Christian Photographers Community

What a wonderful collection of posts in here.  I've so enjoyed reading them all.  Thanks everyone.  

I just thought I'd add more from that lovely site that I found on Worship...


The Dynamics of Worship

Would a doctor be successful in his medical practice if he didn't know what he was doing? What about an auto mechanic? Would his business be prosperous if he tried to fix cars without knowing the essential elements of his trade? Hardly!

In a similar sense, we cannot worship God in the way that He seeks if we don't know what we're doing. We need to understand the essential principles of worship and then put them into practice. In the pages that follow, we will look at the dynamics of the kind of worship that God is looking for.


• Who Do We Worship?
  
• Why Do We Worship?
  
• Where Can We Worship?
  
• When Do We Worship?
  
  

THE DYNAMICS OF WORSHIP

WHO do we Worship?

The answer we give to this question reveals whether or not our worship contains the first and most essential ingredient to the kind of worship that God is looking for. Our worship is right only when we worship God as He is described in the Bible.

False gods or inadequate views of the one true God can nullify even the most sincere efforts to worship. The cult member often has a twisted perception of God's character. An idolater fails to see how inadequate his god is when compared to the greatness of the God of Scripture. A materialist holds on to the god that Jesus called "Mammon" instead of the God who offers treasure in heaven (Mt. 6:24).

Jesus said, "You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve" (Mt. 4:10). God has the right to be the only object of our worship because He alone is worthy. And that worthiness is clearly seen as we reflect on His character and His works.

What Is God Like?
Through the Scriptures, God has clearly revealed to us what He is like.

• God Is Personal.
  He is not, as some describe Him, an impersonal force. He possesses all the qualities of personality—intelligence, emotions, and self-determining will—in their ultimate and infinitely wonderful forms (Isa. 46:10; Jer. 29:11; Jn. 3:16). Though immeasurably greater than we are, He can relate to us and we can relate to Him with our minds, hearts, and wills (Dt. 6:5).
  
  
• God Is Eternal.
  His inestimable value is seen in the mind-boggling fact that He is from everlasting to everlasting (Ps. 90:2). Unlike any other being, He never had a beginning and He will never have an end. He is, for every generation of worshipers, the Ever-living One.
  
  
• God Is Spirit.
  Jesus taught us that God cannot be contained or limited by physical places, forms, or buildings (Jn. 4:24). As Spirit, He does not exist in a body that can be seen or touched. Therefore, He must not be reduced to a physical image of any kind.
  
  
• God Is All-knowing.
  He is unlimited in His knowledge (Ps. 147:4-5; Mt. 10:29-30; Rom. 11:33). He knows everything there is to know about us, our world, and the universe. His knowledge is not hindered by locked doors, darkness, or distant places.
  
  
• God Is All-powerful.
  He can do anything that He chooses to do (Gen. 18:14; Ps. 115:3; Mt. 19:26). No good thing is beyond His ability to do. No army, government, or civilization can frustrate His purposes.
  
  
• God Is Everywhere-present.
  There is no hiding or escaping—no way to avoid the all-powerful One. No locked room or secret meeting place can keep Him out. No matter where you go in the universe, God is there (1 Ki. 8:27; Ps. 139:7-8; Jer. 23:23-24; Acts 17:27-28).
  
  
• God Is Sovereign.
  Regardless of the apparent turmoil, confusion, or chaos in our world, the God we worship is One who does all things according to His own will and purpose (Isa. 46:10-11; Dan. 4:35; Eph. 1:11). He is, has been, and always will be in control of all of history. Nothing can escape His ever-present hand.
  
  
• God Is Unchanging.
  In His character, in His purpose, and in His ability, God never changes (Jas. 1:17). He has never been nor ever will be less good, less loving, less true, or less powerful. The God that Abraham praised and relied on is the same God we worship.
  
  
• God Is Good.
  "Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good" (Ps. 34:. Because of His goodness, He gives blessings and joy to His creatures (Ps. 145:9; Jas. 1:17). His goodness to us should cause us to offer our praise to Him (Ps. 86:5; 100:5; 135:3; Jer. 33:11).
  
  
• God Is Righteous And Just.
  God deals fairly with all His creatures (Gen. 18:25; Ps. 7:9-12; 18:24-26; 145:17). Because of His perfect knowledge, love, and holiness, He is perfectly just.
  
  
• God Is Truthful.
  Not only is He the one true God (Jer. 10:8,10; Jn. 17:3; 1 Th. 1:9; 1 Jn. 5:20-21), but whatever He says is true (Num. 23:19; Ps. 119:160; Jn. 3:33). We can trust all of His promises and His principles.
  
  
• God Is Holy.
  He is completely free of any moral defect, compromise, or contamination (Ex. 15:11; Isa. 6:3). Because He is the standard of all excellence and honor, He deserves our unending praise (Ps. 96:9; 99:9).
  
  We worship God because of who He is! He alone is worthy of praise and honor. He alone is worthy of our worship. We also worship Him because of what He has done.

What Has God Done?
The Scriptures tell us of His works as Creator, Sustainer, Savior, and Judge.

• He Is The Creator.
  Scripture introduces us to God in a way that should overwhelm us with awe. It says, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (Gen. 1:1). In the very first verses of the Bible we meet the God of our worship in all the wonder and awe of His creative power. Just imagine: He says the word, and nothingness becomes something. What mystery! He speaks, and all the elements of this earth—atmosphere, water, and land—find their appointed places. At the sound of His voice, oaks, octopuses, ostriches, and orangutans appear. He reaches into the dust, forms the perfect man, and breathes life into him.
  
