Worship: Our Time to be Quiet and Hear from God

 “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.” 

(rf. Ps. 46:10-11 MEV)

 

Lori and I had the opportunity last week to return to a Pastors and Wives Retreat that we had previously attended twice before. In years past our time away proved to be immeasurably beneficial to both of us. This one was no different in outcome, though somewhat different in structure. Nonetheless we were very blessed by the time away, the new friends in ministry we met, the wonderful meals provided, and, especially, the quiet which fed our souls.

 

Everyone needs a quiet place where the noises of this world cease to be a distraction, allowing the proper background for us to truly hear the voice of God to our hearts. The quiet we experienced last week was essential in recharging our batteries for further ministry and to be able to sense God’s direction for our lives.

 

It is easy to get caught up in the busyness of life, the constant demands of work and family, the incessant call of “things to do”. This generation of American Christians is obviously struggling with these burdens as evidenced by their lack of faithfulness to Christ’s Church and an absence of desire to participate in the work and worship of God’s people. Many believers today would rather spend their Sundays doing anything other than being with fellow Christians. This is so sad!

 

Sunday morning worship is designed as a time to “get away” from the cares of this world, to recharge our batteries as we fellowship with one another and God’s Spirit. It is a “quiet place” where one can look into one’s own heart and pursue a stronger and deeper connection with Almighty God. Worship is specifically planned so that we are immersed in God’s Word to the end that we can be better living testimonies of God’s grace in Christ Jesus who lives within each of us.

 

As Lori and I had to make plans ahead of time to “get away” to WinShape for rest and restoration, so all of us as Jesus’ followers must plan to be with God’s people in worship each and every Sunday (barring sickness and Providential reasons, obviously). If we are faithful in the worship of our Lord and Savior, He will be responsive to our worship, inclining His ear to our prayers and speaking encouragement to our hearts through His Word and Spirit. Make the commitment going forward to setting God’s worship as a weekly priority for you and your family. He will bless your dedication to Him.

Looking Forward to Home (September 2023)

“Then He said, ‘A man had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that falls to me.’ So he divided his estate between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together, and journeyed to a distant country, and there squandered his possessions in prodigal living. When he had spent everything, there came a severe famine in that country, and he began to be in want. So he went and hired himself to a citizen of that county, who sent him into his fields to feed swine. He would gladly have filled his stomach with the husks that the swine were eating, but no one gave him any. When he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have an abundance of bread, and here I am perishing with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.’ So he arose and came to his father.” (rf. Lk. 15:11-20 MEV)

            

 

Home is a treasured place for most of us. It is where we can come and truly be ourselves with no airs of greatness and no need to impress others. We can be who we are at heart, knowing that those with us understand and accept us completely (“warts and all”, as the old saying goes). Home has a strong pull on us when we are away visiting others for business or pleasure, when normal life is interrupted by significant events that cause us to go away for a time. When we are away for such reasons, we begin to experience a longing, a yearning for home, a strong and growing desire to return to the place where we are most comfortable and most loved.

            This is how God eventually brought conviction to the Prodigal Son. He found himself vying for food with swine and new in his heart that there must be something better for him. Then he remembered home. Even if it meant the loss of his position as son, he was willing to become a slave in his father’s house if that resulted in his being home. What he found on his return was a welcome much more than he ever could have imagined (rf. Lk. 15:21-32).

            As followers of Christ, we have “home” calling in our hearts. We already have a home with Almighty God in heaven prepared for us (rf. Jn. 14:2-3). We have been called to work in His fields, caring for His sheep, growing in our own understanding and faith in the one True Shepherd. We have been told to continue this process of maturing in our faith until He calls us home to be with Him forever. Therefore, until we are called home, let us look forward to that day and fulfill His will in the light of knowing we will be in His Presence and experiencing His love for eternity.