The Official Writing Challenge
BACK TO
CHALLENGE
MAIN
INSTRUCTIONS
how it works
submission rules
guidelines for
choosing a level
ENTRIES
submit your entry
read current entries
read past entries
challenge winners
Our Daily Devotional HERE
Place it on your site or
receive it daily by email.


TRUST JESUS TODAY

  • Share
  • how it works
  • Submit
Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Worship (corporate) (10/04/07)
Worship is not as much about what building we are in participating in it or about what we are doing while we are there. The Word of God clearly teaches that it begins and ends with our relationships. Matthew 5:23-24 clearly states that, "If therefore you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar, and go your way; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering." (NASB)

Jesus constantly confronted the Pharisees, the religious leaders of His day, regarding their actions that only had the appearance of righteousness. Jesus was never fooled or impressed by deeds of piety from a heart lacking pure motives or lacking right relationships with Himself or others. The Lord does not want us to even seek worship with a heart pretending all is well when it isn't, and He does not regard our prayers when there is unconfessed iniquity dwelling there. We are even warned of the danger of partaking of the Lord's supper when we are harboring unforgiveness or unrepentance in our heart, and the Old Testament taught us by Samuel's reminder to King Saul that "it is better to obey then to sacrifice" (1 Samuel 15:22 NASB).

Worship is not only about Sunday morning, but it is about our day-to-day living in a loving relationship with our Heavenly Father, Savior, and others. So as we gather together in our sanctuaries to offer praise and honor to our Lord in songs, in tithes and offerings, in attentiveness toward the message being preached, may we remember first to seek forgiveness from those we have sinned against. If we are unwilling to make right the horizontal relationships in our lives, then we are not able to truly worship our Lord and so we might as well stay home in bed. Worship is in every sense about the condition of our heart.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be right now. CLICK HERE

JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
This article has been read 1297 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
LauraLee Shaw
10/11/07
Powerful reminder here. Thank you.
Diane Bertrand
10/11/07
Amen. Well said.
Carol Shaffron
10/13/07
Excellent exhortation for us today, and a timely reminder to get our own hearts right before trying to "go to church to sing songs" to feel as though we've worshipped and done our duty.
Donna Hogue
10/15/07
I think you defined worship appropriately and beautifully. Thank you for taking time to express the worship of our Lord that caused me to examine my own heart and then repent.
Betty Castleberry
10/17/07
The last line really clenches the message in this piece. You did a good job with this.
Janice Cartwright
10/17/07
I greatly appreciate your honesty and straightforward essay on the subject of worship. Everything is backed up in scripture and the topic is right on. I commend you for a job well done.
George Parler 
10/17/07
A point often said but forever worth every repeating. Good job.
Joanne Sher 
10/18/07
A convicting and well-written piece. Great job.
Karen Wilber
10/18/07
The first sentence is a bit awkward, but I know what you're talking about. Great supporting arguments about the importance of relationships. Amen. Amen. Amen. I can tell this is something you feel passionate about - so I would keep polishing this piece. Don't let it go. God knows we keep needing reminders about what worship is about. That's why he keeps reminding us. ;-)