We Need to Start Our Day With God

FEB 6TH, 2025 | Jeff Van Domelen

First thing this morning, I wanted to upload a new article to the website. I went to log into my hosting service. I clicked the eye so that I could see my password, and carefully typed it in correctly. I got an incorrect password message. I typed it in again, and received the message “you have entered the wrong password too many times, you are locked out for 24 hours.“ I have had nothing but one issue after another with this hosting service, and honestly, I have lost my patience. So, I immediately called. I was forceful, but not rude. Unfortunately I have lived with hard-of-hearing people all of my life, and I tend to speak loudly.

At this point I should know to pray beforehand any time I have an interaction with the service. Afterwards, I decided I needed to have a devotional time with the Lord. Immediately the Lord reminded me that I am his representative, and I need to do better, much better.

"So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." Colossians 3:12 NASB

In my Christian experience worship has been the center point of my encounters with God, notwithstanding visitation, or his saving my life outright. Every experience I have had with the Lord, when the power of his presence was overwhelming, has been in the midst of worship.

I really blew it, but God’s grace is so much greater than my foolishness. This is why we should always start the day with the Lord. It is an opportunity for him to prepare us for the day ahead.

Worship is a Lifestyle Choice

FEB 28TH, 2025 | Jeff Van Domelen

The more I learn about God, and my relationship with him grows, the more important worship becomes. We all know that worship is an important part of relationship, not only with the Lord, but also within the Church. It binds us together in relationship to him, and to one another. We are the bride of Christ.

Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; Revelation 19:7 ESV

"But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel" Psalm 22:3 KJV

The most powerful experiences I have had in God’s presence have been during corporate worship. When there are a group of people gathered together, and are worshipping God in spirit and truth, an electrified presence, where miracles happen, can fill the room. This is the place where the gifts of the Spirit are most appropriate. Where God is the instigator, not the people. There is the omnipotence of a loving God who comes to love on his people, and heal their woes.

But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."
John 4:23-24 ASV

When I put together the study about worship, you can find in the tools section, I learned a lot about what pleases God, and what displeases him. That study is where the tittle of this article came from. Worship is a lot more than singing hymns in church. It is living in a way that honors God, and pleases him.

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:17 ESV

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:1-2 ESV