God's Love
#1
Posted 08 November 2010 - 06:12 AM
Why is this important? It is important; for we need to understand how much God loves and desires us. Why is that important? It is important for if we do not personally understand God's love, how then will we convey this love to the world?
I think it is unfortunate that many believe it is prideful to think we have any value to God; however, when we believe this way, we short-change the world. For example, if we think we have no value it then becomes quite easy to step over the bum lying on the corner. However, when we come to realize our worth--this changes how we view the bum and the drunkard; for instead of viewing them as worthless beings like ourselves, we begin to recognize that to God they are valuable. Then, instead of stepping over them, we will pick them up, dust them off gently and speak to them as God's lost treasures. Additionally, then and only then will we share the "Good News" with them that Jesus loves them and calls them to Himself. Mother Teresa understood this. She saw every person as God's treasure.
Therefore, true humility lies not in self-abasement; rather it lies in recognizing that only God redeems, and that our own prideful attempts at piety discount God's grace and goodness. True humility recognizes and humbly receives and believes in God's love; and in return shares it joyfully, and eagerly with the world.
#2
Posted 08 November 2010 - 02:43 PM
God desires our worship - and not primarily for His sake, but for ours. It is our purpose for existing, and we find our true joy by engaging in that worship. We find fulfillment for our purpose in life.
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#3
Posted 10 November 2010 - 11:15 PM
When we think of worship it these terms, then our jobs, hobbies, talents and pretty well everything that we are and do can be an avenue through which we can honor and glorify God. The question is whether we see the things that God has given us for what they are and whether we using these things to the best of our abilities and understanding.
With the way we do church, I think that it is far to easy to view worship in terms of what we do in church. Praising and worshiping God in prayer and in song are vital aspects, but what we do out in the world, outside the walls of our churches is equally important when it comes to our worship. I believe that the things that we do in church should be done to help prepare us for what we do out in the world.
#4
Posted 12 November 2010 - 05:41 AM
One of the greatest forms of worship is to simply be good stewards of what God has placed into our hands. When you think about it, don't we honor Him every time that we use the talents, passions and resources that He has given us? Everything that we have is, in one way or another, a gift from God. When we use those gifts to impact the world around us, then doesn't that reflect back to Him?
When we think of worship it these terms, then our jobs, hobbies, talents and pretty well everything that we are and do can be an avenue through which we can honor and glorify God. The question is whether we see the things that God has given us for what they are and whether we using these things to the best of our abilities and understanding.
With the way we do church, I think that it is far to easy to view worship in terms of what we do in church. Praising and worshiping God in prayer and in song are vital aspects, but what we do out in the world, outside the walls of our churches is equally important when it comes to our worship. I believe that the things that we do in church should be done to help prepare us for what we do out in the world.
I agree. When we live a lifesyle that Tozer speaks of, everything we do honors God for it is God working through us. Jesus spoke of how He glorified the Father by His life and death; and as God's children our lives can also glorify God. This certainly isn't something we should keep relegated to a church building on Sunday mornings; certainly, God should be the center of our lives. He should be our all and all.