Worship in the Spirit

By Phil Wood

Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.

                                                                                    John 4:23-24

Over the past many weeks, while we have been restricted from worshiping together, a truth we've always suspected has become more and more obvious: worship is not restricted to a building, and it's not restricted to Sunday mornings.

As I thought about this more deeply, I was drawn to the fourth chapter of John, where Jesus has stopped at an old well in Samaria. He sends his disciples into town for food and waits for the Samaritan woman to arrive. I say he "waits" for the woman because, even though John makes it sound like a chance encounter, I don't believe it really was. Just sayin'.

Anyway, sure enough, at high noon, here comes the woman to draw some water, and Jesus asks for a drink. The woman is taken aback because, in those times, Jews didn't normally ask Samaritans for anything. But she takes the bait.

"You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman", she replies. "How can you ask me for a drink?" And there follows this amazing conversation that not only reveals to her that Jesus is the Messiah, but describes the gift he has come to bring (living water that becomes a spring welling up to eternal life). And, while he's at it, he completely redefines what it means to worship!

First, Jesus removes worship from the confines of place. As it dawns on her that this Jew at the well may be at least a prophet, the woman tests his knowledge. "Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain," she queries, "but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem."

"Woman" Jesus replies, "believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem." Jesus is clearly saying that worship can happen anywhere. In other words, the church "left the building" a long time ago! We just had to be reminded of that by the coronavirus and the necessity of worshiping apart from one another in our homes.

It took this coronavirus paradigm shift to help me see that Jesus was looking directly into the eyes of the Samaritan woman, speaking to her directly as an individual person and saying as the Passion Translation puts it, "Believe me, dear woman, the time has come when you won't worship the Father on a mountain nor in Jerusalem, but in your heart."

And now, something else has become clearer to me, something that has confounded me ever since I first came across it. Jesus goes on to say, "Yet 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. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." That's how it's stated in my older edition of the New International Version (NIV) of the Bible. And I've always wondered what does that mean, exactly?

But now notice the difference between this version and the updated NIV passage posted at the top of this devotional. They've gone and changed the passage! They added the word "the" and capitalized the word "Spirit." So it now says, "...worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth."

Wait, what? The Holy Spirit has something to do with this? And the scholars and theologians who put the NIV together just recently figured this out?

Well, whatever happened, with this updated version and my newfound awareness of the Holy Spirit that has come about during these weeks of Easter leading up to Pentecost, and in the isolation of coronavirus, suddenly it all makes perfect sense. And it all came together in this paragraph from The Reservoir, a Spiritual Formation Devotional published by Renovare.

"Places and forms of worship can be helpful. But ultimately worship – ascribing worth and honor to God in whatever we do, say, or sing – is about the heart. The Holy Spirit, as our teacher wants to reveal to us God's goodness, beauty, truth – and most of all his love. We need only ask. And when God's love and beauty and truth are seen, it is only natural to respond in thankfulness and worship."

So, wherever you are, whatever time of day, whatever day of the week it is, when your heart leaps at beholding God's goodness, beauty, truth or love in a specific way, and you pause to say, "Thank you, Lord," or, "You are amazing, God," you are worshiping in the Spirit and in truth.

You probably knew all this. But it was a revelation to me. Thank you, Lord!

Going Deeper May 10

By Pat Russell

Considering the sermon by Phil Wood on May 10, 2020

Proverbs 8:1-11

Does Wisdom not call meanwhile?
Does Discernment not lift up her voice?

On the hilltop, on the road,

at the crossways, she takes her stand;

beside the gates of the city,

at the approaches to the gates she cries aloud,

O Men! I am calling to you;

my cry goes out to the sons of men.

You ignorant ones? Study discretion;

and you fools, come to your senses!

Listen, I have serious things to tell you,

from my lips come honest words.

My mouth proclaims the truth,

wickedness is hateful to my lips.

All the words I say are right,

nothing twisted in them, nothing false,

all straightforward to him who understands,

honest to those who know what knowledge means.

Accept my discipline rather than silver,

knowledge in preference to pure gold.

For wisdom is more precious than pearls,

and nothing else is worthy of desire.

