“I hate, I reject your festivals, Nor do I delight in your solemn assemblies, “Even though you offer up to Me burnt offerings and your grain offerings, I will not accept them; And I will not even look at the peace offerings of your fatlings. Take away from Me the noise of your songs; I will not even listen to the sound of your harps, But let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever flowing stream.” ~ Amos 5:21-24
I can’t think of anything more painful than the knowledge that God has rejected my worship. But there are hundreds upon hundreds of people who stand in churches around the world with hands raised to God only to have their worship rejected and even hated by God. What causes God to reject your worship? How about; Hands raised to Him in worship that were just hours before used to sin … Heart turned to God on Sunday but throughout the week leading up to Sunday was turned toward deceit, or hatred, or jealousy … Eyes looking to God in worship that were just days ago looking at pornography, erotic novels, or TV shows depicting demonic situations … Voice singing in worship to God that until that moment was an instrument of hate, vulgarity or lies. We cannot be a people who walk hand in hand with the world Monday through Saturday and come Sunday think we can reach out and grab hold of God with our dirty hands. A continued rejection of what God is asking of us as a people called by His name will only end with “justice rolling down like waters and righteousness like an ever flowing stream.” The Holy Spirit has departed from many church bodies because of the corrupt atmosphere within. Rejection by God is death to the one who He has lifted is Hand from. The American church has lost its authenticity, credibility and integrity over the centuries. Today God is calling His church back to a season of repentance and through repentance receiving the grace and hope of Jesus Christ. We are to cleanse our hands, heart, eyes and voice so that we can lift them all to God in worship and so that our worship is not a stench but a sweet aroma in throne room of God.
Notes from Debbie's Desk 