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Great study on Day 5.

Don’t have to say much about this.

Bid idea: We are changed when we put our focus (worship) on God.

Join in the Discussion of today’s study here.

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

Part of living whole-life worship is being thankful for what God has blessed us with…even when it may not be much.

Today’s thoughts are centered around being thankful IN our circumstances. Thankful in the good times and thankful in the bad times.

I’m thankful for my wonderful wife, Lydia.
I’m thankful for my family.
I’m thankful for friends I know face to face.
I’m thankful for friends like you that connect through blogging.
I’m thankful that I have a great home and a wonderful job.

What are YOU thankful for today (even in good, bad, or ugly circumstances)?

Join in the Discussion of today’s study here.

Hey I thought I’d share a glimpse into what I get to take part in every Sunday. This is the “Us” that I talk about each week in Sunday Setlists. This is most of the team at House of Joy in Valdosta, GA. This is taken from our “We Worship” gathering that we held on December 28th.

We had most of our musicians playing (normally we have a smaller band – rotating members in and out). We even used 2 drum sets. You can’t see one of the drummers, but if you listen you can definitely hear both of them. Especially on the break in the middle, they kind of go back and forth. It was fun.

I’m on keys.

Your Love Is Beautiful – HOJ VERSION from Russ Hutto on Vimeo.

Definitely gives you a peek into the energy and “style” of our musical worship times here. I love leading worship with these guys and gals.

Sorry it’s not a pro recording, but this is all we’ve got at the moment! Enjoy.

The song is “Your Love is Beautiful” by the Hillsong crew. CCLI #3375583.

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

Huge takeaway from this morning’s study: God IS interested in the trivial tasks of our everyday lives.

Why? Because He created us. He loves us.

In the same way a parent truly loves their children whether they are doing “stuff” to earn that love or not. Before Adam & Eve ever “did” anything God showed His pleasure in creating them.

Gen 1

Can we grasp and live like God loves us just because? He does. He really does.

We belong to God (Eph: 1-13-14)

Join in the Discussion of today’s study here.

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.