praise time

 ‘I was glad when they said unto me, ‘Let us go into the house of the LORD.’ Psalm 122:1

 

I was glad when they said unto me, ‘Let us go into the house of the LORD.’

Yet, the times of praise & fellowship are constant and unending.

In times past, there was a set time to go to the house of the LORD.

Thankfully, we who have been saved by the blood of Jesus, have now become the house of the LORD

‘Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple, and the Spirit of God dwells in you?’ I Corinthians 3:16

This is not to negate the need for corporate fellowship: ‘Let us not neglect our meeting together…’  (Hebrews 10:25) Rather it is to emphasize: we may be in the house of the LORD – anywhere

 

Today – whether you are attending a church service in a building, watching online or having a personal and private time of individual worship, know that it is a privilege to be with LORD.

Jesus made that possible!

 

‘Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift [which is precious beyond words].’

II Corinthians 9:15AMP

DEFENDER

Good Evening Friends,

I pray you all have had a blessed weekend –

It always goes much too quickly for my liking … yet, still I am thankful

I just got home from a Night-of-Worship at my home church, Bridge Church

IT WAS SUCH A POWERFUL TIME!!!

So glad I pushed past my feelings of sickness earlier and decided to go.

I was blessed in such a tremendous way!

And, this being the day of Pentecost [a remembrance of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the book of Acts], it was appropriate that there was an intense and heightened awareness of His Presence.

For me personally, it was an evening of BREAKTHROUGH!

This has been quite a season for me … with several miles still to journey

However, I feel strongly that the LORD has been reminding me:

He goes before me and makes every crooked place straight [Isaiah 45:2]

No weapon formed against me shall prosper [Isaiah 54:17]

HE IS MY STRONG TOWER [Proverbs 18:10; Psalm 61:3]

HE IS MY DEFENDER [Deuteronomy 32:4]

All last week, I have been listening to a song by Bethel called Defender.

It is a great song which begins,

‘You go before I know
That You've even gone to win my war
You come back with the head of my enemy
You come back and You call it my victory

You go before I know
That You've even gone to win my war
Your love becomes my greatest defense
It leads me from the dry wilderness’

WELL –

Tonight, He let me know, in no uncertain terms, that THE BATTLE IS HIS [II Chronicles 20:15]

He assured me, with several confirmations, that THE VICTORY IS SURE [I Samuel 30:8]

He also took me by my hand and let me know that HE IS LEADING ME OUT OF MY DRY WILDERNESS

In Song of Solomon 8:5, the question is asked, “Who is this coming up from the wilderness leaning on her beloved?” The Answer? Me!!!

This meant so much to me. It especially meant a great deal because I know how monumentally and miserably I have failed Him during this trial

HE IS SUCH AN AMAZING, MERCIFUL, FORGIVING & LOVING GOD!

I AM OVERWHELMED –

I am overwhelmed because of His nature

He does not require me to do penance;  

He does not remind me of my failures and shame me [that is the enemy’s job] [Psalm 103:12]

NO –

He reminds that there is now therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1)

HE LOVES ME … WITH AND EVERLASTING & UNCONDITIONAL LOVE

AND THAT BATTLE?

He makes no requirements of me on that front either

In fact, it just like that song by Bethel says …

 ‘AND ALL I DID WAS PRAISE

ALL I DID WAS WORSHIP
ALL I DID WAS BOW DOWN
ALL I DID WAS STAY STILL’

Such a blessing!

Know this tonight – no matter what you are facing, no matter how great you feel you have failed … even if you are standing on the other side of salvation and have never accepted the free gift of redemption that Christ died to give you …

HE IS PRESENT & HIS ARMS ARE OPEN WIDE TO RECEIVE YOU;

TO BE YOUR DEFENDER … IN EVERY WAY

Praying You Have Blessed Evening

                   & a Fantastic Week …

ALL I WANT

ALL I WANT –

These are the words that I have been reflecting on lately

You see – the past few weeks have been filled with ‘MORE’

Praying More …

Reading the Word More …

Meditating More …

AND –

Listening to Music More …

Yet, something is happening in all of the self-assessment and meditation:

I find myself zeroing in on certain verses, and words … on phrases and ideas

With respect to music, that phrase ‘All I Want’ has been a cause of deep reflection

It is a key phrase in a song that keeps showing up in my playlist – Let Praises Rise –

It is not a new song. However, it is a very passionate song performed by a musical assembly & community of artistic individuals – ORU Worship Center.

I’ve listened to this song over and over –

Focusing intently on its message of not wanting anything but the LORD and for Him to be glorified,

I have had to ask myself, ‘Is He all I want? Do I only desire that He be glorified?’

