acceptable

This week we begin worship with:

Hebrews 12:28

Let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let

us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe.

Because of this verse (and others) we follow the regulative principle of worship, understanding that how God is to be worshiped is laid out in scripture, as opposed to the normative principle of worship where any sort of worship that is not prohibited by scripture may be used.  

In Genesis 4:3-8, even prior to any such proscription, we see that Cain's worship was rejected as unacceptable while Abel got it right.  Cain had given the produce.  Abel sacrificed the producer.

We each receive an unshakable "kingdom".  We each receive 7 days a week.  And in gratitude for that gift, we are told in Exodus 20:8-11 to sacrifice one day, during which we could have been the producer.  We worship by sacrificing that day.  And during which we sing, pray, read scripture, receive instruction, and receive the sacraments.  

So strictly speaking, it is in duty, rather than worship, that we bring the tithes and offerings.  For our produce is never acceptable worship.

beautiful

 This week we begin worship with:

Ecclesiastes 3:11

He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s

heart.

Reader, you are beautiful.  God loved you so much, He made you. He made you for this time and for eternity.

Job 14:14-16

If a man dies, shall he live again?

    All the days of my service I would wait,

    till my renewal should come.

You would call, and I would answer you;

    you would long for the work of your hands.

For then you would number my steps;

    you would not keep watch over my sin;

Reader, God loves us so much, He will call you into eternity.  He will not leave the beautiful work of His hands in a grave.