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Worship Strategy

Bulletin article by Mike Riley focusing on our attention or lack thereof on the matter of worship. There is a great need for focus in the worship of God. Hence the need for a worship strategy.

The Lord’s stinging rebuke to His people through the prophet Malachi was, “I have no pleasure in you” (Malachi 1:10). God was angry with their careless, shoddy methods of worship. The animals they brought for sacrifice were not acceptable to Him because they were not the best of the herds and flocks. Instead, they offered stolen, lame, and sick animals (Malachi 1:13).

While we may not be showing this degree of contempt toward God, sometimes we are too casual in our worship. My wife made this observation about herself: “When I shop for simple things like soap or butter, I hardly think about it. But when I’m looking for a blouse to match a skirt, I shop very carefully. I go from store to store until I find exactly what I’m looking for.” Then she added thoughtfully, “I should pay that same close attention when I am worshipping God. But sometimes I approach Him as casually as if I were shopping for a box of Kleenex.”

During worship services, we may fail to give God our full attention. We rush in late. Our thoughts wander. We need to discipline our minds so that we are not focusing on yesterday’s cares or tomorrow’s responsibilities. At the heart of worship is worship from the heart. When we worship the Lord with all our heart, He will be pleased with us (John 4:23-24).