Word of the Week - Worship

Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks. John 4:23

God makes it very clear throughout scripture that He loves it when we His children Worship Him.  “He inhabits the praise of His people.”  Psalm 22:3  The word Worship in the Greek is “Proskuneo” which means to literally kiss the hand of the master or bow down in awe.  The picture that my pastor recently shared that was so relatable for me was the picture of a dog running up to its master at the end of the day and jumping up with excitement to greet his/her master and desiring to lick its master because it is so happy to see him and be in his presence.  I have awesome German Wirehair pointer named Kira who points birds and retrieves ducks.  I think God is so amazing that He created hunting dogs😊.  I love my dog Kira for many reasons but mostly because every day when I come home in the evenings she is always joyfully excited to see me and desires to jump on my lap and lick me in her excitement.  This analogy gives me insight into why it deeply pleases the Lord when we praise and worship Him with everything we have, heart, soul, mind and body.Throughout the bible there are stories of God showing up and doing miracles in response to worship.  Here are two examples:

• Jehoshaphat Victory over their enemy – As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and there enemy was defeated. 2 Chronicles 20:22 God will go ahead of us to fight our battles as we focus on praising and worshipping Him in spirit.
• Paul and Silos Freed from Prison  – About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.  Suddenly there was a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken.  At once all of the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose”  Acts 16: 25-26  In our darkest times of life as we are walking through the valley of tears if we turn to God in praise and worship He will bring us hope, life and freedom.

So what does it look like to worship God?  “Love the Lord your God with all of your heart and with all of your soul and with all of your mind” Matthew 22:37

• Worship is simply an expression of our love for God  We worship by expressing our love and affection for God.  If we really love God and understand what He has done for us through our Lord Jesus, we will enthusiastically express our love toward Him in our worship.  Singing, dancing and raising our hands in excitement is analogous to us jumping up to lick the hands of our master.  “Then David danced before the Lord with all his might; and David was wearing a linen ephod” 2 Samuel 6:14
• Worship is focusing our mind and thoughts on God  We worship by placing our focus and attention towards God and making Him a priority in our thoughts each day.  Meditating on God and His word day and night.  Giving Him our First Fruits – the First and best of our time, energy and resources.  Practically making God the first thought of our day and pursuing Him first thing each morning is an expression of Worship.  “Worship the Lord with your wealth and the firstfruits of all of your produce” Proverbs 3:9  Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce;
• Worship is how we spend our time, money and energy  I once heard it said that we can know a person’s heart and priority by where they spend their time and money.  We Worship God by using what He has given us to bless Him and show our love toward Him and others.  How much of our time, money and energy do we invest toward God to show our love and thanksgiving.  This is true Worship.  “Seek first the kingdom and His righteousness and all things will be added unto you” Matthew 6:33

“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.  Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God.  It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture.  Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name.  For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.” Psalm 100Have a great week.-Duane