Sunday, May 20, 2012

Authentically Real Worship

As I embrace this day, this moment, this space, this time, I welcome God into every area of my life. I avail my entire being to Him and I worship sincerely with every fabric of my being.  I simply desire to be who and what God designed, created and destined me to be.  No more noise clouding my judgment of self. No conflictual messages saying to me what I am not but simply the spirit of the Lord dwelling in me, reminding me that I am beautifully and wonderfully made.  Just to simply be in God's presence is what I need.  This intimate space is my serenity, it is my peace, it is my joy, it is my strength, it is my confidence, it is my holiness, it is my ministry...being with God, simply being in that quiet face to face space is rewarding.  I come out better.  Purified! A new thing takes place each time I enter this space.  I go to deeper depths and heights unknown to me outside of this quiet place of worship.  I silence defeat and know that I am more than a conqueror.  I am victorious.  I feel like Paul, I am responsible for getting out of chains, bondage and jail.  I am equally responsible for entering the upper room, for getting up close and personal with God and I realize He is my EVERYTHING and that without out Him I can do nothing! I am grateful for authentic, true and real encounters with God in, through and by worshipping Him in spirit and in truth that elevate my spirit to a place in Him that is indescribable.



SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:

Exalt ye the Lord our God, and worship at his footstool; for He is holy ~ Psalm 99:5

God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth ~ John 4:24

Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at His holy hill; for the Lord our God is holy ~ Psalm 99: 9

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name. Bring an offering and come before Him; worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness ~ 1 Chronicles 16:29


PRAYER:

Lord, I thank you for allowing me, someone who at some point considered myself unclean, unholy and unworthy, an opportunity to develop a relationship with you so that I could see me as you see me.  Thank you God for loving me so much so that you avail yourself to me.  Thank you for speaking to me. Thank you for wiping my tears.  Thank you for cleaning and healing my heart.  Thank you for renewing my mind. Thank you for strengthening my faith.  Thank you allowing me to come and worship at your throne.  Thank you for being loving, kind, gracious, gentle and especially patient with me.  Thank you for redeeming me and the time.  Thank you for the process of purging and purifying me. I love you Lord and I bless your holy name for you are worthy of all my praise.  Receive my authentic and real worship O' Lord my God. Receive my prayers and I thank you for not withdrawing yourself from me.  In Christ name I pray, Amen

*NOTE: Sometimes, out of habit we simply come to God with many request but all He wants to hear is our praise for who and what He is to us.  Take a moment to reflect on that which you have and then say a prayer of thanksgiving. Let that too, be authentic and real



 

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Rejoice as an overcomer

PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God I bless you for life, peace, health and strength.  Thank you for coming to my rescue.  Thank you for changing my heart.  Thank you for giving me a brand new life.  Lord I rejoice in you.  I have the victory because of who you are.  Lord bless the head, hands, heart and mind of your servant.  Thank you for being my strength in times of weakness.  Thank you for loving me despite my faults and flaws.  I lean on you and trust that you shall not waiver but that you will remain the beginning and the end, the alpha and omega.  God you are my all. Thank you for an inheritance and for all your promises. In Jesus Name, Amen




Psalm 28

To You I will cry, O Lord my Rock;
Do not be silent to me,
Lest, if You are silent to me,
I become like those who go down to the pit.
Hear the voice of my supplications
When I cry to You,
When I lift my hands toward Your holy sanctuary
Do not take me away with the wicked
And with the workers of iniquity,
Who speak peace to their neighbors,
but evil is in their hearts.
Give them according to their deeds,
And according to the wickedness of their endeavors
Give them according to the work of their hands
Render to them what they deserve.
Because they do not regard the works of the Lord
Nor the operation of His hands
He shall destroy them and not build them up
Blessed be the lord,
Because He has heard the voice of my supplications!
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped'
Therefore my heart greatly rejoices,
And with my song I will praise Him
The Lord is their strength
And He is the saving refuge of His anointed
Save Your people, And bless Your inheritance
Shepherd them also, And bear them up forever.



The Daily Routine

Quite often we wake up, take our next breath, rub our eyes, swing our legs over the edge of the bed, whisper prayers into the atmosphere asking God to give us strength to make it through the day, rise from the bed, walk to the bathroom, brush out teeth, take a shower, clothe ourselves, begin making lists for the days "must do" things, pack lunches for the children, fix breakfast, eat and then we move about the rest of the day going from task to task.  So many things need to be done and we do as much as we can for that day and leave the rest for the next day.

Many of us have a similar routine with our spiritual lives.  We go to church each week, pray on a daily basis, attend bible study, read the scriptures, we are diligent to be kind to our neighbors, we say we love God, we feed the hungry and give shelter to those in need but somehow we have become so immersed in the culture and routine of doing God's work that we forget we ARE God's work.  The routine is not what God desires.  He does want us to be diligent in all we do but we must often search our hearts to see if we have grown complacent.  Yes, all these things are important but it is equally important to expect God to perform miraculously in your life and in the lives of others.  We are so caught in routine that we don't even look for God to do something new.  We are not looking for God to heal.  We are not expecting restoration in our families.  Many of us aren't even sure if we believe because it appears things in our lives are not changing or getting better. 

I encourage you to search not only your heart but pay close attention to the things that you are thinking.  What are you saying to yourself?  What do you believe? Are you going along day by day in the daily routine because it appears that is the thing you should be doing?

Know this, the Lord did something wonderful when He created you! Walk not in the routine but as the work of God in the spirit of God which is love.  He redeemed you and thus, you are no longer the same.  Expect God's divine power to work in you and in your life. 

PRAYER:
Lord I cry out to you asking you to search me.  Improve me God according to your word.  Help me to walk in this life trusting you, believing you are greater than my thoughts. Lord God of all, keep my heart and my mind.  Purge and cleanse me. Speak Your truth into my spirit. Help me to keep my eyes on you. Lord I desire to walk in love and peace not because the world says but because of who you are.  I do not desire to please the hearts of men and women.  I do not seek their approval. I do not desire to walk around in this life in a fog.  Take away monotonous routine and allow me to be immersed in you.  Redeem my soul.  Lord mighty are the works of your hands.  Lord get the glory out of my life.  Allow me to do as you say without fear and doubt but in a Holy boldness and confidence of who You are in me. Thank you for your mercy. In Jesus Name I do pray, Amen



Psalm 26

Vindicate me, O Lord,
For I have walked in my integrity
I have also trusted in the Lord; I shall not slip
Examine me O, Lord, and prove me;
Try my mind and my heart.
For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes,
And I have walked in Your truth. 
I have not sat with idolatrous mortals,
Nor will I go in with hypocrites. 
I have hated the assembly of evildoers,
And will not sit with the wicked. 
I will wash my hands in innocence;
So I will go about Your altar, O Lord,
That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving,
And tell of all Your wondrous works,
Lord, I have loved the habitation of Your house, 
And the place where Your glory dwells, 
Do no gather my soul with sinners, 
Nor my life with bloodthirsty men,
In whose hands is a sinister scheme,
And whose right hand is full of bribes.
But as for me, I will walk in my integrity:
Redeem me and be merciful to me. 
My food stands in an even place
In the congregation I will bless the Lord