The Barista of Chalcedon

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Several years ago we found ourselves on vacation in Istanbul, Turkey. I have always loved Istanbul, the city that spans two continents and is overflowing with history, culture, kabab, and – crucially – very good coffee. Very few places in the world feel so Western and so Eastern at the same time, depending on which direction you are coming from.

For some reason I was on my own that sunny spring morning walking through the hip neighborhood of Kadiköy, a colorful part of Istanbul full of little cafes, restaurants, and shops. I was on the hunt for a coffee shop that had come highly recommended from a friend who knew way more about coffee than I did. I followed google maps to the small intersection where the coffee shop was supposed to be. The square was paved with grey flagstones, with a small metal statue of a crocodile in the center. Most of the traffic through it was shoppers on foot, with the occasional cart or miniature van.

I didn’t see the coffee shop, so I double-checked the map.

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True worship

Truth To Live By Ministry ~ Daily Devotional

16.01.23

Will our worship in Heaven be like our worship on earth?

Worship on Earth cannot compare to the perfect worship of the Christians in Heaven. It wouldn't be about us, it will be about Him. Jesus said: “the time is coming….when true worshippers will worship the Father…. for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks. His worshippers must worship in spirit and in truth”. (John 4:23-24). He was responding to the Samaritan woman at the well, who was focused only on the place of worship rather than the person she should worship. Jesus knew that the day would come when places of worship would be destroyed. He was moving her heart from the place of worship to the person to be worshipped.

We are living and perilous times, watching the name of Christ attacked both from outside and inside the church. At times, Satan and his demons have disguised themself as ‘sheep’ and have slipped in among believers, causing division, confusion, and deception. Jesus said: “away from me, Satan! For it is written worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only”. (Matthew 4:10).

The Bible says: “certain men have slipped in among you; they are godless men, who change the grace of our God into licence for immorality and deny Jesus, our only Sovereign and Lord”. (Jude 4). Scripture warns us against worshipping things rather than the Creator. (Romans 1:25). This is certainly evident in our society today: in some circles, we're dangerously close to worshipping our worship.

Worship on Earth can easily take the form of a mindless activity or superficial entertainment. Many have come to believe that worship is only singing songs and clapping their hands. But true worship is focusing on Christ and living for Him day by day, second by second in the spirit and in the truth. The centre of true worship is the Lord.

Even at our best, worship on Earth will always be imperfect, incomplete, even superficial and, sadly, even boring at times. In Heaven, our will worship, will be transformed. Our spirits will not feed on satisfying ourselves. Our minds will be fixed on Him. Our hearts will be filled with thanksgiving, and our lips will express the adoration due His name and OUR EYES will behold HIM in all HIS Glory.

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15/01/2023- Kelty Evangelical Church AM - hugh McMillan