FEBRUARY 20

1 CORINTHIANS 14:15

PRAY AND SING WITH UNDERSTANDING
Going home from church,Tony and Susan told their parents about the missionary who had spoken in Sunday school. "He told us that the people he works with worship a false god,"said Todd." They run around and around the altar at their temple, and each time they go around they drop a piece of wood into a box. By the time they nish, they’re dead tired, but they think they’ve done a great service to their god.""Isn’t that silly?"asked Susan."I’m glad we know the true God and don’t do stuff like that! We worship Him when we go to church." "Maybe we do, and maybe we don’t," replied Dad. "We don’t?" asked Tony. " en why do we go to church?"

"We should worship Him, "said Dad,"but,well...take this morning,for instance. While Pastor was preaching, Tony, you and Jeffrey started writing notes to each other, didn’t you? Do you think that’s worshiping?" As Tony slowly shook his head, Dad added, "As for me, I’ll have to confess that at one point, I was thinking about a problem at work instead of thinking about God and worshiping Him."

"I’m sometimes guilty, too," admitted Susan. "In Sunday school last week, I whispered to Laura during our prayer time. After class, Mrs. Lim talked to me about it. I was really embarrassed." Susan looked at her parents. "Did she tell you?" Mother shook her head. "No... but I’m glad you realize that was wrong. And now I guess it’s my turn to confess," she said. " There’s a verse in the Bible that says we’re to sing with the ‘spirit and with the understanding.’ In other words, we should sing with real praise to the Lord, thinking about the words we’re using. Well, sometimes I catch myself thinking about something else while singing familiar songs."

"We all could improve our worship, couldn’t we?" asked Dad. "Let’s make up our minds that each time we go to church, we’ll really worship God in every part of the service. If we don’t, I can’t see that we’re much better than the people the missionary told you about – those with their ceremonies and rituals. In fact, we’re worse, because we know better."

Thought: What’s going on in your mind when you sing in church? Or when the Sunday School teacher is talking?
Prayer: Heavenly Father I must confess that at times, my mind wanders when a song is sung, or when a prayer is said, or when a lesson is taught. Help me to sleep early Saturday night, so I can be alert Sunday morning. And help me to also pay full attention to the hymns and songs and message. When I come on Sundays to worship, may I do it right. In Jesus’ name – Amen.