Ephesians 4:11-16

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

As a follow-up to Pastor Bruce's sermon last Sunday, Phil presented us with several images/metaphors of the unifying work of the Holy Spirit in our church. Which of these images/metaphors most appeals to you? Why?

- A weaving

- A jigsaw puzzle

- A pot of stew

- The placard with "JESUS" on it

- The body of Christ

How are you experiencing this image being played out in your life? What part do you play in these COVID-19 days? For instance, I chose the pot of stew because I like that we are all in a place where we can simmer on the warm burner of God's love – Ha! (I know, a little "out there," but have some fun with this.) I think I am an onion in that stew, not the meat, but the vegetable that can give the stew some extra flavor. When I write "Going Deeper" or a devotional, I have a sense that God is taking the "onion rings" of my life and cutting them up into bite-size pieces for the stew. (Okay, okay, enough said. Give it a try!)

Since it was Mother's Day, Phil pointed out that women play an "intricate" and "important" part in our church. He also pointed out that "wisdom is personified as a woman." If you are a woman reading this, take the sections of Scripture I have bolded above and rate yourself on a scale of 1 to 3, as follows.

1. "I am often like this."

2. "I know I should be like this."

3. "I guess I'd better start thinking about this."

Now do it again according to what others might think about you. (Don't worry, no one is going to ask you for your answers.) When you are finished, spend some time talking to Wisdom himself (Jesus) about your assessment and your desire.

Ladies (and men, if you are reading this, too), the more we are honest with ourselves, the more "we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ." Let's become vital "living stones" in our church community.

Blessing THIS day, P@

If you would like to connect with me about "Going Deeper" or about living in these days, feel free to email me at patannruss@gmail.com

Holy Ground

By Pat Russell

While reading from Celtic Daily Prayer: Book Two, Farther Up and Farther In, I was taken by an Elizabeth Barrett Browning poem:

Earth's crammed with heaven,

And every common bush afire with God;

But only he who sees takes off his shoes,

The rest sit round it and pluck blackberries.

As I meditated on this thought, I, first of all, found the word "crammed" a lovely concept. Everywhere, in everything, overflowing, in all the "corners," from top to bottom, cannot get any more in. That is overwhelming to think of heaven being "with us" that way.

Then, "every common bush afire with God." "Common bush" – it does not have to be something spectacular that is afire; it is something right around me – one of the numerous ponderosa pines around me. Even a single iris blade coming up in my garden is afire with God.

"He who sees takes off his shoes." I knew the reference to Moses in Exodus 3:4-5. Moses said, "I must turn aside and see why the bush is not burned up." Moses allowed his curiosity, his wonder, his observation, his openness to lead him toward the bush.

It was then that things happened, "When the Lord saw that he kturned aside to see, God called to him from out of the bush..." "When the Lord saw..." If Moses had not turned aside to see, the flaming bush would have still been afire. God would have still been present. God waited to see what Moses would do. Moses did turn, and that made all the difference.

Browning knew that we miss seeing the holy all around us. The Lord waits for us to turn and see. He waits. And then, when we turn and see, he speaks. It is then that we come to know that we are on holy ground. Holy ground everywhere because he is there.

Lord, I do so want to turn and see, not only for the blackberries, but in wonder of all that You are in this world. I would have the intention of my heart be filled with curiosity, wonder, observation, openness toward You. I want to be told by You to take off the shoes of my soul and be caught up in Your Presence. In Your name, Jesus, because You told Your disciples to announce to all that 'the kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Amen

Strange Questions

By Brooke Momblow

“My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.” Psalm 62:7-8

I’ve been struggling lately. Beyond the Covid crisis we’re facing. I’m seeing in new ways how important the refining of my faith is. How necessary living that faith is with the help of the Holy Spirit. Struggling to make decisions on a course of action but trying to listen for His voice. Rooted in scripture, listening for a different way than the same failed ways I’ve acted on in the past. This struggle isn’t welcome, but I see how it keeps me returning to God.

