Tag: Spirit and truth
Spirit and Truth!
Scripture reading for October 31st: John 3-5
“Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is Spirit and His worshipers must worship in Spirit and truth.” John 4:23-24
What is worship? Is it just singing some songs or hymns to the Lord? Is it going to a building? These questions are not new with us and our culture. Jesus encountered a woman in Samaria who asked some of the same questions of Him. Jesus answered her with a promise and a command that we will consider this day.
Worship is ascribing worth and honor to someone who is due honor. Worship involves us as whole people and is not a spectator sport. All true worship centers on God as the only worthy subject! God is a Spirit. His presence fills the universe. He is Truth and there is no falsehood or lie found in Him. Those who worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and Truth.
We have a difficult time with true worship because of our sin nature that centers us on “me” instead of the true God. We cannot worship God, because we don’t really know God. God must reveal Himself for us to understand who He is. Because of His love for us, He seeks us out. Jesus sought out the woman at the well and revealed His true nature to her and answered her questions. She opened her heart to the “Truth” and ran to tell others! She found new life and freedom in this One who was full of the Spirit and the Truth.
As you go through this day, allow the Holy Spirit to help you to live a life of worship! Wherever you are, everything you do can be done in Spirit and Truth as unto the Lord! He is worthy of all our worship each day, everyday, all day and night! True worshipers must worship God in Spirit and Truth! Jesus fulfilled the promise that enables us to give Him this kind of worship!
True worship!
Scripture reading for October 30th: John 3-5
“Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is Spirit and His worshipers must worship in Spirit and truth.” John 4:23-24
God The Father is seeking out true worshipers! He is looking for those who will center on Him and give Him the honor and praise due to Him. His eyes look throughout the earth seeking these who will fully commit to Him so He can show Himself strong on their behalf! (2nd Chronicles 16:9)
Worship is ascribing worth and honor to someone who is worthy. All true worship centers on God as the only worthy subject! God is a Spirit. His presence fills the universe. He is The Truth and there is no falsehood or lie found in Him. Therefore, those who worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and truth. Worship can involve music or singing of hymns or songs. Worship can involve kneeling, bowing, lifting of hands, or dancing. Worship can involve reading God’s Word or sitting in silence. God is looking at our hearts when we worship, not just at what we are doing or saying.
Sin is a big hindrance to true worship. We are born the first time with our spirit dead to God because of sin. We cannot worship God, because we don’t really know God. Sin centers us on ourselves and rather than on God and separates us from God, who is holy. As we come to God humbly, agreeing with His Truth concerning sin and it’s consequences and asking for His mercy, He forgives us and we honor Him. We come to know God as Father through His Son Jesus Christ and can begin to worship Him in truth. As we allow Him to fill us with His Holy Spirit, the Spirit enables us to truly worship God in Spirit and truth!
As you go through each day, allow the Holy Spirit to help you to live a life of true worship! Everything you do can be done in Spirit and truth as unto the Lord with a thankful heart! (Colossians 3:17) He is worthy of all our worship each day, everyday, all day and night wherever we are! It is a life of worship that truly pleases our Father!
Praise the Lord, O my soul!
Scripture reading for June 22nd: Psalms 98-103
Praise and worship must be in spirit and in truth. (John 4:24) We must worship from our spirit man and from a mind renewed with the truth. I have used Psalms 101 and 103 often in my personal life and in ministering to those in various kinds of troubles.
Psalm 101 praises God for His love and His justice. Both of these character traits work together to bring wholeness or holiness to God’s character. Love without justice is some sentimental emotion that lacks integrity. Justice without love is harsh and bitter. Balanced as they are in God’s character, we worship Him and sing praise!
The holy fear of God’s justice caused the psalmist to be careful with his life and character. He sought to live a blameless life because he did not know when God might come in judgment. He vowed to keep his eyes from vile things. He knew this would defile his heart. He hated evil and sought to live in truth and surround himself with those who were faithful. He promised to eliminate from his house any who were false or wicked. I have Psalm 101:3 on my computer to remind me of my need to keep my eyes on what is good!
Psalm 103 begins by praising God for all of His benefits. First of all God forgives us all of our sins! (Psalm 103:3) He not only forgives our sins, but forgets them and removes them far away! (Psalm 103:12) God also heals all of our diseases and sicknesses, and our God does not change! God redeems our life from the pit–a place of destruction and punishment! We must bless Him from the depths of our soul! He also renews our youth and satisfies our desires with good things from His house! He works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. He is full of love and abounds in mercy and compassion. God is a loving Father and we are His special children. His love promises us that though our life is short and fragile, we who fear Him will enjoy His love forever and ever! (Psalm 103:14-17)
Psalm 103 ends with David exhorting a chorus of angels to praise the Lord. The heavenly hosts are called upon to praise Him as well as all His works in the whole universe! We joyfully join in: “Praise the Lord, O my soul!”
