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Sunday January 17, 2010
THE PASSION FOR PRIVATE WORSHIP
15th in a Series
Private Worship Involves God In Our Circumstances
Sometimes we are told to leave the world behind and enter into worship, and that private worship is an oasis from the cares of life. But Jonah was in a fish! It was kind of hard to leave his cares behind to worship. Besides, that’s not what the Bible tells us to do.
The Scriptures encourage us to “cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” We are invited to bring our cares to God in private worship and let Him transform them. He wants to be involved in our lives and intervene in our circumstances.
Private worship involves God in our circumstances. We should take our entire life — the good and the bad — and make it our sacrifice to Him in private worship.
There has probably been a time when God seemed to answer a crisis in your life with another crisis, right? Those times should press us into worship, not worry; praise, not panic.
DiscipleNotes is published weekly on our website
This issue is adapted from The Wonder of Worship © 2002, Darril Deaton
Sunday January 10, 2010
THE PASSION FOR PRIVATE WORSHIP
14th in a Series
PRIVATE WORSHIP IN TIMES OF CRISIS
Worship is easy when times are good and God has showered us with blessings. But what about those times when conflict and turmoil distract us and divert our attention away from private worship?
Jonah, like Daniel, faced one severe crisis after another and still exercised a passion for private worship. As a matter of fact, the Book of Jonah, like the Book of Daniel, is all about worship. Jonah prayed for God to help him out of one crisis only to have his prayer answered by another crisis.
Jonah faced the crisis of drowning. God resolved that fear by sending a specially prepared fish to swallow him!!
Sometimes God will answer a crisis with another crisis, but He knows what He’s doing. The Lord is more interested in building our character than resolving our conflicts.
Character is developed in times of private worship—even worship under stress. And that’s exactly what Jonah did. He worshiped God from the privacy of the fish’s stomach. What would have done?
DiscipleNotes is published weekly on our website
This issue is adapted from The Wonder of Worship © 2002, Darril Deaton
Sunday January 3, 2010
THE PASSION FOR PRIVATE WORSHIP
12th in a Series
Private Worship Overcomes Our Circumstances
Even in the toughest circumstances private worship will shape our reaction to the world around us. An example is Paul and Silas’ experience. They had been falsely accused, severely beaten, and thrown into prison without much hope of justice. But see what happened:
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.
Paul and Silas were engaged in private worship. Others may have overheard their songs of praise, but the intention was not a public worship service. They joined together in private worship. They had every right to complain. They were suffering for doing good. They had been treated unfairly and harshly, but they chose to worship God. They refused to let their circumstances dictate their relationship to God, or let their pain keep them from worship. As a result, they were mentally and spiritually prepared to be a witness when the opportunity presented itself. People were saved and Jesus Christ was glorified because private worship had preserved their hearts and prepared their minds. It is always fitting to praise the Lord — even in tough times. Private worship is where the praise begins.
DiscipleNotes is published weekly on our website
This issue is adapted from The Wonder of Worship © 2002, Darril Deaton
Sunday December 27, 2009
THE PASSION FOR PRIVATE WORSHIP
11th in a Series
Public Worship Will Never Substitute for Private Worship
Public, or corporate worship, is of vital importance to the believer. It is encouraged for our mutual edification, but it is also commanded by the One we worship. Far too many believers let weekly church attendance substitute for their daily walk and worship with God.
But as vital as public worship is, it will never replace the need for private worship. It is in those private moments of worship and praise that God addresses the innermost needs of our heart.
We can draw near to Him in private worship and say things we could not, or would not, say to anyone else. It is also in private worship that changes are made in us and the world around us. This was certainly Daniel’s experience.
God is pleased when His people gather together in unity and worship, but He is still seeking an intimate, personal relationship with each individual. That’s what makes private worship important for every believer.
And the truth is, corporate worship is only as good as the private worship of the individuals that have gathered. So in the new year, make a fresh commitment to private worship and devotions.
DiscipleNotes is published weekly on our website
This issue is adapted from The Wonder of Worship © 2002, Darril Deaton
Sunday December 20, 2009
THE PASSION FOR PRIVATE WORSHIP
10th in a Series
THE POWER OF PRIVATE WORSHIP OVER CIRCUMSTANCES, Part 2
The desire of God’s heart is to have a personal, intimate relationship with us. Since private worship nurtures our relationship with the Lord, He is eager to meet with us.
When Daniel prayed, the forces of heaven were put in motion immediately. He may not have been aware of it, but God answered his prayer right away. God loved Daniel and responded to his time of private worship.
