O come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! Psalm 95:6 NRSV
This psalm is an encouraging word for us to simply worship God. Let us go, worship, bow down, humble ourselves before the living God who made and created us. We should spend time worshipping God.
Please note that it doesn't say to just go to church (although that can help us to worship). We are very capable of going to church yet not worshiping God. Many of us have learned how to go through the motions or to look like we are present even when our minds and spirits are elsewhere.
I sure hope you are going to a worship service this weekend. If you find yourself unable to go, I hope that you will spend some time in worshiping God. In either case, the focus should be on God. That's right. Not on what you wear or how badly your children behave. You shouldn't be worried about being holy or right. You should focus on being before God and recognizing your humble state. We are all dependent on God, even when we don't realize it. That is why the psalmist reminds us to worship and bow down. This is not a greeting between two equals. This is about honoring our maker. We are the lowly ones in worship. God is the supreme being to whom we give our allegiance, love and faithfulness.
O come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!
God, we come before you in this moment to give you the glory and praise. We worship you, God, not ourselves or the works of our hands. We humble ourselves because you have created us, you love us when we least deserve it, and you have given us the gift of salvation. Thank you, God! In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims
Showing posts with label worship. Show all posts
Showing posts with label worship. Show all posts
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Invoke, Praise and Thank Our God
He appointed certain of the Levites as ministers before the ark of the Lord, to invoke, to thank, and to praise the Lord, the God of Israel. I Chronicles 16: 4 NRSV
King David is setting up the ark of the Covenant in the city of Jerusalem. He has blessed the people and given them all gifts of food. Now he is making sure that there are those to serve God and to give God what God is due on a regular basis. These ministers are to call to God, express gratefulness to God and to glorify God through song. Following these assignments, there are several quoted psalms in this chapter -- most likely sung to music.
Do you have those in your church who are especially called to invoke, thank and praise God in music and song? What would it be like if those persons were not in your worship service? How would that change the congregation's feelings of worshipfulness? Perhaps you are one of those who sing or play an instrument. Have you ever realized how important your role in worship is?
Today, let us find at least one person who helps with music in worship. Email, facebook, text or call them and just thank them for their service to our God. And, next time you are in worship singing, think about how you are invoking, praising and thanking our Lord and our God!
God, we thank you so much for the gift of music in worship. We especially thank you for those who bring their gifts of music and song to you and to your services. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims
King David is setting up the ark of the Covenant in the city of Jerusalem. He has blessed the people and given them all gifts of food. Now he is making sure that there are those to serve God and to give God what God is due on a regular basis. These ministers are to call to God, express gratefulness to God and to glorify God through song. Following these assignments, there are several quoted psalms in this chapter -- most likely sung to music.
Do you have those in your church who are especially called to invoke, thank and praise God in music and song? What would it be like if those persons were not in your worship service? How would that change the congregation's feelings of worshipfulness? Perhaps you are one of those who sing or play an instrument. Have you ever realized how important your role in worship is?
Today, let us find at least one person who helps with music in worship. Email, facebook, text or call them and just thank them for their service to our God. And, next time you are in worship singing, think about how you are invoking, praising and thanking our Lord and our God!
God, we thank you so much for the gift of music in worship. We especially thank you for those who bring their gifts of music and song to you and to your services. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Falling At God's Feet
Yearly Reading: Genesis 16-19
When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, "I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless. And I will make my covenant between me and you, and will make you exceedingly numerous." Then Abram fell on his face; Genesis 17:1-3a NRSV
I am struck by the image of this ninety-nine year-old man falling straight down to the ground. He gave the only response possible to the God who called him to a covenant relationship. There was no bowing or genuflecting but straight-forward humility. Abram had absolute recognition of something greater than Abram. Abram succombed to the awesomeness of the deity. Abram was able to participate in complete worship of God.
I suppose many of us could imagine a time in our own lives where we have fallen on our face. But I doubt many of us could claim that it was at the feet of God. Embarrasment rather than absolute worship would probably be the image for most of us.
