This particular event in the Word is usually remembered because it was the first miracle that Jesus performed in public. We also know that Jesus tells his mother upon her request that He act, "Dear woman, why do you involve me? My time has not yet come." John 2:4. Mary persists however and without seemingly a second thought simply tells the servants to follow Jesus' instructions. Jesus proceeds to give direction to the waiting servants and thus the glory of God is manifested through Jesus. Have you ever given any thought to this whole event from Mary's perspective? Who was she that she ignored what Jesus said and moved Him into prominence, from anonymity to visibility? What does this event teach us about our relationship with the Father and how we should act?
If Jesus was indeed around 30 years of age which is the predominant belief at this time, then Mary was a middle aged woman by cultural standards. She had adult children and carried a level of respect among her peers. Clearly this was a wedding that called for many to come and celebrate. Mary was there as were Jesus and His newly identified disciples. We don't know whose wedding it was and that does not matter. What we do know is that Mary was paying attention to what was going on. What woman does not have a second set of eyes that is overseeing all that is happening when her friends or family are involved? Mary knew that there was an issue involving the inadequate supply of wine. She did not want to see the bride and groom and their families embarrassed and knew there was a solution nearby. The solution was a known resource and source to her but not to anyone else at that time.
Mary acted on faith in the knowledge that she had. Mary had watched her son grow from infancy not knowing His full destiny, but only His identity. I personally believe that Mary did not act out of disrespect for Jesus but rather in concert with Holy Spirit to reveal the glory of God. There is an interesting reference to the third day in John's account. In God's kingdom, there is perfect timing and order with no coincidences. At another time we will have a discussion about third day, but for now let us ponder this thought: when Jesus was baptized, He crossed a threshold, just as all of us do when we accept Him as our Savior. If He had stayed at that point and never ventured into the power of Holy Spirit, where would the body of Christ be today? What significance would the crucifixion have held? The power and glory of God had to be revealed and although Jesus believed it was not time, clearly Abba Father had other plans. Mary was available, open and not intimidated by the circumstances around her. Instead she operated on faith embracing the potential of the situation.
I wonder, how often have each of us been in a "wedding at Cana" situation and instead of stepping into the authority we hold as children of the Most High God, we hesitated because of what someone had said to us? Jesus told Mary no, yet she immediately moved forward with what she heard in her spirit (I am assuming here) and gave servants instructions that placed Jesus in a position of authority. "Do whatever He tells you." John 2:5 We know from Jesus' own words that He only did what His father told Him to do and acted through that power. From the description that we are given in the Word, Jesus proceeded to give instructions and thus the first miracle occurred. Mary acted in faith, leaning on what she knew. There is no expression of doubt in these few verses. Do we act in faith, without being encumbered by doubt? When we pray for someone, do we expect God to show His glory or do we just hope that He will? There is a significant difference in the spiritual realm between these two positions.
Please understand that I am not saying every time you pray in authority, God will grant your prayer. He is the One in control of all situations. However, if we don't ask persistently and consistently, then how will we keep the communication lines open so that He can utilize us when the time is right? More simply put, if we did not get up again the first time we tried to walk and fell down, we would still be crawling on our hands and knees. Maybe walking in God's authority and power is like that - we have to get up, fall down, get up again until our persistence succeeds. Just a thought.....
I have decided that I want to walk with the same assurance that Mary did at the wedding at Cana. She knew who Jesus was. I know who Jesus is. She did not flinch when Jesus said no. I do not want to flinch when I don't see immediate manifestations of the power of God. She acted on the authority of her knowledge about God/Jesus/Holy Spirit. I want to act consistently on my knowledge about God/Jesus/Holy Spirit. I know this is a process as God expands my borders. I am taking Him at His word. John 14:12-14 "I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name and I will do it." Are you ready to walk in His authority? My prayer is that you answer with a resounding "YES"!
Monday, April 26, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
Ambassadors of Christ
Last week we discussed dual citizenship from the perspective of our spiritual allegiance. Every country in the natural world has ambassadors which are sent to foreign lands to represent the interests of the home country. So it is with our spiritual kingdoms and our role with them. Similarly kingdoms or countries have citizens with various roles in which it needs them to function. One of my husband's favorite questions to ask believers is this, "What is your profession?" It is interesting to hear the multitude of responses until he will then interject, "No, that is your occupation. The means through which you support yourself in this earthly realm. Your profession is that of Ambassador to this world sent by Jesus Christ, our King of kings."
