(What does it take to build a foundation of worship)?
By Irene Cooke
The first step to a life of worship is to devote yourself to God. Devote (i.e.) means to commit to, wholly or chiefly give yourself to God, to be set apart for a special purpose, to be dedicated. After we have devoted ourselves to God we will begin to have devotion to God. Devotion is an act of prayer and private worship to the creator, to be loyal to Him, to surrender your whole self too Him because he wants us to worship Him with our body, soul and spirit. (Romans 12:1, 1 Thessalonians 5:23)
Why should we develop a discipline devotional life?
- Because we belong to Him, our existence is in Him. (Acts 17:24-28) Isaiah 42:5,6)
- He loves us (Psalm 117, Jeremiah 31:3); He is our help (Psalm 33:20): He is our deliver (Psalm 69)
God delivered us, He rescued you and came to your aid, and He caused us to escape because he paid the ransom for us in full. The meaning of deliverance (anah): to meet, to happen, redeem, rescue to hand over, too make safe, to restore. God released us from a prison of sin and set us free. He restored you to your right place and reconciled you to Himself. God selected you to enter into His kingdom and all His righteousness (Mathew 6:33).
Jesus teaches us how to devote ourselves to Him through life experiences. In those experiences He wants us to apply His word and trust what He tells us to do (James 1:22). Jesus is telling us to practice the word (James 2:14-22), and to develop our relationship with Him in prayer (Daniel 9:3,4). Daniel had a relationship with God and stayed before the Lord in prayer, He did this in spite of his enemy who wanted to kill him because of his relation ship to God (read the book of "Daniel"). Daniel believed God’s word and stood upon God’s word in the face of trouble.
Jesus will keep you if you surrender your life to him. He is the foundation to build upon, a true foundation which will not fall (2 Timothy 2:19).