Terry Geartz / Director of Worship Arts
ENGAGING in Worship
A few weeks ago I woke up with a strong stirring in my heart about our Eastern Hills Church family regarding worship. I felt like God was saying that He would show His power to us in a new way, as we learn to worship Him in a new way.
I immediately prayed, and asked Him to show me what He wants. I knew what He was revealing to me had nothing to do with songs, or hymns or skill. I know our God will always give us what we need to accomplish what He wants. I started searching His word, and this is what jumped out at me:
“Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit and His worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.” John 4:23-24
It is interesting that Jesus finished His conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well with these words about worship.
How do we worship Him in spirit and in truth?
God wants humanity to worship Him in truth. We do this by honoring Him, serving Him and acting on His instructions, His WORD. God asks us to live "by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God" Matthew 4:4
Our worship of God is shown in how we live our daily lives. Christianity is a way of life. It is a way of thinking, acting and living. It affects every aspect of our life.
"Therefore I urge you brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship." Romans 12:1
God may ask us to do things in worship that stretch our comfort level. That’s where faith kicks in. When God asks those things of us and we trust Him to work everything out for good, we will be led to another ingredient of true worship, obedience.
The key here is that we must believe that God is a keeper of His promises. When we hear the voice of God leading and prompting, we cannot ignore what He is saying. We must turn our ear to listen.
We cannot come to God unless we have first humbled ourselves. Then as we enter His presence He will begin to speak to us, and we must make the decision to believe Him or not. We must listen to, and want to hear His voice. But all of that is in vain, if we do not put it into action through obedience.
God is seeking people that will worship, truly worship, and He has promised that if we are faithful to worship on His terms that there are endless rewards and blessings.
I believe that we can live a life of true worship when we put others above ourselves, when we refuse to speak about others in way that would not be pleasing to our Savior. If we can help people through their weaknesses instead of complaining to others about them, and if we can support both those above us and below us with love and encouragement, we will be worshipers.
This continuous lifestyle of true worship will be evident as we come together with our singing of songs and hymns on our Sunday mornings.
If we will take the step, God will give us the wisdom, the strength, and the love that’s needed, so we can say “We Are Worshipers.”
A few weeks ago I woke up with a strong stirring in my heart about our Eastern Hills Church family regarding worship. I felt like God was saying that He would show His power to us in a new way, as we learn to worship Him in a new way.
I immediately prayed, and asked Him to show me what He wants. I knew what He was revealing to me had nothing to do with songs, or hymns or skill. I know our God will always give us what we need to accomplish what He wants. I started searching His word, and this is what jumped out at me:
“Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit and His worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.” John 4:23-24
It is interesting that Jesus finished His conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well with these words about worship.
How do we worship Him in spirit and in truth?
God wants humanity to worship Him in truth. We do this by honoring Him, serving Him and acting on His instructions, His WORD. God asks us to live "by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God" Matthew 4:4
Our worship of God is shown in how we live our daily lives. Christianity is a way of life. It is a way of thinking, acting and living. It affects every aspect of our life.
"Therefore I urge you brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship." Romans 12:1
God may ask us to do things in worship that stretch our comfort level. That’s where faith kicks in. When God asks those things of us and we trust Him to work everything out for good, we will be led to another ingredient of true worship, obedience.
The key here is that we must believe that God is a keeper of His promises. When we hear the voice of God leading and prompting, we cannot ignore what He is saying. We must turn our ear to listen.
We cannot come to God unless we have first humbled ourselves. Then as we enter His presence He will begin to speak to us, and we must make the decision to believe Him or not. We must listen to, and want to hear His voice. But all of that is in vain, if we do not put it into action through obedience.
God is seeking people that will worship, truly worship, and He has promised that if we are faithful to worship on His terms that there are endless rewards and blessings.
I believe that we can live a life of true worship when we put others above ourselves, when we refuse to speak about others in way that would not be pleasing to our Savior. If we can help people through their weaknesses instead of complaining to others about them, and if we can support both those above us and below us with love and encouragement, we will be worshipers.
This continuous lifestyle of true worship will be evident as we come together with our singing of songs and hymns on our Sunday mornings.
If we will take the step, God will give us the wisdom, the strength, and the love that’s needed, so we can say “We Are Worshipers.”