Tag Archive for true worship

from Prepare Yourself for Worship

2017-03-10 Devotional with Hymn, Prepare Yourself for Worship No comments

In Spirit and Truth

The woman said to Him…“Our fathers worshiped in this mountain, and you people say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.” 

Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, an hour is coming when neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father…An hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:20-24, NASB)

Father, You are Spirit.
The worship that pleases You is
my spirit to Yours.
Worshiping You does not depend on
ceremony or style, on
rituals or prescribed motions.
You want worship that is honest, sincere, and unhypocritical,
with no gap between my words and my actions.

You seek worship that rises from my heart and my life,
not just from my lips.
That is the worship I want to bring You, my Father.
I want my Sunday worship to simply rehearse the way I live
all week long.

Listen and sing:
Hymn: Holy Father, Only You
Recording
Printed Music & Lyrics

Which Worshipers Pleased Jesus?

2014-04-10 Congregational Song, Hymns No comments

This is the 11th in a series of Friday posts on congregational song.

John the Baptist (Luke 3:1-20; 7:18-35)—He responded to God’s Word boldly and wholeheartedly, with singleness of mind.

The woman with the alabaster jar (Matthew 26:6-13)—She loved Jesus so much that she poured out on Him the very best she had.

The Canaanite woman (Matthew 15:21-28)—Out of love for her suffering daughter, she humbled herself and refused to be deterred from seeking Jesus’ help. Her faith and perseverance secured her daughter’s healing. 

 “His mother and brothers” (Luke 8:19-21)—Jesus said that His mother and brothers were anyone who heard God’s Word and put it into practice.

The centurion in Capernaum (Luke 7:1-10)—Even in the most pressing need, he trusted Christ’s authority simply and humbly.

Mary, Martha’s sister (Luke 10:38-42)—She put aside everything else and sat at Jesus’ feet, listening to what He said. Jesus said she had chosen “the good part”.

Children (Matthew 19:13-14)—Jesus said the kingdom of heaven belongs to those who come to God as little children.

The Samaritan leper (Luke 17:11-19)—When the 10 lepers were healed on their way to the priest, he alone turned around and came back to thank Jesus.

The widow with her offering (Mark 12:41-44)—Her offering was completely insignificant in human terms, but Jesus said that in God’s eyes, her gift was the greatest. She lovingly and humbly gave everything she had.

Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10)—He put his repentance into action, giving away his wealth to the needy and to those he had wronged.

The twelve apostles (Matthew 19:28-30)—Most were common working people, with faith and understanding that were often imperfect. But Jesus said that because they had left all to follow Him, they would reign with Him on twelve thrones, judging the tribes of Israel. 

The thief on the cross (Luke 23:39-43)—While everyone around was sneering at Jesus, the criminal humbly trusted Him and thereby secured a place with Him in paradise.

Which worshipers pleased Jesus? Those who expressed their faith and love by their actions.

Unworthy

2014-03-20 Congregational Song, Hymns No comments

This is the eighth in a series of Friday posts on congregational song.

Lord, as I come to You and think toward singing,
I hesitate.
I sense that my songs are unworthy of You.
They are, Lord.
All our songs,
all our understandings,
all our expressions are unworthy of You.

But You want my praise, Lord.
You ask for it.
And I remember that praise doesn’t come from my song.
It comes from me.
Trust doesn’t come from my words,
but from my heart.
True worship and submission don’t come from my singing,
but from my doing.

Holy Father, Son, and Spirit,
fill me with yourself.
Cleanse my thoughts.
Purify this temple completely, Lord.
Sanctify me to Your use.

Then make me a vessel of Your praise.
Make my entire life an instrument of worship,
giving glory to You throughout all the ages,
forever and ever.
Amen, Lord. Amen.