Quiet Time: Not Done Yet

Not Done Yet

"You also say, 'My, how tiresome it is!' And you disdainfully sniff at it," says the LORD of hosts, "and you bring what was taken by robbery and what is lame or sick; so you bring the offering! Should I receive that from your hand?" says the LORD. – Malachi 1:13

Recently, the pastor of the mega church where my son attends had to reprove the congregation for leaving during the invitation. (The “invitation” is the time, usually, near the very end of a worship service when those present are invited to receive Christ as their LORD and Savior)

 

This pastor actually stopped during his prayer, looked up, and asked all the people who were scampering out to their vehicles to sit back down. Then he explained how important it was for every believer to participate in every part of the worship service. 

My son made the point that not only is leaving while someone is praying  just plain rude, but, that the Invitation is the time when the believer should himself be praying fervently for those present who are on the verge of accepting Christ instead of thinking about getting to the front of the exiting car line.

In Malachi 1:13; it is actually the priests who are being rebuked for performing their duties without heart or faith. How bad is that! But, before we start pointing fingers at them for their hypocrisy, let’s look at ourselves and remember (1 Peter 2:9) But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

Psalm 100:2 tells us to “Serve the LORD with gladness…” Every believer should indeed participate in every part of the worship service, and we should do so gladly.

Ask God to revive your desire to worship Him today.