Reason 6: Worship Invites God to Meet With Us

Excerpt from Plugging Into Real Worship by Andrew P. Logan Sr.

Whether we come to worship God individually or in a corporate setting, our worship invites God to meet with us.  In the New Testament, we see Jesus referred to as “Immanuel” which means “God with us”.  We also know that Jesus told us that He only did what He saw His Father doing.  Even in the Old Testament, we see God meeting with His People. Let’s take a look at a few examples.

On Mount Sinai, God told Moses to come up, bringing Aaron, Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel.  They were instructed to worship God from afar.  Only Moses could come up close to God.  Through the worship of Moses and the others, God established the Mosaic covenant.  In receiving that covenant, Moses was careful to write down all that God had told him.  As Moses shared what God had told him, the people of Israel heard and obeyed all that God had told Moses.

Another very interesting thing happened as a result of their worship.  God allowed Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu and the seventy elders to SEE Him.  Not only did they see Him, but they ate and drank with Him. It was after this that Moses went up on Mount Sinai into the cloud of God’s glory and dwelt there forty days and nights.

‘The LORD said to Moses, “Come up the mountain to me, you and Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy of the leaders of Israel; and while you are still some distance away, bow down in worship. You alone, and none of the others, are to come near me. The people are not even to come up the mountain.” Moses went and told the people all the LORD’s commands and all the ordinances, and all the people answered together, “We will do everything that the LORD has said. Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy of the leaders of Israel went up the mountain and they saw the God of Israel. Beneath his feet was what looked like a pavement of sapphire, as blue as the sky. God did not harm these leading men of Israel; they saw God, and then they ate and drank together.’ (Exodus 24:1-3, 9-11 GNB)

 Without a doubt, the most profound example of God meeting with His people happened at the dedication of Solomon’s temple.  In this instance, God manifested His Glory to such a degree that the Priests and Levites were unable to continue ministering as they were unable to even stand up. How did this come about?  They were of a single heart, mind, and purpose.  God honored that by giving them a single voice rather than a collection of voices and sounds as one might expect to hear in a group of worshipers.  God’s Word tells us that He commands a blessing when His people are in unity.  Clearly that day, they were in unity and God honored His promise.

“The choir and trumpets made one voice of praise and thanks to GOD–orchestra and choir in perfect harmony singing and playing praise to GOD: Yes! God is good! His loyal love goes on forever! Then a billowing cloud filled The Temple of GOD. The priests couldn’t even carry out their duties because of the cloud–the glory of GOD!–that filled The Temple of God.” (2 Chronicles 5:13-14, MSG)

 That must have been a tremendous sight to see.  Not surprisingly, God wants to manifest Himself again.  Why?  God wants to manifest Himself because He wants to prepare His Bride for Jesus’ return.  You see, God knows that His Glory will forever change us and prepare us to meet Him when He comes again.

Have you attended services where the worship ushered in a cloud of His Glory?  Words this side of eternity don’t exist to describe all that can be said about it.  Sadly, worship services such as this happen far too infrequently.  Those of us who have experienced them previously, know that God wants to reveal Himself during worship,  and feel cheated when His presence is not manifest to this degree.

Looking back at the dedication of Solomon’s temple when God’s Glory cloud was so preeminent, we see that the Priests and Levites were not only in harmony with each other, but they had prepared themselves and the temple for God to meet with them there.  Perhaps we as the Body of Christ must do more in this regard, in order to achieve the results we so desperately desire.

 

© Andrew Logan
About the Author:

Andrew Logan has been an integral part of worship for more than 20 years. Passionately, he escorts others into the Presence of God. Andrew maintains that worship invites God to meet with us to bring lasting life transformation that won’t come any other way.

Andrew developed a personal relationship with Jesus Christ during a time of intense struggle in his personal life. Having a strong passion for music, he served the Lord in music ministries in several churches. A few years later, the founder of Life Bible Ministries International, Dr. Harold Hagen ordained Andrew and asked him to lead worship there.

After a rewarding career of more than twenty years in Information Technology, he transitioned into full-time Pastoral Ministry. Andrew now serves as senior pastor of All Nations Word and Worship Center.

Author of Plugging Into Real Worship and Conectándose a la adoración verdadera

http://aplogansr.com

http://aplogansr.com/es/index.php

Publisher of Code Blue Seconds from Death by Henry C. Austin
Logan Christian Publishing Bookstore on Facebook

Reason 9: Worship Blesses Others around You

Excerpt from Plugging Into Real Worship by Andrew P. Logan Sr.

We learned early in our study that God commands us to worship Him.   We have also gained an understanding as to some of the benefits of obeying God’s commands and the benefits of worship.  But were you aware that worship not only blesses the worshiper but also the people around him/her?  Let’s take a closer look.

God promised to be faithful to His people.  Moses had instructed the people to be diligent to listen unto the voice of the Lord and to obey His commands.  We know that Moses and Aaron spent a significant amount of time in worship and prayer with God Almighty.  It was the faithfulness of the leaders, Moses and Aaron to advocate for the people and to worship God.  Why?

