A Cause for Worship

"Worship is when you're aware that what you've been given is far greater than what you can give.  Worship is the awareness that were it not for His touch, you'd still be hobbling and hurting, bitter and broken.  Worship is the half-glazed expression on the parched face of a desert pilgrim as he discovers that the oasis is not a mirage."

Thank you Max Lucado.

Here's the rub....
We have to stop and reflect on what we have been given.
We need to remember where we came from; who we were.
We must seek the refreshment that the Oasis offers.

If we don't, we cheat ourselves out of so much that is ours in Jesus Christ.

Papa brought my attention to a couple of specifics this morning, as I reflected on what is mine because of His Son.

I am being made whole, complete, brand new.  Our God makes all things new.  He doesn't patch us up, but begins a new work in us.
Paul closed his first letter to the Thessalonians with a blessing.

"Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our LORD Jesus Christ."

Is that something I can do for myself?  Of course not.
Paul followed with this reminder:

"Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass."

That's one of my life verses.  It is such an encouragement to me.
He called me to Himself and He has called me to be holy and whole.  He will see to it!

So I can say as Paul did in Galatians Two, verse twenty:

"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me."

Right there I read of my new life, in Christ!  This means Jesus will be seen in and through me! 
That is my fervent desire!!

There is so much more, but here is just one more....

He has given His Word to set me free.

This morning my pastor spoke from Leviticus Twenty-six.
He tied it into a number of verses including John Chapter Eight where Jesus told some of those who believed in Him that knowing the truth sets you free.

Our God, the One who is Holy and Almighty loves us so much that He desires for us to be free.
Free to
enjoy Him
and life
and one another.
He doesn't desire to restrict us to make us miserable, but gives us His law so we will be free from all that would drag us down and cause us to mistake the Oasis for a mirage.

I, for one, do not want to miss out on anything my God has for me.
And I definitely do not want to be hobbled.....
Cause I like dancing for and with Him too much!

The old hymn by Charles Wesley is playing in my mind:

"And can it be that I should gain


An interest in the Savior’s blood?

Died He for me, who caused His pain—

For me, who Him to death pursued?

Amazing love! How can it be,

That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

Amazing love! How can it be,

That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?



’Tis mystery all: th’Immortal dies:

Who can explore His strange design?

In vain the firstborn seraph tries

To sound the depths of love divine.

’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore,

Let angel minds inquire no more.

’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;

Let angel minds inquire no more.



He left His Father’s throne above

So free, so infinite His grace—

Emptied Himself of all but love,

And bled for Adam’s helpless race:

’Tis mercy all, immense and free,

For O my God, it found out me!

’Tis mercy all, immense and free,

For O my God, it found out me!



Long my imprisoned spirit lay,


Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;


Thine eye diffused a quickening ray—


I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;


My chains fell off, my heart was free,


I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.


My chains fell off, my heart was free,


I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.




Still the small inward voice I hear,

That whispers all my sins forgiven;

Still the atoning blood is near,

That quenched the wrath of hostile Heaven.

I feel the life His wounds impart;

I feel the Savior in my heart.

I feel the life His wounds impart;

I feel the Savior in my heart.



No condemnation now I dread;

Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;

Alive in Him, my living Head,

And clothed in righteousness divine,

Bold I approach th’eternal throne,

And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

Bold I approach th’eternal throne,

And claim the crown, through Christ my own."

As King David would say...

"Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness!"