Devotion 1

“You alone are the LORD. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you.” - Nehemiah 9:6

 

If you don't travel much in the United States or around the world, then your world is very small. Even if you've visited different places, your world or your view of the world consists mostly of the town where you live. How big is your town? Not your city, per se. But your community? Your suburb? The area you live, play, eat, and go to school? For some, it's bigger than others. But for most, it's a relatively small area, all things considered.

 

Did you know the surface area of the Earth is almost 200 million square miles? That is a lot of real estate, and God created every inch of it. Think about the beauty of the town where you live, maybe a river, or a mountain, or a beautiful coastline, and multiply that beauty thousands of time over and over . . . THAT is the wonder of God's creative power. And that doesn't even include the beauty and majesty beyond our world in the heavens.

 

Is it any wonder the writers of the Bible were constantly amazed at the glories and wonders of God’s creation? They responded to that sense of awe with words, with songs, and with prayers. We call that response worship. Look around this week as you live out your life and think about the simple things you see like a brilliant sunset, a colorful tree, or even the stars in the night sky. Your response, however great or small, will be an act of worship.

Devotion 2

“Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals.” - Psalm 150:3-5

                                                                                               

Artists use a variety of things to create a work of art. Some may use oil paints or watercolors on a canvass. Others simply use a pencil or charcoal. Some artists create objects from clay or metals, while others love to make things out of recyclables. Today we even have graphic artists who create things of beauty with a computer. A true artist can create beauty from just about anything.

 

The psalmist mentions using instruments to praise God. Did you know the instruments listed include every type of musical device known to man at that time? The message is simple: We are to use everything available to praise the Lord.

 

What do you have that can be used to worship God? Is it a skill in playing a musical instrument? A good singing voice? Communication skills? Art ability? Or maybe just a passion for serving?

 

Think about this:

1. Take some time to write down some of your unique abilities and things you’re passionate about.
2. Next, think of how those things can be used either in personal or corporate worship.
3. Now worship God by using the things you listed as an expression of your encounters with God.

Devotion 3

“As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. ‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will make you fishers of men.’ At once they left their nets and followed him.” - Matthew 4:18-20

 

This week you learned that worship involves giving our entire lives to God. Read Matthew 4:18-20. In today's passage, we read where Jesus called Peter and Andrew, and they dropped everything and followed Him.

 

Think about some other times in the Bible where God called people to give their all to Him.

 

NOAH was called to spend a great deal of time building an ark.

ABRAHAM was called to leave his homeland.

MOSES was called to risk everything and speak to the Pharaoh.

ISAIAH was called to spend his life preaching a message no one would respond to.

PAUL was blinded and called to turn his life completely around.

 

• What do you think “giving your all” means for you?
• What areas of your life have you held back from giving over to God? Why?
• What would your lifestyle worship look like if you gave these areas completely to God for His glory?