Godly leaders want the people under them to prosper and be satisfied, so that their reign as leaders will not endure unrest due to the unhappiness of their people.  The term blessing or blessed refers to a state in which a person is in the highest state of well-being, encompassing every aspect of that person’s life.  Here we see the promise that God will bring the blessing on the grain harvest being brought into their barns, as well as the productivity of their efforts.   The land will produce a good, plentiful harvest because God is in covenant with His people that are wholly dedicated to Him and set apart for His purposes; both then, and today.  Because worship is one of God’s commands, why would we consider neglecting it, knowing that these benefits would be jeopardized?

“Jehovah shall command the blessing on you in your storehouses, and all that you set your hand to. And He shall bless you in the land which Jehovah your God gives you.  Jehovah shall establish you a holy people to Himself, as He has sworn to you, if you shall keep the commandments of Jehovah your God and walk in His ways.”  (Deuteronomy 28:8-9)

King David we recognize as having a heart for God and a heart for worship.  As a great leader, he implored his people to worship God.  This was important as David was about to commission his son Solomon as King, and David knew that God’s anointing must rest upon his son.  Additionally, David knew that the people must accept the authority given Solomon by his father, David.  Notice the willingness and obedience of the people in the following example.

“And David said to all the congregation, Now bless Jehovah your God! And all the congregation blessed Jehovah, the God of their fathers, and bowed and worshiped Jehovah, and bowed to the king.”  (1 Chronicles 29:20)

The people did as they were commanded, and the Lord God was pleased.  God’s favor, wisdom and majesty rested on King Solomon not only because of his own heart unto God, and not only his father’s heart toward God, but also the heart of the people toward God.  We also know that Solomon was used to reconstruct the Temple in the fullness of Glory, and that God Himself inhabited that temple.  In fact, the glory of God was so incredibly strong, the Priests and Levites were unable to stand.

“And Jehovah made Solomon very great in the sight of all Israel, and placed on him such royal majesty as had not been on any king before him in Israel.  And Solomon the son of David was made strong in his kingdom, and Jehovah his God was with him and made him very great.”  (1 Chronicles 29:25, 2 Chronicles 1:1)

© Andrew Logan
About the Author:

Andrew Logan has been an integral part of worship for more than 20 years. Passionately, he escorts others into the Presence of God. Andrew maintains that worship invites God to meet with us to bring lasting life transformation that won’t come any other way.

Andrew developed a personal relationship with Jesus Christ during a time of intense struggle in his personal life. Having a strong passion for music, he served the Lord in music ministries in several churches. A few years later, the founder of Life Bible Ministries International, Dr. Harold Hagen ordained Andrew and asked him to lead worship there.

After a rewarding career of more than twenty years in Information Technology, he transitioned into full-time Pastoral Ministry. Andrew now serves as senior pastor of All Nations Word and Worship Center.

Author of Plugging Into Real Worship and Conectándose a la adoración verdadera

http://aplogansr.com

http://aplogansr.com/es/index.php

Publisher of Code Blue Seconds from Death by Henry C. Austin
Logan Christian Publishing Bookstore on Facebook

Reason 5: Worship Provides Protection and Victory

Excerpt from Plugging Into Real Worship by Andrew P. Logan Sr.

Despite the best of crime deterrent forces, many people today have difficulty with feeling adequately protected.  Whether tangible evidence exists, or the enemy is visible, we want to be protected.  When a conflict arises, as children of the Most High, we want to be victorious.  After obedience to God’s Word, our next best line of defense is worship.  Worship to God provides us protection and victory.

But what if the enemy is unseen?  The bible tells us we have an adversary, the devil. He comes at us, or at people close to us, with vicious attacks to kill us, steal from us, or render us powerless.  In fact, Scripture tells us he roams like a roaring lion, hunting for those of us he can consume.  Take heart weary soldier, as you reestablish your heart connection with God in worship, you receive all the strength, power, and wisdom you need to defeat the enemy.

David was a skilled musician and worshiper and it paid handsome dividends.  God defended David from Saul who tried numerous times to kill him.  Not only that, when Saul was tormented by an evil spirit, Saul was delivered from the evil spirit by David’s worship to God.

“Whenever the evil spirit from God bothered Saul, David would play his harp. Saul would relax and feel better, and the evil spirit would go away.” (1 Samuel 16:23, CEV)

 David worshiped His God with declarations of faith in prayer as well as with music and song.  In the following passage, we read these declarations he made sharing in the confidence of victory brought about by David’s worship and by our own.  David determined to worship God despite his circumstances.  We would do well to remember his example when the storms of life or conflicts arise around us.

“But those who seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the depths of the earth.  They shall fall by the sword; they shall be a serving for jackals. But the king shall rejoice in God; everyone who swears by Him shall glory; but the mouth of those who speak lies shall be stopped.” (Psalms 63:9-11)

When we find ourselves in the midst of conflict or enemy attacks, often times it is difficult to understand what to do.  So it was with the children of Israel at the time of King Jehoshaphat when the armies of Moab, Ammon, and Edom had surrounded them.  Do you ever feel as though your enemies have surrounded you, getting positioned for battle?  Don’t feel alone there because we all face similar situations if we will be honest.  Often times, just as the children of Israel, we don’t know what to do next.

”O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no might against this great company which comes against us. Nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You.”  (2 Chronicles 20:12)

 What was God’s promise to them if they were diligent to obey His commands, worship being one of them?  Let’s turn back to the Book of Deuteronomy to refresh our memory.

“The LORD will help you defeat your enemies and make them scatter in all directions.  Then everyone on earth will know that you belong to the LORD, and they will be afraid of you.” (Deuteronomy 28:7, 10 CEV)

Reviewing the triumphal victory King Jehoshaphat and his people had, we see God make His promise come to pass.  God gave the king and his people peace having made their enemies afraid of them.  The king and his people were diligent to hear and obey the Word of the Lord and God rewarded them.

“Every nation that heard how the LORD had defeated Israel’s enemies was terrified, so Jehoshaphat ruled in peace, and God gave him security on every side.“

(2 Chronicles 20:29, 30 GNB)

Would you like more evidence?  Of course, I can provide more. Ahithophel developed a plot to kill David.  The plan was for David to be killed at night while he was tired and discouraged.  David had learned of the planned attack but not the details.  So he went to the top of the Mount of Olives and prayed that Ahithophel’s plans would become foolishness, and then he worshiped God.  After that, Ahimaaz and Jonathan came and told David the details Ahithophel had planned.  David crossed over Jordan quickly during the day and spoiled the evil planned for him.  Upon realizing that David escaped, Ahithophel killed himself. You can find more details about this story in the 2^nd Book of Samuel beginning in chapter fifteen.

Notice the timing of the planned enemy attack; and keep vigilant and stay on guard during those times.  One flaw in Ahithophel’s plan was he failed to consider David knew how to strengthen himself in the Lord.  In David’s time of worship, not only was he strengthened and encouraged, but God gave him the wisdom he needed to escape the attack.

We find another example of God’s protection and victory as Gideon approached the camp of Midian.  Gideon overheard two men talking, one sharing a dream he had, and the other interpreting the dream.  As Gideon heard the details of the interpretation, he was compelled to worship God.  After he had done so, he returned to the place where the Israelites were camped and told them of God’s plan to deliver the camp of Midian into their hands.

Those of you reading this book may have heard strange things or been compelled in unusual ways by God.  I can’t help but wonder if the battle plan Gideon received during his time of worship and thanksgiving with the Lord didn’t seem strange to him.  Nevertheless, he obeyed.  The plan involved the Israeli army carrying pitchers that contained lighted torches.  Gideon and the others sounded trumpets and declared “The sword of the Lord and of Gideon”. As the army heard the trumpets, they broke open the pitchers to reveal the torches.  The enemy, being terrified, ran in fear, screaming.  Does this sound too good to be true?  See for yourself in the seventh chapter of the Book of Judges.

© Andrew Logan

About the Author:

Andrew Logan has been an integral part of worship for more than 20 years. Passionately, he escorts others into the Presence of God. Andrew maintains that worship invites God to meet with us to bring lasting life transformation that won’t come any other way.

Andrew developed a personal relationship with Jesus Christ during a time of intense struggle in his personal life. Having a strong passion for music, he served the Lord in music ministries in several churches. A few years later, the founder of Life Bible Ministries International, Dr. Harold Hagen ordained Andrew and asked him to lead worship there.

After a rewarding career of more than twenty years in Information Technology, he transitioned into full-time Pastoral Ministry.  Andrew now serves as senior pastor of All Nations Word and Worship Center.

Author of Plugging Into Real Worship and Conectándose a la adoración verdadera

http://aplogansr.com

http://aplogansr.com/es/index.php

Publisher of Code Blue Seconds from Death by Henry C. Austin
Logan Christian Publishing Bookstore on Facebook

Reason 10: Worship is the Way to a Fruitful Life

Excerpt from Plugging Into Real Worship by Andrew P. Logan Sr.

Worship was created for us to magnify God and express our love for Him, in such a way that it becomes a way of life for us.  Once a person enters that place with God, one-on-one in full-blown worship, without question that person is never the same again.  That Oneness with God Almighty, that communion, changes us, making us more and more like Him with each instance.

Time spent outside the presence of God, leaves our heart empty and longing for that which we’ve previously experienced.  How often the routine cares of this life, and the pace with which we must address them, leave us feeling hopeless and powerless.  Such it was with David as we see below, as he found himself in a place without sensing the presence of God, having been pursued by Saul. Yet despite his emptiness, David pressed in to God, in worship, having made that practice a way of life.

Worship was a way of life for David.  Once a shepherd-boy, later anointed King, David knew his God and the benefits afforded him from that relationship.  David’s confidence in God and his expression of love and gratitude for God’s faithfulness were an integral part of his life.

