"...in Spirit and Truth."

Worship is a funny thing; not "LOL" funny, but "Hmmm..." funny. So many times we go to what we call "Sunday Morning Worship;" we have "worship" services; we sing "worship" songs; the list goes on and on. We use the word "worship" almost like we use the word "love." Have we lost the meaning of the word?

Jesus said, "God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24, NIV) So what does this mean and how does it apply to real life today?

First, we must worship God in spirit. Our spirit is that part of us that communes with God's Spirit as it works within us; not our mind, not even our heart. This is not about feelings, this is about deep communication with the Spirit of God. And yet, true worship can not only change the way we feel, true worship can work in spite of the way we feel; as long as we are willing to seek God in our spirit.

Secondly, we worship God in truth. Remember that truth is not subjective. We must always be sure that our worship of God is in accordance with the Word of God. Everything we say, do, sing and pray must pass the test of scripture. It can be as simple as, "Am I saying this in Love, or out of spite?" or "Does this song reflect a biblical truth or is it just something that I want to say?" I used to tell our Youth group in West Virginia all the time, "Truth is a person, and His name is Jesus." So by this definition, true worship must follow the example of Jesus. How did He worship? He met with God at least daily, He learned His scripture, He treated others with Grace, He loved others and had compassion on the needy and oppressed, the list goes on. But these are the kind of questions we must ask ourselves as we try to worship God.

The good news is this: while we will never get it exactly right here on earth, a day is coming when everything will be as it was meant to be from the beginning. In the mean time, when we set our hearts on the pursuit of "spirit and truth," God will honor the sacrifice made in His Name. God knows the difference between a Son or Daughter truly seeking Him as He desires, and someone going through the motions in order to fill a perceived obligation... and maybe that's 'nuf said.

JonWesley

God's Glory and the Burning of the Q'uran

I find myself wanting to write about this mess over the Q'uran burning pastor in north Florida and the media hype that has ensued.
So many times in the midst of life as usual one person is lifted to the forefront of media for something a little less than good. And I know that nowadays "good" is a relative term. But when the person or groups is someone about whom it could be said, "They know better," it's a little disheartening. And when the person is a "like-minded" individual, viz. a Christian, one can't help but feel at the least saddened, and more likely disgusted with the behavior.

The thought that anyone would take the name of Jesus Christ and couple it with anything as disgusting as burning what some believe to be a book of Holy Scripture is disturbing and blasphemous. There is nothing I have ever been taught or have read in the Bible that supports or encourages this action. I was reminded yesterday about the burning of Bibles overseas because of the Muslim leadership's unwillingness to let them into the country. To this I say, so what? I was reminded also of Hebrews 12 that takes away our "right" to retaliation as it says "you have not yet resisted to blood." This, coupled with Jesus' own words, "turn the other cheek," tells me there is NO justification for such an action by those who bear the name of Christ.

I am saddened that the most audible word that Christianity can say right now is coming from the mouth of one fringe pastor. It is disgusting to me that the name of Jesus is being dragged through the mud by one of His own. And I am sorry for the way everyone, EVERYONE is talking about my Brother. The witness that has been damaged may be immense.

But I just thought- how much greater glory to God can come from this? 1. From those of us who DO know better, we can love this Brother and his congregation, and in that love bring him back to Godly reason. 2. We can show an already watching world that we DON'T always eat our wounded, and throat God IS love. And 3. We as Christians can reach out to people who are seeking God, and show them the JESUS is the way to the Father, not lighter fluid and ignorance.