Doubters and Worshippers

Today's bible reading made me think of all the times in my life when I should have worshipped but became a doubter. Possibly by being too analytical or demanding sight of the thing I had hoped for instead of simply embracing it with faith. We know that, " faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." (Hebrews 11:1). Seeing is believing or something like that and yet even when we see we don't believe.
Take a read at today's scripture:
SCRIPTURE:
Matthew 28: 16 - 20Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
OBSERVATION:
Thinking of the season and the nativity scenes that abound - I wonder if I would have been one to worship the Savior upon my arrival to the manger. I wonder if I would have seen in Him the glory of God and the divine presence - God with us! Jesus had not done anything in the manger except be born - no performance - no miracles - just a crying, cooing baby. Yet, worship took place at the sight of Him but some doubted. For some He was a bother, just getting in the way of a busy time of year in the city. Some thirty-three years later, upon His resurrection when He was seen, He was worshipped, but some doubted. His mission was clear - He came into the world to save those who live upon it. He came with a mission and left releasing His mission to us.

Go and make disciples - Teach them to obey - Go and know that
I am with you always.

APPLICATION:
Powerful words and a powerful commission. One that can only be lived out as we SEE HIM and as we WORSHIP HIM. It is easy to miss seeing the workings of the Lord and to become a doubter. We must look for God's presence and not His absence and we must find Him in the midst of all of life and when we do - worship needs to flow from our hearts and extend to our hands, heads and our lips. To speak and sing His praise - 'Glory to God in he Highest" and to declare His grace and power. May we live our lives as examples of discipleship by obeying the Lord's commands and following Him. This seeing of God and our subsequent worship will allow us the power and grace to Go and to Make disciples. Disciples who will SEE Him and WORSHIP.

• What are you looking for today?
• What are you beginning to see more and more of in your life?
  (This will usually help you answer the first question.)
• Are you beginning to worship more or doubt more?
  

I hope and pray that you will join me in sensing God's presence and responding in worship - HE is with you always.

PRAYER:
Lord, Open the eyes of our heart that we might see you. Open our hearts that we might respond in worship. Heal our doubt and unbelief that we might sing your praises and with faith lead others to you. Help us individually and collectively as a church to keep on winning people to your heart. May we see you working in us, around us and in the hearts of others and as we do, may our hearts be filled with faith and may we worship you.
In Jesus our Saviors Name. Amen.