Centering on Scripture with Peter James

Without a doubt one of my favorite scriptures, especially in more recent years, has been Hebrews 11:16. More often than not it’s the verse I think about before spending time with God and before worship in a congregational setting. Whenever I feel like maybe what I’m doing is a waste of time or that I can’t connect with God I remember this verse:

 “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” - Hebrews11:6

At first glance the first part of this scripture can easily be taken the wrong way and misinterpreted.

“And without faith it is impossible to please God”

It might leave one with thoughts like “Well I don’t have much faith, so I guess I can’t really please God”. But that couldn’t be further from the truth! The writer of Hebrews gives the solution to the problem directly afterwards.

“...anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

The faith that we need to please God is simple. Believe that he exists. (That’s pretty easy) and he rewards ALL those that earnestly seek him. That’s it!

Our goal as worship leaders above all else should be to encourage people to seek God. Because we know that he rewards all those who earnestly seek him!

Peter James is a Sydney-based musician/producer/sound designer that has played on and had his patches/sounds featured on over 40 Hillsong United and Hillsong Worship albums. He’s also had his patches featured on many movies and television series over the years like The Walking Dead, The Purge, The Bachelor & The Bachelorette, and more.