The Cost of Worship

David was following the Lord’s command to build an altar to the Lord on Araunah’s threshing floor. Araunah, seeing that this was the King requesting use of his threshing floor, insisted that David use it without cost. Araunah even offered to provide the sacrifice and the tools.

However, David realizes the importance of the sacrifice and replied, “No, I insist on buying it, for I cannot present burnt offerings to the Lord my God that have cost me nothing.” (2 Samuel 24:24)

Worship is work, it is sacrifice, and it is costly. We should not enter in this morning without first preparing and expect to have a meaningful, intimate worship time. Worship takes preparation; Preparing our hearts, spending time alone with God during the week, talking with Him and listening to Him. Worship also demands sacrifice. As we see in Romans 12:1

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship.” (NIV)

We must be willing to sacrifice our “rights”, our wants, our desires, in order to allow God’s will to be accomplished. Worship takes time and effort as does anything that truly has worth.

What did your “offering” of worship cost you this week? Did you have to die to yourself? Obeying God rather than your own will? The daily discipline of preparation for worship is work, and is often difficult. Are we willing to do what it takes to give God His due in our worship; or do we walk in rushed, unprepared, unfocused, having not spent any quality time with Him at all this week?

Let’s begin today to purpose in our hearts that we will give our best to the Master, day in and day out, and say like David, “I will not present to the Lord that which costs me nothing.”

With you on the journey,

Pastor MJ

I Will Rejoice In The LORD

“It is impossible for that man to despair
who remembers that his Helper is omnipotent.”

Jeremy Taylor (1613-1667)

I love the book of Daniel. Faith, trust, honesty, friendship, miracles, justice and God’s wonderful way of doing “His thing” fill every page. My favorite and probably the most life changing for me is the story of Daniel’s three friends: Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. Their one statement to King Nebuchadnezzar speaks volumes, not only in their situation, but for us in our realization of what trust in God can do:

“If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king…”

And this is the part I really appreciate:
“…But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up. ”(Daniel 2:17-18)

“But even if He does not!” These young men knew their fate if they disobeyed the king, but more importantly, they knew their God and that faithfulness to Him was more important than their very lives. They were determined to be faithful and obedient even if their hopes for what God would do never came to pass. They were obedient to God’s character and His Word, not His miracles. How about us? How about you? How about me? Are we willing today to say with Job?

“Though He slay me, I will hope in Him.” (Job 13:15)

God has spoken to you: Trust in who He is. He is worthy of your obedience and trust. Do more than hold on to His promises; hold on to Him and He will carry you through to the completion of what He has called you to do.

We are living in very difficult days. Saying that what tomorrow brings is uncertain is at least an understatement. However, as children of the King, we can say, with Habakkuk that no matter what happens, no matter what tomorrow brings:

“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines,though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food,though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.”Habakkuk 3:16-18 (NIV)

With that in mind, let’s worship Him with our everythingness today!

Integrity

One of the best definitions of integrity that I have seen is this: “Integrity is who you are when no one else is looking.” Over the years, on radio programs, reality shows and the like, I’ve heard many people respond to this question: “If you knew that no one could see you and not a single person would ever find out would you do this (fill in the blank). The lists included things such as stealing money, cheating on a test, getting revenge on an enemy and the list went on. Many of the people questioned didn’t have to think long before they admitted that if they could get away with it without anyone finding out that the sky would be the limit as to what they’d seek to get away with. The daily newspapers reveal the reality of many people’s hearts when they admit that the only reason some people are upset when they are caught is not because they are repentant, but that they got caught.

What about you? What about me? Are we the same people in the “dark” as we are in the “light”. As Christians we are always in the light. As 1 Corinthians 4:5 Tells us, “So don’t make judgments about anyone ahead of time—before the Lord returns. For he will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due.” God knows our hearts and whether or not those around us see what we do or ever find out, God knows and that is what matters in the end.

David realized that when in Psalm 51 he says, “Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight.” When we sin, we bring displeasure to the Lord and we break fellowship with Him. Scripture is not silent about God’s presence everywhere and at all times, but not only in the outward acts, but in the hidden places of our hearts.

As we worship today, this week, let’s ask God to search our hearts and reveal to us any and all things that might be compromising our integrity before Him and as He does, confess it (1 John 1:9). Then when we are faced with anything that might cause us to do so again, run the other way into His arms of grace and mercy.

With you on the journey,

Pastor MJ

Riches I Heed Not

"Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine inheritance, now and always;
Thou and Thou only, First in my heart,
High King of heaven, my Treasure Thou art."
~"Be Thou My Vision"
Ancient Irish Hymn (8th Century)

In this world of vast material wealth it’s easy to see how people can be overcome with the desire to get more and more and never have enough. Boasting is something that many shy away from verbally, but many show in the way that they live. It’s easy for this to happen especially when you begin to believe your own press. You’ve succeeded by the world’s standards and everyone is always telling you how great and wonderful you are. The success may not be financial; it may be in sports, or in your job. Maybe you’ve been a wonderful and proactive parent and your children are very successful.

Whatever our success may be, we must never forget where the ability to succeed comes from. That’s important especially when you realize that God’s standard of success is far different than man’s standard. God in his gracious wisdom and love has given all of us the potential for success. The world exalts the wise, the strong, and the powerful as being the examples of success. God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise. (1 Corinthians 1:27) He has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He has chosen the powerless people, the ordinary people to proclaim the Almighty One.

That brings great comfort to me. Knowing that I don’t have to compare myself to others gives me great comfort because there is always someone better or more gifted. But thankfully that is not what God is looking for. What He is after is a person who is willing, and has an available heart where He can reside and work His wonders in and through. That takes the pressure off of us to be the "best". Who came up with that anyway? Where does Jesus command us to be the best? We are told to do our best, and to give of our best, but the difference comes with who is ultimately in control. When we try to be the best it’s easy to boast in our own strength. When we do our best in His strength and rely on God for the results, it’s easier to give the glory where the glory is deserved.

As you worship today, thank and praise God that He is willing and ready to use you to show the world that He is a kind, just and righteous God! Wow, what an honor!

Pastor MJ