Weekly "Call To Worship" Encouragement

Mark chapter 8:

34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save their life[b] will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? 37 Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”

This scripture came up in my daily Bible reading recently and it’s been on my heart since then.  But, you might be wondering what this has to do with worship.  Everything. 

Paul urges us in Romans chapter 12: 12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Both of these scriptures describe worship, complete worship, 24/7 worship, living sacrifice worship, and unashamed worship.  I needed this reminder from God’s word and I hope that you do too.  Let’s pray together. 

Father in heaven, thank you for reminding us of how to worship, everyday.  Lord, this sort of sacrifice is not easy, and we confess that we often fall short of it.  Change our hearts Lord, change our lives because we are not ashamed to follow you.  Father God, we want to be holy and pleasing to you, we want to live the lives you have planned for us.  We want to share your love with the people we know.  Please guide us by your word and by your Spirit.  Father, we worship you now.  May you be glorified, may you be pleased.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.