Just a brief post today, on this fresh sunny Lord's day. This restful weekend and the flood of encouragement I've received from precious friends and readers have been a balm to my soul. I am seeing the remains of a terrible attack from my enemy in the melt down of last week. And I'm soaring again above the battle, joyful.
As you know I love to share songs occasionally on the blog. The one I'm posting today is one that has been a great source of encouragement to me. It reminds me of the ruin of my life due to my sin, before Christ. It reminds me that Christ did not save me to leave me in defeat. He will not surrender one inch of ground to His foe. He overcame! So I am destined for victory...over my past, over myself, over my circumstances. His will for me is to be a masterpiece of grace, a work of art, a picture of Him. I needed this reminder as I re-commit to my goals for 2011. I needed this reminder as I strive to surrender to the leadings of the Spirit through our current teaching series "Change" at Biltmore. My life was saved for much more than mediocrity!
This is an older song. It was filmed when 2007 was a baby new year. Yet the message is as current as today's news. When I read Ephesians 2:10 I remember my life's message, my purpose,my calling. And I begin to let my spirit soar again. I begin to think about saying "Bye-Bye" to my failures and and embrace a new chance to "Imagine Me". Listen...All the way to the end... and sing along in faith.
Have you ever thought about another person's worship style and thought that the person was out of control? Have you ever felt like they were drawing attention to themselves? Were you embarrassed by their expressions? Maybe you even thought they looked a little foolish? Or perhaps, the shoe's on the other foot? Do you feel like you are not free to physically express your worship at church or at home? Do you feel like the dignity police might judge you? Have you ever felt you could not contain the worship you feel inside your body? When was the last time you were so filled with the Spirit others wondered if you were under the influence? Do you want to dance, shout, jump, cry, or fall face down in worship? How would your church respond?
Worship is never about us... we should never seek to get attention or be disruptive as we worship. (See I Corinthians 11 & 12) We never want our actions in worship to be lazy, impersonal, ritualistic, spectatorial or self-actualized. Just look at Cain and Abel. (Genesis 4) God was pleased with one and not the other.
Look at this story of when a wife judged a husband for getting a little out of control in worship:
2 Samuel 6:20-23 (The Message)
20-22 David returned home to bless his family. Michal, Saul's daughter, came out to greet him: "How wonderfully the king has distinguished himself today—exposing himself to the eyes of the servants' maids like some burlesque street dancer!" David replied to Michal, "InGod's presence I'll dance all I want! He chose me over your father and the rest of our family and made me prince over God's people, over Israel. Oh yes, I'll dance to God's glory—more recklessly even than this. And as far as I'm concerned...I'll gladly look like a fool...but among these maids you're so worried about, I'll be honored no end."
23 Michal, Saul's daughter, was barren the rest of her life.
God took sides there too. He was pleased with David and judged Michal for being critical and overly concerned with appearances. As you prepare for worship this weekend, wherever that may be, ask the Spirit to fill you and to set you free to worship Him in spirit and truth, with all sincerity. As you do, you will notice that all else slips into the peripheral. The behavior of others ceases to concern you, and the throne becomes your every longing. Do you want God on your side? He invades us when we welcome Him and seek Him and exalt Him with our hearts, minds AND BODIES.
I'll close today with a video of a song I use frequently in my personal worship. As you watch, take note of the unity of purpose and focus in the congregation and on stage. Not one person is unengaged. They are not observing those on the stage, digging in their purses, looking at the bulletin, or zoning out. They are joining them in worship. This video is old, but it brings me to tears as I witness the Spirit of God falling on this group. When you meet with your church tomorrow, seek Him, express your worship without a care of who sees or notices. God will be on your side...
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