Can we worship God any way we want?
 

Or to rephrase; Do we or does God decide what kind of worship is acceptable.

Short yes/no answer OK but I would love it if you would take the time to give your thoughts.

First a little background... I have been searching out a new church. I have read internet sites by the scores and I hear phrases like 'contemporary worship', 'lively worship', 'traditional worship'... but it goes even further. Now I find churches that get together for tailgate parties or even to watch the game in place of a service. Women's ministries that resemble psychological counseling more than anything God centered and 12 step AA type recovery meetings not just in church but AS church.

Over the years I have heard things preached about worship. Often centered on what God will not accept and usually leaning to the particular tastes of the pastor. In example tne preacher may believe that any tune set to a southern gospel style is OK while any tune set to a rock beat is not and is of the devil and not acceptable to God as worship. But it goes beyond just music...

So my basic question remains, do you believe that God cares what we do that we call worship or do you believe that anything done unto the Lord is just alright with Him and how do you express that?

Re: Can we worship God any way we want?
 

What stirs the Holy Ghost inside of you ?

Do it.

Re: Can we worship God any way we want?
 

Re: Can we worship God any way we want?
 

Timmy, you so bad! LOL!

Re: Can we worship God any way we want?
 

I don't know, these were just some scriptures that came to mind on the subject.

1 Chronicles 16:29
29Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

John 4:23-24
23But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
24God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Acts 24
14But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:
15And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
16And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void to offence toward God, and toward men.


Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness, in spirit and in truth, according to his word, and with a pure heart.

Re: Can we worship God any way we want?
 

I believe that we are surely to be circumcised in this regard, as well, and while there will surely be some mis-steps here, what I like about what your post reflects is how these people are apparently at least attempting to bring the church more into their everyday life. Is it worship? Many might say no, but how do you define worship? Why do you define it that way? Are questions a person should reflect on here.
I also see the other side of this coin; you expect God to sanctify watching a competitive human endeavor? etc., which is why I say "some mis-steps," and expect that practitioners of this who truly seek God will circumscribe it, while those who don't, won't?

Re: Can we worship God any way we want?
 

The CoC thinks any musical instruments should not be played in worship would be another example.

David danced before the Lord with all his might girded in a lined ephod. A trumpet was played. Apparently, this was never done before because his wife Michal was mortified and despised her husband when she saw him dance before the Lord. In fact, King David did things that no other person could do, because God said David was a man after His own heart.

JMHO, but it was man who made worship rules.

My husband told me that in our region, people had devotionals at home, read their bibles and once in a while someone would come by with a wagon and people would hop on and he would take them to church "meetings" in a tent or a lean to. There wasn't all this membership stuff, Mission and Vision of organizational corporation church, articles of faith. People just believed God and lived their life according to biblical principles.

Once in a while a preacher would come by the house and get down on his knees and pray for the family in the home. People gave the preacher chickens, vegetables, eggs...whatever they had that they could share of their substance.

A simple life, believing in God and living for Him the best way they knew how.

Re: Can we worship God any way we want?
 

Does anybody think that these people did not make it to heaven because they did not attend a service every time the church opened it's doors?

Re: Can we worship God any way we want?
 

Here are some ways to worship...

I can sort of identify with both of these, though I prefer something in the middle.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2S30c...&feature=share

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qo0V57INpA

Re: Can we worship God any way we want?
 

"Hey Marge. Remember when we used to make out to this hymn?"