I want some bitter kola

Luke 11:11-13 (NKJV)

11 If a son asks for bread[a] from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

Last weekend, I had a stomach bug and took some medication, my hubby also got some bitter kola which is medicinal (has antibiotic priorities). My 5 year old son came into the room and said to my hubby “Dad, please can I have some of that?” My hubby and I looked at each other and laughed. He kept on insisting that he wanted some bitter kola.

We had to explain to him that it was bitter and he wouldn’t like the taste.

Garcinia-Bitter-Kola Photo credit: http://supplementpolice.com

Lesson

Sometimes we ask God for things we think are good for us, but in His wisdom He refuses to give us not because He doesn’t love us but He knows what is best for us, depending on our level of maturity. An adult can better handle the taste of bitter kola than a child would.

Prayer

Father please don’t give me what I want, but give me what You know is best for me. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Worship in Spirit and Truth

John 4:23-24 (NKJV)
23 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. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Image courtesy of Daniel Fusco

Worship was first mentioned in the Bible when Abraham was to go sacrifice Isaac, it signified his submission to the will of God, not minding the price he had to pay. It is total surrender to God!

Gen 22:5 (NKJV)
And Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you.

Worship is a lifestyle of total submission to the will of God in our every day life, it involves our spirit, soul and body.

Rom 12:1 (NLT)
And so, dear brothers and sisters,[a] I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.

Worship in spirit means engaging our heart and passions, in truth means worshiping God with an understanding of who He is. The greater understanding or revelation of who God is would inspire true worship in us. The Holy Spirit is the one who reveals Christ to us, and also inspires true worship. We can't do without Him, just as Jesus said: "..for without me you can do nothing". John 15:5b (NKJV)

The Father is seeking...
My prayer is that we would become those who the Father is seeking - those who worship in spirit and truth

Prayer
Father, grant me the grace to worship you in spirit and truth. Reveal Christ to me and let my whole being worship you truly as you so desire. In Jesus Name. Amen.