However, Abram falls at God's feet after God has appeared to him, told him who God was, instructed Abram to walk before God and be blameless or righteous and promised an agreement that would be applied to Abram and future generations - which God promises will be numerous. Abram doesn't just fall God's feet when God appears. Abram falls at God's feet when he hears of God's desire to be in a relationship with Abram.
I think we need to be willing to respond to God in such a wholehearted way. We need more falling at God's feet. After all, God desires a relationship with all of us.
God, we fall face down at your feet. We worship you, we honor you, and we bless your holy name. We recognize the holy relationship to which you call each of us. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims
When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, "I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless. And I will make my covenant between me and you, and will make you exceedingly numerous." Then Abram fell on his face; Genesis 17:1-3a NRSV
I am struck by the image of this ninety-nine year-old man falling straight down to the ground. He gave the only response possible to the God who called him to a covenant relationship. There was no bowing or genuflecting but straight-forward humility. Abram had absolute recognition of something greater than Abram. Abram succombed to the awesomeness of the deity. Abram was able to participate in complete worship of God.
I suppose many of us could imagine a time in our own lives where we have fallen on our face. But I doubt many of us could claim that it was at the feet of God. Embarrasment rather than absolute worship would probably be the image for most of us.
However, Abram falls at God's feet after God has appeared to him, told him who God was, instructed Abram to walk before God and be blameless or righteous and promised an agreement that would be applied to Abram and future generations - which God promises will be numerous. Abram doesn't just fall God's feet when God appears. Abram falls at God's feet when he hears of God's desire to be in a relationship with Abram.
I think we need to be willing to respond to God in such a wholehearted way. We need more falling at God's feet. After all, God desires a relationship with all of us.
God, we fall face down at your feet. We worship you, we honor you, and we bless your holy name. We recognize the holy relationship to which you call each of us. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Jerubbaal
So they said to one another, "Who has done this?" After searching and inquiring, they were told, "Gideon son of Joash did it." Then the townspeople said to Joash, "Bring out your son, so that he may die, for he has pulled down the altar of Baal and cut down the sacred pole beside it." But Joash said to all who were arrayed against him, "Will you contend for Baal? Or will you defend his cause? whoever contends for him shall be put to death by morning. If he is a god, let him contend for himself because his altar has been pulled down." Therefore on that day Gideon was called Jerubbaal, that is to say, "Let Baal contend against him, " because he pulled down his altar. Judges 6:29-32 NRSV
On the one hand, this part of Gideon's story is rather humorous. However, it really points to how unfaithful the people of God have become.
You have to chuckle when Gideon's Dad defends him by asking the people why they were so upset on Baal's behalf. "If Baal is such an important deity, why are you having to be so angry on his behalf?" says Joash. "Why don't you let Baal stand up for himself if he is so great!" Then the people seem to get it because they give Gideon a nickname: he who contends with Baal. The really funny thing for the rest of us is that Gideon spends most of his time "contending" with Yahweh!
But the people have truly become unfaithful to Yahweh. According to Deuteronomy 12 and 13, the people of God are instructed to tear down all the pagan shrines and to stone to death anyone who tries to worship other gods. Yet, God's people built this shrine and the pole and are worshipping these other gods. When Gideon, under the cover of darkness, actually carries out God's instructions (from Deuteronomy 12 and in person) the people are mad at Gideon. The truth of the matter is that Gideon should be killing them! What is sad is that his father also has lost God's directive in terms of how to handle other gods and their shrines. He neglects to remind the people of what God really wants and makes a joke instead (this may have also defused a bad situation so perhaps we shouldn't be too hard on Joash).
Have we, too, lost the point?
Have we tried to make it into a joke?
How often do we contend with God when we should be contending with "other gods?"
God, it isn't funny when we lose sight of who you call us to be and what you call us to do. Help us to truly worship you with everything we are and everything we have. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Question for the day: What things in your life could you label "other gods?"
