What Does It Really Mean to Exist for the Praise of God’s Glory? by Mark D. Roberts

Ephesians 1:11-13

In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth…

Ephesians 1:11-13

According to Ephesians 1:11, you exist for the praise of God‘s glory. For much of my life, I assumed this referred primarily to the things we did in worship services at church. In our prayers and especially in our singing, we praised God. So, I read Ephesians 1:11 as saying, in effect, “You exist to go to church and sing hymns and songs. That’s the core purpose of your life. Everything else is secondary.” I wasn’t crazy to think this way, either. I have heard preachers and Christian writers say something very much like this. Worship is the center of life, they claim, and worship is what we do in church.

Now, I actually like singing praise to God…to a point. When I was pastor of Irvine Presbyterian Church, I helped to lead four worship services each weekend. Thus, I was singing more hymns and songs than anyone else in the church. And I loved it. It was great for my soul to spend about an hour and a half each weekend (if you added up the songs and prayers) literally praising God’s glory.

Was this the core purpose of my life? Would my life have been more glorifying to God if I quit everything else I had been doing so I could spend all of my waking hours singing praise to him? I have sometimes heard preachers and read Christian writers who envision the ultimate Christian life in these terms. They equate living for the praise of God’s glory with the activities of so-called worship services. Everything that happens outside of the sanctuary is of secondary value.

But this is not the meaning of Ephesians 1:11. As we’ll see later in the letter, there is one verse about singing to God (5:19). But there are dozens of verses about how we are to live each day. This ratio does not suggest that singing praise is insignificant. But it does remind us that we are exist for the praise of God’s glory. We are called and privileged to glorify God, not just in singing and praying, not just in doing things we identify as “spiritual,” but also in every part of life, in every action, every thought, every feeling. Just think of how different your life might be if you began to think of glorifying God as the core purpose of everything.

QUESTIONS FOR FURTHER REFLECTION: So, how would your life be different if you started to think of every facet as for God’s glory? How might you do your work today (for pay, volunteer, housework, homework, etc.) differently if you were doing it for the praise of God’s glory?

PRAYER: Glorious God, you are worthy of all the praise I could ever offer, the praise of my lips, my heart, my mind, my body. You deserve praise when I gather with your people for weekly worship. And you deserve praise when I’m hard at work, or when I’m hanging out with my colleagues, or when I’m eating dinner with my family, or…

Help me, O God, to learn how to be for the praise of your glory. Amen.

http://www.thehighcalling.org/reflection/what-does-it-really-mean-exist-praise-gods-glory

Tozer Devotional-We Were Made to Worship

We Were Made to Worship

Mans nature indicates that he was created for three things: To think, to worship and to work. But thinking is not enough. Men are made to worship also, to bow down and adore in the presence of the Mystery inexpressible. Mans mind is not the top peak of his nature. Higher than his mind is his spirit, that something within him which can engage the supernatural, which under the breath of the Spirit can come alive and enter into conscious communion with heaven, can receive the divine nature and hear and feel and see the ineffable wonder that is God. When, therefore, an institution dedicated to the growth and development of the thinking person seeks at the same time to turn this thinker into a worshiper, our debt to that institution becomes all the greater. So many schools on every level are content to train the intellect, forgetting that they are dealing with but part of the man-an important part certainly, but a part only. The wise of the world who have not learned to worship are but demi-men, unformed and rudimentary. Their further development awaits the life-giving touch of Christ to wake them to spiritual birth and life eternal.

http://www.cmalliance.org/devotions/tozer?id=679

Missionary Weapons (1)

When you were under the fig tree, I saw you —John 1:48

Worshiping in Everyday Occasions. We presume that we would be ready for battle if confronted with a great crisis, but it is not the crisis that builds something within us— it simply reveals what we are made of already. Do you find yourself saying, “If God calls me to battle, of course I will rise to the occasion”? Yet you won’t rise to the occasion unless you have done so on God’s training ground. If you are not doing the task that is closest to you now, which God has engineered into your life, when the crisis comes, instead of being fit for battle, you will be revealed as being unfit. Crises always reveal a person’s true character.