“A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah; ‘O God, You are my God; I will seek You earnestly; my soul thirsts for You; my flesh longs for You, as in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; so I have seen You in the holy place, seeing Your power and Your glory.  Because Your loving-kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You. So I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips, when I remember You on my bed and think of You in the night watches. Because You have been my help, therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice.  My soul follows hard after You; Your right hand upholds me.’” (Psalms 63:1-8)

Notice the sincerity in David’s heart as he approached God.  David recognized the condition of his own heart, as well as the environment around him. How David yearned for the safety, reassurance, provision, and renewal in God’s presence.  In the passage above, David sought that familiar place of refuge, comfort, and reinvigoration.  Unfortunately, David found himself in a desolate place; a land that is dry and without water.

We know that without water, life cannot exist.  It is precisely this reason we have been created for worship.  David was totally familiar with this concept when he expressed his desperation to God, “My soul thirsts for You, My flesh longs for You”.

As we connect with God in worship, He deposits rivers of pure, living water deep within us so that they gush forth when His Spirit summons them.  Where does that living water come from?  In the book of Revelation, chapter 22, we learn this living water comes from the Throne of God and the Lamb of God.  This river brings life to everything and everyone it touches.

Notice how David lamented that he once met God in the sanctuary, and now longed to meet Him there again.  Seeing God’s power and glory encouraged David despite his circumstances.  Notice also that David didn’t give up in his desperation, but instead, took his position, with hands and heart lifted up toward God in worship.  David poured out words of faith and hope from his heart with complete confidence in God.

David knew that in God, there is no lack; his entire life and provision are satisfied. We know that blood is created in the marrow of the bone.  Further in Leviticus we learn that the life of the flesh is in the blood. So what was David saying here?  He was testifying that as he worshiped God, God would supply the entirety of his physical, emotional, and financial need.

David remembered the goodness of God as he worshiped, and thus, meditated on Him in the evenings.  David recounted the victories God had brought about in his life and celebrated them again, allowing his faith to be strengthened.   Pay particular attention to the fact that David recognized his protection and strength came from God.  Through his connection to God established and maintained in worship, David purposed in his heart, to follow God as closely as he could. What is clear is that for David, worship and homage to God had become a way of life. Not surprising in 1^st Samuel chapter 13 we see that God alluded to David as “a man after His own heart”.

In giving thought to the feelings David expressed having once met God in the sanctuary where His power and glory were manifest; I am compelled to ask you if you share the same sentiments.  Does your house of worship, the pastor, and leadership team there invite God to manifest Himself in Power and Glory? Or have you found yourself in a wilderness-type setting where it seems dry and lifeless.

Perhaps some further introspection and challenge is necessary.  It may very well be that you need to ask yourself the same question that Jesus asked the two disciples of John the Baptist who began following Jesus, ”What are you seeking?” (See John 1:38).  I wonder how long it took them to formulate a response to Jesus’ question.  When they did, it was “Teacher, where are you staying?” Undoubtedly, those two men recognized a deficiency in their own lives.  Further, there was an understanding, whether they were able to articulate it or not, that Jesus provided the remedy for their deficiency. Also interesting is that the two men where keenly interested in knowing where Jesus would reside. With their use of the term, teacher, they postured themselves in the role of a student, ready to absorb that which Jesus would share with them.

How about you dear one?  Are you curious about where God resides, and makes Himself at home, manifesting His power and glory?  Have you postured yourself in such a way as to absorb all that God has for you?  As I write these words, lyrics to a familiar hymn flood my consciousness: “Lord prepare me, to be a Sanctuary…” How does a person learn to yield to God allowing Him to make them a Holy Habitation for His presence individually, without first experiencing that in a corporate setting?

© Andrew Logan
About the Author:

Andrew Logan has been an integral part of worship for more than 20 years. Passionately, he escorts others into the Presence of God. Andrew maintains that worship invites God to meet with us to bring lasting life transformation that won’t come any other way.

Andrew developed a personal relationship with Jesus Christ during a time of intense struggle in his personal life. Having a strong passion for music, he served the Lord in music ministries in several churches. A few years later, the founder of Life Bible Ministries International, Dr. Harold Hagen ordained Andrew and asked him to lead worship there.

After a rewarding career of more than twenty years in Information Technology, he transitioned into full-time Pastoral Ministry. Andrew now serves as senior pastor of All Nations Word and Worship Center.

Author of Plugging Into Real Worship and Conectándose a la adoración verdadera

http://aplogansr.com

http://aplogansr.com/es/index.php

Publisher of Code Blue Seconds from Death by Henry C. Austin
Logan Christian Publishing Bookstore on Facebook

Reason 4: Worship Brings Compassion and Mercy

Excerpt from Plugging Into Real Worship by Andrew P. Logan Sr.

It may come as no surprise that one speaks out of the abundance of what is in one’s heart.  King Hezekiah had been before the Lord in both prayer and worship and felt a deep burden for his people who had observed the Passover feast without having fully sanctified themselves. It was from that place of intimate worship that God not only gave the king a heart of compassion for the people, but a desire for them to receive mercy from God.  What is so special about this is that God, seeing King Hezekiah’s heart, and his obedience to all He had directed him to do, God granted the king’s request.

