Worship

I have always attended a large church and I like them very much. In the churches that I have attended, there has always been good preaching, good worship music, many friends and activities with others who love the Lord as I do. There are no large churches within two hours of where I live. I have gone from a church with some 20,000 members to one with about 100. Whew what a change! My former Sunday School class was larger than most of our entire church services. No longer do I hear the beautiful singing of a four hundred member choir complemented by an excellent orchestra. Now I enjoy the music of well motivated but less talented “singers” and “musicians” on our tiny stage. Likewise I no longer get to hear sermons prepared by nationally acclaimed pastors with worldwide television ministries. Our pastor loves the Lord with all his heart, but is not blessed with the same dynamic ability of some of the other pastors that I had the pleasure of hearing weekly.

With all of that said it is obvious that I am going through an adjustment in my worship. You know what? I still enjoy going to church immensly. I hate it when I miss a service and it messes up my entire week if I do. Church is about worshipping God, not the pastor, the beautiful building(s), the music program, or our friends. God appreciates our little church’s devotion to Him just as much as He appreciates Billy Graham’s services and we get the same blessings from it as anyone in a mega church receives..

God created everyone a little different. There are churches that will accomodate the dignified and quiet meditative types, there are churches that will accomodate those who want ritual, pomp and circumstance, and those who want to shout, dance, and clap their hands in joyful celebration. Some wear a coat and tie and some wear shorts, flip flops, and Hawaiian shirts. I do not believe God really cares. He looks at the heart, not our outward appearance.

There are those who say that tradition must be followed. That is just so much malarky. Look to the example of Jesus. He taught in the temple, in the fields, sitting in a boat, and surrounded by sinners in some unreputable places. Just as God created everyone differently, there should be a variety of ways to worship available. If you have not found the church that suits your liking it is because you have not looked hard enough, because there are churches of every description all over this great country. Church is about worshipping God, not about us.
The Bible tells us that we need to get involved in a church in order to be fully armed against satan and his constant attacks on us. Make this year the year that you find a church home. If you are without a church home, you cannot fully please God and that correspondingly affects your happiness, or lack of it and inner peace. Find a church and attend every Sunday. Go to Sunday school-Bible study group-small group, and interact with others who also love the Lord. Attend activities and become a part of your local church. You will never find better friends who will be there when you need them than in a good church. Jesus instructed us that the greatest commandment was to love our God with all of our heart, our soul, mind and strength. It cannot be accomplished without attending church regularly…

1 Cor.1:18
For the message of the cross is
foolishness to those who are
perishing, but to us who are being
saved it is the power of God.

How well do you know the Bible?
What is the fourth commandment?
Exodus – You can find the ten commandments – look for it…







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For a great Bible research tool, visit http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible

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