[Worship] re: pastor teaching on worship and more

[Katie <katie@christaslife.us>]

Our pastor happened to do a teaching on worship yesterday!  He always asked the Lord what to teach on each week, and this week God said "Tell them I love them..." (That is the same every week.) and, "... tell them that worship is the key to My presence."

It was a WONDERFUL teaching!  He shared how worship is different from praise.  Praise is simply saying something wonderful about someone... usually something someone did.  But worship is bowing and acknowledging superiority.  It is submission.  He shared how it is possible to praise with the mouth, but not bow the heart... and that is hypocrisy, according to Jesus.

But true worship is a bowing of the heart.  It is submission.  And it is this worship that God says He establishes His throne on.  We all know of times when the manifested presence of God shows up during a worship service... and oh, how wonderful it is!

One thing that the Lord showed me when he was speaking, was the VAST importance of my role as worship leader... a worship leader is not an instructor, and not someone who is supposed to cajole or convince or prod people into God's presence.  Rather, we are supposed to simply go there ourselves, no matter what everyone else is doing or feeling, and leave the path open behind us for others to follow.  He reminded me that God's presence... His manifested presence... always brings repentance and submission.  Throughout the Bible, every time that someone was brought into the manifested presence of God, they always fell on their face and repented... they were aware of their sinful state without Jesus.  God then reminded me that His promise for national revival is dependant upon His people repenting.  "If My people... will humble themselves and pray and turn from their wicked ways..."  

Then rapid-fire it all lined up...
1) Everyone wants true revival
But if...
2) Revival is dependant upon repentance, and...
3) Repentance comes when God's presence is manifested, and...
4) God's presence is manifested through true worship, and...
5) I have been called to lead people into worship, then...
6) MY ROLE AS WORSHIP LEADER IS VITAL FOR REVIVAL!!!

I have to say that this very much humbled me and made me yearn to rely that much more upon God.  I thought I would share it with you all.

In Christ,
- Katie <><

Jesus Is! - http://katiediddesign.com/Jesus-Is/


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