November 16, 2021 – Reflections on “Worship the Lord God!”

Worshipping God is the expectation and recognition of His Presence around us at all times. The Presence of God is the means and end of our redemption. His Presence is central to our redemption through a relationship with God.

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means God with us). Matthew 1:23. These are the words Joseph heard in a dream from the angel of the Lord.

Some days, we wonder why we were created. The answer is we were born to become believers and worship becomes our new lifestyle. Why would we do this?

The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. Acts 17:24-25.

God’s Presence is continual, for God is Omnipresent. There is no time when God is not with us.  I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.  He will not let your foot be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. Psalm 121:1-4.

Jesus, God’s Son, left us with gifts when He becomes our Savior. The assurance that He is with us to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:20)

Another gift Jesus gives us is Peace. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27. How often we find ourselves fearful or filled with worry about what might be. We wonder why strange noises or and illness fills us with worry.  Learning to trust our Creator of the world we live in and keeps the stars in the sky, brings the light of trust and praise for His goodness.

Again, we return to His mighty Love… There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because He first loved us. I John 4:18-19.

How barren our lives would be without our Lord’s gifts of Love, Joy, and Peace. The world cannot provide an everlasting state of love, joy, or peace. It is only through God the Father, Jesus, the Son of God, and the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, changes our lives. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.  2 Corinthians 5:16-18.

What is our inheritance? In Him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of His glory. Ephesians 1:13-14.

         Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:23-24.

This is a beginning of Worship, to praise the Lord and serve Him. How is this possible? What pleases God?  Purity, Honesty, Patience, Kindness, Gentleness, and Loving others. Listening to our Lord God, studying His Words and obeying His commandments. Worshiping in gathering with others.

Worship comes in many ways. Singing His Word, listening to His teaching, and praying without ceasing. You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11.

        Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord He is God! It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise! Give thanks to Him; bless His name! Psalm 100:2-4.

        O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger. When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of Him, and the son of man that you care for Him? Psalm 8:1-4.

I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High. Psalm 9:1-2.

See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. I Thessalonians 5:15-18.

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved — and raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages He might show the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace, you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:4-10.

We are seated with Him in Heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Let’s worship as if we are already there! “Fear God and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come, and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.” Revelation 14:7.