Worship - Being in the Lord’s Presence

Scripture: John 4:23 - But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.  Hebrews 10:19-23 -   Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21 And having an high priest over the house of God; 22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) Romans 12:1-2 - I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

In Christianity, worship is the act of attributing worth,  reverent honor, and homage to God.  Jesus laid out what real true worship is.  We are to worship God is spirit and truth.  That means to understand who God is and all about the Godhead.  So real worship is more than singing songs. In worship, we are to offer our bodies a living sacrifice.  We usually associate this concept of sacrifice with something dead, but God wants us to be a living sacrifice.  He wants us to live for Him.  Worship is a lifestyle.   Real worship involves what Romans 12:1-2  says:  “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God”.   People are inclined to worship something – as they try to fill the void in their lives.  The void in a person’s life can only be filled when a person invites Jesus Christ into his/her life.  When we worship God, He looks past our words and sees the attitude of our hearts as it says in I Samuel 16:7 -  “But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.”

It takes effort to praise/worship God.  When you praise God when you don’t feel like it, or when you are tired, or disappointed, you are offering a sacrifice of worship to God.  Worship is not about the songs you sing, but the life you live. Worship or being in the Lord’s presence is not about you hearing your favorite singers sing your favorite songs. Psalms16:11 -  “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Our focus should be on Jesus, reading/studying God’s Word, and following the Lord’s lead. What we do collectively in worship at church should be an overflow of what we are doing individually and daily at home. We should come together unashamed.  Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. We should have freedom from guilt, shame, worry,

Prayer:  Dear Heavenly Father:  I’m so grateful that I have a personal relationship with You.  Thank You Jesus for dying on the cross for my sins. I look forward to daily being in Your presence as I set aside time to be alone with You in prayer, praise/worship, reading/meditating on your Word.  You deserve all the glory, honor, and praise.  In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.

(by Marsha Williams)