...and it was what I tried to avoid when I was in the middle of the drift.
What is worship?
Is it clapping or singing?
Giving thanks?
Or declaring your love for God...
Could it have anything to do with speaking audible words of how wonderful God is?
Maybe it's as expressive & simple as everything mentioned above?
Or is it your obedience & submission to what the bible says our character should be?
There are two forms of worship.
One that deals with your obedience, attitude, submission and character.
But in this post I want to focus on the definition I found on Wikipedia.
"WORSHIP - as an act of devotion, usually directed towards a deity. Worship asserts the reality of its object and defines its meaning to something. An act of worship may be performed individually, in an informal or formal group, or by a designated leader."
I especially like the second statement, "worship asserts the reality of its object and defines its meaning to something." This means we must have an understanding of who or what we are worshiping. And once we become aware of the "WHO", we can establish its reality in our lives.
If we really don't know who God is, how can we worship Him?
If worship is an act of devotion, which displays how we submit to biblical instruction, then we must first get an understanding of WHO GOD is.
Because once we discover His Glory. His undying love for us.
His restoring power and His amazing grace.
It is at this point, that we can then internally (with our hearts and minds), place value to the One we worship.
The more you know God.
The more you read how He formed the universe and mankind.
How He, time and again, forgave His disobedient, evil and sinful chosen people, restored and delivered them from enemies' hands.
How His wisdom, power and divinity surpasses any other "god" you might have encountered.
Then the more you fall in love with Him.
Make time in your busy day to talk to Him.
Sing to Him. Study His character.
And tap into a realm of true worship.
Where your heart and mind and spirit develop a relationship with God.
It is in this spiritual realm, where our fleshly desires begin to fade away.
Because our flesh would rather be texting our friends til 2am.
It has us wearing extra skimpy outfits with the intention of being noticed by our crush.
We curse our parents as we disagree with their wisdom.
We hit up the beach, bright and early on a beautiful sunny day, while everyone else is at church Sunday morning.
Or spend hours watching tv/movies on our day off; because we "earned" it.
There's so many ways we give priority to the works of the flesh that are not necessarily considered sinful.
I'm pretty sure David's flesh would much rather have been sitting on his throne, admiring the grandiose palace his subjects worked hard to build.
But the bible says that he worshiped God.
He danced for God.
All the time.
To the point where he got so involved in admiring God, that he stripped all his clothes.
He was able to defeat and flee from enemies, establish a successful & rich kingdom and be restored after sinning against God.
All because his heart was rooted in God.
David knew how to worship.
How to tap into the presence of God and receive strength, knowledge and peace.
And God delighted in David's worship.
2 years ago I was in a mental and emotional condition that kept me away from wanting to be in God's presence.
I've always had a heart of worship.
I would sing all day If I could.
I'm not the very best singer.
Or even a little good.
I can hold a note.
Sometimes.
lol.
But what I learned in my adolescence was that God was pleased with my worship.
Because I did it wholeheartedly.
Because I wasn't there to showcase myself.
I didn't grab the mic to impress my pastor or to please my parents.
I had a love in me for God that needed to be expressed through song.
It was the only way I knew (at the time) how to build up my spirit and die to my flesh.
It was the only way I received healing and peace.
I sang because I knew whatever was in me, was also touching the lives of others in some way.
[maybe one day I'll share the vision I had when I was a teen, concerning worship...]
For now I really need you to understand what happens when you worship.
There is freedom & liberty.
The fears & anxieties of this world don't seem to matter anymore.
That part of your hurting heart, that no one knows about, receives healing.
There's so much power in your physical worship towards God.
I'm talking about when you verbally sing and give Him praise.
When you clap and dance.
When you close your eyes and focus on God, in heaven, receiving your praise.
It is in that secret place where things begin to change.
Your love for people is heightened.
Those things that frustrated you last month or last week don't bother you anymore.
There is a refreshing and a renewal that surpasses all natural understanding.
And I knew this 2 years ago during my drift.
I knew if I got to church on time, I'd be forced to sing along.
Because even though I didn't know the song, there were lyrics on the screen to help me out.
And I knew that in those moments of worship, the Holy Spirit would begin touching areas in my heart that I wasn't ready to release.
I knew I had to change and I knew I wanted God and I knew I missed God, but I wasn't willing to open up and receive it.
I wanted to stay offended. Because that meant I was safe from any other offenses.
I wanted to keep away from worship, because I wanted to keep away from people.
Worship leads to the breaking of strongholds. Of mindsets. Of character.
And I didn't want to be wrong.
So I purposely made us late.
Because I knew the Holy Spirit would completely transform me.
This secret weapon is powerful and regenerates you.
Leaves you surrendered, completely, to a loving God.
When we don't know how to express our hurt or our troubles, we just stand in worship, because the God who searches all hearts knows what's in yours. And knows what oppression you need to be freed from.
So this Sunday.
And every Sunday after that.
I encourage you to make it your PRIORITY to get to church on time.
Whatever church you go to and whatever time they start, be there early.
Because the answer to your problem, stress and anxiety is on your lips.
And if there is nothing troubling you, then that's enough to make you WANT to be there early.
To thank Him for the wonderful life He has given you.
Psalms 28:7 - "The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him."
Psalms 100:4 - "Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!"
Psalms 59:16 - "But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress."
What is worship?
Is it clapping or singing?
