CHOSEN SERIES pt 2: Chosen to Worship

According to Merriam Webster:

To worship means

• to honor or show reverence for as a divine being or supernatural power

• to regard with great or extravagant respect, honor, or devotion

• An extravagant respect or admiration for our devotion to an object of esteem

For what purpose: to fulfill the most profound heart, mind, soul, and physical needs.

In other words, at times in our lives, intentionally or unintentionally, consciously or unconsciously, we show an extravagant respect, reverence, honor, or devotion to someone or something that can meet our needs.

“Meet our needs” is the key the enemy uses to trap us into worshipping the wrong things, people, idols, or “gods.”

1. Because we need financial stability, we respect and dedicate ourselves to our work, hoping that our bosses will recognize our hard work and that promotions, raises, and praise will meet our financial needs, achievement needs, and status quo among peers and others.

2. The need to be accepted requires that we put our utmost reverence into the person or group that we idolize by our behaviors, lifestyles, the way we dress, and hobbies so that we will be accepted by that person or society of groups.

In all, we forgot that the “need’ is actually “want: This also makes us forget who is the giver of the blessing. We also forgot that we are fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful -Psalm 139:14

God chose us to be true worshipers

Worship Him in Spirit in Truth.

John 4:23-24 New Living Translation

23 But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. 24 For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.”

We tend to associate worship with singing songs. However, the lyrics of the songs are not all the Truth. What is the Truth?

The truth is:

Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Light

Jesus is the Savior

Through His blood, we are saved, healed, and redeemed.

At the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, in heaven, on earth, and under the earth.

God creates the heavens and the earth and everything in them

God is Holy, Mighty, Powerful, Righteous.

God is merciful, gracious, faithful, and loving

And many more.

How do we know this Truth?

John 15:26 When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father—He will testify about Me.

It is the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth, whom God sent for us to testify about Jesus. It is like the story of Simon Peter in In Matthew 16:15-17 – Jesus asked Simon Peter “But who do you say I am? Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah,[a] the Son of the living God.”17 Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John,[b] because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being.

God doesn’t want us just to sing songs, words that humans make. But with the word of Truth, which has the power to break every chain of bondage, heal every sickness, declare His authority, power, and holiness, bind the broken-hearted with His love and grace, and capture the lost with His mercy,

This is the only reason why we ought to know our God, the real Truth of our God, through reading His words and allowing the Holy Spirit, the gift from God, our advisor, to reveal and testify who our God truly is.

So that one day, we will have the heart to worship Him in all seasons of our lives. In times of need, we worship our Provider. In seasons of blessing, we still worship the one who provides the blessing. BECAUSE our made is made stronger, in confidence we can say He is not just meeting our needs. He has met our needs before we even uttered our prayers to Him

Giving our body as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God.

Romans 12:1-2 (NIV) A Living Sacrifice

12 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. 2 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.

The act of worship is defined as follows:

People offer worship through various acts, including giving offerings, singing praises, praying, and dedicating their lives to a higher power, often expressing gratitude and seeking connection with the divine.

We know our God is Holy. We read in the Old Testament how only the High Priest enters and gets closer to the Tabernacle and all the required offering and steps need to be done to be worthy to come in His holy presence.

God knows NO ONE is and no sacrifice that is holy enough to be worthy to come before Him., therefore He sacrificed His Son. The blood of Christ has purified us all, but that doesn’t mean the job is done. We continue to live our lives, continue as before. God wants us to carry our crosses daily through obedience and allow the Holy Spirit to transform our minds.

All our ministries, prayers, singings, cooking, tithing, offerings, and other things we do for God mean nothing if we blemish and continue living in disobedience to God. This is not an easy thing to do. Many see this as a chain…that as Christians, we can’t enjoy our lives - so many restrictions, so many rules. That is what the enemy wants us to think.

Let’s dissect this “not enjoying living as a Christian ”

1. Any things in this world without law that require us to follow? Name 1…anyone? The law of the earth and society are placed to give orders, people’s rights, authority, ongoing growth, and property of a country, nations, cities, families, and the self. If we can accept and follow   these laws that sometimes make no sense, then why can’t we follow the laws and commandments of the One who gives wisdom to the earth's lawmakers, our governments, parents, employers, etc.

