May 13 – Worship In Truth

“But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.  God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:23-24 (ESV)

Yes, God still is looking for people to worship Him with the right attitude.  Some establish certain patterns and rituals in their worship of God and that may help them focus their hearts in their worship.  But God does not look at the method or way we worship Him.  It is not a question of how we sit or stand or kneel for the position of our body is not what really matters.  Worship happens in the middle of a busy city and in the midst of a crowd of people or, out in a quiet meadow under a sky full of stars above and only the sounds of nature.  Jesus says it is a question of our heart and our spiritual attitude.  We involve our inner being and worship in spirit with all are heart, all our soul, and all our mind.   Jesus also emphasized the importance of worshiping in truth.  God knows our thoughts and the state of our mind and attitude when we approach Him.  Our words and thoughts must be right before Him – that is when He responds because He knows we are in the right state of mind.    

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September 4 – Accomplished Intentions

“So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11 (NASB)

We can find in our Bible the purpose God has in providing it.  God has given us His Word in the Bible because He wants it to accomplish something whenever anyone reads it.  Also whenever anyone teaches or preaches its message.  God want His word to produce results in our lives.  For that to happen we need to have the proper attitude when we read it or hear it read.  We need to believe God's Word and we need to obey it.  It is not the cleverness or skill of the preachers or teachers that will change lives.  God accomplishes His purposes when His Word is faithfully proclaimed because He will take care of the result.  Our promise today is a promise about God's Word.  When ever it goes forth by whatever means or media, it will always accomplish what God desires.   It will accomplish its intended purpose just as rain and snow accomplish the purpose of watering the earth.

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February 8 – Secrets Revealed

“The secret of the Lord is for those who fear Him, And He will make them know His covenant.” Psalm 25:14 (NASB)

Our Lord in heaven knows those who show Him proper respect. Our verse today says that He responds in a very special way to those who respect and revere Him.  God has lots of secrets to reveal to His people but before He can confide in us we must have the proper attitude toward Him. The proper attitude is described as “those who fear him.”  [This does not mean fear that one has of someone that threatens to harm them.  This means 'awesome respect' for God's holiness and sovereignty over our lives.]  That is not surprising because we are very careful to whom we tell our secrets. We don confide in just anybody who come along do we? The psalmists David knew how careful God was. God had shown Him many of His secrets and His plans for him and for His people. This is true today too. Let's give God the respect He deserves and He will show us His plans for us.