It’s Monday and it’s raining. We got up at five this morning to get ready for our day...I taught my classes and actually got off close to the time I’m supposed to get off! Yay!
Yesterday’s services were really great…Last night Bro. Smith preached an awesome message about Tolerating the Inappropriate. I think it’s definitely General Conference worthy…everyone who calls themselves a Pentecostal should hear it.
But for me, I really enjoyed yesterday morning’s worship service. As Chris and I were leading the praise team, I just became overwhelmed with thankfulness to be in God’s house again. I say this often, but there are so many other places we could be…and I don’t just mean physically. We could be in sickness, or in an unhappy marriage, or in a storm of some kind, but right at that moment we have the privilege of being in God’s house, with God’s people in God’s presence. Contrary to what the world says, it really doesn’t get any better than that! The presence of the Lord was so sweet as we sang yesterday and I felt such a refreshing and faith. I knew that if someone could believe for a miracle, and was willing to act on that faith, God was there, ready to meet needs. It brought to mind an experience I had several years ago.
I had been fighting the flu or strep or some type of sickness in my body for several days but made myself go to church on a Wednesday night. To say that I did not feel good is an understatement. At the close of the service, Pastor called everyone around the front for a time of prayer and worship. I remember standing there and saying something along the lines of, “Lord, you know this is really a sacrifice for me. You know how bad I feel right now. Please help me. I don’t feel good.” Nothing earth shattering, nothing dramatic…just talking to Him. Suddenly, the Lord brought back to mind some good, old fashioned teaching I had heard in the past: anything can happen in an atmosphere of worship …I could lift my hands and without anyone laying hands on me, I could be healed because Jesus was there in the midst of my praise. So I did it. I raised my hands and began to worship the Lord and thank Him for my healing. Immediately, I began to feel different…sort of warm. As I continued to worship, I just became lost in His presence for a few minutes. When I finally stopped, I knew that I was healed. I wasn’t sick at all after that.
That was the type of faith I felt yesterday morning. I was so overwhelmed, I just had to stop and worship. I think it’s important for worship leaders to do that sometimes. It’s easy to get so caught up in doing things “right” that you forget how to relax and truly worship. In the middle of trying to remember the words (especially if the PowerPoint malfunctions), trying to remember the way the song goes (and where you can’t go with the song), and how many times you do this or what sign goes with that part, you also have to allow yourself to “connect” to the song. If you don’t believe what you’re saying, no one else will either. It also helps if you have a great partner who can carry and land the song with or without your help! (Luv you, Babe!)
This coming Sunday morning, I will again believe for miracles along with my Pastor and my church family. On Thursday, we will join together for a day of prayer and fasting and I know that God will honor it. I have found that desperation coupled with sincerity and childlike faith gets His attention like nothing else. He has done it for me many times and I know that He desires to do it for others, too.
It’s Monday…but Sunday's on the way.
