So...I've been pondering on what worship really is. Its all we really have to offer God, so I have GOT TO understand it, and do it right....
A while ago, I was OBSESSED with Romans 12. I just kept reading that one chapter day after day...and the part that I have a love/hate relationship with is in the first verse, NIV:
1Therefore, 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.
I love this verse because it says to me that God is not asking for the perfect voice, playing the perfect chords, and singing the perfect scales...He just wants me to be set apart to give my life to Him. Now, in theory, this is very simple. Just don't sin. Live for God. So easy....right? You would think so, but unfortunately I'm forced to face my flesh. We all are. Everyday we have to make a conscious decision to die to self. We hear people say it all the time, but the very act of dying to self is not as simple as those few words sound. Its a process, and a battle of sorts that has to be fought and won daily. So the part I love about this verse is that God just wants me; not a lamb, or a song, but me...He wants my life. Now the "hate" part of my relationship is not a hatred for the verse, itself, but a hatred, more so, for the aforementioned daily battle. I hate fighting this flesh and dealing with my shortcomings. The process is very humbling and very hard. Its also very worth it.
Okay, so i was veering off track a little there. Back to worship. So worship is living a holy, sanctified, set-apart life. That's what the bible says so its gotta be true.
Just recently i read Psalm 29. Verse 2 in the KJV says:
2Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
So, I've read/heard this verse plenty of times. But recently it has come to mean so much more to me. I used to always assume that this verse was saying, "Worship God; He is holy and beautiful." But recently the Holy Spirit ministered to me and my mind changed. Now, to me, this verse says, "Be holy because God finds holiness beautiful. To Him, that is worship. More than a song or lifted hands; He finds a holy life to be a beautiful thing."
I want God to find me beautiful. I'm actually desperate for His approval. Holiness is key.
Here are the lyrics to a worship song has ministered to me so much in this season:
Give Us Clean Hands: written by Charlie Hall, my fave CCM version is performed by Chris Tomlin...
We bow our hearts
We bend our knees
Oh Spirit come make us humble
We turn our eyes
From evil things
Oh Lord we cast down our idols
So give us clean hands
And give us pure hearts
Let us not lift our souls to another
Oh give us clean hands
And give us pure hearts
Let us not lift our souls to another
Oh God let this be
A generation that seeks
Who seeks Your face, Oh God of Jacob
Oh God let us be
A generation that seeks
Who seeks Your face, Oh God of Jacob...
Psalm 51, Psalm 29, Hosea 6:1-3
A while ago, I was OBSESSED with Romans 12. I just kept reading that one chapter day after day...and the part that I have a love/hate relationship with is in the first verse, NIV:
1Therefore, 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.
I love this verse because it says to me that God is not asking for the perfect voice, playing the perfect chords, and singing the perfect scales...He just wants me to be set apart to give my life to Him. Now, in theory, this is very simple. Just don't sin. Live for God. So easy....right? You would think so, but unfortunately I'm forced to face my flesh. We all are. Everyday we have to make a conscious decision to die to self. We hear people say it all the time, but the very act of dying to self is not as simple as those few words sound. Its a process, and a battle of sorts that has to be fought and won daily. So the part I love about this verse is that God just wants me; not a lamb, or a song, but me...He wants my life. Now the "hate" part of my relationship is not a hatred for the verse, itself, but a hatred, more so, for the aforementioned daily battle. I hate fighting this flesh and dealing with my shortcomings. The process is very humbling and very hard. Its also very worth it.
Okay, so i was veering off track a little there. Back to worship. So worship is living a holy, sanctified, set-apart life. That's what the bible says so its gotta be true.
Just recently i read Psalm 29. Verse 2 in the KJV says:
2Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
So, I've read/heard this verse plenty of times. But recently it has come to mean so much more to me. I used to always assume that this verse was saying, "Worship God; He is holy and beautiful." But recently the Holy Spirit ministered to me and my mind changed. Now, to me, this verse says, "Be holy because God finds holiness beautiful. To Him, that is worship. More than a song or lifted hands; He finds a holy life to be a beautiful thing."
I want God to find me beautiful. I'm actually desperate for His approval. Holiness is key.
Here are the lyrics to a worship song has ministered to me so much in this season:
Give Us Clean Hands: written by Charlie Hall, my fave CCM version is performed by Chris Tomlin...
We bow our hearts
We bend our knees
Oh Spirit come make us humble
We turn our eyes
From evil things
Oh Lord we cast down our idols
So give us clean hands
And give us pure hearts
Let us not lift our souls to another
Oh give us clean hands
And give us pure hearts
Let us not lift our souls to another
Oh God let this be
A generation that seeks
Who seeks Your face, Oh God of Jacob
Oh God let us be
A generation that seeks
Who seeks Your face, Oh God of Jacob...
Psalm 51, Psalm 29, Hosea 6:1-3
Bon, Out!
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