Are We Willing?
 | Women in Worship
by Darlene Thorne
Worship Leader, EXW Contributor
March 21, 2008
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None of us are exempt from living a life of worship. Too many people think that worship is just for the time we spend in church. They call it a worship service. But in reality, we only begin to worship on that Sunday morning or Saturday nights for some. God desires us to become exclusive worshipers to our Father. It is our responsibility as believers to be those worshipers God seek.
Everything we do must be directed to God. It must truly come out of our spirit. We must worship Him in spirit and in truth. The Bible says that, “The hour has come and now is when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship him.” (John 4:23) If we will internalize the how important our worship is to God, we would honestly be more careful and intentional in the way we live.
Our will must change and we need to decide to live a life of worship toward God. We need to depend on our will and not our emotions to get into the presence of God. Knowing us as women, we are filled with emotions. Don’t let them fool you. Your feelings will line up with your will both in the natural and in the spiritual. True worship is the release of the attitude of the heart. God wants our spirit that releases our worshipful attitude.
Even David told himself that he would bless the Lord. Psalm 34:1 says, “I will bless the Lord at all times, his praises shall continually be in my mouth.” In Psalm 42 David begins with a longing for the Lord because he felt alone. However as the psalm continues, he remembers what once was, he asks himself why he’s so discouraged and then chooses to praise the name of the Lord. It didn’t matter what was happening, or who was with him or against him. He could care less. Psalm 42: 11 says, “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.” He remembered how God had delivered Him in the past and knew that God never changes. He willed to worship God.
Now we know that David did not live a perfect life and I am glad to know that even in his insufficiencies he was the man after God’s own heart. But one thing I am sure of, he learned what God wanted from his life. He told us through scripture how we need to live a life of worship to God.
It is a matter of our will. Despite what our situations are, we must choose to live a life that pleases God. When we do this, God is able to undertake and work in and through us to do His good pleasure. Isn’t that just like God? When we give in, He shines.
There is a song I remember where some of the words say. Whatever it takes for my will to break that’s what I’ll be willing to do.” Are we willing to do whatever it takes? I have come to realize it is truly much easier to go willingly.
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Thank you
Thank you for helping me bring together thoughts--I was asked to speak at a retreat on worship. I struggle with humility and realize worship is from our willingness to honor God. I found your article by "googling" willing to worship....more
Submitted by: Janis
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Worship Is A 24/7 Experience
One of the key points Darlene made was, "too many people think that worship is just for the time we spend in church." We all need to be reminded that our worship is a 24/7 experience. Min. Michael Dottin ...more
Submitted by: Min. Michael Dottin
Location: Cambridge, MA
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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.