In Romans 12 v 1, Paul instructs his readers to present their bodies as “living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship”. Much more than something reserved for Sunday mornings, worship of God should mark the whole of the Christian life.

This 7-day reading plan was designed to help you better understand what Scripture teaches about the nature of true worship, leading to a heart overflowing with love and affection for God.

Reading plan topics, descriptions and scriptures are taken from the “NIV Bible found on the Olive Tree Bible Application for IOS”, while the content is the property of Elevating Truth Online Ministry.

06/06/2021

Day 1
Ps 100 v 1- 5

“Know that the Lord Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.” (vers 3)

We were made to worship and serve God, through a personal and intimate relationship with our Creator, who has formed us in His image and likeness.
Doesn’t this make more sense than to believe that we are the product of a random process, lacking any design whatsoever and without purpose?

We are given the assurance that God is who He says He is and that we are His people.
Therefore we can trust Him with everything. We are invited into His courts, through the favour that Christ has granted us, by restoring fellowship with the Father.

This is what God longs for – fellowship with us.
He is no longer pleased with sacrifices and burnt offerings and instead, desires a one-on-one with each of us for He knows us by our name. He formed us into the wonderful and unique beings we are today, even with all our shortcomings. God wants children who love Him just like they would love and trust a parent with all their needs, whether emotional, physical or financial.

Every thought, every desire, all our heart ache is known to Him. He is not unfamiliar with our suffering and pain and invites us to the cross, where we can come with our burdens and hurt and lay it down before Him, “For HIS yoke is easy and HIS burden is light” (Mat 11 v 30) [paraphrase]

This is where true worship begins.
Let us enter into His holy presence with joy, thanksgiving and songs of praise all the days of our lives, as a living testimony of God’s goodness and faithfulness.

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB, Life Application Study Bible, unless stated otherwise. Copyright by “The Lockman Foundation“

07/06/2021

Day 2
John 4 v 1 - 26

“But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.” (vers 14)

Nothing material, not even water that sustains our earthly bodies, necessary for survival, can quench our spiritual thirst for the living God.

Spiritual worship is the essence, the very substance of our relationship with God and should be practiced daily. It should become part of our lifestyle and not only be confined to our inner room, fellowship on a Sunday or prayer meeting on Wednesday.

I believe this is the reason we thirst for God and yet struggle to satisfy our souls’ longing for Him, because we have been raised in a culture in the western world where our spiritual and secular lives are separated. We are taught that the preacher has studied theology, understands the meaning of the bible and therefore only he is able to teach, while we should pay attention.

The same applies to mid-week fellowship, where a cell group leader, often an elder of the church, appointed by those attending the meeting, takes charge and the rest remain passive listeners. This was not the model of the early church and we will never mature in our faith, through practicing our belief this way, which is the main reason many believers remain satisfied with milk.

There is no urge to know God more intimately. It becomes a routine, following certain rituals and then carrying on with daily life until the next time we feel like attending fellowship. Our spirit is not drawn to God, because we are with one foot in the world and one foot in the faith, at best.

Worshipping in “Spirit and Truth” entails so much more than simply showing up at a prayer meeting, allowing a single person to run the meeting and then, after enjoying a cup of tea, head back home to continue with everyday life.

The only way to worship in Spirit and Truth, is through a Spirit-filled life, grounded in the Word, meeting with the Lord on a daily basis, while living our lives according to His principles. Our behaviour towards others should reflect His love, compassion, patience and kindness. We should live holy and sanctified lives, allowing Christ to become more so that we can become less.

It is a privilege to serve a Living God who has given us eternal life, through His suffering, death and resurrection. My prayer is that you will allow God to penetrate the deepest, darkest parts of your soul, cleansing you from all unrighteousness, so that you, as men and woman, can stand blameless before Him in a Father-son relationship and daughters of the King respectively.

Do not simply be content with sustaining the flesh, for we cannot live by bread alone and will always thirst for more water as the flesh is never satisfied. First and foremost, we should drink from the living water that God freely gives, which will replenish and satisfy the soul, while restoring our spirit.

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB, Life Application Study Bible, unless stated otherwise. Copyright by “The Lockman Foundation“

09/06/2021

Day 3
Romans 12 v 1 - 2

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” (vers 2)

Does your behaviour as a Christian reflect that which is good and acceptable within the perfect will of our Heavenly Father?

As children of God we should serve Him as a living sacrifice. Worshipping Him through our actions, should be our focus – day and night – regardless of where we are and who we are dealing with. Our bodies should be a temple where the Living God dwells in the form of His Spirit.

This is only possible through the renewing of our mind. Our whole being has to change so that we are transformed to such an extent that our thoughts and desires align with God’s will, instead of conforming to this world and the lusts of the flesh.

It is impossible to please God in any other way. He longs for fellowship with us, but also sets a spiritual standard for us to follow and to worship Him in Spirit and Truth is to be sober in the spirit, whilst seeking His truth wholeheartedly. We cannot burn strange fires, thinking that God will be satisfied with our luke warm attempts.

