The Christmas Worship Challenge
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God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, 2 in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom He also made the world. 3 And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become so much better than the angels, to the extent that He has inherited a more excellent name than they. -Hebrews 1:1-4 NASB
Spirit soars with praise that God speaks and keeps speaking. He has spoken throughout history, and He continues to speak through Christ. Because Jesus is all these things the writer of Hebrews lists, He is able to handle anything and everything. I am deep-grateful that God speaks through His Son, the Living-Word-Made-Flesh. How amazing.
“Through His Son,” the verses that follow are all about the position and power that God has given to Christ. Radiance of God’s glory and nature made visible to human eye, my earth-bound mind can hardly take it in.
Responding, I worship with a longing for greater vision of the power, position, majesty, and worthiness of Christ.
Worship Tip: Ask Reflectively and Pray Responsively
Am I revering Jesus in light of this, or have I shrunk Him down to a size that fits my “box,” my imagination and the limits of my world view?
Do I perceive Him as He is revealed in Scripture, or do I see Him in light of my perceptions and experiences, which are hemmed in my own reasoning and interpretation of what I think I see, what I think I know?
These questions tug at the corner of my soul.
Responsive Prayer: Lord, when troubles close in on me, when it feels as if situations or relationships are teetering, poised to unravel, remind me that holding things together is one of Your specialties!
Worship Tip: Look Deeply
One simple way to look more deeply into a verse is to look up key word definitions in the original language. You may be thinking, that sounds complicated… only theologians and people like Beth Moore research definitions…
With the access of great online resources, now looking up original language meanings is as simple as a few clicks on your computer. At the end of the post I have listed my favorite source.
Today’s scripture tells us that Christ “upholds all things by the word of His power.” As I look up the word uphold, I am completely moved with wonder.
Greek Strong’s Number: 5342 Uphold
- to carry or to carry some burden
- to bear up i.e. uphold (keep from falling)
- of Christ, the preserver of the universe
- to bear, i.e. endure, to endure the rigor of a thing, to bear patiently one’s conduct, or spare one (abstain from punishing or destroying
Today’s Worship Challenge:
Responsive Prayer: My heart is filled with awe and praise that these things are true. So often my Christ-thoughts are so shallow. In the festivity of this time of year, allow these words to permeate my soul. Let them sink down deep and be a continual flow of praise in my thoughts.
Forgive me when I struggle to believe that You have an answer for a need. You hold EVERYTHING up—I can’t begin fathom this. Everything includes the vast mysteries of the galaxies down to the tiniest cell—over great and small, You are indeed LORD OF ALL.
Here is a link for a free download of e-sword Bible software that makes it easy to look up Strong’s Definitions. A practical worship tool for sure!
What online resources have you found to deepen your worship? Leave a comment and share the link and what you like about the source. There are so many great resources out there—I can’t wait to discover new ones as you share your favorites.
So glad you're here. I help busy women—gals like you— build healthy habits for living well with biblical wisdom and practical steps to deepen your faith, increase your hope, and thrive in your purpose.
Thankyou, Ginger for what you are doing with your Worship Challenge. I’m finding it encouraging. The other day I really appreciated your listing the definition of “magnify”, I’d never understood what the word meant before. I have been reminded this Advent of the real courage of both Mary AND Joseph as they listened, heard and obeyed God. It wasn’t always easy for them, I’m sure, to live out their lives in the light of what He had told them both and required of them.
I have been finding Oswald Chambers daily devotional on-line very helpful. ( In answer to today’s comment request.)
I’ll check out Chamber’s online devotional. I have been reading my paper copy lately. Love what God says through Oswald. Thanks for sharing a meaningful resource! Be blessed, Lesley!!