Bible Pathway - July 11, 2010
Highlights:
The Holy Spirit leads the writer to walk and talk with God, and then tells everyone why and how to worship Him. God has made us and our God reigns. Give glory to His Name, everyone sing praise to the Lord. Praise Him for His holiness, His love, His faithfulness, and most of all for His long-suffering. Praise Him for our salvation. What a mighty and marvelous God we serve!
By the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the psalmist invites the faithful to come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our salvation. . . . O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. For He is our God; and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand (Ps. 95:1,6-7). Praying with a heartfelt attitude of gratitude and thanksgiving (95:2) is a vital part of worship. Singing joyfully carries with it the thought of expressing devotion to our Lord.
Praise to the Lord will lift worship beyond the level of personal needs to the higher plane of love and adoration as we honor the Heavenly Father, our precious Savior Jesus Christ, and the indwelling Holy Spirit. A "self-centered" person assumes the "worship" service was meant for his personal satisfaction. Consequently, we hear such people say: "I didn't get much out of the service." The reason is clear — they didn't put much into it.
Worship is not a "time" set aside for receiving personal satisfaction or for the enjoyment of a "sermon." Worship should be an active, heartfelt expression of prayer, praise, and adoration, demonstrating our esteem for our Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ. Following this, all else, including the sermon, becomes more meaningful.
Some lack spiritual fulfillment because they have decided to reflect the mood and attitude of unbelievers when confronted with adverse circumstances, such as the loss of a job, the death of a loved one, a divorce, the betrayal of a friend, or some other painful experience. By deciding to be unhappy and dissatisfied, they deprive themselves of the joy of an abundant, peaceful life. The Lord has said: The joy of the Lord is your strength (Neh. 8:10).
When we think of all our Lord has done for us, in us, and with us, and all He has promised to us for all eternity, we cannot help but decide to praise, worship, and serve the Lord with gladness: come before His presence with singing (Ps. 100:2). Our gladness will be in direct proportion to our faith in His unfailing presence and promises. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations (Ps. 100:5).
Thought for Today:
When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth (Luke 11:2).
Christ Revealed:
As the Creator: It is He that hath made us (Ps. 100:3). All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made (John 1:3; Eph. 3:9; Col. 1:16; Rev. 4:11).
Word Studies:
92:6 brutish =b> without regard to reason or propriety; 93:5 becometh =b> distinguishes; 94:20 throne of iniquity =b> workers of evil; frameth =b> devises; 95:7 of His hand =b> under His care; 99:3 terrible =b> holy, awesome.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Staff: Barbara Bivens • Government Official: Rep. Edward Markey (MA) • Country: Sao Tome and Principe (155,000) two larger and several smaller islands in the Gulf of Guinea, 125 miles off the western coast of Africa • Major language: Portuguese • Religious freedom is fairly new • 83% Roman Catholic; 3% Protestant; 2% animist • Prayer Suggestion: Pray that people will come to a knowledge of the Lord God (I Kings 18:36-37).
Optional Reading: 1 Timothy 2
Memory Verse for the Week: 2 Corinthians 4:8