John 18:36 Then Jesus answered, "I am not an earthly king. If I were, my followers would have fought when I was arrested by the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world." Ambassadors do not invite battle with those of the foreign country in which they are residing. They are called to promote knowledge about their home country and to promote understanding and peace. However in doing so, they do not become citizens of that country; they do not assume the behavior of those citizens. In fact they are afforded respect for living within their normal cultural parameters even though they are residing in a foreign country. John 15:19 The world would love you if you belonged to it, but you don't. I chose you to come out of the world, and so it hates you. As ambassadors we often encounter ridicule, rejection and hatred. Yet that should not deter us from representing our King. We have a duty and an allegiance to the One who gave us life when death was ready to claim us. We see the example in today's world through the news everyday of attacks on embassies and Americans throughout the world. What was once considered a glamorous and exciting assignment in representing the US has now become one filled with danger and risks. How similar to our assignment to be bold in proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ.
James 4:4 You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. We walk a dangerous line if we choose as ambassadors to put more emphasis on making friends and enjoying this world than on our allegiance to God. We cannot be the ambassadors that He is calling us to be if we are trying to enjoy the benefits of both kingdoms. The world will proffer many material blessings to you but none of them will carry you into eternal relationship with the Lord of lords and the King of kings. Remaining separate while at the same time functioning as an Ambassador requires discipline and focus in our daily lives. It was very different before you knew Christ and had surrendered your life to Him. Ephesians 2:12 In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from God's people, Israel, and you did not know the promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope. Once you accepted Christ however, there was an immediate change in your citizenship and a change in your profession.
2 Corinthians 5:20 We are Christ's ambassadors, and God is using us to speak to you. We urge you, as though Christ himself were here pleading with you, "Be reconciled to God!" Christ used Paul and the other disciples to represent Him on this earth. To speak His voice and proclaim His message of the good news. Emphatically, Paul pleads with those who will listen, "Be reconciled!" They knew they had been appointed by God to be His messengers and to achieve the mission of winning souls to the Lord. So it is with us now. We have been appointed and that appointment is the most important aspect of our lives today. It is more important than the next promotion at our place of work. It is more important than how nice the house is in which we get to live with our families. It is more important than what society thinks about us, what our friends think about us, what our families think about us. This citizenship and this position as ambassadors will indeed cost us the very things that we have held dear in the past. 1 John 2:15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. Mark 10:29-30 And Jesus replied, "I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News, will receive now in return, a hundred times over, houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property -- with persecutions. And in the world to come they will have eternal life.
The assignment is clear as is the cost and the reward. Do we succumb to the wiles of this world and the enticements to forsake Christ and satisfy our earthly needs and wants? Or do we stand steadfast with the Lord and proclaim the power of the Good News? As ambassadors we have been given extraordinary power through Holy Spirit to transform the world around us. We have only to accept our assignment and walk it out with boldness and enthusiasm. This is not a call that will leave us cowering in the corner somewhere. If we are cowering then we have been receiving faulty transmissions. Much like undercover spies, the kingdom of darkness utilizes deception to trick us into walking in the wrong direction. Our mission, should we choose to accept it, is to dismantle the lies of the enemy and uncover him as the deceiver that he is - defeated and deceived. We are to proclaim the truth and employ the power given to us through Christ's death and resurrection to free the captives and bring them home to the Kingdom of Light - the Kingdom of God - eternally. As always, the choice is yours... will you accept the assignment as Ambassadors of Christ to this fallen world?
