Real Worship

Real worship is not restrained to a particular place or time; instead, worship is a 24/7 experience that can happen anytime, anywhere.

Such is the case with Abraham in Genesis 22:5 when he told his servants on the brink of him taking his only son, Isaac, to offer in sacrifice, "I will go yonder and worship..."

Worship is a response to God and His actions.

Genesis 22:1 God spoke to Abraham.  He still speaks and has spoken most loudly through His son, Jesus.  The cross and resurrection of Jesus is the greatest act of God in the history of an eternal God.

How we respond to God is the basis of our worship.  We does not just want an emotional response, but a response that changes us internally with evidence of a life change.

The greatest act of worship was not just the offering of Isaac at the altar, but the initial response of Abraham of "getting up early the next morning and saddling his donkey..." (verse 3).  Immediate obedience is the ultimate act of worship.  Do what we know to do now and the future will follow rightly.

Abraham's response of worship was not according to tradition.  No one had ever given their son and especially, Abraham believed God would raise him back from the dead (Hebrews 11:19). That was not in the church order book.  True worship led Abraham to a great faith expressed through his works (James 2:17)

In the midst of this act of worship, God revealed Himself to Abraham in a fresh, new way that will resound throughout all human history - "YHWH - The Lord Will Provide."

Have you seen at experience at work today that could have been seen as an act of worship?  Is something occurring in your family that could been seen as an act of worship?  Hear the voice of God, act without delay, faith will rise within you and God will lead you to a place of fresh revelation of Himself.

written by David O. Cofield
david@crbcshoals.org

A Martyre's Poem

Bill  McChesney wrote the following poem, “My Choice,” before he left to serve as a missionary to the Congo.  He was martyred there.

      I want my breakfast served at eight
With ham and eggs upon the plate
A well-broiled steak I’ll eat at one
And dine again when day is done.

      I want an ultramodern home
And in each room a telephone;
Soft carpets, too, upon the floors
And pretty drapes to grace the doors.

      A cozy place of lovely things,
Like easy chairs with inner springs,
And then, I’ll get a nice T.V.
-
Of course, I’m careful what I see.

      I want my wardrobe, too, to be
Of neatest, finest quality,
With latest style in suit and vest
Why should not Christians have the best?

     But then the Master I can hear
In no uncertain voice, so clear:
“I bid you come and follow Me,
The lowly Man of Galilee.”

     “Birds of the air have made their nest
And foxes in their holes find rest,
But I can offer you no bed;
No place have I to lay my head.”

     In shame I hung my head and cried,
How could I spurn the Crucified?
Could I forget the way He went,
The sleepless nights in prayer He spent?

     For forty days without a bite,
Alone He fasted day and night;
Despised, rejected – on He went,
And did not stop till veil He rent!

     A man of sorrows and of grief
No earthly friend to bring relief;
“Smitten of God,” the prophet said
Mocked, beaten, bruised, His blood ran red.

     If He be God, and died for me,
No sacrifice too great can be
For me; a mortal man, to make;

I’ll do it all for Jesus’ sake.

     Yes, I will tread the path He trod,
No other way will please my God,
So, henceforth, this my choice shall be,
My choice for all eternity.

Challenge to the Graduates - Sermon, Sunday, May 18, 2014

This past Sunday was Senior Recognition Sunday at CrossRoads Baptist Church.  I seldom ever preach to that topic, but the Lord laid this "Challenge to the Graduates" on my heart based out of Philippians 2:3-8.

You can hear it here:

Sunday, May 11, 2014 Sermon

I continued the series through the book of Ruth this past Sunday, May 11, 2014, with part two of the message "Jesus, Our Gracious Redeemer" from Ruth 3.

Here are the notes (click on the red "A" in the box below) and the audio of the message: