Worship in Revelation

By: Suzanne Benner

“Great and marvelous are Your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are Your ways, King of the ages.” (Revelation 15:3b)

A number of years ago I heard that the book of Revelation contained more worship than any other book in the Bible. The concept intrigued me. Instead of studying Revelation in view of the end times, I determined to read the book with the idea of worship forefront in my mind. Writing helps me to absorb things, so the daily copying of verses containing praise or adoration to God became my routine. As page after page of my journal was filled, my heart was drawn to the discipline of daily recounting who God is and all that He has done. This is worship.

When we worship, our attention is turned away from ourselves, or our problems, and is focused on God. I need to spend less time worrying, analyzing or planning. More time should be spent thinking on good things. What better way to do that, than to fix my thoughts on the attributes of our holy, awesome God?

Whenever I read over the words of praise written in Revelation, something happens in my heart. Meditating on God’s power and might strengthens me. Thinking on His holiness and His worthiness creates thankfulness and humility in my heart. Hearing that He is Faithful and True, renews my spirit, helping me not to be afraid.

Let me encourage you to read the book of Revelation in a new light. And as you do, make worship a part of your daily routine.

God, we join with those who sing this song,

“Great and marvelous are Your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are Your ways, King of the ages. Who will not fear You, O Lord, and bring glory to Your name? For You alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before You, for Your righteous acts have been revealed.” (Revelation 15:3, 4)

Questions:
How does worshiping God change your outlook?
How do you incorporate worship into your daily routine?


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WB Journal

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Leadership Witness
By: Andy Coticchio

Being a workplace leader places you in a daily spotlight. Employees, co-workers, vendors, customers, anyone involved in the business that you come into contact with will watch to see how it is you go about your day. As a follower of Christ and a workplace leader, you have been gifted with a unique platform to evangelize, if not at least set the stage for future evangelistic opportunities.

The concept of servant leadership and the fact that your leadership capabilities are best used by serving the needs of the others in your organization is quite biblical (look to Jesus my friend), works best for all involved (in terms of the greatest long term benefit to the organization and the meeting of its’ goals) yet is not the easiest to personally implement (we are, after all, sinful beings more readily given to self serving behaviors).

Think of the light with which you can shine in the workplace as a servant leader. Think of the chances you will get, in explaining what makes you tick as a leader, to talk about Jesus. Talk about Christ and the impact He has in your life, the offer of salvation His death brought forth, and the peace that comes from knowing Him as the one true way to eternal security. There is a tremendous opportunity to share as people look to see how you lead, why you lead the way you do, why you interact with and treat people as you do.

It is best to approach evangelism opportunities from the natural outflow of what goes on around you. Listening, acting, and reacting. Living life as a believer and modeling it out for others. Walking through an open door to conversation and not crashing through a closed and shuttered window. Natural conversation and not forced dialogue (or worse yet, forced monologue). The gospel giving life as it grows out of your life for others to see. Acting as a leader by taking advantage as the opportunities present themselves, serving as a leader by giving them the opportunity to hear about the gift of eternal life.

If we remember the main responsibility we have in the workplace (to be God honoring people providing a fair work effort for a day’s daily bread). You should get excited that your daily behavior as a servant leader will naturally open up doors to conversation as to why you are who you are and the Person responsible for your being that way.

Andy Coticchio is Evan Tell’s President. A seasoned business executive, Andy has an over 30 year career in finance and senior level management, holding a number of positions with a major telecommunications company and its information services spin-off prior to his retirement in 2007.

This article was originally published in Evan Tell’s online blog Evangelism.net.