In Touch 08-08-04

In Touch Daily Devotional
by Dr. Charles Stanley

Sunday August 8, 2004
InTouch Early Light Devotional

Praising the Lamb of God
Revelation 1:1-3; 5

God has promised a special blessing to those who read His book of prophecy, Revelation. However, this may be one of the least read books in the Bible.

Many people are intimidated by its difficult imagery or by the judgments recorded in Revelation. They don't realize that the book also is worshipful and celebratory. The books of Psalm and Revelation are perhaps the two most praise-filled books in the Bible. The fifth chapter of Revelation records one of the most intense worship experiences that ever will occur.

True worship honors God, and it is not based on emotion or feeling. The main motivations for our praising and adoring God are who He is, what He has done, and what He is going to do. This has nothing to do with pursuit of a spiritual high; in fact, such a pursuit takes one's focus away from God.

Always make sure your worship is focused on Christ as you praise and adore only Him. This quite naturally can bring some fitting emotion.

Yet we should worship God without selfish motives, without seeking to be noticed or considered "super-spiritual." We should worship Him because we recognize His worthiness to receive praise.

It also honors God when we examine the worshipful passages of Revelation and seek to commit them to memory. Then we'll already have a headstart by knowing the words.

Are you looking for an outreach that will inspire your children to grow in their faith? Visit Teen Connection (www.teen-connection.info), the official teen outreach of In Touch Ministries. Be sure to check out the latest interviews with Atlanta Braves' pitcher Russ Ortiz and Dove award-winning band, downhere.

For free one-on-one mentoring online from Dr. Charles Stanley, visit
www.charlesstanleyinstitute.com.