worship

Worshipping Like Wise Men

December 21, 2020 by Ellen Leave a Comment

Today’s reading: Matthew 2:1-12

I can’t fib here, or skirt around the truth: I struggle with worship. Oh, I can praise God for Who He is: God of love, faithful, healer, jealous, provider. I can thank Him for all He does: answers prayer, protects.

But worship? If I praise God for who He is, how then do I worship Him? Because we all know it’s more than just singing songs.

So, I looked to the Magi.

They were foreigners from the East. Although the Magi were Gentiles, they knew what was written by the prophets about Messiah. They followed the star that led to Jesus.

“Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” Matthew 2:2 (NASB)

And then?

They rejoiced with great joy.

They fell to the ground in worship.

Finally, they presented Him with the treasures they had brought.

The Magi found great joy in Jesus. We can too, during this season. At times it may be stressful, but we can choose to rejoice that our Savior lives, and that He will one day return for us.

They gave Him their treasures. What treasure do you hold dear? For me, it is control. As I worship Jesus, I can honor Him with my love, and submit control of my life to Him.

The Wise Men worshipped Him. In a literal sense, this means to fall to the ground, to prostrate oneself. But I’ve also found a definition that is befitting worship of the King of Kings:

Worship is to honor with extravagant love and extreme submission.

True worship, in other words, is the priority we place on who God is in our lives and where God is on our list of preferences. True worship is a matter of the heart expressed through a lifestyle of holiness and submission.

We can worship by honoring God with God honoring behavior.

To worship Jesus, we can surrender our treasures to Him in love and honor; we can humble ourselves and bow low before Him; we can recognize His worth, and keep Him top priority during this Holy season – and always!

Points to Ponder:

*What are different ways you can express your worship of Jesus this Christmas? Caroling, giving, finding joy in your circumstances?

*For further reading: John 12:1-8. Mary pours expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet. What treasure can you lay at the feet of Jesus?

Ordinary to Extraordinary Prayer: Worship

July 28, 2016 by Ellen Leave a Comment

We’ve been talking about moving our prayers lives from Ordinary to Extraordinary these last few weeks. We discussed ways to warm up to prayer, getting into God’s word and wisdom from His word. Today, we’ll we’ll take a look at what we’ve learned and Worship our Savior in prayer!

Prayer is simply talking to God. So then, what if you’re not much of a talker? What if the idea of speaking to our holy and almighty God makes you tongue tied? What then?

PRAY GOD’S WORD
That’s when we dig back into God’s word. Take the scriptures you’ve been reading and pray them back to Him. In her book Praying God’s Word, Beth Moore likens praying scripture to two sticks of dynamite taped together. Powerful and explosive! How’s that for extraordinary prayer?

Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. 1 Peter 4:7 (NLT)
Oh Lord, help me to be disciplined in setting aside a time each day to pray. Holy Spirit, fill me with a desire to pray!

What attribute of God have you seen in a passage? What have you learned about Jesus in a verse? Use these things you’ve learned to praise the Father and the Son.
When He (Jesus) looked out over the crowds, His heart broke. So confused and aimless they were, like sheep with no shepherd. Matthew 9:36 (MSG)
Oh, Jesus, break my heart for the people you love. Help me to have compassion for others, just as You have had compassion and mercy on me!

Is there a promise to claim?
Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 (ESV)
Lord, I’m scared. This situation fills me with anxiety. But, God, I’m clinging to Your promise: You will go with me. You will never leave me!

PRAY WITH EXPECTATION
Each time you come before God in prayer, be expectant and anticipate that you will hear from Him, and encounter Him personally. Now, I know this isn’t always easy. I’m a “cut and dried, black and white” kinda person myself.

Praying with expectation is where our faith comes in. Our holy God is personal. He hears our cries. He answers our prayers. Expect that you will meet Him and find Him, when you search for Him will all your heart.
You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 (NASB)
God, I’m looking for You! Jesus, I want to see You! With all my heart I want to find you!

PRAY WHEN YOU HAVE NO WORDS
Several years ago, after my Mama died, I had absolutely no words. I continued to get up in the morning for my time with God. I read my Bible, and also some devotions for those who are grieving, but no words of response would come out of my mouth.
Perhaps you are grieving, or have suffered a terrible loss. It’s difficult to pray. Words just won’t come. You don’t know what to pray, and you’re hurting terribly.

At times like these, remember Roman 8:26:
If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He (Holy Spirit) does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. (MSG)
Sometimes the only prayer you can pray – and the most powerful one – is this:
Jesus. Jesus. Jesus.

Will all these things make you a perfect pray-er? No, not this side of heaven. But it will strengthen your relationship with God, Jesus and Holy Spirit. And it will change you. We worship God with our prayers. And when we pray, we exchange our human wishes for His divine wishes.

Lord, teach us to pray like this, that our wishes would be exchanged for Yours, and Your wishes would become our prayer.

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Grace be with you,