Pure Praise: Day 1 Worship is a Way of Life

Join me and many others in this 6 week study online hosted by The Worship Community.

When faced with the overwhelming reality of an invading horde, Jehoshaphat (a king of Israel) was instructed by God (through a prophetic word given by Jahaziel) to send out the “Worshipers” ahead of the army. In doing so, Jehoshaphat trusted the wisdom of God, which seemed to be utter foolishness. Long story short, as the worshipers began to sing, dance, and praise God, the invading armies were defeated by confusion caused by “ambushes” set by God himself.

One of my favorite quotes from this study is this:

People have asked me, “isn’t the Christian life really just a bunch of ‘Thous shalt nots’?” To which I reply, “No, the Christian life is actually one big ‘Thou shalt’…love God.” It’s really simple: Worship him completely.

So what does this kind of worship look like in everyday life?

1. It has nothing to do with singing or music…though I love to worship God with song.
2. For me, it’s about keeping my thought-life aligned with God’s “rhythm” each day. To do that I have to LISTEN for His leading and His voice. I can’t just be mindlessly going through the day. It’s an intentional effort to be in a constant state of “responding to God.”
3. Having an ongoing conversation with God (for me) is the best way to stay in tune with His leading.
4. I try to start my day with a little quiet time (reading scripture, praying, listening) and throughout the day I pause momentarily to “listen.”

Is it really possible to worship God when you’re at home or school or work?

1. Yes, it is. Since worship is all about our heart’s response to him (and NOT only about the things we do)…it’s a simple equation. A heart turned towards God = a life of worship. If we make an effort to turn towards Him daily, then our daily lives will be lives of worship. That includes at home, school, work, and anywhere else you might go.

How can even your simplest and most common tasks bring honor and worship to God?

1. Again, it’s not necessarily the task that brings the honor and worship to God, but the heart behind the task. If I go and cut my neighbor’s grass as an offering of kindness, but I do it because my wife said I had to or else she’d never kiss me again, then the “kindness” isn’t truly their. Though, on the outside I might have a veneer of kindness, it’s my heart and motivation that makes the task kind or unkind.
2. It’s the same with our daily tasks. When our hearts our turned towards God, even the simplest tasks can bring honor to Him because we’re not motivated by something other than pleasing Him.

It doesn’t matter if we’re just eating a snack, if our hearts our turned towards God, then even eating a snack can bring Him glory and honor!

For great discussion on today’s study, join me and many others in this 6 week study online hosted by The Worship Community.