"You must not worship the Lord your God in their way. But you are to seek the place the Lord your God will choose from among all your tribes to put His Name there for His dwelling. To that place you must go."
Church hopping is a way of life for many, many Christians. "I'm not going there, they put their hands in the air; that's embarrassing." "They don't sing the songs I like." "I think the pastor is a chauvinist." "The message didn't make me feel good." "Those people in that church don't smile, they're not friendly." "Those people are too loud and happy, I'm uncomfortable." "They dress too fancy." "They don't dress up." "They don't sing enough." "They sing too much." "The kids are too noisy." "They don't have kids in church." And the list of excuses goes on into eternity. I'm sure you've heard them, too.
Now, this may surprise a lot of people, may even make some angry. But hear this: Church is NOT about ME, it is solely about praising and worshiping God. Period. Amen. It's not about the order of worship; or how many songs we sing or don't sing; it's not about the preaching; it's not about what our pew-mate is wearing; it's not about how good I feel; it's not about watching the kids perform; it's not about anything in this world including the bulletin! It is entirely about God and our heart-attitude towards Him.
Worship is about loving on God. It is spiritually caressing Him, kissing His cheeks, pleasing His Heart. It is our spiritual love affair of the heart. If we are in true worship with our Lord, we won't see a thing or a person around us. If our heart is looking only at Jesus, if we are so intent on pleasing Him, we won't even realize we're still on earth. Nothing else will matter except our pleasing our Lord.
When it comes to finding a home church, the Bible says we are to ask God where He wants us to go. What an interesting concept; ask God. God knows where He wants us to worship and WHY. It's not for us to question the Lord, only to be obedient. Satan doesn't want us to do what God wants, so he tries every evil trick he knows to keep us from seeking God's ways and being in His will. But God's ways are holy and perfect, who are we to discard them? God has a plan for us, even in worshiping Him. When we seek His way, follow His leading, meld our heart with His, the joy is unspeakable! The Lord God Almighty wants our undivided attention, uncluttered with any kind of human interference.
Our attitude of worship as God directs has not changed from the time of Moses. God still wants loved on, and He wants it His way. Who are we to argue with that? It takes hard work and dedication to concentrate on God alone, to blot out the noise of the world. It's a life-long work. But the more we do it, the more we ask for the Holy Spirit to help us, the easier it becomes and the greater the joy. Worshiping the Lord should be an anticipated pleasure, not a chore we must do every week. Worshiping the Lord should be a way of life.
How did you choose your church? Did you get the Lord's permission?
"Loving Jesus, it seems like all I ever do is say 'forgive me, forgive me'. The more I read and study, it seems the more my life is out of order. Help me, Jesus, to do what you ask. Help me to be the child you created me to be. I only want to love you and please you and gladden your heart. Show me the way, strengthen me with Your Holy Spirit, give me a holy boldness to obey your every command. My heart's desire is to be a blessing to Your Name. Amen."
FOR FURTHER STUDY:
Deuteronomy 12
Psalm 19:14
John 4:23
Romans 8:4-6
12:2
14:13
16:18
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