“For many of the people, many from Ephraim and Manasseh, Issachar and Zebulun, had not been cleansed, but ate the Passover otherwise than it was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, May the good LORD pardon everyone who prepares his heart to seek God, Jehovah, the God of his fathers, though not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary.  And Jehovah listened to Hezekiah and healed the people.” (2 Chronicles 30:18-20)

In the New Testament, we see another example of worship being expressed in the form of a plea for mercy and that plea being granted.  It seems a certain king was led to have his servants account for their talents.  One such servant owed the king ten thousand talents. When it became clear that the servant had no means of his own to repay that debt, the king ordered that all that the servant had, be taken away and sold.  The servant, with a heart of worship and esteem for the king, and in a desperate plea, begged the king for mercy.  It was the sincerity of the servant’s heart in expressing worship that set in motion the king’s compassion toward his servant.

“Therefore the kingdom of Heaven has been compared to a certain king who desired to make an accounting with his servants. And when he had begun to count, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.  But as he had nothing to pay, his lord commanded that he, and his wife and children, and all that he had, be sold, and payment be made. Then the servant fell down and worshiped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me and I will pay you all.  Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion and released him and forgave him the debt.” (Matthew 18:23-27)

 Likewise, it is the believers’ sincerity of expressing worship that welcomes and facilitates the moving of the Holy Spirit. Altogether too often, in worship services today, the expressions and delivery of worship are polished, rehearsed, almost sterile instruments seemingly void of any discernible heart sentiment. In writing this, I could not help but notice the word rehearsed.  Immediately, the thought came to mind, the expression of sentiment had died once again.  I am not saying that a team of musicians should not practice together to know how to flow with one another from chorus to chorus and song to song.  What I am intimating is that it must be an expression of the heart, and not just done out of rote.

Further review of the above passage from Matthew also suggests the servant knew exactly what his fate would be without the king’s compassion being given.  Another bold question for the Body of Christ today might be, “Do we truly understand that worship is our only reasonable response for the debt we no longer owe, thanks to Jesus Christ?” It is our continued plea for mercy and sincere appreciation for what He’s already done for us that move His heart toward us.

You may be thinking that based on your circumstances, it is hard to worship God.  It does not come as easy to you as you think it should.  Your feelings are no less legitimate than those of God’s chosen people, held in captivity by the Egyptians.  Their labor grew more and more intense prior to their release.  There was a remnant of people there that knew that they belonged to God, and they cried out to Him for deliverance.  The Israelites believed and when they heard that the Lord had visited the children of Israel and that He had looked upon their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshiped.  God heard the groaning of the children of Israel whom the Egyptians kept in bondage and God remembered His covenant.

“And I have also heard the groaning of the sons of Israel, those whom the Egyptians are keeping in bondage. And I have remembered My covenant.  Therefore say to the sons of Israel, I am Jehovah, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rescue you out of their bondage. And I will redeem you with a stretched-out arm, and with great judgments.  And I will take you to Me for a people, and I will be to you a God. And you shall know that I am Jehovah your God, who brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.  And I will bring you in to the land concerning which I lifted up My hand to give it to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. And I will give it to you for a heritage. I am Jehovah!” (Exodus 6:5-8)

We know in reading the rest of this story, that Moses eventually led God’s people out of the land of Egypt, and God remembered His covenant by drying up the Red Sea, allowing them to cross over on dry land, while drowning the Pharaoh and his armies.  It was the obedience of the people to worship God that caused God to remember the covenant He had with them.  Many of us need to make worship a practice so that God remembers the covenant that He made with us, and also, the covenant we have with Him.  That covenant or contract we have with God is an everlasting one, written in the pages of the Bible, and sealed with the blood of Jesus Christ, just as covenants in the Old Testament were sealed with blood.

© Andrew Logan

About the Author:

Andrew Logan has been an integral part of worship for more than 20 years. Passionately, he escorts others into the Presence of God. Andrew maintains that worship invites God to meet with us to bring lasting life transformation that won’t come any other way.

Andrew developed a personal relationship with Jesus Christ during a time of intense struggle in his personal life. Having a strong passion for music, he served the Lord in music ministries in several churches. A few years later, the founder of Life Bible Ministries International, Dr. Harold Hagen ordained Andrew and asked him to lead worship there.

After a rewarding career of more than twenty years in Information Technology, he transitioned into full-time Pastoral Ministry. Andrew now serves as senior pastor of All Nations Word and Worship Center.

Author of Plugging Into Real Worship and Conectándose a la adoración verdadera

http://aplogansr.com

http://aplogansr.com/es/index.php

Publisher of Code Blue Seconds from Death by Henry C. Austin
Logan Christian Publishing Bookstore on Facebook

Reason 11: Worship Brings Healing and Deliverance

Excerpt from Plugging Into Real Worship

Another important reason why we are called to worship God is that our expression of worship to Him will bring about the Healing and Deliverance He secured for us.  Because this book is about worship, and not healing and deliverance, the author will not cover the topic of sickness and healing in detail.  There is a notion that illness or affliction is allowed by God to teach us something.  The author rejects this notion because Jesus taught that a house divided in itself cannot stand.  As we examine the passages in this section, we clearly see that God heals, and that He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  Therefore it would be flawed logic to embrace a position involving illness or affliction, while promoting healing and deliverance with equal benefit.

