OVERCOMING OBSTACLES TO WORSHIP PT.4.

MAR. 31ST.     

TEXT: Matthew 15:1-11King James Version (KJV)
1.  Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying,
2.  Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.
3.   But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?
4.   For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.
5.   But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;
6.   And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.
7.   Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,
8.   This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
9.  But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
10.  And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand:
11. BNot that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.

Thank God for the ministry and personality of the Holy Spirit. He is your only guarantee for a life of divine intimacy.
Thank God for the assurance of greater glory in your walk with Him.

CONTEMPLATION
“When our worship is more of a performance act than an encounter with divinity, it leaves people wondering about the relevance of a religious community. Furthermore, the lifestyles of worship leaders and other key players that are not compatible with the teachings of the Holy Book, makes the whole thing look like a joke.” P.38 FFPW.
People only see the need to return to worship in a place whenever their expectations are surpassed by what they have encountered. In a dry and thirsty land, the only place with water does not need to cajole people to come. They will have problems finding room for all. When an individual overflows with the fountain of God he/she attracts unusual favours. If we do not allow the Holy Spirit to show us what we must do, something very important will be missing, and all our efforts and sacrifices will become futile. The only reason you look forward with great expectation to meeting with anybody is the importance you attach to that individual. Until you are able to see the awesome glory and blessing that is released upon you in your fellowship with God, worship becomes some form of drudgery. 

PRACTICAL ISSUES
The degree of passion, anticipation and excitement expressed as we look forward to a meeting, is proportional to the degree of our expectations.
The amount spent on publicity does not amount to the number of souls attracted, or the success of the event. The anticipated impart and degree of the manifestation of God from the onset makes a lot of difference.
Those who depend on the Holy Spirit for help never get disappointed.