WORSHIP and ASSEMBLY....

Yes, "worship" is toward our Holy Creator and Father God...without question. However, we assemble for many reasons to which worship and praise to God is a part of that. Hebrews 10:25 says that we should come together to uplift, edify, and equip ourselves. Why? Because we need to get our batteries charged by gathering with brothers and sisters, joining in a time of fellowship....in order that we can go out to share His truth with the lost. Hebrew 10:24 states that we need to think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.
God did not create mechanical robots; therefore, we will not all worship, assemble, and live our lives in one man-structured pattern. We worship in Truth as we lean into His Word and the guidance of the living Holy Spirit. We worship in Spirit as God’s Spirit ignites and energizes our spirit. The essence of true worship is not external, but internal ~ heart and head, emotion and thought, spirit and truth ~ whether we’re talking all of life as worship…..Romans 12:1 “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.”……or corporate gatherings. The heart of worship is the heart. We offer our bodies to Christ by loving each other with the love of Christ…. a self-sacrificing love. And a self-sacrificing love will be hospitable and generous.
Dry, lifeless and empty praise and worship may find its source in obstacles from our past choices, from our present circumstances, or from what we have been taught is “approved or acceptable.” Biblical expressions of worship can open doors to Spirit-led creativity in our gatherings. Our worship may take place anywhere that God and man are joined….everywhere, every time. Worship is no longer limited to a particular physical location or building. Worship is no longer about “regulations for worship and an earthly place of holiness” (Hebrews 9:1) Paul quotes Psalm 108:1-3 in Ephesians 5:19….”My heart is steadfast, O God! I will sing and make melody with all my being! Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn! I will give thanks to you, O LORD, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations.” Paul wants us to worship with all our hearts (Ephesians 5:19) and all our being (Psalm 108:1). He calls us to a level of passion that measures up to the greatness of God. Enjoy the freedom that God has given. Let the Spirit lead through you. Amen! †
Praise the Lord!
Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heaven! Praise him for his mighty works; praise his unequaled greatness! Praise him with a blast of the ram’s horn; praise him with the lyre and harp! Praise him with the tambourine and dancing; praise him with strings and flutes! Praise him with a clash of cymbals; praise him with loud clanging cymbals.
Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord!
Praise the Lord!

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