NOW –

I would like to say that I am that spiritual

YET –

The truth of the matter is there are so many other things I often find myself wanting

• I would like for the storms to come to an end
• I would like all that has been stolen to be returned
• I would like to rescue my mom from her current conditions
• I would like to see healing manifest in my life and in the lives of those I love

HOWEVER –

With increasing frequency and intensified desire,

I find the words of that song truly resonating on the inside of me,

“Fill my life ‘til all they see is You LORD … Glorify Your Name”

“Fill my heart ‘til all they see is You LORD … Glorify Your Name”

YES –

If none of those things I would like actually manifest in the manner or timeframe that I would like

YET WILL I PRAISE HIM

ONE DAY –

I will get to a place where it will not take extreme circumstances to get me to this place

I will move beyond a place of visitation to a place of habitation

A LIFE TRULY AND ENTIRELY SURRENDERED

I will be like those heavenly beings around the throne of GOD who cry out continually,

“Holy, Holy, Holy is the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY – who was, and is, and is to come” Revelation 4:8

THERE WILL COME A TIME –

Night and day, without interruption – where I can sing that song without duplicity,

‘ALL I WANT IS FOR YOU, FOR YOU TO BE GLORIFIED … FOR YOU TO BE LIFTED HIGH’

BUT TODAY –

I will embrace where I am presently

‘ALL I WANT’ is my heart cry today.

I do not know if it will be my heart cry tomorrow,

Or how much of tomorrow it will occupy my inner being

BUT THIS I KNOW …

“I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” Philippians 3:12

EVERY MOMENT –

As often as opportunity and unction arise, I will let praises rise!

I Pray You Have a Tremendously Blessed Evening!

Zenobia

Endless Praise 2017: Praiseworthy!

Greetings Friends!

I have not written here [or anywhere not related to school] in quite some time. When we last left off – ironically – I was writing about praise predators, things that will derail our Endless Praise. And, wouldn’t you know? I got completely derailed by life, working 55-60 hours per week, continuing my college studies and taking care of my mom four-days a week. Then illness struck … three times! I do not say that to garner sympathy but to emphasize that sometimes life just happens. However, the important thing to keep in mind is to pick right back up where you left off and … keep moving forward. The endless praise remains … even in the midst of the trials … even when we feel unworthy and worn out.

He is worthy of praise … His love is praiseworthy!

Several weeks ago, I heard a song which captivated me and had me in tears. It was the song Reckless Love by Bethel. It is a powerful song about the amazing and endless love that God has for each one of us. And, its lyrics reminded me of His relentless pursuit of me …

“Before I spoke a word … You were speaking over meYou have been so, so good to me …Before I took a breath … You breathed Your life in meYou have been so, so kind to me …Ohhh … the overwhelming, never-ending reckless love of GodOh, it chases me down, fights ‘til I’m found, leaves the ninety-nine.I couldn’t earn it …And, I don’t deserve it …Still You give Yourself awayOh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God”

Simply amazing lyrics!!!

Yet, that is not what had me in tears.

As I struggled to make sense of some of the situations I was experiencing and crying out to God, wondering where He was in the midst of my situations – I was reminded, through this song, that my focus was all wrong.

Self-focused and self-absorbed, I had reached a point where I failed to continue to see His reckless love as something truly marvelous, something to observe and to stand in awe and wonder. The song goes on to state:

“There’s no shadow You won’t light upMountain You won’t climb up … coming after meThere’s no wall You won’t kick downLie You won’t tear down … coming after me”

It is that love … that amazing and unyielding love which He has for all of creation. And, while there are ample situations which I have brought upon myself, there are some that have occurred as a side effect of living life – of being human … in a fallen world. And as I wrestled to understand why the Father would let me endure those situations, I was reminded that He will allow those who have been reconciled to Him already to endure whatever it takes to bring that one home to Him. The same way He allowed His own Son Jesus Christ to endure the unthinkable as He shone His light into the darkness of all time … ascended the mountain of Calvary, suffered and died on the cross, kicked down the walls of death, hell and the grave … and came after me … and you … after that family member … after that neighbor … after that criminal … after that spouse … after that ex-spouse … after that boss, that co-worker, that friend, that enemy. And the most amazing part of that truth is the reality that He did it for each and every one of us without condition. That amazing song by Bethel continues …

"While I was Your foe, You love fought for meYou have been so, so good to me …When I felt no worth, You paid it all for meYou have been so, so kind to me …"

You see, He did not wait until I was in a place of wholeness – for I could never be whole or complete without Him.

He did not base His love for and His pursuit of me upon my goodness – for I could never be good enough.