Sometimes we don’t see all that God is doing on our behalf, so we get impatient. We may even take things into our own hands — the recipe for disaster.
If God does not seem to answer immediately or in the way we think He should, we are tempted to forget private worship.
God, however, still deserves our worship and praise — no matter what happens. There is never a time when Jesus should not be exalted and adored. He is always worthy of all the praise, honor, glory, and power.
When we remain consistent in private worship God is able to show Himself strong on our behalf. He really does respond right away — we have his Word on it.
DiscipleNotes is published weekly on our website
This issue is adapted from The Wonder of Worship © 2002, Darril Deaton
Sunday December 13, 2009
THE PASSION FOR PRIVATE WORSHIP
9th in a Series
THE POWER OF PRIVATE WORSHIP OVER CIRCUMSTANCES, Part 1
God is not intimidated by life’s circumstances. There isn’t anything that happens that takes God by surprise. He is always, always in complete control. That alone should make us want to praise the Lord. But in addition to this, we can take comfort in knowing that He’s on our side!
God uses the circumstances we face, including conflict, as an opening for involvement in our lives. He is able to bring Scripture to bear on the circumstances we face. It is at the point of private worship that God brings things into focus for us.
Circumstances should not affect our worship. Rather, worship should affect our circumstances. It is in worship that we will hear from God about our circumstances. Daniel said:
“While I was still in prayer, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice. He instructed me and said to me, ‘Daniel, I have now come to give you insight and understanding. As soon as you began to pray, an answer was given.’”
DiscipleNotes is published weekly on our website
This issue is adapted from The Wonder of Worship © 2002, Darril Deaton
Sunday December 6, 2009
THE PASSION FOR PRIVATE WORSHIP
8th in a Series
Responding to God’s Voice in Private Worship
Daniel prayed on the basis of what he had read. The Bible, however, can be used several different ways in private worship. For example, the very words of the Bible can become our prayer. The Book of Psalms is particularly good for this. As you read the Psalms you may find that the words express your own thoughts. So pray them back to God. You honor the Lord by offering His Word up to Him in prayer.
Claim the promises you find in Scripture. Tell the Lord you are aware of what His Word says about a given subject and that you will act accordingly. The Prayer of Jabez, by Bruce Wilkinson, is based upon the principle of praying according to the revealed Word.
Try singing. Remember, this is private worship, and your audience is God. So “make a joyful noise until the Lord.” Get your own hymnbook, or check the local Christian bookstore for praise and worship music. Or, better yet, sing the Scriptures to God. Make up your own little tune to a passage that reflects your heart. You’ll be surprised at the benefit of singing God’s Word in your private devotions.
DiscipleNotes is published weekly on our website
This issue is adapted from The Wonder of Worship © 2002, Darril Deaton
Sunday November 29, 2009
THE PASSION FOR PRIVATE WORSHIP
7th in a Series
God Reveals His Plans In Private Worship
God always has a plan. He doesn’t play “hide ‘n seek” with His will. He wants us to know what He is doing so He can include us. The Bible is a necessary resource for worship. Whether we read it, recite it, or sing it, the Scriptures are where we hear from God.
It had been 69 years since Jerusalem had fallen to the Babylonians. Daniel must have prayed often for the city where the great temple of God had stood. In his times of prayer he consulted the Scriptures, God’s primary way of revealing Himself to us.
On one such occasion he read that the people would be restored to Jerusalem after 70 years. Realizing that the time was near, Daniel prayed even more fervently. After all, he had God’s Word as the basis for his prayer. Private worship always includes hearing from God.
Have you ever voiced a prayer based on a passage of Scripture? Perhaps you claimed a promise or principle from the Bible. God responds to prayer that is based on His Word.
Plan to hear from God. Begin by spending time in the Word. The Bible is timeless and reveals the character and love of God. If you are unfamiliar with the Bible begin in the Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke or John. You can’t find a better place to begin than in the passages that are all about Jesus. Your intimacy with Christ will grow and grow as you study His life, words, and actions.
DiscipleNotes is published weekly on our website
This issue is adapted from The Wonder of Worship © 2002, Darril Deaton
Sunday November 22, 2009
THE PASSION FOR PRIVATE WORSHIP
6th in a Series
The Practice of Private Worship
Worship is not something we should enter into hurriedly and without planning. Daniel’s plan included specific times — 3 times a day. It included other things, too.
Daniel, understood from the Scriptures, according to the word of the LORD given to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years.
So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed:
“O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with all who love him and obey his commands, we have sinned and done wrong.”
