Every day this week, we will be meditating on
passages of Scripture. In the morning I will post a passage of Scripture that
Jesus reflected on. We will spend the day reflecting on what God might want to
say to us personally through this passage. At the end of the day, you are
invited (if you would like) to share how God was speaking to you through the
passage.TODAY'S VERSE:
"Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only," (Deuteronomy 6:13).
SUGGESTIONS:
1) Pray and ask God to open your ears, your mind, and your heart to hear what God is saying to you through this verse.
2) Read the verse a few times.
3) Be still for a moment.
4) Focus on a phrase or a word that captures your attention.
5) Spend the rest of the day reflecting on what God might be saying to you personally through this verse. What's the Good News? What's the challenge? How can you respond to the message?
6) Pray a prayer based on that passage of Scripture.
7) Respond in faithful obedience.
When I read serve him only, it reminds me that he is who I should be looking to guide me and focus my daily life on, to praise him and his word. Not to let worldly influence come before him.
ReplyDeleteIt seems simple enough until you run over it a few dozen times. Then come the concepts that there are two verbs given in a command - worship and serve. That begs the question - how? We need to open our hearts to God to hear the "still small voice" of His direction, and be sensitized to opportunities He puts in our path every day.
ReplyDeleteOther things are reinforced about who God is by the text. "The" Lord - exclusivity. "your" God - personal to us for leadership, blessings, and accountability.
The command to serve Him also carries the message that He is worthy of service and worship. The 10 commandments start in Exodus 20 with Thou shalt have no other gods before Me, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God... Jealousy for us is sin. We are entitled to nothing, so being jealous has its roots in covetousness. God is entitled to, owns, and controls everything, and has creted all for His glory to be displayed. When God says He is jealous for our undivided worship and service, it is not sinful, but pure and holy, because He is able to ask for whatever in His creation He desires. Such a command to us is not onerous or oppressive, but instead truly the greatest blessing and honor! The fact that God would be jealous of our worship and service, and want those things solely for Himself means they must be very valuable, indeed! The Lord God of heaven and earth desires me! My worship! my service! Incredible!! The fact that He wants that from me is more than enough motivation to strive to offer it to Him.
He knows my flaws, He knows my failings, He knows my heart, and He still calls for my service and worship. How cool is that?!? Praise God!
It made me think about how I was feeling today - frustrated with some family. I refocused to think of the Lord and what he would want. I must say, it did calm me down some and I am trying to keep things in perspective!
ReplyDeleteGreat reflections everyone. The longer we reflect, the more we discover. Today I used this verse every time I felt tempted to think or act in a way that would not please God.
ReplyDelete