Worship in Action: Serve the Lord in Ministry and Good Works

I do not want my service to the Lord to be ritual or habit. I want all that I do for Him to be received by Him as worship. So, I decided, as I continue my studies in worship, to really look at what it worship through service consists of.

But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets. (Acts 24:14)

In his defense of the gospel, Paul stated that he worshipped the God of Israel. The word he used for worship denoted religious service. He described worship of God by faithfully ministering and serving for Him and in His name.

Thus, we worship God as we witness in His name and perform good works, which includes organized religious service.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father, which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)

God receives glory when we perform good works. Good works are an outward of an inner relationship. When they are done with the right motives, we worship God through them. When we serve in the Church, do volunteer work, and the like, we worship God through our actions. Till my next entry.

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Worship in Action: Swim in His Presence

I am still searching for truth concerning how to demonstrate worship in my daily life. I am yet examining the scriptures for guidance. So, here I am again.

Exalt ye the Lord our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy. (Psalm 99:5)

The word translated worship here means a pond to swim in. The psalmist is calling the people to exalt God and swim in (at) His footstool. We do this when we walk in the Spirit.

If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. (Galatians 5:25)

Walking by the Spirit constitutes worship. As we allow the Spirit to lead us daily, we worship God. The only way one is able to swim is there is an abundance of water. As we are filled daily with the Holy Spirit and submit to His unction, we are in worship. Till next time.

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Worship in Action: Bowing to His Standards

You know, the scriptures are filled with expressions of worship. So, I began to consider certain passages and how they should relate to me daily. My life should be a demonstration of worship in action. I start my scripture studies with this entry.

O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth. (Psalm 69:9)

In this verse, worship means to bow and prostrate before the Lord. In everyday life, the believer worships God as He submits to His standards for living. We worship God daily when we bow to His commands.

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world. (Titus 2:11-12)

Our reception of God’s grace teaches us that true worship manifests in separation and sanctification. When we do this in our lives, we are bowing our lives in worship of Him. Till my next entry.

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The Act of Worship (Entry 4): Prostrating the Body

I have been thinking, "Why do we do certain things in worship?"  Whether in a personal or public religious setting, I wanted to know what is the significance of bowing, bending, and kneeling. So, I just figured I would do a little research and write down what I discovered. Today, I considered why do we prostrate our bodies.

One of the greatest expressions of worship in the religious setting is prostration. When one prostrates, he/she is on bended knees with the face to the ground or laid out (usually face down) during the time of worship.

This act of worship denotes total surrender to the Lord. Prostration reflects a willingness to submit one’s total being unto the Lord. When we do this, we declare our total trust, submission, surrender, and love.

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. (Matthew 23:27)

Those that will lay prostrate before Him in worship have to understand that this is what they are communicating. God is in control. No other will be placed before Him. His word is law. His will is unchanging. If we are going to act this out in the worship setting, then we must be prepared to follow through. If not, we become vain worshippers.

How many times have we sang the song, “I Surrender All” in the worship setting? Yet, our lives do not reflect the sentiments of this song. We do not have to be perfect to sing the words to this song. However, if we are to sing it, we should be striving daily to make it a reality in our lives. Songs like this should be meaningful outside of the religious settings. Till my next entry.

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The Act of Worship (Entry 3): Bending of the Knee

I have been thinking, "Why do we do certain things in worship?"  Whether in a personal or public religious setting, I wanted to know what is the significance of bowing, bending, and kneeling. So, I just figured I would do a little research and write down what I discovered. Today, I considered why do we bend our knees.

Another common demonstration of worship is to kneel before God. Again, this is oftentimes done in connection to prayer. When possible, it should be incorporated into the worship setting. Since it involves the legs, kneeling denotes submission to God’s ways. It expresses a willingness to go where He wants you to go. Your volition will be governed by His word.

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. (Psalm 37:23)

When we kneel in the worship setting, we declare God’s supremacy. We demonstrate that He alone stands in control of our lives. We submit the course and direction of our lives unto Him. We kneel to demonstrate that He is above us in authority and power. Till my next entry.

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The Act of Worship (Entry 2): Bowing at the Waist

I have been thinking, "Why do we do certain things in worship?"  Whether in a personal or public religious setting, I wanted to know what is the significance of bowing, bending, and kneeling. So, I just figured I would do a little research and write down what I discovered. Today, I considered why do we bow at the waist.

Depending upon the religious setting, some may feel at liberty to bow unto the Lord while in a standing position (accompanied with the lifting of hands). This type of bowing demonstrates reverence for His greatness. This type of bowing is done in respect to God as the One who fills heaven and earth.

Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool… (Isaiah 66:1)

In Asian culture, it is customary to bow when meeting acquaintances and respecting those in authority. In the Church, we are friends and servants of God. We bow to show personal intimacy and respect. Bowing at the waist also represents that we set our personal desires aside to honor the Lord. This is why usually during corporate worship and personal times of devotion we do not eat, drink, and meet other physical needs to give Him our undivided attention.

Everything we have is to be submitted to Him in the act of worship. It also demonstrates that while we are in worship, we will submit any ungodly desires and appetites of the flesh unto the Lord. Till my next entry.

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The Act of Worship (Entry 1): Bowing of Head

I have been thinking, "Why do we do certain things in worship?"  Whether in a personal or public religious setting, I wanted to know what is the significance of bowing, bending, and kneeling. So, I just figured I would do a little research and write down what I discovered. Today, I considered why do we bow our heads.

Regardless of the setting, when one wants to demonstrate worship, he may bow his head in reverence to God.  I discovered, when the head is bowed, it symbolizes that our thoughts are turned toward Him. We submit our ways unto His and our thoughts unto His because God’s ways and thoughts are higher than ours.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9)

The bowing of the head demonstrates submission unto God’s purposes. It reflects our intention to submit or bow to His wisdom and word. In services, we bow our heads oftentimes when prayers are made. If we do this, we are telling the Lord that we bow our wills to His in response to our requests. Till my next entry.

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