Notice that Daniel referred to God’s Word for direction. Then he also engaged in petition, fasting, confession, and praise. Prayer is far more than simply blessing the food at mealtime. It’s work! It takes effort and planning. Are you that passionate about private worship?
DiscipleNotes is published weekly on our website
This issue is adapted from The Wonder of Worship © 2002, Darril Deaton
Sunday November 15, 2009
THE PASSION FOR PRIVATE WORSHIP
5th in a Series
Our World Is Affected By Our Passion for Private Worship
One of the characteristics of private worship is that it will affect our public lives. Others will see the adoration we have for God and make the connection between our relationship to Him and what He is doing through us. We don’t have to be forceful, only faithful.
In the second chapter of Daniel hundreds of people were spared execution because of Daniel’s passion for worship. In the sixth chapter, however, hundreds died because they trifled with God’s man. God will decide how our private worship will affect the world around us. Our responsibility is to worship and glorify Him.
The passion for private worship develops through the kind of consistency demonstrated by Daniel. Are you willing to make a commitment to private worship? You may even commit specific times you will set aside for private worship each day. Develop the passion.
DiscipleNotes is published weekly on our website
This issue is adapted from The Wonder of Worship © 2002, Darril Deaton
Sunday November 8, 2009
THE PASSION FOR PRIVATE WORSHIP
4th in a Series
Private Worship Prepares Us For What’s Next
Nothing catches God by surprise. Every single event that occurs must get His prior approval. Worship does not always change circumstances, but it changes us. When we spend time with God we are better prepared for whatever comes next in our lives. After all, God is ready for it!
Daniel got up from worship to face an uncertain future. He got up from worship, came before the king and stood his ground. His faith was not a preference, it was a passion.
According to Daniel’s own testimony, an angel of the Lord accompanied him in the lion’s den. Daniel didn’t seemed surprised. It was not the first time he had experienced God’s miraculous presence in a crisis.
Worship had prepared him for what came next. He was already “prayed up” and didn’t need to enter into an emergency prayer mode. Because of his private worship, Daniel was always ready for what came next.
DiscipleNotes is published weekly on our website
This issue is adapted from The Wonder of Worship © 2002, Darril Deaton
Sunday November 1, 2009
THE PASSION FOR PRIVATE WORSHIP
3rd in a Series
A new king named Darius came to power. His scheming advisors talked him into issuing a ridiculous decree that demanded everyone pray only to the king. Upon hearing of the decree, Daniel did the exact opposite — not in defiance of King Darius but out of loyalty to God. Daniel had a passion for private worship.
It is noted that Daniel got on his knees three times a day and worshiped. He continued to meet with God to pray and give thanks. Even when his faith and life were being challenged Daniel was thankful for the relationship he had with God. Daniel’s passion for private worship was not about to be affected by changes in the world around him.
What if you could make a commitment to set aside a special time each day for personal worship? Daniel set aside 3 times a day. Each time could have lasted for only a few minutes or for an hour or more. The important thing is that Daniel was consistent. It may be that in his private times with God he was given the specific instruction to worship 3 times a day. Or it may have been an arbitrary decision on Daniel’s part. Either way, Daniel demonstrated a passion for private worship — intimate, personal time with God.
DiscipleNotes is published weekly on our website
This issue is adapted from The Wonder of Worship © 2002, Darril Deaton
Sunday October 25, 2009
THE PASSION FOR PRIVATE WORSHIP
2nd in a Series
Daniel is remembered as a man of faith, fearlessly facing the lions and standing up to the kings and authorities of his day. Daniel’s faith, however, was reflective of his passion for private worship.
There are two equally devastating acts related to worship. One is to worship the right God with the wrong motives. The second is to worship the wrong god with the right motives. In either case the result is the same: God is not glorified. Daniel worshiped the right God with the right motives — to bring Him honor and glory — and God was glorified in his life.
Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.
Daniel got on his knees three times a day and worshiped. He continued to meet with God to pray and give thanks. Even when his faith and life were being challenged Daniel was thankful for the relationship he had with God. Daniel’s passion for private worship was not about to be affected by changes in the world around him.
DiscipleNotes is published weekly on our website
This issue is adapted from The Wonder of Worship © 2002, Darril Deaton
Sunday October 18, 2009
Worship is Ground Zero
Daniel’s Passion for Private Worship
The Book of Daniel is often thought of as a book of prophecy, but like Revelation, it is primarily a book about worship. Daniel and his three friends did not think of themselves as prophets but as worshipers of the true God.
