Thursday, January 25, 2018 Reflections on Celebration of Discipline—The Discipline of Worship, Part 7 of 8: Steps into Worship

Thursday, January 25, 2018

Reflections on Celebration of Discipline—The Discipline of Worship, Part 7 of 8: Steps into Worship

Devotional:

This time in Celebration of Discipline offers practical and important steps that help us as we examine our hearts and attitudes toward worship and seek to understand what it really is. I confess, I have believed over the years, though actually erroneously, that worship was “my” time with God. On the contrary, in fact, worship is the time to glorify Him. The shift He has taught me to make has truly changed me, and in truth it has been in this shift that I have also become more blessed.

Pastor Foster outlines practices and attitudes that will help us to reframe our worship time:

-          Practice the presence of God. Pray without ceasing. Consecrate a private time with the Lord to prime your spirit for times of corporate worship.

-          Have different experiences of worship. In addition to gathering with the large congregation, consider meeting with a small group for the purpose of worshiping together.

-          Prepare your heart ahead of time for the time of congregational worship by reflecting the night before, entering early with the purpose of inviting the Presence of God, or by personal confession.

-          Let go of any preconceived ideas of what should come out of the time of gathered worship. Let go of personal agendas and the desire to be personally blessed; instead come prepared and expectant for the Lord’s purposes to be fulfilled in the congregation.

-          Cultivate total holy dependency on God for those purposes to be manifest.

-          Absorb and embrace distractions as part of the experience.

-          Offer a sacrifice of worship even when you do not “feel” like it.

I pray that as we each embrace this wisdom, we will find our heart for worship deepening and becoming the New Covenant sacrifice it was meant to be. God bless you today!

Prayer:

Thanksgiving:

Lord, this day I thank You for Who You are. I bless Your name, Father. (Take time to silence your heart and mind. Thank Him aloud. List His character attributes. Close your eyes. Take a posture of worship that feels organic and natural. Allow this to lead naturally into your time of confession.)

Confession:

I bring my heart before You, vulnerable and transparent. I ask that You will give me the vision of Your heart and countenance for me. Help me to believe that You love me and desire purity, not condemnation. I open myself to You for examination and forgiveness. Heal me from my fleshly nature and transform me in Your Presence today. (Take time to confess and release wrong attitudes, choices, unkind words, or sinful motivations.)

Supplication:

I lift my needs to You and trust You to make all things right as I surrender to Your Will. (Lift your needs, journal and make note of needs, as well as progress and victories.)

Intercession:

I lift my family to You today. I ask that You will touch my children (and my spouse) with Your healing touch. Lead them to repentance and give them a strong desire to worship You. (List individual needs and progress/victories for each child, and for your spouse if applicable.)

Thanksgiving and Consecration:

Thank You for this time today.  I ask that You will go before me. Help me to cultivate an atmosphere of worship in my home and in our hearts, Lord. In Jesus’ Name I pray, amen!

Blessing and Benediction:

Romans 11:33, 36

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

Bless you as you parent today!