Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-

True Worship


Reba Varghese
Chicago MTC, IL
23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” 


In our family room, we have a painting of the Samaritan woman carrying an empty jug toward Jesus who is sitting by the well. Everyday I see this painting and everyday I am reminded that this woman recognized Jesus the Messiah. Once she knew who He was, she went praising God and sharing the good news of the Messiah.

The Samaritan woman meets Jesus at the well around noon which is hottest time during the day. She came to the well with an empty jar to collect water. He shares with her of what true worship is.

True Worship is from the Heart: This woman was of mixed heritage and had a bad reputation; regardless of her background, Jesus speaks to her. He reminds her that salvation is given to anyone who accepts Him. It doesn’t matter if you are a Samaritan, Jew, or Malayalee. Our worship is for an almighty God who doesn’t look at the outward appearance but looks deep inside our heart. When we go to church, are we going to church just because it is something we are supposed to do or are we coming to church to worship the creator of the universe, the one who gives eternal life, and loves us unconditionally?

True Worship is a Response: Christ explains that He has water that leads to eternal life. From one conversation, the Samaritan woman immediately recognized that the Messiah is coming and that He is here. Worship is our response to the greatness of our God and a response to what He has done for us. Through prayer, we are able to draw closer to God. Worship honors and glorifies God when we are draw near to Him.

True Worship can occur anywhere: Worship does not have to occur only Sunday mornings at church. It can occur anywhere and anytime- in your drive to work, on your walk to class, or in your room. Our hearts are reflected in our worship. Paul and Silas were in jail and they were still singing praises to God. Even when we are going through hardship, there is always a reason to worship.
 
We are broken people living in a broken world; yet we have a Savior who makes us new and that is something to worship about. Just like the Samaritan woman filled her empty jar with Christ, we need to fill our jars with Him. As we fill ourselves with Christ, we pour out praises and proclaim the Gospel to everyone. How do we fill ourselves with Christ? We need to build our relationship with Him. Prayer is our method of communication to God. We are able to talk to Him 24/7. He is always ready to listen. We need to pray unseasonally and unconditionally. We need to be thirsty for Jesus and for His everlasting mercy and love. Through persistent prayer, we are able to ask God to change our sinful habits and mold us into His image. Through persistent prayer, we are able to fill our jars with Christ and pour out praises. 


PRAYER


Lord, we pray that we would fill our jars with you and that we would continuously pour out praises. Help us to remember that our worship is all about you. Help us to draw closer to you in the good times and bad times and remember that you are good. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
“Worship is our response, both personal and corporate, to God for who He is, and what He has done; expressed in and by the things we say and the way we live”- Louis Giglio

Popular posts from this blog

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Constant, patient and welcoming love of God   St. Luke 15: 11-32  V.21: And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ The parable of the ‘Prodigal son’ is one of the most frequently quoted parables that Jesus told His disciples. The parable contains the rich mine of human virtues and emotions. This parable is lived and re-lived in progressing civilizations from time immemorial and continuing. It brings out in vivid detail the pathetic depth of human sinfulness and the glorious heights of God’s forgiveness.      As a story of human nature, fathers are generally merciful to their children in any circumstance. They are very protective and are eager to provide for and secure the lives of their offspring. Jesus is telling this parable to underscore the superlative love of God to His children. The nature of such love is reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 7:11. Humankind who are evil by nature, give good gifts t
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Revelation for Liberation Acts 27:18-26 Sherine Thomas Long Island MTC, NY 20  When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. “After winter comes the summer.  After night comes the dawn.  And after every storm, there comes clear open skies” so said a Scottish clergyman from the 1600s. It’s been said, that hope can sometimes be the most dangerous weapon.  However, it’s sometimes the hardest weapon to carry when you’re living with the loss of a loved one, something that almost feels like a terrible nightmare that’ll never go away.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry when day in and day out no one seems to hear or see those tears that are shed or silent cries that are made during a heartfelt prayer. It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you see your loved one lying on that hospital bed.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you search and seek out answers to tell a child as to why they’ve been a
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
PRIESTHOOD: THE ANOINTED MINISTRY Exodus 40:12-16 Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting... wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest (Exodus 40: 12-13). Priesthood among the people of God was a divine command and initiation. God wanted some people to be separated for the special ministry among his people. God appointed Aaron and his descendants to take up this kind of ministry among the people of God. Priests are always separated and appointed as channels that connect God with his people. All throughout the history of Israel, priests played an important role in connecting people with God and to lead and guide them in the statutes of God. But there are incidents in the Bible where the priests failed in their duties and that led the people to go away from God. So the priests have a special and significant ministry to perform in this world among his people. Two important things
Read more