2. Many of you are parents here. Why do you raise your kids in certain ways, and tell them yes and no on certain matters? Why can’t you just say yes to all your children's wants? I bet the answer is to protect them, to educate them to make good choices in life, to make sure their future is good and prosperous, and many other good reasons

So this morning, let me ask you one question: Do you believe that our God is your Father, who loves you more than your earthly father? IF the answer is yes.  Take this verse by heart, Matthew 7:11 - So if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

The reason God wants from us if the whole of us. This is one free-will that God gives us. He wants us to desire Him so that He can reveal more of Him to you, the plans he has for you, the calling he has for you – all is for you to know that YOU ARE CHOSEN among all creations of the earth You are CHOSEN specifically for a purpose.

Talent, money, and other material things meant nothing if we didn’t give our whole selves to Him, for those materials and tangible things all come from Him.

No one can live holy because, as the Apostle Paul said, the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit. Therefore, let all of us daily seek God to renew our minds and soften our hearts to allow the Holy Spirit to work in us and transform us so that we can be a living sacrifice holy and pleasing to God—the only true and proper worship to God.

Seek first GOD!

Proverbs 3:6 (NIV) -6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

Matthew 6:33 (NIV) - 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

There is no specific time that you must spend your time with God in the morning, afternoon, or night. No specific time. BUT just ask one question, do you set a daily time for God?

Our God is a living God, and He is not a God who just wants to be far from us. He longs to be near us, spending time with us, close and walk with us, so that you will know Him personally, not just on Sunday or in times of need.

We won’t know a person well if we do not spend time with that person.

• Who is here dating without talking or spending time with that person to know if you really love them, and vice versa.

• Who is here who love someone or adore someone all you want is just to be close to that love one?

• Who is here misses their kids time..missing your kids “manja” being silly and just want to be with you like when they were toddler?

This is how our God feels towards us. Where do we place Him in our live?

Some will say, "Well, I speak with Go when I am driving, doing my chores, taking a shower, etc." That’s good, but will that be enough for you if your loved one only gives you attention while doing something else?

I am not talking about that. Is there a time that you solely dedicate your time to him? Many of us say, “Me time.” Do you see a time for “God time?” If you are like me, who depends on Google Calendar, look at your schedule…where is God time in that calendar? What or who is first in your mind when you start your day?

When I was accompanying my brother in law looking for a house. They fell in love with 1 house, but the previous owner – an elderly woman died in the bedroom – died of old age. That bedroom was planned to be my nephew’s room. My nephew love the house but refuse to have the room. Until 2nd visit, he look closely the room and found a wall full of bible verse behind the bedroom door. He asked the seller, and he told him that the old lady is a Christian, and that was her prayer corner with God. In that corner she dedicated special time and place for God. Then my nephew and his sister fight for the room because they sure have no ghost there..LOL.

The first 2 verses I shared from Proverbs 3:6 and Matthew 6:33. It is repeated twice to remind us Seek Him first. Place God first in our lives. We are called to worship Him, no one and nothing else – therefore He has to be first in our lives.

I like Hal's statement on last Thursday’s podcast: It’s not the quantity, how many times you pray, but the quality that matters. So it is not how much and how well our ministries are, our tithing and offering, praying and communicating with Him WHILE dividing our attention in doing something…but WHAT QUALITY, how much attention of our hearts and minds we place and give God in our lives.

SO let’s re-prioritize our daily plan. Revised and reorganized our calendar, placing GOD first.

Revelation 3:20 ESV

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

We are called to worship Him only. We must offer, honor, show reverence, regard with great or extravagant respect, and devotion through offerings, singing praises, praying, and dedicating our lives to our God, Lord and Savior, because we understand that we are nothing without Him. Nothing that we can boast in all we have and do, whether the success in raising kids, success of career, success in ministries, success in finance, all come from Him and for His Glory alone.

I want to give one testimony of many God's miracles in my life - that constantly reminds me that I am nothing without God.  ----story of my career.

CONCLUSION

This devotion ROOTED is doing, it is a wake-up call to me, and I hope I can be a blessing to all of us. We are called to be powerful worshippers who will carry His light wherever He places us.

1 Peter 2:9 (NKJV)

9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

Therefore:

1. Seek God first and place Him at the first and foremost

2. Anchor our faith on the one Truth, His words.

3. Allow the Holy Spirit to help us live in obedience, dare to proclaim His goodness, power, and love to many, and transform us daily according to His plans for each one of us.

4. Only dedicate our worship to the ONLY ONE worthy – our God, Lora and Savior Jesus Christ.