The Power of Verbal Praise

Throughout my many years as a worship leader, I have often been confounded by the lack of participation in worship from many members in the congregation. I see some who refuse to sing along, and I think, "Maybe it's just because this is a new praise song they don't know", and then we go into a traditional hymn that I'm sure everyone knows and they still don't open their mouths! It's almost like they are making the statement, "Go ahead, I dare you to make me sing", or maybe "It doesn't matter if I enter into worship or not...I'm here ain't I?" Sometimes I just wonder if they know the same Savior I do and if they understand what God has done for us by redeeming us through Christ's sacrifice. Don't they have reason enough to sing His praises?


Here is another worship devotional from David Good's book, "Captivated by the Heart of God: 40 Daily Devotionals from the Life of a Worship Leader". This devotional does a good job of addressing the bad attitudes mentioned above.

Several years ago, while I was teaching a class on worship, I made the statement that worship is a verb to illustrate the importance of our verbal response and participation in worship. After class I was approached by an older gentleman who emphatically said that he believed it didn't matter if he verbally responds in worship. His rationale was that God can read his mind and he doesn't like to sing anyway. Therefore, he saw corporate worship as a waste of time. After telling him I admired his honesty, I shared three reasons why it is vital that we verbalize our praise to God in worship.

First of all, James 3:2 says that whoever has control of your mouth has control over your entire will. The tongue is like the rudder of a ship. It sets the course and direction a ship travels. Our mouth is the rudder of our heart and how we use our mouth proves who is in control. The powerful principle of verbal praise is that when we lift our voice in praise, it shows who is directing our will. It is safe to assume that if we refuse to verbally respond in worship, we are showing that God is not the one who has control of us.

The second reason is found in Matthew 15:11 and 18. Jesus tells us that what comes out of my mouth reveals what is in my heart. That's a scary thought. Our initial reaction might be to keep our mouths shut so that we don't reveal anything bad about ourselves. But the intent is to cause the opposite reaction. It should compel us to voice our praise to the Lord every chance we get so that those around us can see that our hearts are filled with his love, grace and mercy. Keeping silent doesn't hide what is inside but reveals what is missing. We may never curse and swear or gossip behind someone's back because that would make us look bad. But Jesus is trying to help us understand that we say more about ourselves when we say nothing at all.

The final reason is where the real power of verbal praise comes in. Revelation 12:11 says, "They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony." What this verse tells us is that next to the shed blood of Christ, worship is the most powerful weapon we have to defeat the power of Satan in our daily lives. Think for a moment about what the word of our testimony means. I can't think of any better way to declare the word of my testimony than through worship. Isn't that what worship is all about? When we sing songs of worship, we are declaring the truth of who he is and what he has done for us. We are declaring the testimony of Christ and Satan is powerless against that. When we choose not to verbally praise God, we are choosing to subjugate ourselves to the power of the enemy.

I hope that you are beginning to see that there is tremendous power in verbal praise. The bottom line is using your mouth requires an act of your will. No one can force you to verbally respond in worship, but you miss so much when you choose not to. That is why David said in Psalm 89, "I will sing of the Lord's great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations."

Experiencing God's Glory in the Difficulties of Life

"The Lord our God hath shewed us his glory."  Deuteronomy 5:24

Here is another great devotional by Charles Spurgeon:

God's great design in all his works is the manifestation of his own glory. Any aim less than this were unworthy of himself. But how shall the glory of God be manifested to such fallen creatures as we are? Man's eye is not single, he has ever a side glance towards his own honor, has too high an estimate of his own powers, and so is not qualified to behold the glory of the Lord. It is clear, then, that self must stand out of the way, that there may be room for God to be exalted: and this is the reason why he bringeth his people ofttimes into straits and difficulties, that, being made conscious of their own weakness, they may be fitted to behold the majesty of God when he comes forth to work their deliverance.

He whose life is one even and smooth path, will see but little of the glory of the Lord, for he has few occasions of self-emptying, and hence, but little fitness for being filled with the revelation of God. They who navigate little streams and shallow creeks, know but little of the God of tempests; but they who "do business in great waters," these see his "wonders in the deep." Among the huge Atlantic waves of bereavement, poverty, temptation, and reproach, we learn the power of Jehovah, because we feel the littleness of man. Thank God, then, if you have been led by a rough road: it is this which has given you your experience of God's greatness and lovingkindness. Your troubles have enriched you with a wealth of knowledge to be gained by no other means: your trials have been the cleft of the rock in which Jehovah has set you, as he did his servant Moses, that you might behold his glory as if passed by.

