Page 23 - Summer 2015 Contact issue 34

True worship is a lifestyle and Our personal worship styles may involve heart attitude. a variety of hand motions and/or variety in voicing the worship song such as sing- Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, ing along, listening, shouting, declarations brothers and sisters, in view of God’s etc. Raising hands is Biblical, but not a mercy, to ofer your bodies as a living guarantee of ‘spirituality’ or a mark of true sacrifce, holy and pleasing to God- this worship. Kneeling or lying prostrate on the is your spiritual act of worship. ground is another valid worship style, but only becomes true worship when one’s Worship is vastly more than just a portion heart is also prostrate before the Lord. What of a church service. Any activity can be we do in our outward expression of worship worship if our actions are according to the should be led by the Holy Spirit, without will of God and our hearts are motivated by regard to the thoughts or judgments of the glory of God and empowered by His others. Consider the example of David Spirit. Worship can be studying, gardening, when he danced before the Lord. working as well as giving, praying, service, singing, and praise. 2 Samuel 6: 16 and 21 As the ark of the Lord came into the city of David, Isaiah 29:13 The Lord says: “These people Michal the daughter of Saul looked out come near to me with their mouth and of the window and saw King David honour me with their lips, but their hearts leaping and dancing before the Lord, and are far from me. Their worship of me is she despised him in her heart. David said made up only of rules taught by men.” to Michal, “It was before the LORD, who Good actions devoid of a right heart are chose me…I will celebrate before the worthless. However, as the heart is right LORD.” before God and as we walk with Him, any action can become the spiritual act of In summary, the two basic types of worship worship urged in Romans. are man-centred or God-centred. We may choose to worship a man-made object, a How can songs be used within person, a feeling, or even a man-made worship? concept of God. While doing any of these may leave us feeling good about ourselves, none of these has been prescribed by God Music has power, especially to infuence as a proper way to worship Him. emotions. Songs used within worship must always focus on the God of the song, not God-centred worship makes God the entire the song itself. We need to be cautious picture, not just the centrepiece. Worship that our heart is moving closer to God as is all about God - His purposes and His will, a result of the spirit and truth of the song, and therefore, He is the one empowered rather than excited by a feeting emotional to prescribe the method of worship. Being buzz. frmly rooted and established in God’s Word will reveal to us more and more of God’s Ask yourself three questions to test the character and grow our view of God. focus of your worship: David the Psalmist experienced worship that • Does my life refect a worship lifestyle? satisfed his soul like nothing else could. • Do I worship God in my time alone Give God His rightful place; worship Him with no music? in spirit and in truth; enjoy this rich food • Do I fnd myself more interested in for your soul! Focus on reaching out and what God is doing or in how I’m feeling? touching the God who created and loves you. He longs for that relationship. Stuart Beattie