I'm Going To Dance (Part 2)
5 Day Devotional
Day 1: The Heart of True Worship
Devotional: When we think about worship, we often picture a specific setting or style. But true worship goes far beyond these external elements. It's about the condition of our hearts and our willingness to lay aside our pride and status. Just as David removed his royal robes to dance before the Lord, we too are called to strip away the layers of pretense and social standing that can separate us from authentic worship. This isn't always comfortable or dignified in the world's eyes, but it's beautiful in God's sight. When we come before God, we're all equal - kings and commoners alike. Our titles, achievements, and social status mean nothing compared to His glory.
Bible Verse: And David danced before the Lord with all his might. And David was girded with a linen ephod. - 2 Samuel 6:14
Reflection Question: What 'royal robes' - whether physical, emotional, or social - might you need to lay aside to worship God more freely and authentically?
Quote: His wife got mad because the king became average. The king became average common. He took off his robe, he took off everything royal and said, I am going to dance before the Lord and I'm no better than the people around me.
Prayer: Lord, help me to set aside my pride and any false dignity that keeps me from worshiping You with my whole heart. Give me the courage to be authentic in my worship, regardless of what others might think. Amen.
Devotional: When we think about worship, we often picture a specific setting or style. But true worship goes far beyond these external elements. It's about the condition of our hearts and our willingness to lay aside our pride and status. Just as David removed his royal robes to dance before the Lord, we too are called to strip away the layers of pretense and social standing that can separate us from authentic worship. This isn't always comfortable or dignified in the world's eyes, but it's beautiful in God's sight. When we come before God, we're all equal - kings and commoners alike. Our titles, achievements, and social status mean nothing compared to His glory.
Bible Verse: And David danced before the Lord with all his might. And David was girded with a linen ephod. - 2 Samuel 6:14
Reflection Question: What 'royal robes' - whether physical, emotional, or social - might you need to lay aside to worship God more freely and authentically?
Quote: His wife got mad because the king became average. The king became average common. He took off his robe, he took off everything royal and said, I am going to dance before the Lord and I'm no better than the people around me.
Prayer: Lord, help me to set aside my pride and any false dignity that keeps me from worshiping You with my whole heart. Give me the courage to be authentic in my worship, regardless of what others might think. Amen.
Day 2: The Power of Presence
Devotional: Sometimes we try to orchestrate God's presence according to our own plans and preferences. We create elaborate systems and structures, thinking they'll bring us closer to God. But like the Israelites who could only carry the ark six paces before needing to stop and sacrifice, we quickly reach the limits of our human effort. True worship isn't about our methods or systems - it's about recognizing our need for God's presence and power. When we acknowledge our limitations and depend on His strength rather than our own, we experience the fullness of His presence in our lives.
Bible Verse: Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. - Psalms 24:3-4
Reflection Question: In what areas of your life are you trying to succeed through your own strength rather than relying on God's presence and power?
Quote: We want God's presence. We want him. We say we want his presence very much, but we like to hitch his presence to some of our own inventions.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, forgive me for times I've tried to do things in my own strength. Help me to recognize my need for Your presence and power in every aspect of my life. Amen.
Devotional: Sometimes we try to orchestrate God's presence according to our own plans and preferences. We create elaborate systems and structures, thinking they'll bring us closer to God. But like the Israelites who could only carry the ark six paces before needing to stop and sacrifice, we quickly reach the limits of our human effort. True worship isn't about our methods or systems - it's about recognizing our need for God's presence and power. When we acknowledge our limitations and depend on His strength rather than our own, we experience the fullness of His presence in our lives.
Bible Verse: Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. - Psalms 24:3-4
Reflection Question: In what areas of your life are you trying to succeed through your own strength rather than relying on God's presence and power?
Quote: We want God's presence. We want him. We say we want his presence very much, but we like to hitch his presence to some of our own inventions.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, forgive me for times I've tried to do things in my own strength. Help me to recognize my need for Your presence and power in every aspect of my life. Amen.
Day 3: Praise Without Limits
Devotional: God's praise isn't reserved for a select few or limited to certain times and places. From sunrise to sunset, every moment is an opportunity to praise Him. This continuous praise isn't dependent on our circumstances, our mood, or our position in life. It's simply about having breath in our lungs and recognizing the source of that breath. When we understand this, our worship becomes more genuine and spontaneous. We stop waiting for perfect conditions or special occasions to praise God, and instead embrace every moment as an opportunity to honor Him.
Bible Verse: From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD's name is to be praised. - Psalms 113:3
Reflection Question: What prevents you from praising God throughout your day, and how can you overcome these barriers?
