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The Best Way to Worship

In my last post I talked about being intimate with God in the place of worship.

Of course that brings us to the next logical question. What’s the best way to worship God? That was a very controversial subject in Jesus’ day. As you’ll see it’s just as controversial today – but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

Worship was especially divisive between the Jews and the Samaritans. This was brought out in the discourse between Jesus and the woman at the well. The Lord was trying to get her to talk about spiritual things by explaining to her about His ability to give her living water.

Instead, to change the subject, the woman brought up the controversy about where true worship was to take place. Was it in Jerusalem, as the Jews believed, or the mountain where the Samaritans went.

Jesus told her that true worship is not about place. You see, they had the same misconception that we do. We refer to the “worship service” and we call our buildings “houses of worship”. The fact is that very little worship, if any, goes on in these places.

“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 in truth.”
John 4:23-24

This is one of the most powerful, yet ignored verses in the Bible. This should be the foundation of everything we understand about true worship. Christ uses “worship” 5 times in these two verses. His emphasis is clear, yet we never plumb the depths of what He’s saying.

He’s talking about the true worshippers of the Father. Are we those who truly desire to lean forward and kiss the Father? If so, then we must kiss Him in spirit. This is not a function of our flesh. I cannot do anything with my body that will bring forth the intimacy that God desires to have with us.

Make no mistake about it, this is one of the greatest desires of the heart of God. The above Scripture says that the Father is actively seeking these people. God desperately wants intimacy with His people. Are you that person that God is searching for? Are you a worshipper of the Father in spirit and in truth?

There’s something interesting that I noticed in this verse when I studied it in the original Greek language. I found that some of the English words are not in the original text. They were added by the translators to make it more readable.

I believe that a more accurate translation would be; God’s Spirit and those who want to lean forward to kiss Him must lean forward to kiss in spirit and truth. The emphasis that Christ is bringing clearly teaches that God is seeking intimacy.

As we all know, intimacy can never be a “one way street.” For it to truly be intimate, as I lean forward to kiss Him, God must also lean forward to kiss me. It’s almost too good to be true. The God of the universe wants a close, intimate relationship with me. (and you!)

Question: How intimate of a relationship do you want with God?

Worship – The Place of Power #trueworship

12 Feb

Without a doubt, the Bible teaches that God’s power flows to us through the Holy Spirit. In my last post we looked at what Jesus said in John, chapter 7.

“Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.”
By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.
John 7:38-39

The first thing the Lord told us was that you must believe as the Scripture declares. We can’t just believe anything that we want. It will not work with faith simply for faith’s sake. Our faith must be firmly based in the Word of God.

In order to get into the flow of God’s power we must trust Him as the Scripture declares. We must also couple this with the knowledge that power involves intimacy with the Lord. We must remain, abide, live, dwell, and reside in Him. If intimacy with God is the priority, then we must ask ourselves what’s the most intimate place, spiritually?

There’s a biblical word that’s used for the concept of spiritual intimacy with God. The meaning has been all but lost to modern Christians. I’m hoping that the church will once again make this their goal. The word I’m speaking about is WORSHIP.

In the Old Testament the Hebrew word translated worship means to prostrate yourself or to lay down with God. In the New Testament, the Greek word they used for worship literally means to lean forward as if to kiss. Both of these concepts involve intimacy. You would never want to lay down with someone or kiss someone unless the moment was just right.

As I said before, we have all but lost the concept of what true worship is all about today. To most Christians, leadership included, the difference between praise and worship is that praise is the fast songs and worship is the slow songs.

Actually, if you study the Scripture, you’ll find that both the fast and slow songs are praise. This is because anything that we do toward God with our flesh (sing, clap, dance, etc.) is praise.

According to the Word, worship is a function of our spirit. That’s why throughout the Old and New Testaments, whenever the position of worship is described, the worshipper is always prostrate or leaning on something.

Praise is always my flesh giving glory to God. It’s a team effort. That’s why when we’re in a meeting, the bigger the crowd, the more incredible the praise.

Worship, on the other hand, is just me and God. Think about the times in church during the praise time when suddenly a “holy hush” comes over the congregation. This is when the Lord is calling us to be intimate with Him. It’s usually the most uncomfortable time there is in church. That is because we are so unused to true worship.

What we have to realize is that if power requires intimacy, then worship is the place of power.

Question: How comfortable are you with being quiet before the Lord?

Accessing the Throne Room of God #trueworship

10 Feb

True power only flows into our life through the Holy Spirit. I want to take a series of posts to look at the mechanics of just how the Holy Spirit works in us. We will obviously need to look at many issues that affect our spiritual intimacy with the Lord.

Throughout our search we must always keep in mind that it’s the Spirit, not the law, which should be at work in us.

And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:18

It should be obvious that the Holy Spirit is involved in the flow of power to us. This is the ability to produce change in our lives. Specifically, it’s the power that changes us into the Lord’s likeness.

