A LIFESTYLE OF WORSHIP

A Lifestyle of Worship

               The last few weeks the topic at Impact Church has been on the series The Heart of Worship. You will notice Pastor Joe approaches this subject from a different angle in his teachings Sunday, July 20th, 2025. He implores us to be careful how we are representing Christ. True worship is not merely our outward attire, but how we live and when we begin to fully understand this walk with God be aware that the enemy has a problem with that.
Pastor Joes Testimony

               Pastor Joe opens with providing some insight to his background from his early walk with God. Just like us, he was a sinner when he found Jesus. When he was first saved, he was so “on fire for God” that he would preach to anyone, anywhere, anytime. He forewarns us that wisdom is important; however, admits to not yet having a lot of direction at the time. This is when he emphasizes the importance of finding a man or woman of God to help mentor you when you are at the start of your walk with Christ. As a newfound Christian he attended concerts, listened to Sermons, while proudly wearing a cross necklace and a Christian T-shirt. Something important he brings to our attention is that these are just garments and outward appearances. A lifestyle of worship is more than that. What is the point of wearing a Christian T-shirt if there is nothing reflecting Jesus’ character on the inside? While it’s great to spread awareness of your faith in Jesus through outward appearance, you must also be ready to represent him inwardly. Be prepared to encounter opposition and judgment from these outward expressions of faith because you then become a target. He did his best in representing God. Then came the day his faith was truly tested.

Within a year’s time, the next series of traumatic events Pastor Joe would encounter were the last things he could have expected God would use to shape his faith. Sitting home one night while enjoying a meal with his family, he received an unexpected phone call from the lover of his wife at that time. His world was turned upside down when he learned of the affair. Soon after; his family was informed that his father Joe Sr. had pancreatic cancer. Pastor Joe Jr. took on the obligation to carry the weight of stepping up for his family. When Joe Sr. returned home from the hospital, having lost a substantial amount of weight from his first surgery, he was so weak Pastor Joe had to carry him into the house. In a short time, the heart wrenching news of his father’s death was next to hit his family. Amidst all this pain he was carrying, Pastor Joe was new to entering the Police Academy. At that time God made it clear to him “that true worship is not a T-Shirt worn, but about a lifestyle lived”.
In the time leading up to the divorce hearing his ex-wife made his life very difficult. Pastor Joe had to maintain his focus on God to endure the emotional weight he was carrying. The requirements in the Police Academy are very strict, especially the attendance policy. He had to humble himself, ask permission to miss time to finalize his divorce, along with presenting his court documents. By the time of the trial date God had granted him a multitude of peace as a reward for his perseverance. Through the court hearing he remained silent, allowing his lawyer to handle the matters of the case. He chose to trust what God had planned for the outcome. After all, a humble person has nothing to prove. When the trial was over, as everyone was exiting the courtroom his ex-wife collapsed in anguish. The only person to extend the offer of help was Pastor Joe. He reached down and assisted her to her feet. Calmly, he told her he would pray for her. His lawyer was in disbelief of his reaction, but he reassured him that he had to follow God regardless of the circumstances. In this moment when he could have responded coldly, he chose to reflect God’s love, compassion, and forgiveness. This was a true example of God giving him a peace that surpassed all human understanding.

Once again, the enemy tried to rear its ugly head in 2024 when his current wife was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer, but Pastor Joe turned to God. At the time he had been serving as a Police Officer for the MD transportation authority. March 26th, 2024, the day the key bridge collapsed was a time of utter chaos for his department since they oversaw controlling that situation. During this same time, he was appointed acting chief of police. Two days later his wife had to have her 2nd cancer surgery. From the hospital room with his wife he was watching the news, talking to the lieutenant cornual, coordinating damage control from the events of the bridge collapse.

Because of God, he was able to operate in God’s peace. Rebuking the plans of the enemy and focusing on God’s plan. Though it was no easy task, he had to be obedient and surrender to God’s will. His blessings were on the other side waiting for him. As a reward for his faithfulness, he expressed that he is now happier than he has ever been in his entire life. He has the family, the church, and the career of his dreams. His life experiences were living proof that God keeps his promises to prosper us and to never leave us. God won’t take us out of the storm, but he will take us through. We must trust him through everything. Being aware of God’s presence in every situation. God changed his character, and he can change ours.
A lifestyle of worship means to live in a way that consistently honors and glorifies God through every action, thought, and intention. It’s not just about designated worship time but about integrating faith into all aspects of your daily life. Lifestyle: The typical way of life of an individual, group, or culture. Is serving God something that is typical for you or quite the contrary? If it’s something foreign to you, Pastor Joe urges us to take the next step and pace ourselves. We don’t have to be perfect, but God has called us to keep trying to enter a new realm of relationship with him daily.

Colossians 3:1-17
If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Therefore, put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, in which you yourselves once walked when you lived them. But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all. Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
This scripture is Paul’s letter to the Corinthean church. The Corinthean church was following rituals of worship to the wrong things and Paul’s attempt was to help realign them with God’s will. He is urging believers to get rid of behaviors and attitudes that come with their earthly nature. When trouble of every kind arises it’s important to seek the kingdom first. Paul is trying to get these Corinthean believers to change their thought process. The love that is in the house of God is transformative. His word shouldn’t just be shared in his house, but to everyone in your daily lives. God said to go into all the world and spread his love. Be mindful of the importance of your spiritual journey by living a lifestyle of worship throughout the daily chaos of life. Overcoming the challenge of reacting to your fleshly impulses is imperative for your spiritual growth. Spreading the word of God is our calling. To share the joy of the Lord is to align with God’s will. To do that we have to understand what God’s will is.

Core principles needed for a lifestyle of worship:
#1 – Being in alignment with God’s will. Seek to understand every moment can be an opportunity for an act of service.
#2 – Transformation. It’s how you respond and surrendering to God’s direction.
#3 – Constant awareness. Cultivating an awareness of God’s presence in every situation and acting accordingly.
5 Things to practice when walking in a lifestyle of worship:
#1 – Gratitude. No matter what is going on. Count your blessings.
#2 – Holiness. Striving to be better but giving yourself mercy.
#3 – Humility. Be humble.
#4 – Obedience. Demonstrate a commitment to God’s will.
#5 – Wisdom.
10 things you must do to live a lifestyle of worship:
#1 – Read your bible daily.
#2 – Learn the secret of prayer. Every prayer you pray is communication with God.
#3 – Rely constantly on the Holy Spirit.
#4 – Attend church regularly.
#5 – Be a witnessing Christian. Don’t be afraid or embarrassed to spread the Gospel.                Honor God.
#6 – Let love be the ruling principle in your life.
#7 – Be an obedient Christian.
#8 – Learn how to meet temptation. Let the Holy spirit fight for you.
#9 – Be a wholesome Christian. Carry yourself with dignity and respect.
#10 – Live above your circumstances. Realize that God will make a way out of no way.

True Worshipers have God’s D.N.A. – The Devine Nature Assigned.
Never stop asking yourself this question. Can I be better?
Romans 12:1
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship.