Authentic

On July 9-13, I had the privilege of being a camp counselor for First Baptist of Clarksville middle school camp.  Let me tell you it was one of the best camps I personally have been to.  Freddy Valcarcel, Grant Welch, Josh Phillips, and Jeff Tilden all gave a strong message when they spoke.  They definitely got through to the middle school students.   The message was over what authentic worship was and the characteristics of authentic worship.

Now one of the main questions is what really is authentic worship?  Some may say authentic worship is when your singing songs at church.  However, this is not necessarily true!  If you are only mouthing the words and not really understanding what your singing then you are not really worshiping God.  This also can apply when your reading your Bible or praying.  When we read our Bible or pray it is important that we maintain our focus duing that time.

"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."
                                                                                               John 4:23 (NIV)

We can worship God in spirit and truth.  Some of the ways we can worship Him in spirit is we can worship Him from our hearts, with our soul, with our mind, and with our strength.  When worshiping God we must keep our minds focused and stay clear of any distractions that may try to enter our minds.  Our worship to God must be done in a right manner that brings glory and honor to Him.

We also need to worship God in truth.  We need to worship all of who God is.  Its easy for us to worship God's love, however we don't worship his wrath. In Amos 5:22-25, God rejected the Israelites worship, because they ignored God's characteristics of righteousness and justice.  We need to worship all of God's attributes.  Also, we picture God how we want to, and that's not worshiping God!

In Isaiah 6:1-7, Isaiah saw God and all His glory.  Isaiah realized who he was when he was face to face with God.  God wants the real us not a person that looks like a Christan.  We need to truly worship God! Your intimacy with God is the greatest gift you can give to others.

Never lose your love for God, because God will never stop loving you.  In Mark 12:28, one of the teachers of the law came up to Jesus and asked him what the greatest commandment is.  Mark 12:30 states, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength."  Jesus tells us what his greatest commandment is!

God gives us his truth.  Let God's word guide you and through that worship Him!