As we move from glory to glory the world should see this change and be drawn to the Savior. This should be the number one reason why we want the power of God manifest in us.

The first question at this point is how do I plug into the power of the Holy Spirit? We know that in the natural, power flows like a river. It requires some sort of channel to move through.

This is why there are electrical wires. Your car has a power train to transmit the power from the engine to the wheels. There must always be something to transfer the power from one location to another. It’s the same with the Spirit of God.

Jesus likens the flow of the Holy Spirit to a river of living water. At this point the disciples could not comprehend what the Lord was saying because the Holy Spirit had not yet been given to reside in men.

However, this does apply to us since we live on the other side of the cross. Jesus tells us that out of our inner being the current of life will flow because of the Holy Spirit in us. If power flows through a channel from one place to another, then what’s the source of this river?

The Apostle John got a glimpse of the headwaters.

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb
Revelation 22:1

What an incredible revelation of the Lord. This means that through the Holy Spirit we have a direct connection between us and the very throne of God. To neglect this awesome gift is beyond imagining. We need to cultivate our intimacy with the Lord.

Question: Why do some believers place such a low value on the Holy Spirit within them?

2 Comments

Posted by Revzacc on February 10, 2014 in Prayer, Prayer in the Spirit

Tags: access, Accessing the throne room of God, Christ, flow, glory to glory, God, Holy Spirit, Jesus, power, power of God, spiritual intimacy, throne, worship

Are We Creating a Church Full of Liars? #praiseandworship

05 Feb

First, let me say that I feel privileged that the Lord has me living in this period of history. We’re at such an exciting time in the body of Christ. It’s my desire to be at the cutting edge of what the Lord’s doing in His people.

One of the areas I see this, is in praise and worship. This generation has given rise to worship leaders who reached new heights in their songs and choruses. Singing some of these new songs opens up my spirit to the deeper work of God in me.

That being said, there’s a negative aspect to this as well. I’ve found that marginal, shallow believers, singing those same songs, have replaced singing for experience.

Just because I sing, “Jesus, You are everything,” doesn’t necessarily means that it’s true in my life. The Lord saw this as a problem in Israel.

“What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’
“‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.
“Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go.
“Which of the two did what his father wanted?”
“The first,” they answered.
Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.”
Matthew 21:28-32

The Pharisees that Jesus was talking to looked like they were serving God, but in truth they were after their own agenda. They needed to be shocked back to reality.

Please understand; I realize that in many instances we need to sing and praise “higher” than our current level. In our hearts we’re aspiring to a deeper walk in Christ and these songs push us to press in to the manifestation of it. I have no problem with that.

My concern is over the Christians who are in denial. They’re living for themselves and think that singing about a powerful walk with God is the same as experiencing it.

Somehow, like in Christ’s ministry, we need to communicate the difference to our people. This needs to be done with love, sensitivity, and respect. Then we’ll see the affects that these songs should truly be working in all of God’s people.

Question: What are some praise and worship songs that have caused you to grow in Christ?

2 Comments

Posted by Revzacc on February 5, 2014 in Ministry, Music, The Church

Tags: choruses, church, creating a church full of liars, experience, liars, marginal, praise, shallow, songs, worship, worship leaders

You are Better than a Tree

26 Dec

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA “I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.”
Sing for joy, O heavens, for the LORD has done this; shout aloud, O earth beneath. Burst into song, you mountains, you forests and all your trees, for the LORD has redeemed Jacob, he displays his glory in Israel.
Isaiah 44:22-23

On Christmas Day – at least in my part of the world – I woke up to snow in the air. It was a beautiful sight to see a new blanket of white on the frozen ground. I was then blessed to spend the morning opening presents with my wife and children. God is so good!

Sometimes it just seems like everything is right with the world. “The hills are alive with the sound of music.” We look around, and all of nature seems to be singing God’s praise. Actually, this is a product of our attitude. It happens when we start the day meditating on what God has done for us.

At least for believers, that should be an easy thing this time of year. We are reminded of all the Lord has done for us. Taking on our humanity and living among us was truly a special gift. Then, bearing our sins to the cross and rising for our salvation was something we couldn’t have even imagined that God would be willing to accomplish for us.

What an incredible thing! To have your sins forgiven. To know that the blood of Christ washes you clean. To be able to approach His holy presence without fear of condemnation. It’s no wonder that Isaiah felt like all creation was bursting into song before him.

The privilege is ours now to run into His majestic presence. Don’t start the day without spending time with Him. Commit the day ahead to His care. Let Him establish and maintain you. Bring praise and worship before Him. Don’t you dare let the forests and mountains outdo you in the praise of His glorious name!

Question: Is there something you would like to praise God for right now?

