The music quickly filled the car …
“Give me eyes to see
More of who You are
May what I behold,
Still my anxious heart.
Take what I have known
And break it all apart
For You my God, are greater still.”
Those seven lines I play over and over, letting the words sink in slowly and deeply. We need to have eyes which see God increasingly. As we worship Him, we come to know more of His character and ways. As we behold, our anxious hearts will be stilled when our world is shaken. And the realization will be, “For You my God, are greater still.”
In her book, Worship Changes Everything
Worship, simply put, is our response to His majesty, to who God is.
“Our lives are changed forever when we worship God for all He is worth with all we are worth. (page 13)
Zschech divides the book into two parts with the first part concentrating on the heart of worship. She helps us to understand God’s love for us and our love for Him. Worship will cost us everything as we give ourselves totally and completely to God as living sacrifices. Our entire lives, all that we do, becomes an act of worship to our Creator.
“As we worship God in and through the relationships, activities, and places in our lives, His power changes us. (page 79)
In the second part, Zschech addresses worship in and through our love for others, our attitude, our words, our suffering, our money, our marriage, in His sanctuary, and in our wilderness times. Our lives become an expression of worship in all that we do, in every circumstance, good or bad, happy or sad.
Reading this book has especially made this season of Advent more meaningful. As I read devotional thoughts, I found myself more amazed at the birth of Christ and all His birth encompasses. I became more aware of the greatness of God, His majesty, and His unfathomable love for imperfect people.
This book was written with a refreshing transparency as Zschech shared from her own life experiences. She included quotes which added to my enjoyment of this book, as worship was presented from various sources and circumstances in time. Each quote and story was bringing added insights.
The book was an easy read but one should read it slowly, letting the Scriptures sink in. A new found appreciation for worship will surely be developed in so doing.
Warren Wiersbe says, “Worship is the believer’s response of all that they are – mind, emotions, will, body – to what God is and says and does. A.W. Tozer says, “We must never rest until everything inside us worships God.” (page 77)
May we each come to Him with our hearts humbled before Him in worship …
But the time is coming – indeed it’s here now – when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. (John 4:23, NLT)
*** I received a copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.
Today I am joining … Faith Filled Friday and #DanceWithJesus and Literacy Musing Mondays and Booknificent Thursdays and Grace & Truth .
Sounds like a great book! Thanks for sharing : ) Will have to check it out!
Looks like a wonderful book that would benefit anyone wanting to deepen their relationship with God. I know that describes me! Thank you for sharing your thoughts about the book. Reviews are so helpful because it gives us honest insight and recommendations:) Blessings from Dance With Jesus linkup!
Sounds like a great and encouraging book! – Great post!
I love that Natalie Grant song you quoted at the beginning… I too am beginning to see the birth of Jesus in a new light this season– the wonder of it all. It’s been a slow transformation from grinch to glory but I’m in agreement that worship is the key. Have to go look for this book now : ) Thanks for sharing and Merry Christmas! ♥
Thank you for taking us to the true heart of worship <3 Darlene's book sounds fantastic! Joining you from #GraceAndTruth today 🙂 Merry Christmas!
Wonderful! Thanks for sharing. Worship changes absolutely everything about my day. I hope to check it out and I’m adding it to my list of “must reads”. 🙂
Oh goodness! THIS is one of my most favorite books ever!! When I read a Kindle sample, I was hooked and bought the book! I’m still reading through it and loving every page!!
I’m visiting here from the Grace and Truth linkup!
I love Darlene, so I’ll definitely be getting this book! Thank you so much for sharing, Joanne! GOD bless you, beautiful friend! 🙂
I do too, Tal. You will enjoy the book as she shares with a transparency that is meaningful. Blessings to you too!
I have failed to worship God in such a long time. I see Him working in my life, yet I fail him. Thanks for the reminder to get on my knees and make some changes, so that God is most important and receives the worship He is so worthy of. I can’t even imagine how much more this book will inspire me.
I am excited to see the next book you share at Literacy Musing Mondays.
I agree that it’s a great book! I’m going to be reviewing it this week! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and linking up at Literacy Musing Mondays.
This book looks great, and I love your blog’s new look! Thanks for sharing this at Booknificent Thursday this week! It’s a pleasure having you!
Tina