For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)

No, before I ever made a decision to follow Him – He gave His all for me without expectation of anything in return.

Because love, true love, does not make demands of others that it be reciprocated.

True love only makes demands of itself that it be communicated and demonstrated.

God demonstrated His love in His giving … Christ demonstrated His love in His dying

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son (John 3:16)

While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8)

God, in all His goodness, reminded me –

Through this song and through so many other ways in these past few months –

This is how He loves me and how He desires me to love others.

And that right there … that is praiseworthy!

Have a Blessed Evening Friends!

Zenobia

Endless Praise 2017: Undignified Praise

Good Afternoon!

I pray your new year is off to a great start! Here where I live in Virginia Beach, VA, we are starting the year with our first snow storm of the year. Yes, Virginia Beach only received 4-6 inches of snow yesterday. However, those amounts are debilitating for a city ill-equipped to handle any type of accumulation. 

Today, temperatures are not expected to rise above freezing, further complicating matters with issues of icy roads. We are officially under a snow-induced house arrest. Roads … horrendous. Temperature … freezing. Winds ... blowing. Even church was cancelled this morning!

However, my home church – Bridge Church – had an awesome time of praise and worship and prayer via Facebook Live! I am so thankful for my senior pastors Archie and Tangie Callahan. I am even more thankful for the Holy Spirit – whose presence filled my living room as I tuned in online. It was actually quite overwhelming.

That is the beautiful thing about praise – it can happen any time, any place, right where you are, no matter what you are experiencing. That same atmosphere that is present in physical environment of corporate worship is available – and was present – in our online gathering this morning. In fact, I think this snow was a blessing in disguise!

You see – there are times when praise and worship must be undignified!

There are those moments when the tears begin flowing almost immediately and uncontrollably – eyes red, voice shaking, hands trembling and nose running. It’s not pretty … but it is real and powerful! That is the praise and worship and prayer which took place this morning.

In II Samuel, chapter 6, verses 14-22 the tale is told of King David and his undignified, yet unashamed, praise before the LORD. It accounts how David’s wife, Michal, criticized him for exposing himself to the scrutiny of others as he danced and praised the LORD for His goodness.

The Message Version of the Bible records David’s response to Michal:

“In God’s presence I’ll dance all I want! … Oh yes, I’ll dance to God’s glory – more recklessly even than this. And as far as I’m concerned … I’ll gladly look like a fool!”

Haven’t we all had those moments? There are times when our praise cannot be contained and we do not care who sees, who hears, or how terrible we look. His is the only favor we seek. Sometimes, it is represented with a dance, at others times with a shout, and still other times with a cry …

Yet, whether you are in the position of having to expose your praise to the criticizing eye of others – or whether the LORD provides an opportunity for private undignified praise – as He did for me this morning while being snowed-in … the point is … to praise Him!

With everything we’ve got, with every feeling we possess, with every breath in our lungs … let’s set our minds – this year, every month, every day, moment-to-moment to praise the One who alone is worthy.

Here is a song we sang today …  I hope you enjoy it

.

All Sons and Daughters … Great Are You LORD

Have a Tremendously Blessed Week!

PRAISE BREAK ...

Just had to take a short break in all of this studying to …
PRAISE HIM!

He is Worthy ...   

He is Holy

 

  

David Crowder Band - After All (Holy)

 

‘… they rest not day and night, saying,

‘Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty,

Who was, and is, and is to come.'

Revelation 4:8

Hallelujah!



Praying you are having a blessed Resurrection Sunday …

 

Planet Shakers – The Anthem Hallelujah

Hallelujah!

His Name is Jesus .. Spirit Break Out

'Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.'

Luke 11:2 NKJV

 

Worship Central - Spirit Break Out

 

 

Heaven Came Down …

'For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.'

Isaiah 9:6

‘Surely He has borne our griefs
And carried our sorrows;
Yet we esteemed Him stricken,
Smitten by God, and afflicted.
But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray;
We have turned, every one, to his own way;
And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.’

Isaiah 53:4-6

 

“… know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, 

 whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ" Acts 2:36

 

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.  Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name,  that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,  and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:5-11

'Then I saw a great white throne and Him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from His presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne …' Revelation 20:11-12

‘…I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple.’ Isaiah 6:1

I see the LORD … seated on the throne … high and lifted up

His name is Jesus …


His Name Is Jesus …


HIS NAME IS JESUS!

 

border breaking praise ...

“Enlarge the place of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes.” Isaiah 54:2 ESV

Enlarge the place of your tent …

Most often, when I have heard this verse mentioned it has been in the context of taking new territory.

