As We Worship!

Listening to... Spontaneous Worship w/ Amanda Cook Bethel Church

As we worship...and as we come to Jesus. There is a freedom that takes place. Freedom like no other, b/c of the finished work of the cross. Now, although it may feel sometimes like hope seems dim in certain times of our lives, but in reality we have all the HOPE we need.

He has given us, "faith, hope, & love." Meaning He gives generously. Jesus has given enough hope to last a lifetime. What happens sometimes is we lose perspective on what is real. Jesus. His love. His acceptance. His victory over sin & death & the grave! He has overcome. Trials & tribulations are but for a moment. It is important to hear & obey on James' admonishment to count it all joy when we encounter such various trials & tribulations. The first gift we must abide in is faith, because it leads to hope, which then leads to love. And since God is merciful, He gifts us with opportunities to let our faith be refined in order to get to hope, which then leads to love as I've said. The true mark of us being His disciples will be shown to the world by the love we have & demonstrate towards each other. It initially begins with us counting it all joy. So the faith refinement can happen.

What a concept. To worship Him. Something so intimate to do, because He made a way through His blood shed. Making us righteous before our heavenly Father. This process of being refined in our faith encourages us to count it all joy when we encounter all kinds of various trials & tribulations is key & essential in our daily worship. The act, the posture of worship is one that begins in our hearts through the Spirit & His Word.

As we come in by His Spirit to the moment of encountering His presence, through His Truth - we begin to ascribe value to Him. To put worth where worth is due. Now He is worthy altogether. He has not need of us, but delights in us. So when we worship. We find Him anew. Everytime. Without fail. He reveals a new portion of who He is. Wonder sets in. Mystery takes place. As we worship, the name above all names. The Risen Son. The Christ. Jesus.

Psalm 95:6

Oh come, let us worship and bow down;

Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker

He is the Shepherd. We are the sheep of His pasture. He takes care of us. I think part of the freedom that I initially mentioned at the beginning of this blog comes with knowing that in that freedom there is safety. There is security. There is comfort. There is stillness. Green pastures. The promise of NEW LIFE! As we worship, we magnify Him. And all of a sudden our 'trial' - our 'tribulation' then begins to take a backseat & is no longer the deciding factor that plays a major role in our daily lives. But Jesus is.


Let's pray...

Jesus. Shine your light on us. Lift up the light of your countenance upon your people. Let Hope come in & have its way! Let Hope fill our hearts & permeate thoroughly. Let us be drenched with Love. And as our Faith is refined. Let us continue to run this race of faith with endurance. Not wavering, but letting the promise of the Holy Spirit fill our hearts with an added measure of joy. Let joy fill us so we can count it all joy for You. In Jesus' name. Amen.