Worshipping God Is a Lifestyle—Give Glory to God!

Worshipping God Is a Lifestyle Devotional Reading September 5, 2023

Jesus Christ’s Omnipotence: O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.” — Psalm 95:6

Our Identity in Christ: “Know that the LORD is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.” —Psalm 100:3

We should love the Holy Scriptures because there is no guesswork or room for misinterpretation of Jesus’ status as our Lord and Maker and our status as His people who were created to worship God. Worshipping God is one of the most misunderstood concepts of Christianity. Our worship extends well beyond attending church services once or twice a week. Worshipping God is having a spiritual mindset and lifestyle of reverence, faith, and obedience to God, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Our duty to God: Every day, from the moment we awaken to the moment our eyes close in sleep, our thoughts, attitude, spoken words, and actions reveal our love for Christ. We can live Christ-centered lives because our hearts and minds are filled with an overwhelming love for God. And our most important goal is to remain obedient by staying in alignment with the will of God.

“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth…” —John 14:15-17

Human effort is always required to stay connected to Christ. Yet, we cannot achieve righteousness without the intervention of the Holy Spirit who empowers us to live holy and acceptable lives. Still, God gives us the choice of asking for Divine Help. Our prayers express the desire for the Holy Spirit to be an active part of our lives.

Many years ago, I asked my best friend to go on a girl’s day out. Her response was, “Most likely, I will go with you, but I need to pray about it first.” Due to spiritual immaturity, I had no idea why she would need to pray about a social activity. And the expression on my face indicated my feelings. With a smile, she looked at me and said, “One day, you will understand.” My friend is resting in the grave until Jesus comes again, but she was right. As the years have passed, I finally understand my obligation as a believer—to stay in the will of God.

“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” —1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Yes, the apostle Paul was speaking to the believers in the Church of Corinth, yet his message applies to every believer. Our surrender of accepting Christ as our personal Savior includes the spiritual transformation of our bodies and minds to being one with Christ. Still, the Holy Spirit can only dwell within us when we are faithful and obedient to God.

Evidence of God’s Unchanging Love: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” —Jeremiah 29:11

Our lives are not our own. The desire to stay in the perfect will of God reflects the status of our love for God. Pleasing God is our priority. As we reflect on the love, greatness, faithfulness, and goodness of God, we must believe the promise that God gave to the prophet Jeremiah when the Israelites were in captivity for 70 years.

God promised deliverance when Israel was in physical captivity and He promises us deliverance from the captivity of spiritual warfare that will continue throughout our earthly existence. Sadly, we also place ourselves in captivity. Without the willingness to surrender and dedicate our hearts, minds, and souls to love and obey God, we are enslaved by the desires of our carnal hearts.

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it…” —Matthew 7:13-14

As we reflect on our works, we measure ourselves by our own standards. Praying, studying the Bible, and attending church are outward signs that we love God, yet praying for the Holy Spirit to reveal our character flaws is an act of surrender. Following Jesus requires absolute obedience to the will of God!

Although staying on the Chosen Path is not easy, each of us can pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal God’s will and the Holy Spirit will empower us to do the will of God. The human effort of daily surrender and obedience is a pleasing sacrifice to God. When Jesus said that we must “Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, soul, and mind,” He identified the requisite to living a committed and holy life.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” —John 15:5

Who can save themselves? We need Divine Intervention every second of our lives! Our acknowledgment of the need for constant help and direction is revealed in the believer whose life is filled with prayer and gratitude. From our humility, we receive spiritual strength from the Holy Spirit who empowers us to stay on the Path of Righteousness.

“We love Him because He first loved us.” —1 John 4:19

Worship is a Lifestyle that easily flows from the heart that loves and reverences God. We do not need anyone to tell us to put God first, our love for God is reflected in our heart’s response to His love and faithfulness. A loving relationship with Christ is one of high maintenance which requires time and effort every day of our earthly lives.

Love and appreciation for God’s love, grace, mercies, and the gift of His only Son, Jesus is the driving force that gives us the willingness to reverence and worship God through faithful obedience. We make Christ the Center of our lives because He is the never-changing Spiritual Foundation we need to live victoriously!

As Christ’s followers, we strive to live by the example that He left for us. Giving honor and reverence to God’s Omnipotence is demonstrated through a mindset to always give Him glory through our worship. Our worship begins internally from a heart that is dedicated to loving God first and foremost. We know whether or not we are living obedient to the will of God or by the desires of our hearts. Every day our priorities and activities reflect the destiny we have chosen.

Our life on earth either prepares us for eternal life with Christ or we deny Christ by fulfilling our desires and living our best life now. Studying the Bible is not enough. Our highest worship of God is demonstrated by the daily sacrifice of obedience in which we deny our will and desires and make the commitment to live by the Will of God.

Loving Christ allows us to maintain a Spirit of worship within our minds. Yes, it is possible to stay in God’s Presence when we ask the Holy Spirit to reveal God’s will and commit to obey God. To receive Divine power and guidance, we must whisper prayers throughout our waking hours. Worship keeps us steadfast and gives us the ability to live as overcomers.

Scripture: “Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people— saying with a loud voice, ‘Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.’ “ —Revelation 14:6-7

Prayer: God, we ask for forgiveness for our disobedience and not seeking Your will. We also ask You to sanctify our minds, hearts, and characters. Lord, we give You the reverence, honor, and praise that You rightfully deserve. Give us the strength to be obedient, patient, gentle, and kind. We desire to represent You to others and to worship You eternally. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.

© 2023 Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions and Woman, You Are Loved by God Ministries