True Worship

Although we have all had our experiences, and we all consider what worship means to us, but is it truly worship? The question that is plaguing some is: "Am I truly worshiping the Lord?"

I have quite a few answers today.

"The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God [is] a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship [him] in spirit and in truth" (John 4:19-24 KJV).

Worship to some people, seems like an activity. But, it is to be a lifestyle rather, rooted in spending everyday worshiping God.

The more you worship God, the more God will reveal himself to you.

Unlike praise, worship is much more intimate, and characterizes a "oneness" with God.

Worship is primarily rooted in that God is the #1 priority in life. It is not about a place, it is about an intimate experience with God.

The experience is not the same for all people. The experience of another worshiper is different than the experience of yourself.

Worshiping is not about singing, nor is it about praying. It is about spending time in the presence of God, and removing yourself from the world temporarily to allow God to work in your life. It is about being fully connected with God.

"After this I looked, and, behold, a door [was] opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard [was] as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and [one] sat on the throne. And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and [there was] a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. And round about the throne [were] four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and [there were] seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. And before the throne [there was] a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, [were] four beasts full of eyes before and behind. And the first beast [was] like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast [was] like a flying eagle. And the four beasts had each of them six wings about [him]; and [they were] full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, the four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created" (Revelation 4 KJV).

Worship is centering our whole being on God and giving him thanks, showing our obedience, and honoring him in every way.

It is a private privilege and a public duty.

Also, by reading scripture, and reflecting on how that reveals God in some way to you, is also worship.

Please think about the ways to worship God, and ask yourself: "is this true worship?"


Jason Pfoutz

Reflecting on the future?

I had a few thoughts to share today in this short blog.

People seem to worry about the wrong things of the future. What do I mean?

A recent author I heard about, said some interesting facts about people's future worries. One of the bigger worries or what people would be looking forward to would be retirement, what to do after work, plans for themselves, etc. But, what are they missing?

Seems people worry about their future for themselves. That is rather self-balanced thought, am I right? Of course. Much peer pressure at work and with friends has coerced some of Christians (and non-Christians) to think about retirement and make a big deal out of it.

However, what do these people not worry about? Their family, in the future. What is my family going to be like in the future. What about health? What is my health going to be like?

What about a long-standing relationship with GOD? I hope that would be a top priority for your future. To stay close to God, would be a goal that everyone should possess.

Let the leader shine in yourself, and show the world who God is. Show your loving side by caring about your family's future, and your own health -- instead of worrying about your retirement/success in the future.

We should be honored by praising our family, and what their future will look like. If someone is battling a sickness in your family or friends, pray for them and consider what their health will be in the future. Consider possible steps to be prepared for those health battles that may plague members of your family.

"Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other" (Romans 12:10 NLT).

Also consider how we can do what God wants us to do for the future.

I leave you with this scripture:

"Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don't think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ's body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other" (Romans 12:3-5 NLT).

Our society versus our relationship

Seems there is a war between the society we live in, and the relationship we have with GOD. In fact, some Christian organizations raise money to research this issue. Most people in former days (2000 years ago) were hostile towards God's word. Now, people are hostile towards Christians and God's word. It is not some serious hostility, as some of the societal beliefs are based on Christianity's values.

The problem we are seeing, is that Christians are not only in hostility, but in sin. What is important is to leave sin, and not become hostile to society. But, rather, draw your eyes to the Lord, and allow him to take care of it.

As it says in Jeremiah 6:10, KJV: "To whom shall I speak, and give warning, that they may hear? behold, their ear [is] uncircumcised, and they cannot hearken: behold, the word of the LORD is unto them a reproach; they have no delight in it."

Freedom is a spoiled word, now. Whether it is freedom of speech, freedom of choice, etc. In fact, just the word free has been so diluted, that it is hard to tell what is free anymore. Some compare Democracy to freedom. If Democracy were freedom, then that means the definition of freedom has changed. What is the correct perspective? Freedom is an intellectual choice to free the mind from worry, anxiety, and doubt.

So, freedom can be split in to three perspectives. Free will, which is what I described above. Political freedom, which is the state of being free from government oppression. Economic freedom, which is a free market not regulated by the government.

With these multiple perspectives of freedom, people are getting confused as to what true freedom is. It does not take an intellectual mind to understand that our help comes from the Lord, and the Lord wants us to be free. What does that mean? Free from oppression, free from sin, free from worry, free from doubt, and free from unbelief.

Two-minute reading: John 8:31-38

Find your freedom in the perspective of Jesus Christ.