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Worship TestedTrue Worship
by J. Ross Greer of The Place of Grace Ministries (about the ministry)
[Note: If you'd like to read more from J. Ross Greer, be sure to subscribe to his daily e-mail list A Word For The Church.]
1Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. 3And the tempter came and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." 4But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.'" 5Then the devil took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, 6and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, 'He will command His angels concerning You'; and 'On their hands they will bear You up, So that You will not strike Your foot against a stone.'" 7Jesus said to him, "On the other hand, it is written, 'You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.'" 8Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; 9and he said to Him, "All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me." 10Then Jesus said to him, "Go, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.'" 11Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him.
How focused do we remain upon God when difficulties enter our life? Most of us have probably never been without sustenance for a period of forty days and nights. We seldom miss a meal. However, we have faced various sorts of trials. When they come (and they do come), do we focus on the trials or the One who goes with us through them?
Do we find ourselves demanding that God act in a certain way on our behalf? It is one thing to believe that God will fulfill His promises. It is quite another to exalt ourselves to the point that we presume we can tell Him when and how to do it.
Are we ever led astray by the trinkets of this world? Would we abandon God and His principles for a better job? A nice home or car? An easier life? Do we compromise our convictions to maintain our present lifestyle? Our society offers us many temptations, none of which hold one ounce of eternal value.
How does all this relate to worship? God wants our attention upon Him during our trials. God wants us to trust Him to care for us in His way and time. He is our Father, and He will not withhold any good thing from His children. It is God's desire that we reject the possessions and pleasures of this world for Him. To truly worship God, He must be the complete center and focus of our lives. No one and nothing else matters but Him. Are we willing?
Copyright 2002, The Place of Grace Ministries. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
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About The Place of Grace Ministries: In 1992, God interrupted the well-organized life of J. Ross Greer through a study called "Experiencing God". This encounter birthed a passionate vision for local churches that has become The Place of Grace Ministries. Through teaching, music, and writing, we call believers to return to the basic principles of God's Word and participate in the work of God. For questions or scheduling information, please contact us at: theplaceofgrace@att.net Or visit our web site at: http://home.att.net/~theplaceofgrace/theplaceofgrace.html |
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