 “And behold, a leper came and worshiped him, saying, Lord, if You will, You can make me clean.  And Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, I will; be clean! And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.” (Matthew 8:2-3)

 Ok, here it is for the skeptics!  Jesus said, “I will”; meaning, “Yes, it IS my desire to restore you to health.”  If we only read that passage in the bible, and meditated on it!  At that time, lepers were deemed “unclean” and required to stay outside the walls of the city; it is also there where the refuse was taken and burned.  That gives you a perspective as to what the whole and healthy people thought of those afflicted with leprosy.  In fact, if a leper were to enter the city, he was required to shout the words “Unclean, unclean” to warn passers-by.  How degrading that must have been, especially being a constant reminder of the lepers’ circumstance.

Yet the adoration of the leper for Jesus, and his desire to be made whole, was stronger than the condemnation of heart, mind, and body brought on by his leprosy.  In humility and sincere appreciation for Jesus, he asked if Jesus wanted to make him whole again.  How many of us today are so downtrodden, so browbeaten by the enemy and the weight of our circumstances that we HAVE to ask Jesus if He WANTS to heal us?  As the leper humbled himself before Jesus and expressed his heart, Jesus, having compassion on him, made him whole.

 Still not convinced?  Then let’s have a look at another story.  Here we find a ruler named Jairus whose daughter was so sick that she actually died before Jesus arrived on the scene.  Jesus was on His way to the man’s house, but was detained for a brief period after His virtue healed the woman with the issue of blood.  Thankfully, Jesus was not prisoner to his own appointment calendar and healed this suffering woman.

 “While He spoke these things to them, behold, a certain ruler came and worshiped Him, saying, ‘My daughter has just now died. But come and lay Your hand on her and she will live.’ He said to them, ‘Go back, for the little girl is not dead, but sleeps.’ And they laughed Him to scorn.  But when the people were put out, He went in and took her by the hand, and the little girl arose.” (Matthew 9:18, 24-25)

 “You’re too late!”  Can’t you hear the chiding remarks of those around Jairus and his wife?  Praise God, Jairus didn’t listen to them but trusted in his heart and the unwavering confidence he had about Jesus.  Many of us would do well to get the intestinal fortitude (i.e. guts) to ignore people around us, continue in our expression of worship and let God have His way in our lives.  Notice the skeptics there didn’t just repudiate Jairus; they were actually rebutting Jesus; my goodness, what a tremendously foolish thing to do.

Notice also that the worship had to have its complete work.  Complete, in what sense?  The worship had to be such that it provided the stability, desire, and courage required to remove all of the doubters and their sentiments from the room.  Similar to the “prayed-through” term used by a seasoned Christian, there is also a concept called “worshiped-through”.  This is the point worship has taken a person to a place where doubt ceases to exist or have any role in one’s thoughts, will, emotions, or actions.  It is at this place, that healing and deliverance can come.

Another example we find is one of the Canaanite woman whose daughter was severely demon-possessed. She came and worshiped Him, saying “Lord help me!” Can you hear her cry of desperation to the Lord from a position of faith and adoration?  She knew in her heart that Jesus was the only answer for her and her daughter.

“Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, Lord, help me!  Then Jesus answered and said to her, O woman, great is your faith! So be it to you even as you wish. And her daughter was healed from that very hour. (Matthew 15:25, 28)

 Without question, one of the most well known stories in the Bible of worship bringing about supernatural deliverance involves Paul and Silas during their imprisonment.  Despite their incarceration for preaching the Gospel, these two warriors drew strength, peace, and ultimate freedom from deep within their hearts during a time of worship together.  Also of interest is the fact that the other prisoners listened and didn’t demean them for their behavior. It was as if there was an air of expectancy that was brought into the prison when Paul and Silas arrived.

“And toward midnight Paul and Silas prayed and praised God in a hymn. And the prisoners listened to them.  And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened and all the bonds were loosened.” (Acts 16:25-26)

 Let’s examine what happened more closely.  Paul and Silas worshiped God despite their circumstances. The very core of strength of that which held them bound was shaken and loosened.  The very passage way in which they entered the place of bondage was reopened, providing the necessary escape route. Sometimes it is difficult to see any possibility of escaping those things that bind us.  Yet this testimony helps us understand that despite our inability to see it naturally, our worship to God will bring us to our way of escape.

© Andrew Logan

About the Author:

Andrew Logan has been an integral part of worship for more than 20 years. Passionately, he escorts others into the Presence of God. Andrew maintains that worship invites God to meet with us to bring lasting life transformation that won’t come any other way.

Andrew developed a personal relationship with Jesus Christ during a time of intense struggle in his personal life. Having a strong passion for music, he served the Lord in music ministries in several churches. A few years later, the founder of Life Bible Ministries International, Dr. Harold Hagen ordained Andrew and asked him to lead worship there.

After a rewarding career of more than twenty years in Information Technology, he transitioned into full-time Pastoral Ministry. Andrew now serves as senior pastor of All Nations Word and Worship Center.

Author of Plugging Into Real Worship and Conectándose a la adoración verdadera

http://aplogansr.com

http://aplogansr.com/es/index.php

Publisher of Code Blue Seconds from Death by Henry C. Austin
Logan Christian Publishing Bookstore on Facebook

6 Days Left !! Don’t Delay.

6 Days Left !! Don’t Delay..

Miracles Today? Yes!

God performing miracles today is His way of saying “Thank you” for exalting Him and His Word above ourselves, agendas & the wisdom of men.

© Andrew Logan

About the Author:

Andrew Logan has been an integral part of worship for more than 20 years. Passionately, he escorts others into the Presence of God. Andrew maintains that worship invites God to meet with us to bring lasting life transformation that won’t come any other way.

Andrew developed a personal relationship with Jesus Christ during a time of intense struggle in his personal life. Having a strong passion for music, he served the Lord in music ministries in several churches. A few years later, the founder of Life Bible Ministries International, Dr. Harold Hagen ordained Andrew and asked him to lead worship there.

After a rewarding career of more than twenty years in Information Technology, he transitioned into full-time Pastoral Ministry. Andrew now serves as senior pastor of All Nations Word and Worship Center.

Author of Plugging Into Real Worship and Conectándose a la adoración verdadera

http://aplogansr.com

http://aplogansr.com/es/index.php

Publisher of Code Blue Seconds from Death by Henry C. Austin
Logan Christian Publishing Bookstore on Facebook

Reason 3: Worship Prepares Us for Sanctification

Excerpt from Plugging Into Real Worship

Another well known story is that of King David and Bathsheba.  Without reexamining all of the details of the story, suffice to say that David sinned against God in having Bathsheba’s husband killed.  God executed punishment on David for having Uriah killed.  This punishment involved the death of David’s illegitimate son with Bathsheba.  David confessed his sin before God, mourned his son’s death and repented.  Until his son died, David did not eat and lay prostrate on the ground all night.

 “And David arose from the earth and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his clothing, and came into the house of Jehovah and worshiped. And he came to his house, and commanded, and they brought bread before him and he ate. And David comforted his wife Bathsheba. And he went in to her and lay with her. And she bore a son. And he called his name Solomon. And Jehovah loved him.” (2 Samuel 12:20, 24)

 David arose from the earth after his son’s death, washed and anointed himself, changed his apparel, and came into the house of the Lord and worshiped.  The Lord forgave David, gave him and Bathsheba another son, Solomon and the Lord loved him (Solomon).

 “We know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and do his will, him he heareth.” (John 9:31, ASV)

 Because King David was a worshiper of God, and he was a man after God’s heart, David’s worship prepared him for sanctification.  His heart would be set-apart, holy and pure before God.  It was this purification after having sinned that moved the ear and hand of God back toward David and Bathsheba and blessed them.

© Andrew Logan

About the Author:

Andrew Logan has been an integral part of worship for more than 20 years. Passionately, he escorts others into the Presence of God. Andrew maintains that worship invites God to meet with us to bring lasting life transformation that won’t come any other way.

Andrew developed a personal relationship with Jesus Christ during a time of intense struggle in his personal life. Having a strong passion for music, he served the Lord in music ministries in several churches. A few years later, the founder of Life Bible Ministries International, Dr. Harold Hagen ordained Andrew and asked him to lead worship there.

After a rewarding career of more than twenty years in Information Technology, he transitioned into full-time Pastoral Ministry. Andrew now serves as senior pastor of All Nations Word and Worship Center.

Author of Plugging Into Real Worship http://aplogansr.com

and Conectándose a la adoración verdadera http://aplogansr.com/es/index.php

Publisher of Code Blue Seconds from Death by Henry C. Austin  Logan Christian Publishing Bookstore on Facebook

Reason 12: Worship Brings Ordination for Service

Excerpt from Plugging Into Real Worship by Andrew P Logan Sr.

Mary of Bethany provides a beautiful example of a person whose worship brings her ordination for service.  She chose to place herself voluntarily as a student at Jesus’ feet, with complete attention and focus on Him. She sat there at His feet in a posture of worship, hearing all He had to share. It was her unquestioned loyalty and devotion to Him that led her to be obedient to what her heart told her to do later; anointing Jesus’ for burial.

“And as they went, it happened that He entered into a certain village. And a certain woman named Martha received Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary (of Bethany), who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word.  But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she came to Him and said, Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.  And Jesus answered and said to her, Martha, Martha; you are anxious and troubled about many things. But one thing is needful, and Mary has chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”  (Luke 10:38-42)

“She sat at his feet, as scholars at the feet of their tutors when they read their lectures; hence Paul is said to be brought up at the feet of Gamely. Our sitting at Christ’s feet, when we hear his word, signifies a readiness to receive it, and a submission and entire resignation of ourselves to the guidance of it. We must either sit at Christ’s feet or be made his footstool; but, if we sit with him at his feet now, we shall sit with him on his throne shortly.” (Matthew Henry Commentary)

Mary anointed Jesus to prepare him for his service at the cross.  Pharisees saw her as a sinner.  Jesus saw her as a precious person, giving something that cost her dearly. She gave to Him freely in such a way that moved Him to reciprocate.  Jesus also recognized and appreciated her sacrifices. He saw in her the discipline that it took to reach that goal. She knew her audience knew who and what she was, yet she persevered.

