Thought for Friday, May 4th

May 4, 2012

More Than A Song – The Heart of Worship

Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Matthew 4:8-10

The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,  Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

Revelation 4:10-11

For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

Romans 14:11

Quote of the Day

“When you come through the doors on a Sunday, what are you bringing as your offering to God?” – Mike Pilavachi

Today’s Thoughts and Insights:

If you were to take a man and strip away everything that made him a success from his power to his wealth: from his influence to his intellect: from his fashions to his possessions – what would be left?  You would probably not have much: you wouldn’t have anything more than a sad, pathetic, naked man with nothing to offer.

But when you strip away all the things we bring with us when we go before God attempting to enter into His presence – you still have Him.

If you were to take away every single thing that constitutes our humanity, our strength and our ability as Christians we would still have the presence of God living in us.  And that my friend, is power: it is awesome and it would be more than amazing.

The truth of the matter is this, when it comes to getting back to the basics of the true heart of what worship is suppose to be – it needs to be more than a song; more than lifted hands; more than a feeling: it needs to be a total surrender and submission of all that we are for all that He is.

At the end of it all when everything else is gone it needs to still be about the one who is the only one worthy of worship, praise, adoration and glory.  It needs to be about Jesus.

Today’s Prayer

Father, nothing I can offer or bring is as good or as great as what you deserve: but I know when I give all without reservation, restraint or with holding; somehow by grace and through your mercy you are satisfied that it is enough and you are blessed and honored.  So help me give all and be all so that it all is about you.

“It’s all about you, Jesus.”

– Matt Redman (lyrics from ‘The Heart of Worship’)

“This is my cry: This is my song,

You are my guiding light, when the way is unknown;

And when the sunny skies, turn shades of gray,

I’ll stay close by your side: As you lead the way.

Jesus lead on I will follow:

Jesus lead on, let your love light the way… “

-  Lyrics from ‘Jesus Lead On’ by Brent Helming