Worship the Lord in Spirit and in Truth

As 2011 commences, Faith Baptist Church Riverside in Kitwe, the Lord's flock which I shepherd, has purposed to get serious with God by choosing WORSHIP as the theme for 2011. "Worship the Lord in spirit and truth"- from John 4: 23- 24 "But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth: for such doth the Father seek to be his worshippers. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship in spirit and truth." (ASV 1901)

Through the year, we shall define the meaning of biblical worship, understand the object of our worship, the nature of worship, and seek to be true worshipper of God. From Sunday to Sunday we attempt and delight in the practical nature of worship. I pray that by the end of 2011 the church family will be filled with true worshippers of God who call upon His name in spirit and truth.  
Here are four of the many nuggets of worship. How does your life look like in this area worshipping God? Would you like to see yourself become a better worshipper? Be encouraged to keep reading this blog as I try to help the young in the Lord established their feet as true worshippers of God:

1. Did you know that true worship of God is not fully expressed on Sunday only during your worship service, but throughout the week? Sunday is just the apex of your life of worship during the week. If you live the weeks like the devil don't think you can worship God on Sunday like an angel. Our God does not dwell in the church where you leave Him there when church is over and come to see Him the following Sunday. Just a correction, the man you leave behind is not God but your pastor who has no idea what you are doing during the week. But God watches you daily. He is ever present with you when you wake up or go to sleep; He sees you in your dreams understands your thoughts and knows you intentions before you act. This is the God we Christians worship. Therefore expressed your worship to God 24/7/365.
    
2. Did you know that true worship does not begin from church but in your heart? The Lord told the Samaritan woman at the well that if she is to truly worship God she must first worship God in spirit. The word spirit refers to the heart. Worship must flow from a sincere soul/heart. There must be clearness of heart in our walk with God. God cannot be worshipped with hearts that are filled with sin or unrighteousness. No matter how holy and righteous we may appear before people and use our gifts in the most fantastic way, God will remain far from us if our hearts are not right. Therefore a true worshipper of Christ begins with his/her heart relationship with God.
3. Did you know that to truly worship God you must know Him as the Bible says He is? The Lord further says that we must worship him in truth. This indicates the prescribed way in which God is to be worshiped. Christ is the truth and if we are to worship God we must know the truth of Christ only found in the Bible. Anything more or less than what it says is damning. For God has only given to us one prescribed biblical standard. We must read the bible to discover for ourselves who God is so as to worship Him better. It does not matter how many church services we can attend, prayer meetings, concerts and you name it, if we do not read and meditate on the Bible for ourselves, we will never know how to worship in truth.
4. Lastly, did you know that the God we worship sets the standard of worshiping Him? We must always keep in mind the object of our worship- it is God the Almighty. Many people today are so focused on how good a worshipper they are and forget to whom worship is rendered. Whether He approves of it or not God is usually out of the picture. It's like claiming to have enjoyed a wedding ceremony which had neither the bride nor the groom. The Lord Jesus says that the Father is seeking true worshipers and not vice versa. Therefore as you endeavour to worship God this year embrace this nugget; firstly who is being worshipped, then the nature of the worship being given and finally you and I the worshippers.

Have a blessed year as you join the church family at Faith Baptist Church Riverside in becoming true worshippers of God who worship the Lord in spirit and truth. Ensure to guard your heart from being diverted from being such a one!