Come let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our maker
~ Psalm 95:6
Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs
~ Psalm 100:2
True worship takes place when I connect with a song. When words or phrases give me a glimpse of God or Heaven and my gratitude for what He has done for me or how He continues to bless me, overwhelms me. There are a few songs that I truly connect with in that way. One is a song called "Hosanna" by Hillsong - the one particular line that gets me every time is "break my heart for what breaks Yours" - talk about a "be careful what you ask for" line. But my heart has been broken many times by the pain caused by others and by my self and I know that it is just a fraction of the pain God feels as so many of His children are out in this world living for themselves and breaking His heart with their selfish choices.
Two more songs that I will share a bit later also had this effect on me from the moment I first heard them. That moment, where this world is replaced by awe and wonder and that warm fuzzy feeling that Jesus loves me and He's here to comfort and guide me! Nothing in this world feels better then having the Saviors arms wrapped around you in a Heavenly hug!
Here are the questions posed for this lesson:
1. What is the perfect worship environment?
A. What would you change or add/take away?
B. What distracts you from worship?
2. Is it important for us to worship too, or should we just concentrate on the music (chords, harmonies, rhythms, etc.)?
A. Will it be easier for the congregation to worship if they can tell that we too are worshipping?
B. How can we forget the crowds? How do we let the meaning of the words affect us as much as they affect the congregation?
C. Do you ever imagine that Jesus is jamming on stage with you? Should we give the Holy Spirit a place on the stage?
I love simple lyrics and simple melodies - some of the greatest worship songs say very little but speak volumes to the soul.
Dwell (Casey Corum)
Dwell in the midst of us, come and dwell in this place
Dwell in the midst of us, come and have Your way
Dwell in the midst of us, wipe all the tears from our faces
Dwell in the midst of us, You can have your way
Not our will but Yours be done, come and change us
Not our will but Your be done, come sustain us
Your Love is Extravagant (Casting Crowns)
Your love is extravagant, Your friendship it is intimate
I feel I'm moving to the rhythm of Your grace, Your fragrance is intoxicating in our secret place
Your love is extravagant
Spread wide in the arms of Christ is the love that covers sin.
No greater love have I ever known You considered me a friend, capture my heart again.
"It's who you are and the way you live the count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That's the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those you are simply and honestly themselves before Him in their worship, God is sheer being itself - spirit. Those who worship Him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration"
~ John 4:23-24
3. How can we pray for you tonight?
Personal reflection: This is between you and God
We have a physical stage in our sanctuary, but as Christians we are always on stage. In other words, I believe our choices, actions and words are more closely watched by everyone so that they can judge us and watch us stumble - but if we treated every aspect of our lives as if we are engaged in genuine worship, how would that change your behavior in front of your friends, family, strangers?
My mouth's full of great praise for God,
I'm singing His hallelujahs surrounded by crowds,
for He's always at hand to take the side of the needy,
to rescue a life from the unjust judge.
~ Psalm 109:30
Here are the youtube links to the songs mentioned above.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDmYC51KSDI Hosanna by Hillsong
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZQddMt7_0o Dwell by Casey Corum
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DqlLAVm0cg Your Love is Extravagant by Casting Crowns
If I could speak into your life for a moment, I would say to remove distractions and let these songs play and meditate on the Lord and just see if you feel a connection with God. He's always there, just waiting for you to call on Him.
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