WEEK 15: DAY 2
THE SERVICE OF WORSHIP

Romans 12:1-2
I APPEAL to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship.
Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].

Do you know what it means to be a living sacrifice? This indicates a state of death as a lifestyle - a reality of submission to a higher Being. To be a living sacrifice indicates being sold out to a priority regardless of how you feel.

You are no more moved by you but by a bigger calling; a purpose; an assignment. A lifestyle of total submission.

This scripture brings a new perspective to worship and that perspective is wrapped around service.

Matthew 4:8-9
Again, the devil took Him up on a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory (the splendour, magnificence, preeminence, and excellence) of them.
And he said to Him, These things, all taken together, I will give You if You will prostrate Yourself before me and do homage and worship me.
Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

When the devil tempted Jesus, He gave him a worthy revelation of prosperity and class. If that was your topmost priority, it is easy to miss the mark of the Kingdom and His Righteousness.

He asked Jesus to bow down, to just give a posture of death and a signatory of recognition in reverence.

This brings me to a load of questions: who are you submitting to in reverence? Who are you lifting up in bowing down? Who is thrilling you up to take and make choices,? How well is what you are doing at the moment aligned to Who you belong to?

Are you adapting to customs you should advise against? Are you accepting a norm you should stand against? Are you caving to the pressure of how things are, losing sight of how things should be? Are you starting to believe a lie because the truth haven't been lived, forgetting it is your reasonable service to live it?

I am spurred to bring you back to perspective! Help to realign your perception so you know, whether it pays now or not, you are to worship only your God with the heart of service.

I pray you worship in service by living a lifestyle of submission in reverence to God no matter what in Jesus name, amen.

Rain in a bucket: Devotional with Toyosi
www.raininabucket.wordpress.com