NEW YEAR - 3 Day Devotional on Faith and PurposeSample

DAY 3 - WORSHIP - LIVING A LIFE OF PRAISE

We have all heard this: “We were created to worship.”

There is a deep longing in our souls to connect with a greater being—from the atheist who tries to convince themselves that God doesn’t exist to the most pious person who has dedicated their entire life to living for God. We all desire that connection.

How can I prove this? Simply go to any sporting event, and you will see worship—worship of a game, a team, or a player. Crowds on their feet, screaming, cheering, showing deep passion, and even shedding tears.

In Romans 12, Paul encourages us to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God. He says this is our spiritual worship. But what does a living sacrifice that offers spiritual worship look like? In verse 2, he breaks it down even further: “Do not conform to this world.” True worship is not superficial but a surrender of mind, body, and soul.

A person who lives as a living sacrifice will be tested “so that you may prove for yourself what the will of God is.” Yes, worship should be a lifestyle—a daily surrender of who we are. We are imperfect living beings who are called to be a living sacrifice.

Worship isn’t music or something we do simply to fill time before a preacher speaks or a musical moment. Worship is surrender—a posture of the heart that says, “God, You are greater and worthy.” Worship can happen all day, in every moment of our lives.

As it says in Hebrews 13:15, “Through him, then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.”

As we enter this new year, let’s choose to live in worship—in song, in service, in gratitude. Worship in your car, your kitchen, your workplace. Let praise lead you through every victory and every valley. True worship is a life surrendered to God.

Prayer: Lord, I surrender my days, my hours, minutes and seconds to you. My life belongs to you. The fruit of my lips is to acknowledge your great name.

Reflection Questions:

1. How can I bring a spirit of worship into my daily routines?
2. What songs, Scriptures, or habits help me keep my heart lifted toward God?
3. How does worship help me see my circumstances differently?