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NASB | John 4:23 "But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | John 4:23 "But a time is coming and is already here when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit [from the heart, the inner self] and in truth; for the Father seeks such people to be His worshipers. |
Bible Question: Why is it hard for people to worship at church, but it is easy at church camp? |
Bible Answer: This is, of course, a very general kind of question, Kelly Blue, and one that can be answered only in a general, broad-spectrum manner. I do sense, however, that the drift of the question may be that for some persons the environment, e.g., the natural surroundings of a church camp as opposed to the more formal (and man-made) surroundings of a church building, may be more conducive to worship. It brings to mind the awe that my wife and I experienced during our visit some years ago to Yosemite. We felt something of what the psalmist must have felt when he exulted that the heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament shows His handiwork. Or that we better were able to understand Paul's argument in Romans 1:20: "For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse." Even so, though I cannot deny that "communion with nature" is a refreshing experience and a vivid reminder of the awesome might of our Creator, we exult in, but do not worship, the creation but worship the Creator in spirit and in truth. Worship need not, indeed should not, be fueled by environment but by thankful and contrite hearts attuned in praise and worship of the loving, merciful and holy God. --Hank |