Get Prepared

Exodus 19:10-19 gives the story of Moses preparing Israel to receive the 10 Commandments from God. They were told to clean their garments, prepare their inner being for the meeting and told where they would meet God. Why? In an age where worship starts at 11ish, and we come to worship as if we are going to the beach, or ballpark, I am left to wonder where is the wonder and awe of our time with the Father.

Let me apply this to the natural, if you have a job, you are required to be on time, and yet in our meeting with the God of the universe keeping the appointment is a struggle to say the least. Secondly, most jobs have a sort of dress code, (I'm not saying coat and tie for men and LOOOOONNNGG dresses for the women, saw that enough growing up in legalism) but at least in a way that shows respect for our Savior and High Priest and His/Our Father.

Thirdly, we should come into worship prepared to hear from the Father, and ready to lift our hands in worship, yet sadly many see worship has a formality like let's sing so the preacher can preach and we can go get on about our Sunday! Is is any wonder so many are turning away from Christianity and looking at other religions.

How do we fix this, as with anything start at home with your private time. Every day I set an appointment to meet with God. I get dressed and start the appointment as sacred time, turn off the phone, and get ready to meet with my Father. That means I have a time and a place, doesn't have to be at home, can be anywhere you can get time with Him. Secondly, come with a spirit of worship. If that means singing, listening to worship music or just closing your eyes and speaking the psalms, just worship. Thirdly, pray as you read the word of God. He will open the scriptures up to you in a new way, teaching you and helping to conform you to the image of His Son. Then learn to listen to what the Spirit is saying to you. "Are your ears awake? Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches." (Revelation 2:11 MSG)

As this becomes your practice daily, it will spill over into public worship. What we do in private good or bad eventually makes it way into our public life in some form. God always comes to a prepared atmosphere! I can only speak for how it has changed my public worship, and deepened my understanding of the Word, I believe if it can work for a hard-headed screw-up the way I have been in the past, and change me, setting me free from things I had struggled with for years, I believe it will work for anyone!!!

Grace and peace be multiplied to you.
Eric