Ministering to the Lord Pt.4

OK, we’ve talked a little about the general concept of ministering to the Lord.  We’ve noted its Biblical foundation.  We’ve discussed a bit about motivation and objectives.  Now we’re gong to talk about another way that we can minister to the Lord.  First I want to share another clarification.  God already loves you.  If you’re trusting in Christ for your salvation, then you’re already in. Ministering to the Lord will not make Him love you any more than He already does.  Neither will it make you any more saved than you already are.  Those things are settled.
What we are talking about, though, can probably be best explained with an illustration.  When we come to Christ, we come into His Kingdom and we come into His Church.  When we minister to the Lord will we come in and stand by the door, closest to the exit in case we need to make a hasty retreat?  Or, will we run to the altar to be close to His throne, close to His heart and close to Him?  I don’t know about you, but I want to be close to Him.  James 4:8 tells us, ‘Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.’ We can come in while keeping a distance from Him or we can come in and run and fall at His feet, fall upon His breast.  He’s already reached out to us.  It’s now up to us to draw near to Him and experience Him drawing even nearer to us.
Another way that we can do that is by singing to the Lord.  Sing a joyful song to the Lord.  (Ps. 98:4)  I don’t sing well.  I’ll sing with the congregation, but I’ll sing privately to Him.  You may not like your voice.  Others may not seek out that experience, but He loves it.  Sing to Him songs and hymns and spiritual songs. (Eph. 5:19)  Sing to Him your praises.  Sing choruses and worship music.  Come into His presence with singing and He’ll draw closer to you.
It’s all about relationship.  He wants a good relationship with you.  He wants a close one.  He wants a loving one.  He wants to hear you sing your heart out to Him.  Do you want to minister to the Lord?  Do you want to reap the result of a loving relationship with Him?  Then praise and worship Him.  Thank Him always.  Now, sing to Him.  You’ll be ministering to the Lord.