Day 1 - Worship is a Way of Life

[alangustin]

As I got a late start and just read Day 1, then read the posts of my brothers and sisters who have joined together for this study, I notice a recurring theme... that even though the concepts put forth in the book may be rudimentary, most of us are confessing that we need to hear this right now.

As I am in the process of forming a team for musical praise and worship at a church plant, I cannot let myself become overwhelmed by the logistics of it; rather I must let God lead me in everything I do, I must remain surrendered to His Lordship over my life, and respond in a way that brings glory to Jesus.

Our "job" (should read, "Our life") as worship leaders is about facilitating an encounter with the Living God. What a challenge it is to do that given the 15, 30 or even 45 minutes we get on Sunday mornings. As Marty worshiped, people followed him into the presence of God. I must be seen as worshiping, not entertaining. My life must also reveal my worship.

Getting "back to basics" is really appropriate for my situation, and I'm glad to be sharing in this group study. On to read Day 2...

AG

[TruePraise]

i just finished day one also, and i was thinking about the questions about how we can make our everyday life, the little things an offereing of worship....

For me it is attitude..not letting myself grumble and complain, but taking each task as a chance for doing things for Him, in the stage of life that I am in, right now....

[Stillfreetosing]

I love just reading all that has been shared already. Yes it may seem basic or simple but for me right now that is where God is directing me.
I have been learning alot about the invitation to solitude and silence. I think that is where we hear God and He in turn responds to us with His unfailing love.

I only have this chapter so far, still am waiting for my copy which I am excited to be able to join in the days to follow.

Reading 2 Chronicals 20 was powerful. Allowing God to be all that He is and watching how something ment for harm can be the very thing that brings Gods people to be in awe of Him. Verse three.. where it says "and Jehoshaphat feared and set Himself to seek the Lord."

when we worship we postion ourselves to seek the Lord. To lay aside ourselves and come open and in awe.

Being in tough times I have not always sought after the Lord, I ran away. But He is waiting for me to settle enough to trust that in His arms is the only true safe place I can ever be.

to praise Him because His mercy endures forever!

also that worship is a very minute by minute, second by second, breath by breath way of showing our love and surrender to His Lordship over our lives. Giving back to Him what He has so graciously given to us, by extending that outward to one another in simple deeds or words.

[Rahel]

I finally got my book yesterday and started reading today. So maybe I am the last one, but I still enjoy having it, being able to be a part of this coversations, reading all the posts and knowing what You are talking about

I have not read all posts yet....but will continue later...

Two points became important to me.
First I liked the idea of talking about worship from the perspective of one of the most worse situations You can be in. The people of Israel were watching against 3 mighty armies and had no chance in the natural. To start from this point takes every excuse from us There can not be any situation in our lives that would not have an solution.....and obviously it has something to do with worship. Even difficult situations in our ministries can be overcome...by bowing before God and loving him above all else.
And this was the second point that became important to me....the definition of worship as bowing before somebody who has superior authority. Very often I have the feeling that we step into worship before God and treat him as one of us. Of course we proclaim him as Lord and the one in authority with our lips. But do we with our daily life? Do we step in reference and fear of God in our hearts before God? Knowing that he really IS of higher authority?
And this is what would show to me how we can worship God in everyday life. Choosing his word above all else in every situation and decision we have to make. In the decision how to treat the people next to us. In the decision of how doing our work. Putting God in everything above all and choosing his will above our will and desire and dreams...that's worshiping him in everyday life.
Can people see what God we serve in the way we act and treat him?
This is a question I ask to myself and pray that God will reveal to me where I give another picture.

[Rogenia]

My prayer is that God remove anything that is not fitting to Him. I pray that He lets the Jesus in me be visible for others to see. I know that I am not worthy, yet I thank Him for His mercy and grace that He has bestowed on my life. I pray that Father God, continue to show me the direction He want me to go and the right decisions to make and the wisdom to go the right direction. There are something that happening in my life right now, and I am praying for God’s to pour wisdom into my mind today and keep me focus on Him and not the problem.