Autumn near Lake Michigan

Eight of us from the worship arts ministry went to the People of the Presence conference in Romulus, MI, this past weekend. We learned much and were all touched greatly as God’s presence filled the ballroom at the Sheraton Hotel.

I have been going over my notes considering what was said. It was about what God is saying to His church and becoming a people who carry His presence.  This gathering with Chuck Pierce, Paul Keith Davis, Randy Clark and Barbara Yoder brought to mind what God has been speaking to me over the past months. 

God is inviting me to enter into His presence in a way many of us have been longing for.  Yes I know His presence, but this is different because the times we are living in are different. Several months ago I heard the Lord saying to me more than once, “Come up.”  The hunger for greater intimacy with Him still presses me forward.  His invitation draws me closer, ever closer each time I open my Bible, each time I sit at the piano and sing to Him, each time I talk with Him. When I walk away from these times, I want ever more and more of His presence going with me.

Because darkness is increasing all around us, we must be the carries of the light of Christ. Jesus said He only does what He sees the Father doing.  We must know Him and be able to discern what He is doing so we can align with His purposes.  I want my ministry to be relevant and my life to count for something. Seeing what lies ahead is sobering, yet God is on the move and desires for us to join Him in what He is doing.

So what has God been speaking to you?  How has He been equipping you for your future?  He is looking for those who are willing to give up their own lives to carry His presence, allowing Him to live through us.

He rejoices over us!

Exuberant Joy

Isaiah 65:18,19   “But be ye glad and rejoice forever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.  And I will rejoice in Jerusalem and joy in my people.”

Rejoice here is the Hebrew word Giyl which means to dance with great exuberance, leaping and jumping for joy.

Zephaniah 3:17.  “He will rejoice over thee with joy…….He will joy over thee with singing. This is an expression of such joy that it reaches the point of dancing in a whirlwind, leaping and springing about.

Wow!  God gets that excited about you and me.  I am glad to say that there are people at Redeemer Fellowship Church who do display that king of joy when praising God.  Be encouraged by Isaiah’s prophecy that God created us so He could rejoice in us. He is a joy to us; we are a joy to Him!

The Double-Edged Sword

A symbol we use in our worship and intercession is the double-edged sword. Ephesians 6:17 calls this sword “the sword of the spirit” and lists it as part of God’s armor.  We are exhorted here to take up this sword to battle our spiritual enemy, Satan and his fallen angels. We see this sword used by Christ in Matthew 4:1-11.

I love the Word of God, both written and living.  I have so often used this two-edged sword when worried, fearful, discouraged, etc.  I bring to mind words like: “God has not given us the spirit of fear…..” or “Be careful for nothing…..let your requests be made known unto God,” or “He will cover you with His feathers,”  and many others. These contain life for me, they give me hope, they silence my spiritual enemy.

I like what Hanna E. Farwell said in her book, The Sword and the Tambourine. In beautiful prose she writes, “We carry a sword; it is the indwelling Holy Spirit who rises up within to evoke eternal change and to advance the Kingdom and the rule of the King of Kings – Jesus. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end  (see Isa. 9:7).  We advance with Him, with His praise in our mouths and a double-edged sword in our hands – the word of His authority.  We are aware of enemies around us and a world in need, but we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, our Commander.  He makes all things possible!  He will train our hands for war!

Character Development

God wants us to be more than simply messengers of the gospel through our words, but as living, breathing words.  Our greatest testimony can be the message we live in our homes, ministry, work, neighborhoods, etc.

 I am a living picture of who Christ is, but I am not always the best image possible. Thankfully, God is working on that as only He can, through character development.  Character development isn’t usually much fun, but at least I have learned to recognize the signs of this engagement.

 Lately I have been feeling like an exposed earthworm thrashing about, trying to get back to my safe, comfortable abode. God is bringing me out into the light to see myself the way I really am, not so great but loved so much that He won’t allow me to stay underground. He has a plan for me, but I need some character quality upgrades. Uncomfortable though it is, I welcome my unearthing.

It is necessary for those ministering in worship arts to be transparent so our message is clear.  Humbling ourselves under the mighty hand of God and allowing the Holy Spirit to cleanse us is key. In so doing we take on His character, and we find God is able to do things through us in greater measure. He can shine through us.

Attitude

I was thinking about how my attitude can affect my emotional and spiritual life. I have been reading in Hebrews, today I read “and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” I am very grateful to Jesus for that.

Then I thought about how many times I may have offended someone without even realizing it, and how many times I have been forgiven by a person. How many times have I forgiven someone without requiring them to apologize? Walking in an attitude of forgiveness is freeing to everyone involved.

I think of pride as putting one’s own interests above another’s, and thinking better of oneself than another. This requires a huge attitude adjustment, not to mention a heart adjustment. Humility, on the other hand, looks to lift someone else up. That does not mean that I put myself down, but I elevate another.

Here is how I think this attitude of forgiveness and humility works: I lift someone up. Along comes someone who lifts me up. I continue to lift, others continue to lift. On and on it goes. We are all lifted much higher by working together. Our synergy gets the job done much better than by each individual trying to “climb the ladder of success” by stepping on others.

We all win the race with this attitude. What are we all racing toward?  We race for “the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (see Philippians 3:14)  Just like athletes, our attitudes can make a huge difference in whether we make it to the finish line or not. I am determined to gain that prize. If you are reading this, I’m supposing you are too.  It's always a good day to ask God if we have any attitude adjustments to be made.