06 Apr

Worshipping with a Renewed Spirit

WORSHIP/DEVOTIONAL ARTICLE | William Stewart | Odessa, Ontario

John 4:24 / Ephesians 4:23

A midday break in the city of Syrchar as Jesus and His apostles journeyed from Judea to Galilee resulted in a significant conversation. So weighty were the matters discussed that the Holy Spirit had John record it for all future would-be worshippers. Jesus made a powerful observation, stating: “The hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:23-24). Read More

04 Jan

Preaching That Glorifies God

WORSHIP/DEVOTIONAL ARTICLE John Hains | Smithville, Ontario

“…glorify God for His mercy…” (Romans 15:9)

Everything we do, whatever it is, should be done to glorify God – that must always be our purpose! Whether it is the way we live our lives, the goals we set, how we conduct ourselves with others, and especially how we conduct ourselves in God’s presence, with heart-felt worship according to His pattern. All we do MUST be to offer Him glory since we desire to bring Him joy! That includes the teaching and preaching we choose to hear, or, if teachers, the Bible lessons we present to others. Always—in all ways—all things must centre around the praise and glorification of our wonderful God! Read More

29 Oct

The Collection

WORSHIP/DEVOTIONAL ARTICLE | Jim Mickells | Lewisburg, Tennessee

“Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come” (1 Corinthians 16:1-2).

There are a great number of things that you and I can learn from these two verses about giving. Let me share a few of them with you so we may be more aware of what God has said and how important our giving is to the work of the church. The Lord depends on us to carry out His work. Read More

07 Jul

Dangers in Worship : Self-Made Religion

WORSHIP/DEVOTIONAL ARTICLE | Sean Cavender | Bald Knob, Arkansas

One of the greatest privileges given to the children of God is the opportunity to draw near the LORD to worship Him. God is the object Whom we center everything around, most notably our worship (Psalm 150). We should always be eager to worship God and should do so with enthusiasm and zeal! We should invite others to worship the God of heaven. Our worship of God appears as a sacrifice before the throne of heaven (Hebrews 13:15). Worship will involve our emotions, but it must also engage our minds! Our prayers and singing should be the result of careful meditation of the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 14:15). We must worship God by following the truth revealed in the word of God. Read More

07 Apr

Preparing For Worship

WORSHIP/DEVOTIONAL ARTICLE | Tim McPherson | Bountiful, Utah

Exodus 16:5: “And it shall be on the sixth day that they shall prepare what they bring in, and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily.”

Introduction:
To sustain a practical life, we prepare. Can you imagine the chaos without preparation? Think about your morning routine. What if you did not set your alarm clock, wash your clothes, or did not brush your teeth? What if you did not bathe/shower? What if you hadn’t gone to the grocery store for days? Think of the problems you would have in your morning routine if you had not prepared. You would wake up late, have dirty and wrinkled clothes, foul breath, dirty teeth, body odor, bed-tossed hair, and have no breakfast. Yes, living without chaos involves planning, arranging, and designing every day. We think beforehand and purpose for what is ahead of us. Read More

07 Jan

What Does The Term “Worship” Really Mean?

WORSHIP/DEVOTIONAL ARTICLE | William Stewart | Odessa, Ontario

A myriad of writers through the years have penned much literature on the topic of worship. If one were to compile all the “worship is” statements obtainable, an exhaustive volume would no doubt be the result. So, we might inquire, “Why, after all the effort put forth by men and women through the years, do we yet again embark on a discourse about the meaning of worship?” Quite simply, it is good to be reminded of the things which we already know, and perhaps to be made aware of some things we have not known. The more we study and learn about the worship which our God is due, the greater our appreciation and more devoted our service will be. Read More

01 Oct

Fasting

WORSHIP/DEVOTIONAL ARTICLE | Marshall McDaniel | Wentzville, Missouri

Fasting is an uncommon activity in our modern, Western culture. People tend to associate it with cultic and Eastern religions, ancient mysticism, medieval monasticism, or non-traditional health management. Obviously, there are misconceptions about fasting. Yet the Bible portrays fasting as an acceptable and spiritually beneficial practice. Biblical fasting is often linked with prayer. In this study, we will survey the nature and application of fasting in the Bible and its relevance today. Read More

02 Jul

Feasting on God’s Word

WORSHIP/DEVOTIONAL ARTICLE | Chadwick Brewer | Williamsburg, Virginia

The word of God is a gut hook. It’s as sharp as a two-edged sword that cuts us to the heart. It’s a brightly lit mirror that brings our repulsive marred souls into sharp relief. It’s a light that shines into our darkness, exposing us for who we really are.

It is wondrously beautiful, deeply insightful, surprisingly simple, and profoundly complex. It makes a wise man look simple and the simple man wise. It is enlightening and more desirable than gold. His word is perfect and altogether righteous. Read More

02 Apr

Unlocking The Meaning Of The Lord’s Supper

WORSHIP ARTICLE | Sean Cavender | Bald Knob, Arkansas

The Lord’s Supper is an esteemed part of our worship on the first day of the week. It is communion with the body of Christ and time we use for solemn reflection on the importance of the Messiah and His death. The Lord’s Supper is something that should be observed each and every first day of the week (Acts 20:7). However, there is a danger in routine, that we could turn our minds off and be aimless in our observation. Perhaps the Lord’s Supper is especially challenging in this respect since the time is quiet and solemn, which seems to invite our minds to wander.  We need to combat this and train our minds for proper observance of the Lord’s Supper. In this article, we want to delve into a study of the Lord’s Supper so we are better equipped to offer worship to God as we partake of this weekly memorial meal. Read More

01 Jan

When Singing Is At Its Best

WORSHIP ARTICLE B. Colton McDaniel | Springfield, Illinois

“I love to sing.” This phrase was a warmup in my high school choir, but it is also the way I really feel about singing. My earliest memories are of singing Doo-wop songs. Yet as much as I loved performing with choirs growing up and no matter how fulfilling it was to earn good ratings at state competitions, no music is as pleasing as singing praises with the people of God. This is how God designed it. He created music to be naturally enjoyable to the human ear. But on top of that, He prescribed a combination of that naturally enjoyable activity with words of edification and praise to create psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Read More