Day One: The Two Sides of Worship
John 4:23-24 (NLT) “23 But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. 24 For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.”
This week we’re going to look at the meaning of lifestyle worship, or magnifying and adoring God with our whole being. I am assuming that you already know that it is good to worship Him in song, and we realize that we need to worship Him with our many resources, including time, service, money and more, but what else does lifestyle worship involve?
To begin with, I believe we currently live in a world where we can no longer live our Christian faith aloud without being full of prayer, purpose and intention. Modern global societies have forced most everyone, regardless of background, race, gender, age or faith, to reevaluate what is important. Many sisters in Christ have felt the need to recalibrate their spirit by digging deeper into God’s Word. I am confident that many of you are already doing that, but today, let’s take it a step further and talk about the two sides of a true, lifestyle worshiper.
Focusing on our key scripture in John, there are some important components that we can glean from this passage that will help us to understand what it means to worship in spirit and in truth. First of all, it is clear in verse 23 that the time is now. You do not have to wait. You are already living in the era when true worshipers are able to fully worship their Creator. Sometimes you may need to plan and prepare for something that is coming in the future, but not in this case. Jesus is clear that the Father is ready for you to worship Him in spirit and in truth right now.
Another thing we notice in that verse is that you will worship. That verb is in the simple future tense. It is going to happen. If you are on the side of truth, an amazing spiritual principle comes into play and you are assured that you are going to get it right.
Then in verse 24 we see that God is Spirit. That means you can connect with Him on a level that is much deeper than just your physical body or natural mind. That bond is more profound than the things you see, hear or feel. Ephesians 1:4 (NLT) tells us, “Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.” It is a scientific fact that your physical body was created after the world was made, so Paul is saying that you were known before your body was formed, which followed the creation of the world. Therefore God knew you, loved you and chose you before He created you. Your spirit was in communion and proximity with His Spirit before He began creating the earth or even your physical body. It’s almost too beautiful to comprehend. It will compel you to commune with the Father in each moment and at every turn. Your spirit will long to love and worship His Spirit on a continual basis.
Also, a true worshiper will unswervingly seek God’s truth until she finds it. Your love for the Father and your gratitude for the relentless lovingkindness He has shown you, will only further compel you to find the real truth in every situation. Too many times we believe our own truth, but it may not be the real truth. For example, if a baby has only been around his parents and grandparents, he may falsely believe that all women have light-colored hair and all men have dark hair because his mom and grandma have blonde hair and his dad and grandfather have brown hair. It’s not until he sees a lady at church with dark hair and a man at the market with blonde hair that he realizes his former truth is not the real truth. He then begins to adjust his belief system to incorporate this new information that is obviously more true than what he had formerly thought to be true. Solid truth can only come through revelation.
And finally, the end of verse 23 says that the Father is on the lookout for you. He is waiting with expectation for that moment when you truly worship Him in spirit and in truth. He knows that you can do it because He’s already given you everything you need.
Worshiping the Father in spirit and truth requires a few key components. First, you must connect with Him on a deeper level than just the natural. Second, remember that communication is a two-way street, otherwise you have a monologue. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NLT) commands us to “Never stop praying.” We should be communicating with the Father at all times. Finally, as humans, we act as if truth is relative, but there is an absolute truth. Seek to find His truth above all else.
Prayer: Father, thank you that you have already equipped me with everything I need to worship you in spirit and in truth. Help me to start fully worshiping you right now today. Remind me to turn back to you when I allow my eyes to focus on something other than you so that I will never stop praying or communing with You. I pray that I will grow deeper in my understanding of the relationship you long to share with me so I can connect with You on a deep, spiritual level. Continually remind me to always evaluate my understanding of truth so that I can gauge it against what it should be. Your truth. Thank you for continually wooing and compelling me with Your relentless lovingkindness. In Your precious name, Amen.
FOCUS Statement: I was created by God, for God, so I can worship Him in spirit and in truth.
