Is your soul in your worship?

I do love soul music. I do love all kinds of music. But, there is something mystical about the emotions that music elicits. Am I singing with my soul to God? He is always engaged in our lives and gives so much more than we could ever know. But, I see in scripture the expression of yearning from God, for our whole worship. The example is Ephraim. All show and little heart. Everywhere, from the time that you meet Ephraim to the prophecies about him throughout the Old Testament, God is calling him to whole-hearted worship. I think of it like a beautiful song that is written by someone else's husband to her. This doesn't belong to you, but you enjoy the sound of it. You wish for that expression from your husband and imagine him singing it to you. But it is not your posession. God seems to say this to Ephraim, all through scripture and warning us all that we not be that type of worshipper. All show and exterior and no heart in it for God. When I hear music that is a show for somebody, I think about my worship to God. I never want it to be rote. I am grateful for the praise leaders that I have met in my life, who are examples of directing the attention of worship, from the place and their performances to God. When that is truly done it is a beautiful sight. There is always too much self in our expressions to God and without His grace, we have nothing to offer Him, but Ephraimish worship. Engaging my soul in my worship to God and in my expressions of love to those I am committed is a deliberate effort. I am grateful for the vehicle of soul music to remind me of the difference between a performance, even a great performance and true worship. God, please grant grace to worship you aright. To give You acceptable praise and worship is very difficult. Even with the knowledge of a sacrificial Savior, who gave His all to save me, I am stuck with futile and heartless expressions to You, at times. Enliven my praise. Bless the ministries and ministers who direct us in worship to be faithful to You, amidst the difficulties of our idolatrous age. Bless and enliven us to truly love You and show love to You in our worship and not just giving lip-service. Cleanse us from our Ephraimish expressions. Help Lord and inhabit our praise, for Your glory and for the growth of Your Church on the earth. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Sometimes our faith is so shortsighted.

It only takes a little cloud to make us wonder if we will ever see the sun, sometimes. When the sun is shining, confidence can run high. It seems that nothing can dull it's light. It is so powerful and energizing. Then, the radar shows a storm, large or small on the horizon. There I am questioning the warmth of the sun. It is overcast in the weather. Today the sun is shining, but, perhaps, it is overcast in my soul. Is God's light dimmed by my clouds of unbelief and doubt? "What can lay anything to the charge of God's elect?" I am redeemed by the blood of Jesus and that power is brighter than the sun. My soul's dimness and my minds questions are but clouds over the full rays of my spiritual sky. I can believe that the sun will shine again. Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. "sometimes a light surprises the Christian when he sings, It is the Lord who cometh with healing in His wings" He has the healing and I need but access the healing, for the sake of my undying soul. Carest thou not that we perish? I ask in my unbelief. Don't You see that my soul is flailing in the waves of unbelief? I know that He sees. I know that He cares. I know that He has it under control. My anxieties and fears and cares I am casting on Him.