Praise God that you have not been left to the darkness and ignorance which continued prosperity might have involved, but that in the great fight of affliction, you have been capacitated for the outshinings of his glory in his wonderful dealings with you.

The Spiritual Discipline of Being Still

This is an interesting devotional about withdrawing and "being still" from David Good's book, Captivated by the Heart of God: 40 Daily Devotionals from the life of a Worship Leader .

From the moment my son left his mother's womb and came into this world he became a perpetual motion machine. As an infant, it was always a battle to get him to go to sleep because somehow he knew he would miss out on all the fun. He also absolutely refused to be held facing you because he couldn't see what was happening. He had to be held facing out. This is no exaggeration when I tell you that when he learned to walk, he was in high gear until he laid his head down and fell asleep. Now, as a teenager, he sleeps every chance he gets and grimaces at the mere thought of doing any sort of manual labor. I guess he is making up for all those years of high energy living.

I have to work at relaxing. My mind is always at work, thinking about the next project ahead of me and the appointments and deadlines that wait for me the next day. I am one of those people that watch TV while reading the paper or surfing the internet. I am a multi-tasker. This type of personality has many positive qualities. It also has some inherent pitfalls.

In Psalm 46:10 David tells us, "Be still and know that I am God." In the fast-paced, instant society we live in, it is no easy task sometimes to just be still. The Hebrew meaning for "be still" is to let drop, abandon, relax, refrain, forsake; to let go; to withdraw. As we juggle schedules and deadlines, race here and there to get the kids to soccer practice and then piano lessons, make dinner and clean up, answer emails and return calls, spend quality time with the family, God gets overshadowed and we get overwhelmed. These necessary and important things have a way of looming large and blocking our view of God as we race through our day. It is vital that we learn to be still or withdraw from all the stuff so that we can once again see him and know who he is. In doing this, we allow his greatness to overshadow everything else. This takes practice and discipline so that it becomes a habit.

What do you need to withdraw from today? I would liket to invite you to take up a 7-day challenge to withdraw. For seven days commit to take five minutes every day and turn off our phone and computer, turn off the TV, turn off the worship music, and even put your bible away for those five minutes. Do nothing but sit in silence with absolutely no distractions so that you can be still and just listen. As you do this, keep a daily journal of what you heard during those quiet moments. I challenge you to try it. It's easier said than done. We get so accustomed to all the background noise that when we turn it off we get nervous. As a worship leader I am absolutely amazed at how difficult it is to get a congregation to just spend 30 seconds in silence to allow God to speak to us. People fidget and loor around to see why no one is doing anything. We have become so addicted to noise that we even fill our Sunday morning services with 2 hours of non-stop singing and talking and we never let God get a word in.

I have this sneaky suspicion that the majority of our stress is not due to all the stuff we have to do, but because we just won't sit still long enough to let God speak his words of peace and reassurance to us. It is in the still, quiet moments that we find him, not in the thunder. It's the quiet whisper that we need to look for. We need to withdraw from the noise, climb up onto his lap and listen to him whisper his words of truth and reassurance into our ear. That is what brings peace, hope and life in the middle of chaos, stress and anxiety. Isaiah 40:31 says, "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength..." That word wait literally means to linger in his presence. Our strength is renewed in the spiritual descipline of withdrawing and lingering. As you practice disconnecting, you will find a renewed and deepened connection with God.

Casting Crowns

Casting Crowns 

By Steve Pruitt 

And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.
                                                                                                                                 2 Timothy 2:5 NKJV


Six times in the Revelation of Jesus Christ we read that the twenty-four elders fall down and worship.
The fact that these elders were sitting on thrones  brings us to the conclusion they had some power to
render judgment. However, with each new revelation of God and the Lamb they quickly deserted their
place of judgment and took the proper place of worship. In Revelation 4:10 the twenty-four elders not
only bowed in worship, but also cast their crowns before the throne of God.

In ancient times crowns were given to rulers or athletes; individuals who had conquered something.
A good example of this can be seen in the movie Ben Hur. Judah Ben Hur (Charlton Heston) is presented
with a crown by Pontius Pilate after winning the chariot race.

In his letters to the Philippians and Thessalonians Paul says the believers living in those cities are his
crown. Other crowns are mentioned in scripture such as the crown of righteousness (2 Timothy 4:8),
crown of life (James 1:12 and Revelations 2:10), and the crown of glory (1 Peter 5:4). All of these crowns
are rewards for obedience to the call of God.

