Over the next few days I invite you to consider the matter of Personal Worship, building to a challenge for regular Family Worship.

Take the time to read and reinforce these principles in your life and the life of your family.

Let’s begin with Personal Worship – On the Lord’s Day

Most of us think of worship in the context of those corporate gatherings, such as Sunday morning. It is that, but also much more. However this is a good place to begin. When I consider our congregation I usually begin with a perspective of those who gather regularly for Lord’s Day morning worship. That makes sense. It is here that our congregation is most evidently seen.

But just being in worship is not the same as worshiping. Consider the following suggestions to enhance your Lord’s Day morning worship.

TAKE PART – this is not entertainment, this is worship. It is an act of service of the people - - take part! Don’t come as a spectator, come intending to be involved.

SING! – Don’t just stand there, open your mouth. God isn’t a talent scout. He delights in the glad expressions from the thankful hearts of His people.

OPEN – Open your Bibles. This presupposes you have brought your Bible. Read it for what it is - - the VERY WORD OF GOD. Life, hope, promise, peace, joy … all that is needed for our spiritual wholeness is in its pages - - open it!

LISTEN – Listen to the sermon. Take notes on the page provided. It will help with your concentration and retention. Seek to learn of Him.

RESPOND – Listen for what God is saying to YOU and respond with any personal commitment that His Word challenges you toward. Ask this question … “What does God expect of me in the light of this message from His Word?”

PARTAKE – Excitedly partake in the regular serving of the Lord’s Supper. Share in the testimony of the assembly of the saints - - proclaiming His death until He returns.

GIVE – Give with a glad and open heart from the blessings of God. Freely you have received – freely give! It’s an investment with eternal rewards.

FELLOWSHIP – Engage in the cherished fellowship with the saints, rejoicing in the joy of our salvation. Bear one another’s burdens. Rejoice with those who rejoice – weep with those who weep. If you are limiting your time of fellowship to a “chosen few” among those gathered, you are dangerously close to “sinful factions”. Guard against such and intentionally expand your relationships.