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Worship God!
'Ready Answer' by StaffWorship is a fundamental reason for attending church services and the Feast of Tabernacles, as many biblical passages highlight people journeying to Jerusalem to worship. Worship involves reverencing God, adoring, honoring, and bowing down before Him, often depicted as a physical act of prostration or bowing, but more deeply, it is a matter of the heart and mind. It is an attitude of total and unconditional surrender to our Master, our Lord, our God, characterized by a bowed-down heart in complete submission. Bowing and worshiping are closely linked in numerous biblical accounts. Satan attempts to entice our Savior to fall down and worship him, but Jesus firmly rebukes, declaring that only the LORD our God shall be worshiped and served. David urges us to worship and bow down, to kneel before the LORD our Maker. Abraham's servant, upon seeing God's blessing, worships the LORD by bowing to the earth. Job, in the face of immense loss, falls to the ground and worships, demonstrating profound faith. Similarly, the children of Israel, witnessing God's glory at the Temple, bow their faces to the ground and worship, as do others in later times and even in heavenly visions. True worship emerges when one becomes aware of God's awesome presence, revealing itself in complete humility and surrender. If we have not yet fully encountered God, we risk merely going through the motions, worshiping in vain. Yet, a time is promised when all will know the Eternal and come to worship the King, with every knee bowing at the name of Jesus. In practical terms, every act should be a worshipful adoration of our great God, bringing glory and honor to His name. Whether at Sabbath services or the Feast, we should go to worship, approaching with reverence and awe, conscious of His holy presence, ensuring our conduct reflects deep respect and honor for Him.
Strategies for Escaping Babylon (Part Eight)
Sermon by David F. MaasKnowing God intimately is central to eternal life and fellowship with Him, as expressed in John 17:3. This close relationship is demonstrated through continuous, unceasing prayer, which shows our desire to be in His presence and acknowledges our vital need for Him. Seeking God's face, as David did in Psalm 27:8, and doing everything in dependence upon the Lord Jesus, as Paul advised in Colossians 3:17, are ways we express this longing for eternal fellowship with Him. Building a relationship with Almighty God, our Creator, mirrors how we connect with family and friends—through spending time, conversing, and experiencing life together. Talking to God, spending time with Him, and walking through life with Him are essential to knowing Him deeply. Prayer, especially praying always, is the major way we show our ardent desire for this eternal bond. Posture in prayer also plays a significant role in approaching God. Various biblical examples illustrate this, such as King David sitting in prayer before the Lord in II Samuel 7:18, expressing humility and gratitude. In Luke 5:12, a man with leprosy fell on his face before Jesus, begging for healing, demonstrating submission and desperate need. Lying down in prayer, as David did in Psalm 4:4 and 4:8, symbolizes rest and security in God, meditating on Him even in the night watches, finding peace under the shadow of His wings as in Psalm 63:6-7. These postures reflect a heart bowed before God, seeking His presence and protection.
With Hands Raised
Sermonette by Ted E. BowlingThe Bible shows several positions used in prayer, but gives special attention to the posture of raised hands, symbolic of giving up or being vulnerable.