The Well
The Well |
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Connecting Hope to the Hurting | |
Thursday
June 19, 2008
"I hate all your festivals and sacrifices. I cannot stand the sight of them.
From now on, when you lift up your hands in prayer, I will refuse to look. Even
though you offer many prayers, I will not listen. For your hands are covered
with the blood of your innocent victims. Wash yourselves and be clean! Let me no
longer see your evil deeds. Give up your wicked ways. Learn to do good. Seek
justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the orphan. Fight for the rights of widows.
"
Isaiah 1:14-17
God is sincerely tired of the mortuaries we call church. It is foolishness to sit in a room full of people, singing music, and hearing a man speak about God, but not being changed and then call it worship. Isaiah 29:13-14 says, "And so the Lord says, 'These people say they are mine. They honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far away. And their worship of me amounts to nothing more than human laws learned by rote. Because of this, I will do wonders among these hypocrites. I will show that human wisdom is foolish and even the most brilliant people lack understanding.'" When the Holy Spirit begins to control our worship, even those of us who are simple minded are anointed with wisdom and understanding that is not gleaned from a teacher's instructions, but from God Himself.
Recently someone wrote me and told me that the devotionals were "timely" for everything that was happening in their life. Every time someone says that I just stand in awe that God can use an uneducated person like me to encourage intelligent people. I cannot take the credit for what God has done, is doing, and will do in my life. All the glory goes to Him. He is the one who changed me and takes my failures and uses them for His Kingdom.
Based on my understanding of what God has taught me, true worship comes from the heart of a person who seeks justice, helps the oppressed, defends the orphan, and fights for the rights of widows ¾ people who love Him love His children. In other words, true worship is not just something we do in church, but extends from those who are being made into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ, who came to set the captives free.
True worship of God begins in our heart. As far back as Isaiah's day God was tired of empty worship. Yet, He had a plan. He would send the creative part of the Godhead, Jesus Christ, into the world and through Him they would recognize the heart of God. Oh, a few people have gotten the message down through the ages, but not nearly enough.
The prophets predicted that in this day and age God would pour out His Spirit in overwhelming supply. It is happening. We are about to see miracles in abundance. Why? Everything that happens is to honor His Holy name and to get His bride ready. If that don't make you want to worship, I honestly don't know what will. Let's worship Him folks by loving the unlovable and others who need to know Him.
Heavenly Father, I praise You and thank You for allowing me to be born in this particular span of time. I thank You for allowing me the joy of being a small part of what You are doing in Your church. Help us know You more!
