The First Note

“Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Yours is the dominion, O Lord, and You exalt Yourself as head over all. Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all, and in Your hand is power and might; and it lies in Your hand to make great and to strengthen everyone. Now therefore, our God, we thank You, and praise Your glorious name.” (1 Chronicles 29:11-13, NASB95)We are told that it only takes as few as three minutes for new-prospects for a church or business to make an indelible picture that guides their perception of that church or business.  For this reason, ministers strive to make the service strong from the first note.But the first note in a church is not played on the piano or another instrument.  It is not sung by the choir or a soloist.  The first note is a heart note sung by those in the congregation.  It has a silent characteristic and yet is heard by all.Years ago I memorized (in a different version) the three verses that are our text today.  I often use them in public prayers that begin a worship service.  They are powerful words that remind us of the perspective we should bring to worship.Let me encourage you to memorize these words and use them as your “thought guide” on the way to church.  As you drive to church and enter the building, be reminded that the greatness, power, glory, victory, and majesty belong to Almighty God.  Refresh your spirit as you remember that the world—including the church service—is about Him and not about you.  Celebrate the hand of God on your life and the lives of others.  Let the “first note” of worship be “Now therefore, our God, we thank You, and praise Your glorious name.”That will make for beautiful worship! In His Grace,Dr. Randy White