The Heart of Worship

When Jesus Christ was born, a group of Wise Men undertook a long, arduous journey to reach the house where He was living as a young child. They did not travel such a distance simply to see a little boy. The Magi asked, “‘Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him’” (Matt. 2:2). These individuals had one purpose for their expedition, and that purpose was to worship the King of kings and Lord of lords. They faithfully followed the star, which led them to their destination. Along the way, they did not become discouraged. They did not lose hope that they would actually be able to find Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. Nor did they fail to remember their reason for traveling so far.

God’s Word says, “They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him” (Matt. 2:11). When they arrived, the first thing they did was to bow down and worship Jesus. After their tiresome trek, they did not complain about sore feet or aching muscles. Their minds were not on acquiring a hot meal, finding a place to bathe, or locating a bed on which to lie down. No one proceeded to present the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh the moment they set foot inside the house. They stayed focused on their primary goal, to worship the newborn King.

In the twenty-first century, we could take a lesson from the Magi. They trekked many miles in order to reach the place where Jesus was living. On the contrary, some people nowadays find it a struggle to get in their air-conditioned automobile and drive to church every Sunday morning. They complain about the service being too early or running too late. When they arrive, they get upset if someone is “sitting in their pew.” How would church sanctuaries look different if believers joyfully walked through the doors, headed straight to the altar, and wholeheartedly worshiped our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ? What sort of impact would it have on our workplaces, schools, and other locations we visit throughout the week if we worshiped the Lord during our commute as well? Surely, making worship a priority would be a step toward pleasing the Lord in all we do (Col. 3:23). I am certain we would see a significant change in the way people interact with one another. Certainly, our testimony for Christ would have a greater impact on those around us.

Furthermore, giving praise to the Lord would ultimately make a difference in our own lives. Look at the shepherds who came to see Jesus when He was born. In God’s Word, we read about how they told others what they had witnessed. Luke 2:18 says, “All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished.” They could not keep this Good News of great joy to themselves. Having knelt in the presence of the Almighty God was the most marvelous experience of their entire lives. When they shared their testimony of seeing Christ with their own eyes, other people were amazed at what they heard.

Like the shepherds, we should have the same reaction when we stand in the presence of the Lord. When we worship our Heavenly Father, we need to open our hearts, allowing God to change us from the inside out. This heartfelt worship will lead us to follow the will of God in our lives, to love the Lord with all of our heart, our soul, and our mind (Matt. 22:37). By giving ourselves to Him, He can use us for His divine glory. Just as the shepherds were able to give testimonies of their encounter with Christ, we should share what God has done in our own lives. It should not be a burden, or an embarrassment, to tell what the Lord has done for us; instead, it should be a desire we cannot suppress. It should be a joy.

A.W. Tozer once said, “No one can long worship God in spirit and in truth before the obligation to holy service becomes too strong to resist.” Our utmost desire should be worshiping our Heavenly Father and sharing His amazing love with everyone around us. Like an avid angler who restlessly looks forward to the next time they can cast their bait into the water, we should have an even greater longing to fish for souls (Luke 5:10). There should never be a time when we are not fully devoted to the Lord’s service. When we put our trust in the one true living God, we should yearn to serve the Lord in all we do. No matter where God places us, we should take every opportunity to be witnesses for Christ. As Christians, we are commissioned to share the Good News to the entire world (Mark 16:15). We should be eager to share encouraging testimonies of what God has done in our lives. We should be unable to refrain from telling everyone about the marvelous love of Jesus Christ, whether we are speaking to the cashier at the local supermarket, the server at the café downtown, or our neighbor right next-door to us.

Personally, I cannot refrain from sharing the love of Jesus Christ, even with complete strangers. On one of our trips to New York, God gave my dad and me a divine appointment to speak to a Muslim family in Brooklyn. As we were taking a walk one evening, one of my earrings fell off, slipping through a metal grate in the sidewalk. Although the earring was very inexpensive, its retrieval posed an interesting challenge. The next day, my dad fashioned a catch hook out of a couple of paperclips and attached it to a long thin audio cable, which we had with us. After several successful practice runs in our hotel room with the matching earring, he was able to retrieve my earring from a ledge on which it had fallen. As my dad was sitting on the grate, pulling out the earring from below, a woman approached us to see if we needed assistance. She said her family had experienced a flat tire. Almost immediately, I also learned their child had been born prematurely, just like me. This common ground opened the door for a conversation that would soon become a thorough religious dialogue. Our conversations with this family lasted for nearly two hours, with me witnessing to my newfound acquaintance and my dad sharing the Good News with her husband.

