What's The Hurry

I believe the first and foremost ministry of the church, every believer, is that of praise and worship. I am not talking about simply singing songs, but heartfelt, exuberant, awe struck, adoration of the Lord God Almighty. God spoke of David the king as a man after His heart. (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22) This has absolutely nothing to do with David being more special to God than anyone else, because we know the God is not a respecter of persons, He does not show partiality. (Acts 10:34; Romans 2:11) Showing no favoritism, David still knew how good, wonderful, glorious and spectacular God was (is) and reveals it in his heart of thanksgiving to God. Many of the Psalms that David wrote reflected this in the way he let go of all inhibitions in his praise and worship to God. For instance...

"Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations." (Psalm 100) Looking at only this Psalm, it should cause believers to at least question ourselves as to why most in congregational gatherings, approach praise and worship emotionless, lifeless and with time restraints. Here we see David, a man like any other man, who was not born again, who the Holy Spirit was with but not in, who was under a lesser covenant with lesser promises, showing us the heart of praise and worship to the Lord.

When David led Israel to transport the Ark of God in the proper, prescribed way, to Jerusalem, he was not embarrassed, he was not concerned what others might say, he simple, "...danced before the Lord with all his might..." (2 Samuel 6:14) There were no hymnals, no smoke or flashing lights and there were no time limits placed on praising and worshiping God. I am not trying to be critical, but thought provoking in the following questions. What is the purpose of believers meeting together in what we call a church service, when we place restraints on praise and worship such as, no shouting, no dancing, no exuberant rejoicing, no clapping, bowing and worse yet, squeezing praise and worship into our time restrictions? Are we truly coming together to experience Gods presence or only having a religious convocation? Are we even expecting God to be apart of our services and manifest His presence among us? Do we believe as David also tells us, "But You (God) are holy, enthroned (Inhabit) in the praises of Israel (your people). (Psalm 22:3)  

I truly believe that God is raising up a new generation of people of all ages who will expect nothing less in a church service than to have the Lord presence. They will not be satisfied by simply singing songs, but have an insatiable desire to meet with the Lord. They will not be concerned with time or what others may say, but will praise and worship the Lord without restrictions and or restraints, knowing that He will show up where is exalted, honored and welcomed. This generation will thirst for His glory to manifest on earth. Although, the darkness in the world may become denser each day; although wickedness may multiply; the manifestation of God on earth will also become more powerful with each passing moment. This will be a generation of praise and worshipers that God will also say, "they are after my own heart." Therefore, this glorious generation who praise and worship the Lord like David, "with all their might" will impact the world and gather the greatest harvest of souls ever seen. 

I believe that entire towns, cities and nations will be shaken by God's glory manifesting and multitudes of people will recognize Jesus as Lord and Savior. I believe that the most remarkable manifestations of His presence will be seen through countless miracles, signs, and wonders taking place. We will see many believers in various congregations where these things are prohibited and even spoken against, who are hungering for these things, being led by the Holy Spirit to congregations who experience these very things now. I believe we will also see many of God's children who have left various congregations, who also are hungering for the Lord's presence, return and become a vital part of those congregations who experience these things regularly. 

Are you willing to be transformed and join this new generation? If your answer is yes, God will take care of everything because He does not want you to waste your time following religious norms nor the new ideas and practices being implemented in many congregations that are used to simply grow numbers and not true followers of Jesus. He wants you to enjoy the highest dimension of His glory. Surely, no change is easy and for most, it is usually difficult and even painful for some. But if that is what it takes to enter into a new and greater dimension of God's presence, then I want it. 

David also tells us, "...In Your presence is fullness of joy..." (Psalm 16:11) Do you want this fullness of joy that only God's presence can bring? The Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul tells us, "Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord." (2 Corinthians 3:17-18) Do you also want to be changed under the glory of God? I want to encourage you right now, dare to let go; do not be in a hurry; let God arise; delight in the Lord; and let the freedom and joy that is experienced through worshiping the Lord in spirit and truth, release His glorious presence transforming us from glory to glory! Jesus tells us, "But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." (John 4:23-24) God is still searching for true worshipers to worship Him. Are you one that He has found?

So, as David said, let us "Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations." (Psalm 100) May the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ fill you...