Questions for Reflection:
In what ways can you connect and commune with the Father on a deep, supernatural level that transcends your physical body and natural mind?
How can you do what Paul commands in 1 Thessalonians and pray without ever stopping? In what ways is that even humanly possible?
Are there areas in your life where you might be guilty of believing a personal truth that might not be the real truth? What can you do about it?
Day Two: Worship is a Whole-body Experience
Mark 12:28-31 (NLT) “28 One of the teachers of religious law was standing there listening to the debate. He realized that Jesus had answered well, so he asked, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” 29 Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. 30 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ 31 The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”
We see in verse 30 that we are to love and worship God with our whole being. Today let’s talk about how we can glorify God with our physical bodies. Your eyes, ears and your mouth are spiritual doorways, each one complete with its own respective gate. Those doors grant or deny access to your spirit.
Every time you open your mouth, you are choosing life or death. Words have the power to literally change any situation. Psalm 19:14 (NLT) “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” In the same way, your ears and eyes can open up your spirit to truth or deception. We live in a society that is inundated with watching the news, scrolling through social media and binge watching shows and movies. You can decide what will receive your focused attention and gaze, and what you will choose to fix your eyes and ears upon. You have a choice as to what you will listen to and what you will allow your eyes to see. Not only will this be beneficial to you as a daughter of the King, but it will encourage those around you to make wise decisions as well. Hebrews 10:24 (NLT) says, “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.” You never know how motivating the impact of your Godly choices can be for the people that God has placed in your sphere of influence. Take that responsibility seriously and God will expand your influential reach. Watch your words and if you really want to make a difference, keep track.
Your hands and feet can also be in direct service of the King. What I make and create with my hands can magnify God, the ultimate Creator. The idea spark of every single creative thing you have ever done or will ever do, was first birthed in the mind of God. And He loves to continue to give His children new and amazingly creative ideas over and over again. Ecclesiastes 9:10 (NLT) says, “Whatever you do, do well. For when you go to the grave, there will be no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom.” You only have so many days here on earth so use them wisely. Trust the Holy Spirit to give you creative answers to any questions or concerns that you face.
Even your feet can lead you toward life or death. Isaiah 52:7 (NLT) says, “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns!” And then Paul reiterated that same scripture in Romans. You can bring good news to those who are desperate to hear the truth because your feet can take you there. Walk up to that person who needs encouragement. Go to that sister who longs for a hug. Even when your humanity feels unsure or insecure about how to minister or speak to a specific situation, allow yourself to go there, knowing that the Holy Spirit will give you the words to say when the time is right, according to Luke 12:12. But at the same token, your feet can take you to a place that you should never be. Do not put yourself in a compromising situation, especially if it will tempt you to once again grab ahold of things from your past or if it will grip you with fear so that you are paralyzed and cannot make a decision to follow God at that moment. Allow every part of your being to love and worship God, even your feet. Your feet were created by God to determine your destination. Where do you want to end up? Then make sure your feet will lead you on a path that terminates at the point where God wants you to be.
Prayer: Loving Father, thank you that you created me to worship You in spirit and in truth. Today I ask that You would electrify every part of my being with Your purpose. Teach me how to protect my eye, ear and mouth gates so that they will deny access to anything that displeases You and grant entrance to all that You have planned for me. Let every word of my mouth worship and glorify You. Show me how to evaluate everything I do, the places I go and each situation I find myself in, to determine if I am using my hands and feet for Your glory or for vain and selfish pride and personal gain. May my hands do His will and my feet take me where God wants me to go. Continue to teach me how to fix my eyes on You in every moment, and remind me when I am allowing my focus to shift away from Your perfection. I pray that my ears and eyes would focus on things that feed my spirit with Your absolute truth. Thank you for loving me through all of my learning and growing. I am so grateful for all that You have created me to be, and that I can worship You with everything that I have. In Your loving name, Amen.
FOCUS Statement: I can worship God with my entire being.
