Good day
Recently while during praise and worship I believe the Holy Spirit guided the following encouragement:
We were made to worship God
We were made to reciprocate His love back towards Him
Our desire should be to display this love in our words and deeds
When we live with this single perspective, that we are here to worship God, then it should simplify our lives. It should regulate every decision and temptation because every motive/intention, thought, deed/action or word would be governed by that single thought, that we're here to worship Him.
The more I want that (His will, living this life of worship), I begin to realise that I cannot do it out of my own strength but that I need Him in everything that I set out to do ... I need His strength, His joy, His peace, wisdom, encouragement, comfort, understanding, faith, guidance, grace ... I need Him!
John 15:1-8 NKJV
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. “ I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
In reflection of the above passage, I had to ask myself, what is the quality of my "abiding". Does coming to church once a week, or reading my bible for 10 minutes every day count as enough?
What is the depth of my "abiding"?
Do I read my bible for 10 minutes and then watch series for 1 hour - does that seem fair?
But then is time the true measure or the quality of the time the true measure? For example, a couple can be out alone having supper and spend 2 hours together - but then that 2 hours is mostly spent by them being on their cell phones, therefore time in itself isn't a true reflection but rather the quality of the time spent together.
Then the question gets raised, am I happy with the amount of quality time I'm spending with God ... because the quality of my fruit is dependent on the quality of my "abiding"
Why is this important? Because I want to live a life of worship before my God. I want my life to display how much I love Him. When others look at my life, I want them to say that they can see the evidence of my relationship with God. I want them to see His love and goodness towards me. I want, by my words and actions, to show how much I love God and His will. I want to live with that single goal in mind, that my life revolves around Him and that He be glorified in and through it all. Amen
Romans 11:36 NLT
For everything comes from Him and exists by His power and is intended for His glory. All glory to Him forever! Amen.
... and this process can simply start by saying, "God, I need Your help"
Be strong in the grace and love of God my friend