Words on Worship

Do you remember that old Captain and Tenille song "Love Will Keep Us Together”?  It has a catchy musical hook, but the words ring true, as well, for couples that remain unselfish towards one another.  To live unselfishly and love lavishly, is to live a rich, full harmonious  life.  Even when we don't have much money or when the stuff of life just gets us down, it is love that keeps us together.  God's love, that is.  The kind of love that is patient and kind, that endures all things, always looks for the best, never looks back and keeps...

It's Valentines week, and yesterday we talked about how God loves us so much that He gave us His Word.  But then, the Bible tells us the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son."  If I want to tell my wife I love her, I could send an email.  But if I want to show her just how much I love her, then I need to be right there face to face. I need to show up! When God sent His Son to us, it was the ultimate display of love....

It's Valentine's week.  This holiday is celebrated worldwide by Christians and non-Christians alike as an opportunity to share our love to those dearest to us. We give cards, candy, flowers or even diamonds to display our affections for them, and us men might even try using words every once in a while.  But, there is no greater display of love than God's love.  He sent us the ultimate card...His Word.  So while love is in the air, let me just remind you of what  Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13.  "Love is patient, love is kind, love never gives up...

When I was fresh out of college I did several youth camps with Louis Giglio.  And back then, he gave us a definition of worship that has stuck with me all these years.  He said, " Worship is setting your mind's attention and your heart's affection on God…praising Him for who He is and what He's done." I always liked that because it reminded me that worship is something that involves every part of us…our soul, mind, will and body.  Worship is about who we are, not just what we are.  But not only that, worship is about whose we are.  We are His children.  He...

Practicing what we preach is a good thing.  But perhaps a better way to phrase it would be "practice what you think."  All of our actions start with our thoughts.  If our thoughts glorify God, then our actions will, too.   How we read the paper, watch the news, or interpret culture should all filter through our Christian worldview.  In other words, we should look at all reality with the mind of Christ.  So today, let's allow the actions of Jesus to change our view of how we treat others. Let's allow our meditation on His words to inspire us...