Holy Places

People go to a particular church for many different reasons. Some attend for the beauty of the building. Others, attend because of the pastor's sermons. While others go for the Sunday School, the music, or other church programs. Still others go because it is a habit, they attend because it is something their family has always done. But if you were to ask them, why they attend, most would respond they come to worship God.

When we go to church and worship God, we should examine our motives for doing so. If we are there for any other reason other than worshiping Him, we need to rearrange our priorities.  Matthew 15 says, "These people make a big show of saying the right thing, but their heart isn’t in it. They act like they’re worshiping me, but they don’t mean it." How can we keep worship from becoming a routine, meaningless act. Here are three practices to help us focus our attention on praising and worshiping God:

1. Preparation. Worship will not just "happen" when you enter the church. You must prepare your mind and spirit. My wife and I often listen to Christian music as we get ready for church.
2. Ignore the distractions that occur during the service.
3. Allow the Holy Spirit to create in you a sense of wonder at God's greatness and great deeds.

The serenity of our worship matters more to God than where or how we worship