When I think of worship I think of this example; you are going to see your favorite band perform. You are so excited about it that you talk about it for weeks before. You listen to every one of the band’s CDs so you that know all of the songs. You even listen to your favorite song over and over again in hopes that they may perform it and when they do, you will know all the words. You get to the concert sitting front row, arms in the air and screaming at the top of your lungs. You are so pumped! In some small form you have just idolized that band.
In the very first commandments, God talks about not worshiping any other god’s but Him. Now I believe God is not saying that you can’t be excited about going to your favorite band’s concert but that God wants us to put Him first. He wants us to worship Him like we were at one of these concerts.
“Yet a time is coming and has not 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
By definition worship means to feel an adoring reverence or regard.
So therefore if we are to worship God in spirit then we need to come with reverence and a right mind, heart, and attitude.
“I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation” Psalms 111:1.
Worship is a time of joy and happiness for us. We should look forward to being with other believers to worship God. It is our time to be thankful for God’s faithfulness, unconditional love, and sacrifices made. It is a time in which we are able to bring any concerns or thoughts to Him.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:6-7
“I rejoiced with those who said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’” Psalms 122:1
Worshiping in spirit is sincere and must be edifying.
“All of this must be done for the strengthening of the church.” 1 Cor.14:26
Worship should not be about glorifying one’s self rather every act of worship should be for praising and glorifying God.
When we worship we should do so with understanding. Just like when we go to that concert, we know why we are going there. We want to see and hear our favorite band! We should be that way with God. We should know why we are worshiping and that we expect to see and hear Him move in our lives.
“So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit but I will also sing with my mind.” 1 Cor. 14:15
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