Being Ready to Worship

Worship is an amazing part of the Christ Followers life. Often we relegate it to Sunday morning when it should be an everyday experience, though. We need to learn to worship in every area of our lives.

I ran across some material this week I found in a storage closest, of all places, discussing worship. (You never know what you are going to find somewhere, so always be on the look out!) I thought I would pass it on to you.

For worship to stay both restful and revitalizing we must:
Get the big picture right, and do the little things right.

Psm 95:2 says, "Let us come before him with thanksgiving..."

The very first aspect of worship should be giving thanks to God. Worship has a starting line, a place that it begins and that place is with our hearts. We must begin with a thankful heart.

During the week just tell someone what you are thankful for. Really what are we thankful for? Do we ever consider that?

Psm 95:2 "Let us... Extol him with music and song."

God clearly tell us to celebrate him with music and singing. The problem is so many of us feel like we have to be quiet and solemn in church. The truth is the Hebrew people were singing loudly, playing trumpets, tambourines, and other instruments all the while dancing to God. I don't think it was quiet or still. I just don't see the "ventriloquist" version of worship happening then. (You know, you look and see someone worshipping and their lips are barely moving and you barely hear the song)

No we are to sing, and be excited because he is God! Remember this is not American Idol, Simon is not going to judge your vocal ability. You are singing directly to God! He doesn't care about your pitch, he just wants you worship!

Smile while you sing!
Close your eyes. (Sometimes we open our eyes and close our mouths. God wants us to express from our heart through our mouth what is happening on the inside)
Personalize the words you say. Change the song to fit you. Make it first person, make it you own.

Does any one deal with the "angry car ride to church" syndrome. You know, when it seems everyone is in a bad mood on the way to church. It seems like everything that can go wrong does. So then everyone is tense and upset during the ride to the church, even arguing until the door opens and you have to speak to someone. All of a sudden everything changes and you are the spiritual giant again. Anybody here with me?

Try to avoid that. Nothing kills the worship experience like an argument. Have a worship CD in the car ready to play for the Sunday drive to help get your spirit going.

Always remember worship is about God, not our circumstances. We need to be able to separate some of the junk surrounding us and engage God. He is just waiting for us to embrace Him.