  That's amazing! God's mighty work of creation should inspire reverential awe in all of us and cause us to worship Him (Ps. 33:6; Isa. 44:24; Rev. 4:11).
  
  
• He Is The Sustainer.
  The God who deserves all honor and praise not only created all things but also holds it all together. No other truth about God should humble us any more than this one. We couldn't live another moment without His help. Everything God has made is dependent on Him. He cares for all things according to His own purpose and plan (Ps. 104:27-28; Mt. 6:25-34). Apart from His supporting and sustaining hand, everything would explode, unravel, and decay into disorder and chaos (Heb. 1:3).
  
  
• He Is The Savior.
  This should evoke the loudest and longest praise of all! He rescues from a lake of eternal fire, destruction, and dishonor all who will believe in His Son. He "gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did" (Rom. 4:17). By an inexplicable strategy of love, He declares repentant sinners righteous and gives eternal life to dying souls (Rom. 3:19-28). Could we ever give enough thanks to the One who has loved us like this? Could we ever give Him enough praise, honor, and love?
  
  
• He Is The Judge.
  The truth of our accountability to God should cause us to fear Him. For some, unfortunately, fear drives them away from God. But for others, fear causes them to repent of their sins and seek His forgiveness.
  
  God's acts in history prove that He is the judge of all men. He judged men in sending the flood (Gen. 6–9). He judged men by confusing their language (Gen. 11). He judged men by destroying wicked cities (Gen. 19). And one day He will judge His enemies by casting them away from His presence forever (Rev. 20:11-15). No thought, no decision, no action will escape His ever-present, all-knowing eye!
  
  Yes, the wonderful works and matchless characteristics of God make Him the only One worthy of our worship. Knowing who we are worshiping, then, is very important. But it is also important to know why.

Thinking It Over.
Read Exodus 3:1–4:17, Isaiah 6:1-8, and Revelation 1:9-20. What was each man's reaction when he saw the glory of the Lord? Take a few minutes to reflect on God's character and His works and then offer a prayer of praise to Him.

To me WORSHIP is a LIFESTYLE !

Anytime of the day we should be worshipping the Lord.  In fact, this is the foremost purpose of our life, to worship the Lord Jesus Christ.  We are all created to worship Him. 

I learnt of a certain church that people begins to think that to worship, there should be music in it.  The situation worsen until people cannot even start service without music, until one day the pastor decided to exclude the musical instruments in worship. This paved the way for the composition of the song "Heart of Worship".  Then people began to understand that you dont need to have good musicians or singers to worship.

It is a way of life. In everything that we do, we can say, "Lord Im dedicating this day and this work for you". When painting, taking pictures, cooking, cleaning the dishes, etc. When you do this, you will notice that everything that you do will have meaning in your life.

God bless.

QuoteIt is a way of life. In everything that we do, we can say, "Lord Im dedicating this day and this work for you". When painting, taking pictures, cooking, cleaning the dishes, etc. When you do this, you will notice that everything that you do will have meaning in your life.

Amen Noel!  This is truly "the heart of worship."  Thank you. 

Yes, I agree.  Worship incorporates all we are and do as lovers of Jesus Christ.

Many good things have been said here regarding worship.  The only thing I would add is that there are two Greek words translated "worship."  The first is proskuneo, and the second is eusebeo. 

The first literally means to "bow towards."  It's a physical action that indicates an attitude.  It's saying to God, "You are LORD; You are GOD; I must be subservient to YOU; I must acknowledge You as the SOURCE of all good, all might, all power, all love, all holiness, etc., etc.

The second word literally means "to have piety towards."  It means thinking of Him all the time, in connection with all actions, thoughts, words, etc.  It means loving Him, trusting Him, blessing Him in word, song, or action. 

Taken together, the two words indicate the One we acknowlege as LORD, and the One we love to serve because He is so good.

I think there is definitely a place for public worship, public singing of praises, public testimony, etc.  God commands this.

But there is also the necessity of living for Him in love and delight - worshipping Him moment by moment.

Public and private worship are both necessary, good, profitable, and delightful.

Good word, Pastor Al.  Are you feeling some better?

Thanks Nita.  Sometimes it seems a little better, sometimes it doesn't.  I'm still finding it necessary to sleep in the layback at night.  Got to get over that or won't be able to make the Coos Bay trip.  Pray.  Thanks.

http://www.harvestnet.org/revref/worshipfeeling.html
Father God, deliver Al Moak, your son from this sickness right speedily, for we ask in the Name of Your Greatest Son Jesus, amen.

Thanks dear brother and sister!  And thanks for the link to Bro. Tozer's thoughts.  2 Cor. 4:6 says, "But God, Who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the Face of Jesus Christ."   When He thus shines in our hearts, then both intelect and emotion are set ablaze in wonder at the glory that is seen.

 

When the music fades
And all is stripped away
And I simply come
Longing just to bring
Something that's of worth
That will bless your heart

I'll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the ways things appear
You're looking into my heart

I'm coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about You
All about You, Jesus
I'm sorry Lord for the thing I've made it
When it's all about You
It's all about You

King of endless worth
No one could express
How much You deserve
Though I'm weak and poor
All I have is Yours
Every single breath

I'll bring You more than just a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You're looking into my heart

Amen!!  That song says it all!    

Yes! Yes! Yes!  The lyrics to this song are so right on.  Just a heart of worship is what I want.
Thanks for posting this song "Babycakes".   I need to listen it again.  Jane, you have it to; don't you?