SPIRIT ABLAZE: A Podcast of the Northeast Global Methodist Church

Welcome to week four of our devotional series, "Unashamed Worship: The Heart for Worship the Father Seeks." This week, Rev. Steven Taylor gets practical: how do we actually worship? Through Christ's atoning work on the cross, the Holy Spirit now makes worship a personal and relational experience, available to every believer. This week's devotional reminds us that true worship isn't just a Sunday event but a constant, joyful conversation with a loving God who is always present in our lives - transforming every day into a holy encounter.
"But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship him." John 4:23 (NRSV)
 
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Join us for week three of our series "Unashamed Worship: The Heart for Worship the Father Seeks" as Rev. Steven Taylor asks us to reflect on a deeply personal as well as practical question: Why do we worship? What is it that motivates us to sing, pray, and open our hearts to God? As we'll see through Jesus' conversation with the Samaritan woman, true worship isn't simply a matter of sincerity, but a heartfelt response to divine truth.
"You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews.”  John 4:22 (NRSV)
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Devotional for October 16, 2025 with Rev. Steven Taylor
In week two of our series, "Unashamed Worship: The Heart for Worship the Father Seeks," Rev. Steven Taylor reminds us that the presence of God isn't limited to the sanctuaries or mountaintops we cherish, but is always and intimately present. Is your worship confined to a place or ritual? Or is it focused entirely on a Person - the living God revealed in Jesus Christ?
Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem."  John 4:21 (NRSV)
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We're excited to launch a new five-week devotional series: "Unashamed Worship: The Heart for Worship the Father Seeks." Join Rev. Steven Taylor as he journeys deeper into the meaning of worship - exploring what worship is, who we worship, why we worship, how we worship, and what it means to worship with a true heart. Today, Rev. Taylor kicks off this series by revealing three core truths about the essence of worship.
“God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:24 (NRSV)
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Devotional for October 2, 2025 with Rev. Steven Taylor
God never lets our pain go to waste. In Christ, our deepest suffering can showcase God's incredible presence and power in our lives. As he concludes his powerful series, "Holy Suffering: Revealing God’s Glory Through the Fire," Rev. Steven Taylor will explore one final, crucial question: How can our suffering reveal the glory of God?“…so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.”  1 Peter 4:11b (NRSV)FOR A PRINT VERSION OF THIS DEVOTIONAL: Print Devotional

Devotional for September 25, 2025with Conference Superintendent Rev. Steven Taylor
In week three of our series, "Holy Suffering: Revealing God’s Glory Through the Fire," Rev. Steven Taylor confronts another difficult question: what causes suffering? While the sources of suffering are varied, ultimately we are called to a holy response, trusting God to lead us through the fire.
“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed.” 1 Peter 4:12–13 (NRSV)
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Devotional for September 18, 2025with Conference Superintendent Rev. Steven Taylor
In week two of our series, "Holy Suffering: Revealing God’s Glory Through the Fire," Rev. Steven Taylor tackles the question of "why." Why would a good and loving God allow us to suffer? Tune in as he offers four distinct and compelling reasons rooted in Scripture.
“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:6–7 (NRSV)
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Devotional for September 11, 2025with Conference Superintendent Rev. Steven Taylor
Today, marks the beginning of a four-week devotional journey called, "Holy Suffering: Revealing God’s Glory Through the Fire." Each week we’ll look honestly at suffering - not to despair, but to see how God works through hardship to refine our faith and reveal His glory. In this first segment, join Rev. Steven Taylor as he explores four distinct characteristics of suffering.
“Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same intention (for whoever has suffered in the flesh has finished with sin), so as to live for the rest of your earthly life no longer by human desires but by the will of God.” 1 Peter 4:1–2 (NRSV)
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