So, I’m not sure how long I’ll be blogging about worship…but my heart is so full with it all, that I’ve got to share it! Today, I’d really love to just a quote a chunk from Louie Giglio’s book – I just don’t think I could say it any better than he already has! First, let’s read from God’s word:

 “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that confess His name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” Hebrews 13:15,16

 Here is what Louie has to say about verse 15…

        Continually! God’s got to be kidding, right? Continually offer Him a sacrifice of praise? Like 24/7? Day and night? All the time? How is that even possible?

          Maybe we should all join a monastery after all. Or maybe we should just take a deep breath and consider what the writer of these verses is saying.

          For one, he’s making a massive point with his first-century readers who were quite familiar with the smells and sights of animal sacrifices. They knew what it meant to come once a week or once a year, bringing some animal as an offering to God.

          But it’s not like that anymore. We’re not talking about a once-a-week or twice-a-year thing. We’re talking about a new relationship that allows us to praise God at any moment, in any setting. On the freeway. In a restaurant. In our dorm room. On a soccer field. In a boardroom.

          And continually means a huge attitude adjustment is in order. Continually means that in every moment we’re looking for ways to glorify Him.

          Continually gets our worship outside the walls of the church building.

          Continually gets our worship outside of our devotional times.

          Continually gets worship outside of our Christian conferences.

                   Our worship events.

                   Our MP3 players.

                   Our headphones.

          Continually gets worship into the marketplace.

                   Into our hangout places.

                   Into our conversations with friends.

                   Into our Starbucks moments.

          Continually gets worship into our entertainment choices.

                   Our bank accounts.

                   Our hidden thoughts.

                   Our dark nights.

                   Our joys.

What God is saying is this: “Everything you are – is Me. Everything you have – is Mine. The life you live is My life that I’ve freely given you. And I want worshipers who will constantly reflect My goodness and grace with that life.”

God wants our lives to be a seamless cord of worship. God wants our worship to be a way of life.

 Wow. Are you as challenged as I was when I read those words? I can think of lots of things I do continually, and I’m pretty sure they don’t reflect the goodness and grace of God. It so reminds me of Paul’s words in Romans 7: 13-20 (look ‘em up!). But his conclusion leaves me encouraged and full of gratitude and hope:

 “So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God – through Jesus Christ our Lord!”

I have been rescued!! Through Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit living in me, I can be transformed! And by His grace, I can continually offer Him a sacrifice of praise! He is worthy! He is worthy! He is so very worthy!!