Based on “The Church—Why We Do What We Do, Part 3” by Pastor Mark Balmer;
2/20-21/10, Message #MB408; Daily Devotional #4 - “Worship”
Preparing the Soil (Introduction): Worship has always been an integral part of my Christian walk. Ever since I was little there was always worship music playing, so it became second nature to have music on all the time. In the car, when I wake up in the morning, when I got home from school or now when I get home from work, and even now as I am writing this devotion. There is hardly a moment when music is not either on or a tune playing in my head. When Pastor Mark was calling the church to fast, I was still nursing my newborn and selfishly I thought to myself, “Yes, I don’t have to fast.” But the Lord clearly spoke to me that there was something I craved even more than food—it was music. It was a huge challenge the Lord placed upon my heart. So I committed to 7 days without music.
Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth): During that time of fasting (and He stretched it for the entire 21 days) the Lord showed me I wasn’t giving enough time to be quiet before Him. The act of worship doesn’t always involve music, but simply praising God through prayer, stopping to look at the beauty of His creation, or talking to others about the awesome God we serve. Worship is both an internal and external reminder to us that God is a Holy God, a jealous God, and One who delights in the praises of His people. Through the course of the 21 days, God led me on a journey. He took me back and reminded me of the goodness of God through many hardships as well as uplifting times. He challenged me to bow the knee and revere Him. Worship is just that, paying reverence to an indescribable God (2 Corinthians 9:15). I love the worship time at church and honestly, I don’t know how anyone can come late and miss it. Each time we went to church during that fasting time, the worship was amazing! Not just because I missed hearing my music, but because I actually sang the words with meaning. A healthy church is a church that worships. Not just with words, but with meaning. Anyone can sing, but God sees the heart behind the singing.
Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response): If you are like me and constantly have the music going, I challenge you, just as God challenged me: Turn it off just for a day or even a week and take time to revere God and worship Him through ways other than song. I know you will be amazed as I was at the beauty and splendor of the God we serve. Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. (Psalm 46:10)
Cultivating (Additional Reading): Psalm 100
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Calvary Chapel of Melbourne; 2955 Minton Road; W. Melbourne, FL 32904; 321-952-9673
All Bible references are from the New International Version (NIV) unless otherwise noted.