praising God and having favor with all the people. and the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. [acts 2:47]
intimate worship with the LORD – fuels – a public life for the LORD.
the people were praising God.
the people were praising God for what he was doing in their lives and through their lives.
the people were praising God intimately and corporately.
i am encouraged and convicted by this. intimate worship, is time alone in the presence of the LORD intentionally finding joying in his presence. this can be a moment. this can be an hour. this can be all day. this worship takes intentionality and it takes submission because only the Spirit can fuel worship. however, notice what their worship fueled…
“favor with all the people”
“the LORD added to their number”
intimate worship with the LORD – fuels – a public life for the LORD.
worship led to God giving them favor with people in the community and even led to many being saved. many saw God differently in the outward expression of these believers because of an inward life they had with the LORD. you can fake outward affection for the LORD, … for a while. but you cannot fake inward affection for a minute. and, eventually – our lack of inward affection, of intimate worship will affect our outward life for the LORD.
tonight – if you are a part of matthias lot church and you can attend worship, you and i will get to publicly demonstrate worship and affection for the LORD as we talk to people, welcome them, encourage them, and pray with them. and, we will get to publicly demonstrate worship and affection for the LORD as we publicly worship in song, the word, and prayer.
question: will your public affection match your inward affection?
imagine the body of Christ coming in … full of the LORD from intimate worship. imagine what our public worship would like to each other – to the LORD? imagine!
o LORD,
stir our hearts even now to adore you, to delight in you, to worship you. from this, may we overflow with public affection, delight, and worship for you. in Jesus name – for his good and glory – amen!!!
~ john