I was thinking about worship this morning and how it makes glad the heart of God. I began by reading Psalm 100 in several translations but settled on ERV; “Earth, sing to the Lord! Be happy as you serve the Lord! Come before him with happy songs! Know that the Lord is God. He made us, and we belong to him. We are his people, the sheep he takes care of. Come through the gates to his Temple giving thanks to him. Enter his courtyards with songs of praise. Honor him and bless his name. The Lord is good! There is no end to his faithful love. We can trust him forever and ever!”

I don’t know about you, but I love it when my family come to visit and the first thing they do is to throw their arms around my neck, kiss my face and tell me they love me. Then it’s usually, “What’s for dinner?” So many times they share their heart with me, telling me about their day, or weekend, how the pastor spoke directly to them or confirmed something to their spirit. I picture God in the same way. When I go to visit, I love on Him, sharing a song that’s in my heart, a word of praise. Sometimes I tell him about a verse I read and ask what he’s trying to show me. I never get tired of spending time with God. He’s my best friend, my confidant, so wise and caring, so full of love and mercy. 

The more time I spend with Him, the more I change. It’s like that in the natural as well, you become like who you hang around with. If you don’t believe me, watch your children. If they spend too much time with the wrong people, it influences them to go in the wrong direction. That’s one of the benefits of getting your kids involved in a youth group that teaches your kids to reach after God. Sending them to church camps instead of sports camps. Not that sports camps are bad, but balance them out so that your children know the value of seeking God first and when they attend band camp or sports camp, they will be a light.

My point this morning is this; we must spend time with God everyday so that we can be his instruments in the earth. Not the awkward silence of strangers, but the warm exchange of friends. I am a friend of Gods. I knock on the door, open the door and enter in. I announce, “I’m here! It’s me, Lord!” I don’t have to ask if he has time, He always has time for me. I get so excited just thinking about that. He always has time for me. Praise God! Sometimes I talk his ear off, sometimes I just listen. It’s never a one sided conversation when I sit in his presence. It’s an exchange.

Love you Lord! This is going to be such an awesome, amazing day because I started it with you.  You put this song in my heart so I will sing it to you. “I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy, down in my heart! Down in my heart! Down in my heart! I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy, down in my heart! Down in my heart to stay. And I’m so happy, so very happy, I’ve got the love of Jesus in my heart. And I’m so happy, so very happy, I’ve got the love of Jesus in my heart!” Ha! You liked that, didn’t you! Well, I have to get ready for work now, but I’ll be thinking about you all day. Thank you for never leaving me. I sure could use your help in what I have to do at work. I know I’d never be able to do it on my own so come with me, please. Thank you! Amen