Doctrine is important and knowledge of the Word is crucial, in order not to be mislead, but we should be careful of spiritual pride. God expects a humble heart and a meek spirit from His flock. A proud and hardened heart, in my opinion, is the origin of religion and only causes us to drift further and further away from a personal relationship with the Lord.

If there is any doubt in your mind about the state of your relationship with God, then it is time to approach the Almighty with reverence, in complete humility, acknowledging your shortcomings. Worshipping God requires an entire mind shift from being content with a verse a day and a minute long prayer, to a lifestyle, consisting of a complete dependence on Him.

He should be your first thought when you wake up and your last conversation must be with Him, before you go to rest at night. You can no longer be satisfied with an instant prayer and a quick scripture here and there will no longer cut it. Like the men of ancient times, your whole life must revolve around communion with God and nothing less will suffice.

If I sound like a Jesus freak, then you are right and I am not ashamed. I long to worship the God of Heaven and earth, my Creator and Saviour. Join me as the body of Christ and seek the Lord every waking moment, for this is why we were created – to know God, to make Him known and enjoy His goodness forever!

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB, Life Application Study Bible, unless stated otherwise. Copyright by “The Lockman Foundation“

10/06/2021

Day 4
Ps 51 v 14 - 17 (including Ps 32)

The book of Psalms addresses all the feelings one could experience, challenges we might face and also offers guidance for serving the Lord.

“How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.” (PS 32 v 1)

Do you feel guilty about your sin? I am not talking about a single sinful act in a moment of weakness for which you repent and seek forgiveness, but a lifestyle that is riddled with sin, yet you choose to ignore your conscience, or should I rather say, the conviction of the Holy Spirit…

The Lord is clear that anything not done in faith is sin. How often do we justify certain things and simply say the Lord knows our heart? Make no mistake. He does know your heart and this should concern us, for the heart is desperately wicked and deceitful and it is here where all sinful desires originate from.

Reaching the point where you acknowledge your sinful nature before the Lord and asking for forgiveness is only the start of your sanctification process. Realizing that we have rebelled against God, enables us to confess our sins. Then, and only then, can God rid us of the burden we carry.

“Create in me a clean heart O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within in me.” (Ps 51 v 10)

How quick are we to pray that the Lord should forgive us our transgressions, as we forgive those who trespass against us, yet our minds are not renewed (Rom 12 v 1 – 2), for our battle is not against flesh and blood, as it may seem, but against the powers and principalities that govern this fallen world.

As a result we are exposed to the filth of this world and can so easily be dragged down if we do not “take capture our every thought” (2 Cor 10 v 4 – 5), that is not of God. Only the Lord is able to cleanse our hearts and minds, renew our spirit and heal our souls.

If you are going to bend the knee, kneel before the One and Only, living God, who is able to save us from our fallen nature. Only through the working of His Spirit, are we able to overcome sin and by His grace we can live a life dedicated to the One who gave His life to set us free from the bondage of sin, our Messiah, Jesus.

Taken from the Psalms reading plan.

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB, Life Application Study Bible, unless stated otherwise. Copyright by “The Lockman Foundation“

11/06/2021

Day 5
Ps 107 v 8 - 43

“Let them give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness, And for His wonders to the sons of men! For He has satisfied the thirsty soul, And the hungry soul He has filled with what is good.” (vers 8-9)

While fools continue in their rebellious ways, we are called to give thanks to the Lord.
There is, however, hope for those who have rebelled against God. They too, are able to call out to the Lord and He will rescue them, should they turn away from their iniquities and turn to Him with thanksgiving.

Regardless of where man finds himself, we are called to worship.
Take note though, that God is not just satisfied with any kind of worship and lays down the ground rules.
We cannot elevate self and continue on our path of destruction and think that God will be content.

Also, do not be deceived in thinking that we can practice idol worship, calling lifeless statues “god”. The same applies to man, who was made to worship, not be worshipped. To worship God in Spirit and Truth implies just that. We cannot mix that which is of this world with that which is holy.

Our minds should be set on God, our hearts centered around Christ, lead by the Holy Spirit.
The human mind is easily confused and distracted and we should guard our thoughts against the enemy, who is constantly at work seeking to devour us.

Our soul will continue to thirst for God as long as we are caught up in the entertainment that is on offer today instead of true worship, which will always call us into a deeper relationship with the Lord and also involves repentance of our sinfulness.

