Return to Worship
John 4:23 (NKJV)
But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.
When Jesus told the Ephesian church to return, He was calling them back to the practices that kept their love alive. The first of those is worship. Worship is not just singing songs — it is intimacy with God. It’s our way of saying, “You are my first love.” When we worship with all our heart, something shifts. Our affection for Jesus is rekindled, our focus is realigned, and our souls are refreshed.
Think about someone who has just given their life to Christ. Their worship is uninhibited, passionate, and full of joy. They don’t care who’s watching or what people think. Why? Because their heart is overflowing with gratitude. But over time, if we’re not careful, that passion can fade. Hands that once stretched high can stay folded, hearts that once burned with joy can grow cold. That’s why Jesus calls us to return to worship — not just the act, but the heart behind it.
Worship is not about the song we sing, but the posture we take before God. It’s about drawing near, declaring His greatness, and allowing His presence to wash over us. Just like intimacy keeps a marriage alive, intimacy with God through worship keeps our first love burning. When we make worship a priority, we open ourselves to encounter God afresh, and that encounter rekindles our love for Him.
Don’t let worship become routine. Let it be the place where love is renewed. Lift your hands, lift your voice, lift your heart. As you draw near, you’ll find your first love is waiting.
Prayer:
Father, thank You for the gift of worship. Forgive me for the times I’ve gone through the motions without my heart being fully engaged. Stir up passion in me again. Let my worship be filled with love, gratitude, and intimacy with You. You are my first love, and I honor You with all that I am. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.
When Jesus told the Ephesian church to return, He was calling them back to the practices that kept their love alive. The first of those is worship. Worship is not just singing songs — it is intimacy with God. It’s our way of saying, “You are my first love.” When we worship with all our heart, something shifts. Our affection for Jesus is rekindled, our focus is realigned, and our souls are refreshed.
Think about someone who has just given their life to Christ. Their worship is uninhibited, passionate, and full of joy. They don’t care who’s watching or what people think. Why? Because their heart is overflowing with gratitude. But over time, if we’re not careful, that passion can fade. Hands that once stretched high can stay folded, hearts that once burned with joy can grow cold. That’s why Jesus calls us to return to worship — not just the act, but the heart behind it.
Worship is not about the song we sing, but the posture we take before God. It’s about drawing near, declaring His greatness, and allowing His presence to wash over us. Just like intimacy keeps a marriage alive, intimacy with God through worship keeps our first love burning. When we make worship a priority, we open ourselves to encounter God afresh, and that encounter rekindles our love for Him.
Don’t let worship become routine. Let it be the place where love is renewed. Lift your hands, lift your voice, lift your heart. As you draw near, you’ll find your first love is waiting.
Prayer:
Father, thank You for the gift of worship. Forgive me for the times I’ve gone through the motions without my heart being fully engaged. Stir up passion in me again. Let my worship be filled with love, gratitude, and intimacy with You. You are my first love, and I honor You with all that I am. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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