“Jesus was born of a virgin, suffered under Pontius Pilate, died on the cross and rose from the grave to make worshipers out of rebels!…I am of the opinion that we should not be concerned about working for God until we have learned the meaning and delight of worshiping Him…God is trying to call us back to that for which He created us—to worship Him and enjoy Him forever!…I can safely say, on the authority of all that is revealed in the Word of God, that any man or woman on this earth who is bored and turned off by worship is not ready for heaven.”(AW Tozer, Whatever Happened to Worship?, [Camp Hill, Pennsylvania: Wing Spread Publishers, 1985] p.11-13)
Tozer’s writings continue to be an inspiration, encouragement, and soul- bending experiencing. With each author I read, Tozer remains a favorite!! The author’s words above reflect a true desire to see change within evangelical churches to a clear biblical pattern of personal and public worship. Real worship is a spirit and truth endeavor. We cannot substitute anything beyond what is set before us in Scripture. Yet we are finding that the church at large has gravitated to some form of worship that has in fact done exactly that. Have you ever tried a recipe you know has a substitute ingredient? Have you tasted a favorite recipe of yours only to find out it just isn’t right? Beloved, if you have tasted true worship in your life you will surely spot a substitute! Beloved, if you haven’t tasted or do not know what true worship is or looks like, then you can’t distinguish between a counterfeit and the real stuff. Many of our churches have replaced the real thing for some form of worship but it falls short because it doesn’t taste like the real thing! Beloved, have you ever asked yourself if you worship God genuinely? Sounds like a stupid question? Well, maybe, but this is in fact necessary. The woman at the well needed to ask herself the same question! Indeed, she was not worshipping God correctly: she had the wrong facts and the spiritual dimension was deficient. Nonetheless, worship begins internally and moves externally manifesting itself through deeds, obedience, words, gestures, mannerisms, our expressions, and therefore, all forms of expressions will reveal the true condition of the heart. No one is capable of worshiping externally without the internal satiated heart of worship. Worship: “it’s all about you Lord, I’m sorry for what I’ve made it,” so says the modern chorus! Are you ready for heaven? Then worship like it!! Are you ready to work for God, then worship first!
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