Today in chapel at North Central University (we meet every weekday as a whole university for a time of musical worship and teaching), we had the pleasure of having Christian singer/songwriter/worship leader Jared Anderson.
The music was anointed by the Holy Spirit as the students and faculty totally surrendered their hearts to Jesus. The songs were not "me" focused (oh you love me, fill me, help me, bless me, give me....), they all glorified God just because HE IS GOD.
All of the songs song of His majesty in Heaven and on earth. The presence was strong as it felt like the Heavens were opening up to reveal to each person more of the awesome power of God.
My favorite part of the hour long service was that it was an hour. It wasn't all crammed in 20-30 minutes like so many churches try to do.
Don't you feel that when evangelical churches keep to a tight worship schedule, it quenches the Spirit? Where is there time to just worship Him with our own words? Where is there time to just rest in His presence and let Him speak to us? Where is there prophecy? Where is there true healing? Where are people turning around and praying for each other?
I saw that today when more time was devoted to just praising the Lord and allowing the Holy Spirit to move. For about 10 minutes there was just instrumental music as each person in attendance were encouraged to sing to the Lord new songs that come from within their souls.
The Bible is full of verses that encourage singing new songs to the Lord from your heart and from your soul as the Spirit leads you. (Psalm 33:3, 40:3, 96:1, 98:1, 144:9; Isaiah 42:10; Revelation 5:9, 14:3).
I believe that in those free times during worship sessions that allow the congregation to speak/sing to the Lord on their own is crucial. It teaches them to not always rely on the words on the screen to speak their hearts for them, and it teaches them to mature and talk to Jesus on their own. Jesus will answer. And if we are open enough, He may lead us to pray for/speak to others around us, as we allow Him to work through us to bring healing, restoration, and love.
That is what church should be about. Love. For God. For others. Unashamed. Unhindered.
P.S. Sam was in the choir, I am a proud wife!
No comments:
Post a Comment