E-votional - To
Go, or Not To Go
July 12,
2001
Verse:
"So
it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel
in gifts that build up the church."
- 1
Corinthians 14:12
(NIV)
http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?1+Corinthians+14:12
Thought:
"I worship as I walk onto the 1st tee
box, at the break of day, looking around and seeing the wonderful creation
God has placed before me." "I worship as I throw that top
water and break the mirrored water, feeling the wind across my brow,
listening to the birds sing, full of wonderment and marvel."
"I worship as I sign, opening my voice, hoping that God receives my
voice as a present." Worship, people understand it in many
different ways.
Hear the Good News, as we,
children of faith
understand all that God has done for us, it is natural to want to say and
share our thanksgiving. The
question is how. We need to have our own private ways to say thanks,
but there is also a need for corporate thanks. When I turned 9 or 10,
I had a birthday party at Scooby Doo Fun Factory. It was great, they
had pizza, an organ, video games. Wow. There was also the time
when I was 4 or 5 when it was McDonalds, there again, great. The
place had a great deal of meaning each time, but it was the people and the
company that really capped it all off. I received cards and special
one on one congratulations, and that was special, but I imagine it was
special to the giver. As a child, the special element was the
corporate celebration. Everyone together, saying Happy Birthday to me.
So, again I leave you with the question, if worship is meant for the both of
us, meaning God and ourselves, would not it seem reasonable to have the
corporate and the one on one time? Using the gifts and the thanks to
build up the one thing God really wants us to build up, the community of
faith.
Gracious
Father, receive
my thanks when I offer it in private, as it means the world to me, and let
me share my thanks with the corporate body of the church, in hopes the build
the church, making a difference in the world.
Funny thing happens when I worship with others, it is their faith that helps
to build my own. Let me possibly do that for someone else. Thank
you Father, for all You have
done and all You will continue to do in my life. Amen.