I'm Not Done With That Yet!!

That is what I heard the Spirit say to me tonight! "I'm not done with that yet!" This blog may seem like a rant but instead of trying to think out how I want to present this I am going to just write out my thoughts and let you do with them what you will.

I believe my generation has come to a dangerous place with the things of the Lord. We have come to this place where we think that since we are different we know better than our predecessors and we are beginning to so easily cast off the things of the past because we have something new. I believe we have built a new religious system that has so centered on the "new" thing that we have forgotten all of the Great things that have brought us to the places we are and are in danger of isolating ourselves from the fullness of Yahweh because some of it might not look "new" and might not be dressed in jeans and a hipster shirt.

Think about this. If you listen to most new "worship songs" you will hear mainly the same things; the love of God, not very many descriptions of our God, and catchy tunes (most of which are very mellow). What happened to the days of old when we describe Yahweh as Ruler of all, Ancient of day, Ancient one, King of all kings, Strong in battle, Mighty indeed. These days are almost gone. Fortunately there is a remnant left that seeks for total abandonment in worship.

Don't get me wrong, there are some modern songs that put me instantly in the presence of Yahweh but there are oh so many songs of old that still usher in His presence. Every time I hear the Crabb family sing "Holy Ground" I am brought to tears by His mighty presence. When I hear Ron Kenoly sing "Can't stop praising His Name" I instantly begin to dance and praise. Again don't miss what I am saying, We don't need to go back and just do those songs but we do need to be careful to not miss what God is doing just because it doesn't come in a "new" package. He is saying "I'm not done with that yet!"

I am looking forward to a day when we can bridge the generational gap in worship and join together to worship our Creator. Old and young can join hands and sing as one.

Rant complete

It's OK to take your time!!

So as I was leaving for work I noticed that my sunflower I planted had bloomed and deserved a photo op. I took the pic and got in my car to head to work. I looked back at the flower and made this statement. "You sure took your time growing!" As soon as it came out of my mouth I heard the Holy Spirit say, "And that's OK" It caught me off guard at first. And then I heard "Did you yell at the flower while it was growing because you wanted to see it grow faster? No. Did you get mad at the flower for taking so long? No. You just waited till it produced what it was intended to produce and then you enjoyed its beauty." Now this isn't the biggest sunflower but its beauty is like none other I have ever seen.

So many times in our journey and walk we are looked down on for our pace. How many of you have ever felt belittled or disappointed in because of someone else looking down on you because you were not at the level they thought you should be at. How many times did we feel discouraged because we weren't living up to someone else's par list. We have all been uniquely created and just as the different flowers God created will grow and bloom at different paces, we must realize that we are the same. Did you know that their are flowers that can take years to grow and bloom once in the life of the flowers? What if, by our words, we shut someone down who was designed for a once in a lifetime bloom and they never reach the fullness of what God has for them.

So here is my two part call to action. One, let us remember that all God's creations grow at different paces and it is our responsibility as fellow believers to encourage them and help them get to that day. Be patient and loving always lending a helping hand not a hand of judgement. Be ready to wait and see the beauty that is displayed once they do bloom. Second, do not allow the words of others to deter you from continuing to grow in the things of God. Renounce and rebuke any curses spoken over you and declare those assignments are broken. Hold on to the promises of God. Lay aside disappointments and discouragement and press on to the day you bloom as God designed YOU to and show off the beauty of His majesty!!!

Let's Return to Praise

The psalmist David tells us countless times to "Praise the Lord". As I was watching some church services on Youtube the Holy Spirit began showing me a few things.

1. Where has the Praise gone?

2. Where is the celebration?

3. Why has music become somber?

To start with I am not opposed to slower and somber music but I wonder where the praise has gone.  The Hebrew word that David used was Halal which means to be boastful. When was the last time you were boastful about your God? When was the last time you let people know what He had done for you? We love to worship God in a soft and reverent manner, that's easy, but when was the last time you gave God your very best praise in a way that demonstrated your boast in Him. David was so expressive to God that his own wife was embarrassed and gave him a hard time for it. He basically told her that he didn't care and to hold on cause he would do it again. No wonder God called David a man after His heart. 

In the Bible the Hebrews used feasts and celebrations as a way to honor God and demonstrate their loyalty and gratitude toward Him. After Christ's ascension back into heaven He promised the Holy Spirit would come. And He did. In the middle of Pentecost, In the middle of a feast, In the middle of a celebration. We need to reestablish a heart of praise that will release the key of David. Worship will usher in the presence of God but the psalmist tells us that praise is a weapon. The enemy can't stand when we praise, especially through circumstances because he looses the ability to wear us down. The bible says that God inhabits the praises of His people. When we praise Him we are establishing a throne in our lives that He can sit upon.

When we boast about someone we are expressing with excessive pride the things or achievements they have accomplished and performed. When we do this about God it automatically positions us in a mode of humility and acknowledges that He is Most High and is above all. As we acknowledge Him as the one who sits high on the throne of Heaven, we open up the door for Him to move in our world and situations. That is how praise becomes a weapon.

So I release you to go beyond what you know as praise and worship and begin to excessively express that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is still worthy of that same kind of praise that caused King David to loose his garments. Begin to Halal in every situation and at all times. With your coworkers, friends, family, the cashier at the grocery store, begin to boast in your God. Let's restore the praise back into our lives.