Today I was reading about blind Bartimaeus and his fevered insistence that he meet with Jesus. Some rebuked him, but he just yelled more. He seems certain that Jesus is able to heal him and convinced that Jesus is merciful and compassionate. Jesus calls him and then asks him: “What do you want me to do for you?” It sounds like a strange question considering the answer appears obvious.

That got me thinking about many other times in the Bible where people come seeking Jesus for help, and he asks or says odd things like “Do you want to get well?” There was that paralyzed man who had his friends bring him to Jesus to be healed and instead Jesus said, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” Honestly, do you think the paralyzed man’s heart may have sunk a little in that moment? Or do you think he was excited to receive what Jesus had given him because the paralyzed man could see the bigger spiritual picture? (Jesus did heal him physically.)

A father with a demon-possessed son desperately responds to Jesus with: “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” He wants to believe; he knows he has doubts and Jesus’ interaction with him prompts an honest appraisal of self and encourages spiritual growth. Yes, that seems to me like the point of Jesus’ strange questions and statements – to encourage spiritual growth. Spiritual growth in faith, love, passion, action, deeper insight into scripture, and a desire for God’s will above all else.

Do you think it’s possible that Jesus was hoping by asking Bartimaeus “What do you want me to do for you?” that Bartimaeus might have a revelation like the one Peter had when he declared Jesus the Son of God? Something only the Holy Spirit could have revealed to Peter. Maybe Jesus was wondering because of Bartimaeus’ faith if he would also have spiritual eyes to ask for something more than just his physical needs? It made ME wonder.

As I continue to struggle, I am reminded God is working for good in it to mold me, and I find myself asking strange questions: “What IS it I want Jesus to do for me?” And I find myself feeling a little like I’ve had a revelation from the Spirit. Revelation to ask not just for my needs, but “Jesus, what would you like to do for me? How do you want me to grow? What would you like to give me in the spiritual realm for the benefit of your kingdom?”

Have you had strange questions rolling around in your mind and spirit? Just maybe Jesus is hoping we all, believing Jesus is who he says he is, will not just have faith to ask for what we need, but will have the spiritual sight to realize the astonishing help and gifts available to us through his Spirit and to ask what Jesus would like to give us? Or maybe he’s asking us to exercise our faith to ask for help to see and to receive?

“I want to live so that I am truly submitted to the Spirit’s leading on a daily basis. Christ said it’s better for us that the Spirit came, and I want to live like that is true. I don’t want to keep crawling when I have the ability to fly.” – Francis Chan

“I do not consecrate myself to be a missionary or a preacher. I consecrate myself to God to do His will where I am, be it school, office, kitchen, or wherever He may in His wisdom send me.” – Watchman Nee

Scripture references: Mark 10:46-52, Matthew 9:2-8, Mark 9:21-24, John 5:6, John 16:7

Written On My Heart

By Marilyn Travis

Today I am delving into my past. I wrote the following passage as a four-minute writing exercise during a workshop in April 2012:

My mother is a gifted musician. Not many people know that. It’s almost like my secret because virtually no one in my current daily life was around to experience it then. Mom is old now and just a physical shadow of herself.

When I was in elementary school every day I’d walk in the door after school, and the house would be filled with music – clarinet, piano, organ – I’d try to sneak in so the music wouldn’t stop, because, of course, Mom would quit playing to greet me; then we’d share a snack; then we’d get busy; and the music would be hidden until the next afternoon.

Mom’s fingers are bent now, and though her brain still knows the notes, her fingers don’t respond. She doesn’t despair, though. She says God put the music in her head and in her heart, and that is where she keeps it. I still remember. It’s in my head and heart too.

Music was just a part of my day when I was a child. Though I am not a talented musician like my mother, she insisted I learn how to read music, and I am grateful. Band, handbells, and choirs have always been part of my life, a legacy I inherited from her.

As God put music in Mom’s head and in her heart, He will help us do the same with scripture if we let him. Psalm 119:11, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”

I can’t think of Mom without associating the thought to music. She was a musician, but she also loved the Lord. She often expressed her faith through music. Music was not the only thing bound to her heart and mind; scripture was as well. Jeremiah 31:33, “…I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.”