Although they were practicing Muslims, the mother seemed open to hearing the Gospel. She said one of her coworkers attended The Brooklyn Tabernacle. I gave her a copy of my book, When You’re in the Sunset, There’s Sunshine Awaiting You. She told me she would read it. I pray she has since read my testimony, so she can learn more about the truth of the Gospel, for it is my hope that I will see this family in Heaven one glorious day. If it had not been for my losing an earring and the family having car trouble, our paths would likely not have crossed. God is the One who orchestrated the opportunity to share the love of Jesus with them. I pray God has sent others to water the seeds He chose us to plant, so this family will discover the truth of the only living God.

Although I often feel inadequate in confrontational situations like this one, where our conversations resembled an Islam versus Christianity debate, I know God is more than enough. No matter the circumstances, God will give us the confidence we need to deliver the message, and He will even give us the words to speak. We only have to be willing to answer His still, small voice, by saying, “Yes, Lord, I will follow wherever you lead.” Reflect back on the Wise Men and the shepherds. They did not know exactly what they would find when they followed the star. Nevertheless, they were compelled to follow the star and see what God had in store. They had a desire within their hearts to worship the Lord Jesus Christ. We need to have that kind of devotion and that level of trust. We need to step out on faith, knowing God will guide us. While we may not be renowned theologians, the promise of Acts 1:8 says the Holy Spirit will empower us to be witnesses of the love of Jesus Christ.

In case you wonder if your life will change when you share your testimony, I can tell you that your life will never be the same again. For when “the shepherds went back to their flocks,” they were “glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen” (Luke 2:20). Yes, they still had the same profession, but a change had taken place within their hearts. They were now fully in tune with the One who had created them. They were worshiping the Lord, even in the midst of the field among their sheep. Instead of bitterly enduring long hours tending sheep, they realized their purpose in life beyond the grassy fields. They knew God was the One who had miraculously sent His Son to earth, and they knew their calling was to tell others about the moment they saw our Lord and Savior face-to-face. The joy from their encounter with Jesus was too wondrous to contain. Much like the shepherds, may we all find ourselves in the position where we cannot resist sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with others, for there is no greater message we could ever convey.

Unfortunately, many people do not want to share the Good News or even worship God. It is saddening to see the number of people who are adamantly against worshiping a higher authority. Instead, they want to worship entities created by man. Whether it is an electronic gadget, a celebrity figure, or an athletic team, people find an infinite number of idols in which to put their hope. Yet nothing made by any human being on earth can ever provide eternal hope. Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, who gave His life for us, is the only source of everlasting hope. Why should we desire to worship anyone or anything else? Our complete adoration should go to the only One who can truly help us in our time of need. He is the only One who can save our souls.

We must surrender our all to Him. He is the only One we are to worship and adore. This is the heart of worship: surrendering ourselves to the only living God, trusting Him as a child would trust their loving father. We cannot worship the Lord sincerely until we take ourselves out of the picture. According to Tozer, “The essence of surrender is getting out of the way so that God can do what He wants to do.” Worship should never be about us, but it should always be about Him. Jesus Christ should always be the center of our worship. Let us worship Him for all eternity!

Christmas Changed the World

As I sit here pondering my Christmas to-do list, I find myself wondering where all of this began.  From Christmas cards to cookies and decorations to parties, all of the activity throughout the holiday season leaves little time to focus on the true meaning of Christmas.  While I enjoy every aspect of Christmas, including all of these fun aspects of the holiday season, it is my hope and prayer that we can all slow down a bit, amid the busyness of Christmas, and remember that special night so long ago.

On the first Christmas night, there were no last-minute holiday sales or revolving Christmas trees adorned with twinkling lights.  No one wrote Christmas cards to a hundred of their closest relatives or friends and no one wrapped gag gifts for the annual office Christmas party.  On that glorious night, a bright star lit up the heavens, announcing the birth of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  The first Christmas night, while quite humble compared to the fanfare we have today, was the moment that changed the world forever.  Although Jesus Christ was born in a hay-filled manger, he grew up to save the world.

This Christmas, I am striving to keep my eyes on Jesus Christ.  Even as I select special items to give to my family and friends, I want these items to remind them of my love for them and in turn, the love that Jesus has for all of us.  To me, the greatest joy in giving a gift is sharing my love with someone else.  I truly believe that it is more blessed to give than receive.  So did God.  But he didn’t give us another pair of socks, a gift card to our favorite restaurant, or a new smartphone.  He gave us his only Son, Jesus Christ, as the greatest gift ever given in the history of mankind.

Following in his Father’s footsteps, Jesus gave of himself by healing the sick, raising the dead, and performing many miracles.  Jesus helped others more than we will ever know.  God’s Word says, “Jesus also did many other things.  If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written” (John 21:25 NLT).  Then when Jesus was 33 years old, he made the ultimate sacrifice by giving his life, so that we could have eternal life (see I John 3:16).