A private relationship of worshiping God is the greatest essential element of spiritual fitness. The time will come, as Nathanael experienced in this passage, that a private “fig-tree” life will no longer be possible. Everything will be out in the open, and you will find yourself to be of no value there if you have not been worshiping in everyday occasions in your own home. If your worship is right in your private relationship with God, then when He sets you free, you will be ready. It is in the unseen life, which only God saw, that you have become perfectly fit. And when the strain of the crisis comes, you can be relied upon by God.

Are you saying, “But I can’t be expected to live a sanctified life in my present circumstances; I have no time for prayer or Bible study right now; besides, my opportunity for battle hasn’t come yet, but when it does, of course I will be ready”? No, you will not. If you have not been worshiping in everyday occasions, when you get involved in God’s work, you will not only be useless yourself but also a hindrance to those around you.

God’s training ground, where the missionary weapons are found, is the hidden, personal, worshiping life of the saint.

http://utmost.org/missionary-weapons-1/

Praise and a Sword? by Mark D. Roberts

Psalm 149:1-9

Let the praises of God be in their mouths,      and a sharp sword in their hands.

Psalm 149:6

Psalm 149:6 is one of many verses in the Psalms that can, at first, startle or even shock us. The psalm begins with a call to praise the Lord and sing to him a new song (149:1). Israel is to rejoice in God and praise him with dancing and music (149:2-3). Why? Because the Lord “delights in his people” and “crowns the humble with victory” (149:4). So God’s people are to praise him, even “as they lie on their beds” (149:5).

But then we read: “Let the praises of God be in their mouths, and a sharp sword in their hands” (149:6). This sword is given to God’s people so that they might “execute the judgment written against” the nations and their leaders (149:7-9). How are we to understand this unexpected juxtaposition of praise and the sword?

Notice that this psalm does not endorse any use of the sword. Rather, it is to execute the justice of God against those who are deserving of divine punishment. This psalm does not endorse violence for selfish gain. Rather, it reminds us of God’s justice against those who have perpetrated injustice.

Of course, God’s justice includes more than punishment of the wicked. It also includes treating people rightly, caring for the poor, and seeking freedom for the oppressed. Remember the call of God through the prophet Micah. What God requires of us is “to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with [our] God” (6:8). Worship in prayer and song must be matched by worship in justice and kindness.

QUESTIONS FOR FURTHER REFLECTION: When you come upon a verse of Scripture that surprises or unsettles you, what do you do? How is your worship of God expressed in your daily life? Is there a connection between how you praise the Lord and how you treat others?

PRAYER: O Lord, you are indeed worthy of all praise. You deserve every bit of thanks, glory, and honor that I can offer—and so much more.

Yet I am reminded today that you are praised, not only in my words, but also in my actions, not only in what I sing to you, but also in how I treat my neighbor.

The “sharp sword” in my hand is not made of metal, but rather of your truth. May I wield your word with accuracy, insight, and compassion. May I communicate, not only your justice, but also your mercy.

All praise be to you, God of glory and justice. Amen.

http://www.thehighcalling.org/reflection/praise-and-sword-0

True Worship by Mark D. Roberts

Romans 12:1-2

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.

Romans 12:1

If I were to ask you to envision Christian worship, I expect you would imagine your church gathered for Sunday services, or something like that. Indeed, when God’s people assemble to offer praise and thanks to God, this is an essential element of true worship. But it’s just the beginning!

Romans 12:1 affirms what we learn throughout the Scripture, namely, that true worship includes everything we do in life, and not merely our participation in weekly “worship” services. The original language of this verse explains that when we offer our bodies to God, living for him in all we do, this is our “logical worship.” The noun translated as “worship” is used in the Old Testament for the actions of priests in the temple. The adjective, logike, is related to our word “logical,” and means “sensible” or “fitting.” In other words, the worship that makes sense for us is offering our whole selves to God, all that we are and all that we do.

