Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Time to Pray!

"When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily. But wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability." Proverbs 28:2 NLT

Many are concerned, even disturbed by the condition of our nation. The world around us is in crisis. It is easy to withdraw or become cynical. But what should the response of Christ's followers be? Pray. Pray like never before.

It is easy to complain, petition, be angry, fearful, and discouraged. But we have been called to pray. We have been given the opportunity and privilege to petition heaven's intervention in this season of history.

Paul said; "I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior." 1 Timothy 2:1-3 NLT

Jesus told us to pray to the Father and ask that His kingdom would come and His will be done on earth as well as in heaven. Christians should take a stand for righteousness. But we cannot take a stand that is powerful and Christ honoring without prayer. Pray without ceasing. Pray with faith. Pray to the One who holds all things together.

"And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.” Jeremiah 29:7 NLT

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

He Took it Away!

"The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." John 1:29 KJV

In the days of the Old Covenant there was a sacrifice called, the Sacrifice of Atonement. The word atonement means; to cover, make reconciliation, pacify, appease, to clear, purge, or cleanse. The high priest would take two male goats. He would sacrifice one of the goats as a sin offering for the people. He would lay his hands on the second goat symbolizing the transferring of the peoples sins to the goat. The goat was then lead away from the people and into the wilderness, taking away the sin of the nation.

When Jesus Christ went to the cross He not only gave His life as a sacrifice for our sins, He took our sins away. For good. "You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross." Colossians 2:13,14 NLT

Let this truth linger in your heart and mind. God not only forgives our sins by the blood of Jesus, He removes them. God sees us as clean and holy in His sight. Many of us may believe that God forgives us, but we remember our sins. God does not. He does not love us in spite of ourselves. He loves us because He is love. His love covers and removes our sins from His sight.

There is complete and total forgiveness in Jesus Christ. Don't let the memory of your sins cripple you. Embrace the complete love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ today!

"For his unfailing love toward those who fear him
is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.
He has removed our sins as far from us
as the east is from the west."
Psalm 103:11,12 NLT

Friday, March 26, 2010

The Should & Should Not

"A man named Lazarus was sick. He lived in Bethany with his sisters, Mary and Martha. This is the Mary who later poured the expensive perfume on the Lord’s feet and wiped them with her hair. Her brother, Lazarus, was sick. So the two sisters sent a message to Jesus telling him, 'Lord, your dear friend is very sick.'

But when Jesus heard about it he said, 'Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this.' So although Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, he stayed where he was for the next two days. Finally, he said to his disciples, 'Let’s go back to Judea.'

Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask.”” John 11:1-7, 21-22 NLT

We as humans, tend to have our own preconceived ideas of what a person should and should not do. Sometimes those preconceived ideas are Lord implanted and sometimes they are ours.

When we put these preconceived ideas on people, they can tend to let us down. Disappoint us. Why? Because they don't care? No. It's because we think that pastors, friends or family members should do certain things and when they don't, we're upset at them.

That is what this passage said to me. Mary, Martha and Lazarus were very close. When Lazarus got sick, the sisters sent word to Jesus. Come, because if you come, we know Lazarus will not die--that you will heal him. And they expected Him to come right away. Because why wouldn't He? He's like a brother to them.

Is that what happened? No, Jesus didn't drop everything and go catch the first camel or donkey to Bethany. He waited two days. His heavenly Father had told Him to do something else. And this something else would bring more glory to the Kingdom than the expected response.

Because of Jesus following His Father's command, did that mean that He didn't support or love Mary, Martha and Lazarus? No. It says that He loved them dearly. Did it mean that from now on, they could not trust Jesus with their friendship? No. Sure, they could be disappointed with Jesus, but they knew that they could still trust Him. Martha said that if only Jesus had come when they had ask Him to, her brother would not have died. But she knew that even now, whatever the Lord wanted--it would be done. She still had her faith.

Please, don't put your preconceived should & should not ideas on other people. It's not your job--only your heavenly Father's. People are people. The only human that was perfect was Jesus Christ. Allow room in your thinking that if someone doesn't necessarily do what you think they should, if they are God followers, maybe they are doing what the Lord may be telling them.

