Category: Worship Page 1 of 6
NOTE: This is my first article put together from AI compilations, which I’m notating, and will always notate when doing so in the future.
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Someone recently said the early Christians didn’t sing songs during church services, which not one Bible verse says. This is my response.
My Testimony:
As a senior in Lutheran high school in 1974, I realized I didn’t have the ability to love people. So I decided I’d search every religion until I found the source of being able to love others. Thankfully, I started by digging deeper into Christianity, reading what the New Testament really says. It turned out that Acts was a GREAT place to start — probably is for others too.
I found what I was looking for when I read Paul and Silas’ account of worshiping God in song while in chains in prison after being stripped and severely beaten for simply preaching the gospel. Acts 16:
22 The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods. 23 After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. 24 When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.
25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open….
34 The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household.
Christian men need to worship in Spirit and in truth!
“Draw near to God and he will draw near to you.” – James 4:8
“The joy of the Lord is your strength!” – Neh. 8:10
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From Google Gemini
Both biblical and extra-biblical evidence strongly indicate that early Christians sang songs to God during their services. This practice was deeply rooted in their Jewish heritage and evolved with their new faith.
POWERFUL!
Derek Prince Spiritual or Soulish Worship in the church today. Derek Prince sermon states that one of the essential things for spiritual success is to be able to discern between the soulish and the spiritual. Derek Prince believes the church in modern times cannot discern the difference. Soulish worship appeals to the emotions, and its sounds very good, and it will stir you up emotionally but it doesn’t do within you you what needs to be done. So soulish Christians are very easily deceived. Derek Prince has 50 years worth of ministry experience and know what it looks like to put on an act. It will get people crying, giving and excited but it doesn’t really change people. This is the difference between spiritual and soulish Christianity.
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My comment:
Totally true! Many “churches” today even crank the music to almost rock concert levels so people think something significant is happening; though, it’s all flesh, NOT the Holy Spirit. And most can’t tell that the service is spiritually dead, including pastors.
Many of the worship leaders are more interested in being seen than actually worshiping God. Most cannot worship in Spirit and in truth because they’re lust addicted, etc., walking in the flesh instead of in the Spirit.
Those who can see, who have the gift of discernment of spirits, if they tell what’s really going on, pastors reprimand them, and never apologize so they’re right with God and men, like Paul always made sure he was (Acts 24:16). They’re in BIG trouble with God!
It’s a show.
Not even one church in the US has a reputation for being alive today, let alone is alive. We’re not even at church-of-Sardis level!:
Rev. 3:1 “And to the angel of the assembly in Sardis write: He who has the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars says these things: “I know your works, that you have a REPUTATION OF BEING ALIVE, BUT YOU ARE DEAD. 2 Wake up, and keep the things that remain, which you were about to throw away, for I have found no works of yours perfected before…God. 3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If therefore you won’t watch, I will come as a thief, and you won’t know what hour I will come upon you. 4 Nevertheless you have A FEW names in Sardis THAT DID NOT DEFILE their garments. They will walk with me in white, for THEY ARE WORTHY. 5 HE WHO *OVERCOMES* will be arrayed in white garments, and I will in no way BLOT HIS NAME OUT OF THE BOOK OF LIFE, and I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
Thanks for posting!
TornCurtain
My comment:
I fully agree with you! The only way to “win” as a worship leader is to be holy, so we can worship in Spirit and in truth, leading others into the presence of God. If we’re not holy, clean, we can’t worship until we repent and get right with everyone, like Paul ALWAYS made sure he could say:
“..I also practice ALWAYS having a CONSCIENCE VOID OF OFFENSE toward God and MEN.” – Acts 24:16
It’s true that “repent” isn’t said much anymore, but “reconcile” is hardly ever mentioned at all, what Jesus said we must do before giving our gift at the altar, and what Paul made sure he always did.
Twila Paris was a good example decades ago. She just worshiped God in purity, not to get glory for herself. Much of her music was anointed as a result.
Misty has always seemed like a showman to me. She used her musical gift to show people how special she was, instead of showing people how special Jesus is.
A real worship leader’s goal is to be invisible, to connect people with God, not show how great she is.
I don’t see how she was a victim, like some are saying.
Mike gave her the head worship leader title; though, she was the worship leader who worshiped the least.
Something was seriously strange between those two.