Most of us are accustomed to thinking of worship as that which we do in our church buildings, but not the activity of our daily lives. It takes time for the truth of Scripture to permeate our thinking. But when this happens, when we understand the true extent of Christian worship, our lives will be transformed, saturated with new meaning and purpose.

When you enter your workplace today, think of it as a sanctuary for worshiping God. When you sit down for a meeting you’d rather skip, let it be for you an occasion to live for God’s glory. When the school bell summons you to class, let this be a call to worship. And when you sit down for supper with your family or friends, may this be the table of the Lord.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: Do you think of worship as involving all of your life? Why or why not? How might Paul’s teaching on true worship make a difference in your life today?

PRAYER: Dear Lord, as I wrap up this four-day reflection on Romans 12:1, I feel as if I could easily spend another week meditating on this exceptional verse and its implications for my life. In truth, I could probably spend a lifetime discovering what it means to offer myself as a living sacrifice to you, worshiping you in everything I do. May that be so, dear Lord! As I leave this verse behind, may its truth stay with me.

Today, Lord, I will seek to worship you in everything I do, every word and deed, every thought and feeling. I will strive to love you with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength. Even as I say this, gracious God, I am only too aware of my own foibles. So I ask for your help. May your Spirit stir within me, teaching me to give you all that I am, all of the time. Amen.

http://www.thehighcalling.org/reflection/true-worship-0

Tozer Devotional-Wondering Worship

Wondering Worship

The third stage of true worship is wonder. Here the mind ceases to understand and goes over to a kind of delightful astonishment. Carlyle said that worship is “transcendent wonder,” a degree of wonder without limit and beyond expression. That kind of worship is found throughout the Bible (though it is only fair to say that the lesser degrees of worship are found there also). Abraham fell on his face in holy wonderment as God spoke to him. Moses hid his face before the presence of God in the burning bush. Paul could hardly tell whether he was in or out of the body when he was allowed to see the unspeakable glories of the third heaven. When John saw Jesus walking among His churches, he fell at His feet as dead. We cite these as a examples; the list is long in the Biblical record. It may be said that such experiences as these are highly unusual and can be no criterion for the plain Christian today. This is true, but only of the external circumstances; the spiritual content of the experiences is unchanging and is found alike wherever true believers are found. it is always true that an encounter with God brings wonderment and awe. The pages of Christian biography are sweet with the testimonies of enraptured worshipers who met God in intimate experience and could find no words to express all they felt and saw and heard. Christian hymnody takes us where the efforts of common prose break down, and brings the wings of poetic feeling to the aid of the wondering saint. Open an old hymnal and turn to the sections on worship and the divine perfections and you will see the part that wonder has played in worship through the centuries. But wonder is not yet the last nor highest element in worship. The soaring saint has one more mountain peak to clear before he has reached the rarefied air of purest worship. He must adore.

http://www.cmalliance.org/devotions/tozer?id=623

Tozer Devotional-Worshiping God with All We Are

Worshiping God with All We Are

In worship several elements may be distinguished, among them love, admiration, wonder and adoration. Though they may not be experienced in that order, a little thought will reveal those elements as being present wherever true worship is found. Both the Old and the New Testament teach that the essence of true worship is the love of God. “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” Our Lord declared this to be the sum of the Law and the Prophets. Now, love is both a principle and an emotion; it is something both felt and willed. It is capable of almost infinite degrees. Love in the human heart may begin so modestly as to be hardly perceptible and go on to become a raging torrent that sweeps its possessor before it in total helplessness. Something like this must have been the experience of the apostle Paul, for he felt it necessary to explain to his critics that his apparent madness was actually the love of God ravishing his willing heart. It is quite impossible to worship God without loving Him. Scripture and reason agree to declare this. And God is never satisfied with anything less than all: “all thy heart . . . all thy soul . . . all thy might.” This may not at first be possible, but deeper experience with God will prepare us for it, and the inward operations of the Holy Spirit will enable us after a while to offer Him such a poured-out fullness of love.