And truly, isn't that the better choice?

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Confidence

"Praise the Lord!
How joyful are those who fear the Lord
and delight in obeying his commands.They do not fear bad news;
they confidently trust the Lord to care for them.
They are confident and fearless
and can face their foes triumphantly."
Psalm 112:1,7-8 NLT

There is a promise of encouragement when we follow Jesus. We can live in confidence. Not confidence in ourselves, but in Christ. We can entrust Jesus to care for us when bad news comes our way. Jesus not only cares about us, he cares for us. That's great news. The Lord of heaven and earth cares for you. Nothing is too great for him.

We can face our foes with fearlessness, confidence, and triumphantly. What is the "foe" you are facing? Is it sickness, fear, addiction, relationships, finances, depression, or someone trying to harm you? Jesus cares for you and promises to cause you to be an overcomer.

Respect, obedience, and trust in Jesus are keys to living a joyful life in Christ. Receive his strength in your weaknesses. Let his Spirit rise up in you and give you victory in life's assaults.

What is causing you fear? What bad news is knocking at your door? Give it to Jesus and live in confidence!

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

The Healing Touch

"Jesus reached out and touched him. 'I am willing,' He said. 'Be healed!'” Matthew 8:3 NLT

The power of a touch. God created us with the innate need to be touched. It starts when we are babies and continues until we are in our graves.

Jesus knew. He knew that even a man who had leprosy needed to be touched. In those days, once you were known as a leper, you couldn't touch anyone or be touched. Did that stop Jesus? No. He touched anyway. Why? Because He knew that a touch can heal so much more than just leprosy.

It's so simple--a bear hug, a brushing of fingers, a strong handshake, a gentle finger brushing away a tear, a kiss on the cheek--all of these are healers. You have the power. Have you ever realized that? You have the power. He will use you to heal His people.

Since God created us in His image, don't you think that He needs your touch? How do you touch God? With your fingers. By entwining your fingers and praying. By raising your hands towards the Heavens and worshipping Him in abandonment. With your heart--as you love Him in all completeness. With your lips--as you sing His praises with thankfulness and sincerity.

Jesus says,"I am willing." Are you? Are you willing to let the Lord of Heaven and Earth, your God, touch you? To heal you from your leprosy? He will you know--all you need to do is humbly ask. He will humbly comply.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Be Still

“'Be still, and know that I am God!'" Psalm 46:10 NLT

What an awesome sentence! There are not many words, but boy, what power! Be still and know I am God!

"Be still,"--how hard is that? Do you find it hard to be still? In this case, you know that to be still is not necessarily meaning to not move your body. It means to be quiet--to hold still your tongue and your mind--to allow yourself to hear the words of the Lord your God--to feel His presence.

It seems that we have to always be busy. We have a tendency to keep every single minute that we are awake, full to the brim with activity. Sometimes God has a special place or time that you have set aside for Him. But if you get too busy, what gets rescheduled? Does your hair appointment? Does your golf game? No, not usually. Usually it's that ever important quiet time with the Lord.

Why do we do that? Why do we put aside the one thing that we should value more than ballgames, dates, business meetings--anything? Don't we realize that without an intimate relationship with Him, everything else is hollow? That if--of all the appointments in our datebook we should NOT cancel--it is our appointment with Him?

Don't you understand that keeping your appointment with Him will not only strengthen you and your day, it will change your life? It will give you clarity of purpose, peace in your spirit and guidance for yourself.

If you can make sure that you have time for your family and friends--why not your most important family member and friend--Jesus Christ? His love for you is so immense--He ALWAYS has time for you. How about sharing the feeling?

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Potty Mail

"Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God." Ephesians 5:4 NLT

Does this happen to you? You open your email and there is a message from someone you know--someone that you know is a Christian--so you open it, looking forward to finding out what they have sent you--and what do you find? Crude jokes, naked women, so call 'funny' sexual stories about men and women, being unfaithful to their spouses. It's got to stop.

