Growing Deeper

There's something remarkable about watching someone worship with complete abandon. You know the type—eyes closed, hands raised, lost in the moment, completely unaware of who's watching. Their passion is so genuine, so real, that it draws you in. Before you know it, their worship becomes your worship. Their encounter with God becomes your encounter with God.
This kind of worship isn't manufactured or performed. It flows from a heart that has truly grasped how great God is.
The Storm and the Rainbow
In 1885, a Swedish man named Carl Boberg was walking home through the hill country when an intense thunderstorm erupted without warning. Dark clouds rolled in, thunder crashed, lightning flashed, and rain poured down. He scrambled under some trees for shelter, completely drenched and caught off guard.
Then, as suddenly as it had arrived, the storm passed.
What happened next changed everything. The sun broke through the clouds, painting a magnificent rainbow across the sky. Birds began to chirp. A profound peace settled over the landscape. Standing there, soaked and awestruck, Boberg couldn't help but see God's hand in it all.
Here's what makes this story powerful: Boberg had just come from church. He'd been worshiping, singing, fellowshiping with other believers. His heart was already tuned to see God's greatness. So instead of cursing the storm, he marveled at the rainbow. Instead of complaining about being wet, he was overwhelmed by God's majesty.
That day, he wrote a poem titled "O Stor Gud"—"O Great God" in English. Years later, those words would become the beloved hymn "How Great Thou Art."
The question is: Would Boberg have responded the same way if he hadn't just been worshiping? Would he have seen God's hand, or just the inconvenience of a storm?
Who and what we surround ourselves with shapes how we see everything else.
Then Sings My Soul
There's a line in "How Great Thou Art" that captures the essence of true worship: "Then sings my soul."
Not just my voice. Not just my lips. My soul.
Worship isn't about going through the motions or hitting the right notes. It's about your innermost being—your heart, your spirit, your soul—expressing love and adoration to God. It's intimate. It's personal. It's real.
In Psalm 145, King David gives us a masterclass in worship. Six times in just a few verses, he uses the words "I will":

• "I will extol you, my God, O King"
• "I will bless your name forever and ever"
• "Every day I will bless you"
• "I will praise your name forever and ever"
• "I will meditate on your glorious splendor"
• "I will declare your greatness"

David made worship personal. He didn't wait for others to lead. He didn't worry about what people thought. He simply poured out his heart to God.
Making Worship Personal
So how do we cultivate this kind of worship in our own lives?
First, be intentional. Worship doesn't begin when you walk through church doors. It begins before you leave home. Turn off the television. Put on worship music. Pray. Prepare your heart. Come ready to give God your best.
Second, be surrendered. David was the king of Israel—powerful, influential, wealthy. Yet he called God "my King." He understood that compared to God's eternal reign, his own kingship was temporary and small. When we truly grasp who God is, humility comes naturally.
Think about what Jesus did for you. He left heaven's glory, took on human flesh, and died on a cross to pay for your sins. As one hymn writer put it: "When I think that God, His Son not sparing, sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in. That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing, He bled and died to take away my sin."
How can we not worship a God like that?
Third, don't hold back. Satan and the world want your worship to be casual, reserved, self-conscious. They want you worried about what others think. But God is worthy of your full-hearted, unashamed praise. Don't get shy now.
What Prevents Us From Worshiping?
If worship is so important, why do we struggle with it?
Sometimes we worry about what others will think. Sometimes we take God for granted—His blessings, His provision, His presence. Sometimes we get distracted by good things that become God-substitutes: family, work, hobbies, finances.
But listen to what the prophet Amos reminds us: "He who forms the mountains and creates the wind, who declares to man what his thought is, and makes the morning darkness, who treads the high places of the earth—the Lord God of hosts is His name" (Amos 4:13).
The God who created everything—from towering mountains to gentle breezes, from sunrise to sunset—deserves our worship. Not just on Sundays, but every single day.
Passing It On
David understood something crucial: worship isn't just personal; it's generational. He wrote, "One generation shall praise Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts" (Psalm 145:4).
We have a responsibility to teach the next generation not just to attend church, but to worship God with their whole hearts. To have a real, personal relationship with Jesus. To understand why we worship, not just that we should.
The world screams that value comes from money, success, possessions, and status. But our value as Christ-followers is found in Jesus alone. That's the truth we must instill in our children and grandchildren.
The Gratitude List
True worship includes gratitude. Take time this week to list everything you're thankful for:
God. Jesus. The Holy Spirit. Salvation. Grace. Mercy. Forgiveness. Eternal life. Peace. Hope. Family. Friends. Provision. Spiritual growth. Life lessons. Laughter. Music. Prayer. God's Word. The changing seasons. Freedom to worship.
Even the small things—coffee, shrimp, a reliable vehicle, a beautiful sunrise.
When we remember all God has done, worship flows naturally.
Would Anyone Want to Worship Like You?
There's a challenging question worth pondering: Would anyone want to worship like you?
Is your passion for God contagious? Does your worship draw others into God's presence? When you sing, when you pray, when you lift your hands, is it clear that you're connecting with the living God?
Your worship matters. Not because it's a performance, but because it's an expression of your heart. And when your heart truly connects with God's heart, something powerful happens. Others take notice. They're drawn in. Your worship becomes their worship.
So be intentional. Be surrendered. Be grateful. Be unashamed.
Worship the God who forms mountains and paints rainbows. The God who sent His Son to die for you. The God whose greatness is unsearchable and whose love never fails.
Then sing, my soul. Sing to the Lord of lords and King of kings.
He is worthy of it all.