Questions for Reflection:
Have you ever said something that changed a situation? Or have you wished you had or hadn’t said something after it was too late?
Can you think of an area that may need some adjustment in regards to what you watch or listen to?
How does knowing that God has a purpose for you in every moment and each situation guide your decision making about what you do and where you go?
Day Three: Loving Others Well
Matthew 22:36-40 (NLT) “36 Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?” 37 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”
Yesterday we read from the Gospel of Mark, and today’s core verse comes from Matthew’s account of the same moment in time. Today we’re going to look at a different aspect of the encounter.
Before we begin, let me point out that although love is a simple concept at its core, many times we tend to grossly over complicate it. For example, you may have a tendency to treat certain loved ones badly and therefore you should strive to deny your own desires and prefer them above yourself in order to love them well. You should also be aware of the other extreme, however. There are times in which you may overly sacrifice yourself to a detrimental degree, in order to shower someone with undeserved attention until your personhood becomes a metaphorical martyr, but one that does not reciprocate the extreme loss with a Kingdom return on the investment. So be sure that your relationships are in balance. I would submit to you that a trusted mentor can be helpful here, but as always, the Holy Spirit is the perfect guide to navigate through the treacherous waters of both extremes.
So how can you truly love others well? Verse 39 says that you should love others in the same way that you love yourself. Have you noticed how good you are at giving yourself grace when you make a mistake? Or maybe you are great at dispensing mercy to your loved ones, but not those outside your inner circle. Have you ever set a family standard and then become impatient with family members who don’t meet that standard perfectly, only to realize that you don’t adhere to that standard perfectly yourself? If you can’t think of anything at the moment, maybe your laundry system or the dirty dishes in your kitchen sink will spark a match.
Here’s the bottom line. We expect grace from others, but rarely slow down and pause long enough to extend it to others. Luke 6:36 (NLT) says, “You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.” Remembering what Christ has done for you is the best antidote for this malady.
Another thing we often do is give ourselves the benefit of the doubt. You may excuse your own faults, but expect that others are doing you wrong before even finding out the details. This realization transformed my marriage. My husband and I finally began to learn that most of our arguments and frustrations were built on the basic foundation that we were assuming the other person to always be selfish. We both expected each misunderstanding to actually be a harsh statement by the other person, that was intended to put the other one in their place. Ephesians 4:32 (NLT) says, “Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”
You are simply reciprocating something that you have already received from Christ.
We Give Ourselves (or our loved ones) as Much Time as We Need
Another way you love yourself well is that you probably give yourself as much time as you need. Although I am an A+ procrastinator, my kids would vehemently disagree, but what they don’t know is that I overcompensate for my procrastination of big scary tasks, by doing a lot of little manageable tasks. We all put off things that are hard, difficult or uncomfortable and we give ourselves as much time as we need to tackle those things at some time or another. Hebrews 12:11 (NLT) says, “No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.” That is an amazing scripture with a promise.
One final way in which you may love yourself is that you will spend time, money and resources on yourself. You’re only given so many hours in the day, money in the paycheck and things that you can consume and use. Sometimes we act as if we don’t hold on to the things God has given us, we won’t have what we need (it sounds wrong when we say it out loud, and the fear and lack of faith is shocking so we don’t dare say it, but the bottom line is that our actions speak louder than our words).
If you really believe that God is God and everything you have was given to you by Him, then it stands to reason that He can always give us what we need again. I used to save everything just in case. It took years, but God and my husband finally wore away those sharp, faith-less, fear-based edges to get me to the point where I can finally view money and material things for what they really are. Stuff that God gave me once, and can give me again. Matthew 6:19-21 (NLT) saysm “19 Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.”
Prayer: Father, in the same way that you have extended forgiveness, grace and mercy to me, give me opportunities to show that same kindness to others. Teach me how to give others the benefit of the doubt, as well as time to grow and change. I pray that I would continually sow into others and the Kingdom for your glory. Thank you for the patience that you extend to us when we need time to grow and change. Show me where I need to grow and mature in my relationships.
