Daily Scripture Threshing for Thursday, July 8, 2021
Today’s Text: John 4:19–26
Key Verses: John 4:23–24 (ESV): “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”
Today is world SCUD Day. SCUD stands for Savor the Comic, Unplug the Drama. It's a day that encourages people whose lives might have been full of too much drama to step back, relax, and enjoy the funnier side of life. What does this hold for you and I? Of all the dramas that the world has had to push on our faces, no single one is more grievous than religion. It is so unfortunate how most religious people; including Christians have slipped from genuine worship into motions of worship, and have made a drama of spirituality. The real issue is not whether we worship or where; but what, whom and how we worship. The intention of Christ in today's text is to reveal that the essence of true worship is a deep connection of the human heart to a genuine perception of God; followed by genuine reference that is truthfully applied to daily life. Unfortunately, like the woman at the well, we all seem to have reduced worship to the idea of externals. She was touched by Jesus appearance, and moved by religious or denominational claims. We too are so prone to identify worship with how nice the buildings are, how large the crowd is, how eloquent the preacher is, and how good the music.
Religiosity that does not go deeper than the skin never moves God, changes people, or touches the devil. I once read a myth that claims the Devil was once walking along a pathway with his cohorts. And they saw a man ahead of them pick up something shiny. "What did he find?" asked one of the devil’s cohort. "A piece of shining truth," the Devil replied. "Doesn't it bother you that he found that piece of the truth?" asked another devil’s cohort. "No," said the Devil, "I will see to it that he makes a religion out of it." O brothers and sisters, let us remember the words of our Savior. It's not a bad idea to do diligence to the externals. We can have cookies and coffees, and relax with fullness of joy in God's presence; but these are not the essence of worship. The heart of worship should never get hindered by our arts and acts. Don't let the enemy make a religious fellow out of you while spirituality and godliness are lost in SCUD. The connection of your heart with God and His truth is the heart of true worship.
Quote for the Day: “Religiosity that does not go deeper than the skin never moves God, changes people, or touches the devil.” (Simon Olatunji)
Prayer: Dear Lord, please forgive us for believing lies told to us by the devil about worshipping you. Help us Lord to forget ourselves, and press to always pursue you and worship you in spirit and in truth, in Jesus' name. Amen.
With all my love and prayers,
Rev Simon Wale Olatunji, Ph.D.
The Darling Bishop (DaBishop)
[Daily Scripture Threshing is a devotional guide written for free distribution and edification of churches, families, homes, and individuals. If you are blessed by this, you can be a part of it by giving a one-time or recurring donation. To give through Zelle and CashApp, please use or call +1 (407) 360-8280. For inquiries, free spiritual counseling, prayer, or deliverance, please call +1 (469) 332-3443. For instant messaging and WhatsApp, use +1 (817) 822-8441.
Send | Share | Subscribe | Support
Comments