Winning Ways -- Hillcrest Baptist Church

Worthship
by Tom Goodman
November 19, 2008

Do you live a God-oriented life?

Almost everyone I've met thinks about God from time to time. They wonder what he's like; they wonder what he expects; they wonder if he's happy with their lives; they wonder how to get him to meet their needs. But someone who lives a God-oriented life operates differently. That person . . .

. . . is stirred by the greatness of God

      . . . is moved by the grace of God

          . . . expects the activity of God

               . . . hungers for the word of God

                    . . . longs for the glory of God.

We have to constantly challenge each other to orient our lives to God like a compass needle drawn to the North.

God promises us, "Those who honor me I will honor." According to Scripture, you honor God in four commitments.

We honor God with our worship. In public services and in private times, we should praise God and thank him. God said, "Giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me" (Psalms 50:23 NLT).

We honor God with our giving. The Bible says, "Honor the Lord with your wealth; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine" (Proverbs 3:9-10). When we give a portion of our income to our church, it isn't like paying dues to a local club; it's the way we honor God.

We honor God with our prayer. The poet of the Old Testament said to God, "I will honor you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer" (Psalms 63:4 NLT). When we're faced with problems, pains and decisions, asking for God's help needs to be a "first response" rather than a "last resort." When we depend on God, we honor him.

We honor God with our lifestyle. The Apostle Paul wrote, "God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body" (1 Corinthians 6:20 NLT). From what we access on the Internet to how we react in traffic to the choices we make in entertainment to the promise we keep in a marriage -- believers should aim to honor God with a life well-lived.

This Sunday we wrap up our six-week emphasis we've called Together @ 10. Join us for one more combined service, followed by Sunday School and Common Ground. We'll talk about building a worship service that honors God.

--Tom

Weblog: Check out my blog, "Get Anchored." Some things to look for...

Song of the Week, posted every Sunday.
Links to Your World, interesting and informative links, posted every Tuesday.
Also this week... Read about Baylor University in Ben Stein's "Expelled" documentary.

Do you know friends who would appreciate Winning Ways? Just forward this e-mail to them!

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Worthship by Tom Goodman November 19, 2008 Do you live a God-oriented life? Almost everyone I've met thinks about God from time to time. They wonder what he's like; they wonder what he expects; they wonder if he's happy with their lives; they wonder how to get him to meet their needs. But someone who lives a God-oriented life operates differently. That person . . . . . . is stirred by the greatness of God . . . is moved by the grace of God . . . expects the activity of God . . . hungers for the word of God . . . longs for the glory of God. We have to constantly challenge each other to orient our lives to God like a compass needle drawn to the North. God promises us, "Those who honor me I will honor." According to Scripture, you honor God in four commitments. *We honor God with our worship.* In public services and in private times, we should praise God and thank him. God said, "Giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me" (Psalms 50:23 NLT). *We honor God with our giving.* The Bible says, "Honor the Lord with your wealth; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine" (Proverbs 3:9-10). When we give a portion of our income to our church, it isn't like paying dues to a local club; it's the way we honor God. *We honor God with our prayer.* The poet of the Old Testament said to God, "I will honor you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer" (Psalms 63:4 NLT). When we're faced with problems, pains and decisions, asking for God's help needs to be a "first response" rather than a "last resort." When we depend on God, we honor him. *We honor God with our lifestyle.* The Apostle Paul wrote, "God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body" (1 Corinthians 6:20 NLT). From what we access on the Internet to how we react in traffic to the choices we make in entertainment to the promise we keep in a marriage -- believers should aim to honor God with a life well-lived. This Sunday we wrap up our six-week emphasis we've called Together @ 10. Join us for one more combined service, followed by Sunday School and Common Ground. We'll talk about building a worship service that honors God. --Tom Weblog: Check out my blog, "Get Anchored." Some things to look for... Song of the Week, posted every Sunday. Links to Your World, interesting and informative links, posted every Tuesday. Also this week... Read about Baylor University in Ben Stein's "Expelled" documentary. Do you know friends who would appreciate Winning Ways? Just forward this e-mail to them! Have you subscribed to Winning Ways? You can subscribe by clicking here and following the instructions. Your e-mail address will not be sold or given away to anyone, and you can automatically change your subscription or drop it by following the easy steps provided with each e-mail. FRESH NEWS AT HILLCREST UPDATED WEEKLY: www.HillcrestAustin.org LISTEN TO RECENT SERMONS: Click here MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTIONS TO OUR EMAIL NEWSLETTERS: Click here. If you do not have access to the web, please send a note to newsmaster@hbcaustin.org to tell us of any changes you would like to make.