The Seed Blog: The Gift of Angels

We are here to celebrate Jesus' birth—the day that God took on humanity and lived as One of us. We have bought gifts for just about everyone else we care about this year, right? )And some we don't care about) Now, we are here to show affection to the King—to God Himself… What on earth do you bring to someone who not only has everything...made everything? Luke 2:8-14: What did the Angels and all Heaven give to our Baby Jesus that night? Worship and Praise!

Luke 2:8-14: What did the Angels and all Heaven give to our Baby Jesus that night? Worship and Praise! Luke 2:15-20. Did one single Heavenly or earthly being give a physical gift to our Savior that night? Absolutely not! They gave Him what He most deserved; they gave Him all He’s ever wanted; they gave Him the only thing, that by His very precious and humble nature, He could never have unless it was freely given to Him—our heartfelt worship and adoration. We are the only creatures in all of creation, for whom God gave His very Existence, in order to win our love and devotion. If it means this much to Him; if we mean that much to Him—how could we not bring this gift today, of all days? The problem is that, most people have no idea of just how much God is literally affected by our true gift of worship? . "Can I seriously have an effect on the All-Powerful God? Absolutely! Psalm 89:9: (still/calm: shabach: shaw-bakh' a primitive root; ...to pacify (as if by words):--commend... praise, still); this is the same word used in worship in Psalm 63:3-4. Do you bless God with kind words of affirmation and love as you would a spouse or a true friend? Do you grab His attention and still His Soul in a world that disappoints and hurts Him? Do you pacify His Desire for our love? Do you commend Him for His Power and Justice and Love and Humbleness, and Grace, and Mercy? He literally is jealous for your affection! [How awesome is that?] James 4:5 [How awesome to have the ability to give to God, what He so desires!  And yet, we so often hold back] Matthew 18:1-4. Have you ever noticed that small children never think twice about displaying affection or telling you how they feel!? It's just natural; but, as they become teens and they become aware of self and how self looks to others, they are less likely to show that attention. Maybe we have grown-up just a little too much! Was Christ too ashamed to publicly let others spit on Him? Mock Him? Hang Him naked on a tree to die? Why are we so afraid to show our love and worship? Scripture is clear that there are times when it is very appropriate and welcomed to worship openly together as a body: Psalm 22:22: (praise: halal (haw-lal' )to shine; to make a show, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; to celebrate; also to stultify( or make a fool of, humiliate, ridicule, embarrass) This makes it clear that the writer was expressing an open abandonment of self in expression of public worship. The same word used when David acted as a madman in front of the Philistines (1 Samuel 21:13 when he was trying to save his own life at Gath). [Is that illustrative enough?] And this verse, is the very verse used prophetically for Christ on the Cross! [This word is used in the Old Testament at least 150 times] Psalm 35:18. Psalm 107:32. Psalm 7:17: (praise: yadah (yaw-daw') primitive root; literally, to use (i.e. hold out) the hand; physically... especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively) [This word is used in the Old Testament over 100 times] In light of the specific Hebrew words used, read this verse: Psalm 106:1: “Praise ye (halal) the LORD. O give thanks (yadah) unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” Which literally would read: "Celebrate before the Lord in foolish abandon. Throw your hands up to Him in thanksgiving and worship for He is good: for His mercy endureth for ever!"
Worship does not occur just because we show outward signs. Psalm 46:10. Worship occurs when we realize His worth. Worship occurs when we adore him for His goodness and grace. Worship occurs when we realize how small, dependent, and lost we are without Him. But, Scriptures are very clear, to those who will be honest, that God is honored when we come together as a church family, and join in unreserved praise and worship.   Just one glance into Heaven, and we realize it is the, "Norm" when you truly see Jesus for Who He is. Revelation 7:9-12, Psalm 148:1-13, Psalm 150:1-6. With Scriptures showing us how much He adores our praises, and with Scriptures (Zeph 3:17) saying that He sings, and dances over us in joy; that He died to give us the Glory He won with His death—how can we not worship? Showing love through serving is good; loving others, good. But, they don't replace our personal worship of Him. We were created to be His Beloved; created to love on Him, share intimacy with Him; to Glorify Him unashamedly above ourselves. It is why we are here. He expects nothing He hasn't given to us first. As God, He has given us His Glory; He has lived and died for us unashamedly. He doesn't just want abject humility and worship; He wanted a shared passion that exceeds anything else in our lives. He’s proved its what He has for us—can we show that it's what we have for Him!