“Praise and worship” as it is labeled today only has substance as long as it is based on the word of God.
Do not be fooled into thinking that the Lord “knows our heart and the intentions thereof” and that He will understand if we don’t always get it right. The very fact that the Lord knows the intentions of the heart, should scare us, for the “heart is desperately wicked and deceitful above all things.” [paraphrase]

Be glad and rejoice in the God of our salvation. Seek Him with a humble heart and a meek spirit. He will purify you from all things that are unholy. Only God can forgive our iniquities, of which there are many. Seek the Living God today as long as He can be found, for a time of famine is coming where people will desperately long to find Him in the wilderness…

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB, Life Application Study Bible, unless stated otherwise. Copyright by “The Lockman Foundation“

12/06/2021

Day 6
1 Chronicles 16 v 23 - 31

“”For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; He also is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are idols, But the Lord made the heavens.” (vers 25-26)

Who would you rather worship?
An idol, made out of wood, stone or clay, or a Living Being, someone who is all-knowing and all-present, who created the universe and man in His image?

We are called to “sing to the Lord” and “proclaim good tidings of His salvation” and we should also “tell of His glory among the nations“. He should be feared (revered), all the days of our lives, for His is the power, honour and glory.

Our strength and joy is found in Him and nothing else can satisfy our soul, although mankind have sought alternatives during the course of history, seeking and not finding the source of life, for they were looking everywhere else, jumping from one religion to the next, never coming to the knowledge of the truth.

Surely it makes more sense to bow down in worship to this loving being, who is a personal God, opposed to bending the knee to a lifeless statue or even worse, a creature belonging to the creation of the Creator. All these idols are hand made, invented by man, for they have to replace the heart of worship with something else in a desperate attempt to satisfy the longing for serving their creator, all be it, completely misdirected.

What is the reason for this?

I believe it’s simple. Man is fallen and therefore sinful. Full of pride, self-centered and continues to cling to the lie of Satan. For this reason they look for various ways to exalt themselves, above Him who is called God and as a result they will not have to give account for their actions, or so they think. This causes one to drift further and further away from the One who has created us to worship Him in Spirit and Truth.

What is the remedy then?

Nothing can cleanse us from our transgressions, but the blood of the lamb, our Messiah, Yeshua. As long as we deny this truth, we will continue to wander around in the wilderness, seeking and not finding, thirsting and not able to quench our thirst, hungry for the truth, ending up empty handed.

Many indulge in material things, trying to still their hunger and quench their thirst, but this too is in vain. Only Jesus can fill the void and satisfy the longing to worship our Creator and serve the God who gave up part of Himself to identify with mankind, enduring tremendous persecution, rejection and suffering at the hand of those who he created.

My prayer today is that the Lord will open your spiritual eyes and ears in order that you will hear the truth, for “faith comes from hearing [what is told], and what is heard comes by the [preaching of the] message concerning Christ.” (Rom 10 v 17) [AMP].

We give thanks to the Lord, Jesus Christ, who deserves to be praised and revered. We stand in awe in the presence of Him, who created us and saved us from eternal separation from God, transforming us into new beings through the work of the Holy Spirit.

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB, Life Application Study Bible, unless stated otherwise. Copyright by “The Lockman Foundation“

13/06/2021

Day 7
Revelation 4 v 1 - 11

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, Who WAS AND WHO IS AND WHO IS TO COME.” (vers 8)

What a wonderful notion, knowing that our Lord and God, who is also our Messiah, will be worshipped forever and ever, by mankind, from every nation and tribe, people and tongue as well as the angels, singing, “Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honour and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. AMEN!” (Rev 7 v 12).

During this time, when we are united with our Saviour, we will no longer hunger, nor thirst, for the Lord will guide us to springs of the water of life and the God of heaven and earth will wipe every tear from our eyes (Rev 7 v 16-17).

This alone should cause us to look forward to that day. There are many other reasons why we should long for seeing our Lord, face to face, but the idea that God Himself, will comfort us, should be reason alone.

“Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honour and power; for You created ALL things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.” (vers 11)

We were created for God’s glory and for His pleasure. Because He is a loving and personal God, He made us to fellowship with Him. Not that He is dependent on us, to fulfill His needs, but gave us life to enjoy His presence and we are dependent on Him to satisfy our need to worship.

A life of worship is a life dedicated to this God, who spoke everything into existence.
Not only acknowledging that He created the universe, but submitting to His will, serving Him in humility and above all, loving Him wholeheartedly.

Today is the day for us to kneel before the throne of the living God, committing our lives to Him. The goal should not (only) be to stop doing the things of the flesh, as this will occur naturally, once we come to faith. We are called to die to self, take up our cross and follow Him. This is the only way we can truly worship in Spirit and Truth, for Jesus is the way, the TRUTH and the life and no one come to the Father, but through Him.

Believing in His death and resurrection and accepting His grace for forgiveness of our sins is only the beginning of our walk in faith. Our sanctification is a life long process, where we are moulded over time, into the vessels of worship that are acceptable to God.

I trust this week has been a huge blessing for you. May the Lord speak to your heart through His Spirit. Allow Him to penetrate the deepest parts of your soul, removing the hurt, anger, pain and hate to bring healing and newness of life, which is grounded in the truth.

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB, Life Application Study Bible, unless stated otherwise. Copyright by “The Lockman Foundation“

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