Tag Archives: worship

Sweet Satisfaction!

08 Friday Apr 2016

Posted by in Friday's Focus, Psalms

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The poor will eat and be full, and all who worship you will be thankful and live in hope (Psalm 22:26, CEV).

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Hidden Cove, Ottawa River — photo by David Kitz

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is hunger.

We hunger to be satisfied. That’s what hunger is all about, a desire to be satisfied. A full belly and a contented heart fit together like bacon and eggs or toast and jam. 

Satisfaction and contentment are at the core of today’s verse from the Psalms.

The poor will eat and be full, and all who worship you will be thankful and live in hope (Psalm 22:26, CEV).

When our needs are met, worship and gratitude become the natural outflow from a contented heart. We experience inner peace because we dwell in hope. The God who has satisfied our needs in the past will continue to do just that in the future. There is a sweet satisfaction in knowing the ongoing faithfulness of God.

Response: LORD God, I set my eyes on you. You have been more than faithful. Daily you have satisfied the desires of my heart. I give you thanks because you are good. Amen.

Your Turn: Are you content with the goodness God has shown to you?

The Fruit of Forgiveness

18 Friday Mar 2016

Posted by in Friday's Focus, Psalms

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But you forgive us, and so we will worship you (Psalm 130:4, CEV).

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Plum Blossoms, Nagoya, Japan — photo courtesy of Matthew Taylor

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is forgiveness.

Worship is the fruit of forgiveness. Those who have been forgiven by God worship God. Jesus said this of a sinful woman,  “So I tell you that all her sins are forgiven, and that is why she has shown great love. But anyone who has been forgiven for only a little will show only a little love”  (Luke 7:47, CEV).

Jesus forgave this woman’s sins and so she poured out her love to him by kissing his feet and washing them with her tears.

Our heartfelt worship is our expression of love for God. Today’s verse from the Psalms captures this thought succinctly.

But you forgive us, and so we will worship you (Psalm 130:4, CEV).

Forgiveness is like a heaven-sent love potion. It restores our relationship with God and draws us into His arms of love.

Response: LORD God, a thousand words of thanks are not enough. Your forgiveness draws me to worship you with a grateful heart. I praise you, LORD of heaven and earth. Amen.

Your Turn: Does God’s forgiveness move you to worship?

Glory in the Place of Worship

25 Thursday Feb 2016

Posted by in Psalms, Thursday's Thought

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I have seen your power and your glory in the place of worship (Psalm 63:2, CEV).

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Ottawa Cathedral – photo by David Kitz

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is glory.

This is David’s heartfelt statement of fact, “I have seen your power and your glory in the place of worship” (Psalm 63:2, CEV).

I stand in full agreement with David’s profession. I too can say I have seen God’s power and glory in the place of worship. I have seen God visibly at work in the lives of his people as they gather for worship. I have sensed his presence with me at church.

The great pity is that there are many who have not encountered God–truly experienced His power and glory in the place of worship. Transformation occurs when we show up and the LORD shows up. It’s His power and His glory that change us, not a hymn or a sermon, though those have their place. But they fall flat unless we meet God in them.

Our prayer should always be to have our eyes opened to the glory of God in the place of worship.

Response: LORD God, open my eyes to you. I want to see you. I want others to see you. I need to be changed by your presence in my life and my place of worship. Amen.

Your Turn: Is there something you do that makes you more aware of God?

His Holy Name

15 Friday Jan 2016

Posted by in Friday's Focus, Psalms

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Celebrate and worship his holy name with all your heart (Psalm 105:3, CEV).

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Frosted beauty — photo by Donald Adam

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is holiness.

Here’s a quick question for you. Do you like celebrations?

If you answered, yes, then you should love being around God. He loves wholehearted celebrations. Today’s verse from the Psalms reminds us of this aspect of God’s character. Celebrate and worship his holy name with all your heart (Psalm 105:3, CEV).