John 18:36 Then Jesus answered, "I am not an earthly king. If I were, my followers would have fought when I was arrested by the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world." Ambassadors do not invite battle with those of the foreign country in which they are residing. They are called to promote knowledge about their home country and to promote understanding and peace. However in doing so, they do not become citizens of that country; they do not assume the behavior of those citizens. In fact they are afforded respect for living within their normal cultural parameters even though they are residing in a foreign country. John 15:19 The world would love you if you belonged to it, but you don't. I chose you to come out of the world, and so it hates you. As ambassadors we often encounter ridicule, rejection and hatred. Yet that should not deter us from representing our King. We have a duty and an allegiance to the One who gave us life when death was ready to claim us. We see the example in today's world through the news everyday of attacks on embassies and Americans throughout the world. What was once considered a glamorous and exciting assignment in representing the US has now become one filled with danger and risks. How similar to our assignment to be bold in proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ.
James 4:4 You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. We walk a dangerous line if we choose as ambassadors to put more emphasis on making friends and enjoying this world than on our allegiance to God. We cannot be the ambassadors that He is calling us to be if we are trying to enjoy the benefits of both kingdoms. The world will proffer many material blessings to you but none of them will carry you into eternal relationship with the Lord of lords and the King of kings. Remaining separate while at the same time functioning as an Ambassador requires discipline and focus in our daily lives. It was very different before you knew Christ and had surrendered your life to Him. Ephesians 2:12 In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from God's people, Israel, and you did not know the promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope. Once you accepted Christ however, there was an immediate change in your citizenship and a change in your profession.
2 Corinthians 5:20 We are Christ's ambassadors, and God is using us to speak to you. We urge you, as though Christ himself were here pleading with you, "Be reconciled to God!" Christ used Paul and the other disciples to represent Him on this earth. To speak His voice and proclaim His message of the good news. Emphatically, Paul pleads with those who will listen, "Be reconciled!" They knew they had been appointed by God to be His messengers and to achieve the mission of winning souls to the Lord. So it is with us now. We have been appointed and that appointment is the most important aspect of our lives today. It is more important than the next promotion at our place of work. It is more important than how nice the house is in which we get to live with our families. It is more important than what society thinks about us, what our friends think about us, what our families think about us. This citizenship and this position as ambassadors will indeed cost us the very things that we have held dear in the past. 1 John 2:15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. Mark 10:29-30 And Jesus replied, "I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News, will receive now in return, a hundred times over, houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property -- with persecutions. And in the world to come they will have eternal life.
The assignment is clear as is the cost and the reward. Do we succumb to the wiles of this world and the enticements to forsake Christ and satisfy our earthly needs and wants? Or do we stand steadfast with the Lord and proclaim the power of the Good News? As ambassadors we have been given extraordinary power through Holy Spirit to transform the world around us. We have only to accept our assignment and walk it out with boldness and enthusiasm. This is not a call that will leave us cowering in the corner somewhere. If we are cowering then we have been receiving faulty transmissions. Much like undercover spies, the kingdom of darkness utilizes deception to trick us into walking in the wrong direction. Our mission, should we choose to accept it, is to dismantle the lies of the enemy and uncover him as the deceiver that he is - defeated and deceived. We are to proclaim the truth and employ the power given to us through Christ's death and resurrection to free the captives and bring them home to the Kingdom of Light - the Kingdom of God - eternally. As always, the choice is yours... will you accept the assignment as Ambassadors of Christ to this fallen world?
Monday, April 12, 2010
Dual Citizenship?
Do you know any individuals who have dual citizenship? In other words they are both citizens of the United States as well as citizens of another country? Not all countries allow this, but many do and in fact even those that do not are not enforcing the law today. It is now a prevailing school of thought that blurring these lines will promote the economic well being of both countries. With this line of thinking, where does the loyalty of these dual citizens rest? In researching this topic I found the following statement on a website for new citizens of the US: The opening lines of the Oath of Allegiance are meant to give the United States exclusive sovereignty over the newly naturalized citizen. In other words, you are a citizen of one and only one country, the United States of America. The idea is that as soon as you take the Oath of Allegiance and become an American, you are giving up your citizenship of your native country. That is not the reality though with dual citizenship. One keeps the original citizenship of birth. Not wanting to sever those ties is an expression of the desire to have a "foot" in both countries, thus never needing to make a total commitment to their new country of residence. This sounds much like needing a backup plan for security. What if things don't work out and I need to return to my former life?
