Worship is not music. Worship is simply our connection to God.
Ephesians 1:5-12
"Praise His Glory"
He destined us in love to be his sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace which he lavished upon us. For he has made known to us in all wisdom and insight the mystery of his will, according to his purpose which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In him, according to the purpose of Him who accomplishes all things according to the counsel of his will, we who first hoped in Christ have been destined and appointed to live for the praise of his glory.
I don’t want to get jolted awake only in moments. I want to live not by saying I am walking with God, or posting my daily Bible verse to facebook or twitter, or trying to act like I have it together when I don’t. I also don’t want to live looking for exciting moments apart from God. At any moment any one of us can slip….but at any moment each and every one of us can worship God. It doesn’t take a song, it doesn’t take us going to church, it doesn’t take us reading the latest greatest Christian book on the market. It only takes our hearts opened in surrender before Jesus. Each day will be a battle, each day a question of what God is doing. But what if we could just trust, what if we didn’t have to question, what if we didn’t hold our hearts back because of circumstances but we just worshiped. Lets be real, I feel Crisp. I feel held back, left behind, unused. And all the while right in front of me God is pointing me to truth, to problem areas in life, and to Him and His plans for my life. So I turned down two churches for a staff position, listened and stayed and He provided. But a few weeks into this life I begin to panic and question. Those real world problems start to sneak in and I start to look for an escape. I don’t have the answer tonight to what this is, only prayers….and this is what I am praying for.
A clear direction in ministry even just a small glance that is so powerful it stays with me and grows into a fiery passion in my heart and life so His Glory shines through to others. A sincere heart for others free of judgment but filled with wisdom to handle tough conversations and show love that heals. Those around me, encouraging and those who tear down, that I may take the positive words spoken into my life and carry them with strength and leave the negative behind. For the future I refuse to accept as a typical house with kids and a husband but rather an audacious adventure that I cannot even imagine or dream of. And for the man who will lead me into ministry with him with Christ as our center with strength, wisdom, and a love that will move mountains with a humbleness that will allow Christ to be seen to others. Discouragement has no place in my life and I pray against the thoughts that tell me to give up and the fear to step out in faith.
This is not Crown College life anymore, this is the real deal life in the raw with no boundaries, to rules, only what you discover with Christ living in you. Christ within us is what changes our lives kicking out what is not of Christ and keeping what is...it is part of a transformation and easily lost when the focus turns to self. When your conscience goes off its screaming "What are you doing, this is not you, why are you doing this." And we all hear the screams.
And yet through all the confusion, slight anguish, and my own conscience screams I still know one thing. My life is not my own, even though sometimes I think I can act like it is, and Christ will show me the way and all I have to do is live in worship.
God’s plan is still better than mine. "Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs." I'm starving for this conversation.
Ephesians 5:1-20
"Live in His Grace"
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person (such a man is an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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