IT IS GOOD TO BE NEAR GOD!  (Psalm 73:28)
WHEN WE TAKE TIME TO SIT AT THE FEET OF JESUS
WE CAN BE FILLED WITH THE JOY OF HIS PRESENCE.
EACH ONE OF YOU ARE ACCEPTED, SPECIAL, AND
DEEPLY LOVED BY GOD.
GOD IS NOT ASHAMED OF YOU!

Some think that the singing at the beginning of church is worship.  Some think, to have an attitude of worship, you must fold your hands, wear your hair in a tight bun, and wear old lady dresses.  Some think worship is for sissies, and some don’t think of worship at all.

 

The original Bible was written in Hebrew and Greek.  In those ancient languages the word that was used for worship is the same word used to describe the attitude of a dog licking his master’s hand.

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A devoted dog wants to be near his master.  He is quieted and comforted by just being near.  A good dog is content to sit at his master’s feet.  That is real worship.  You want to be near God.  His presence quiets and comforts you.  You are contented to sit at His feet.

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We are commanded in the Bible to praise and worship God. We are going to focus on one of the reasons to praise God.

C.S. Lewis says this, “In commanding us to glorify Him,  God is inviting us to enjoy Him.”

Psalm 9:1.  I will thank you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things You have done.  I will be filled with joy because of You.  I will sing praises to Your name, O Most High.

 

Psalm 16:11.  You show me the way of life granting me the joy of Your presence and the pleasures of living with You forever.

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Psalm 22:6.  All who seek the Lord will praise Him.  Their hearts will rejoice with everlasting joy.

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God wants us to enjoy Him.  What a concept.  Far from being the “cosmic kill-joy”, or the “big guy in the sky” with his stick ready to whack us in the eye, God delights in His children. Little children loved being with Jesus.  Little kids, don’t like grouches!  God is not a grouch, in His presence is fullness of joy.  That means “overflowing”. When we don’t enjoy God, we are missing much!

My precious sister, when you are worshipping the Lord and feel you are in His presence, you will have joy and guess what, you will be experiencing, only a taste of what those you love, who are already in heaven, get to enjoy continually.

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Luke 10:38-42

    As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a village where a woman named Martha welcomed them into her home.
    Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what He taught.
    But Martha was worrying over the big dinner she was preparing.
    She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to You that my sister just sits here while I do all the work?  Tell her to come and help me.”
    But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are so upset over all these details!
    There is only one thing worth being concerned about
    Mary has discovered it—and I won’t take it away from her.

Enjoy your time with the Lord.  He loves you! Enjoy sitting at His feet and letting His love comfort, soothe, and refresh you just like Mary did.  Take the time to be with Jesus.  It is the best thing you can do for yourself.

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Many of us are like Martha.  We are so occupied with the things that we have to do that we will not allow ourselves the pleasure of spending time with God.  If you are like Martha and are concerned about too many things, then perhaps your greatest sin is that of not sitting at the feet of Jesus, enjoying and worshipping Him.  If you are one of the millions of Marthas' in the world, take time now to sit down and enjoy God. Repent of your neglect of Jesus and let Him erase your sin and bring times of refreshment into your life.  Listen to a praise tape or read in the book of Psalms.  May you come to know, as I know, that it is good to be near God.  Let us be like Mary and be concerned about our relationship with Jesus, let us sit at His feet and receive what He has to give us today.

May I pray with you today:
 

Heavenly Father,
Jesus came to the house of Mary and Martha to enjoy them and their company. 

Mary understood that but all Martha could think of was how much she needed to do. 

Lord, forgive us, for often we only think of what we should be doing rather than enjoying You.

Lord, Martha was so busy “doing” she became worried and critical.

Oh Lord, how often we become critical of others because they aren’t on the same page as we are. 

Remind me Lord, of this sin. 

Lord let us hate the sin of being too busy as we realize that it leads to worry and being critical.

Lord, please, we beg of You, put it deep within our mind and heart, that the only thing that is really important is spending time with You. 

Let us know, sweet Jesus, that spending time with You should be our number one priority in everyday. 

Let us feel lost and know that something is missing when we don’t spend time with You.

Lord, we think that “busyness” and “the conquering of many things” will bring contentment and satisfaction. 

However, Lord, this is secondary to enjoying You.

We need Your supernatural power to transform our minds to know that spending time with You is what is important. 

Let us realize it is not the many things we do that pleases You, but it is the time we spend enjoying You.

Forgive us, cleanse us, and thank you that we can try again.
 

In the mighty and precious name of Jesus, Amen

ENJOY GOD!

I love you,  Judy