FOCUS Statement: I can worship God by loving others well because I have received perfect love.
Questions for Reflection:
How can you train yourself to patiently extend mercy to others?
Everyone has faults and makes mistakes, it’s how we learn. How can you use that mentality to realize that we’re all on our own learning path and even though the exact facts of the journey are different for everyone, it is essentially the same for each one of us and choose to forgive each other of their faults and mistakes?
How would you rate your level of patience on a scale of 1-10? What things have shaped or changed your level of patience?
Day Four: Continue to Love Them Well
Romans 13:8-10 (NLT) “8 Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law. 9 For the commandments say, ‘You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.’ These—and other such commandments—are summed up in this one commandment: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 10 Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law.”
Three of the gospels reference the Old Testament where it basically commands us to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind and strength. And then the 2nd greatest commandment, which is love your neighbor as yourself, is also quoted from the Old Testament, but when Jesus came on the scene in the New Testament, His love, grace and mercy changed everything. When he was asked by the religious Pharisee who questioned Him about how to inherit eternal life, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus responded with the parable of the Good Samaritan. You can read it if you need to refresh your memory on this biblical account, but basically your neighbor is anyone that you encounter in life.
So effectively loving God means always extending love to my neighbor. If we don’t love others, we don’t know God. 1 John 4:7-8 (NLT) says, “7 Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. 8 But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” The bible is clear that not only are we not showing love to God when we neglect others, but it says that we don’t even know Him. That means that there is quite literally, no relationship with God. Are you feeling distant from God in a dry season? I submit to you that if you begin to reach out and love others well, you will feel the presence of God fill your soul once again.
Let’s talk about the word knowing for a moment. There’s a big difference between knowing about someone and knowing someone personally. For example, you may know a lot about Jane Austin, but I can guarantee you that you do not know Jane personally. When you serve others, you are loving and serving God. Matthew 25:40 (NOT) “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to [blessed] one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to [blessing] me!’” When you give to others, it’s just as if you are actually, not metaphorically, giving to Him.
That means our love must be genuine. Don’t pretend to love. Really love. Many of the video clips and memes going around right now have a pretense of love, but still they are selfish and have prideful motives at the core. Anyone can make themself look a certain way on the outside for a period of time, but that might not be a representation of what’s on the inside. In fact, it may be quite the opposite. Romans 12: 9-10,13 (NLT) says, “9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. 13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.”
Paul is clear when he commands us to forget wrongs. Don’t get even. If you’re in charge of repaying everyone back for every wrong thing that’s been done to you or mistake that’s been made that has affected you, you are going to be a very busy person all the time, as well as depressed and constantly disappointed. That type of life is a bottomless black hole, or a pit from hell, that will never be fulfilled, satisfied or avenged in a lifetime.
Don’t be mistaken. Your reputation is in God’s hands. How many stories have you heard in which one people group member gets wronged and that person is avenged by another member, only to have someone from the other people group avenge that person and it goes on and on and on. Leviticus 19:18 (NLT) says, “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against a fellow Israelite, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.”
Remember the Golden Rule that you learned in school? The bottom line is that if something would give you joy, then you should be spreading it around to others. Conversely, if it sounds horrible or disdainful to you, make sure you don’t ever do that to anyone else. Have you ever paused to decide which cookie to give to someone else and which one to keep for yourself? Or maybe what to do when there’s only one good piece left? Matthew 7:12 (NLT) says, “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.”
Prayer: My patient and loving Father, help me to love others from the deep well of joy that comes from within. Teach me how to serve them selflessly. Show me how to love them in the same way that You have loved me. Thank you for taking care of the things that I can’t control, especially those times that I feel as if I’ve been wronged or misunderstood. I am so grateful that You are eternally patient with me. Help me to patiently love others as well. In Your mighty name, Jesus. Amen.
FOCUS Statement: I can worship God by forgiving others because I have received undeserved forgiveness.
