Daily Devotional For Thursday, May 8, 2025
Good morning Southside. This is another day God has made and we can all rejoice in it. When it comes to worship, many people have strong opinions about how corporate worship should look and sound. Some of us prefer a pipe organ and hymn books. They prefer classical music and litanies. Others prefer guitars and lyrics on a screen. Some of my most profound worship experiences were in areas where no one had to worry about changing the light bulb in the chandelier, or on a dirt floor where no one argued about the color of the carpet, or with music played on drums missing heads and guitars missing strings. This was on the mission field in Brazil.
One of the lessons I’ve learned over the last few years is to never take for granted the privilege of gathering for worship. Being able to gather with God’s people and lift our voices in praise and thanksgiving in a public place are gifts from God. When you have the privilege of worshipping with other believers, I urge you to lay aside the clutter and turn your attention to God. Lift your heart to Him. Praise Him with your voice. Bring Him your burdens. Then, receive His blessings.
It is amazing how people around the world worship. First, they are not fretting the space, or the temperature, or the seats. They are not concerned about who is singing or the instruments or if they have a hymnal. They sing and I mean they sing. They are uninhibited with their praise to God. It has always bothered me that we become more alive and excited at a sports event than we do for our God in worship.
Look at 1 Chronicles 16:8-11:
“Oh give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples. (9) Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; Speak of all His wonders. (10) Glory in His holy name; Let the heart of those who seek the Lord be glad. (11) Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face continually” (NASB).
Assignment: Take some time today to really focus on God. You can focus on God’s greatness, or His faithfulness, His grace, or His love, or His forgiveness or His mercy. You can focus on the spiritual gifts God has given you or the ministry God has given you or the talents/skills/abilities God has given you. Get specific with your thankfulness. List specific times, places, ways God has been this way with you. I would encourage you to even play some music to begin so to get your mind ready. Turn off all digital devices so that you are not distracted or interrupted. Enjoy your worship time with God.
Scripture To Meditate On: Psalm 149:1, “Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, And His praise in the congregation of the godly ones” (NASB).
Prayer To Pray: “Dear Lord, please forgive me when I can be so apathetic or lackadaisical when it comes to worshipping You. Lord, I really want to get to know You because I know You know everything about me. I want to praise and worship You for all Your great deeds and wonders. Heavenly Father, I praise You. You created the earth and everything in it. You have chosen me and called me out of the darkness. You have forgiven me and restored me. You alone deserve glory and honor and praise. May the name of Jesus be lifted up across our land and the praises of God break forth! In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
I love you Southside! – Pastor Kelly