Worship Articles by Darlene Thorne Worship Leader, EXW Contributor April 25, 2006
Our Pastor has been encouraging us to stretch out beyond our comfort zone and to really have faith in God’s ability to work in and through us. We as worship leaders have to really take to heart what God is telling us to do in regards to our worship time. A few Sunday’s ago during worship the scripture verse came to my mind that says, “O come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord our maker.” (Psalm 95:6) It was so heavy on my heart, but the timing didn’t seem appropriate. I at first dismissed it as something God wanted me to do personally. Later during the service our worship team sang just before the Pastor was to speak and the verse came to me again. This time I felt so strongly that God wanted the body of worshippers to do it as well. This is where it gets tight. Do I just say it? Do I just do it? What do I do?
I told the Pastor what was in my heart. He then gave me the microphone to say what had been in my spirit. I had not finished saying all that the Lord had given me (not more than 10 seconds) when I felt a rush of people to the altar. When I finished talking, I literally had to step over people to find a place to kneel. Something else amazing happened. Our Pastor did not even preach that Sunday. We entered into a time of uninterrupted worship and the presence of God was so heavy that healings took place and people were delivered from sicknesses. It was such an awesome experience. It was as if the Lord kissed us with His presence. We were so blessed. Our Pastor said that God ministered to Him. He felt a release of a new anointing upon his life.
Now, would that have happened anyway if I had not gone outside of my comfort zone and kept that urging to myself? I don’t know. What I do know is this; I was obedient and many souls were blessed. As we shared throughout the week, some people were saying that they wanted to go to the altar, but they were self-conscious and others said that during their prayer time that morning that same scripture came to them. I was just glad that I took a step of faith and obeyed the still small voice of the Holy Spirit. Step out in the Lord. Allow the Holy Spirit to lead you. Ask God for a continual discerning of His spirit. He will do it and not only will you be blessed, but others will reap the benefits of your obedience. You can be used as the catalyst to set someone free.
His ways are not our ways
How often do we run right past the Lord trying to get our attention? He only wants to use us like we keep crying out to Him to, right? We are so in bondage to 'logic' and not wanting to look foolish or make anyone uncomfortable, but at what cost? Too...more
Submitted by: Jeff N. Location: Winchester, CA
comfort zone
I totally agree, I bieleve when we let the Holy Ghost move and we listen when He speaks, it will make all the difference. To many sit an the bench and dry up. God will bless those who are willing to put forth an effort and are willing to recieve wha...more
Experiencing Worship, The Study
Used by churches all over the world to help teach worship, the Experiencing Worship study can help your worship team too.
Your team will learn why we worship and gain a better understanding of how to worship.
One user said..."Your 5 week study course has made a tremendous impact on my life in the study of worship... I would like to express my thanks for a well written study course that leads into a higher realm of praise and worship."
The Paul Langford Project
This is the debut album by EXW friend Paul Langford. Paul is a Chicago based singer, arranger, keyboardist, producer and conductor. Paul has a career that spans 14 years. Paul's work includes arranging for groups like GLAD, Voices of Liberty, VoiceTrek, The Chicago based "Caroling Party" and Day of Discovery Singers. His arranging has appeared on recordings side by side with greats like Gene Puerling and David Maddux, and he has sung with Don Shelton, Bonnie Herman and Bob Bowker, among others.
Used by churches all over the world to help teach worship, the Experiencing Worship study can help your worship team too.
Your team will learn why we worship and gain a better understanding of how to worship.
One user said..."Your 5 week study course has made a tremendous impact on my life in the study of worship... I would like to express my thanks for a well written study course that leads into a higher realm of praise and worship."
This is the debut album by EXW friend Paul Langford. Paul is a Chicago based singer, arranger, keyboardist, producer and conductor. Paul has a career that spans 14 years. Paul's work includes arranging for groups like GLAD, Voices of Liberty, VoiceTrek, The Chicago based "Caroling Party" and Day of Discovery Singers. His arranging has appeared on recordings side by side with greats like Gene Puerling and David Maddux, and he has sung with Don Shelton, Bonnie Herman and Bob Bowker, among others.