How do you handle these situations? Unfortunately, most of the time, you delete the 'potty' mail and never say anything to this person. They keep coming, and you keep deleting. Oh, these people may also send you wonderful Christian mail, so you can't block them because of the good stuff and anyways, they are your friend.

This has been happening to us for sometime and for sometime, we've been hitting the delete button. It has really been bothering me. And then today, the Lord brought to my spirit this thought--why? Why do you put up with it? You wouldn't let a stranger send this kind of mail to you, would you? You wouldn't let this kind of stuff into the house by either the T.V. or regular mail, would you? But because you don't want to offend anyone--you say nothing.

It's wrong. God created women to be loved and cherished by men, not to be pinups. How did God make woman? He chose the rib closest to Adam's heart to create Eve. He didn't pick the pelvic bone for a reason. God created marriage and the sacredness of it for a purpose--His purpose. To be honored--not to be made the focus of crude jokes or off-colored stories.

We need to, in love, approached the person or persons that are sending this stuff and gently--but firmly--explain we would LOVE to hear about how you're doing, what you're doing, share with us a great human interest or Christian story or joke, but take us off your list when you are sending anything that is what Ephesians 5:4 says.

I need to apologize to my Lord for allowing this to go on for so long. I have put the feelings of another human being above the feelings of my Lord. My Heavenly Father's feelings are the ones that should be number one on my list of who I shouldn't offend--not the last.

Stand up and make things right. Maybe you will help teach the other person what is wrong in the Lord's eyes. Then they can make it right with Him too!

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

To the Brim

"I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13 NLT

Being completely filled with joy and peace--can you imagine that? Can you imagine what that would feel like? How wonderful it must be. How completely freeing?

Do you notice how the verse starts out? It says, God, the source of hope. Not riches, not worldly goods, not fabulous looks, not how many friends you have on your facebook, not how many degrees hanging on your wall. But God. God is your source. God is your main source for every--and any--thing.

We complicate things--God uncomplicates. We search and search for image boosters when we have the very best ever right inside of us--the Holy Spirit.

With God, we, you, can have confidence to do anything. You can have the ability to have this amazing peace and joy that no one can ever steal from you--unless you let them. You may lose friends, jobs, worldly possessions, but with God, you can never lose your peace and joy--unless you let someone take it from you. Fight for it! It's one of God's most precious gifts to you.

How do you fight? With trust. Satan is so quick and ready to whisper downers in your ear. He mimics you and makes you feel stupid and unimportant. Do you accept these? NO WAY.

In trust, take Satan on. You know you can trust God and His everlasting support and love for you. Look Satan in the face and deflate him by using your Father's name in love. Just mentioning the name of Jesus will cause Satan to leave because Jesus' name is so powerful.

Be filled to the brim--please allow your Father to fill you to overflowing. You need to experience this amazing love and joy and peace and trust. It's all for the asking. In humbleness, ask and be open. It will be poured out to you to overflowing.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Simply Breath

"The Lord is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams.
He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to his name." Psalm 23:1-3 NLT

Do you ever have one of those days that it's not a bad day, just a draining day? A day that when you finally get home, you're in a safe place, and you can let the events of the day just out. Today was one of those.

That is why this verse is so cool. I know that a lot of times, people use this verse for when they are memorializing a loved one's death. But tonight, I read this and it hit me that this could also be used for the living.

Days, like today, that weren't bad, just spiritually and emotionally draining--is a day that the vision of a green, cool meadow, alive with the smells of warm earth and grass and flowers, a quiet stream, a gentle breeze brushing across your skin, the whisper of the Lord, letting you know that He's there, holding you in His arms--is perfect.

The reminder that He is our strength. It doesn't have to be us. It is through Him that we are the strongest. He will give us the strength we need to do what needs to be done, in His name--for His Kingdom. Even if that means that we have to make hard choices about situations that we aren't sure of.

