Message from Scripture: 5/16/2020

Greetings! Today’s message from Scripture comes from John 4:24; “God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Jesus offers these necessities if we are to approach God in worship that pleases and glorifies Him. It must be in truth, a that conforms to His will, that truly edifies us. It must also be in spirit, from the right attitude of heart. While doing what God has said is important, it is meaningless if it is offered mechanically, out of ritual, rather than love and devotion. As Paul wrote in Phil. 3:3, “For we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God, and glory in Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh.”

No doubt you have heard it said, or offered in prayer, to put aside all worldly thoughts and desires, to focus our attention on our God and Savior. This should come readily, as we know of His love for us, and how much we should love Him. However, we also know sometimes we can be distracted by externals. We can get caught up by what goes on around us, and not by what is to be going on inside. Satan works hard at getting us to major in minors, to deflect what rightly belongs to God, and leaves us engaged in what leaves us empty.

What a wonderful and beautiful thing it is when we center our thoughts on God who loves us, Christ who died for us, and the life they offer us to live. Tomorrow we will worship God, a reminder of His love for us, of the day Christ rose from the dead, of our assurance that in our obedience to God we are forgiven of sins and have an abundant life, the promise of eternal life. It is worthy of our effort to let go of worldly thoughts and allow God to fill us with the joy of hope.

As you worship, let this be your singular motivation for this time. Let this be your heart’s desire. Let our time together be the greatest event this week will offer. If we give ourselves wholly and completely to this, we will truly have a great day, a great week. God bless.

Robert