“To worship you I live… To worship you I live…I live to worship you!” Most of us are familiar with this popular worship chorus sung by Israel and New Breed. As we continue to bring order to our relationship with God, this week our focus rests on praise and worship.
Praise and worship is a staple of every one of our church services, and as such, when we hear these two things being mentioned, we tend to think of that time where the song leader sings our favorite songs, we do our little dance, clap our hands and call it a day.
Many, believe it or not, leave it to the P&W leader to sufficiently persuade them that God has done enough in their lives that they should praise him. Song leaders have to remind us who God is and how the mere fact that we are present in the service and not lying dead somewhere is more than enough motivation to open our mouths and do as the psalmist David calls on us to do in Psalm 100:4. Unfortunately, I think some are misinformed as to the nature of true worship before the Father.
Praise and worship is not about saying church clichés and sounding good or knowing how to carry a tune. In John 4, Jesus spoke with the woman at well concerning the true nature of worship. Now that we have dealt with what it is not, let’s look at what it is.
Jesus said, “The hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth”. True worship begins with YOU. Not the pastor, the musician or the song leader. And it begins where you are. God knows we are not perfect. He knows we have our issues. He himself is the only one who can perfect us and make us the righteousness of Christ Jesus. While He does not expect flawless praise from us, He does expect us to be REAL.
The Message Version puts it this way, “Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That's the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship.” In other words, worship comes from standing before the Lord just as you are with your shortcomings, your faults and your issues and gazing upon Him who is holy, perfect and awesome and realizing how great He is! True believers are on a journey to knowing God. We seek Him with the promise in mind that we will find Him. So in simplicity and honesty we come before Him.
I know for myself that I am reduced to tears when I think of how many times the Lord has proven Himself and His love for me. I know that there is no point in putting on an act for the One who knows all and sees all. So I stand before Him just as I am, knowing that He has accepted me...ALL of me. It blows my mind that He is so concerned about me.
As we seek to deepen our walk with the Lord this month, know that no bells and whistles are needed to spend quality time in worshipping the Lord. There are many who can attest to the fact that there are few experiences comparable to connecting with the heart of God in worship. It is the language of love between a Father and His children and it's yours to be had. Why not take the time now to be real before the Lord and share YOU with HIM…He wants nothing more J
Co-Pastor Claudia Hardin
Dominion Church International
If we, the people of God, could understand the heart of our Father concerning this matter of worship, it would be a lot less pressure and stress on our lives beyond the four walls of the church building. This, as a result, would make our meetings have an even greater impact. The Father is eager for true worship from "those who are called by His name". Enjoyed the post. Grace and peace in abundance until next week.
Read this and remembered the song...don't know who sang it but a line says...Worship is more than a song......For me worship is a lifestyle.The family of God really need to take stock ASAP to get our lives in order.Sometimes we think we are there already and could relax but it's war,so to be in tune with the Holy Spirit all the time is a must.If our eyes be single then everything that has hindered the walk will now be minute specs compared to mountains we would like to make it.Blessings to you my friend.This was an on target post.