News and Updates
Obstacles To Worship
David Copeland · June 1, 2009
Newsletter · Volume: 9 Issue: 6
John 4:23 But 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.
John 4:24 God [is] a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship [him] in spirit and in truth.
There are several passages of Scripture the Holy Spirit has had me continuously study over the last several months. One of them is John 4. Recently I saw a pattern develop in this story in which Jesus dealt with three issues we have to contend with today.
The first issue Jesus and the Samaritan woman dealt with was racial profiling. In verse 9, the Samaritan woman was amazed that Jesus, a Jewish man would have a conversation with her; and all he wanted in return was a drink of water!
Racism is not just an issue in America, but in almost every other country in the world. There is racism between North and South Korea; Israel and the Palestinians; Europeans and the Russians; the country of Kenya; every country and continent in the world deals with some form of racism. Thankfully, Jesus began the healing process for all races by reaching out to a woman who had experienced almost every form of rejection available in that day.
John 4:9 Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.
John 4:10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
Secondly, Jesus dealt with relational profiling. He told the Samaritan woman to call her husband in verse 16. Confessing she had no husband, Jesus went a step further by telling her she was speaking only partial truth; in fact she had had five husbands, was living with number six, but the one man she really needed was standing in front of her!
There is an all out satanic assault around the world against relationships! Not only husband and wives, parents and children, but people who have been friends many years are finding relationships severely strained or completely severed. Satan knows if he can break our unity, he will damage the flow of anointing in our lives. (Psalms 133)
Thirdly, Jesus dealt with the Samaritan woman about religious profiling. Religion always gets people stirred up; sometimes for the good, most of the time for bad! The Samaritan woman kind of drew the line in the sand by saying in verse 20,”…our fathers did it this way; this is the place where men should worship!” (my paraphrase)
Jesus didn’t condemn her response; He simply stated in so many words the place wasn’t as important as the attitude of the heart! The answer to defeating racism, relationship problems and religious problems can be found in verse 23, 24: But 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. God [is] a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship [him] in spirit and in truth.
When you fall in love with Jesus and begin to worship Him from the depths of your spirit and with all the truth that you currently have, suddenly race, relationships, and religion will bow at His feet; and your opinion won’t matter anymore, only Jesus’ opinion will matter!
Because the Father is seeking such to worship Him!!!!
Are you a worshiper?
Ministry News
Pam and I are very excited about our First Couple’s Retreat Friday-Sunday September 25-27, 2009 in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. The Cost for your room is $200.00. Meals are extra. Space is very limited, so if you are interested please sign up quickly. Call us at 706-773-1546 or send me an email letting me know you are interested. Deadline for registration is July 1st.
Secondly, we are honored to be able to sponsor several children who are either orphans or come from single parent homes to attend the Maasai Christian Academy in Kilgoris Kenya. For $40.00 per month, you can furnish a child with three hot meals a day, uniforms, school supplies, beds and linens, and one of the finest educational opportunities available in Western Kenya. For more information contact us by email at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and ask about our Sponsor-A-Child project.
On August 5th we will be traveling back to Kenya to take part in three different ministry opportunities. August 7-9 we will be ministering in Kitengelia, a suburb of Nairobi, where we will be taking part in the ordination of 35 pastors of Christ Victory Ministries of Kenya. Pastor David Matipei and his organization is also a part of Revival International, our world-wide fellowship of Ministries. We will also take part in Pastor’s Seminars and crusades this year in Kilgoris and Kisii, in the Western Provence. If you would like to sow a special offering to help us defray the expenses of these meetings, it would be greatly appreciated.
I realize times are very hard for many of our partners. Some have had to cease supporting us financially, but continue to do so with their prayers. Whether you pray for us, support us monthly or as the Lord leads, or both; please know Pam and I appreciate everything you do for this ministry! Without you we cannot do what God has called us to do! We ARE partners together in the Harvest!
Many Blessings!
David & Pam