All you have to do is close your eyes and just breath deep and vision all of what these verses are saying. Be still and listen--open your spirit up and breath out the bad and just feel the good of the Lord just fill you up. What peace! What completeness! Our God IS an awesome God!

Thank you Lord Jesus for being such a caring God that even the simplest of things, you take care for us. You ARE all that we will EVER need.

Monday, March 15, 2010

Fashion Statement

"Since God chose you to be the holy people He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience." Colossians 3:12 NLT

How many of you wish that your clothes closet were bigger? You have more clothes than you have space. It seems to be a symptom of today's society--in order to be considered beautiful, you need to be wearing the lastest fashion. Feeling bad--the perfect outfit will solve your problem.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if the fashion focus of the day was tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience? Those are the clothes that last forever. They are the ones that people will remember.

Can you imagine the reporters reporting that some movie star was wearing a stunning gown of the finest tenderhearted mercy that money could buy, covered with a special overlay of kindness and various hues of humility, topped off with a matching pair of gentleness and patience? Then imagine when everyone goes to buy the matching, 'hottest' new trend--what kind of world this would be?

Would there be anyone lonely with no one to be with? Anyone broken with no one to pray with them? Anyone that was in need with no one trying to help them? Anyone that needed to hear about everlasting life and no one to take time to gently lead them? Anyone that needed to be loved with no one to love them?

Sometimes, the most beautiful clothes are the ones that are being worn on the inside of a person than what is being worn on the outside. Sometimes, what the world sees as beautiful is nothing compared to what the Lord sees as beautiful. Trendy clothes fade, tear and go out of fashion--Spiritual clothes only get more beautiful, stronger and brighter as you wear them.

So, the decision is up to you--which would you like to be known for--a Spiritual Diva or a Fashion Diva? Don't be afraid to make your own spiritual fashion statement. You never know--you may be the hottest new 'trend' the world needs!

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Know This

"Know this: God, your God, is God indeed, a God you can depend upon. He keeps His covenant of loyal love with those who love Him and observe His commandments for a thousand generations." Deuteronomy 7:9 (The Message)

How many people in your life can you depend on? How many people in your life can depend upon you? With all of our good intentions and wishes, we will let down and be let down. Why? Because sad to say, we are human. We don't want to let down the people we love or to have people who are suppose to love us, let us down, but it happens--humanity.

Then there is God--your God. Your God will never let you down. He will love you with a love that is loyal and true. He will do it for a thousand generations. Why? Because He can not deny Himself. He created you out of love to love you. Can you understand that? Can you understand such a deep love? Can you accept such a true love?

To be honest, I have trouble accepting that. I have trouble believing that someone that is so perfect and so wise, can love someone like me that is so opposite. Because of my relationship with my dad, I always felt that I had to be perfect in order for him to love me. That I had to be beautiful, thin, smart before he would be glad that I was his daughter. My sister next to me was those things and they seem to get along just fine. So I strived to be those things--and guess what?--I never did become any of those things.

But as I grew, especially as I grew in the knowledge of my Heavenly Father's gracious acceptance of me and who I was--as I was--I was able to love my dad without strings attached. I was able to tell that I loved him and how much I valued him without having him say it in return. Because the Lord showed me that all people need to be loved and to know love even if they can not express it themselves--especially if they can not express it themselves.

My dad is a wonderful man. He is a great dad and I am blessed to have him as a father. If I had to be honest though, he let me down. Emotionally. This is what I am trying to say. At times, we may get our dad emotions and our Heavenly Father emotions all tangled up. We think that our Heavenly Father thinks and judges us as our dad did. He doesn't. No matter what kind of relationship that you had/have with your dad, it is nothing compared to the relationship that you could be having with your Heavenly Father.

Do you want that kind of love in your life? All you have to do is accept it. What does the beginning of this verse state--KNOW this....It doesn't say think about this or kind of understand this. It boldly states--KNOW. Know and ask and pray. Humbly ask Him into your heart and you will know what true love is all about.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Reputation

"For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God." Romans 8:14 NLT

As I pondered on this verse, I was reminded that it could be explained by the family fact. The family fact? What's that?

