Friday, January 26, 2018 Reflections on Celebration of Discipline—The Discipline of Worship, Part 8 of 8: The Fruits of Worship

Friday, January 26, 2018

Reflections on Celebration of Discipline—The Discipline of Worship, Part 8 of 8: The Fruits of Worship

Scripture:

Colossians 3:16

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as you teach and admonish one another in all wisdom, and as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Excerpt:

Just as worship begins in holy expectancy, it ends in holy obedience. If worship does not propel us into greater obedience, it has not been worship. To stand before the Holy One of eternity is to change.

In worship an increased power steals its way into the heart sanctuary, an increased compassion grows in the soul. To worship is to change.

(Foster, Richard J.. Celebration of Discipline: The Path To Spiritual Growth (p. 173). HarperCollins. Kindle Edition.)

Devotional:

To worship is to change. Boy, is that true. If there is one thing that I have pursued over the years it has been to be changed by God, to become more like Him. There are many days in my life when I am simply “done” with myself, with the fleshly sin nature that keeps me from reaching God’s standard. Before I came to the Lord, I spent a LOT of time “working” on myself. I still do this, but in a very different way. When I start to sense my flesh rising up, or feel disappointed in the way I handle a situation or another person, it isn’t long until a time of surrender, worship, confession and renewal is needed.

In my world, this used to be twice weekly meetings at church and my long, leisurely daily quiet time with the Lord before work. Since marriage and children, that quiet time has changed drastically. I have seen many, many sunrises in the past several years—not my habit as a single! Only in the last six months have I been able to sit uninterrupted for almost 30 full minutes to study, pray, and subsequently share on most days. Church services are also very different for me. With a special needs son who needs 100% one on one attention just to stay in his classroom and not run away for the joy of running stairs, I rarely sit next to my husband in a service at church. For me, the times in the car, time spent in the early mornings, and listening to podcasts while I do my housework and work on my business are the conduits for that worship to come. At times, God allows me to seek intentional times of worship. Other times, that touching of the Throneroom is fully spontaneous and beautifully surprising. The joy unspeakable of the instant lifting of my pride, selfishness, insecurities, wounds, and false beliefs is simply miraculous. This is not to say I never struggle again—this time of worship is more like a vitamin than a medicine if taken properly.

When coming out of worship changed and transformed, doing the Lord’s will and walking in obedience are simple, covered with His grace, and feel more like second nature. Instead of trying to love others, love flows. Instead of trying to be merciful, mercy flows. Instead of trying to speak words of life, they flow.

Thank You, Lord, that You have established worship for us that we might be more like You!

Prayer:

Thanksgiving:

Gracious, Holy Father, I worship You this day. You are the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. You are the First, the Last, and the means by which we live. You are in all, above all, through all, and You uphold all things by Your right hand and the Word of Your power. I worship You, Lord.

Confession:

I come before You today, humbled by Your mercy and Your grace. Thank You for this access to Your mercy seat. Thank You for the Blood of Jesus that washes me clean, white as snow. I bring my heart to You for examination. You know me, search me and show me what needs Your touch. Change and transform me today as I confess my heart. (Take time to allow God to prompt you to confess attitudes, motives, and sin.)

Supplication:

I lift my heart to You and bless You, Lord. I give my needs to You and thank You that You care for even the little things that concern me. (Take time to journal those needs and concerns. He is here for you and hears your cry!)

Intercession:

I lift my family to You and bring their needs to You. (Journal individual needs for each person. You may have time only for bullets. You may have a day when you can stream a page of prayers. You may bullet the needs, then stream in prayer. Let this time be yours and God’s. Let this time be your war room for your children, your family.)

Thanksgiving and Consecration:

I lift You high, Lord, and thank You for this time. Seal it and protect us as we go out today. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

Blessing and Benediction:

2 Corinthians 13:11

Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.