However, as I sit here tonight, praising and praying and rejoicing …

A very different light shone upon this verse.

‘Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in your midst?’ I Corinthians 3:16 NIV

 

 

Chapter 54:1 of Isaiah begins by telling the barren woman to SING!!!

Chapter 54:3 of Isaiah promises this –

‘You shall expand to the right and to the left, and your descendants will inherit the nations, and made the desolate cities inhabited.’

It was with a shout of PRAISE and VICTORY that the walls of Jericho fell and Israel transcended boundaries and expanded their territory.

“Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed;
Neither be disgraced, for you will not be put to shame" Isaiah 54:4

Even if your voice sounds like mine … there is a place in worship where He even helps that.

'Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.' Psalm 24:9 KJV

He inhabits the praises of His people!

Enlarge the place of your tent,

The place of dwelling for the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY

 

We are that TENT –

With arms outstretched –
Let His praises resonate in every vocal chord ... 
Strengthening our faith –
A faith which drives deep just like a stake –
Rooting us in and anchoring us to JESUS    

 

Powerful!

It is 2AM ...
I should be in bed, especially since I have to be up at 4:50AM
I've been up praising God and praying in the spirit ... and just had to share this

Powerful!

Hillsong United - From the Inside Out, A Song to Sing and With Everything

you give them something ...

'But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away; you give them something...!”' Matthew 14:16

Several weeks ago, I had someone say something very interesting to me. They said, 'God has been showing me your face all week and I was praying, "God I don't know what her need is but I pray You supply every need."' And for some reason, that comment got me thinking about this verse.

This week, I saw a living example of a response to this comment/command  from Jesus.

Each morning I leave the house at 5:40AM to get to work by 8:00AM - walking approximatley two miles to catch a bus and then walking about another two miles after getting off the bus. Well, as I walked to work this week, I was offered a ride three days in a row (once by a friend and twice by a 'complete stranger'). It just so happens that 'the stranger' also turned out to be a fellow Christian who works at the same company where I am employed.

Independent of my expressing a desire for assistance or any prompting from an individual, they each made decisions that could not have been more aligned than if they had planned it. They decided that they would not pray for the need to be met. Instead they took action to meet the need.

I believe they each had the sentiments from James etched in their minds and heart: 'far be it from us to tell someone 'be warm and filled' when it is within our power to do something.' (See James 2:15-17)

They were not providing warmth -
Warmth was not needed since it was 80-degrees
But, the air conditioning from their vehicles was refreshing

They were not offering food -
But, they were 'feeding' a need

This is what Jesus was emphasizing to His disciples that day. They viewed the situation as too great for them to be able to effect change. But Jesus had a different perspective. Just for the record, He often does.

He said, 'They do not need to go away; you give them something!'

Please do not misunderstand my intent and the value that I know exists in prayer. Yet how often do we pray when God has called us to be the change that we desire to see? How many times have we missed participating in a miracle because we felt like what we had to offer was insignificant? Worse, how many times have we missed out on partnering with God due to laziness or selfishness?

Having been on the giving end in countless instances - it is very different, heart-warming and humbling to be on the receiving end. It reminds me of God's faithfulness and His words of promise, 'Give and it shall be given unto you: good measure, pressed down and shaken together and running over, shall men pour into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it shall be measured back to you.' (Lk. 6:38) What a blessing!

I pray that my eyes and heart will be open to recognize opportunities to partner with God in being the answer to someone's prayers - whether it be financial, material, emotional, physical or spiritual. And may I act with a sense of urgency, eagerly and joyful responding to the needs of others and the call of Christ.

Overcome ...

Good Afternoon!

I pray you are having a blessed day. I was not able to get to my church building today but I am so thankful that I am part of the church body and can experience His presence wherever I am. I was able to spend some time online and spend some time in my living room. I am so thankful that He has not contained His Spirit and His anointing to one pastor, location or group of believers. I am so thankful that He lives in me ... and so many others.

I was singing this song earlier today and thought you might like to hear it.

It is such a blessing!
However, I was challenged with one part where it is expressed, 'We will overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony'

Now, you may ask, 'Why the challenge?'
My challenge is this: WE HAVE OVERCOME
The victory is already ours and I am so thankful that the outcome is not left up to chance. It is sure.

'And they overcame by the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony...' Revelation 12:11

This song below, I have been singing all week and it just won't leave me -
Yours is the victory ...

God speaks in wondrous ways if I'll have an ear to hear what He is saying to me personally.

I am continually overcome by His presence ...

Have a Blessed Day!

worship interrupted ...

