Devotions by Kent Staples

At a church youth group dance during my first youth director gig, the Soul Train lines formed, guys in one line, girls in the other. We paired up one couple at a time and danced down the middle. I knew I couldn’t dance, but I tried my hardest to be cool when my turn came…

Kent Staples continues his series on worship by asking if we are too afraid of God to speak to him directly in our praise. Staples advises that we stop sending our messages to Him and recognize He is present and send our praises to “You” because God is always right beside us.

 Where is it I come in contact with God? I look towards the Bible–where’s my burning bush, my wilderness, my “away from the crowds”?

Occasionally, teachers, as well as others in stressful jobs, take what we call a mental health day…

Can life spare you for a moment? Kent Staples has decided it can. He tells us in this devotion that a moment can lead to moments and much, much more.

Psalm 46:10 tells me we have to be still, to know God. Being still, turning everything off, engages God. Recognizing all the separating attractions as distractions and cutting off all their habitual magnetic strings is necessary.

What do I do during Praise and Worship time at church? Stand, sing, raise hands…and what else? Mentally, emotionally, spiritually?

From his “Directions for Singing” found in the Methodist Hymnal, prolific circuit riding preacher John Wesley, in regards to singing praise to our Father, advises to “join with the congregation as frequently as you can. Let not a slight degree of weakness or weariness hinder you.”

When I call out God’s names, He “shows up.” The Great I Am becomes clearly and vividly visible, “present” via His spoken names. He sits enthroned in the praises of His people (Psalm 22:3). As I speak His Names to Him He pulls up a chair and says Hey, you know Me. Go on!