Jesus’ level of giving sort of makes that beautiful scarf you bought for your grandmother or the train set you picked out for your children pale in comparison doesn’t it?  That’s the beauty of gift giving though.  Jesus gave of himself, expecting nothing in return.  Even now, he doesn’t expect any form of repayment.  We have the freedom to either accept this priceless gift of grace or reject this precious gift that has been freely extended to every man, woman, boy, and girl.

This Christmas season, my prayer is that you will embrace the love of Jesus Christ.  As you write your Christmas cards to family and friends, decorate sugar cookies with your sons and daughters, and enjoy shopping for all of the special gift recipients on your list, remember why we celebrate this holiday in the first place.  Even amid the holiday hustle, Jesus Christ is the reason for it all.  Without the birth of Christ, Christmas would not be CHRISTmas.  Without Christ, the world would not be the same.  The birth of Jesus brought love, peace, and joy to the world.  On that first Christmas night so long ago, Hope was born.  Eternal hope found only through Jesus Christ.  That is how Christmas changed the world.

In Christ’s Love,

Jennifer

Adore Him!

The Christmas trees are being taken down, the decorations are being carefully packed away, and the gifts are being put to good use.  All of the Christmas cookies have been eaten.  And many people have likely placed their Christmas music in storage until next December.  That is, of course, unless you are like me.  You may still have one of your favorite Christmas CDs in your car, holding on to the Christmas season as long as you possibly can.  In my SUV, that CD is “A Brooklyn Tabernacle Christmas.”

This particular CD reminds me of the wonderful memories I have of sitting in the Brooklyn Tabernacle hearing the angelic voices join together in song to celebrate the Savior’s birth.  Then, I start to recall the overwhelming peace and joy I felt as the congregation sang the words from the beloved carol, “O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.”  It was in this moment that I realized once and for all that Christmas is not a season or a holiday.  Christmas is a time to adore Jesus Christ.  Christ is all about adoring Him.

You see, Christmas is not just a day at all.  Christmas is a state of mind.  It’s the way we smile a little bigger, embrace our loved ones harder, and laugh a lot more.  It’s the way we give more, complain less, and maintain a cheerier disposition.  It’s how we sing a little louder and love our family and friends even more.  Ultimately, Christmas is about the moment we realize that Jesus Christ truly is our Lord and Savior, the King of Kings who was born in a manger of hay in a stable.  And Christmas reminds us that He was not only born one Christmas night, but He grew up to be a man.

For the little boy whose birth we celebrate on December 25^th each year is the same One who gave His life on a cross for the sole purpose of washing away our sins.  He suffered and died just so that you and I could have eternal life.  John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  You may be wondering why God sent His only Son to die on a cross.  The answer is simple.  He wanted to give us the greatest gift that has ever been given.  That’s how much He loves you and me, not just on Christmas, but every day of the year.

While I realize there may not be room in our homes for a Christmas tree all year through, I pray that there is always room in our hearts to remember the most miraculous birth ever recorded in the history of mankind.  I challenge you this year to keep the spirit of Christmas alive in your heart every single day.  Do something nice for someone when they least expect it.  Call someone to let them know you were thinking of them.  Write a note to someone to let them know you are praying for them.  Visit a nursing home, volunteer in a school, or donate to a local charity.  Hug your family and tell them you love them even more.  Do something in the spirit of Christmas every day of the year.  Why?  Just because.

Oh, and about that Christmas CD in your car…keep that there, too.  People always say they adore their kids, their husband, or their wife.  They even adore their house, puppy, kitten, car, motorcycle, smartphone, laptop, sweater, jeans, purse, you name it!  While all of this is well and good, I am sure with all of this adoration being spread around that no one will look at you funny if you listen to a song adoring Him, even in the month of January.  So, please join me in raising our voices in unison as we maintain a Christmas state of mind all year through!  “O, come let us adore Him!”

In Christ’s Love,

Jennifer

The Perfect Christmas

Are you searching for the perfect Christmas?  Do you worry over whether or not you will finish your shopping on time?  Perhaps you want every cookie to look like they came off of the cover of a magazine.  Or maybe you are concerned over how your relatives will get along at the annual Christmas gathering this year.  While we would all like to piece together the perfect Christmas, we need to realize that Christmas doesn’t have to be perfect.  In fact, the one and only perfect Christmas many years ago was still far from perfect.
 

On December 9, I had the privilege of attending church at the Brooklyn Tabernacle in Brooklyn, New York.  The Christmas program, “Christmas Once Again,” was the best Christmas program I have ever seen in my life.  The music reached down into the depths of my soul.  The lyrics spoke to the innermost part of my heart.  The anointing of the Holy Spirit overwhelmed me completely, causing tears of joy to stream down my face.  Every word spoken, every note sung, and every move made ministered to my heart and soul in such a special way.  It was one of those days I will remember for the rest of my life.