This scenario is starkly similar to the lives of many Christians. There are two kingdoms in operation in this world: the kingdom of light and the kingdom of darkness. When we become citizens of the kingdom of light, we are proclaiming that the kingdom of heaven exists today on this earth through the Body of Christ. Prior to accepting citizenship we were functioning in the kingdom of darkness whether we like to admit it or not. That does not mean that you were living an evil life. What it does mean is that the things of this world, in which the prince of darkness still has power, were important to us and directed our lives. Things like jobs, security, success, relationships, influence, etc. They don't sound evil, do they? Yet when we make our decisions based on these things, we head in a very different direction than that of citizens of the kingdom of light.
When we become citizens of the kingdom of light, we have access to knowledge, power and authority that were unknown to us before. Our vision has been extended beyond the reality of what we see to the reality of eternity and eternal living. We have the ability to see life through the eyes of Holy Spirit and it is as if dark glasses have been removed from our face. For some of us the shock is transformational, changing the way we think, act and speak. Again think about the reality of two countries and someone coming to the US for the first time and understanding the possibilities that exist for the future. Imagine what that must be like. Now recall when you accepted Christ and how blinders were removed from your heart and your mind. Things that once were acceptable to you are suddenly unthinkable. But what does that mean about what we relinquish in terms of our citizenship in the other kingdom?
Many individuals have great difficulty in releasing the values of the kingdom of darkness. There is no perception, no understanding of the imprisoning hold this creates on life. Imagine if you will this simple analogy. You are straddling a fence between two pastures. You see things that you want to pursue in each of them, yet you cannot decide which one you want to embrace, so you continue to straddle the fence while debating what the cost benefit ratio is for your life. This indecision prevents full benefit of commitment to one side of the fence over another. The powerful aspect of this situation is that you have no clue what awaits you over the hill that is out of sight, beneficial or not depending on which side of the fence you choose. Hmmmm... thinking yet?
Perhaps these verses from Revelation will resonate with you. Revelation 3:15-19 "I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, I will spit you out of my mouth! You say, 'I am rich. I have everything I want. I don't need a thing!' And you don't realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. I advise you to buy gold from me -- gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. And also buy white garments so you will not be shamed by your nakedness. And buy ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. I am the one who corrects and disciplines everyone I love. Be diligent and turn from your indifference." Indifference - fence sitting. Is this a desire of the Lord's from us? Clearly not. Commitment is what gladdens His heart. Commitment from us for the Kingdom of God, the kingdom of light.
Consider Matthew 6:31-34 "So don't worry about having enough food or drink or clothing. Why be like the pagans who are so deeply concerned about these things? Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern. "So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today." Jesus delineates for us very clearly the difference between being a citizen of the kingdom of dark and a citizen of the kingdom of light. Focus on our earthly well being versus living for the Kingdom of God separates us from the covering of God. His instructions are clear. Yet too frequently we hear brothers and sisters in Christ bemoaning their circumstances and declaring their lack of trust in the provision of God.
Does this mean that our life will be a bed of roses when we commit to living as citizens of the Kingdom of God, the kingdom of light? Of course not, and all of us know that. The Lord gave us plenty of warning to expect trials and tribulations as long as this earth still has a free-to-roam enemy of the Lord. But to be short sighted and not look beyond today's circumstances to the final victory in eternity is a certain road to ultimate death. Trying to maintain dual citizenship while alive on earth is unacceptable in the Lord's sight. Keeping one foot in darkness while trying to keep one foot in the light is doomed to fail. If the enemy is given even a toehold in your life, he will eventually grab the foot, then the leg and then the rest of the body. The only sure way to prevent his grasp on your life is to travel as far from that fence as you can.
Singular citizenship in the kingdom of light, the Kingdom of God is where we all need to be. No matter what the fear may have been in the past for your well being, no matter what carrots the enemy puts in front of you, steel minded focus on living in and serving the kingdom of God must be our way of life. Only through that commitment will we be able to have the peace that surpasses human understanding. Only then will we have eyes for the Lord and see the world through His eyes. Trusting and following Him when all else seems uncertain is indeed the only certainty that we have.