God is fighting for us,
pushing back the darkness
Lighting up the Kingdom
that cannot be shaken
In the Name of Jesus,
enemy’s defeated
And we will shout it out,
shout it out
The resurrection
power of Christ
Alive in me and I am free
In Jesus’ Name
I WILL love you Lord
with ALL my heart
with ALL my soul
with ALL my mind
and with ALL my strength
“Will you not this day make it your prayer? Lord, help me to glorify Thee;
I am poor, help me to glorify Thee by contentment;
I am sick, help me to give Thee honour by patience;
I have talents, help me to extol Thee by spending them for Thee;
I have time, Lord, help me to redeem it, that I may serve Thee;
I have a heart to feel, Lord, let that heart feel no love but Thine, and glow with no flame but affection for Thee;
I have a head to think, Lord, help me to think of Thee and for Thee;
Thou hast put me in this world for something, Lord, show me what that is, and help me to work out my life-purpose.”
― Charles Spurgeon,
Excerpt from Morning and Evening
“Living for His glory results in rejoicing.
• It’s characterized by praising and declaring Him to the world.
• It’s confidence in God….
• Submitting to God; that is being resigned to His will.
• Obeying God so your good works are seen and bring glory to God.
• You serve people in a way that brings glory to God.
• And you rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. That God will be glorified is your hope.”
Steve read this prayer at the end: Spurgeon: Will you not this day make it your prayer? Lord, help me to glorify Thee…
“I will praise you Lord, my God with ALL my heart. I will glorify your name forever.”
– David in Psalm 86:12
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!
It’s not because of Covid. They’re burned out because it’s fake — not real worship. God requires worshipers worship in Spirit and in truth, which requires holiness, being right with God and others, like Paul always practiced (Acts 24:16). Then God responds with His love and glory, and it’s never boring, dull or unfulfilling.
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Worship Leaders Hit with Pandemic Burnout
Music ministry has always been demanding, but the past two years have made it unsustainable for some.
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JANUARY 26, 2022
Dianna Holden had been looking for an opportunity to step down as her church’s worship leader for a few years. After 27 years of serving, Holden felt like she was drawing from an empty well. … She didn’t have any reserves left.
OUTSTANDING! And old favorite that I forgot about. PRECIOUS!
When “worship music” was really worship.
When the revival comes, we’ll have 24/7 AWESOME, real worship!
Your love, oh Lord
Reaches to the heavens
Your faithfulness
Stretches to the skies
Your righteousness is
Like the mighty mountain, yeah
Your justice flows like
The ocean’s tides
I will lift my voice
To worship You, my King
I will find my strength
In the shadow of Your wings
Second video below shows why the abrupt cut-off in this one.
Third video below shows lyrics.
Then shown is the text of Psalm 36.
Lord, I’m gonna love You
Yes, I’m gonna love You
Oh, I’m gonna love You Lord
With all that’s in my heart
Lord, I’m gonna trust You
Yes, I’m gonna trust You
How I’m gonna trust You Lord
With all that’s in my soul
Lord I’m gonna thank You
Yes, I’m gonna thank You
How I’m gonna thank You Lord
With every thought of mine
Lord, I’m gonna praise You
Lord, I’m gonna praise You
Yes, I’m gonna praise You Lord
With all my strength and might
Lord I’m gonna follow
Yes, I’m gonna follow
Lord, I’m gonna follow You
With all my strength and might
With all that’s in my heart and all that’s in my soul
Lord, I’m gonna trust You
Lord, I’m gonna love You
Lord, I’m gonna follow, follow You
BE THE CENTRE
Jesus, be the centre
Be my source, be my light
Jesus
Jesus, be the centre
Be my hope, be my song
Jesus
Be the fire in my heart
Be the wind in these sails
Be the reason that I live
Jesus, Jesus
Jesus, be my vision
Be my path, be my guide
Jesus
WE MUST ABANDON THE FLESH AND WALK IN THE SPIRIT
1 John 1:5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
49:20 “There’s a scripture that says ‘when you have done all these different things that is such is your reasonable service.’ … When you get to the height of heights, there’s no reason for you to take any credit for it or feel like you did something because that’s just your reasonable service.
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. – Rom. 12:1
II 7:50 Most “worship” today is “entertainment worship,” people watching but not worshiping.
11:40 “People don’t want straight truth anymore. They want the ear tickling stuff”
Glorious, anointed, resting-in-God song from 1975 that I was blessed to experience as a young Christian! Christian music was awesome then, and will again be someday, when ‘ONE’ happens “that the world will know” (Jesus’ prayer in John 17)!
I was able to see Chuck a few years later, while attending the University of Minnesota — just him and a piano in the student union.
“Unmistakable background from Annie, Nell and Matthew.”