There is only so much you can place into a bag or a box or a person ... before it bursts

The thing is, when something gets so full, it doesn't take much to push it past its ability to contain what has been shoved inside. For me, that 'pushing factor' came in the way of an extremely loud crashing sound at 3:00AM Saturday morning where I [after leaping up with my heart in my throat] realized that the shelving had come down, the drywall was torn, the floor was soaked and water was steadily streaming into my apartment from the ceiling.

Sunday, I cracked ...
Then, like a shattered vase, I started leaking  and was unable to stop. The tears started before I even stepped into church and once worship began, it was all done.

Then something happened that I can't really explain but was completely beautiful.

Worship was interrupted...

While God tended to the needs of His children everything that was planned was placed on pause. My pastor never did get around to preaching the first service. But he did have a word ... 

Long before he spoke, my tearful pleading was for God to open my blind eyes and unlock my deaf ears ... for Him to hear me from heaven, but more importantly for me to hear and see Him somewhere in the middle of this twisted, confusing journey that has been my path for the past few years. And He did it.

Hard to comprehend that the LORD would stop an entire service to minister ... to me

I'm sure it wasn't just for me but His communication was just perfect for me and my situation, so intimate and personal that nothing else mattered. And here is what I heard ...        

'I will stop an entire service for you'

Worship interrupted ... 

I cannot begin to tell you what it did for my heart. 

However, it is not the first time He has interrupted worship to respond to someone in a personal, intimate and powerful way.

The woman with the issue of blood experienced first hand what it meant for worship to be interrupted ... just for her (Mk. 5)

Likewise Zacchaeus was privileged with having the King of kings interrupt worship ... just for him (Lk. 19)

But when He does it for you, and you know that He's done it just for you...
Well, words cannot begin to explain.

May He open all of our eyes to see and our ears to hear the very unique and special ways He interacts with us every day.

'For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, 'Fear not, I will help you.' Isaiah 41:13

the power of holiness

I haven't written in a while ...
Sometimes you just have to pause on 'holy'

There is something that happens in His presence, as we worship.

Understand, we do not move in and out of His presence
For He is Omnipresent ... everywhere, all the time

'If I ascend into heaven, You are there.

If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there.'

Psalm 139:8

No, it is my consciousness of His presence that becomes the variable which must be moderated. And as I worship Him, truly worship Him, everything else fades to black.

In those moments of pure worship, His beauty is the only thing which is evident, the only thing which is real and that truly matters.

In that moment, dreams and passions are re-ignited

It is a moment where painful hurts are sometimes unearthed, but where the overwhelming power of His presence makes them of absoultely no consequence as you realize how vast He is and how small the issues of life truly are in comparison.

In that moment, His love is tangible and all consuming.

In that moment, there is a sudden understanding of the concept of peace which passes understanding. It transcends a head knowledge and becomes reality.

In that moment strength is renewed...

In that moment, there is resurrection power and life ...
There exists in that moment, a place for hope to take up residence and to blossom.

My aim is to live, consistently and continually, in that place of surrender...

Holy ...

'I am the Lord, your Holy One,

the Creator of Israel, your King.'

Isaiah 43:15

'To whom then will you liken Me, that I should be equal to him? says the Holy One.' Isaiah 40:25

'Who is like You, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like You, glorious in holiness, awesome in splendor, doing wonders?'

Exodus 15:11

'There is none holy like the Lord, there is none besides You; there is no Rock like our God.'
I Samuel 2:2

'Send out Your light and Your truth;

let them guide me.

Let them lead me to Your holy mountain,

to the place where You live.

There I will go to the altar of God,

to God—the source of all my joy.

I will praise you with my harp,

O God, my God!'

Psalm 43:3-4

I'll Just Worship You ...

'I will bless the LORD at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth.' Psalm 34:1

'For the Lord is good; His mercy and loving-kindness are everlasting, His faithfulness and truth endure to all generations.' Psalm 100:5

Have a Blessed Day!

stand ready ...

Good Morning!

This is not the weekly journey message ... I will post that this evening. I'm on my way to work but I had to share this. I was dreaming about singing this song with a group of fellow Christians and woke up singing it.

'You must worship Christ as Lord of your life.
And if someone asks about your Christian hope,
always be ready to explain it.'
I Peter 3:15NLT

'For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ,
for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes ...'
Romans 1:16

Have a Blessed Day!

come & worship...

Just had to re-post this from last Christmas Eve ...

Merry Christmas!

 

During this season we,

Celebrate His birth

Reflect on His life,

Remember His death

Rejoice over His Resurrection

Proclaim that He Reigns

 

Hallelujah!

 

Come and Worship,

Jesus Christ, our LORD and King!