March 20th

March 20th  

We have learned that worship transforms us and our situation, and we have learned that our response to our circumstances is a powerful witness to others. Now we must practice applying this to our lives. Remember this verse spoken by Jesus.

John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

We WILL have troubles, and people are watching how we respond. The closer we get to the return of Christ, the more crises we will see in this world, the more troubles and trials and hardships and even persecution we will face. We must start practicing worship now so that when things get harder, we will be ready to keep responding in worship. This is crucial because it affects how many people we can impact. As things get more and more crazy, people will be looking for hope, for peace, for answers. If they can see those things in us, then they will be eager for us to tell them the Gospel.

The fastest growing church in the world right now is in Iran! And it continues to grow exponentially. Even more so since January when their government slaughtered more than 30,000 of its citizens in cold blood. So many of the Iranian muslims who were resistant to Jesus before are now seeking answers from those who are Christ followers because they see their response of worship and peace even in the midst of the massacre. The only way that we can affect the people in the situations we face is to bring Jesus right into the situation. We do this through worship.

Psalm 22:3 Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.

Japanese translation is “When God’s people praise Him, He brings a big chair and sits there!”

Let’s be so practiced at worshipping that we automatically bring Jesus into situations we face, and put the situations right into His lap!

Romans 12:1-2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Psalm 66:20 Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!

Jesus, thank you for being willing to sit in my praise and worship. Help me to remember to do that automatically when I find myself faced with trials or tough situations. Even when I don’t want to. Show me how to give my frustration and hurt and other feelings and reactions to you, and help me not to take them back again. Thank you for your love and presence.

Psalm 66:20 Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!