Day 1

**Wrapped in Jesus Love!** · 01-12-2009, 10:56 PM

In the reading from 2 Chronicles: vs 21 - Then he chose men to be singers to the Lord, to praise Him because He is holy and wonderful. As they marched in front of the army, they said, "Thank the Lord, because His love continues forever." Remember to always sing your praises to God. Remember to always thank Him in every situation. This verse really impacted me. I think it would have been difficult to worship during this time. But Johoshaphat must have chosen people who he knew had enough faith to sing praise throughout tough times. They chose to worship and sing praises instead of trembling in fear and God took care of everything for them. God is waiting with arms open wide. We have to make the choice to worship Him.

**benchilcote** · 01-12-2009, 10:59 PM

I think the idea of worship as a lifestyle is now a common idea among christians. Today I feel like I came into a deeper understanding of this idea. Instead of taking my regular, routine, everyday life and trying to make it pleasing to God, I need to go back one step further and focus on the reasons for things I do in my routine, everyday life - or the objectives I am trying to reach.

It seems like worship is/should always be preceded by our revelation of God. I've heard Matt Redman say that worship is our response to God's revelation. In the Old Testament, there's the pattern of God showing up, then people bowing down. So I have to ask myself - are my actions/thoughts/words/etc. a response to God's revelation in my life or just me doing whatever I want and trying to make them pleasing to God? If they flow out of God, then I am living out worship as a lifestyle. In stead of examining my life as-is and trying to conform it to please God, perhaps I should go back and make sure that my life is flowing out of my revelation of God.

This also ties into our identity as servants and God's identity as Lord. If we live our lives as if we were God's servants and all our life was about obedience to God, then our every action (theoretically!) would be an act of worship, or obedience.

To attempt to use a metaphor, say I was an employee working for my boss. I love my boss and want to please him and do well for the company. Boss says, "Ben, I want you to make 20 widgets today." What if I came back at the end of the day and said, "Today I cleaned the bathrooms, took an hour break to watch a training video on management, washed your car and made 10 widgets. I worked at it with all my heart in order to make you and the company look good." The point isn't ONLY that I had the right heart and motivation, but that my actions flowed out of what my boss's desire was of me that day.

I don't know if I explained that very well but hopefully that makes some sense!

**Mike S** · 01-12-2009, 11:39 PM

What fascinates me most today is the garments of praise.

**Rogenia** · 01-12-2009, 11:44 PM

This first lesson was awesome for me. Yesterday, I felt as if I was getting involve into a bible study that I did not belong; because I not part of a choir, praise team or instrumental at all. Today, after doing my first lesson and praying and praise the Lord, I felt so relieve just hearing His voice tell me that I am where I am suppose to be. There is a storm going on in my life right now; and I have peace. There has been things I wanted to say and yet He has kept me quiet. I talk with Him everyday and pray and yet, today I realize that I have not been praising Him the way that I should. I read and study the Word of God daily; and yet I have not been praising Him like I should. I thank Him and I give Him all the glory for giving me another opportunity to get things right. I have been falling short. I have truly enjoyed my first lesson.

I apologize for coming on so late. I work 10 hours shifts. 3 days a week after work I am laboring. But I will be joining everyone every evening. God bless.

**Rogenia** · 01-12-2009, 11:52 PM

This verse really impacted me also. When I read your response, it really hit home. It has been difficult for me to praise and sing throughout tought times. I have always been the one who constantly be praying and praying. Not thinking about singing. And knowning that when the praises goes up; the blessings come down. My faith keeps me from fearing alot; I know He will deliver if I just stand. (smile) But now I am going to start praising Him more and worshiping Him more.

Rogenia

**Wrapped in Jesus Love!** · 01-13-2009, 12:10 AM

It amazes me how God intertwines things in our lives. I have seen it happen many times when planning the songs for a service. It amazes me how the songs match other things in the service. I know God is at work in times like this. Another example is the phrase that Rogenia posted about when the praises go up, the blessings come down. In the comment that I made prior to Rogenia comment I actually typed that same phrase into my comment and then deleted it. And then when I read Rogenia's comments and there was the same phrase. God is surely at work here.

There have been several things this evening that I have read or heard outside of this website that all relate to singing of His praises through good times and bad. I received an e-mail earlier and it referred to the same scripture used in the reading for today. That is one of the ways I see God at work - reinforcing through many different avenues.

