PRAISE HIM FOR YOUR WEAKNESSES

It is our weaknesses and flaws that draw God to us. Our brokenness captures His attention. We must realize that He loves us in our weakness and that is where His strength is made the most perfect. 

2 Corinthians 12:9  -But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.”

When we expect perfection from ourselves, it’s because we believe God expects perfection. Plain and simple – God does NOT expect perfection from us. If you believe this, it will keep you in a perpetual cycle of guilt, shame and defeat for never meeting up to perfect standards…standards that God never set for you. Jesus was the only one who could meet God’s perfect standard of righteousness and now through His perfect sacrifice, we ARE the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21). 

Rest in the knowledge that His power is being made perfect in all of those areas where you are struggling. Gladly praise Him for your weaknesses. I encourage you to say this with me, “I AM WEAK!”...now watch His power come upon you.

Pastor Angie Gray

What is Worship to you

                       What is worship to you?

I am the 3^rd of 4 children in my family and every year on our birthday, my parents give us all cards. We all look forward to our cards because written in the card is an acrostic from my dad. He spells out our entire name (which my full name is Katherine for those of you who don’t know) and beside each letter he writes a characteristic of who we are to him. Some of the characteristics are funny, some of them don’t make sense (my dad was born and raised in Colombia, South America so his English isn’t that good ;) and some of the characteristics are really special.

Anyways, as I was praying about what to write this blog on, the Lord reminded me of the time He asked me to write an acrostic on worship and what it really meant to me. It took me a little while to think of the exact words I would write down, but in the end, I was able to express in words what worship is to me.

The one thing I love about worship is that there is no right or wrong way to do it. As long as your worship is unto HIM and with a humble/pure heart, you can’t go wrong. I love how everyone’s worship looks different, sounds different and is personal between you and the Lord.

Have you ever stopped to really think about what worship is to you? If not, I hope this little exercise can help you put it to words. It’s important to know what it is so then you can know why you do it.

Here is what worship is to me…

Whole hearted

Outflow expression of an inward heart

Relationship

Sacrifice

Healing

Important

Powerful

Now… what is it to you? 

Kat Holder

Who and What are you Worshipping

Worship: Giving a title of respect, the act of worship, treating someone or something as a deity.  Taking part in a religious act or service, loving someone deeply; giving adoration, and devotion.

When pondering the dictionary’s definition of “worship,” I am almost certain every worship leader, singer, and musician finds himself or herself lost in a moment, on a stage, leading, singing, and playing.  It is true, as worshippers, it is not what we do, but as His sons and daughters, it is who we are!  When Jesus spoke to the heart of the Samaritan woman in John 4, He spoke past her ideology of the why, where and how.   John 4:19: “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. 20 Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.” 21 “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”   Jesus hurdled over her denominational mindset, her opinion and judgment, and He revealed the truth: HE REVEALED ‘THE WHO!’  1. Worship the Father in spirit and in truth.  2. These are the worshippers Father is seeking.  3. HE is Spirit, and His worshippers must worship in Spirit and in Truth.  This sounds like a plan!

Our worship goes beyond ability and talent.  Our worship needs to be seen in every area of our lives.  It needs to be manifested in our homes, in our relationships, in our jobs, toward the broken and hurting, toward the orphan and widow!  Worship is more than just lyrics, vocals, and sound! Our worship is found in Jesus’ revelation knowledge of WHO He is.   In John 14, Jesus made a declaration of worship to His disciples of Who the Father is, His trust toward His Father, His love towards His Father, and His adoration of His Father.  HE WORSHIPPED!  He worshipped, pointing towards the object of His devotion, honor, respect, love, and service.

Only one question remains:  WHO AND WHAT ARE YOU WORSHIPPING?

Pastor Leisa L. Nelson

The Gift of Worship

Have you ever received a gift and the giver of the gift expected something in return? I'm sure I'm not the only one that has felt obligated to give someone a gift during Christmas because I was given one. When I give my children gifts at Christmas I don't expect a gift in return for two reasons. First, my love for my children has no strings attached! Secondly, .....I would have to pay for it! LOL...Sometimes I feel we as worshipers do the same. We are willing to give God our worship, our time, and even our tithe. But, are we expecting something from God in return? True worship must come from a selfless heart. A heart that isn't expecting anything in return. Paul said, "In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" Acts 20:35. Our worship should be, what can I do for You Lord? Not, what can You do for me?