February 6, 2018 Tuesday

“Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; For it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful. The LORD builds up Jerusalem; He gathers together the outcasts of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds. He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name. Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite. The LORD lifts up the humble; He casts the wicked down to the ground. Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; Sing praises on the harp to our God, Who covers the heavens with clouds, Who prepares rain for the earth, Who makes grass to grow on the mountains. He gives to the beast its food, And to the young ravens that cry. He does not delight in the strength of the horse; He takes no pleasure in the legs of a man. The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him, In those who hope in His mercy.” (Psalm 147:1-11 NKJV)

            Do you enjoy gathering with others in worship and celebration of the Resurrection on Sunday?  The Sabbath moved to Sunday to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus each week and not just at Easter.

            As a pastor I once heard the story of a man who got up on Sunday and told his wife he wasn’t going to worship today.  His wife asked why and he replied he was tired of the draggy music and the unsmiling choir.  He was tired of the people who were more concerned about what they wore than others.  As he finished his wife said, “But you have to go, you are the pastor!”

            So many times people tell me worship is boring!  They do not like the music, don’t understand how the service goes, don’t like being crammed in and worry that the service will go to long.

            It is somewhat humorous people will purchase season tickets to a sport they do not understand very much, are crammed in by screaming crowds and are not upset if the game goes into overtime.  And even the championship game for any sport is forgotten decades or even years after they happen while worship is training for the eternal worship service in heaven. 

            The point we most often miss about worship is that is God centered and not you centered.  IT IS NOT ABOUT MAKING IT ENTERTAINING OR COMFORTABLE FOR US!  Worship is about honoring, worship and pleasing God who watches over us 24/7 with a sacrifice of praise for part of one day!

            Have you ever wondered if God is pleased with your worship?  Do you care if God like the hymns you sin, or even more by how you sing them?  If you are bored how do you think God feels?

            Worship is a time to “love on” God who has loved on you throughout the week and indeed throughout your life.  Worship is a time to please God and confess to Him our dependence and thanks for God’s faithfulness. 

Worship is our opportunity to make God smile!!!

            Today is bad and I am so weary.  My mind seems clearer and I have been able to read better.  Mostly I can ready fluffy mysteries but I do enjoy them.  Bonnie was worried about my eyes exposed to so many screens to she got me some large print books to read.  God has blessed so much and I hope to get my new mask and CPAP machine soon since we got in so fast.