Worship

Exodus 9-10
The 5th thru 9th plagues.  God spares the Hebrews in Goshen from the plagues, but there are lots of hard times for the Egyptians who refuse to let them go.

Then the Lord said to Moses, "Go to Pharaoh, and say to him, 'Thus says the LORD, the God of the Hebrews:  Let my people go, so that they may worship me.'"  (9:1)

It is Sunday morning and I am wondering what it is that is keeping so many from worshipping the Lord this morning.  What is holding you back?  Is it a pharaoh (government)?  Or maybe you'd just rather sleep in?  Maybe it shopping that more important than worshipping the God who made you this morning?  Or fishing?  Or camping?  Or maybe a vacation?  Remember there is always a church in this country near you no matter where you are.  Not so in many countries.  What happens when the opportunity and privilege of worshipping is taken away?  Will you blame the pharaoh (governement)? There's a 12-step saying: "Use it or lose it."  There are lots of things that attempt to keep us from worshipping.  Will you allow them to keep you from spending time in worship of the God who has bought your freedom with His life?  

Having just finished our weekly sessions of confirmation class with our 7th and 8th graders, I am reminded that by not keeping the Sabbath (3rd commandment) we also are breaking the 1st commandment - You shall have no other gods.  What other gods are taking precedence this Sunday morning?