http://www.cmalliance.org/devotions/tozer?id=620

Living With a Clear View

“Offer your bodies as living sacrifices . . . this is your spiritual act of worship” Romans 12:1

I love Wrigley Field in Chicago. But like most old ballparks, it has the necessary but aggravating problem of support posts that obscure the view of the game. Unfortunately, I got stuck behind one of those posts at a game once, and, needless to say, it was disappointing. Without a clear view, I became easily distracted.

It can be like that with worship. Without a clear view of what really counts, we are quickly distracted by lesser things in life. And when that happens, our worship becomes ritualistic and routine. Worship isn’t meant to be a drab experience, but rather an active, ongoing, enthusiastic response to God for His work and worth in our lives.

As I sat distractedly behind the post, I often wondered why everyone was cheering. What had I missed? Losing sight of the real game, God’s wonderful worth to us, will make you wonder why others are so excited about God and why you are only excited about your own dreams, desires, and possessions. Maybe it’s time to look around the obstructions of life to see Jesus clearly again and notice what He is worth to you—personally.

And what would that worship look like? Well, it would be more than singing in church. True worship is a surrender of all that we are and have. Paul told the believers in Rome to “offer your bodies as living sacrifices” (Romans 12:1). Our lives are to be placed on the altar as an act of worship as well! Is He worth that kind of sacrifice? You bet! He gave up everything to set you eternally free. It’s time to tell Him how much He is worth by returning the favor. Being truthful, loving, honest, and forgiving even when it hurts would be a great place to start. And be careful, living sacrifices tend to want to climb off the altar!

Go ahead—get out from behind the support posts so you can get a fresh glimpse of Jesus. He’s the only action worth worshiping in your life!

YOUR JOURNEY…

• What is God worth to you? Is He worth your resources of time and attention, and even your money? What are some specific reasons why He is worth that much to you?
• Do you feel stuck behind a support post, with a dim view of God and a discouraging experience of worship? If so, why? What can you do to move to a “new seat”?
• What living sacrifices have you demonstrated lately? How have they shown up at home, and at work, school, or play?

http://getmorestrength.org/daily/living-with-a-clear-view/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+GetMoreStrength+%28Strength+For+The+Journey%29

How Might We Use Our Bodies in Worship? Part 1 by Mark D. Roberts

Psalm 134:1-3

Lift up holy hands in prayer,      and praise the LORD.

Psalm 134:2

In my reflections from Sunday and Monday, I considered the command in Psalm 134 to “Lift up holy hands in prayer and praise the LORD.” I have talked about the freedom we have to lift our hands in worship or not to do so, depending on our cultural context. I do not believe that Scripture requires us to use certain gestures or postures every time we pray or worship.

Yet, I am impressed by how much prayer and worship in Scripture include the use of the body. My natural inclination, combined with my cultural upbringing, inclines me to think of communicating with God as something that happens mainly inside of a person. It’s a matter of thoughts and feelings. Physical expression is unnecessary and incidental. Yet, throughout the Bible, prayer and worship happen through bodies. Worshipers not only lift their hands, but also stand, kneel, bow down with faces to the ground, sing, and shout. Biblical worship includes the inner person, but, for the most part, gets expressed physically.

Why would it matter for us to worship with our bodies? The answer, I believe, emerges from a biblical understanding of the person. God did not make us as nonphysical spirits that just happen to have bodies as temporary shells. Rather, God created us as physical beings, as souls that have bodies as an essential element of our being. Our bodies and our spirits are thus deeply interconnected. What we experience on the inside deserves to be expressed in actions. And the actions of our bodies often influence and shape our hearts.

