Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Worship: In God’s presence, For God’s Purpose

Bible Reading: : Philippians 2: 12-18

Key verse:: Phil. 2: 14-15

Do everything without complaining or arguing so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and deprived generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe…

DEVOTION

What is true worship?  It should be an honest and touching response to acknowledge the might and supremacy of God.  St. Paul, in his letter to Philippians, wants them to properly understand the living Christ.  He urges the believers to have a comprehensive knowledge of Jesus Christ as their savior.  Worship will enhance their faith in God through Jesus Christ.  It will definitely make them better persons.  True worship will help the worshiping community in fulfilling God’s wishes and intentions.  Implicit obedience is necessary on the part of the believers.  They should not complain or argue.  As a result they become blameless and pure.  The world around them is full of evil.  When the believers obey the word of God, they are able to shine like stars in a world that is always inclined to sin.
Love to God and love to the fellow human beings play an important role.  Giving God extravagant love and complete submission make worship reach new measures and horizons.  In Mark 12, Jesus tells the teachers of the Law that the greatest commandment is to ‘love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’  This love carries us to the happy heights of blissfulness and the worship becomes pleasing to God.  We experience the presence of God.  
Worship also denotes God’s purpose for human race.  He expects us to be living sacrifices.  We should be acceptable to Him.  We have to glorify Him.  We are then bound to serve others in the world around us, thus carrying out God’s calling for each one of us.  In Psalm 96, verse 9, we read, “Worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness, tremble before Him, all the earth.”  While worshiping God in this joyous situation, the gathering believing community becomes blessed.  They share innocent love.  Their hearts and minds become pure.  They live for the Lord.  They emit heavenly fragrance.  Can we also live with this purpose and outcome in the present dark world?

PRAYER

O’, Lord, we are weak.  We surrender ourselves before you, Lord.  Equip us to obey your commands and to fulfill our obligations to God the Father, and to our fellow beings.  Empower us and bless us to shine like stars, O’, Lord. Amen

Thought for the DAY

Worship in His Holy Courts,
Let love and kindness surround us!
.
Prof. Elias Abraham
Mar Thoma Church of Baltimore

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