GET TOGETHER- GET READY TO WORSHIP

GET TOGETHER- GET READY TO WORSHIP

Joh 4:19-24 The woman said to Him, “Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet.

“Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship. Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. “You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews.

“But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

This past Sunday morning the Holy Spirit touched my heart through someone in our congregation in a very special way. There is a lady who attends our congregation that is physically blind. I say physical because although she cannot see with her eyes she isn’t spiritually blind.

She was in the sanctuary while the choir was practicing before the service. She was sitting in the pew with her hands raised and a beautiful smile that was lighting up the whole sanctuary. The Lord used her to get me ready to worship.

Sometimes as a Pastor and I am sure for all Christians there can be many distractions that will be hinderances to us worshipping the Lord in Spirit and in truth. We often get concerned is it too hot, or too cold. We get to wondering why this person, or that person isn’t here. Is the music too loud, or not loud enough?

We were just coming off being off a Sunday and I always must pray through getting back into the flow when we have been off the week before. It was a holiday weekend and our attendance was down. When the service was beginning the Lord brought to my attention how this sister was just so happy to be in the House of the Lord. She was already worshipping before the service even started. The Holy Spirit then gave me such joy and peace and we had in my opinion a wonderful service.

When the woman at the well encountered Jesus she asked Him where the proper place was to worship Him. Jesus lets her know that it isn’t the place, but it is the heart of the worshipper that is most important. We often get into debates over what style music is best for worship. We often ask ourselves do we need more contemporary music, or go back to the old hymns, or perhaps maybe Southern Gospel? The answer is that it can be any of them, or none of them. It is the heart that is prepared to worship in Spirit and in truth that matters.

One thought that came to me about this dear sister was that she didn’t come to evaluate, but she came to celebrate. I am not saying that we should not test the spirits when we come to a service, but I have caught myself at times doing more evaluating that celebrating.

If we have been saved from Hell we have much to celebrate. If we are going to Heaven we have much to celebrate. If we have been healed or delivered from anything we have much to celebrate. And most us unlike our dear sister that I have mentioned can still see physically with our natural eyes. So, I am preaching to all of us especially to myself to be ready to worship when we come to the House of the Lord.

Would you take just five minutes each day this week to pray for the service wherever you worship this coming week? Would you pray for all who will be participating in the service in some way? Please pray for the Pastor, the worship team, choir, altar workers, all who contribute in some way. Please pray that those who attend will come to celebrate the goodness of God and worship the Father in Spirit and in truth?

Let Us Pray

Lord Jesus You are so worthy of our worship and adoration. Please forgive us when we allow petty things to distract us. Help us when we come together to worship the Father-Son- and Holy Spirit in Spirit and in truth.

In Jesus Name

Amen

We are so blessed to know each and everyone of you. On behalf of J.J. and myself we pray God’s best for all of you.

Your Friend/Kinfolk

Preston