"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" (St. John 4:23).

Every thing that has breath can praise God, even the birds.  But, everyone is not a worshipper.  True worship requires intimacy with God; an openness and vulnerability.  Intimacy requires making time to be in the company of the Object of our affection.  This time of intimacy includes personal closeness, cherished devotional time and deep private communication.  Worship means to adore, devote, reverence, honor, exalt and glorify.  Our spirit is the very core of who we are.  The spirit must connect to God in truth.  Truth signifies a honest, sincere, pure, geniune, undistorted, uncorrupted, legitimate and undivided certitude.  God wants to break through all barriers to intimacy.  For instance, the list of unending demands, worldly mindsets and our unquenchable pursuit of selfish desires.  Father God seeks, pursues, urges, prays, adjures and solicits true worshippers.  Therefore, we must ask God to reveal the very essence of our minds, wills and emotions so that we may breakthrough into true worshippers.

St. Matthew 16:24 (Amplified Bible) Jesus told his disciples that if any man desires to be His disciple, he must disregard and lose sight of his own interests, take up his cross and cleave wholly and steadfastly to His example in living and if need be in dying.  The questions is not, do we want intimacy with God.  Rather, are we prepared and willing to meet the conditions?  We learn about God through the Holy Bible.  But, personal intimacy requires being near Him in prayer.  The Word says if we draw near to God, He will draw near to us.  The Samaritan woman at the well had an intimate encounter with Jesus (St. John 4).  She searched for answers that only Jesus could give.  He began to tell her about herself, as He ministered to her real need.  True intimacy is the place our unfeigned self is revealed.  Many saints find truth in the Word of God, but does not see the truth about themselves.  Realizing that we have a problem is the first step in getting help or freedom.  Everybody else has the problem, so they think.  Superficial relationships are very common, even in the Church.  A greater problem is trying to hide sin from God, covering ourselves as Adam and Eve did when they sinned.  Are you afraid to love freely, hiding from or in pain?  Are you hiding from the desperate fear of "really" being known?  We must take it personal.  Until you are real with God and real with yourself, you will not have an intimate relationship with God or anyone else for that matter.  Lose that prideful nature and cling to Christ wholly.  The Lord will never allow shame to come on those who trust Him to deliver them in His righteousness.  There is no need to hide from the God who loves us unconditionally, forgives us and wants to comfort and heal us through true intimacy with Him.

The true intimate worshipper is not just seeking a thrill or a tingly feeling.  He or she has come to actually "know" the unconditional love and sovereignty of the Heavenly Father.  True intimacy requires undressing!  Intercourse is not possible when fully dressed.  Nakedness shows all flaws, dimples, rolls, marks, etc.  Don't be afraid to see things you don't like about yourself such as bitterness, jealousy, unforgiveness, selfishness, pride and so on.  Revelation is a good thing!  Be available for whatever God wants to impute in you.  The genuine, intimate worshipper has had a major spiritual life change, along with the desire to honor and exalt God for who He is.  An intimate worshipper is not a user, thinking only on what God can do for them.  Yes, this takes maturity.  The goal for babes in Christ is to eventually grow up to become seasoned intimate worshippers to bring God glory.

Everything in our Christian life and service should flow from our love for and relationship with God.  If we are not in vital fellowship with Him, everything else will be out of focus.  When our relationship with God is intimate and real (in truth), it is possible to even experience a growing intimacy.  A Christian's overall purpose is to be devoted and closely attached to God personally, glorifying Him with their whole life.  Bless God!  We no longer have to go the mountains to worship.  Intimate worship can occur Sunday through Saturday.  Dare to be an intimate worshipper!