Today’s Reading: John 4:16-26
Hearing God’s Voice for Today:
“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 him in spirit and truth.”
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When the Spirit indwells your heart and you know Jesus’ overflowing love, worship is not something you do weekly or only during special holy seasons. Worship is a lifestyle. It’s not something you do. It’s who you are.
You can worship Jesus while washing dishes. Or when you are working in front of a computer. Or when you are parenting. Or when you are selling real estate. Whatever you are doing becomes worship if it’s done for his glory.
Worship is the daily emphasis of Jesus’ preeminence in every area of your life.
The Father is spirit—not a physical body. He is not limited to one place in the world. When he lives inside you, you can worship him at any time and in any place.
There are two requirements for a true worshiper. First, he must be filled with the Holy Spirit. The Spirit lives in the heart of the worshiper who confesses Jesus as Lord and Savior. The Lord is regularly present in his life.
Second, he must be committed to the truth. There must be a commitment to and love of the Word of God—the Father’s written truth on earth. In the Upper Room, right before Jesus’ death, he prayed this prayer to his Father for all his disciples: “Sanctify them in the truth, your word is truth” (John 17:17).
Does his Spirit totally indwell your inner life? Does he control every area of your life? Is there anything in your life you value more than him? Are you committed to his Word as complete truth? Is his Word your only infallible rule of faith and practice in every area of your life?
Let Jesus have first place in your life today. Let his life gurgle within you and control all. Abide in him, and he will abide in you. If you draw near to him, he will draw near to you. Honor him, and he will honor you. Yield all your life to him. Love his Word. It is true.
When you do, you will praise the One who has shown you his unfailing love. You will know it’s good to give thanks to him and worship his name. You will know that God is worthy to receive all glory, honor, and power. He created all things, and they exist because he created what he pleased. He is worthy of all our praise.
When you know who God truly is, you become a true worshiper of him—no matter where you may be.
And that’s his master passion for your life.
[from “Hearing the Voice of God” by Pastor David Chadwick, Moments of Hope Church, Charlotte, NC]