While the vocalists, musicians, dramatic team, and others involved gave a superb performance, it wasn’t about the technical execution of the program.  For me, it was about the message being conveyed through the excellent presentation.  Songs such as “His Love Is All I See” and “Would It Still Be Christmas?” captured my full attention, tugging at my heartstrings, reminding me once again what the Christmas season is all about.  I’ve loved Jesus Christ with all of my heart ever since I was a little girl, but after this experience, I’d have to say I left there loving Christmas more, loving life more, and loving Jesus more.

The dramatic segment began with a father who was dreaming of the perfect Christmas.  He expected his family to epitomize perfection.  He wanted Christmas to be a certain way and fantasized about a family straight from the television classics in which the mother wears pearls in the kitchen and the children take etiquette to the extreme.  All too soon, he wakes up, realizing that his family is far from picture-perfect.  His wife is frazzled over dinner preparations, his children have their own ideas of the way things should be, and their relatives are eccentric to say the least.  Everything seems to go wrong and one by one, their guests leave.  His children storm out of the room.  His wife explains to him that Christmas doesn’t have to be perfect because the first Christmas wasn’t perfect either.

You see, the very first Christmas was far from perfect.  Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, was born in a stable.  There wasn’t even any room in the inn.  Jesus wasn’t laid in a crib in a hospital.  He was laid in a manger of hay.  There were not thousands of people there to witness this grandiose event.  No paparazzi or news reporters were there to cover this significant moment in history.  Instead, a few Wise Men and some shepherds were the only ones who came to congratulate the new parents.  But with all of its imperfections, this first Christmas was absolutely perfect.  Why?  Because this single night literally changed the world.

This Christmas, don’t dwell on trying to create the perfect Christmas.  Instead, ask God to give you a blessed Christmas.  It doesn’t matter if you wrap gifts the night before Christmas, or if the cookies get a little too brown on the bottom.  And no one will know if you made the whole meal from scratch or took a few shortcuts here and there.  What really matters is whether or not you and your family spend time together and whether or not you take time to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  With Jesus Christ at the center of your Christmas, your Christmas will be truly perfect.

In Christ’s Love,

Jennifer

CHRISTmas is Coming!

Christmas is such a special time of year.  I love the glow of the Christmas lights on the tree, the way the stockings hang from the mantle that is topped with a nativity scene and the smell of fresh baked cookies as they are removed from the oven.  And I especially love the aroma that fills the house when I make my mom’s white meringue chocolate chip cookies, or when my dad makes his perfectly spiced pumpkin pie on Christmas Day.  Both of these delectable desserts melt in my mouth with a tantalizing taste that is scrumptiously satisfying to my sweet tooth.  Of course, nothing is better than the warmth in my heart that is borne of filling gift boxes with something special for family and friends.  Every aspect of Christmas is so special, so endearing, so treasured.  But the real reason I love Christmas is because of a precious little baby boy who was born one night many years ago.

Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords was not born in a palace, but a stable.  He was not placed in a cradle lined in luxurious plush blankets, but a manger filled with hay.  He was born to a virgin; his father was a carpenter.  He grew up to be the Savior of the world and died for the forgiveness of our sins.  He gave a gift we could never give.  It wasn’t a new pair of tennis shoes, a necktie, or a fruitcake.  Jesus gave all He could possibly give: His life.  That’s the greatest gift of all.  That’s unconditional love.  That’s Christmas.

So this year, I encourage you to look past the list of 101 things to do before Christmas.  Look past the cards to write, presents to wrap, and cookies to bake.  Look past the house to clean, tree to trim, and parties to attend.  Look past all of the things that may worry you or stress you and look to the One for whom this joyous holiday is being held.  Christmas is the birthday of a King.  Jesus is the King who does not require a fancy banquet or an elaborate celebration.  All He requires is an open door inside your heart, so He can come inside.  He doesn’t want you to become frazzled over holiday plans.  He wants you to enjoy the time with family and friends.  He wants you to spend time with Him.  He wants you to feel His amazing love.  And He wants you to love Him in return.

As you trim the tree, wrap the presents, and bake the cookies this Christmas, remember the reason for the CHRISTmas season: Jesus Christ!  Whether or not Frosty and Santa come to town, you can be assured that Jesus Christ IS coming to the celebration.  The lights glisten with a festive glow, the ornaments dangle from the boughs of the tree, and the angel tops the tree with a divine smile on his or her face.  But the most glorious part of Christmas is all about the manger underneath the tree, on the mantle, or out on the lawn.  For the baby in the manger is the Savior of the world.  He is the reason we live, the reason we laugh, the reason we love.  Jesus Christ is the reason for CHRISTmas.

In Christ’s Love,

Jennifer