Intentional Worship

By Natalie Houston

In the Ladies Ministry we've been talking about worship and what pleases God.  Instead of looking into how we worship we've been discussing how we view the Lord when we worship. Are we focusing on the worth of God the Father and what pleases and brings Him glory?  Are we acknowledging His greatness or are we just wanting to sing along to our favorite worship song or hymn?  Too often we just go through the motions especially if the music doesn't "move" us. The emphasis becomes what pleases us rather than worshiping God our Creator.

Living a life everyday "intentionally" to glorify God helps us as we come into the church to corporately worship.  In John 17:9-10 Jesus prays, "I pray for them.  I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours.  And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them.  

Giving God glory and having Him glorified in us does not come only on Sundays. It should be the very nature of a believer's life.  We shouldn't just pencil in time with the Lord during the morning but it should be our very breath to live a life honoring Jesus  24/7.  It takes discipline to keep our minds on Christ and we will be blessed with God's closeness, even experience the sweetness of His presence. Unfortunately there are times when we won't - but know that He has not left on vacation or moved!  Sometimes we just are caught up in what's going on around us, also known as life.  We get so busy we don't even realize how we have slipped away. But we can be confident in this - the Lord desires to be near us!  So live for His glory by seeking Him through His Word and delighting in Him through praise and prayer.  Just think of the sweet sound we can make in one accord when we are delighting in Him together in worship! To God be all the glory!

Psalm 34:1 says "I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall be continually in my mouth."