Daily Devotion, February 15, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Acts 2:42-47.

Worship and praise can be expressed in both words and actions. All that God was doing among these people of the early Church created in them a sense of awe and a desire to praise God for all that was happening.

The word, “worship” has its origins in the words,” worthiness or worth-ship”. We are giving honor and dedicating our all to God, the One who is worthy. 

Acts 2 is the story of Pentecost when God’s Spirit was in the midst of the people who had gathered from many lands in Jerusalem. True worship was coming from hearts of gratitude and realizations of God’s grace and love offered unto each and all the people of the world, through God’s gift in Christ.

The actions of devoting themselves to the Apostles’ teaching, sharing all things in common, breaking bread, praying, being in fellowship together, selling property and possessions to give to anyone in need, meeting together and giving praise to God, were all ways of expressing their worship unto God.

From The Message, it says, “And all the believers lived in a wonderful harmony.” And, “They followed a daily discipline of worship in the Temple followed by meals at home, every meal a celebration, exuberant and joyful, as they praised God.” Worship was a part of their daily life!

The church of my childhood had week-long church services during the autumn and spring seasons. We had daily morning services before school and work. We had fellowship suppers in homes before the evening services. Prior to these weeks, we had evening cottage prayer meetings in homes. Instead of being exhausting, our hearts, energy and joy were renewed with God’s spirit!

Perhaps that’s not practical these days, but how can we live our lives in ways which are expressions of worship in our everyday work, school, home and community life?

In both our actions and words of worship, we can be confident that God is present and is fully worthy of all of our expressions of worship. Whether with actions, words, or silent awe, wonder and amazement, God understands and receives our expressions of worship.

Personal Worship Option:

Acts 2:25-28 is a quote from Psalm 16:8-11. Acts 2:28 says, “You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.” Let this be our prayer of praise and thanksgiving, today. Amen.