King Nebuchadnezzar had threatened to kill all the advisors in the kingdom if no one could tell him a dream he had experienced—not just the meaning of the dream, but the dream itself. Here’s what Daniel did:
Then Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery….
During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven and said:
“Praise be to the name of God forever and ever;
wisdom and power are his.…
I thank and praise you, O God of my fathers:
You have given me wisdom and power,
you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king.”
Daniel was accustomed to prayer. It is clear that private worship was Daniel’s passion. It should be no surprise to us that he would go to his house to praise and worship God, and in so doing, seek a word from God about the king’s dream. He also invited his friends to do the same.
What followed was a personal time of praise and thanksgiving. God’s personal presence in a time of private worship will always lead us to thanksgiving and praise — regardless of the circumstances.
DiscipleNotes is published weekly on our website
This issue is adapted from The Wonder of Worship © 2002, Darril Deaton
Sunday October 11, 2009
Worship is Ground Zero
Twentieth in a Series on Worship and Spiritual Warfare
Worship is Satan's Line In the Sand
Worship is the place where the Morning Star drew the line in the sand and that's where he has always taken his stand. He offered Jesus all the world's power right on the spot. No rejection. No torture. No cross! But there was one condition. Satan said, "All this is yours if you will bow down and worship me." Worship is still ground zero for spiritual warfare!
The Final Rejection
All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world.
In the end, those who reject the Lamb of God do so because they will choose to worship another. It will all come down to worship. That's why Jesus said we cannot serve, or worship, two masters. Worship is ground zero for spiritual warfare.
Making a Conscious Choice
Tell the Lord that you are making a conscious, deliberate decision to worship Him with all you soul, mind, and strength. Deliberately reject any other attractions that would keep you from giving Him your full adoration. This is where the war is declared and eventually won.
DiscipleNotes is published weekly on our website
This issue is adapted from The Wonder of Worship © 2002, Darril Deaton
Sunday October 4, 2009
Worship is Ground Zero
Nineteenth in a Series on Worship and Spiritual Warfare
The Altar and the Throne
The altar in the Temple, is where a priest offers prayer, sacrifice, and intercession. The throne, in the palace, is where a king declares war and issues directives for battle. But the Lord does not separate the throne from the altar. At this very moment our King, Jesus Christ, stands making intercession at the throne of God for us as our High Priest.
"You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.”
We are called to be kings and priests — warriors and worshipers — at the same time. When we engage in worship we also engage the enemy in warfare. Worship is taking the battle right to the enemy.
To be continued…
DiscipleNotes is published weekly on our website
This issue is adapted from The Wonder of Worship © 2002, Darril Deaton
Sunday September 27, 2009
Worship is Ground Zero
Eighteenth in a Series on Worship and Spiritual Warfare
Worship and Warfare
The armor of God is not a fad or magical spiritual exercise. Praising God for our salvation, claiming the imputed righteousness of Christ, embracing the truth, appropriating the gospel, being filled with the Holy Spirit, and bathing it all with prayer is worship!
As we worship we engage in warfare. As we engage in warfare we worship.
When we worship God in spirit and in truth we are taking the battle right to Satan. No longer in a position of weakness, the one who worships the Lord Jesus Christ is in an offensive mode — on the front lines. It's over the issue of worship that Satan chose to take his stand, and that's where he is easily defeated.
So take your stand. Do your greatest harm to the enemy...worship!!
To be continued…
DiscipleNotes is published weekly on our website
This issue is adapted from The Wonder of Worship © 2002, Darril Deaton
Sunday September 20, 2009
Worship is Ground Zero
Seventeenth in a Series on Worship and Spiritual Warfare
Weapon #2: Praying in the Spirit
"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints."
Prayer is the second offensive weapon at the worshiper's disposal. All the powers of heaven are brought to bear on worldly circumstances when we pray and worship in spirit and truth. Prayer puts supernatural powers and principalities into action on our behalf.
A soldier can have the best equipment and the latest technology but if his head and heart are not in the battle there could be unnecessary trouble. As we put on the helmet, breastplate, belt, shoes, and shield of God's armor, we should not forget to keep our mind and will focused on the purposes of God. His Word talks about "keeping our eyes on Jesus" and "pressing on toward the prize". Prayer helps us stay in touch and in focus.
Prayer gives us access to the power of God and keeps our heart and mind focused on His will. It directly and adversely affects the devices of the enemy while ministering peace and giving victory to the believer.
To be continued…
DiscipleNotes is published weekly on our website
This issue is adapted from The Wonder of Worship © 2002, Darril Deaton
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