Thus, it makes sense for God to call his people to love him, not just with their inner selves, but also with their strength (Deut 6:5). Jesus reiterated this command when he said that we should love the Lord with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. How else can we love God with our strength except by using our bodies?

For me, certain physical expressions of worship have helped to open up my heart to the Lord. They have enabled me to worship more completely and with greater integrity. Most of all, I find that kneeling in prayer or worship can both express and enhance my submission to God. When I’m sitting as I pray, I can still give myself sacrificially to the Lord. But when I actually kneel before him, something changes, not just in my posture, but also in my inner being. I am better able to love and worship God with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength. Moreover, when I use my body in worship, I find that I am better prepared to worship God with my body as I live my life out in the world. More on this tomorrow.

QUESTIONS FOR FURTHER REFLECTION: Have you found that certain physical expressions of prayer and worship help you to communicate more completely with God? If so, why do you think these particular expressions are powerful for you?

PRAYER: Gracious God, you have created us as whole people, people with heart, soul, mind, and strength. Thank you for the wonder of your creation. Thank you that all of who we are matters to you.

Help me, dear Lord, to love and worship you completely, with heart, soul, mind, and strength. May I make choices that honor you. May I be passionate for your glory. May I learn to think your thoughts. And may I serve you with my body.

All praise, glory, and honor be to you. Amen.

http://www.thehighcalling.org/reflection/how-might-we-use-our-bodies-worship?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheHighCallingDailyReflections+%28Daily+Reflection+%26+Prayer%29

Beauty as a Signpost to God, Part 2 by Mark D. Roberts

Ezekiel 41:1-26

Above the entrance, from the interior to the exterior of the temple, and on every interior and exterior wall, there were carved winged creatures and palm trees. The palm trees were positioned between the winged creatures, and each winged creature had two faces.

Ezekiel 41:17-18

The fact that we can perceive things as beautiful, I believe, points to the existence of a God who loves beauty and created us in his own image. I talked about this in yesterday’s reflection. Yet beauty also calls us to God as it inspires in us a yearning for the author of beauty.

Many people who love natural beauty almost seem to worship nature itself. For them, the natural world is all there is to beauty. Christians, however, think differently of the glory of creation. As N. T. Wright explains in Simply Christian, “The Christian tradition has said, and indeed sung, that the glory belongs to God the creator. It is his voice we hear echoing off the crags, murmuring in the sunset. It is his power we feel in the crashing of the waves and the roar of the lion. It is his beauty we see reflected in a thousand faces and forms” (p. 45).

Thus, when I am overwhelmed by the glory of a sunset, I am not just experiencing a human response to a natural phenomenon. I am also hearing the voice of God speaking to my heart, calling me to know him, to enjoy him, and to delight in his beauty.

Worshiping something beautiful, whether it is natural or made by human beings, is idolatry. Yet, when I allow the beauty of this world to become a signpost to God, then I am drawn to worship the one true God, the creator of all things, the source of beauty who is himself beautiful.

QUESTIONS FOR FURTHER REFLECTION: How has the beauty of this world drawn your heart to worship God? What helps you not to worship the beautiful thing, but rather to worship the God who is the author of beauty?

Prayer: For the Beauty of the Earth

For the beauty of the earth For the glory of the skies, For the love which from our birth Over and around us lies.

Lord of all, to Thee we raise, This our hymn of grateful praise.

For the beauty of each hour, Of the day and of the night, Hill and vale, and tree and flower, Sun and moon, and stars of light.

Lord of all, to Thee we raise, This our hymn of grateful praise.

For the joy of ear and eye, For the heart and mind’s delight, For the mystic harmony Linking sense to sound and sight.

Lord of all, to Thee we raise, This our hymn of grateful praise.

Amen.

“For the Beauty of the Earth,” by Elliott S. Pierpoint. Public Domain

http://www.thehighcalling.org/reflection/beauty-signpost-god-part-2