Worship

[jands2004]

Worship Ps 139​

"If Worship does not change us, it has not been worship. To stand before the Holy One of eternity is to change. Woship begins in holy expectancy and ends in holy obedience." ~Richard Foster​

"A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word darkness on the walls of his cell."​

~CS Lewis

"Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture." Ps. 100​

God has challenged me this month about Worship. At school, we are required to go to 14 Chapels a semester with a lot more offered. Chapels are held on Wednesdays and Fridays. It is known that Wednesdays are more traditional. When I say tradition I mean traditional. We are talking about organ music, hymns, stand up-sit down, responsive reading. I love going to chapels, however; Wednesdays are hard for me. I desire to worship God, but I find it hard to worship with an organ and worship singing hymns the “old fashion” way.

At Warren Community Church, I enjoy the worship. But, a lot of times, I find myself thinking about the different ways that they sing/play songs that I know so well, as if the way I know it is the only correct way. My mind wanders trying to figure out the way they are singing the song and comparing it to the way I am used to.

I was sitting in my room a few nights ago, listening to some praise music... my roommates were either sleeping or not here. Listening to the music, God began to speak to me. “Why is it that when you are alone with me you can worship me with everything you have, but when you are in a corporate setting you hold back?”

That question hit me hard… God and I chatted about this for a little bit. And throughout the week God used little things to speak some amazing things to me. The three quotes above, God gave to me as I was about to throw away Campus Life Magazine. I dropped the magazine on the ground accidentally and when it fell it was open to a section all about worship. I picked it up and began to read.

The first quote— "If Worship does not change us, it has not been worship. To stand before the Holy One of eternity is to change. Worship begins in holy expectancy and ends in holy obedience."—hit me hard. I realized that so many times I “entered” the presence of God, or so I thought, but let the presence of God unchanged. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO BE IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD AND NOT TO CHANGE! I realized that for the first time that night.

I began to purpose in my heart that I would not leave a setting of worship without first being changed, somehow. This in itself began to change things.

I am sure you are familiar with the quote “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.” That is His desire, is for me to be satisfied with just Him. To be completely satisfied with nothing else but God. There have been so many times in my life that this wasn’t the case.

I want to learn how to be completely satisfied in Him… not in Him and my friends… not Him and my family… just Him!

Is that your desire? Are you willing to be satisfied in JUST GOD? Are you willing to sacrifice everything for Him, just to be with Him?

*Note: this was written by my roommate, Shannon. I believe she is a member of Christian Forums as well. This is just something that has encouraged me and I wanted to share it with you.

 

[whatseekye]

I was thinking about my failure to worship God lately. I pray and sometimes i praise Him in my prayers, but I rarely let myself fully worship even when I am home alone. This is a good word for me to consider, so thank you for posting and sharing this. I'm pretty confused about what worship is, and I have a lot to learn.

 

[nhzname]

IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO BE IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD AND NOT TO CHANGE! ​

Is that your desire? Are you willing to be satisfied in JUST GOD? Are you willing to sacrifice everything for Him, just to be with Him?

And I have found that being in His presence means more to me than anything else in my life. In His presence, we are enveloped in all that is God. His love eminates in and through us, and His touch opens our eyes to see things as He does. There is always growth and change in Him, in one form or another. Praise His name.

Yes, He is my desire. I am satisfied in just Him, and I have sacrificed all I know just to be with Him. And today, I would do it all again if He asked me to. I pray that He will continue to strengthen me each day to draw even nearer to Him.

Thank you for your post Shannon. It is uplifting and wonderful to hear how God is working in your life!

 

[HisFireFly]

Thank you for this wonderful post!

It astounds me at times how often there are church fights and split over styles of music and forms of worship. We ALL have our own preferences, but we forget that it's not about us. It's about HIM and lifting up HIS holy name, and giving HIM the glory and honor.

I once heard someone preach about the "law of first mention"... and the first time worship is mentioned in the Word is when Abraham was about to sacrifice his beloved son.

Then Abraham said to his young men, "Stay here with the ass; I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you." (Genesis 22:5)

I don't think that Abraham took along a praise band, or a cd player, or even had any intention of singing at all. Worship can be and IS about more than music. It's a condition of the heart.

