Choosing to Worship

Did you know you have the ability to stir and satisfy the heart of God, here and now? God has given us the ability to choose him here on earth, and nothing blesses the heart of God like his beloved people intentionally turning their hearts toward him. As we examine how to live an abundant life here on earth, today we’ll search out what it means to choose to worship God in our daily lives.   Our Scripture for today comes from John 4:23, and today's worship is Where You'll Find Me by First15 Worship feat. Mark Alan Schoolmeesters. -- Thanks for listening to today’s First15 Podcast. My name is Ryn, and I’m a part of the First15 Team. If you haven’t downloaded our brand new First15 app, make sure to click the link in today’s show notes to check it out! One of the new features that you can enjoy when you download the app is our Guided Prayers. We are adding new prayers to our library every month, so if you need a moment of peace with God, let these prayers be your guide! The prayer and worship of King David throughout the Psalms have stood the test of time since over 1000 years prior to Jesus’ birth and remain some of the most beautifully powerful prayers in all of scripture. King David was careful to take time to delight in the Lord particularly when his heart was downcast. 1 Samuel 30:6-8 says, “And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.” And in several of the Psalms he begins his prayers with praise, recognition of his heart’s truest desire, and rounds them out with self reflection. “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” David’s practice of acknowledging the beauty, majesty, love, power, and good intentions of the Lord toward him is what gave him the stability of mind to be able to be honest with God about reality while not losing hope. It is our prayer that this new Guided Prayer from our friend Laura Woodworth would serve to you as the first part of one of David’s psalms when you have a difficult time finding the words for yourself, and that they would give you the foundation of faith that your heart needs to share with the Lord your concerns so that you can do so with confidence that he hears you, knows you, and is working in all things for your good and his glory.