Quote: From the rising of the sun to the going down of the same of the Lord's name is to be praised. Every moment of every day is an opportunity to praise God.
Prayer: Lord, help me to see every moment as an opportunity to praise You. Remove any hesitation or reservation that holds me back from expressing my worship freely. Amen.
Devotional: God's praise isn't reserved for a select few or limited to certain times and places. From sunrise to sunset, every moment is an opportunity to praise Him. This continuous praise isn't dependent on our circumstances, our mood, or our position in life. It's simply about having breath in our lungs and recognizing the source of that breath. When we understand this, our worship becomes more genuine and spontaneous. We stop waiting for perfect conditions or special occasions to praise God, and instead embrace every moment as an opportunity to honor Him.
Bible Verse: From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD's name is to be praised. - Psalms 113:3
Reflection Question: What prevents you from praising God throughout your day, and how can you overcome these barriers?
Quote: From the rising of the sun to the going down of the same of the Lord's name is to be praised. Every moment of every day is an opportunity to praise God.
Prayer: Lord, help me to see every moment as an opportunity to praise You. Remove any hesitation or reservation that holds me back from expressing my worship freely. Amen.
Day 4: Dancing in Freedom
Devotional: True worship often looks different than what society expects or accepts. Like David dancing before the Lord, authentic worship can make others uncomfortable or even critical. But when we encounter God's presence, our response should be genuine rather than controlled by others' expectations. Freedom in worship isn't about specific actions or expressions - it's about responding to God's presence with authenticity and joy, regardless of who's watching or what they might think.
Bible Verse: And David danced before the Lord with all his might. And David was girded with a linen ephod. - 2 Samuel 6:14
Reflection Question: How has the fear of others' opinions affected your expression of worship, and what would it look like to worship with complete freedom?
Quote: Don't let your praise lie dormant in your life. You praise Him. You dance, you shout, you praise him. Don't let nobody else dictate what God wants you to do.
Prayer: Father, give me the courage to worship You freely and authentically. Help me to care more about Your approval than the opinions of others. Amen.
Devotional: True worship often looks different than what society expects or accepts. Like David dancing before the Lord, authentic worship can make others uncomfortable or even critical. But when we encounter God's presence, our response should be genuine rather than controlled by others' expectations. Freedom in worship isn't about specific actions or expressions - it's about responding to God's presence with authenticity and joy, regardless of who's watching or what they might think.
Bible Verse: And David danced before the Lord with all his might. And David was girded with a linen ephod. - 2 Samuel 6:14
Reflection Question: How has the fear of others' opinions affected your expression of worship, and what would it look like to worship with complete freedom?
Quote: Don't let your praise lie dormant in your life. You praise Him. You dance, you shout, you praise him. Don't let nobody else dictate what God wants you to do.
Prayer: Father, give me the courage to worship You freely and authentically. Help me to care more about Your approval than the opinions of others. Amen.
Day 5: The Daily Cross
Devotional: Worship isn't just about Sunday services or special events - it's a daily commitment. Like carrying a cross, it requires dedication and perseverance. This daily worship might look different from day to day, but it always involves choosing to honor God in our actions, attitudes, and decisions. Just as Jesus became common to save us, our worship often happens in common, everyday moments. These moments, though seemingly ordinary, become sacred when offered to God in genuine worship.
Bible Verse: And David danced before the Lord with all his might. And David was girded with a linen ephod. - 2 Samuel 6:14
Reflection Question: How can you transform your daily routines and responsibilities into opportunities for worship?
Quote: We all have a cross that we have to carry. And it's not like I'm just going to carry the cross on Sunday. I'm not just going to carry the cross during revival.
Prayer: Dear God, help me to see every day as an opportunity to worship You. Show me how to carry my cross faithfully and find joy in serving You through my daily life. Amen.
Devotional: Worship isn't just about Sunday services or special events - it's a daily commitment. Like carrying a cross, it requires dedication and perseverance. This daily worship might look different from day to day, but it always involves choosing to honor God in our actions, attitudes, and decisions. Just as Jesus became common to save us, our worship often happens in common, everyday moments. These moments, though seemingly ordinary, become sacred when offered to God in genuine worship.
Bible Verse: And David danced before the Lord with all his might. And David was girded with a linen ephod. - 2 Samuel 6:14
Reflection Question: How can you transform your daily routines and responsibilities into opportunities for worship?
Quote: We all have a cross that we have to carry. And it's not like I'm just going to carry the cross on Sunday. I'm not just going to carry the cross during revival.
Prayer: Dear God, help me to see every day as an opportunity to worship You. Show me how to carry my cross faithfully and find joy in serving You through my daily life. Amen.
