share together as a Church. Everyone has a place and a part and when we each fulfill our role in the church, all of us benefit more completely.

Together we make a pretty good family. And when we bring our whole selves to worship, God's presence in us can help others experience God, too. Our job is to look out for our neighbor, our friends, our church family because together, we're better; we're more complete.

Bring yourself and see what God does in you, and in those around you.

See you in worship!

Peace ><>
PC