Have you thanked Him?
Have you praised Him?
Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?
Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?
1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)
1-3The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.
Last night Anna (she is on a roll this week) shared a little from a book on EXTRAVENGANT WORSHIP from Darlene Zchech. For those of you not familiar with the spiritual leaders when it comes to the topic of worship, Darlene is on the Mt. Rushmore of worship leaders. She is a “good” authority.
And as Anna was sharing a little from the book as to the nature of our worship, it made me think of this little passage:
Luke 10:38-42
As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem they came to a village where a woman named Martha welcomed them into her home. Her sister Mary sat on the floor, listening to Jesus as he talked.
But Martha was the jittery type and was worrying over the big dinner she was preparing.
She came to Jesus and said, “Sir, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” But the Lord said to her, “Martha, dear friend, you are so upset over all these details! There is really only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it—and I won’t take it away from her!
Jesus reminded Martha and us and much like Darlene was sharing through Anna last night, worship is a state of priority.
Mary had discovered it.
Jesus first. All of the “tasks” second.
The more and more we make Jesus the center of attention in our day, mind and spirit, the better. Our worship is not limited to leading songs or exhortations from the pulpit. It is not bound by “our efforts” or busyness. Rather it is a state of mind and heart.
We are to enter in to the continual and constant presence of the LORD each and every morning and allow ALL of our thoughts, deeds, work, and efforts to be marshaled by Him. Then our “work”becomes less about the “what we are doing” and much more about the “WHO WE ARE DOING IT FOR!”
Jesus prefers that!
But the Lord said to her, “Martha, dear friend, you are so upset over all these details! There is really only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it—and I won’t take it away from her!
Mary was simply listening. She was worshipping! She embraced the “presence”
So when you pause to offer a warm cup of coffee to the impoverished at McDonalds, that is worshipping. You have embraced His presence; shared His heart!
Shovel the driveway of a shut in…WORSHIP!
Sit quietly while a friend catches some much needed rest in the hospital…WORSHIP… Presence.
When you, as my dearest friends David and Shannan did Monday night, pause and look up from dinner at Wendy’s long enough to notice the homeless girl in the corner and offer her our shelter that is worshipping. That is embracing the presence!
We don’t have to be overly busy “doing and exerting” as Martha was doing to “prove our WORTH and WORSHIP to GOD.”
Rather we can be as simple as Mary and listen and take all of our cues from Him!Remember all GOD asks is that our hearts and spirits be tuned to HIS leading and that our efforts EMULATE Him.
Ephesians 5:17
Don’t live carelessly, unthinkingly. Make sure you understand what the Master wants.
So usher in and embrace the presence of GOD today. Prepare yourself to WORSHIP Him in all facets of your activities and even in your times of rest!
Embrace the presence!
Exodus 33:14
And he said, “My presence will go with you…
For now, yes right now, is your TIME to worship!
Have a blessed day…
I love you all!
Freedom Church
Pastor GDelaney
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