Sorry to carry on, these days there is fighting within our church family because of music styles. The enemy will use whatever means he can to cause division where GOD desires unity. Please keep us in prayer.

HisFireFly

 

[jands2004]

 

[LegomasterJC]

Last night I went to a friend's house to watch Napolian Dynamite but another friend who was coming really felt like we should worship so we did that instead and some major cool stuff happened.

 

[jands2004]

That's awesome!

 

[JesseRaymondBassett]

I too need to worship JESUS more often...

 

[Serene Repose]

What exactly is worship and how do you worship? =\ That's something I'm rather confused about.

 

[NacDan]

Worship Ps 139​

"If Worship does not change us, it has not been worship. To stand before the Holy One of eternity is to change. Woship begins in holy expectancy and ends in holy obedience." ~Richard Foster
​

"A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word darkness on the walls of his cell."
~CS Lewis
​

"Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture." Ps. 100
​

God has challenged me this month about Worship. At school, we are required to go to 14 Chapels a semester with a lot more offered. Chapels are held on Wednesdays and Fridays. It is known that Wednesdays are more traditional. When I say tradition I mean traditional. We are talking about organ music, hymns, stand up-sit down, responsive reading. I love going to chapels, however; Wednesdays are hard for me. I desire to worship God, but I find it hard to worship with an organ and worship singing hymns the “old fashion” way.

At Warren Community Church, I enjoy the worship. But, a lot of times, I find myself thinking about the different ways that they sing/play songs that I know so well, as if the way I know it is the only correct way. My mind wanders trying to figure out the way they are singing the song and comparing it to the way I am used to.

I was sitting in my room a few nights ago, listening to some praise music... my roommates were either sleeping or not here. Listening to the music, God began to speak to me. “Shannon, why is it that when you are alone with me you can worship me with everything you have, but when you are in a corporate setting you hold back?”

Excellent post. The key is the question you were asked, "Shannon, why is it that when you are alone with me you can worship me with everything you have, but when you are in a corporate setting you hold back? " In the corporate setting you've let your attention drift from the One you worship to the 'world' around you.

I really had that pounded home to me last weekend when I was out of town and worshipped at a more conservative church than my home one. Friends had told me their worship style was like the Vineyard I attended, but rest assured, that it was quite a bit more subdued. First song, I stand up, arms outreached, and I start singing...then I notice I'm the ONLY ONE STANDING UP that isn't on the stage! Sheeplishly, I sat down. next song, everyone stands up. Again, I stand, arms out reached, the song is driving, so I begin clapping....again, I notice that I'm the only one, so I stopped. Third song starts, everyone is still standing. We are singing "Here I am to Worship", and I decide right then and there that I came to worship the ONE I serve, not these people around me, and if I'm out of line, I'll wait until an usher or priest tells me. I let go, let the tears flow, dance for joy, and clap when it felt appropriate.

Then the most wonderful thing happend. Fourth song I start clapping in time with the music. Then I hear some more people clapping, and then some more. I'm only vaguely aware, cause I'm deep in worship, but I do notice the extra clapping. At the end of the song, I want to applaud, but alas, no one joined me. The song leader, smiling, says, "It's okay for y'all to clap! Every week I see you wanting to put your hands together, but you stop just before your hands meet." All of a sudden, applause throughout the sanctuary. And the rest of the worship service (I'm told later that they added songs and went long) was very much indeed like a Vineyard worship.

Whenever we worship, we are to worship with all our heart, body, and soul.

God's Peace
Danny

 

[LegomasterJC]

Yes it's a lot better to worship as the Lord leads and not how everyone else is doing it.
At the Vineyard I go to we don't have the stand up in the beginning or at any certain time. Some people clap, some stand, some lay face down, some sit, some raise hands, some sing, some just hum... It is still not as free as it could be but that lies with the individual people to decide to let go and do what they are lead to do.

 

[nhzname]

I find I worship God by drawing near and acknowledging His presence in all things - whether that be in prayer, song, heart, mind and body, spirit, praise, or just everyday living. Knowing Him, reflecting on His goodness and grace, in thankfulness and awe, is all an act of worship, and pleasing in His sight. I only wish I were more consistant! 2 Corinthians 10:31 ~ So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.'

