Friday, February 10, 2006

A Passage I Love

Jim is trying something new over at Missionary - Blogs . He invited me to post an entry with one Bible passage I love, and why I love it. Apparently there are more than 180 missionary blogs that Jim is reading regularly, and I am one of them :)

There are many bible passages that I love, but the one that came to mind straight away is from John 4:24, “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth”

I love this passage because theological discussions about worship tend to focus on the mind, not the heart. But the words of Jesus resound the call to worship that transcends the intellect. Hence, true worship is more about the heart’s hunger for him, rather than the mind thinking right about God. In order for our every-day life to become an expression of worship unto God and to please God, we must worship Him both in spirit and in truth.

1. To treasure God’s presence.
God welcomes us into His presence. When Moses cried out to the Almighty and asked Him for His grace. God replies, “ My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest” (Exodus 33:13-15). We should always treasure God’s presence and to have a hunger and thirst for the Living God.

2. To have a humble heart.
This is the very thing to which Jesus calls us all: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3). We should worship God as children before the Father.

3. To sacrifice and expect something from God.
Hebrews 11:6 states clearly: “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Worship always brings a sacrifice to God, it means in our every-day life surrender our whole life to God, or the biblical “sacrifices” like tithes or offerings. Malachi 3: 10 reveals God’s intention for our blessing and benefit.

4. To extend God’s love.
Worship should extend God’s love to others. This means to love the neighbours as well as to love and worship God. Extending God’s love includes forgiving others, seeking peace and reconciliation in our every-day life, assisting others in need and praying for and with people.

We can express our worship unto God in our every-day life in different areas.

Firstly, worship can be done individually. It is about our heart and our relationship with God. Hence whatever is happening in our lives, we will worship God, the King of kings and Lord of lords.

Secondly, worship can be done corporately. It is the one activity in which all Christians can join together and get involved in. It is important for the worshipping community to build relationships with each other and encounter God. It is a time where Christian fellowship can be nurtured, God’s presence can be practised, brokenness and wounds healed and faith grown. When people worship as a community, there is a dynamic to our worship that goes beyond our own individual faith and we can expect God to be among us.

One of the core values of World Team Australia (and mine) is prayer and worship, and certainly John 4:24 is one of the most important verses in the Bible about worship.

Do you have a Bible passage that you love? Please share with us.

27 comments:

Corry said...

I love almost all of the verses but this one always is so powerful in giving me peace, faith, hope and comfort:
Matthew 11:28
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.


God's Grace.

Bill said...

It is very nice to meet you too.

Kitty Cheng said...

Dear Corry, Matthew 11:28 is one of my favourite verses too :) It's so comforting!

Kitty Cheng said...

Bill, great to know that you are so committed to the Lord. Let's keep in touch!

Martie said...

Kitty, thanks for visiting my blog! I read your profile and noticed that you hava a medical condition and had heart surgery. I had heart surgery also, almost 4 years ago now and continue to struggle with some medical issues, but I thank God every day that I am alive. Both my parents passed when they were 49 years old and I will be 60 this year and will never lie about the many years that the Lord has given me to live!

I think that one of my favorite verses is Isaiah 52:1 ~ How Beautiful are the feet of those who bring good tidings.~

Live, Love, Laugh said...

2 Chronicles
7:14-16: “if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

PSALM 19
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in your sight,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

I have many scriptures I love, and here are two of my favorite. I love the first one because I know God is in control, everything in the visible world is controlled by the invisible world, so I don't fret or worry about wars, rumors of war, earthquakes, etc, because I know God is in control and He is working out His plan, it is my job to occupy until He comes, to spread the good news and to pray for our leaders, for authorities, for healing of our people, our land.

The second verse in Psalm 19 reminds me that God knows me better than I know myself. He knows my intents and motives of my heart. Sometimes I think we can even lie to ourselves so it is my prayer that my words and meditation of my heart will be acceptable and pleasing to Him and if there be any wicked way in me, He will reveal it to me, so I can identify it and correct it.

Thanks for this post Kitty, you are a blessing to me!

Matthew Celestine said...

Good thoughts, Kitty.

Kitty Cheng said...

Thanks Martie for your comment. My mum is turning 60 this year too :)
Yes Isaiah 52:1 is a great verse. It's a great reminder that we're blessed to share the Gospel.

Kitty Cheng said...

Well LLL, these two scriptures are fantastic! Thanks so much. YOU are a blessing to me :D

Kitty Cheng said...

Thanks Matthew :)

Mark D said...

Wow, tough to narrow down to a favorite verse or passage. I'll try, but within three categories:

Outward:
Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. James 1:27 NKJV

Inward:
And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you. Phillipians 1:6 Amplified

Godward:
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Hebrews 11:6 NKJV

I will tell some more missionary friends of mine about that blog. Thanks!

Kc said...

Great post and verses Kitty. We agree concerning your observation on theology and worship. Many of my favorite verses have already been offered but I will pass on one Bro. Doug quoted at my place recently, Romans 8:28. ;-)

An Ordinary Christian said...

Oh my goodness! I suppose this is my "favorite" verse, but how can I limit it to one? That is like picking which child you like best! Phil 3:10-11: "I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead." and to complete the thought...Phil3:12: "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me."

Kitty Cheng said...

Wow Mark, your outward, inward and Godward verses are great!

Kitty Cheng said...

Thanks Kc. Yeah Romans 8:28 is one of my favorite verses too! It's so powerful.

Kitty Cheng said...

Hey Andrea...you know what? Philippians is my favorite book in the bible.

audrey` said...

To have a humble and grateful heart is so essential in our relationship with our Almighty Father :)

Curious Servant said...

Well done

Kitty Cheng said...

Certainly Audrey...may we humble ourselves before God and give thanks to Him always :)

Kitty Cheng said...

Thank you CS. How have you been?

Anonymous said...

my favorite passage from the bible has always been jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." i hold on to this verse whenever i feel down and wasted.

audrey` said...

Happy Valentine's Day Kitty!
Jesus loves you very much.

Kitty Cheng said...

Thanks for that verse Pia. I need constant reminder that God has plans to give me hope and a future :D

Kitty Cheng said...

Thank you so much Audrey. Happy Valentine's Day to you too hehe.

Anonymous said...

hi my fav verse is jeremiah 33:3
it really touches me, every time i read it.

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