Well, if you remember when you were growing up, didn't you have to follow the rules of the family? The rules that your parents, or the adults in your home that were raising you, would hand down? If they said that you were to go to church every Sunday, no questions asked, you would. If they said to that you had to eat everything on your plate, and Brussels sprouts happened to be on that plate one night--you had to eat them. Didn't you?

As you were growing up, you wanted to please your parents. You wanted to follow their lead. You trusted them to take care of you and to have your best interests front and foremost in their hearts. Unless they gave you any reason to do otherwise, you trusted and followed.

When I was growing up, my parents had a reputation for having really good children. When we would go out, and whether my parents were with us or not, they would say, "that must be a Jay kid because look at how well mannered they are." People would want to hire us as we got older to do yard work or babysitting or housecleaning, because they knew that they could trust us to do a good job. We wouldn't take an advantage of them. Why? Because we were one of the Jay kids.

Now, please understand, I'm not bragging--we weren't always good--but when someone saw us, they saw well-behaved, brought up right and trust. We were led by the spirit of my parents and so we were known as the children of Mr. & Mrs. Jay.

The same can be said of your Heavenly Father. If you follow His lead, His rules, His life lessons, people will say, "Look, they must be a Christian." If you behave, think and treat others as He would, they will say, "I want to be with you and see what makes you different."

If you allow the Holy Spirit to led you through life and situations, you will be known as one of His because you will have the character of Him. If you read His word, if you seek His counsel by praying and listening, you will be known as one of His. Why? Because you can't help but absorb His spirit if you hang out with Him long enough.

So, whose child do you want to be known for? He claimed you a long time ago. He called you "my special child," while you were still in the womb. If you haven't already, will you call Him 'Father" today? Just open your heart and let Him and His Holy Spirit in.

Monday, March 8, 2010

Before You Knew Him

"The Lord called me before my birth;
from within the womb He called me by name."
Isaiah 49:1 NLT

Before you took your first breath, God knew you. You are the desire of His heart. Before you said "yes" to Jesus, He was calling you to Him. It is His idea. He makes the effort to draw you to Him. From the Cross He called you your name. It's His idea to forgive your sins. It's His idea to bless you. It's His idea to love you unconditionally. It's His idea to lay down His life for you.

When you didn't know His name. When you cursed His name. When you lived life on your own terms ignoring Him, He called your name. He intervened. He waited. He hoped. He loved. He loves now.

Do you hear Him? He is calling you. Will you answer?

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Right on Track!

"In the same way I was with Moses, I'll be with you. I won't give up on you; I won't leave you. Strength! Courage! You are going to lead this people to inherit the land that I promised to give their ancestors. Give it everything you have, heart and soul. Make sure you carry out The Revelation that Moses commanded you, every bit of it. Don't get off track, either left or right, so as to make sure you get to where you're going." Joshua 1:6-7 Message

There are so many ways that this could apply to today's world. You could apply it to a church with a pastor that may be doing, what some may think, as unorthodox acts. Such as taking away all the hoopla and just focusing on our Christian roots--prayer, quiet-time and worship by singing songs of thanksgiving, praise and love to our Heavenly Father.

As a side thought--you know, I was thinking about the validity of singing as a form of worship the other day and guess what the Lord brought to my mind? Jesus' birth. Remember when Jesus was born and a heavenly host of angels appeared to the Sheppards, praising God and singing, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom Him favor rests.'? Well, if God had His angels singing when His Son was born, then worship by singing must be pretty important, don't you think?

Back on track--this verse could be applied to your own personal life. We all have a life path that the Lord has planned for us. We need to seek it with our whole heart, body and soul. We all have our own promise land. The only way to get there is by seeking the vision, courage and strength of our Heavenly Father.

He will not forsake you. He will not let you fail--as long as you keep your focus on Him. How do you do that? Pray, pray, pray. Read the life manual He wrote just for you (the Bible) and seek wise, godly friends.

