Worship
It’s so easy in our busy congested lifestyles to become distracted in our pursuit of God. We can often come into our devotional life or even a worship service so weighed down that we lose focus and perspective. One of the most important ways that we prepare our hearts for worship is to be sure that we are indeed filled with the Holy Spirit and truth. Jesus said to us "The hour is coming, and now is here, when the true worshipers will worship in spirit and truth..." (John 4:23). Jesus wants our hearts and minds filled up with truth of God’s holy Word and the life and power of the Holy Spirit. Indeed, our spirit is like a furnace, and our worship is the heat, but the only way for the heat of worship to be released in and through us is by the fire of the Spirit. So, let me encourage you to come into praise and worship with the prepared heart of the Word of God (truth) and the power of God (Holy Spirit) reigning and released in your spirit.
What is Worship?
The literal meaning of worship is "worth-ship" and means "to give reverent honor and homage to God." The Hebrew word most commonly translated "worship" in the Old Testament is "shachah," which means to literally "prostrate (oneself), bow down, fall down flat, due reverence." Wee believe that God created us for the purpose of bring ing Him glory - Isaiah 43:7 - and that we are called to give glory to Jesus Christ through worship. However, this is not to be thought of in the context of music alone. Romans 12:1 describes a life of worship:
"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship."