Consequences of Disobedience

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

Up to this point in our study of worship, we have examined reasons why we must worship God and what benefits are promised to us when we obey.  Unfortunately, it has become commonplace for us to look for loopholes, escape hatches, and perhaps even rationalizations that help us disobey while feeling good about it.  But, should we be feeling good about disobeying God?  Perhaps after reviewing this next section, you’ll be able to make a more informed decision about your worship response.

Hezekiah and David both prospered as a result of their way of life of worship toward God.  Hezekiah was well familiar with the consequences of the disobedience of his predecessors.  Those consequences borne out in his people gave him compassion and a desire to obey God; avoiding the mistakes of his predecessors.

“For our fathers have sinned and did the evil in the eyes of Jehovah our God, and have forsaken Him, and have turned away their faces from the house of Jehovah, and have turned their backs. Also they have shut up the doors of the porch, and put out the lamps, and have not burned incense nor offered burnt offerings in the sanctuary to the God of Israel. Therefore the wrath of Jehovah was on Judah and Jerusalem, and He has delivered them to trouble, to ruin, and to hissing as you see with your eyes. For lo, our fathers have fallen by the sword, and our sons and our daughters and our wives are in captivity for this.” (2 Chronicles 29:6-9)

The story of Ahaziah identifies consequences for disobedience.  Sometimes as believers we become indignant at the Israelites for their lack of steadfastness in obedience from generation to generation.  Yet, are we that different today?  What things are we worshiping today, having elevated them to a place equal to, or above God in our lives?

“Ahaziah, the son of Ahab, began to reign over Israel in Samaria the seventeenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah. And he reigned two years over Israel.    And he did evil in the sight of Jehovah, and walked in the way of his father, and in the way of his mother, and in the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin.  For he served Baal and worshiped him, and provoked Jehovah, the God of Israel to anger, according to all that his father had done.” (1 Kings 22:51-53)

 I don’t know about you dear one, but the last thing I want to do in this life is provoke the Lord to anger.  It was clear that Ahaziah did not fear the Lord, nor did he concern himself with the Lord.  Instead, he worshiped Baal and provoked God to anger.   But what consequences did Ahaziah suffer as a result of his disobedience?

“And Ahaziah fell down through a lattice in his upper room in Samaria, and was sick. And he sent messengers and said to them, Go, ask of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron whether I shall recover of this disease.  But the angel of Jehovah said to Elijah the Tishbite, Arise! Go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria and say to them, Is it not because no God is in Israel that you go to ask of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron?  And therefore so says Jehovah, You shall not come from that bed on which you have gone up, but shall surely die. And Elijah left.  And the messengers turned back to him. And he said, Why have you now turned back?  And they said to him, A man came up to meet us and said to us, Go, turn again to the king who sent you, and say to him, So says Jehovah, Is it not because no God is in Israel that you go to ask of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron? Therefore, you shall not come down from that bed on which you have gone up, but shall surely die.  And he said to them, What kind of man was he who came up to meet you and told you these words?  And they answered him, He was a hairy man and was bound with a girdle of leather around his loins. And he said, He is Elijah the Tishbite.” (2 Kings 1:2-8)

 Isn’t it interesting that some people don’t know when to surrender?  Here we read that Ahaziah was injured in a fall, but did he consult God?  No, instead he sought counsel from Baal-zebub the god of Ekron.  Not only did he provoke the anger of the Lord, the Lord sent word to him through messengers that he would not recover.  In pride and arrogance, Ahaziah decided to go after the man who dared give him such news.  He devised a plan to send fifty men and a commander to go and bring Elijah back to him.  But Ahaziah’s plans soon proved fruitless.  Elijah, a man of God, discerned this plan and the origin of the plan, and called down fire from heaven which consumed the company of the fifty men and their commander.  Upon hearing the news of the destruction of the first company, Ahaziah commissioned a second company of men and a commander to carry out his plan.  Again, with the discernment of the Lord, Elijah called down fire, and the fifty-one men were exterminated.  Now most rational people would consider staying away from someone like Elijah, given what had happened to the first two companies of men.  Astoundingly enough, Ahaziah, was able to commission yet a third company of men.  However, this time, the results were different.

The commander of the third company of men threw himself at Elijah’s feet and begged for mercy after acknowledging Elijah’s God and His authority.  At that moment, Elijah heard from the Lord and was told to listen to the commander and accommodate his request.  Elijah returned to Ahaziah and spoke the prophetic words of the Lord directly to Ahaziah himself.  Ahaziah died just as Elijah spoke, after a brief two year reign over Israel.  From this we can clearly see that disobedience to God does indeed have negative consequences.

God has feelings and will choose to share them even if it means bringing death to those who do not follow his commands.  Putting this in perspective, do we dare take a position in our lives where we fail to obey God’s command to worship Him and Him alone?  Are we prepared to accept the consequences not obeying Him?

© 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 1: God Commands It

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

Jesus told us “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” (John 14:15, NKJV™)  One thing is certain.  God commands us to worship Him.  “You shall worship the Lord your God and Him only you shall serve.”(Luke 4:8, NKJV™) As Jesus approached the base of the Mount of Olives, His disciples began to rejoice and praise God.  When the Pharisees told Jesus to make them hold their peace, Jesus responded, saying that if they remain silent, the stones would cry out.  The holiness, justice, and sacrifice of God demand a response from all of His creation, and that response is worship.

“…Blessed is the King coming in the name of the Lord! Peace in Heaven and glory in the highest!  And some of the Pharisees from the crowd said to Him, Teacher, rebuke your disciples.  And He answered and said to them, I tell you that if these should be silent, the stones would cry out. (Luke 19:38-40)

Notice too, that the size, shape, coloration, or description of the stones that would worship is not mentioned.  The implication is that all of them would respond accordingly.  One can be assured that there in Jerusalem, there were rocks of all shapes, sizes, colors, and complexions.  The same could be said for people here on the earth.  Therefore, no one is exempt from worship.  Regardless as to race, color, creed, socio-economic status, marital status, size, shape, or any other demographic stratification, all are required to respond.

God’s Holy Spirit has revealed the following prophetic message to the Body of Christ today.  “I come this day to bring a warning to those who will not obey My Word. The time is here and now to get into a place of worship, of connecting with Me”, says the Lord of Hosts. “For soon I will manifest My glory and things of darkness and shadow will be burned away. As the Son shines, so do My children. Repent, get your hearts right and keep them in Me”, says the Lord, “for the time of home going draws near. Go out, draw the people in to me—all who will listen. Take note of the days you are in”, says the Lord of Hosts. “I pursue all humanity.  I desire that all should come. Burst forth from your shell, be silent no longer—go forth and call in all who will hear and respond.”

 As we read this passage from the Gospel of Luke, we see Jesus riding into Jerusalem the week before His crucifixion.  His disciples had a sense of the season of Jesus’ ministry and began crying out loudly to Him in worship.  Friend, do you have a sense of the season of God we’re in right now, and that the culmination of God’s plan and purpose is close at hand?  Hopefully you do, such that you waste no opportunity to worship Him as often as you can.

Don’t let history repeat itself by allowing persons you respect to keep you from worshiping God.  Take a look at what Jesus said.  Stones would worship Him if His followers kept themselves silent.  Each person must make a personal decision and respond.  No, you are not authorized to delegate this to anyone else.

© 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

Ode to Worship Teams

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

Worship Leaders and team members don’t think that you‘ll be excluded here. Since we’ve already established that worship is an expression of the heart, it is vitally important that the congregation (those that will) enter God’s presence. If only the worship team enters, then your ministry has been limited and thereby impeded the operation of the Holy Spirit.

In striving for excellence in our ministry, often times we fall into a destructive trap laid for us by the enemy of our souls.  That trap is the one whereby we attempt to determine our effectiveness by measuring our ministry with other ministries.  A word of caution is in order here.  Jesus Christ is the ONLY measuring rod, and there are no others. It is our shortcoming when measured against Him that promotes humility within us; therefore we must guard our hearts accordingly and remember that we are fully complete in Him.

No discussion about attitudes of the heart would be complete without addressing the other extreme, pride.  Scripture tells us that pride goes before destruction, consequently, we must not think more highly of ourselves than we should.  We must continue to remember that our ONLY access to the Father comes through Jesus Christ’s finished work on the cross, and His shed blood that covers and forgives our sin.  It is that cloak of righteousness He confers upon us, that allows us to lose the addresses of our past sins.  We must forgive ourselves just as He forgave us, and remembers our sin no more.

Undoubtedly, we all want to avoid mundane repetition in our lives. This is especially true when selections of songs are made for praise and worship. Do you have a desire to do new music? Great, but proceed with caution, making sure of two things:

1.  The musicians and vocalists know the song extremely well so that they have no anxiety in ministering the new song(s)
2. Allow the congregation to hear the new song(s) several times outside of the critical-path Praise and Worship period to help them familiarize themselves with it.

Another word on lyrics—Choose or write songs with no more than 6 or 7 words per line, especially in the chorus. These shorter lines are easier to remember, provide less opportunity upon which to stumble and allow the worshiper to focus on their heart connection rather than on what words they are singing.

Let’s have a look at a word picture as an example.  In expressing your feelings to someone you dearly love, you wouldn’t express that love by saying, “My synapse and neurotransmitters fire in order when you enter the room.” Instead, you might respond, “When I see you, I am amazed at your beauty.”

© 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 8: Worship Closes the Door to Sin and Iniquity

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

Often we find ourselves tempted to sin when confronted with unpleasant, difficult, and grievous situations.  During those times, it is altogether too easy for us to miss the mark, set for us by Job.  As we look at the following illustration, we will see readily that worship closes the door to sin and iniquity.  Additionally, worship allows us to receive wisdom and discernment about situations both now and in the future.

“And a day came when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house.  And there came a messenger to Job and said, ‘The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them.  And the Sabeans fell on and took them away. Yea, they have killed the servants with the edge of the sword. And I only have escaped alone to tell you’. While he was still speaking, there also came another and said, ‘The fire of God has fallen from the heavens and has burned up the sheep and the servants, and destroyed them. And I only have escaped alone to tell you’. While he was still speaking, there also came another and said, ‘The Chaldeans made out three bands and swooped down upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and have killed the servants with the edge of the sword. And I only have escaped alone to tell you’.  While he was still speaking, there also came another and said, ‘Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house. And, behold, a great wind came from the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead. And I only have escaped alone to tell you.’” (Job 1:13-19)

 “And Job arose, and tore his robe, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground and worshiped.  And he said, ‘I came naked out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there. Jehovah gave, and Jehovah has taken away. Blessed be the name of Jehovah’.  In all this, Job did not sin, nor charge God foolishly.” (Job 1:20-22)

What an example Job set for us to follow!  Yes, he was moved with grief and sorrow as evidenced by his tearing his clothes.  Did Job allow those sentiments to drive him toward sin or act foolishly?  Indeed not.  We see that despite all that happened, Job sinned not.  He didn’t even blame God for what happened.

How did Job keep himself from sin and iniquity?  Job humbled himself in a manner demonstrating death-to-self (tearing his clothes), and the removal of self-adornment (shaving his head) for the purpose of preparing his heart for worship.  Job worshiped God knowing that it was the only response he could offer to a Holy God.  Job was confident God would remove his grief. It was this act of humility that kept Job’s heart pure and steadfast, allowing him to stay focused.

“And his wife said to him, ‘Do you still hold to your integrity? Curse God and die!’  But he said to her, ‘You speak as one of the foolish ones speak. What? Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?’ In all this, Job did not sin with his lips.” (Job 2:9-10)

 Don’t you love how empathetic Job’s wife was to his plight? I thank God for allowing us to see that people closest to us, often don’t understand us, our thoughts, feelings, or intents of our heart. Where else could Job go for comfort and consolation but to God?

Job also received other benefits from humbling himself and worshiping God that day.  God gave Job wisdom, understanding, and discernment regarding his wife’s heart.  We see that he refers to her speech as that of a foolish person.  In reviewing this passage with the help of Strong’s concordance, we see that the reference about his wife’s behavior in making the comment she did, included stupidity and wickedness.

Job recognized the trap formed by his wife’s words, yet he did not fall into it.  In fact, you’ll notice that Job kept his mouth shut (see Job 1:22) until the discernment came from God. Then, Job spoke the wisdom he received from God (see Job 2:10).  Job continued to keep his heart pure and steadfast before God. No matter what happened, Job did not blame God.   Job continued in keeping his composure without “venting”, ranting, raving, shouting, or cursing, even when provoked by his wife.

Job didn’t have the written word at that time to understand that God told satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power. Only do not lay your hand upon him.” (Job 1:12)  Apparently, everyone at that time thought good and bad came from God, yet verse 12 states that God gave authority over Job’s possessions to satan. Even though Job’s perception of God was that of One Who sent both good and evil, Job’s worship prepared him to receive whatever God allowed him to receive.  In responding to his wife, we can clearly see the wisdom and equity of God’s justice being expressed here. How many times have we failed to see and express similar sentiment as opportunities arise?  How can we prevent such failures in the future?

By worshiping God on a regular basis, we will position ourselves to receive the same benefits Job received.  These benefits are the ability to maintain a pure and steadfast heart in the face of adversity, wisdom and discernment regarding the traps our enemy prepares for us, the ability to speak only the wisdom of God, and staying focused on the goodness of God. Maintaining this posture before God will close the door to sin and iniquity in our lives so that temptations don’t overtake us.

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

Say YES to Jesus Christ – Today!

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him and he with Me.

Will your spirit say “Yes?”.

Say “Yes” and open the door today.

http://youtu.be/vK47InW6EhY

 

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 7: Worship is a Heavenly Transaction

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

In reviewing our definition of worship, you may recall we defined it as a heart-connection where one expresses deep adoration and esteem for God.  This connection is actually similar to an electrical circuit whereby sentiment is flowing upward toward God, while His blessing is flowing down to us.  Consequently, this flow is bi-directional.  Worship actually becomes a conduit; with God making deposits within us to bless us, encourage us, strengthen us, and bestow His love upon us.  What might we expect to receive in the form of deposits in our life, when we worship?  Let’s take some time and investigate this further.

 “O God, it is right for us to praise you in Zion and keep our promises to you, because you answer prayers. People everywhere will come to you on account of their sins. Our faults defeat us, but you forgive them. Happy are those whom you choose, whom you bring to live in your sanctuary. We shall be satisfied with the good things of your house, the blessings of your sacred Temple. You answer us by giving us victory, and you do wonderful things to save us. People all over the world and across the distant seas trust in you. You set the mountains in place by your strength, showing your mighty power. You calm the roar of the seas and the noise of the waves; you calm the uproar of the peoples. The whole world stands in awe of the great things that you have done. Your deeds bring shouts of joy from one end of the earth to the other.”  (Psalms 65:1-8, GNB)

 Looking at the passage above, we see several blessings God gives us as we worship Him.  He answers our prayers.  Without writing in circles, our prayers can be a form of worship and our worship can also contain a prayer.  God hears them and answers them.

God knows how frail we are and how easily we can be overtaken in a fault. God on the other hand, is faithful to us, and forgives us as we worship Him.  He does this in order to make us victorious in Him, rather than living a life of defeat and condemnation.  Because He forgives us, and He is certainly more supreme than we are, we must also forgive ourselves.

Worship provides a channel for God to bring us happiness.  How many times have you been in a less than desirable mood, or been troubled about something, and had those feelings completely disappear within a short time after entering worship?  In fact, those negative emotions or thoughts are replaced by feelings of overwhelming joy, peace, and comfort.

Often when we have guests in our homes, we enjoy sharing our best with them.  This hospitality is a demonstration of the degree to which we care about those visiting us.  As we worship God, He brings us to live in His House.  Did you catch that?  We’re not just there on a temporary visit.  As a gracious Host and Landlord, God shares His best with us, and we are fully satisfied.

Again, God does not want us to live in defeat.  Our connection with Him in worship provides Him the impetus to take our enemies to task, and brings us victory over them.  No matter how difficult the situation may seem, God’s Word says that He does wonderful things.  In the third chapter of the Book of Ephesians, we read that God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all we could ever ask or think according to His power at work within us.  Worship engages His power within us to bring about those wonderful, divine, and miraculous things.

The heart connection we establish with God provides a flow of His unending love toward us.  As we embrace Him in worship, we develop a fullness of understanding that His love is indeed better than life itself.  It is out of this awareness that we gladly lift our hearts, minds, and voices to Him with songs of praise and thanksgiving.  We as human beings have an innate hunger for love and acceptance; and God is no different in that respect, since we’re made in His image and likeness.  Worship provides us an opportunity to feast upon the love and goodness of God and have our hunger satiated.

Our worship conduit connecting us with God provides us other benefits aside from his love and goodness.  Having established worship as one of God’s commands we must obey, He provides a plethora of other bounty for us.  Each of the blessings listed below are made available to us from our obedience in worshiping Him.

“GOD will lavish you with good things: children from your womb, offspring from your animals, and crops from your land, the land that GOD promised your ancestors that he would give you. GOD will throw open the doors of his sky vaults and pour rain on your land on schedule and bless the work you take in hand. You will lend to many nations but you yourself won’t have to take out a loan.” (Deuteronomy 28:11, 12 MSG)

 Fruitfulness in relationships, labor, provisions for increase, and prosperity can all be obtained as we obey God and worship Him.  Why would anyone willingly decline such a tremendous promise?

Perhaps you’ve not read those verses in Deuteronomy.  Perhaps, you have difficulty in understanding the Bible.  Did you know that worship can actually help you understand the Bible?  I know what you’re thinking; how can this be so?  Let me give you an example.

Take a look in the eighth chapter of the book of Nehemiah.  Here we find Ezra blessed the Lord God.  The people answered “Amen” which means “so be it” as they lifted up their hands.  They bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.  As a result, the people read and understood the words of the Book of the Law of God.

Some of us have found ourselves in a place of confusion or wonderment about life and why we were created.  This is especially true when relational, physical, or financial setbacks occur in our lives.  Desperate to find answers, we exhaust many different methods in hopes of finding these truths.  Ironically, man often complicates the simple truths of God’s Word.  Worship delivers a more expansive perception of God, us, and our destiny in Him.

Finally, worship also affords us the ability to see things in the spiritual realm.  While we may not be able to describe it at times, there is a knowing, an understanding of what is being seen in a realm that is not one that we can access with our natural minds or senses.  Using another channel inside the worship conduit, God bestows this gift to us, to help give us direction, warning, faith, endurance, and every other gift pertaining to life and Godliness.

© 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 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