WORSHIP

From the desk of Mrs. Baby Abraham . . . . . .

WORSHIP

What is worship ?

It is done by your inner self. It is not dependent on what you wear or your hairstyle, whether it is bobbed or let loose.  With your mind and heart  you bring yourself to the level of purity, sanctity. Then simultaneously  , your outward  appearance , behavior, attitude, aspirations, and work will be  respectable  and worthy of admiration   to others and you , as well as  others   will feel the inner sanctity. This does not call for any gestures or comments  which are vulgar  in nature.

The definition comes from the famed Archbishop William Temple:  

Worship is the submission of all of our nature to God.

 It is the quickening of the conscience by his holiness;

the nourishment of mind with honest and divine  truth;

the purifying of imagination by his beauty;

the opening of the heart to divine  love;

 the surrender of will to noble  purpose—

all this gathered up in adoration,

the most selfless emotion of which our nature is capable.

(  little modified  )

The more I have thought of that definition, the more I am convinced that if worship is practiced with integrity in the community of God’s people, potentially, worship may be the most powerful evangel for this culture of ours. When people come to church, it is generally “beaten down” by the world of deceit, distraction, and demand. There is an extraction of emotional and spiritual energy that brings them on “empty” into the community. “  Can our worship and sermons in the chnurch give the people divine spiritual  empowerment and santification of spirit that they are restrained by the love of Christ to go out into the world for the next week at least , to face and solve the issues that are facing the nation in the different areas, in schools, homes, hospitals, traffic on the road, factory workings, bank dealings, defence responsibilities, national and international business dealings and global conferences and boldly and confidently perform our part to the best of our ability, not blaming others , not provoking others, but showing the way forward in a restrained manner. That may  attract others for similar quiet performances which can , in the long run solve many of our “ silly “ problems which “ raise the

tempers “  of the people without any serious valid reasons and issues .  The inner power to restrain and control ourselves can be obtained by worthy worship practices. As the Hindu claim that they can control mind and avoid wickedness with yoga practice , we can control our mental attitudes with proper worship and listening to anointed sermons by anointed priests and evangelists. How much time and prayer goes into the preparation of each sermon. For the interviews, civil service tests, entrance test for various courses, how much time , effert, energy, resources are spent. Preparation of a sermon is a spiritual activity. The effect of the prayers and sermons of the Bible characters reveal that this is a divine act to be taken in full seriousness. We can detect those who spent time in meditation and prayer in the sincere way. The divinity will be revealed in their words and actions and gestures. As queen Sheeba said about the walk and posture of those who stood in the court of King Solomon . The prayer warriers like George Knox, Muller,

 Dr. David Livingstone etc ,it is said that their face shone as the face of Moses. When they went out into the society  to  deat with the common problems and issues of the people , their Worship and prayer makes a difference in the character and life pattern of people and the society recognise thart sooner or later. Every child born has all the wonderful talents and capabilities embedded in their genes. If sports training is given, they reap so many sports medals. If IT training is given, they make renowned IT professionals .

When achens and Bishops spend their time, talents and energy  with the empowerment of prayer, meditation, and intense study of the Bible, then immediately the congregation will detect that divinity in them.

            There are plenty of answered prayers in the Bible and in our everyday life. In Revelation, we get a glimpse of what happens to our prayers . In Revelation 5:6-10

THE GOLDEN BOWLS FULL OF INCENSE, WHICH ARE THE PRAYERS OF SAINTS.

It is really surprising that  only the prayers of saints, with and for good intention find place in the golden bowl and their prayers are like fragrant incense which is placed in all alters of all religion all over the world from time immemmorial. If people with saintly characters ,that is with good intention , do not pray, then there is nothing in the golden bowl which is on the alters everywhere. Prayers with bad intention have no place in society and on alters everywhere.

Now what happens to the saints prayers which are in the golden  bowl.Revelation 8:3-5

With the smoke of the incense , the prayers ascend  before God from the angel’s hand. This is also important. The person, the hand that carry the bowl of incense also should be clean and worthy. 

Psalm 141:2 says “ Let my prayer be set before you as incense ,

The lifting up of my hands as evening sacrifice “

Everyone of us if we want our prayer to be answered should have these “signatures “

It should be pure, holy and fragrant as incense  and worthy to be ackowledged. Even petitions we present before the government or offices, it should be meanigful and for a worthy cause, otherwise they are not sanctioned .

Our lifting up of hands should be as worthy as evening sacrifice. If each one lift up the hand to bless others, what a wonderful land this wopuld have been…Usually we lift up our hand to blame others, to pinpoint others that you are guilty, accusing others, to strike others. How will our prayers be answered and we always complain that it is useless to pray. If you do not want to pray , it is alright. That is your choice. Only people who have  not sufficiency, ask for help. When you are self sufficient, there is no need to pray. When you are healthy, no need to go to see a doctor.  The choice is yours. 1 Timothy 2:8 says,  “ Therefore I desire that the men may pray everywhere, lifting hands, without wrath, and without doubting.

Just as in the case of taking vows and fulfilling the vows.

Deutronomy 23:21-23 says , “ When you make a vow to the Lord your God, you shall not delay to pay it, for the Lord your God will surely require of it and it would be sin to you

 But if you abstain from vowing , it shall not be sin to you.That which has gone outr from yhour  lips, you shall keep and perform it for you voluntarily vowed to the lord your God

What you have promised with your mouth.

Mathew 5:33-37 confirms this again.” Again you have heard that it is said that you shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord. But I say to you ,do not swear at all,neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne;

Nor by the earth, for it is his footstool.

Nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great king.

Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white  or black.

But let your “yes “ be yes and your no , no

For whatever  is more than these is from the evil one.

How importaant are all the vows we make voluntarily in marriage, employment, admissinon into educational institutions, healing profession, agriculture, etc

In all fields, when we accept our responsibility, there are written as well as un written code of conduct which we have to adhere to . Once wwe are in responsible position, there are no higher authority to remind us. Therefore we are to remind ourselves. In a family, the child cannot advise the father and mother about the responsibilities of fatherhood and motherhood. In the school, he student cannot advise the teachers because the teachers are older and nore knowledgable and in a posotion of auitjority and hence has to be con staqntly aware of that and behave well. Then the admiration of the children will be tremendous. Even after they leave the school, they will always remember their teachers, In government also. At each level of authority and responsibility they cannot behave like “ college heroes “ provoking juniors. Treat then well and they will adore you  and give you so much honor.  Give honor and receive honor and respect.

Therefore whatever you want others to do for you, do also to them.  Perfect balance can be  easily maintained in society.

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