What's Most Important?

There are many things that clamor for our attention. There are careers to be completed, finances to tend to, children to raise, grandchildren to "spoil", and a life to be lived. The world would have us believe that it is all about the party or the car or the house. Television ads only show people smiling, with the latest kitchen equipment, the newest car and well groomed yards. I think they are trying to promote a better life while all the while those of us who live in the real world know that life is not always so pretty.

Now, if we have a nice car, nice appliances, a well groomed yard, etc. it's OK. There is nothing wrong with those things but those things will never satisfy. Material possessions are nice to have but try having a deep conversation with your LG high efficiency washer and dryer. How about taking a relaxing walk on the beach with your 52" flat screen HD Blueray ready TV. It would be awkward to carry not to mention what people would think. Things are things. That's all they are.

The relationship we have with God is the most important relationship we can have. And our relationship with God comes through our relationship with Jesus Christ. Jesus said in John 14:6 "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" John records in John 1:12-13 "But to all who did receive him (Jesus), who believed in his (Jesus) name, he gave the right to become the children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God". It is from this this relationship that all others have value and worth. My relationship with Christ will affect my relationship with Shelly, my kids, my church family and my friend.

We are to love the Lord God with all that we are and our neighbor as ourselves. We are not to love the things of this world. Things break, rust, wear out and go away. We must have a proper understanding how important our relationships are. When everything around us is gone, who do we have?

Worship: What Is It All About?

As a "worship" leader, I am given the task of planning, coordinating and then leading our music for Sunday services.I have been in the ministry of music for over 25 years. Through the years I have grown to better understand my role and the meaning of worship. In the past few weeks I have read one book on worship and I continue to read a blog on worship. This led me to wonder more deeply what worship really is. Is worship the songs we sing? Is it the sermon? Is it the praying and giving of tithes and offerings? Is it the children's story? Is it possible that announcements are worship? It seems the older I get the more I don't know or understand. For way to long I have assumed much about worship and have gone through the motions of worship too often to admit.

One passage of Scripture that I have been focusing on is John 4. The encounter that Jesus has with the women at the well has helped to better clarify worship. True worship is done in spirit and truth. Although this does take a form, the form is not the point. Worship is internal, from the heart and not based on external conformity to ceremonies and rituals (MacArthur commentary). No worship leader can make people worship by the songs he selects. Its a heart thing and not a form thing. The other aspect that is critical to worship is that worship must be in truth. Again, truth is a heart is and is consistent with scriptural teachings and is centered on the incarnate word (MacArthur commentary). It is worship that is centered on the Father and not man.

Jesus said "...true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him." That is an amazing truth. The Creator of all things, the Sovereign God is seeking true worshipers who will worship him in spirit and truth.

With this understanding, it is imperative that worship leaders (song leaders, pastors, etc) be about truth. The songs we plan, the prayers we offer, the sermons that are preached, the offerings we bring all must be centered on the truth. Jesus said "I am the way, the truth and the life." John 14:6 (emphasis added)

All that I do, as a worship leader at the church I serve, must be about the truth of Jesus Christ. As my friend who writes the blog I read has recently stated, the truth of Christ is the gospel and it is found in His life, death, burial and resurrection.

"God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth" John 4:24

Blessings to all who read this blog. MEM