The woman at the well
Scripture reading for May 5th: John 4:4-42
Jesus chose a path back to Galilee through Samaria, stopping at the town of Sychar near Jacob’s well. The Samaritans were mixed Jews whose ancestors had intermarried with the Assyrian people used to repopulate the area around 722 BC. For a Jewish man to be seen talking to a Samaritan would have been scandalous. To be seen talking to a Samaritan woman would have been unthinkable. While the disciples were away getting something for lunch, Jesus Christ had an encounter at this famous well with a Samaritan woman that brought new life to her and her neighbors!
At about noon, Jesus was resting by this well when a woman came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Will you give Me a drink?” The Samaritan woman said to Him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can You ask me for a drink? (For Jews don’t associate with Samaritans.)” Jesus answered her, “If you knew that Gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked Him and He would have given you living water.” (John 4:7-10) Jesus initiated a conversation with this woman and she was taken aback.
Jesus sparked her interest with a statement about living water and the gift of God. She tried to understand how He would be able to get this water without anything to draw it out with. She asked Jesus if He were greater than Jacob, who dug the well and drank from it. Jesus then told her, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:13-14)
Jesus was interested in this woman’s soul and drew her to request this living water. He then gently told her about her past and she changed the subject. In the course of the conversation about where to worship, the woman stated that she knew the Messiah would explain everything when He came. Jesus revealed a special truth to her, “I who speak to you am He.” (John 4:26) This woman left her water jar and ran to tell her friends and neighbors! Jesus loved this Samaritan woman and desired to have her in the Father’s kingdom! Living water draws a crowd!
Sunday Rest and Reflection:The Presence of God
Dear Friends,
As God’s people gather for worship and instruction in His word on each Sunday, I am so thankful for the promise of God dwelling with His people. Where two or more are gathered in His Name, He is there with them and delights in His people. He rejoices over us with singing and spins around with delight over faithful people gathering to worship. He indwells the praises of His people! Please find a place of worship and make an effort to be there in person if you possibly can. God is so good but He can also be dangerous!
In this past week’s reading, we came across a story where someone died for touching the Ark of the Covenant. This story reminds us that it is important to come into God’s presence in the proper way. We should not ever try to manipulate the presence of God with man’s ingenuity or ways. We must be aware that God is holy and those in the Bible who disrespected His presence, died young! In Leviticus 10 we read of Nadab and Abihu who took their censers and filled them with strange fire and went before the Lord. They died instantly. In 2nd Samuel 6:6-7, Uzzah acted irreverently towards the Ark and died instantly. In the New Testament in Acts 5, Ananias and Sapphira lied to the Apostle Peter and died instantly during a church service while bringing their offering!
We all long for the presence of God and enjoy knowing that He is with us and indwells us. We must remember that He is holy and must be treated with respect. Worship the Lord today in Spirit and truth, offering Him your best and full attention! God bless you!
In His Love, Pastor John
True Worship
Scripture reading for October 31st: John 3-5
“Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is Spirit and His worshipers must worship in Spirit and truth.” John 4:23-24
What is worship? Is it just singing some songs or hymns to the Lord? Is it gathering to hear a great worship band or leader perform? Is it a feeling in your body that you get when you sense God’s presence near you? Where must you go to worship? These questions are not new with us and our culture. Jesus encountered a woman in Samaria who asked some of the same questions of Him. Jesus answered her with a promise and a command that we will consider this day.
Worship is ascribing worth and honor to someone who is due this honor. God is the only “worthy” one due our worship. Worship involves us as whole people and is not a spectator sport. It involves individuals as well as more than one person. But all true worship centers on God as the only worthy subject! God is a Spirit. His presence fills the universe. He is Truth and there is no falsehood or lie found in Him. Therefore, those who worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and Truth.
We have a body that we use as the tent of our soul and spirit. We are born the first time with our spirit dead to God because of sin. We cannot worship God, because we don’t really know God. God must reveal Himself to us for us to understand who He is. Because of His love for us, He seeks us out. Throughout man’s history, God has sought to reveal Himself to man through conscience and through nature. He has also broken in on man and spoken to him on various occasions. Noah, Abraham, Moses, and David are all examples of God’s revelation to individuals.
Worship is difficult for us because of sin. Sin centers us on ourselves and rather than on God. Sin separates us from God who is holy. Jesus Christ came to enable true worship by redeeming lost mankind from the sin nature by new birth through the Holy Spirit. This enables us to worship God in Spirit and Truth! The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth! He leads us into all truth.
As you go through this day, allow the Holy Spirit to help you to live a life of worship! Everything you do can be done in Spirit and Truth as unto the Lord! He is worthy of all our worship each day, everyday, all day and night! The time is now!