This scenario is starkly similar to the lives of many Christians. There are two kingdoms in operation in this world: the kingdom of light and the kingdom of darkness. When we become citizens of the kingdom of light, we are proclaiming that the kingdom of heaven exists today on this earth through the Body of Christ. Prior to accepting citizenship we were functioning in the kingdom of darkness whether we like to admit it or not. That does not mean that you were living an evil life. What it does mean is that the things of this world, in which the prince of darkness still has power, were important to us and directed our lives. Things like jobs, security, success, relationships, influence, etc. They don't sound evil, do they? Yet when we make our decisions based on these things, we head in a very different direction than that of citizens of the kingdom of light.
When we become citizens of the kingdom of light, we have access to knowledge, power and authority that were unknown to us before. Our vision has been extended beyond the reality of what we see to the reality of eternity and eternal living. We have the ability to see life through the eyes of Holy Spirit and it is as if dark glasses have been removed from our face. For some of us the shock is transformational, changing the way we think, act and speak. Again think about the reality of two countries and someone coming to the US for the first time and understanding the possibilities that exist for the future. Imagine what that must be like. Now recall when you accepted Christ and how blinders were removed from your heart and your mind. Things that once were acceptable to you are suddenly unthinkable. But what does that mean about what we relinquish in terms of our citizenship in the other kingdom?
Many individuals have great difficulty in releasing the values of the kingdom of darkness. There is no perception, no understanding of the imprisoning hold this creates on life. Imagine if you will this simple analogy. You are straddling a fence between two pastures. You see things that you want to pursue in each of them, yet you cannot decide which one you want to embrace, so you continue to straddle the fence while debating what the cost benefit ratio is for your life. This indecision prevents full benefit of commitment to one side of the fence over another. The powerful aspect of this situation is that you have no clue what awaits you over the hill that is out of sight, beneficial or not depending on which side of the fence you choose. Hmmmm... thinking yet?
Perhaps these verses from Revelation will resonate with you. Revelation 3:15-19 "I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, I will spit you out of my mouth! You say, 'I am rich. I have everything I want. I don't need a thing!' And you don't realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. I advise you to buy gold from me -- gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. And also buy white garments so you will not be shamed by your nakedness. And buy ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. I am the one who corrects and disciplines everyone I love. Be diligent and turn from your indifference." Indifference - fence sitting. Is this a desire of the Lord's from us? Clearly not. Commitment is what gladdens His heart. Commitment from us for the Kingdom of God, the kingdom of light.
Consider Matthew 6:31-34 "So don't worry about having enough food or drink or clothing. Why be like the pagans who are so deeply concerned about these things? Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern. "So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today." Jesus delineates for us very clearly the difference between being a citizen of the kingdom of dark and a citizen of the kingdom of light. Focus on our earthly well being versus living for the Kingdom of God separates us from the covering of God. His instructions are clear. Yet too frequently we hear brothers and sisters in Christ bemoaning their circumstances and declaring their lack of trust in the provision of God.
Does this mean that our life will be a bed of roses when we commit to living as citizens of the Kingdom of God, the kingdom of light? Of course not, and all of us know that. The Lord gave us plenty of warning to expect trials and tribulations as long as this earth still has a free-to-roam enemy of the Lord. But to be short sighted and not look beyond today's circumstances to the final victory in eternity is a certain road to ultimate death. Trying to maintain dual citizenship while alive on earth is unacceptable in the Lord's sight. Keeping one foot in darkness while trying to keep one foot in the light is doomed to fail. If the enemy is given even a toehold in your life, he will eventually grab the foot, then the leg and then the rest of the body. The only sure way to prevent his grasp on your life is to travel as far from that fence as you can.
Singular citizenship in the kingdom of light, the Kingdom of God is where we all need to be. No matter what the fear may have been in the past for your well being, no matter what carrots the enemy puts in front of you, steel minded focus on living in and serving the kingdom of God must be our way of life. Only through that commitment will we be able to have the peace that surpasses human understanding. Only then will we have eyes for the Lord and see the world through His eyes. Trusting and following Him when all else seems uncertain is indeed the only certainty that we have.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Living Life as Worship
Lately the Lord has been speaking to me a lot about worship. Whenever His messages to me are of recurring themes, I know enough now to sit up and pay attention. Checking my concordance, I found that worship or some form of the word is found 198 times throughout scripture, 80 in the New Testament, 118 in the Old. These occurrences are spread very evenly throughout the Bible. One could conclude that worship must be important to our Lord God. But just what is worship and how does it impact how I live life daily?
