Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 84:1-4
Ps 84:1-4
How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young — a place near your altar, O Lord Almighty, my King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you. Selah
Heb 10:19-22
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.
How we approach things often determines what we get from it. The more we put into our worship services, the more we receive from them. When we enter into a service with a true heart devoted to worshipping and honoring our Lord, the greater the blessing we will receive. If we arrive with a negative mindset, looking for what is wrong, and being critical, we probably will leave without being better for having been there. Our attitude also affects others who are there.
When Jesus told the woman at the well that we are to worship God in spirit and in truth, he was telling her that the physical location is unimportant. What matters is that our hearts are genuine, truly devoted to God. Worshipping in spirit means that it is from the heart, not just going through some ritual. When our worship is in truth, it is real, not pretended. We are to give God our very best.
We also worship together so that we will be brought nearer to the Lord. Singing stirs our souls when it comes from the heart. Praying to our Lord brings us closer to him and increases our faith in him. Reading and studying his word enriches us as we seek to apply it in our lives. In doing these things, we spur one another on toward love and good deeds. We should be excited to be able to be a part of the regular worship services, not feel that it is a requirement that must be met.
O Lord God, what a joy to be able to worship you with others who love you and who care about you. Help me keep a positive attitude in my life and look for the good in others. Use me to do your will on earth, with no regard for who gets the credit here, but that your name will be honored. Help me have the boldness to share the good news of Jesus when the opportunity arises. Give your peace to those who are struggling with difficulties in their lives. Use me to encourage those who are hurting. Give me wisdom from above. I pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