After telling the parable about finding the lost coin, Jesus reminds us that heaven is a place of celebration.  Jesus said, “In the same way God’s angels are happy when even one person turns to him” (Luke 15:10, CEV).

If you have turned from a life of sin to worship your holy Creator, you have a heaven full of reasons to celebrate. Why not start today?

Response: LORD God, I praise you because you found me and took me into your family. I celebrate your goodness and undeserved kindness. Amen.

Your Turn: What do you do to celebrate God’s love?

Hallowed be thy Name

01 Friday Jan 2016

Posted by in Friday's Focus, Psalms

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Honor the wonderful name of the LORD, and worship the LORD most holy and glorious (Psalm 29:2, CEV).

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Lethbridge Rail Bridge, Lethbridge, AB –photo by Donald Adam

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is worship.

Today’s verse from the psalms calls on us to honor the wonderful name of the LORD. What a fitting way to begin 2016. Jesus taught us to pray in the same way. In the Lord’s Prayer, our first petition or request of our heavenly Father is that His name be hallowed. There is no greater name than the name of the LORD.

May we honor and worship our holy and glorious LORD throughout 2016. 

Response: LORD God, I worship your name. You are worthy of all praise because you created all things. I bow before you. Cleanse my heart, my lips and my very life. Amen.

Your Turn: How will you hallow and honor the LORD in the year ahead?

People Will Turn and Worship

31 Thursday Dec 2015

Posted by in Psalms, Thursday's Thought

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Everyone on this earth will remember you, LORD.
People all over the world will turn and worship you, because you are in control, the ruler of all nations (Psalm 22:27-28, CEV).

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Cape Breton, N.S. lighthouse — Photo by David Kitz

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is worship.

What a wonderful promise we have in today’s psalm reading! People all over the world will turn and worship you, because you are in control, the ruler of all nations. 

What a powerful truth. As we look forward to 2016, let’s pray in faith for this verse to become more and more a reality. The LORD is in control and He hears the prayers of His people.

Response: LORD God, I pray that in the year ahead many all over the world will turn to you in repentance and faith. Show yourself as the God who is in control. Come and rule the nations with grace, mercy and justice. Amen.

Your Turn: Do you have a plan for prayer in 2016?

 

Belonging

30 Wednesday Dec 2015

Posted by in Mid-Week Medtiation, Psalms

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All who worship the LORD, now praise him! You belong to Jacob’s family and to the people of Israel, so fear and honor the LORD! (Psalm 22:23, CEV).

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Crofter’s Home, New Shieling, Cape Breton, N.S. —photo by David Kitz

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is worship.

We all need a place of belonging—a home. But it’s not just a home or a house that we need. We need to belong to a household or family. On Christmas Day my son called me from across the country, 2,000 miles away. It was great to hear his voice.

Why did he call? Because he  knows where he belongs.

You belong too. You belong to God’s great family. Give Him a call today. He will be thrilled to hear your voice.

Response: LORD God, thank you for welcoming me into your family. I belong to you. I praise and worship you. I fear and honor you for your great love. Amen.

Your Turn: How do you show that you belong to God’s family?

Filled with Wonder

28 Monday Dec 2015

Posted by in Monday Meditation, Psalms

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Because of your great mercy, I come to your house, LORD, and I am filled with wonder as I bow down to worship at your holy temple (Psalm 5:7, CEV)

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Von Trapp Estate Northern Vermont —Photo by David Kitz

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is worship.

God’s mercy is a magnate. It draws us to worship Him. It drew the wise men from afar to the little town of Bethlehem where they worshiped a baby born in a stable. They too were filled with wonder as they bowed to worship before God—God templed in the flesh of an infant.

Take some time to bow down and worship before Him today.

Response: LORD God, thank you for showing me great mercy in the face of Jesus Christ. I am filled with wonder. I worship you.

Your Turn: What draws you to worship?