Cultivating a Private Life of Worship

Video: Cultivating a Private Life of Worship

Notes

• OVERFLOW… whatever we contribute on Sunday mornings is simply the overflow of what God has already poured into us throughout the week.
• May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may OVERFLOW with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)
• Three snapshots:
  • 1- in the wilderness (Luke 4)
  • 2- in Capernaum (Mark 1)
  • 3- in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6)
• [32] That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. [33] The whole town gathered at the door, [34] and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.  (Mark 1:32-34 NIV)
• [35] Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. [36] Simon and his companions went to look for him, [37] and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!” [38] Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” [39] So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons. (Mark 1:35-39 NIV)
• when you GIVE… do it in secret.
• when you GIVE…do it in secret.
• “And when you PRAY, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” (Matthew 6:6)
• “The secret to worship ... is to worship in secret.” -Unknown
• THE BIG IDEA: OVERFLOW is the natural result of time spent alone with God in the secret place.
• TWO CASE STUDIES: David and Darlene
• FIRST LOVE… -Revelation 2
• Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. (James 4:7-8a)
• Know your WHY
• Know your HOW
• Priority.
• But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:33)
• FIRST.
• Ideas:
  • 1) Get up 5 min earlier each month (1hour/year)
  • 2) Take 30 minutes during nap time/after bedtime.
  • 3) Partial Sabbath, morning or half-day
  • 4) Sabbath moments, commutes, lunch hours, bathroom breaks (my mom:)
  • 5)Sabbath tag-teaming w/ spouse (those w/ kids)
  • 6) Audio Bible, listen while you work, clean, exercise, walk, run, swim
  • 7) Practice his presence during menial tasks
  • 8) Read through the Bible in three years (1ch/day)
  • 9) One Psalm or Proverb a day
  • 10) Start to journal, paper or digital (DayOne)
• The best ideas are the ones that work best for you.
• LONG RANGE GOAL (Ideal)
  • 1) 1 hour/day, scripture, worship, prayer, journaling
  • 2) 24-hour Sabbath, sundown to sundown
  • 3) Give yourself lots of grace as you seek to put Him FIRST, and look for His supernatural provision along the way
• Know your WHY (a reason that’s sustainable)
• Know your HOW (priorities and plan)
• Know your WHEN and WHERE (time and location)
• May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may OVERFLOW with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)
• Reflection Questions
  • Q: What’s holding you back from regular time alone with God in the secret place?
  • Q: How do you sense the Holy Spirit inviting you and/or challenging you today?