Giving thanks?
Or declaring your love for God...
Could it have anything to do with speaking audible words of how wonderful God is?
Maybe it's as expressive & simple as everything mentioned above?
Or is it your obedience & submission to what the bible says our character should be?
One that deals with your obedience, attitude, submission and character.
But in this post I want to focus on the definition I found on Wikipedia.
"WORSHIP - as an act of devotion, usually directed towards a deity. Worship asserts the reality of its object and defines its meaning to something. An act of worship may be performed individually, in an informal or formal group, or by a designated leader."
I especially like the second statement, "worship asserts the reality of its object and defines its meaning to something." This means we must have an understanding of who or what we are worshiping. And once we become aware of the "WHO", we can establish its reality in our lives.
If we really don't know who God is, how can we worship Him?
If worship is an act of devotion, which displays how we submit to biblical instruction, then we must first get an understanding of WHO GOD is.
Because once we discover His Glory. His undying love for us.
His restoring power and His amazing grace.
It is at this point, that we can then internally (with our hearts and minds), place value to the One we worship.
The more you know God.
The more you read how He formed the universe and mankind.
How He, time and again, forgave His disobedient, evil and sinful chosen people, restored and delivered them from enemies' hands.
How His wisdom, power and divinity surpasses any other "god" you might have encountered.
Then the more you fall in love with Him.
Make time in your busy day to talk to Him.
Sing to Him. Study His character.
And tap into a realm of true worship.
Where your heart and mind and spirit develop a relationship with God.
It is in this spiritual realm, where our fleshly desires begin to fade away.
Because our flesh would rather be texting our friends til 2am.
It has us wearing extra skimpy outfits with the intention of being noticed by our crush.
We curse our parents as we disagree with their wisdom.
We hit up the beach, bright and early on a beautiful sunny day, while everyone else is at church Sunday morning.
Or spend hours watching tv/movies on our day off; because we "earned" it.
There's so many ways we give priority to the works of the flesh that are not necessarily considered sinful.
I'm pretty sure David's flesh would much rather have been sitting on his throne, admiring the grandiose palace his subjects worked hard to build.
But the bible says that he worshiped God.
He danced for God.
All the time.
To the point where he got so involved in admiring God, that he stripped all his clothes.
He was able to defeat and flee from enemies, establish a successful & rich kingdom and be restored after sinning against God.
All because his heart was rooted in God.
David knew how to worship.
How to tap into the presence of God and receive strength, knowledge and peace.
And God delighted in David's worship.
I've always had a heart of worship.
I would sing all day If I could.
I'm not the very best singer.
Or even a little good.
I can hold a note.
Sometimes.
lol.
But what I learned in my adolescence was that God was pleased with my worship.
Because I did it wholeheartedly.
Because I wasn't there to showcase myself.
I didn't grab the mic to impress my pastor or to please my parents.
I had a love in me for God that needed to be expressed through song.
It was the only way I knew (at the time) how to build up my spirit and die to my flesh.
It was the only way I received healing and peace.
I sang because I knew whatever was in me, was also touching the lives of others in some way.
[maybe one day I'll share the vision I had when I was a teen, concerning worship...]
For now I really need you to understand what happens when you worship.
There is freedom & liberty.
The fears & anxieties of this world don't seem to matter anymore.
That part of your hurting heart, that no one knows about, receives healing.
There's so much power in your physical worship towards God.
I'm talking about when you verbally sing and give Him praise.
When you clap and dance.
When you close your eyes and focus on God, in heaven, receiving your praise.
It is in that secret place where things begin to change.
Your love for people is heightened.
Those things that frustrated you last month or last week don't bother you anymore.
There is a refreshing and a renewal that surpasses all natural understanding.
And I knew this 2 years ago during my drift.
I knew if I got to church on time, I'd be forced to sing along.
Because even though I didn't know the song, there were lyrics on the screen to help me out.
And I knew that in those moments of worship, the Holy Spirit would begin touching areas in my heart that I wasn't ready to release.
I knew I had to change and I knew I wanted God and I knew I missed God, but I wasn't willing to open up and receive it.
I wanted to stay offended. Because that meant I was safe from any other offenses.
I wanted to keep away from worship, because I wanted to keep away from people.
Worship leads to the breaking of strongholds. Of mindsets. Of character.
And I didn't want to be wrong.
So I purposely made us late.
Because I knew the Holy Spirit would completely transform me.
This secret weapon is powerful and regenerates you.
Leaves you surrendered, completely, to a loving God.
When we don't know how to express our hurt or our troubles, we just stand in worship, because the God who searches all hearts knows what's in yours. And knows what oppression you need to be freed from.
So this Sunday.
And every Sunday after that.
I encourage you to make it your PRIORITY to get to church on time.
Whatever church you go to and whatever time they start, be there early.
Because the answer to your problem, stress and anxiety is on your lips.
And if there is nothing troubling you, then that's enough to make you WANT to be there early.
To thank Him for the wonderful life He has given you.
Psalms 28:7 - "The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him."
Psalms 100:4 - "Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!"
Psalms 59:16 - "But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress."
The song that started my healing breakthrough is gentle, sweet and ate through the walls around my afflicted heart.
(for those that missed the first part of this testimony, click here)
(for those that missed the first part of this testimony, click here)
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nice one!! tfs.
ReplyDelete-Berina
Moxie Craftie