True Worship - The Words of Jesus.
Amazing the temptation of Jesus, have you noticed what was missing during the temptations and what was included. Satan wasn't telling Jesus what God was saying he didn't remind Jesus of God's words for God's sake, then when he realized that Jesus knew God's word he tried to twist scripture to suit his own goal when this failed he tries the subtle approach with just all the world's empires up for grabs. If any human had been placed under those temptations we would have thought nothing of it had they accepted it, using your "gifts" for your needs but wait are we supposed to use our gifts for God's glory? Then you're such valuable person God will save you he says so right, then hey I can give you so much and so much comfort just give me your vote. As the character playing Satan said in the1997 movie Devil's Advocate "vanity my favorite sin" Pride of oneself and ones own achievements and ones own status. I was reminded of the letter to the Philippians -
3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
What a fitting end to that passage to the glory of God the Father it is fitting that our worship should be to the glory of God and not our own, so many folks want to be the center of attention when they sing gospel the band sits upfront to "lead" worship, I remember the days when choirs used to be out of sight or to the side as they assisted folks in worshiping nor was it a show or spectacle, but I digress, our focus needed to be of the Lord giving Him all worship as the scriptures say He will give His worship to no other (Isaiah 42) we sing and praise Him with mind, heart, body and soul, not so that we can gain something but because He loved us therefore we are able to show our love(adoration) for Him.
We need to slow down a little and think carefully of what is before us, remember His word is not empty as Jesus reminds us of what the scriptures say and how he stands firm in God's word, His word, as we should and when we do we worship God, every time we put ourselves aside for God's will in our lives we worship Him. So I encourage everyone whether in the congregation or alone remember to worship Him alone follow Christ's example it should be far easier most of us are not hungry after 40 days and nights of fasting or in the wilderness we have so many comforts, gratitude for what we have and praise for the one and only true God who gives it. God Bless.
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