Wednesday, October 01, 2008

Inhale.. exhale...

We are beginning two new books today- revelation, and nehemiah! Since we are still focusing on Jesus this week, our reading in revelation is going to be the center of our meditation today!

Today's readings: Revelation 1, Nehemiah 1-2, Psalm 96

"Grace to you and peace from...Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever amen." -Revelation 1:5-6

"And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead..." -Revelation 1:17a

"Give to the Lord the glory due His name; bring an offering, and come into His courts. Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness! Tremble before Him, all the earth." -Psalm 96:8-9

Imagine being John, exiled to the island of Patmos, spending his quiet time with God when all of a sudden you hear the voice of God! He is face to face with Jesus! Wow! He has loved us and poured out His blood for us... made us righteous so that we may stand in God's presence... and He is standing there before you! What would you say- how would you feel- what would you do? John fell down in awe and worship.

It is my prayer that we would get so close to God ourselves, that our worship is just automatic response. Not robotic... but reflex... He appears and we don't think about what we should say, or what people would approve of- but we would just react to His presence among us whatever that looks like. I'm not suggesting that worship is always an emotional response- though I do tend to get emotional when I think about His blood that was poured out for me- our worship is also a choice we make in how we live our lives. Like in psalms- "worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness!" Living a holy life is an act of worship. Romans 12:1 NCV says it best: "So brothers and sisters, since God has shown us great mercy, I beg you to offer your lives as a living sacrifice to Him. Your offering must be only for God and pleasing to Him, this is your spiritual act of worship." Offer your life to God- all of your life to Him- because He is worthy. He is worthy.

Absorb that into your soul... He is worthy. He has loved you when you were unloveable- He cleansed you with His own blood when you were sitting in your filth- He has raised you up, even though you were unworthy. Give Him the glory due His name! Live today all for Him. Consider what He would want you to do, where He would want you to go, who He would want you to touch- and as you go about your day, inhale His love, and exhale your worship. That is what life should be all about.

Worshiping with you today,
Kelly

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