I sometimes watch re-runs of sit coms in the evening with my husband. I admit, they are not my choice of entertainment, but I tolerate them. Sometimes I even get ideas for these articles by using something that was said from them. It makes me realize the things most people think are humerous. We just laugh without thinking. I truly believe this is one of the biggerst mistakes we can make. We become so conditioned without conviction. It's rather like skating on thin ice. If we will only just stop and think about the situations and the comments being made, would we still find them funny? So, for me, I watch television in a whole different perspective than most people. It keeps my radar up as to moral living. Yes, I get told quite often that I take these things too seriously. We're not suppose to dissect it, just accept it. But herein lies the big problem. As a true follower of Christ I am conditioned to hate what the Lord hates and love what He loves. I often times have to ask myself, "Would Jesus find this funny?" Also, I am led by the Holy Spirit Who won't let me sit idoly by and veg out. Because of my beliefs on this, I can turn it around for the good.

I write alot of my articles based on the way we live today and how God looks at this. He is using me to be a tool for the truth of His Word. I always pray that these articles are speaking to someone who needs to hear the right thing to do. This article is inspired by a simple sit com, something we can all relate to. It's where it's going to lead that may make all the difference for someone.

I was watching a re-run of Jerry Seinfeld one night and I will admit, it has enough material to write articles for the rest of my life. But this one particular scene birthed this article. After spending a one night stand with some guy, Elaine proceeded to gloat about it to her friend Jerry. But it wasn't this that got my attention, it was when she went on to tell him she rode past a church and all the pople were leaving after the "show", when she saw the pastor and got a date with him. Jerry corrected her by saying, "It's called a service, not a show." This one liner got a lot of laughs. I thought it was sad. Here's why.

It is true that people will attend church on special occasions or even on a regular basis and don't do it in the proper reverence that is due. There are people who think that it's something to do when they "feel" like it or even to do God a favor! We go for many different reasons. But if it's for any other reason than to worship the one true living God, we have the wrong idea. Even many Christians are looking for a "seeker friendly" church where they can go and sit and be a number and get their ears tickled. Many pastors preach the Word but turn it into a message of pleasing their audience. The blood, the Cross, the sacrifice of Christ are never mentioned. The praise and worship team will sing all the latest and most popular songs that make people feel they are a good person who loves God because they are in church. Seldom, a message is given that will pierce a person's soul and make them realize that they need some serious help from a Savior who died for them. There are no alter calls or even a chance to just sit and quietly come to Christ for salvation. If Christ isn't preached the whole message has been missed. Church worship is not a show to entertain us. It's not meant to make us "feel" good about ourselves without truly giving thanks for what God has done. True salvation through Christ is the only thing that can make us joyful, even if everything else is falling apart.

Webster's Dictionary defines the word show as; "to dislay, to the view of others, to let be seen, to appear, an act of showing; exhibition; pretense; and a pageant" to a name a few. I think this puts it in clear terms. But this is not what God had intended. Our service to Him is not a pretense, it's not a pageant, nor is it a show for others. That's what the Pharisees did and we know what Christ had to say about them.

Service to God is something very different. It's imperitive that we recognize the difference. It could mean where you might spend eternity. We, who are God's chosen are called to serve. This was the lesson that Christ came to teach us. It's our Christian duty to serve Him in our worship. It's not for show, it's not in a show and it's certainly not an exibition! God doesn't look at the outside, He is looking straight into our hearts. In fact, we are told to pray in a secret place. After all, our worship is between us and Him, we need no audience to approve or disapprove.

Our service is a spiritual one. If we are being led by the flesh for elevated feelings that benefit us, we have it all wrong. God designed us to serve Him, not the other way around. He demands that we kill this human fleshly body and submit to His will. Our body is just a place to house our soul. We can choose to follow after the things in this world that make us feel good, or we can unite with our spirit, which is in tune with His Spirit. This will give us entry into His heavenly kingdom one day when our body has betrayed us.

"Therefore, I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship." Romans 12:1

Our main purpose on this earth is for God's purpose. Paul is urging us to do this service. It's for our own good. God is no longer in the business of accepting burnt sacrifices. Jesus IS the sacrifice that covers all our sins. So in humble gratitude to the merciful Father, it's our reasonable and spiritual service to Him by submitting ourselves totally to His Lordship. We must yield ourselves up to Him righteously. He gave us His best and He expects no less from us in return. He does demand that our service to Him is in spirit and in truth. No less will do. If this doesn't describe your service, please reconsider.

"But an hour is coming, and now is, when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." John 4:23-24

Since we cannot see God, John describes Him as a spirit, One Who is invisible. Man can never comprehend an invisible God unless He had revealed Himself as He did in Scripture and His incarnation. Also, John uses the word "must" in regards to our worship. It's not an element in worship, but something that is absolutely necessary. To worship in spirit is not the conformity of the outward man, it's not for show. It's with the proper inward heart attitude of gratitude. If your service has been for the show then I pray this arictle has spoken to your heart. Any other kind of service is a lie from Satan.

"Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision," Ephesians 3:2

Simply put, watch out out for those who teach a false doctrine that may look or sound good. If salvation is not spoken, then it's all for "show"!

We show our love for God when we serve Him by serving others.