I pray that God’s word will be such an integral part of my life that His love just flows from me like the music and faith He gave my mother.

Pray Psalm 139:23-24 with me:

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.” Amen

I hope you enjoy this beautiful rendition of “Search Me O God” sung by The Cathedrals. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Kuo3lg-LBU

What Is Life?

By Phil Wood

Now for something completely different: a psalm inspired by the clematis that grew in our garden last summer. I highly recommend psalm writing. It teaches contemplation and engages you with your creator. 

 

What is life, Lord?

From nothingness to far flung, fiery stars

you made the universe: elements, energy,

atoms, solar systems, and something

different than all these things. Life.

From cold spring ground, through slender,

tender shoots, life climbs upward

grasping every vantage point

exploding into blazing purple stars.

And I am alive to see it,

enchanted by its hues.

Out of nothing I came into being,

from microscopic big bang to full-blown living soul,

blossoming into something beautiful

yet to be revealed.

And I am conscious of this happening,

dumbfounded by its mystery.

Teach me, Lord, to grasp the vantage points

and secure each stage of growth,

that I may know life to its fullest

and be all you created me to be.

Unfathomable is your universe, O God.

It stretches beyond my ability to see

even through the eye of Hubble.

The light from Icarus

the farthest star yet known

traveled nine billion years
to reach my eye

and reveal your boundless love.

And I am alive to see it,

astounded by its message.

Going Deeper May 3

By Pat Russell

Considering the sermon by Bruce Spear on May 3, 2020

Going Deeper is based upon the sermon from the day before. It is a spiritual tool for you to do more study or meditation using the sermon and scripture from our service. It helps to have seen the sermon because, in Going Deeper, I refer to what Pastor Bruce has given us as a jumping-off point for extra contemplation. So with that explanation, let's begin.

Scripture for the day: 1 Peter 2:4-10

As you come to him, the living Stone – rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him – you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says:

     "See, I lay a stone in Zion,

         a chosen and precious cornerstone,

     and the one who trusts in him

         will never be put to shame."

Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,

     "The stone the builders rejected

         has become the cornerstone,"

and,

     "A stone that causes people to stumble

         and a rock that makes them fall."

They stumble because they disobey the message – which is also what they were destined for.

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy but now you have received mercy.

Pastor Bruce recalled that we have a "living hope" from the previous 1 Peter passage. This Sunday we have explored "living Stone" and "living stones." Our living identity, as was true of the new Jewish identity, is not based on the land (where we live) or the Torah (doing everything correctly) or Temple (place of meeting God) but in Jesus, the "living Stone."

Take a few moments to imagine what it must have been like for Peter, who wrote this book, to take Jesus' identity into his own being, versus his identity being that he lived in the Promised Land, how he obeyed the Torah, or meeting God only in the Temple. It must have been quite a paradigm shift for him. It happened over time; it happened as he spent time with Jesus; it happened through his failure. He came to him, the Living Stone. How might you be like Peter?

"The Church has left the building." Pastor Bruce pointed out that we are a "spiritual house." It is a house that is created and sustained by the Holy Spirit. This is no more evident than it is today as we cannot meet in our church. He used the words "in," "from," and "by" the work of the Holy Spirit in us. Use your knowledge of these three prepositions to meditate upon how you "are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood."

Example: "I am IN the Holy Spirit. I dwell within his presence like I dwell in my home. Holy Spirit is IN me. He is not just something I believe in." You take it from here with your own thoughts on these three words. It might be a good exercise to write down your thoughts.

Lastly, we are part of a "living structure" with Jesus Christ as our "chosen and precious cornerstone." Take a piece of paper and draw a large cornerstone with Jesus' name on it. Then, add other stones to your drawing as you construct a "living structure." Make each stone big enough so you can write the names of people in our church on those stones, one person – one stone. As you write their names, pray for each one. Don't forget your name! Your prayer might contain the two challenges that Paul gives us as living stones: to declare praises for Jesus and to be "priests" who live for Jesus.

Blessing THIS day,

P@

If you would like to connect with me about "Going Deeper" or about living in these days, feel free to email me at patannruss@gmail.com.