Verse of the Day 7/11

Verse of the Day 7/11

John 4:24   God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."    New King James Version (NKJV)

As we read the Bible certain verses will draw our attention.  When we notice that instead of continuing on, we should take the time, stop and consider, think, and meditate on that verse for a time, to listen to how God is prompting you,  to hear what He truly has to say to you.  Today's verse is about worship at its core and hearing, listening to God's call is a big part of that.

John Piper writes, "This is what is missing in the experience of so many Christians as they seek the power of the Spirit in their lives. The Spirit is supplied to us "by hearing with faith" (Galatians 3:5) — not just faith in one or two promises about the Spirit himself, but about all the soul-satisfying presence of God in our future."

Regarding "God is Spirit" Charles Spurgeon writes:

"If He were a material deity--then I might bring Him fruits, and flowers, and music, and so forth.  If He were a God of religious ritual--then I might deck myself with crosses, burn candles to Him, and waft incense in His honor.  But our God is a Spirit who rejoices more in the falling tear, the upheaved sigh, the heart prayer, and the heart praise, which "the common people" render unto Him--than in all the decorations and symphonies and temples of a man-made ritual. "

Worship isn't something that we go and do once a week at a certain building.  The Message, (below) reminds us that it is "who you are and how you live that count before God".  When we do go to worship in public, it is still with that same "heart praise" that we are offering that should be part who we are every day.

Come just as you are
Hear the spirit call
Come just as you are
Come and see
Come receive
Come and live forever
Come just as you are
Hear the spirit call
Come just as you are
Come and see
Come receive
Come and live forever

Life everlasting
Strength for today
Taste the living water
And never thirst again     (Come Just as You Are - Crystal Lewis)

Galatians 5:25  If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.   English Standard Version (ESV)

--   In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,  in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV    

John 4:24The Message (MSG)

^23-24 "It's who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That's the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship. God is sheer being itself—Spirit. Those who worship him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration."