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Psalm 63:1 – O God, you are my God, I seek you, my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. (NRSV)
What do you think of worship? Or maybe the question should be, "Do you think about worship at all?" There are many passages in the Bible that speak to the different facets of worship. Some focus on the aspect of praise, others on the idea of worshipping in community.
Recently, I was having a conversation with someone who does not go to church, but who professes to be a believer. She doesn't see the necessity of communal worship. "I don't need to be in a church to worship," she said. "I can worship God anywhere."
I've heard that same comment many times over the years, and I expect that you have, too. But when I hear, "I can worship God anywhere," the question that pops immediately into my mind is, "But do you?" I wonder if that person really takes the time to worship God in the everyday-ness of life. While doing laundry. While driving to work. While mowing the lawn or shovelling snow. While watching a sunrise or sunset. While putting the kids to bed or bathing the dog. While sitting quietly reading a book.
If I'm being honest with myself, immediately, I have to follow "But do you?" with the question, "But do I?"
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 – Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (NRSV)
It reminds me of a common liturgical prayer:
- It is right, and a good and joyful thing,
always and everywhere to give thanks to You,
Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.
For me, the key words in that prayer are "always and everywhere". There are opportunities always and everywhere to worship God and to offer Him thanks. Do I take advantage of those opportunities? Do I invest the time and energy necessary to worship God always and everywhere?
If I am like the psalmist in today's verse, if my soul truly thirsts for God, then I will want to worship Him always and everywhere. But do I? Do I make room for God in the everyday-ness of life?
Do you?
Prayer: Father God, please help us to see You always and everywhere. Help us to praise You with thanksgiving, always and everywhere. Help us to worship You always and everywhere. We pray that all of our worship and all of our praise and all of our thanksgiving will be acceptable in Your sight. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
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Tuesday, April 16, 2024 – In Peru — Please pray for this summer season at our beach-town home to be a blessing to the little Fellowship we have started and that the Lord would "add to our numbers those who are being saved".
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Thanks, Scott, for sharing this encouraging reminder to spend time worshipping the Lord. Blessings.
Thank you Scott for such a good challenge. May the Lord bless you as you continue to write and worship.
Thanks Scott for your insightful comments and questions !!I especially like the thought for the day ! Always a pleasure to read your devotions.
This is a lovely and thought provoking message today Scott. I am very familiar with those liturgical words from the Book of Common Prayer. Thank-you for sharing.
(Ontario)
Indeed Scott, worship should be a part of who we are in all we do and say and think, practice, practice, practice is the key. I am still working on it. Thanks for a good thought.
Blessings.
Dear Scott
Thank you for your thought provoking devotional this morning. Do I? No, not always and everywhere. I pray that I would. Amen to your prayer.
Dear Scott,
What a very through provoking devotional and very honest. Thank you for the reminder about building my relationship with God and Jesus each and every moment of the day. May you have a blessed day.
Thanks, Scott, for your insight on worship. Our whole life should be focused on worshipping our Lord and Saviour but as you say, do we? I pray that your message today will inspire many to lead more worshipful lives each and every day. Blessings
Scott,
Yes, it’s good to look in the mirror.
Thanks for the gentle reminder for us all.
(CA)
Hi Scott
this is a very good question. I would hope I worship God in everything and everywhere. But being human I also know I fall short at times. Like everything, there is always room for improvement. It is a question that gets the mind thinking for sure. I like it, thanks, God bless.
Dear Scott – your devotional theme fits well with the sermon I heard which is about the importance of being “in community” with other believers. Your question about whether or not we take the time to worship God in everday activities is a very good one. the answer, for me, is that I am trying to! God Bless you and your writing.
To some extent it depends what your life is like.
After I became self employed I started to talk to God a lot and still do. For me it needs to be out loud or in my journal. Much harder for those in a busy office or factory.
I no longer live close to a church so attend only infrequently and what I miss most of all is the community. I spend Sunday morning with my prayer journal when I can’t attend, but community is very important.
Thanks for your sharing.
Yes, I do. Everywhere and in church too, although sometimes it is harder in church. They keep pushing me along in the program and I am savouring a prayer or on the very edge of tears over the words to the song and they are on to the next thing. Mustn’t go over the hour, you know. And I have thoughts on the scripture, things I might share if there was any spot for it. Sometimes with another person after church over coffee. And sometimes I just go home thoughtful. I actually have noticed the little thing that jarred me out of worship (not kids crying) and if it’s a recurring blip I have mentioned it to the leader (as kindly as I could).
It is so wonderful though, to lift our voices together in praise to God! To hear the scripture read and expounded on. Where else would you ever get that? Next time someone says that to me, I think I will say to them: and do you? And share my joy. Of course, there are annoying people in church. Sometimes I’m one of them. So what? They are everywhere. Blessings on your day!
Thanks, Scott, for the good word.
A great challenge Scott and I must say I have had the opportunity to learn how to do this by an enforced medical problem wherein I have had to be housebound for several months. However, I can truthfully thank God for this as I have had the opportunity to worship AND STUDY and know His presence in a far greater way than I would have been able had I been active and overly involved as I was in my previous years.
He is good all the time and I am so grateful that this God is my God forever and ever.
Bless you.