Copyright 2009 Amelia G. Sims
On the one hand, this part of Gideon's story is rather humorous. However, it really points to how unfaithful the people of God have become.
You have to chuckle when Gideon's Dad defends him by asking the people why they were so upset on Baal's behalf. "If Baal is such an important deity, why are you having to be so angry on his behalf?" says Joash. "Why don't you let Baal stand up for himself if he is so great!" Then the people seem to get it because they give Gideon a nickname: he who contends with Baal. The really funny thing for the rest of us is that Gideon spends most of his time "contending" with Yahweh!
But the people have truly become unfaithful to Yahweh. According to Deuteronomy 12 and 13, the people of God are instructed to tear down all the pagan shrines and to stone to death anyone who tries to worship other gods. Yet, God's people built this shrine and the pole and are worshipping these other gods. When Gideon, under the cover of darkness, actually carries out God's instructions (from Deuteronomy 12 and in person) the people are mad at Gideon. The truth of the matter is that Gideon should be killing them! What is sad is that his father also has lost God's directive in terms of how to handle other gods and their shrines. He neglects to remind the people of what God really wants and makes a joke instead (this may have also defused a bad situation so perhaps we shouldn't be too hard on Joash).
Have we, too, lost the point?
Have we tried to make it into a joke?
How often do we contend with God when we should be contending with "other gods?"
God, it isn't funny when we lose sight of who you call us to be and what you call us to do. Help us to truly worship you with everything we are and everything we have. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Question for the day: What things in your life could you label "other gods?"
Copyright 2009 Amelia G. Sims
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Proper Behavior in Worship
Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5: 18-20 NRSV
At this point, I realize that what Paul has been preaching on this whole time is not really proper behavior in life (although much of what he said and we've been looking at can be applied that way). What Paul is complaining about is worship behavior.
People are getting drunk in worship, most likely during communion. I am also guessing that they are then NOT singing appropriate worship songs.
In many of our protestant denominations, we forget that communion did not include grape juice but wine. Obviously, several parishioners in First Church of Ephesus are trying to make sure that they get lots of grace by imbibing a great deal of wine during the Lord's Supper. Paul says to stop getting drunk, but instead be filled with the Holy Spirit! Sing if you have to keep your mouth busy (this would also avoid all that evil talk he mentioned earlier)! Sing to yourself, in your heart. Don't know what to sing about? How about your thankfulness to God for everything in the name of Jesus!
Perhaps this kind of behavior is not as possible in today's churches - even those that serve wine only allow a small sip. But we are liable to misuse other things in worship. I think we could all focus much better in worship if we sung songs of thanksgiving in our hearts while opening ourselves up to the Holy Spirit in church.
Amen!
Question for the day: Can you think of one song you could sing in your heart with thanksgiving in worship this week?
Copyright 2009 Amelia G. Sims
At this point, I realize that what Paul has been preaching on this whole time is not really proper behavior in life (although much of what he said and we've been looking at can be applied that way). What Paul is complaining about is worship behavior.
People are getting drunk in worship, most likely during communion. I am also guessing that they are then NOT singing appropriate worship songs.
In many of our protestant denominations, we forget that communion did not include grape juice but wine. Obviously, several parishioners in First Church of Ephesus are trying to make sure that they get lots of grace by imbibing a great deal of wine during the Lord's Supper. Paul says to stop getting drunk, but instead be filled with the Holy Spirit! Sing if you have to keep your mouth busy (this would also avoid all that evil talk he mentioned earlier)! Sing to yourself, in your heart. Don't know what to sing about? How about your thankfulness to God for everything in the name of Jesus!
Perhaps this kind of behavior is not as possible in today's churches - even those that serve wine only allow a small sip. But we are liable to misuse other things in worship. I think we could all focus much better in worship if we sung songs of thanksgiving in our hearts while opening ourselves up to the Holy Spirit in church.
Amen!
Question for the day: Can you think of one song you could sing in your heart with thanksgiving in worship this week?
Copyright 2009 Amelia G. Sims
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