A Real Pilgrim's Progress: A Purpose Driven Life

A Purpose Driven Life Chapter 13 - Worship That Pleases God

Chapter Overview: Worship God in Spirit and in Truth. You shall love the Lord you God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Worship that pleases God - white water lily and lily pads

2011 (40 years old)

Another good chapter on what true worship is in the context of a Christian's life. (not just singing in church)

Rick says that the kind of worship that pleases God has four characteristics:

It must be authentic (worship in spirit and in truth)
It must be accurate. He mentions a book by Gary Thomas called Sacred Pathways that talks about how people with different 'make-ups' worship God in different ways. (Naturalists, Traditionalists, Activists, Contemplates, Intellectuals, etc)
It must be thoughtful. (..with all your mind..) Would you say "I praise you!" to someone? They would want to know details. For what?!? Use the names of God and/or fresh words like admire, respect, value, revere, appreciate, honor
It must be practical (offer your bodies to God as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship) ...with all your strength... Passive worship is an oxymoron. It should take effort and energy.

Had Dr. George Hill pray over me today to impart whatever God wanted to impart to me through him. He mentioned 3 scripture passages:

Deut. 28:1-14

Col 1: 9-12

Eph. 1:17-22

2016 (45 years old)

God wants all of me. What is more pleasing to God right now - my public worship or my private worship? What should I do about this? I know God wants more of me - more of my time and my focus - in private worship. However like the chapter says, it's not all about singing and songs. There are different ways and types of worship. I'm definitely a naturalist to some degree. Nature draws me close to God and helps me see his greatness. I liked the line 'We can worship God imperfectly, but we cannot worship him insincerely. So our worship must be accurate (true), authentic (sincere), thoughtful (specific and without thoughtless repetition ) and practical (with our bodies as living sacrifices).

For background on what these 'Purpose Driven Life' posts are about, click this link.

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 1 - Its Not About Me

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 2 - You Are Not an Accident

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 3 - What Drives You?

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 4 - Eternity In Our Hearts

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 5 - What is Life?

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 6 - Life on Earth is a Temporary Assignment

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 7 - The Reason for Everything

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 8 - You Were Planned for God's Pleasure

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 9 - What Makes God Smile?

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 10 - The Surrendered Life

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 11 - Friend of God