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Today is Sunday July 11, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Psalms, chapters 92-100. If you would like to read the chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this link onto your browser: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/bible-july-11

Today's Message: Worshiping God

As Christians we are to worship God faithfully through both the joys and sorrows of life. Of course we are going to feel pain and grief from time to time, but worshiping God even through the sorrows actually aids in relieving those sorrows and seeing hope for the future. Much of the world and maybe even some who have fallen away from God think that by worshiping God it means you have to be His slave, someone who bows down to Him at His beck and call and gets beaten if he does not do what He says. However, worshiping God has nothing to do with being a slave to God, it's about honoring Him, having respect for, and showing your love toward Him for all that He has done for you. “For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:” - I Timothy 4:4. Worshiping God shows Him that you are truly grateful and thankful for not only taking you out of the bondage of Satan and hell, but whatever it is that He brought you out of from as well. Praise God! Of course, God is going to get angry with you if you continue to live in sin and you will be chastised, but He does it because He loves you and wants to show you how to have the best life by putting Him first.

Worship is not a time set aside for receiving personal satisfaction or for the enjoyment of a sermon. Worship should be an active, heartfelt expression of prayer, praise, and adoration, demonstrating our esteem for our Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ. “IT IS A GOOD THING TO GIVE THANKS UNTO THE LORD, AND TO SING PRAISES UNTO THY NAME, O MOST HIGH: To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night, Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery; upon the harp with a solemn sound. For thou, LORD, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands. O LORD, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep.” - Psalm 92:1-5. Following this, all else, including the sermon, becomes more meaningful.

Some lack spiritual fulfillment because they have decided to reflect the mood and attitude of unbelievers when confronted with adverse circumstances, such as the loss of a job, the death of a loved one, a divorce, the betrayal of a friend, or some other painful experience. By deciding to be unhappy and dissatisfied, they deprive themselves of the joy of an abundant, peaceful life. “He that chastiseth the heathen, shall not he correct? he that teacheth man knowledge, shall not he know? The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity. Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law; That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked. For the LORD will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance.” - Psalm 94:10-14. Worshiping God is more than just emotions. True worship is loving obedience to all His Word, even when we are being chastised. God knows our heart and also knows that we are going to get into trouble from time to time, but regardless He will not cast us away, making sure that we return to righteousness. What a wonderful thought to know that no matter how many mistakes we make God will get us back on the right path. The world will never understand what that means, but we can thank God and sing praise to Him knowing that He is teaching us to be the best that we can be.

When we think of all our Lord has done for us, in us, and with us, and all He has promised to us for all eternity, we cannot help but decide to praise, worship, and serve Him faithfully. “Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.” - Psalm 100. No matter what we are going through we need to thank God and praise Him through it all. Put on some uplifting music and sing to God, it does not matter if you can not sing, it's beautiful music to Him. If you play an instrument, praise Him by playing music for Him, as you do these things your mood and your attitude begins to change, you no longer feel hopeless, confused, or frustrated, but feel a great sense of relief. Praise God!

Enjoy the rest of your day/night and have a great week.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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