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About Us:
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Westwood Baptist Church
A Community of Faith Connecting People with a Compassionate Christ
Welcome to Westwood Baptist Church. We would like to invite you to join us Sunday mornings at 9:15 a.m. for Sunday School and at 10:30 a.m. for Worship. We also offer a Sunday evening service at 6:00 p.m.
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Sharing New Life in Christ
"Since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe." Hebrews 12:28
We usually learn the words 'thank you' before we really feel gratitude. Remember when you were a child and your mom nudged you and said something like, "Tell Aunt Bertha 'thank you' for the present." It wasn't that you weren't thankful, but your focus was on the gift you'd just been handed. You were glad about the gift; you just needed a prompting to re-direct that gladness to the giver rather than the gift. So you said 'thank you' and then went back to savoring your new toy.
As we mature, we realize that the givers -- the people who bless our lives -- are far more valuable than the blessings that they give. We come to really and deeply feel the gratitude for the ones who bring such blessing into our lives. The gift becomes simply an occasion to cherish the relationship that brings joy to our hearts.
This is often how it works with worshiping God as well. We learn as new believers that we are to be thankful to God and to express our gratitude to Him in our worship, both in our daily devotions and in public services. So that's what we do. But at times, it can feel like we're just saying (or singing) the words 'thank you.' But as we learn more about the incredible privilege of our relationship with the true and living God, we become more focused on Him and not mainly His blessings.
The Bible tells us that though this world is falling apart, we have a kingdom from God that cannot be overthrown. It is permanent and perfect. We have a secure destiny because of our faith in Jesus Christ. As a result, we should be thankful. This leads to the right attitude for worship: reverence and awe. If being with God in His kingdom doesn't stir you to humble gratitude and deep respect for God's grace, then you don't understand what you've been given. God has welcomed us to be with Him -- which is the best gift of all.
This Thanksgiving, let's not simply express appreciation to God for His many material and earthly blessings. Instead, we should go deeper and worship Him with a passionate longing to be with Him for all eternity in that kingdom "that cannot be shaken" which is awaiting all who trust Christ. What could be better than that?
You are Loved,