I think the biggest thing I learned today is to sing His praises always. HE IS worthy of my praises. Make Him my first priority and let everything revolve around Him. Then the worship will just happen.

**Steffanie_Oltmans** · 01-13-2009, 08:35 AM

For some reason I was getting login errors last night and couldn't post. So here it goes I am posting my thoughts on yesterdays study.

Although the lesson in todays study was simple it really got me thinking do I honor God in EVERYTHING I do? Can I say that my everyday life is worship to Him? In some cases the answer would be yes, but then what about that little twinge of an attitude I feel towards that person that rubs me the wrong way? Even though the attitude is not outwardly displayed its still there in my heart and not very God honoring. What about complaining about that little task I don't want to do, even if the complaint is only heard by my spouse? Is that honoring God?

I need to do better. Today I'll be asking myself the question "Does this honor God"?

**christyg** · 01-13-2009, 10:28 AM

When I think of authentic worship, I think of Romans 12: 1 - 8. We are to give up our bodies as living sacrifices to our God as this is our spiritual act of worship. We are supposed to act according to his good will for our lives and our actions should follow our talk. If our talk doesn't match our walk then we are not pleasing God the way we should be.

"Is it really possible to worship God when you're at home or school or work?" The verse above tells us that we should always worship God when we are at home, school, or work, and not just on Sunday's mornings or when the church is open. If you are serving others and doing it for the Lord's joy and not for your own personal gain, then you are worshiping the Lord. So how do we worship the Lord at home includes things like: praying together as a family, serving each other, ect. Another way to serve our Lord is by presenting random acts of kindness, such as, holding a door open for someone, carrying in the groceries for the elderly woman across the street, ect. All of these things allow you to set aside yourself and serve our Lord.

I hope this study will help draw me closer to God as I haven't been studying his word like I know that I should be.

**Carmie** · 01-13-2009, 01:31 PM

First I would like to say that I am looking forward to the remaining parts of this study. I have been a part of our praise and worship team for a few years now and I am to assume the PW Leader role shortly. This book has been a great blessing to me so far.

In yesterday's study, what struck a cord with me was the mentioning of how we should be in worship all week long and how much more people would get out of worship on Sunday, if they would worship through out the week. I have learned over the years, that you can't live off of Sunday worship all week long. You have to dig into God's word as well as spend intimate time with him in prayer and in praise.

There has been Sunday's were the spirit of the people was low and it pulls at my heart, when they are like that. Just the same, when they "sit on" praise and worship, as if they have nothing to praise God for. It is definitely mind boggling at times.

**Carmie** · 01-13-2009, 01:35 PM

Originally Posted by benchilcote

I think the idea of worship as a lifestyle is now a common idea among christians. Today I feel like I came into a deeper understanding of this idea. Instead of taking my regular, routine, everyday life and trying to make it pleasing to God, I need to go back one step further and focus on the reasons for things I do in my routine, everyday life - or the objectives I am trying to reach.

It seems like worship is/should always be preceded by our revelation of God. I've heard Matt Redman say that worship is our response to God's revelation. In the Old Testament, there's the pattern of God showing up, then people bowing down. So I have to ask myself - are my actions/thoughts/words/etc. a response to God's revelation in my life or just me doing whatever I want and trying to make them pleasing to God? If they flow out of God, then I am living out worship as a lifestyle. In stead of examining my life as-is and trying to conform it to please God, perhaps I should go back and make sure that my life is flowing out of my revelation of God.

This also ties into our identity as servants and God's identity as Lord. If we live our lives as if we were God's servants and all our life was about obedience to God, then our every action (theoretically!) would be an act of worship, or obedience.

To attempt to use a metaphor, say I was an employee working for my boss. I love my boss and want to please him and do well for the company. Boss says, "Ben, I want you to make 20 widgets today." What if I came back at the end of the day and said, "Today I cleaned the bathrooms, took an hour break to watch a training video on management, washed your car and made 10 widgets. I worked at it with all my heart in order to make you and the company look good." The point isn't ONLY that I had the right heart and motivation, but that my actions flowed out of what my boss's desire was of me that day.

I don't know if I explained that very well but hopefully that makes some sense!

What you said made so much sense to me and I will now have to revisit how I routinely do things in my everyday life. Thanks for some great insight.