Paul makes reference to the presentation of crowns in his letter to the Corinthians. He said, Do you
not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run is such a way that you may
obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a
perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. (1 Corinthians 9:24-25)

John writes in Revelation 19:12 that the rider of the white horse, which is Jesus, is wearing many
crowns. In "Manners and Customs of the Bible" James M. Freeman writes that monarchs who claimed
authority over more than one country wore more than one crown. The vision of Jesus wearing many
crowns establishes the truth that he is King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

The twenty-four elders took the glory they had received for their work and cast it before the throne of
God. They understood that the only one worthy to receive glory was the one who sat on the throne. Jesus
was their King and Lord and they adorned him with their crowns. He had conquered their souls.
To live a life of worship we must have a revelation that Jesus alone is worthy of glory and lay all of
our crowns at his feet. Jesus must be the conqueror of our soul.

Has Jesus conquered your soul? Does he get all the  glory from your life? Have you laid all your
crowns at his feet? Ask the Father to give you the same humility as the twenty-four elders.


Scriptures for meditation:
Isaiah 42:8  
1 Corinthians 9:26 
2 Timothy 4:7 

Copyright © 2007 Steve Pruitt/JustWorship.com 

All rights reserved. Used by permission. 

Creator Worship

You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for you created all things, and by 
your will they exist and were created.  
                                                                                                                            Revelations 4:11 NKJV 

Here's another worship devotional by Steve Pruitt:

These were the words spoken by the twenty-four elders which John witnessed and recorded in the
Revelation of Jesus Christ. These twenty-four elders hold an enviable position in John's vision. Seated
around the throne of God, they have access to the grandest revelations of the Creator and his Son. These
revelations produce worship responses that only those who have intimate relationship with the King dare
to offer. Their relationship with the King is evident for only those with such intimacy are given such
access to the throne room.

Five times in Revelations it is stated that God is worthy to receive glory, honor and power. To give
him glory, honor and power means that God alone deserves to have all eyes look to him, to be noted
above all others and to be seen as valuable and precious. He is to be esteemed in the highest degree and to
have all power and strength and to be power itself. In other instances glory, honor and power are
mentioned along with thanksgiving, strength, wisdom, riches, blessing and might. To be worthy to receive
something means there has been some action performed by the recipient. Why is God worthy?  He 
created all things! Thus, he has met the requirements and is worthy to be worshiped.

The Greek word used here for created expresses the idea of proprietorship of the manufacturer. God
fabricated or originally formed all things. By his will, (his determination, choice, purpose, volition, or
decree) they exist. In other words by his determined choice and for his specific purpose he decreed the
existence of all things. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, 
visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. (Colossians 1:16-17)  

In Psalm 148 all of creation is commanded to praise God because, He commanded and they were
created. To participate in heaven's worship service we must join with the elders and the rest of creation in
offering uninhibited praise and worship to our Creator.

Have you joined with the rest of creation in worship of your creator? Ask the Father to give you a
fresh revelation of him as the creator.


Scriptures for meditation:
Genesis 1:1  
John 1:3 
Revelation 10:5-6 
Ephesians 3:8-12 

Copyright © 2007 Steve Pruitt/JustWorship.com 

All rights reserved. Used by permission. 

Peter

"Now I say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it." Matthew 16:18 NLT


Here is another worship profile from the Praise and Worship Study Bible published by Tyndale House.  This is great Study Bible for information on Biblical worship.

Peter holds a truly distinguished place in Christian history. Of all the disciples, Peter is most often mentioned in the four Gospels. On every list of Jesus' twelve disciples, Peter's name appeared first. Peter was the first disciple to see the risen Christ. He, James, and John alone witnessed the Transfiguration. Jesus himself acknowledged Peter's prominent role (Matt. 16:16-19) when he changed the disciple's name from "Simon" to "Peter" and proclaimed that he was the rock on which his church would stand. Yet Peter also displayed reckless fervor and took humbling missteps. Quick to act and speak, Peter once earned a rebuke for failing to understand Jesus' mission. And Peter's denial of Christ remains one of the most familiar Gospel accounts. Yet, after Jesus' resurrection, Peter was restored as a "fisher of men."