 

[NacDan]

Yes it's a lot better to worship as the Lord leads and not how everyone else is doing it.
At the Vineyard I go to we don't have the stand up in the beginning or at any certain time. Some people clap, some stand, some lay face down, some sit, some raise hands, some sing, some just hum... It is still not as free as it could be but that lies with the individual people to decide to let go and do what they are lead to do.

I should emphasize that we aren't REQUIRED to stand, but we have the freedom to do so. Your Vineyard worship sounds alot like ours.

God's Peace
Danny

 

[jands2004]

I go to VCF as well! How cool.

 

[LegomasterJC]

Yes but let's not get off the topic here.
Anyone able to share what they get out of a more organized worship time?

 

[jands2004]

.

 

[Endure2]

amen, good post!

and something God has shown me is that worship doesnt come from a structured song, so your worship isnt regulated by hearing a certain KIND or music or KIND of sound, but it comes up out of the heart.
this is why the broken and contrite heart is Gods pleasure, not the sounds your mouth makes, its the reason you make the sounds, not the way they sound.
thats why we can worship in many diffrent environments.

God wants the fruit of our lips, but he is looking deeper then way your words sound.

and ive also learned that worship does cause us to be changed, BUT worship isnt for us, WORSHIP IS FOR GOD. we send worship up to change heavon and touch God, and through worship we enter into his presence and THEN... we are changed.
but worship doesnt directly change us, it changes heavon and touches the heart of God, and after heavon has be touched, then God changes and blesses us.

but this is why we must worship God even if it seems like nothing is happening, but worship isnt for us, worship is for God, after youve blesses him, then hell bless you.
worship is an offering, its unselfish.

 

[angeleyes21]

Worship Ps 139​

"If Worship does not change us, it has not been worship. To stand before the Holy One of eternity is to change. Woship begins in holy expectancy and ends in holy obedience." ~Richard Foster​

"A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word darkness on the walls of his cell."​

~CS Lewis

"Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture." Ps. 100​

God has challenged me this month about Worship. At school, we are required to go to 14 Chapels a semester with a lot more offered. Chapels are held on Wednesdays and Fridays. It is known that Wednesdays are more traditional. When I say tradition I mean traditional. We are talking about organ music, hymns, stand up-sit down, responsive reading. I love going to chapels, however; Wednesdays are hard for me. I desire to worship God, but I find it hard to worship with an organ and worship singing hymns the “old fashion” way.

At Warren Community Church, I enjoy the worship. But, a lot of times, I find myself thinking about the different ways that they sing/play songs that I know so well, as if the way I know it is the only correct way. My mind wanders trying to figure out the way they are singing the song and comparing it to the way I am used to.

I was sitting in my room a few nights ago, listening to some praise music... my roommates were either sleeping or not here. Listening to the music, God began to speak to me. “Why is it that when you are alone with me you can worship me with everything you have, but when you are in a corporate setting you hold back?”

That question hit me hard… God and I chatted about this for a little bit. And throughout the week God used little things to speak some amazing things to me. The three quotes above, God gave to me as I was about to throw away Campus Life Magazine. I dropped the magazine on the ground accidentally and when it fell it was open to a section all about worship. I picked it up and began to read.

The first quote— "If Worship does not change us, it has not been worship. To stand before the Holy One of eternity is to change. Worship begins in holy expectancy and ends in holy obedience."—hit me hard. I realized that so many times I “entered” the presence of God, or so I thought, but let the presence of God unchanged. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO BE IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD AND NOT TO CHANGE! I realized that for the first time that night.

I began to purpose in my heart that I would not leave a setting of worship without first being changed, somehow. This in itself began to change things.

I am sure you are familiar with the quote “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.” That is His desire, is for me to be satisfied with just Him. To be completely satisfied with nothing else but God. There have been so many times in my life that this wasn’t the case.

I want to learn how to be completely satisfied in Him… not in Him and my friends… not Him and my family… just Him!

Is that your desire? Are you willing to be satisfied in JUST GOD? Are you willing to sacrifice everything for Him, just to be with Him?

*Note: this was written by my roommate, Shannon. I believe she is a member of Christian Forums as well. This is just something that has encouraged me and I wanted to share it with you.

Thank you. Amen. That was a blessing.

love ya in Christ
jennifer nicole ​