 

Day 1: Personal and Passionate Worship
Reading:5-Day Devotional: Worship as a Battle
 Psalm 145:1-6
Devotional: David declares "I will" six times in this passage, making worship deeply personal. Our worship should flow from an intimate connection with God. Notice David didn't say "we should" or "they will"—he made it personal: "I will extol you, my God and King." Your worship isn't about performance or what others think; it's an expression of your heart to God. When you worship with genuine passion, it becomes contagious, drawing others into God's presence. This week, before you enter church or your quiet time, intentionally prepare your heart. Turn off distractions and ask yourself: "Would anyone want to worship like me?" Make your worship personal, passionate, and from the soul.
Day 2: Surrendered Hearts Before the King
Reading: Philippians 2:5-11
Devotional: David was king of Israel, yet he called God "my King." He understood that earthly power is temporary, but God's reign is eternal. True worship requires humility and surrender. Like David, we must recognize that compared to God, we are nothing—and that's freeing, not defeating. Jesus, though equal with God, humbled Himself to death on a cross for you. When you grasp what Christ has done—bearing your burdens, bleeding and dying to take away your sin—worship flows naturally. Pride prevents worship; humility releases it. Today, lay down whatever makes you feel important or self-sufficient. Acknowledge God as your King. Surrender isn't weakness; it's the pathway to authentic worship and genuine freedom in Christ's presence.
Day 3: Declaring God's Greatness to Others
Reading: Psalm 96:1-10
Devotional: Worship doesn't end when the music stops. David said, "I will declare your greatness," and "One generation shall praise your works to another." True worshipers become witnesses, intentionally looking for opportunities to share God's goodness. When you've genuinely encountered God's awesomeness—like Carl Boberg seeing that rainbow after the storm—you can't help but tell others. Your worship experience should overflow into your conversations, your workplace, and your family gatherings. This week, look for "slight open doors" to say, "Can I tell you how good God has been to me?" Then add, "And this is how good God can be to you." Worship that stays private isn't fully biblical. Let your praise spill over into proclamation, declaring His mighty acts to everyone around you.
Day 4: Teaching the Next Generation to Worship
Reading: Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Devotional: Parents and grandparents carry a sacred responsibility: teaching children not just to attend church, but why we worship. David understood this: "One generation shall praise your works to another." It's not enough to get kids "plugged in" to youth group; they need to understand the purpose behind it all. Teach them that their value isn't found in money, possessions, or achievements—the world's lies—but in Jesus alone. Model intentional worship in your home. Let them see you worship with passion. Explain why you praise God, how to develop a personal relationship with Jesus, and what it means to surrender daily. Their spiritual future and the church's future depend on this generation passing the torch faithfully. Make worship a family value, not just a Sunday activity.
Day 5: Gratitude as Worship
Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Devotional: "Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised." Expressing gratitude is essential to worship. Take time today to list what you're grateful for: salvation, grace, forgiveness, family, provision, even simple joys like laughter, music, or coffee. When we count our blessings, we combat the enemy's lies and the world's distractions that make us take God for granted. Carl Boberg could have focused on the storm's inconvenience, but because he'd been worshiping that morning, he saw the rainbow instead. Your perspective determines your praise. When you intentionally remember God's goodness—His unfailing love, His daily provisions, His unchanging presence—worship becomes natural. This week, write down everything you're thankful for. Let gratitude fuel your worship, and watch how it transforms your entire outlook on life.

Discussion Questions

1. How does the story of Carl Boberg writing 'How Great Thou Art' after experiencing both a storm and a rainbow illustrate the importance of perspective in worship, and how might attending church that same day have shaped his response?
2. David uses 'I will' six times in Psalm 145 to make worship personal. What specific 'I will' commitments could you make to deepen your personal worship life this week?
3. Worship should be so passionate and authentic that it becomes contagious to others. What might be holding you back from worshiping in a way that could inspire those around you?
4. How does understanding that 'compared to God, we ain't nobody' help us become more humble and surrendered in our worship, especially when we hold positions of influence or success in our lives?
5. In what ways do you take God for granted in your daily life, and how might intentionally remembering His greatness change your worship and priorities?
6. How are you intentionally teaching the next generation not just to attend church, but to understand why having a personal relationship with Jesus matters?
7. We should prepare our hearts for worship even before arriving at church. What practical steps could you take at home to set the tone for meaningful corporate worship?
8. David declares he will 'bless God every day' rather than just on Sundays. What would it look like for you to incorporate daily worship into your routine beyond Sunday services?
9. How does the world's definition of value and success conflict with finding our worth in Christ, and how can we protect ourselves and our children from chasing the wrong things?

Key Takeaways

1. Worship is an expression of our heart, soul, and spirit to God - not about entertainment or personal preference
2. Be intentional about worship - prepare your heart before you arrive at church
3. Don't hold back - worship without being concerned about what others think
4. Be surrendered and humble - remember who God is compared to who we are
5. Share God's goodness - with others and with the next generation
6. Express gratitude - take time to acknowledge all God has done

Practical Applications
Choose at least TWO of the following to practice this week:
Option 1: Daily Worship

• Set aside 10-15 minutes each day to worship God through music, prayer, or reading Scripture. Don't just listen—engage your heart.

Option 2: Gratitude List

• Complete the "I am grateful for..." section on your sermon notes. Add at least 20 items. Review it daily and thank God for these blessings.

Option 3: Share Your Story

• Intentionally look for one opportunity this week to share with someone how good God has been to you.

Option 4: Teach the Next Generation

• Have a conversation with a child, grandchild, or younger believer about why you love Jesus and why worship matters to you personally.

Option 5: Sunday Preparation

• Next Saturday evening, turn off the TV, play worship music, and prepare your heart for Sunday worship. Notice if it makes a difference in your experience.

Option 6: Worship Challenge

• Next Sunday, worship without holding back. Sing like you mean it. Don't worry about who's watching—focus only on expressing your heart to God.