1. God softens our hearts.
There is no longer any room for anger or bitterness. Our hearts become impressionable and receptive to the Spirit of God.
You can kiss those walls you built good-bye. They don't stand a chance.
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
(Ezekiel 36:26)
2. We feel some type of conviction.
Sometimes I can cruise through my day, conveniently ignoring God's voice, without ever admitting I feel any real conviction.
In worship however, our convictions immediately make themselves known. The Holy Spirit guides us to repentance.
Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
(Proverbs 28:13)
(Proverbs 28:13)
3. We have peace.
Life really sucks sometimes. It's biblical.
We say things we regret. Wish we said things we never did. Give in to temptation. Make mistakes we thought we outgrew. Feel pressure to be further ahead. Have anxiety about the future. Get lonely.
Try to run on our own strength. We burn out. We burn bridges. We cross oceans. We aren't as good of swimmers as we thought.
But in the presence of the Lord, we feel light enough to float.
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.
(John 16:33)
4. Specific people come to mind.
Sometimes we think of ALL the things we could be praying for, and the list seems completely unconquerable.
5. We get a sense of urgency.
When we cry out to God, we are essentially saying, "Change me now, God. I literally can't go on another day like this."
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
(Hebrews 4:16)
6. We actually trust God.
Just think, we could still be out trying to fix our problems right now.
When we choose to worship, we choose to surrender everything we're going through, to God.
Cast your burden on the Lord,
And He shall sustain you;
He shall never submit the righteous to be moved.
(Psalm 52:22)
7. We make God a priority.
Even when we know spending time with God is the most important part of our day, it can be easy to make excuses. With a jam-packed schedule, it's convenient to find something else to do instead.
When we worship, we are putting God first. He becomes our right now.
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
(Matthew 6:33)
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| It means no worries. |
Life really sucks sometimes. It's biblical.
We say things we regret. Wish we said things we never did. Give in to temptation. Make mistakes we thought we outgrew. Feel pressure to be further ahead. Have anxiety about the future. Get lonely.
Try to run on our own strength. We burn out. We burn bridges. We cross oceans. We aren't as good of swimmers as we thought.
But in the presence of the Lord, we feel light enough to float.
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.
(John 16:33)
4. Specific people come to mind.
Sometimes we think of ALL the things we could be praying for, and the list seems completely unconquerable.
When we worship, the Holy Spirit places individuals on our hearts. Sometimes, those people and those situations are exactly what God wants us to pray about.
Therefore I exhort first of all that supplication, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.
(1 Timothy 2:1-2)
Therefore I exhort first of all that supplication, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.
(1 Timothy 2:1-2)
When we cry out to God, we are essentially saying, "Change me now, God. I literally can't go on another day like this."
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
(Hebrews 4:16)
6. We actually trust God.
Just think, we could still be out trying to fix our problems right now.
When we choose to worship, we choose to surrender everything we're going through, to God.
Cast your burden on the Lord,
And He shall sustain you;
He shall never submit the righteous to be moved.
(Psalm 52:22)
7. We make God a priority.
Even when we know spending time with God is the most important part of our day, it can be easy to make excuses. With a jam-packed schedule, it's convenient to find something else to do instead.
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
(Matthew 6:33)
8. Our faith is made stronger.
You may not have reflected Christ in everything you did this week, or even today.
But when you decided to kneel before the Lord, you trusted that He would make something beautiful out of your scattered ashes.
And that takes faith.
You may not have reflected Christ in everything you did this week, or even today.
But when you decided to kneel before the Lord, you trusted that He would make something beautiful out of your scattered ashes.
And that takes faith.
(I blogged about faith here.)
• • •
*Check out my current favorite worship albums! I'm listening to Simple Gospel by United Pursuit & Here is My Worship by Jaye Thomas.
You can learn all about Tobi and be on the lookout for new music, by visiting her site.
• • •
What's your favorite thing about worship?
*Check out my current favorite worship albums! I'm listening to Simple Gospel by United Pursuit & Here is My Worship by Jaye Thomas.
** If you're interested in enjoying some new music, my friend Tobi is releasing her debut EP this month. She is an extremely gifted artist who refuses to limit what God can do through His children's worship and obedience. She dreams of seeing people healed through her songs.
You can learn all about Tobi and be on the lookout for new music, by visiting her site.
• • •
What's your favorite thing about worship?
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