Aug 31

Written by: Mark Loyd
Wednesday, August 31, 2011 

I Samual 15:22

Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices
as much as in obeying the LORD?
To obey is better than sacrifice,
and to heed is better than the fat of rams.

Road Block

My four-year-old Benjamin was playing in the garage the other day as I was at the work bench. He finished riding his bike and wanted to play with the wagon. He decided to park his bike in middle of the only path in and out of the garage. He grabbed the wagon handle and pulled for the opening to get his wagon outside, but the wagon ran into the bike and he could not get past.

He began screaming in frustration. I said, "Benjamin, you need to move your bike." He immediately and emotionally responded, "no I don't!" and continued trying to get his wagon through. After he angrily pulled for a few more seconds, banging metal on metal, I calmly but firmly said, "Ben, you have to move your bike, it's in the way." His reponse escalated, his voice hitting the upper register, "NO IT'S NOT!".

I turned toward him and clarified my position. "Benjamin, let go of the wagon." He did. "Now move your bike out of the way." He obeyed. "Now, go play with your wagon and don't come back for at least 30 minutes."

Worship Block

Do you ever wonder what hinders your worship? Do you desire to be filled by the spirit, but Sunday morning is flat? God calls us to offer our lives fully to Him. True worship only comes after true surrender. What are your strongholds today? What is He asking you to move out of your life that is hindering you from His plan?

Worship is not an achievement for your edification, or something to be done to make you "feel" good. Worship, which is only born out of obedience, is intended to bring us into alignment with God perfect will for our lives, and to bring Him glory. If you have "worship block", then listen to His voice. He's probably asking you to remove something that is preventing you from true worship.