Gaining Faith Through Worship

Gaining Faith Through Worship

Our faith should be growing every day. Did you know that worship helps our faith grow?
How? During worship we:

Acknowledge God owns everything. Function confidently, knowing He's in control.

Understand that He gives and takes away and love Him regardless. Express thanks no
matter the situation. Sing and speak praises to Him in rough times just as in the good
times. Are quick to obey; Bold to witness. Are quick to submit to Him and others. Are
quick to forgive, and to ask forgiveness. Use our spiritual gifts; and the authority of His
Name to accomplish things in our lives, and for others. Realize that worshiping Him
includes our behavior and attitude as well as our prayers and singing.

"Worship" is really an act of faith! It requires trust on our part to say, "God I give my life
totally to You. I give you permission to lead me where You want me to go, to do what
You call me to do. I trust you to guide my thoughts, my relationships, my job, my things,
my wallet, my future."

You see, God has given each of us a measure of faith. I picture faith like a muscle: if we
use it, it grows bigger and stronger; if we don't it just sits there and doesn't accomplish
much.

So what happens when we worship Him? Our faith grows! When we quote and pray
Scripture verses to God, it encourages us. When we proclaim our faith (belief and trust)
in Him, we confirm it to ourselves. We chase doubt away by reviewing His truths. We
replace fear with trust.

Sacrifice is also a part of worship. Like bringing our tithes and offerings as part of the
"worship service" on Sunday is intentional, so is worshiping Him through times of
adversity. It's easy to praise, obey and submit when things are going smoothly.

But when tough times come, when our faith is being tested, worship is a sacrifice.
Worshiping in those times especially grows our faith.

If worship is an act (or a lifestyle) of faith, who needs it to grow? Does God need our
thanks and praise? He's God anyways. He will do what He will do regardless if we
worship Him or not.

No, it's we who need to worship Him.

Certainly, our Creator is jealous for our adoration. He deserves our worship but unlike us
humans who need words of affirmation and pats on the back, God doesn't need our
worship to grow or function or stay encouraged. We do. Does God feel any better while
we worship Him? Oh, He's pleased in watching us bolster ourselves up, but the exercise
is for our benefit, to grow our faith!

As you walk with Him, and especially as end times approach, you'll need bigger, stronger
faith. I encourage you to go deeper with God and grow your faith!

There are many ways to worship; it's definitely not a spectator's sport. Worship
corporately with other believers at church; try it with a small group too; carve out time to
worship Him privately every day; and live your life as constant worship to Him. Your
faith will grow through worship.