Too many of us hear the word worship and immediately identify with our favorite praise songs, group or old hymn. After all, do we not call a segment of our services, praise and worship? How often do churches actually advertise that there is a worship service at such and such a time? So we attend these services, participate in the singing and perhaps even dance, jump, clap, etc. and say, we have worshipped our Lord. When it is all over, we head to our cars, maybe humming a song that has stuck and head on our way. Is worship then over?
As I am able to experience different settings and different "worship" styles, I sometimes have to struggle with what is being presented as worship. Sadly often times it is a performance of worship. I find myself focusing on the wrong aspect of what is occurring. If the music is too loud, or the members of the praise team are off-key, not in harmony or simply independently doing their own thing, I find myself distracted instead of "ushered into the Throne Room." Lately however, the Lord is clarifying something very important for me. He is asking me, "Since when do you need to be ushered into a place to which you already have full access?" Ouch! He was right on. I was expecting someone to do something that would open that door for me so I could then walk through. The Lord is saying to me, "I did not close that door. Since when can you not just come in and enjoy intimacy with me?"
Our in-depth conversation continued. "What are your words that invite my presence?" I began thinking about some of the things that have passed through my lips over the past few weeks and I realized that in no way shape or form could those words be called worship. What was I thinking? The problem was I was not. Instead I was focusing on stuff that was happening in life and allowed my flesh to take over as I grumbled and complained about this stuff. I had to ask myself, "Whatever happened to praising your way through every situation?" Clearly I had forgotten some of the important principles - kingdom principles - that I knew.
Psalm 89:15-16 Happy are those who hear the joyful call to worship, for they will walk in the light of your presence, LORD. They rejoice all day long in your wonderful reputation. They exult in your righteousness. According to Webster's dictionary, exult means to rejoice exceedingly; to triumph. In the preceding sentence we read, they rejoice all day long. So we go from rejoicing all day long to rejoicing exceedingly - first in His wonderful reputation then in His righteousness. Do you read anywhere the words, sing or play instruments? No, me either. In other words, our call to worship is lifting Him up with our words heralding who God is, and not just occasionally, but all day long. When was the last time you celebrated who God is in your life all day long without slipping in some negative thoughts along the way? Thought so. I am guilty too.
Psalm 50:14-15 Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High,
and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me." God wants our sacrifices of thanksgiving. We are called to honor Him with what pleases Him, recognition of who He is and what He has accomplished in our lives. This is personal and individual. I don't believe He wants generic thanks that is so broad it fails to pertain to my life and how much He loves me and has worked on my behalf. The challenge of corporate worship as we have become accustomed to it today is that we are spectators and are expecting someone else to offer these sacrifices to Him on our behalf. Jesus broke that model when He tore the veil separating us from the Holy of Holies. We can now enter this place for ourselves and speak to Him on our own behalf. Acknowledge and love Him for what has happened in our own lives.
Take note of the second half of that quotation above - call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me. Also the next verse in Psalm 89 - verse 17 You are their glorious strength. Our power is based on your favor. Both of these verses relay to us that there is power in our worship. This is a life giving connection to the power source of God Himself. He will save us from our trouble when we call on Him; He will be our glorious strength - not just strength but glorious strength. However it is based on relationship. When we exalt in that relationship He has with us and all that He has done for us in sacrificing Jesus, we are restored into that incredible harmony with the Triune Godhead. What indescribable power dwells in that restored relationship!
I want my daily life to be worship of my King and my Lord. I want more than I can explain to enter into a deeper more intimate relationship with Him. I know that is what He is waiting for me to do, not for someone to do for me. This is up to me. I must harness the power of my tongue to be an instrument of worship 24/7, no matter where I am, no matter what the circumstances of my life are. I need Him desperately and I don't want to go through anyone anymore. I want and need one on one time with my Lover God. I will now guard against any third parties in my intimate place with Him. Call it the Bridal Chamber, call it your mountain top experience, call it whatever you want. The description does not matter; what matters is what happens when you are there. Call out to Him and He will answer. Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you. Don't settle for less!!!
