Worshipping the Audience of One

William Temple, Archbishop of Canterbury, Church of England said this: “Worship is the submission of all of our nature to God. It is the quickening of conscience by His holiness, nourishment of mind by His truth, purifying of imagination by His beauty, opening of the heart to His love, and submission of will to His purpose. And all this gathered up in adoration is the greatest of human expressions of which we are capable.”

“On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.” Matthew 2:11

Even today, we can see prominent leaders who stand up for Christ. They are wise in the eyes of God even if their counterparts feel otherwise. I know business leaders who never compromise on their integrity even if it means missing out on an award. These people honour God in their daily walk with God thereby living the heart of worship. When we worship God and we lack integrity, then our worship is just lip service.

Judson Cornwall remarked: Whenever the method of worship becomes more important than the person of worship, we have already prostituted our worship. There are entire congregations who worship praise and praise worship but who have not yet learned to praise and worship God in Jesus Christ.

‘You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: “These people honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain…” Mathew 15:8-9 Are we still a generation that worships God with our lips while our hearts are far from Him? We seem to worship God with our songs and ministry activities but our lifestyle contradicts what we say and how we live. Are we truly living for Christ or are we living to please the anti-Christ, ignoring Jesus Christ?

John Wesley said: I have so much to do that I spend several hours in prayer before I am able to do it.

We very conveniently put people, things and activities before Christ. We treat Him as a spouse who’s rejected and abandoned. Why do we do such things when we say that our hearts are sold out for Christ? True relationship with Christ comes from true worship where it’s not just lip service, but that longing for the entry into His presence. The more we dwell in worship, the more we would encounter the presence of God around us. When we spend time with Christ, we partake in the aroma of His holiness. As the Scripture says “For we are to God the aroma of Christ…” 2 Cor.2:15.

John Bunyan says, Pray often, for prayer is a shield to the soul, a sacrifice to God, and a scourge for Satan.

For when we share in the aroma of Christ, we would be fruitful witnesses for Christ. When we enter into buildings or offices or just about any place, people should be able to perceive that we are of Christ even in the midst of adverse situations that may grip us. We do so, knowing that God is in perfect control and that He will give us triumph. As the Scripture says, “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him.” 2 Cor.2:14.

Teresa of Avila commented: There are more tears shed over answered prayers than over unanswered prayers.

I cannot live in mediocrity, content with merely knowing that there is more of God to experience and explore — and then do nothing about it. Truths that are not experienced are, in effect, more like theories than truths. Whenever God reveals truth to us He is inviting us into a divine encounter. - Bill Johnson, Face to Face with God.

Remember the Small Things – this is an amazing story of Mother Theresa

Some of my sisters work in Australia. On a reservation, among the Aborigines, there was an elderly man. I can assure you that you have never seen a situation as difficult as that poor old man’s. He was completely ignored by everyone. His home was disordered and dirty.

I told him, “Please, let me clean your house, wash your clothes, and make your bed.” He answered, “I’m okay like this. Let it be.” I said again, “You will be still better if you allow me to do it.” He finally agreed. So I was able to clean his house and wash his clothes. I discovered a beautiful lamp, covered with dust. Only God knows how many years had passed since he last lit it. I said to him, “Don’t you light your lamp? Don’t you ever use it?” He answered, “No. No one comes to see me. I have no need to light it. Who would I light it for?” I asked, “Would you light it every night if the sisters came?” He replied, “Of course.” From that day on the sisters committed themselves to visiting him every evening. We cleaned the lamp, and the sisters would light it every evening.

Two years passed. I had completely forgotten that man. He sent this message: “Tell my friend that the light she lit in my life continues to shine still.”

I thought it was a very small thing. We often neglect small things. When you worship Christ, you will be filled with love and you will also love your neighbour.

Dearly beloved, Worship Him, Love Him, Talk to Him!

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