genuine worship

A verse that has been speaking measures to me lately is Luke 7:36 - 49
It reads - -

A Sinful Woman Forgiven

One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and took his place at the table.  And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment.  Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner."  And Jesus answering said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you."  And he answered, "Say it, Teacher."

 "A certain moneylender had two debtors.  One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.  When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both.  Now which of them will love him more?"  Simon answered, "The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt."  And he said to him, "You have judged rightly."  Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, "Do you see this woman?  I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.  You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet.  You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment.  Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven - for she loved much.  But he who is forgiven little, loves little."  And he said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."  Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, "Who is this, who even forgives sins?"  And he said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."

 [this is genuine worship]

I listened to a sermon from Victory last week, and in it, Pastor Danny mentioned this verse.  The sermon was based on John 3:30, "He must increase, but I must decrease".

This story is one of the best examples we get of true - flat on your face - nothing else matters but Jesus - worship.  This woman was a prostitute who had absolutely nothing clean or worthy to give Jesus.  But she understood his name, and she sought it out.  She drew near and she gave her all in the most humble manner.   

She sought out his feet.  

And that is the purpose of worship - to touch him, to lay aside everything, to humble ourselves.

And in the beauty of Jesus, he wasn't offended that she gave oil that she had bought with money from prostitution.  He didn't care where it came from.  He saw her faith and her humility.  She caught his attention.

This is how true worship should be.  That we are totally surrendered to him. 

Pastor gave a great example of pure worship.  That we should be like diamonds when we worship him.  When the light of the Father shines on a diamond, it reflects brilliantly and directly back to him. 

This is also a great example of how our lives should be.  When people see us, we should reflect the light of the Lord like a diamond.  That people wouldn't see me, but they would see the Lord.

Worship actually does this for us.  Worship gets me out of the way so people can see the Father.  It allows Christ to rise to a higher place in our lives, when we worship in Spirit and in Truth.

EXPECTANCY, HUMILITY, DESIRE - when you come to him in this, he will speak and act.

As I write this, I see 13 [count, 13] robins on the ground outside my window.  Hmm... Lord?  What is the meaning of a robin?  

The red robin is a portent of spring. Robins are one of our first visual signs from the animal kingdom that the return of warmth is on its way after a long winter haul. This is a time for celebration! Bird song returns to the skies, little buds on trees are ready to burst open, and the spring flowers are poised for blooming.
Animal symbolism of the Red Robin: joy, hope, clarity, renewal, pleasure, simplicity, happiness, satisfaction, rejuvenation, contentment, bright future, new beginning