“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship.” Romans 12:1

How we respond to corporate worship is a reflection of our lifestyle. If we live for ourselves we will judge worship based on our preferences. Did worship minister to me? We will be bothered by others and make unkind comparisons. If, on the other hand, we have a lifestyle of worship, we will respond favorably to almost any worship event. We will rejoice in celebrating and honoring Jesus with our brothers and sisters in the Lord. Clearly not every person has the same taste in music. Some people lean towards traditional hymns and others contemporary choruses, these are legitimate cultural differences. But the heart of worship is the adoration of our Creator and Savior.

At V.C.F. Modesto, our desire is to live our lives as true worshippers of God. We gather to enjoy an extended, uninterrupted time of contemporary songs. Our desire is to worship with freedom, unbothered by fear of man or other constraints. We desire to come into His presence and get lost in His glory, while pouring out from our hearts worship and praise. To honor Him and to know Him more is our only ambition.

Jesus, being who He is, always meets us. The presence of the Spirit of God fills our hearts and draws us into a more intimate relationship with Him. True worship, in combination with God’s word opens our eyes to see Him as He really is. This clearer vision empowered by God’s Spirit changes us. We grow in Him.

So if someone stands and another one kneels, if one dances and another one weeps, we understand that this is part of the chorus of the Holy Spirit, His church responding to His presence. How wonderful that God lives in the praise of His people.