John 4:23, 24

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.

God is a Spirit:

and they that worship him

must worship him

in spirit and in truth. ~John 4:23,24

Jesus spoke these words to the woman he met at Jacob's well.  She had come to the well, to draw water for her household and while drawing, Jesus asked her for a drink.

She was taken aback, you see, the woman was a Samaritan woman, and the Jews normally had no dealings with Samaritans.  Jesus told her that if she knew whom she was speaking to, she would ask him for living water.  She didn't quite understand, but thought he was talking of physical water.  She would like water that would leave her never wanting for more, so she wouldn't have to continue to go to the deep well daily for more water.  She told him that she knew that when the Messiah came, he would be able to tell them all things.  Jesus told her that she was with the one she spoke of.  He then went on to ask her, and reveal to her that he knew of her adulterous situation.  The man she was living with was not her husband, and yet she had been married 5 times besides.   She was so surprised she thought Jesus must be a prophet.  Having an audience with a prophet, she wanted to settle a little argument that she had with the Jews.  Her people, the Samaritans, believed that in order to worship God, one must go onto a high mountain to worship, but the Jews insisted that all sacrifices be made in Jerusalem.  She wanted Jesus to settle this.  Who was right?  He told her that the Jews had been right to sacrifice in Jerusalem, but that season was almost over.

You see, Jesus had come to fulfill the Old Covenant, and to put it to death and nail it to the cross.  The New Covenant, would not center around physical acts of worship and going to certain places to offer atonement.  So then he spoke to her the words of our verse.

SPIRIT and in TRUTH

Our worship today is spiritual, no longer physical.

The physical burning of incense is replaced with spiritual prayers

the physical offering of sacrifice is replace with the spiritual acceptance of Jesus sacrifice through baptism

The physical offering of musical instruments, is replaced with the spiritual making melody with the hearts

The physical kingdom of Israel, is replaced with the spiritual kingdom of the church.

and most importantly

the physical promised land is replaced with the non corruptible promised heavenly reward!

Romans 6:3.4

Romans 6:3,4

Or do you not know
that as many of us
as were baptized into Christ Jesus
were bapitized into His death?
Therefore we were buried with Him
through baptism
into death.
That just as Christ was raised from the dead
by the GLORY of the FATHER,
even so we also should walk
in NEWNESS of LIFE.


This verse gives me so much HOPE!
Without Christ, I would die in my sins, with no hope of Heaven.
No matter what I do, I could never earn my own Salvation.

But Christ has paid the price for me!
He died, not for his own sins, but for mine, and for YOURS.
He paid the price with his own LIFE!

And when I am baptized, His sacrifice becomes my sacrifice!
It is through the baptism that I can take part in the death of Christ.
Without that sacrifice, I can't ever take part of the raising.

The dead man of sin is BURIED with Christ?
How, through baptism!
It isn't the WATER that does the work, it is CHRIST DEATH
on the cross that does  it!

Some say baptism is a WORK and therefore it can not save.
Yes, it is the ultimate work that JESUS did, when he was KILLED
on the cross for ME! 

AND, when I have been buried in baptism, I have the promise that
I also will be raised with Him and walk in NEWNESS of LIFE.
What a glorious gift he has given!

Psalms 100

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord
all ye lands.
Serve the Lord with gladness!
Come before His presence with singing.

Know ye
that the Lord
He is God!
It is He that hath made us
and not we ourselves.

We are His people
and the sheep of His pasture
Enter into His gates
with Thanksgiving
and into His courts with praise!
Be thankful unto Him
and bless His name!

For the Lord is good!
His mercy is everlasting!
and his truth endureth
to all
generations!

 

This is one of my favorite passages, although to pick a favorite leaves me often times wondering if I truly do have a favorite as there are so many passages that speak different degrees of comfort, hope, or love to me.

These verses, written by the psalmist, David, express the love and praise we have for the Lord God because He is so good to us.

God wishes for everyone in everyplace to lift up their voices in praise to Him.  How do we praise him?  With our songs!

Why do we praise Him?  He is the creator!  He is God almighty who made not only the world, but us as well.  He is deserving of our praise.

We belong to Him, and he takes care of us.  We are fed in his green pastures.  He is the king and mighty, yet we may enter through his gates.  How thankful to have such a loving Father to allow such a personal relationship!  Let us praise him, for though he is God, he allows us even into the inner courts of his kingdom!  How wonderful he is and how lovely is His name!

But why does he love us so?  Why does He allow such an intimate relationship with His children?  Because He is good!  He will never give up on us!  His mercy will never end!  And because he will always stand by what He says and who He is, he will be the same forever and ever.