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Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run\\u202fwith perseverance\\u202fthe race marked out for us\\u2026 Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)\\xa0

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for\\u202fand assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)\\xa0

When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee\\u2019s house and reclined at the table.\\u202fA woman in that town\\xa0who lived a sinful life\\xa0learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee\\u2019s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume.\\u202fLuke 7:36-37 (NIV)\\xa0

1. Only Jesus can satisfy the longing in our hearts.\\xa0

What are you looking to for satisfaction that is leaving you empty and longing?\\xa0\\xa0

As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.\\xa0Luke 7:38 (NIV)\\xa0

2. Worship is both our rightful response AND our only responsibility in God\\u2019s presence.\\xa0

Shout for joy\\u202fto the\\u202fLord, all the earth. Worship the\\u202fLord\\u202fwith gladness; come before him\\u202fwith joyful songs.\\xa0Psalm 100 (NIV)\\xa0

Know that the\\u202fLord\\u202fis God. It is he who made us,\\u202fand we are his; we are his people,\\u202fthe sheep of his pasture.\\xa0Psalm 100 (NIV)\\xa0

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts\\u202fwith praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.\\xa0Psalm 100 (NIV)\\xa0

For the\\u202fLord\\u202fis good\\u202fand his love endures forever; his faithfulness\\u202fcontinues through all generations. Psalm 100 (NIV)\\xa0

Our faith will increase when we learn to give God everything BEFORE we feel anything.\\xa0

What does your worship look like?\\xa0

When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, \\u201cIf this man were a prophet,\\u202fhe would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is\\u2014that she is a sinner.\\u201d\\xa0Luke 7:39-43 (NIV)\\xa0

Jesus answered him,\\u202f\\u201cSimon, I have something to tell you.\\u201d\\xa0Luke 7:39-43 (NIV)\\xa0

\\u201cTell me, teacher,\\u201d he said.\\xa0Luke 7:39-43 (NIV)\\xa0

\\u201cTwo people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii,\\u202fand the other fifty.\\u202fNeither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?\\u201d\\xa0Luke 7:39-43 (NIV)\\xa0

Simon replied, \\u201cI suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.\\u201d\\xa0Luke 7:39-43 (NIV)\\xa0

\\u201cYou have judged correctly,\\u201d\\u202fJesus said.\\xa0Luke 7:39-43 (NIV)\\xa0

3. The enemy will bring opposition to your worship.\\xa0

Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon,\\u202f\\u201cDo you see this woman?\\xa0Luke 7:44-50 (NIV)\\xa0

I came into your house. You did not\\xa0give me any water for my feet,\\u202fbut she\\xa0wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.\\u202fYou did not\\xa0give me a kiss,\\u202fbut this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet.\\u202fYou did not\\xa0put oil on my head,\\u202fbut she\\xa0has poured perfume on my feet.\\u202fLuke 7:44-50 (NIV)\\xa0

Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven\\u2014as\\xa0her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.\\u201d\\xa0Luke 7:44-50 (NIV)\\xa0

Then Jesus said to her,\\u202f\\u201cYour sins are forgiven.\\u201d\\xa0The other guests began to say among themselves, \\u201cWho is this who even forgives sins?\\u201d\\xa0Luke 7:44-50 (NIV)\\xa0

\\u202fJesus said to the woman,\\u202f\\u201cYour faith has saved you;\\u202fgo in peace.\\u201d Luke 7:44-50\\xa0(NIV)\\xa0

So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Hebrews 4:16 (NLT)\\xa0

Does my faith inspire my worship or do I wait for \\u201cworship songs\\u201d to inspire my faith?\\xa0

Will you give him everything\\u2026 before you feel anything?\\xa0