John 4:24
God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.
Are you being true in your worship?
The Bible says, “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord (Psalm 150:6).” However, there are prerequisites to worship.
First, you must acknowledge Jesus as the way to the Lord.
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the [only] Way [to God] and the [real] Truth and the [real] Life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” (Amplified Bible AMP)
Second, salvation is how you acknowledge Jesus, and through salvation you claim Him as LORD.
Romans 10:9 because if you acknowledge and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord [recognizing His power, authority, and majesty as God], and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (Amplified Bible AMP)
Once saved, you can worship because salvation identifies who God is. When you know who God is, worship is the natural response. You worship knowing God is a Spirit, not flesh and blood. You have to worship Him in the Spirit as the scripture for today states (you can also see November 9th). There is no more sacrificing of calves and doves.
Hebrews 10:4-5 Because the blood of bulls and goats is powerless to take sins away. 5 Hence, when He [Christ] entered into the world, He said, Sacrifices and offerings You have not desired, but instead You have made ready a body for Me [to offer]; (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition AMPC)
It is not enough for you to just show up for church on Sunday or Wednesday or to do the work you do in and for the church.
Matthew 7:22-23 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ (New King James Version NKJV)
Though you may sacrifice to show up and/or to work, the real sacrifice has to be you, the real and true you, with all your flaws, issues and concerns.
Psalm 40:6a Doing something for you, bringing something to you—that’s not what you’re after. Being religious, acting pious— that’s not what you’re asking for. (The Message MSG)
Psalm 40:6 Sacrifice and offering You do not desire, nor have You delight in them; You have given me the capacity to hear and obey [Your law, a more valuable service than] burnt offerings and sin offerings [which] You do not require. (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition AMPC)
Your acceptance of God’s invitation to be saved means you believe He is God. Your humble submission to God’s authority means you acknowledge Him as Lord and is the foundation of your worship. You being honest with God about who you are, what you feel, and submitting all your frailties and weaknesses makes your worship true.
Please agree with me as I pray:
Father, I confess You are my Lord and acknowledge You as a Spirit. I know if I am to worship You; I have to worship You in spirit. I have to be the sacrifice. I have to lay myself at the altar, my real self. I repent for all the times I tried to hide stuff or pretend with You. I am not sure why I tried because You Are God. You already know everything about me. All the things have done, all the things I am doing, and all the things I will do. Yet You love me still. I might be able to convince people I am sincere when I am not. However, You can see inside my heart. If I am sincere, You will see it and receive my worship. If I am not, You will know it and You won’t accept my offering. You do not make it complicated it at all. It is that cut and dry. You know if I am asking for forgiveness because I truly am repentant or if I am just ashamed because I got caught. One of the many wonderful things about You is, when there is something wrong in my heart; I can tell You. I am so grateful because not only will You show me why it’s wrong and You will fix it. You want me to be honest with You, why wouldn’t I. You already know. My honesty gives me the opportunity to enrich my relationship with You, take ownership of my weaknesses and flaws, and grow. Thank You for Your compassion, Your grace and Your mercy…
————
Ask the Lord what He wants to say to you about today’s devotional and journal His response as described here.