1 Comment

Posted by Revzacc on December 26, 2012 in Encouragement, Worship

Tags: better than a tree, blessing, blood of Christ, creation, forests, forgiveness, gifts, mountains, nature, praise, presence of God, redeemed, salvation, singing, sins forgiven, snow, thanks, thanksgiving, the Lord, trees, worship

Do You Know the God of Music?

26 Nov

Did you realize that God was the author of music? Do you know just how powerful music can be? It’s either a force for good or evil. For a few posts I want to deal with this subject. We need to see how music fits into our worship of God.

Where did music come from? When were melodies first heard? Actually it was before man was created.

“Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?
Tell me, if you understand.
Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know!
Who stretched a measuring line across it?
On what were its footings set,
or who laid its cornerstone —
while the morning stars sang together
and all the angels shouted for joy?”
Job 38:4-7

Music didn’t evolve. It came from God. It amazes me that God wanted to listen to music as He laid the foundation for the earth.

As much as we like to take credit for things, this was something that was around before we ever existed. If we have music within us, it’s because God put it there.

Music is powerful. It has the ability to grab your attention and hold on to you. Think of what the world would be like without music.

The truth is that God loves music. In fact, He surrounds Himself with music. I don’t know if there can be praise without music. I believe that Heaven is full of harmony.

On the other hand, the enemy knows just how powerful this medium can be. He has ensnared whole generations through music. My generation (the baby boomers) was caught up in the music of rebellion. The next phase was the music of violence.

Now I notice something happening in music that’s startling. The enemy’s kingdom has refocused it back to worship again – worship of self. Music is now the road to power. Just think about the draw of shows like American Idol, The Voice, and the X-Factor.

There’s something about the sung word that goes deep into your soul. It draws things out of us that we never knew were there. It can lay hold of our emotions and lead us wherever it’s heading.

Music is a spiritual force. It’s a tool that can totally change our lives. That’s why the music we listen to is so important. It’s not just about whether it makes us happy or not. What is it planting in my inner man? That’s the big question behind the music.

Music was given to us by God for a purpose. As believers we need to understand how it works. Then we will see the fruit of it in our daily lives.

Question: Do you view music as a gift from God? Do you treat it with respect as a spiritual force?

No Turning Back – Part 3

22 Jul

Genesis 12:7-8
The LORD appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” So he built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him.
From there he went on toward the hills east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. There he built an altar to the LORD and called on the name of the LORD.

In all his traveling through the wilderness, Abram kept his focus upon the true purpose of life; to be a worshipper of God. This is the highest calling we could attain to.

Just thinking about the miles that he traveled is daunting. I Don’t say that because of the great distance he traveled. There are many long-distance hikers who do an incredible amount of miles each year. Following the trail is the easy part.

Here we have a man who left all to follow God on a trail that he didn’t know where it ended. When he got there – he was a stranger. Yet the first task he set for himself was to build an altar and worship God.

Where has the path of your life taken you? What kind of place do you find yourself at right now? No matter what your answers to those questions might be, follow the example of Abram.

Make this place your altar. Take some time right now to worship God. Without asking for anything, simply exalt Him for who He is and where He has brought you to – even if it is not the best of situations. Let the Lord know that He is the central focus of your life.

1 Comment

Posted by Revzacc on July 22, 2012 in Daily Thoughts

Tags: Abraham, Abram, calling, destiny, faith, God's faithfulness, God's will, path, purpose, trust, worship

Worship on this Mountain

25 Jun

John 4:19-24
“Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.”
Jesus declared, “Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem… 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 in truth.”

The Jews and the Samaritans worshipped God on two different mountains. The woman speaking to Jesus in this verse was starting to get uncomfortable with where the conversation was heading. She thought that she could start an argument about which was the right place. Fortunately the Lord was not distracted from His objective by her question.

Jesus answered that God is Spirit. He knows no physical limitations as to time and place. He explained to the woman that anywhere you worshipped God was the right place. This is a great blessing to us.

Worshipping God is one of the greatest experiences you could have. It doesn’t matter where you set aside the place. The key is that we come into His presence in spirit and in truth. To be alone with the Lord is something you cannot afford to miss.

Take the opportunity today to worship in His presence. Worship Him in spirit and truth, as He calls us to. You will find it to be one of the high points of your day.

1 Comment

Posted by Revzacc on June 25, 2012 in Daily Thoughts

Tags: Bible, Christ, Christian, devotion, disciple, distractions, encouragement, fellowship, Holy Spirit, holy worship, intimacy, Jesus Christ, mountain, mountaintop, prayer, prepare, presence of the lord, spirit and truth, worship

The Spirit and the Word

Tag Archives: worship

The Best Way to Worship

Worship – The Place of Power #trueworship

Accessing the Throne Room of God #trueworship

Are We Creating a Church Full of Liars? #praiseandworship

You are Better than a Tree

Do You Know the God of Music?

No Turning Back – Part 3

Worship on this Mountain

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