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.
 

Prayer:
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.