Peter the Worshiper

Peter sensed and responded to the holiness of Jesus. Having witnessed a miraculous catch of fish, he fell to his knees in worship. Sensing his own unworthiness, he said, "Oh, Lord, please leave me--I'm too much of a sinner to be around you." Jesus replied, "Don't be afraid! From now on you'll be fishing for people!" (Luke 5:5-10). This event shows us much about Peter--a stumbling sinner, whom Christ called to bring the Good News of restoration to others.

Peter also showed us what our life response as worshipers should be. Assured of his forgiveness and restored by Jesus' words of healing, Peter energized the early church with the strength he found in God. He delivered powerful sermons, healed the sick and lame, and assumed a vital role in the spread of the Good News to the Gentiles. Similarly, our salvation frees us to discover those gifts and abilities that build others up.

Learning from Peter

Peter's humbling experience mirrored that of Christians who approach our Lord in worship. Peter's sorrow and confession of sin was followed by his restoration to the work of sharing the Good News. We gather in worship not only to confess our sins but also to be restored to duty by God's Word and the Holy Spirit.

We should be astonished and humbled that Peter's story has been repeated so frequently in the lives of Christians throughout the centuries. God uses broken sinners to accomplish his will. In such lives we see clearly God's sovereign and powerful grace.

Following the Example

Peter's confession--"You are the Messiah!" (Matthew 16:16)--unites worshipers in all times and places. Peter's repentance reminds us that worship begins with the humble acknowledgement that we are sinners. Finally, Peter's restoration reminds us that the Holy Spirit makes us whole. Peter himself testified to this process: "He will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation" (1 Peter 5:10). We can rejoice as we think about this bedrock that supports all who confess the lordship of Christ.

Called to Proclaim

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9 ESV

I like this devotional from JustWorship.com written by Steve Pruitt:


Have you ever felt the excitement of being chosen for something? Maybe a school mate chose you as
a best friend. Maybe during P.E. class you were chosen first by the team captain. Maybe the teacher chose
you to answer the question out of all the kids who held up their hand. Maybe you have been chosen by
your boss to receive a promotion, a pay increase or to assist on an important project.

Have you ever thought about how an orphan feels when, out of all the kids in the orphanage, the
prospective parents chooses him or her? Well, that is exactly what happened when God chose us. The
Greek word used for chosen means to select, elect, or favorite. The Greek word used for race (generation
in the KJ) means “kin.” In other words God selected us to be kin to him.

God also made us a royal priesthood; members of the kingly sacred order. He made us a holy nation;
a sacred tribe and a peculiar (KJ) people (his own possession). The Greek word used for peculiar means
acquisition, purchased, or possession. God paid a price for us to be kin to him. We have been bought,
redeemed by the blood of Jesus to be a people for his own possession.

Why did he purchase us? Was it because we deserved it? Was it because he loves us? Certainly he
loves us, but the purpose for our purchase goes much deeper. Peter says the reason God chose us is that
we may proclaim the excellencies (praises KJ) of him who called us. The Greek word for proclaim means
to publish and celebrate. To publish means to bring to the attention of the public. Certainly this goes way
beyond what happens on Sunday morning during church.

We are to publish the praises (Gr. valor, virtue, excellent) or excellencies of him who called us. The
word excellencies derives from the word excellence  which means the state, quality or condition of excelling; superiority, pre-eminence, something in which a person or thing excels; a surpassing feature or 
virtue. Our means of publication is not only what we say, sing or write but also how we live.  

Have you been chosen by God? Do you proclaim his praises or his excellencies by what you say and
how you live? Ask the Father to let your light shine so that man may see your good works and glorify the
one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Scriptures for meditation:
1 Peter 2:4-5 
John 15:16 
Ephesians 1:4 
Titus 2:14 

Copyright © 2007 Steve Pruitt/justworship.com

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

"Looking unto Jesus." (Hebrews 12:2)

Here's another devotional by Charles Spurgeon which encourages us to keep our eyes on Christ, the author and finisher of our faith.

It is ever the Holy Spirit's work to turn our eyes away from self to Jesus; but Satan's work is just the opposite of this, for he is constantly trying to make us regard ourselves instead of Christ. He  insinuates, "Your sins are too great for pardon; you have no faith; you do not repent enough; you will never be able to continue to the end; you have not the joy of his children; you have such a wavering hold of Jesus." All these are thoughts about self, and we shall never find comfort or assurance by looking within.

