Christian Reflection and Prayer

Discovering the Heart, Mind, and Soul
of Worship
by James MacDonald

Scripture:

"You shall love the Lord your God with
all your heart and with all your soul
and with all your mind."
Mark 12:30

Reflection:

On every page of the Bible is the idea
of worshiping God - that we are created
and saved to the praise of His glory.
But so much of what passes for worship
today misses that mark. WORSHIP IS NOT
ABOUT ME AND WHAT GOD DOES FOR
ME. WORSHIP IS ALL ABOUT HIM-
recognizing that I am for Him. I breathe
for Him. I live for Him. I spend my life
for Him. The essence of worship is
proclaiming God's rightful worth and
position. It's one of the reasons why
we come to church: to sweep the stuff
off the table of our hearts and minds
that have crowded out the central place
where He belongs.

In Mark 12:28, Jesus was asked,
"Which commandment is the most
important of all?" He answered:

"Love the Lord your God . . .
with all your mind." God wants us to
think great thoughts about Him. You'll
expand your capacity to worship God by
studying His Word. An element of testimony
is fine, but worship is singing to God about
God, and the place to begin learning about
God is in His Word.

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart
and with all your soul." When feelings are
dead, so is our worship. How would it fly if
I said to my wife, "Well, honey, this is
always the time to tell you I love you. So,
I love you. See you next week." Would you
agree that's not going to work with her?

IT'S NOT WORKING WITH GOD EITHER!

IS IT WORKING WITH YOU?

Prayer:

Oh Lord, I come to sing to You and make
a joyful noise to the rock of my salvation!
I come into Your presence with thanksgiving
and make a joyful noise to You with songs
of praise! For You are my great God. . . .
I kneel before You, my Maker! You are my
God, and i am the person of Your pasture
and the lamb of Your hand. (based on Psalm 95).