She knew that Jesus was the only means of her being forgiven for her past.  It was her worship and adoration that kept her at his feet, pouring out her heart and her tears washing his feet.  She wiped his feet with her hair. She fervently kissed his feet in love and adoration for Who He was, but also in remorse for her sins.  In using her hair, she offered the only covering she had, hoping that in exchange He would become her covering.

After kissing His feet, she anointed Jesus with very costly perfume. Given her line of work, it must have taken her a long time to accumulate the resources necessary to purchase such a fine quality ointment. She offered the most valuable thing she had, a very costly sum to Jesus.  Isn’t it just like the Pharisees of our day that have a tendency to misunderstand the expression of our heart, when we obey God in giving Him our all.  Also, notice that they had other ideas on how to use the resource more effectively.  Jesus addressed this by telling them that she will be remembered for what she has done, being obedient, and giving Him, her all.  Below are the two accounts of this story we find in Scripture.

“And behold, a woman, a sinner in the city, knowing that He reclined in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster vial of ointment. And she stood behind Him, weeping at His feet, and she began to wash His feet with tears and wipe them with the hair of her head. And she ardently kissed His feet and anointed them with the ointment. But seeing this, the Pharisee who had invited Him, spoke within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what kind of woman this is who touches him, for she is a sinner.” (Luke 7:37-39)

“And when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came to Him, having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on His head as He reclined.  But when His disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, To what purpose is this waste? For this ointment might have been sold for very much and given to the poor.  When Jesus understood it, He said to them, Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a good work on Me.  For you have the poor with you always, but you do not always have Me.  For in putting ointment on My body, she did it for My burial.  Truly I say to you, Wherever this gospel shall be proclaimed in the whole world, that which this woman has done shall be spoken of also, for a memorial of her. (Matthew 26:6-13)

 Another example of worship providing ordination for service can be found in reviewing the events surrounding Mary Magdalene and Mary of Nazareth’s journey to the tomb after Jesus’ death.  Knowing how traumatic it must have been for both of them to see Jesus crucified, one can understand why they were initially afraid when Jesus appeared to them after his resurrection. Let’s have a closer look.

“But late in the week, at the dawning into the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary (of Nazareth) came to see the tomb.  And behold, a great earthquake occurred! For coming down from Heaven, and coming up, an angel of the Lord rolled back the stone from the door and was sitting on it.  His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow.  And the keepers shook for fear of him and became like dead men.  And the angel answered and said to the women, Do not fear, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.  He is not here, for He has risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.  And go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead. And, behold, He goes before you into Galilee. There you shall see Him. Lo, I have told you. And they quickly departed from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word. But as they were going to report to His disciples, behold, Jesus also met them, saying, Hail! And they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him.  Then Jesus said to them, Do not be afraid; go tell My brothers that they should go into Galilee, and there they will see Me”.  (Matthew 28:1-10)

He came to Mary Magdalene and Jesus’ mother Mary and they fell at his feet and worshiped Him.  They laid hold of Jesus’ feet, the foundation of His life and resurrection, remembering all that He shared with them.  His feet were also nailed to the cross.  They embraced His feet so as to comfort Him knowing, the pain He endured for them, and to express their sincere gratitude for His doing that. They also recognized (though probably unable to verbalize), that death couldn’t hold Jesus, and likewise, as they embraced Him and His resurrection, death couldn’t hold them either.

There is something to the fact that the two Mary’s went to the tomb to seek Jesus after His death.  Confident of their faith, and their hearts being ready to receive the fullness of His resurrection, Jesus appeared to them first.  Jesus used them to prepare the hearts of the disciples to hear of his visitation.  Jesus also imparted faith to them so that they would not be reluctant to share the news of His resurrection, and His visitation with them, with the disciples.  This impartation was brought about by their worship. One might say that through their worship, they received the impartation necessary for them to fulfill that which God destined for them to pursue.

© Andrew Logan

About the Author:

Andrew Logan has been an integral part of worship for more than 20 years. Passionately, he escorts others into the Presence of God. Andrew maintains that worship invites God to meet with us to bring lasting life transformation that won’t come any other way.

Andrew developed a personal relationship with Jesus Christ during a time of intense struggle in his personal life. Having a strong passion for music, he served the Lord in music ministries in several churches. A few years later, the founder of Life Bible Ministries International, Dr. Harold Hagen ordained Andrew and asked him to lead worship there.

After a rewarding career of more than twenty years in Information Technology, he transitioned into full-time Pastoral Ministry. Andrew now serves as senior pastor of All Nations Word and Worship Center.

Author of Plugging Into Real Worship and Conectándose a la adoración verdadera

http://aplogansr.com

http://aplogansr.com/es/index.php

Publisher of Code Blue Seconds from Death by Henry C. Austin
Logan Christian Publishing Bookstore on Facebook