What is worship & how do you worship G-d?

[Justice]

I believe that "emulation is the most sincere form of worship."

So, I agree with those who have said keeping the commandments and showing good works because we love the Lord are the way we show true worship.

James 1:
27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

[tomk]

Originally Posted by Traveler

What are the methods and things which make up worship?

...what elements of your worship you reserve exclusively for G-d.

...indicate why and how something is worshiped.


...
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The Traveler

Traveler...I enjoy the "spirit" that is always about you in the things you post about.



What are the methods and things which make up worship?

...what elements of your worship you reserve exclusively for G-d.

...indicate why and how something is worshiped.


I don't think God is really interested in us "worshipping" Him. In other words, my idea of heaven is not endlessly singing praises to His name in a heavenly chorus.

God wants equals, not subordinates or mindless slaves.

He is trying to bring us to where He is. We express our willingness to let Him do that throuh our obedience. In the act of obedience, willingness to be changed is expressed!! God then adds His power and makes the obedience efficacious! Alone, our obedience holds no value. God makes it valuable.

The best way to worship God is to seek His will and follow it.

[Justice]

In other words, my idea of heaven is not endlessly singing praises to His name in a heavenly chorus.

Very good insight, Tom... as usual.

That would be akin to having our children always live with us and telling us how good of parents we are.

From that angle, it even sounds like an oxymoron.

[prisonchaplain]

Originally Posted by Justice

In other words, my idea of heaven is not endlessly singing praises to His name in a heavenly chorus.

Very good insight, Tom... as usual. That would be akin to having our children always live with us and telling us how good of parents we are.
From that angle, it even sounds like an oxymoron.

While it is true that we will do much more than sing praises to our God, I do believe that we will indeed sing praises to God, throughout eternity.

And throughout eternity I'm going to praise Him
And I'll worship Him throughout eternity!

[Justice]

This is true.

However, with everything They have done for us, singing them songs of praise seems like very little in return. We sing songs of praise now. But, I don't believe simply singing a song constitues worship, regardless of the words or tune.

In that scripture you posted, I don't believe "praise Him" and "worship Him throughout eternity" were intended to be the same things. I think it is implied that they are very different things.

[prisonchaplain]

Praise can be worship, but worship can be wrought in ways other than singing. I am just unwilling to minimize the roll of singing, from the earliest books of the Old Testament and through much of Revelation--God has always find singing an acceptable offering of worship. There is something about it...done right, singing can unite the body, soul and spirit.

[Elphaba]

Originally Posted by prisonchaplain

Praise can be worship, but worship can be wrought in ways other than singing. I am just unwilling to minimize the roll of singing, from the earliest books of the Old Testament and through much of Revelation--God has always find singing an acceptable offering of worship. There is something about it...done right, singing can unite the body, soul and spirit.

PC, When we met in SLC, I seriously thought of asking you to talk in tongues, if it were possible.

Okay, I'm teasing, though I might have asked just to see if you would do it.

I don't mean to be offensive if I am, but I find it fascinating that you do that in your worship, and, atheist that I am, I agree with you about the singing. When I was a member, singing hymns had a physical effect on me. I've always had a lot of anxieties, even when in my early 20s, and I remember a number of times singing the hymns, and feeling noticebly calmer.

Elphaba

[Traveler]

I thank all that have responded to worship. There are many thoughts that I have pondered. It appears to me that my understanding of what constitutes the worship of G-d is quite different than most of the expressions thus far. Please understand that I do not mean to be critical but to add my belief and understanding to what has been discussed. I believe that there are two great pillars that define true worship of G-d and that without these two great pillars, worship is incomplete and of little benefit or value.

The first pillar of true worship of G-d is covenant. We learn from scripture that those that worship the true and living G-d are called “The Children of covenant”. Without covenant all the things we may think of as tokens of our relationship with G-d and the worship of him are temporary and an illusion and are not true worship of the living G-d. In the most simple of terms worship without covenant is worthless tokens of false teachings. I am sorry but without covenant your hope is vein. It is by covenant that the Name of G-d is properly taken and used in worship. Taking the name of G-d or referencing G-d without covenant is one of the definitions of using the name of G-d in vein.

So that we can better understand our covenant relationship with G-d so that our worship is not vein we are given a most interesting type to learn and develop a covenantal relationship with G-d. The type of worshiping G-d by covenant is marriage. Marriage according to G-d is the type of covenant we must enter into with him before we can participate in real and beneficial worship. Marriage then is a vital part of our covenant with G-d. It has become very popular to claim a personal relationship with G-d but that is not exactly the manner in which G-d deals with his children. The relationship of importance is a covenant relationship with the L-rd – again the example of such a relationship is the marriage covenant relationship. I would ask at this point – How does G-d feel about a marriage that is not a covenant that he recognizes? The term used anciently is adultery. The short version – is that any covenant that is not authorized by G-d will end when one dies. All covenants that are approved by G-d will continue throughout all time and eternity without end.

The second pillar of true worship of G-d is love. Jesus taught that there is a connection to loving and serving G-d and loving our neighbor which is all mankind. This idea of loving mankind as a type of worship of G-d was taught by Jesus on many occasions. Thus we know that loving our neighbor is not removed from loving G-d and is part of the covenant true worshipers’ experience. It is not just loving G-d but having G-dly or G-d like love. Again it is vain to claim to worship the true and living G-d and lack G-dly or G-d like love. Even the fallen angles recognize G-d but refuse his love (as well as covenant) and the love of their neighbors thus their worship (recognition of G-d) is worthless and in vein.

The symbolism of love has 4 parts: 1.Heart 2.Might 3.Mind 4.Strength. I leave it as an exercise to the reader to break down these symbols and apply them to love.

The Traveler

[Misshalfway]

First of all, Traveler, you sure this thread isn't completely directed at me???? (teasing poke)

Just kidding. I actually think it is a great topic considering that I am still trying to master the art of "worshipping".

For me, I suppose I would agree with what others have stated. I think I would add obedience as a form of worship. When Father says Go to Niniva....I go to Niniva! Kwim?

[Traveler]

Originally Posted by Misshalfway

First of all, Traveler, you sure this thread isn't completely directed at me???? (teasing poke)

Just kidding. I actually think it is a great topic considering that I am still trying to master the art of "worshipping".

For me, I suppose I would agree with what others have stated. I think I would add obedience as a form of worship. When Father says Go to Niniva....I go to Niniva! Kwim?

I am not trying to take away from anyone but I am attempting to communicate the importance of covenants. See D&D 132:7-12.

The Traveler