Living Free...To Worship

I am free to run
I am free to dance
I am free to live for You
I am free

The Newsboys -- I Am Free

A few weeks ago I attended a Sunday morning service in a little country church where the sweet spirit of worship permeated the whole building. The joy of that one hour carried me through the next week, helping me be mindful to worship daily. There is great freedom in joining together to praise God without restraint.

I knew when we decided to go that was how worshiping with this particular congregation would be. While I am sure they are no different from the typical Bible-teaching church in most aspects, they hold close the words of Jesus:

"If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels." (Luke 9:26 NIV)

 For this group of Christ-bearers, to sit reserved and silent in church is an affront to the One who gave all for their freedom from sin and to be able to gather in His name. So Sunday morning worship is a celebration full of singing, praising, and testifying to the greatness of our God.

What is your worship like? Is your worship time a celebration or an obligation? I really believe that Christ's sacrifice deserves our best worship. This is the reason I get up on Sunday's when I would rather spend a quiet day at home. The Lord doesn't want Sunday Christians. He wants sold-out, living-for-Him-everyday Christians. He expects more than just showing up for an hour a week and keeping a pew warm.

See what He says about empty worship:

Quit your worship charades.
I can't stand your trivial religious games:
Monthly conferences, weekly Sabbaths, special meetings—
meetings, meetings, meetings—I can't stand one more!
Meetings for this, meetings for that. I hate them!
You've worn me out!
I'm sick of your religion, religion, religion,
while you go right on sinning.
When you put on your next prayer-performance,
I'll be looking the other way.
No matter how long or loud or often you pray,
I'll not be listening.

(Isaiah 1:13-15 MSG)

My heart is not always in an attitude of worship, but with everything that takes time throughout the week, pausing to praise and worship the Lord is essential to living a victorious Christian life. Joining with others who share our faith is a great part of refreshing. Our souls can become withered and dried without feeling the freedom to rejoice in God's love publicly.

When problems and worries pop into our lives, it is not always enough to have our private devotions. The apostle Paul shared the importance of being with other believers.

"I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong—that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith" (Romans 1:11-12, NIV).

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing" (1 Thessalonians 5:11, NIV).

Choose your place of worship carefully. We are blessed in our country to have many choices of where we can gather in the Lord's name. Take advantage of our freedoms and worship with a congregation that uplifts and encourages your walk in Christ Jesus. It's not about the name over the door; it's about the spirit of love and truth taught inside them. Your time with other believers should leave you recharged to face everyday life with assurance of the hope that is in Jesus alone.

“Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.”
(Psalm 100 NIV)

Living Free to Worship You Lord!