Questions for Reflection:
Have you ever been the recipient of genuine, unselfish love? Describe what that was like.
How can you continue to check your motives to make sure they line up with God’s plan and purpose?
Have you ever thought that you have been wronged, and then later found out you were mistaken? What happened next?
Day Five: Being About the Father’s Business
Luke 10:25-28 (NLT) “25 One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: ‘Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?’ 26 Jesus replied, ‘What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?’ 27 The man answered, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 28 ‘Right!’ Jesus told him. ‘Do this and you will live!”
Twice this week, we have read Mark 12 and Matthew 22, and today we are going to look at the other Gospel that speaks of this incident. It is found in Luke Chapter 10.
We have talked about what it means to love God with your strength, and we have also talked about how to love your neighbor. Today we are going to dive into what it means to love God with all your heart, soul and mind.
Your heart is intimately tied to your emotions. A key to experiencing a heart at peace is directly correlated to how well you can learn to be completely content at all times. The Hebrew word for heart implies more than just a part of the body. It speaks to the part of the body that not only gives one physical life, but it also directly references the place where you think and figure out the world. It is where you feel emotions and make decisions. Philippians 4:11-13 (NLT) says, “11 Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”
Your soul is the place in your being that longs for communion with your Creator. Some people describe it as your God-shaped hole. I believe, however, your soul goes beyond that. He sent His only Son to die in your place and free you from your sins so you can live with Him in heaven forever. For me personally, one of the ways that my soul seeks out my Creator is through dreams and songs. Paul talks to the Athenian council in Acts 17:22-27 (NLT) and says, “His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him—though he is not far from any one of us.” The key concept here is the seeking. Your soul is the place that seeks to be satisfied and filled.
Your mind is the place where it all starts. The things you allow to permeate your mind, or the things that you ruminate on, will drive your decisions, actions and destination. You can literally live out an entire scenario in your mind that has never happened. The unfortunate fact is that our bodies react and respond as if it is real. That’s why you might get sick, exhausted or confused for no apparent reason at times, and you don’t even realize that you are doing it to yourself. Phillipians 4:8 (NLT) says, “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Literally every single action must first be birthed in our mind and starts as a thought. If you don’t allow God to help you take control of your mind, every decision you make will be suspect. You will be confused and wonder if you are listening to the lies of the enemy, the lies and dysfunction of your upbringing or maybe even those from your environment and current circumstances. Romans 12:1-2 (NLT) says, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
In the final analysis, your emotions drive your choices and decision-making processes, so God must be a part of it. Invite Him in to every vacant, empty space in your being. Take every thought captive, as well as allow Him to transform your mind. Evaluate your emotions to see where you need the help of the Holy Spirit. When you feel empty, lonely or scared, that is a sign that you need Him to fill another crevice or corner of your being. Resolve to make Romans 12:2, as well as Philippians 4:8 your mind-transformation rulebook.
Living life as a lifestyle worshiper will transform your life and set you free to be the daughter that God has called you to be. Worship Him in spirit and in truth, worship Him with all your strength, worship Him by truly loving others well and worship Him with your heart, soul and mind. Don’t wait. Begin the life of a lifestyle worshiper right now in this very moment.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to use my emotions wisely to guide me back to You. Show me how to take captive any thoughts that hold me back from drawing closer to You. Thank you for filling every crevice, crack and hole in my imperfect being. I am so grateful for the gifts, talkents, passions and desires that You have given me. Thank you for transforming me into a new person by changing the way I think.
FOCUS Statement: I can worship God with my heart, soul and mind because He is in control and His Spirit lives in me.
Questions for Reflection:
How can you set yourself up for success in the area of contentment? What tends to work best for you? In what ways or areas would you like to shore up your level of contentment?
Have you ever felt discontented, empty or lonely and it didn’t seem like there was a reason? What should you do in those seasons?
Have you ever looked back and realized that your thinking has changed in a positive way? What do you think brought about the change?