But the Holy Spirit turns our eyes entirely away from self: he tells us that we are nothing, but that "Christ is all in all." Remember, therefore, it is not thy hold of Christ that saves thee---it is Christ; it is not thy joy in Christ that saves thee---it is Christ; it is not even faith in Christ, though that be the instrument---it is Christ's blood and merits; therefore, look not so much to thy hand with which thou art grasping Christ, as to Christ; look not to thy hope, but to Jesus, the source of thy hope; look not to thy faith, but to Jesus, the author and finisher of thy faith.

We shall never find happiness by looking at our prayers, our doings, or our feelings; it is what Jesus is, not what we are, that gives rest to the soul. If we would at once overcome Satan and have peace with God, it must be by "looking unto Jesus." Keep thine eye simply on him; let his death, his sufferings, his merits, his glories, his intercession, be fresh upon thy mind; when thou wakest in the morning look to him; when thou liest down at night look to him. Oh! let not thy hopes or fears come between thee and Jesus; follow hard after him, and he will never fail thee.

"My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness

I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus' name."

Haggai

The future glory of this Temple will be greater than its past glory, says the Lord Almighty. And in this place I will bring peace. I, the Lord Almighty, have spoken! (Haggai 2:9 NLT)

The following is a worship profile of the Old Testament prophet, Haggai, from the Praise and Worship Study Bible published by Tyndale House. This is a great study bible for all those who want to learn more about biblical worship.

Haggai

After the Exile, God's people returned to Jerusalem, although they were officially still under Persian rule. After a time, the people began to suffer hardship, and the prophet Haggai diagnosed the cause of their problem: Their economic poverty was a reflection of their spiritual poverty. The Temple-rebuilding project had been left half-finished, while the people turned to building their own fine houses (Hag. 1:9). So Haggai roused the people from their indifference, and the rebuilding of the Temple was resumed. For this effort of worship
renewal, Haggai promised the people hope and blessing.

Haggai the Worshiper

Haggai recognized that the people needed to reorganize their priorities, placing the worship of the Lord first. (Hag. 1:2-11).

God promised that His glory would return to the Temple and that He would dwell with his people, bringing them peace (Hag. 2:7-9).

Learning from Haggai

Haggai reminds us that our first priority should be our worship of God, which then determines the priority of all other things. Jesus underscored this when he promised that the Lord "will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern" (Matt. 6:33).

Haggai reminds us that true greatness comes from the glory that the Lord bestows on us (Hag. 2:7-9).

Following the Example

Haggai was not content to let God's people go about their own affairs, leaving the Temple to lie in ruins. Instead, he forced them to rethink their priorities in light of their worship of the Lord. Today we often fight an uphill battle against spiritual apathy. Many people attend church but ignore God in much of their daily life. Like Haggai , we must encourage these people to worship God in all areas of life, making his Kingdom our first priority that determines all other priorities.

Perseverance in the Faith

Continue in the faith. (Acts 14:22)

Enjoy this encouraging devotional about perseverance by Charles Spurgeon:

Perseverance is the badge of true saints. The Christian life is not a beginning only in the ways of God, but also a continuance in the same as long as life lasts. It is with a Christian as it was with the great Napolean: he said, "Conquest has made me what I am, and conquest must maintain me." So, under God, dear brother in the Lord, conquest has made you what you are, and conquest must sustain you. Your motto must be, "Excelsior." He only is a true conqueror, and shall be crowned at the last, who continueth till war's trumpet is blown no more. 


Perseverance is, therefore, the target of all our spiritual enemies. The world does not object to your being a Christian for a time, if she can but tempt you to cease your pilgrimage, and settle down to buy and sell with her in Vanity Fair. The flesh will seek to ensnare you, and to prevent your pressing on to glory. "It is weary work being a pilgrim; come, give it up. Am I always to be mortified? Am I never to be indulged? Give me at least a furlough from this constant warfare." 


Satan will make many a fierce attack on your perseverance; it will be the mark for all his arrows. He will strive to hinder you in service: he will insinuate that you are doing no good; and that you want rest. He will endeavor to make you weary of suffering, he will whisper, "Curse God, and die." Or he will attack your steadfastness: "What is the good of being so zealous? Be quiet like the rest; sleep as do others, and let your lamp go out as the other virgins do." Or he will assail your doctrinal sentiments: "Why do you hold to these denominational creeds? Sensible men are getting more liberal; they are removing the old landmarks: fall in with the times." Wear your shield, Christian, therefore, close upon your armor, and cry mightily unto God, that by his Spirit you may endure to the end.