Too many of us hear the word worship and immediately identify with our favorite praise songs, group or old hymn. After all, do we not call a segment of our services, praise and worship? How often do churches actually advertise that there is a worship service at such and such a time? So we attend these services, participate in the singing and perhaps even dance, jump, clap, etc. and say, we have worshipped our Lord. When it is all over, we head to our cars, maybe humming a song that has stuck and head on our way. Is worship then over?
As I am able to experience different settings and different "worship" styles, I sometimes have to struggle with what is being presented as worship. Sadly often times it is a performance of worship. I find myself focusing on the wrong aspect of what is occurring. If the music is too loud, or the members of the praise team are off-key, not in harmony or simply independently doing their own thing, I find myself distracted instead of "ushered into the Throne Room." Lately however, the Lord is clarifying something very important for me. He is asking me, "Since when do you need to be ushered into a place to which you already have full access?" Ouch! He was right on. I was expecting someone to do something that would open that door for me so I could then walk through. The Lord is saying to me, "I did not close that door. Since when can you not just come in and enjoy intimacy with me?"
Our in-depth conversation continued. "What are your words that invite my presence?" I began thinking about some of the things that have passed through my lips over the past few weeks and I realized that in no way shape or form could those words be called worship. What was I thinking? The problem was I was not. Instead I was focusing on stuff that was happening in life and allowed my flesh to take over as I grumbled and complained about this stuff. I had to ask myself, "Whatever happened to praising your way through every situation?" Clearly I had forgotten some of the important principles - kingdom principles - that I knew.
Psalm 89:15-16 Happy are those who hear the joyful call to worship, for they will walk in the light of your presence, LORD. They rejoice all day long in your wonderful reputation. They exult in your righteousness. According to Webster's dictionary, exult means to rejoice exceedingly; to triumph. In the preceding sentence we read, they rejoice all day long. So we go from rejoicing all day long to rejoicing exceedingly - first in His wonderful reputation then in His righteousness. Do you read anywhere the words, sing or play instruments? No, me either. In other words, our call to worship is lifting Him up with our words heralding who God is, and not just occasionally, but all day long. When was the last time you celebrated who God is in your life all day long without slipping in some negative thoughts along the way? Thought so. I am guilty too.
Psalm 50:14-15 Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High,
and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me." God wants our sacrifices of thanksgiving. We are called to honor Him with what pleases Him, recognition of who He is and what He has accomplished in our lives. This is personal and individual. I don't believe He wants generic thanks that is so broad it fails to pertain to my life and how much He loves me and has worked on my behalf. The challenge of corporate worship as we have become accustomed to it today is that we are spectators and are expecting someone else to offer these sacrifices to Him on our behalf. Jesus broke that model when He tore the veil separating us from the Holy of Holies. We can now enter this place for ourselves and speak to Him on our own behalf. Acknowledge and love Him for what has happened in our own lives.
Take note of the second half of that quotation above - call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me. Also the next verse in Psalm 89 - verse 17 You are their glorious strength. Our power is based on your favor. Both of these verses relay to us that there is power in our worship. This is a life giving connection to the power source of God Himself. He will save us from our trouble when we call on Him; He will be our glorious strength - not just strength but glorious strength. However it is based on relationship. When we exalt in that relationship He has with us and all that He has done for us in sacrificing Jesus, we are restored into that incredible harmony with the Triune Godhead. What indescribable power dwells in that restored relationship!
I want my daily life to be worship of my King and my Lord. I want more than I can explain to enter into a deeper more intimate relationship with Him. I know that is what He is waiting for me to do, not for someone to do for me. This is up to me. I must harness the power of my tongue to be an instrument of worship 24/7, no matter where I am, no matter what the circumstances of my life are. I need Him desperately and I don't want to go through anyone anymore. I want and need one on one time with my Lover God. I will now guard against any third parties in my intimate place with Him. Call it the Bridal Chamber, call it your mountain top experience, call it whatever you want. The description does not matter; what matters is what happens when you are there. Call out to Him and He will answer. Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you. Don't settle for less!!!
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