21Jesus declared, "Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23Yet 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. 24God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." (John 4:21-24)
Worship is described as a response to who God is. So when you understand in your heart who God is, how much he loves you, and what his plan is for the future, your response to that becomes your worship. Worship is personal, so you can certainly do it alone; you don't have to wait until Sunday morning rolls around to worship God. But worshiping with other people is important too, because it is an encouragement to others. It binds you together with other believers as sisters and brothers in God's family.
Jesus spent private time in prayer and conversation with his father, but his ministry was one of bringing people together in community.
Both elements are important. Just as you love to have a private conversation with a dear friend or loved one, so should be your private time with God. But also, isn't it great to have a party, to celebrate something within your community of friends and loved ones. Worshiping God in community should be a celebration. It should be a gathering of people who come together to celebrate God's love and goodness; to thank God for all he has given us. It should be a gathering of people who share their love for God. Gather together this week not because you are supposed to, but because you want to share your love for God with others.
Peace and love,
Sue
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
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