John 4:21
Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.

Where are you worshiping?

Finding a church or ministry to serve as a place where you worship is important. What do you use to make your decision? People with small children look for an exceptional children’s ministry. Someone who loves to sing would look for a ministry that has a choir or praise team. If you are trying to understand what your spiritual gifts are or get training, you would want to be where the gifts of the Spirit are evident and active. You may choose based on a denomination or a ministry that is nondenominational. Don’t allow the name or the denomination of a church to cause you to stumble. Allow the Spirit of the Lord to guide you. Remember, the church is not just a place where you go; you are the church.

1 Peter 2:5 Come and be his “living stones” who are continually being assembled into a sanctuary for God. For now you serve as holy priests, offering up spiritual sacrifices that he readily accepts through Jesus Christ. (The Passion Translation TPT)

You come together with other believers for spiritual reasons.

• God added the newly saved to the fellowship of believers.

Acts 2:47 Constantly praising God and being in favor and goodwill with all the people; and the Lord kept adding [to their number] daily those who were being saved [from spiritual death]. (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition AMPC)

• Fellowship with believers serves as an instrument of the kingdom. 

Matthew 18:17 And if he refuses to listen, then share the issue with the congregation in hopes of restoration. If he still refuses to respond, even to the church, then you must disregard him as though he were an outsider, on the same level as an unrepentant sinner. (The Passion Translation TPT)

• Fellowship with believers provides spiritual protection. 

Hebrews 13:17a Obey your spiritual leaders and submit to them [continually recognizing their authority over you], for they are constantly keeping watch over your souls and guarding your spiritual welfare, as men who will have to render an account [of their trust]. (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition AMPC)

• Fellowship with believers facilitates your spiritual maturity. 

Ephesians 4:16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. (New Living Translation NLT)

• Fellowship with believers provides spiritual fulfillment.  

Romans 12:6-8 Since our gifts vary depending on the grace poured out on each of us, it is important that we exercise the gifts we have been given. If prophecy is your gift, then speak as a prophet according to your proportion of faith. 7 If service is your gift, then serve well. If teaching is your gift, then teach well. 8 If you have been given a voice of encouragement, then use it often. If giving is your gift, then be generous. If leading, then be eager to get started. If sharing God’s mercy, then be cheerful in sharing it. (The Voice TVT)

• Fellowship with believers provides support and encouragement.  

Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together [as believers], as is the habit of some people, but admonishing (warning, urging, and encouraging) one another, and all the more faithfully as you see the day approaching. (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition AMPC)

Your worship is not about a building. You can worship anywhere. However, you need to worship. You may or may not be worshiping consistently on your own. Either way, find somewhere and some believers to connect with. If your worship is pure, it is not bordered nor bounded by walls; it does not require a certain type of music; the denomination is not a requirement. All you need is a place where you are free to exercise the liberty Jesus died for. Stand in liberty and worship the Father wherever you are.

Please agree with me as I pray:

Father, I was raised in church, and I love being around other believers. I love worshiping You with other believers. I repent for the times I allowed differences and hurt feelings to cause me to stay away. Whether it be in a church, a home, a ministry, or another place. It used to be important to me to be in a place where I thought “I fit”. The more I seek You, the more I understand because Your Spirit lives in me; I can worship wherever I have liberty. I don’t have to fit because Your Spirit fits everywhere Your name is lifted. I will lift my hands whether I’m in a cathedral or in a storefront. I will bless Your name everywhere I go. My worship is pure. My love for You is true. Where You lead me, I will follow, and I will worship…

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Ask the Lord what He wants to say to you about today’s devotional and journal His response as described here.