Worship Instructions

Worship Instructions

Revelation 22: ⁸ I, John, have heard and seen all these things. And when I finished hearing and seeing them, I fell down at the feet of the angel who had shown me these things, and I was about to worship him. ⁹ But he said to me, “Don't do it! I am a servant together with you and with your brothers the prophets and of all those who obey the words in this book. Worship God!” ¹⁰ And he said to me, “Do not keep the prophetic words of this book a secret, because the time is near when all this will happen. ¹¹ Whoever is evil must go on doing evil, and whoever is filthy must go on being filthy; whoever is good must go on doing good, and whoever is holy must go on being holy.”

 

============

 

“Who fixed this?” was the question posed to me as if I did something great! But, it wasn’t me who had done the deed that would receive accolades. “Don’t look at me” was my reply to direct the investigation somewhere else.

 

• I was kind of jealous that I was not going to receive accolades.
• I wanted to be “recognized” but was not worthy of recognition.
• I sought accolades more intentionally from that day on.

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, admits to being overwhelmed by what he saw and heard. He wanted to place this overwhelmed feeling somewhere, so he decided to worship the angel who showed him the marvelous, prophetic things that no one else has ever seen. The angel responded very clearly. “Don’t do it!” and “Worship GOD!” He

 

My Observations:

• Humans want accolades and praise, BUT GOD deserves all of our praise!
• Humans try to make a name for themselves, BUT GOD’s name is the one who should be said daily!
• Humans say other humans names more than they  say JESUS, BUT HE is our Savior who should be mentioned with honor.

 

Getting praise where JESUS need to receive it is dangerous. I mean, we should not have false humility, however, we should recognize when JESUS should get the praise versus a human. There is a difference. I can wash dishes and maybe receive praise for it, BUT JESUS is the one who saves people from eternal separation from HIM.

 

GOD handles hearts, not me. HE fixes situations and provides the right resources at the right time. Even “my” talent should be credited to GOD. I also have to let go of people. “evil must go on doing evil.” I gladly give GOD all the praise and honor!

 

Challenge

• Why do you think the writer spoke of himself?
• Have you ever wanted to receive accolades and praise?
• What steps will you take to intentionally surrender and follow what GOD wants you to do today?

Holding On

Colossians 2: ¹⁸ Do not allow yourselves to be condemned by anyone who claims to be superior because of special visions and who insists on false humility and the worship of angels. For no reason at all, such people are all puffed up by their human way of thinking ¹⁹ and have stopped holding on to Christ, who is the head of the body. Under Christ's control the whole body is nourished and held together by its joints and ligaments, and it grows as God wants it to grow.

 

============

 

Seeking help when I was feeling pretty low, I sought advice from the rich and powerful. I had placed my entire identity in work and now I was no longer employed. “Follow this person” and “follow that person” was the confusing advice from well-meaning people. Nothing helped.

 

• I felt lost.
• I did not know who to turn to.
• I was feeling desperate so I was open to listening to anyone who could provide a path to “success.”

 

Paul continues with another warning. He cautions everyone not to be condemned by anyone who “claimed” to be superior. These people wanted a following so they made up their visions and even worse they pretended to be humble and finally they worshipped spiritual being lower tan GOD. Their smooth talk tore people away from following CHRIST.

 

My Observations

• Following people can possibly drag me away from following CHRIST if I’m not careful.
• Acting like I’m superior or falsely humble or telling people I worship angels can bring on condemnation to others and myself.
• Being so desperate that I would follow “successful” people and let go of CHRIST can be my downfall.

 

Holding onto CHRIST is hard at times. I mean, when times are really, really difficult, it seems like someone pops up at the right time with the right solution that pulls me away from CHRIST. I ignore the warning signs of their celebrity status and place my hope in their “success.” BUT GOD wants me to act different.

 

CHRIST is the only one who is superior. HIS death, burial and resurrection gives HIM all authority over every situation. HE is the one I should seek when I am low. HE is also the one who requires praise when things go well for me. I point my life to HIM and hope you will follow JESUS.

 

Challenge

• What is the writer’s warning?
• Have you ever wanted to follow celebrities in hopes that your life would change?
• Are you willing to stop following CHRIST to obtain some temporary “success?”
• Will you seek JESUS as the head of your life and recognize HE feeds the body or church, holds it together and grows it for HIS purpose today?

Desire Backfire

Desire Backfire

Acts 14: ¹¹ When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in human form!” ¹² Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker. ¹³ The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates because he and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them.

¹⁴ But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: ¹⁵ “Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human, like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them. 

============

Twelve forty five AM, I wanted to get a nap, so I went out to empty ash trays and pick up empty drink glasses left by the midnight bowling league. My coworker went missing and I did not want to be disturbed so I did his side.

With child labor laws being overlooked, the cashier allowed me to sleep for 15 minutes when there was a chance. When the boss came by, he saw that I could handle everything by myself. He fired the other guy. Now I had more work. I could not even finish my homework.

• Sometimes my desire drives my effort.
• Sometimes my effort does not match the result.
• Sometimes the result causes a different desire.

Paul, seeing the lame man, told him to walk and he did. This amazed everyone so much, that they called Paul and Barnabas gods. They bowed to them and offered sacrifices to them. When Barnabas and Paul heard of this they felt horrible. This was not the desired outcome.

• GOD wants me to point my life to HIM.
• GOD wants me to give HIM credit for everything that is done.
• GOD wants me to teach others to focus on HIM and not me.

Teaching someone about GOD is the best thing to do. But what happens when the person cannot stop looking at the teacher? GOD wants me to never desire a crowd following only me. HE wants me to show that they can go directly to the source if they believe in JESUS. I pray that many turn from me and follow JESUS who is the Savior.

• Do you desire followers?
• Are you trying to get attention?
• Will you stop trying to get the spotlight and allow GOD to be seen through your life so HE can get the glory today?

Idolizing Someone

Psalm 97:  All who worship images are put to shame,
    those who boast in idols—
    worship him, all you gods!

============

Star-struck was never my style. I mean I felt so far away from being a celebrity that I could never get used to the thought of knowing everything about them. “Those pitiful people” was my thought of those who follow this crowd. Then someone in my industry created some apps that were used on almost every computer in the world! I thought to myself “Wow, if I could just meet that person!”

• Worshipping people takes my eyes off of what I should pay attention to.
• Worshipping people makes me think that “levels” exist.
• Worshipping people adds jealousy to my demeanor.

Looking at all of the glitz and glamour of these celebrities was somewhat distracting. I mean reading about their lives, watching them on videos and hearing them on broadcasts was a lot to consume. I soon found myself climbing higher and higher in my industry and further and further away from treating GOD in the way HE should.

• GOD wants me to treat HIM as the only celebrity.
• GOD wants me to treat every human the same, with respect and humility.
• GOD wants me to elevate HIS status to worship status, drinking every word said about HIM daily!

If I put even a tenth of the time into worshipping GOD as I do human idols, I would understand HIM so much more. HE is so misunderstood because I am looking at the examples of human idols who sometimes do not proclaim GOD. Worship means I want to be like the recipient of my worship. GOD wants me to “want” to be like HIM. HIS love and compassion should be something I can only strive for.

I do not mean I should be prideful saying “I will be like the MOST HIGH”, see where that got Satan. I believe I should watch GOD’s examples and focus in on HIS training HE takes me through to be more like HIM. I will praise and worship HIM daily!

• Are you jealous?
• Do you follow celebrities?
• Can you place some of your admiration for them into GOD?
• Will you credit HIM for how HE dishes out talent to others as well as yourself?