A Spiritual Check-Up

How do you worship God? Give yourself a check up by using Dr. W. E. Sangster's survey.

1. Do I love to come to God's house?
2. Do I prepare myself in heart and mind before coming?
3. Is my chief purpose to give or to get?
4. Do I realise that the adoration of God is the highest activity of which I am capable?
5. In manner and purpose, in heart and mind; with devotion and highest sense of privilege, do I give
   myself to worship?
6. Am I deeply loyal to the family of God, defending it from attack, never speaking ill of it myself, and ready to bear any part of the scorn the world might pour on it?
7. Do I pray fervently for the purpose of God, and for those who minister in holy things, seeking to create when at public worship that very atmosphere in which it is easy for sinners to be converted and those already in this way of life to love Thee more and more.

Over a century ago C. H. Spurgeon at the age of twenty opened his morning sermon with the following words: 'It has been said by someone that the proper study of mankind is man. I will not oppose the idea, but I believe it is equally true that the proper study of God's elect is God; the proper study of a Christian is the Godhead. The highest science, the loftiest speculation, the mightiest philosophy, which can engage the attention of a child of God, is the name, the nature, the person, the work, the doings, and the existence of the great God whom he calls his Father.'

There is something exceedingly improving to the mind in the contemplation of the Divinity. It is a subject so vast, that all our thoughts are lost in its immensity; so deep, that our pride is drowned in its infinity. Other subjects we can compass and grapple with; in them we feel a kind of self content, and go our way with the thought, 'Behold I am wise.' But when we come to this master science, finding that our plumb line cannot sound the depth, and that our eagle eye cannot see its height, we turn away with the thought that vain man would be wise, but he is like a wild ass's colt; and with solemn exclamation, 'I am but of yesterday, and know nothing.' No subject of contemplation will tend to humble the mind than thoughts of God. But while the subject humbles the mind, it also expands it.

He who often thinks of God, will have a larger mind than the man who simply plods around this narrow globe. The most excellent study for expanding the soul is the study of Christ and him crucified and the knowledge of the Godhead in the glorious Trinity. Nothing will so enlarge the intellect, nothing so magnify the whole soul of man, as a devout earnest, continued investigation of the great subject of Deity.
.............

Would you lose your sorrow? Would you drown your cares? Then go, plunge yourself into the Godhead's deepest sea; be lost in his immensity, and you shall come forth as from a couch of rest, refreshed and invigorated. I know nothing which will comfort the soul; so calm the swelling billows of sorrow and grief; so speak peace to the winds of trial, as a devout musing upon the subject of the Godhead.' Let us fall to our knees and reverently worship our God in spirit and truth.

God bless

Pastor J Flanagan