Is this what you want? Do you want to find your very own promise land that your Father has promised and prepared for you? Or do you just want to stay stuck where you are now? The choice is up to you. He's waiting and His arms are opened wide. Climb on in.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Heavenly Nuts

"In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father." Matthew 5:16 NLT

Those of you who are parents--when someone makes a comment about how sweet your child is, how well behaved, how well mannered--don't you just swell up a little with pride? Don't you just breath a little easier, thinking, "Phew, glad we got through that one!"

Because why? If your child was acting like a brat, throwing toys, screaming at the top of their lungs, someone would say, "Boy, wouldn't want to meet that kid's parents." or "What kind of parents must they have to allow their child to behave in such a manner." Be honest, you've thought yourself at times, when you have observed a child being obnoxious.

Isn't it the same with our Heavenly Father? Don't people judge our Heavenly Father by what we do or don't do? How we act or react? When we are good and kind and thoughtful, people say, "How nice, they must be Christians." But if we act badly, they tend to say, "If that is what Christians are all about, then thanks, but no thanks. Leave me out of it."

Right or wrong, we are judged as reflections of our Heavenly Parent. Just as your own child is judged as a reflection of their earthly parent. So, shouldn't that motivate you to be on your best behavior, whether in plain view or in a closet?

You know the old saying, "The nut doesn't fall far from the tree." So don't be ashamed to be known as the Heavenly nut!

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Step Aside!

'"You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and His rule.'" Matthew 5:3 (The Message)

You've heard this verse many times--"Blessed are the poor in spirit, theirs is the kingdom of heaven."--in the NIV translation. But I choose this translation because, at least to me, it put a new light on it. Maybe it struck a cord (no pun intended) with me because of my country girl background.

It's pretty blunt--to the point. "You are blessed when you're at the end of your rope." What!? You mean to tell me that when I am about to lose it--I'm suppose to be thanking God? Yup! That it is a gift? Certainly. That I am to count it all joy? Absolutely.

"With less of you there is more of God and His rule." Do you find that odd to hear? It's true you know. If you think of those times when you are totally at your wits end, when you feel that you are losing control--of your life, your situation, your emotions--that's when God can step in.

And isn't that the key? When we are healthy, when everything seems, at least for the moment, in control, when you are in your happy place, we think that we have controlled our environment pretty nicely. We can become pretty proud of ourselves, can't we? Pretty self-sufficient. There can, at times, be no room for God. Thank you, but really God, can't you see that I have it pretty well handled?

Don't you know that when we, when you, are at your lowest, that's when Jesus shines the brightest? That so many of His miracles happen when you are totally dependant on Him, and not on yourself? When yourself has stepped aside from the doorway to your spirit and makes room for your Father to do what He does best--make you complete.

You are your Father's child--stop keeping Him at a distance and invite Him in. It's a natural fit.

Monday, March 1, 2010

Just Songs?

"Shout joyful praises to God, all the earth!
Sing about the glory of his name!
Tell the world how glorious he is.
Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!
Your enemies cringe before your mighty power.
Everything on earth will worship you;
they will sing your praises,
shouting your name in glorious songs.
Let the whole world bless our God
and loudly sing his praises.
Our lives are in his hands,
and he keeps our feet from stumbling."
Psalm 66:1-4, 8-9 NLT

I'm amazed and saddened by the attitude many Christians have toward worship. Many Christians feel that worship is something to hurry through. To endure. Tolerated at best. They stand frozen gritting out praise, or flip through the church bulletin. I'm amazed and saddened by the same thing; they just don't get it.

Worship is acknowledging and thanking God for His great love for us. It takes us into His presence. The Bible says that God inhabits the praises of His people. God sings over us. The saints and angels worship Him in heaven. God is worthy of our praise and worship.

When you have a life changing encounter with Jesus, when you realize and receive His love, how can your heart not burst into song? Can you not feel His presence in worship? How can expressing love, joy, and thanksgiving be boring? How can glorifying our loving Creator be merely songs, music, something to wade through? I just don't get it.

I don't feel that worship is taught. I think it is caught. For me it's not just songs to sing--it's love to express.