This is the last blog in the worship series. For now anyway.
I simply want to encourage you today to worship in real David style with all your might. Don't worry about what people think - they don't count. What counts is what God thinks of your worship. Focus on Him alone. Forget about the people around you. You are not there to put up a performance for them. You are there to worship God, because He is good, He is faithful, He loved us even when we were desperately lost. We have all the reason in the world to worship Him.
If you don't know how to really worship in abandonment, visit a black congregation. Trust me - you will see worship - David style. Without any concern for any other person. They worship for 12 hours long - easily - and they do it WITH ALL THEIR MIGHT!
Worship to the audience of One. He is your audience. Nobody else.
Tuesday, 27 September 2011
Monday, 26 September 2011
Worship (5)
When it
comes to worship, are you a participator or a
spectator?
If you know
what different people in the church do during worship, you are a spectator. If
you have no clue what other people do because you are busy worshiping God, you
are a participator.
Today I
want to speak to the spectators.
Be careful
what you think and say about the worshipers in the church. The lady that dances
in the passage, the man behind you whose vocal ability leaves nothing to be
desired, the person next to you who maybe claps his hands out of beat, the woman
who always start singing in tongues etc. These people are worshiping and you
are spectating. You are in a very dangerous
situation.
In 2 Samuel
6 we read about David who was bringing the Arc of the Covenant back. He was
worshiping while they bringing the arc back.
2 Samuel
6:5
David
and all Israel
They were
celebrating WITH ALL THEIR MIGHT! That must have been one noisy worship
session! Unfortunately, there was a spectator and her name was
Michal.
2 Samuel 6: 20 -
23
When David
returned home to bless his household, Michal daughter of Saul came out to meet
him and said, “How the king of Israel
David said to
Michal, “It was before the LORD, who chose me rather than your father or anyone
from his house when he appointed me ruler over the LORD’s people
Israel
And Michal
daughter of Saul had no children to the day of her death.
Michal
criticized David's worship and the result was that she was barren for the rest
of her life. You see, what other people do when worshiping is none of your
business. They are busy with God. Be careful that you don't act like Michal
did. You might just become spiritually barren. If you are praying and it feels
as if your prayers bounce back from the ceiling, sit and think whether you have
been a Michal at some point. That person who worships in abandonment, in real
'David style', is pleasing to God.
John 4: 23 -
24
Yet a time is
coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the
Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father
seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers
must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
Is noisy worship
and the loud band a problem to you? Get used to it! Heaven is not going to be
quiet!!! In Revelation 19 you will read that worship in heaven with be like
thunder!
Repent today of
being a worship spectator. Become a worship participator.
Friday, 23 September 2011
Worship (4)
I wonder how many times in my life I had to listen to people complaining about the songs sung in church. Some complain about too many old songs being sung. Some complain about too many new songs being sung. Some complain because the songs are sung repeatedly. Let's quickly look at these...
Old songs: Think for a moment about old hymns like 'Amazing Grace', 'It is well with my soul' and 'Guide me oh Thou great Jehovah'. Did you know that these songs are in 'public domain'? This means that there is no more copyright on the songs as the composer has been dead for 50 years or longer. What chance is there that any of the songs I composed will still be sung in only one church more than 50 years after my death - let alone being sung all over the world? Little chance if any. So what makes these songs so special? Obviously God likes these songs. There is anointing when these songs are sung. So the conclusion? There is still space for the old songs in church.
New songs: It's nice to learn new songs. I think the mistake made by worship leaders is to have too many new songs too fast. Worship is like dancing. You are not dancing as long as you are counting the steps. You are not worshiping as long as you have to concentrate on the melody and the words. So new songs tend to 'break' the worship atmosphere. For that reason, I recommend that a new song is introduced to the congregation as the first song. Tell them they are going to learn a new song. When the song is done, carry on with songs they know so that they can worship instead of just sing.
Songs sung repeatedly: We sing songs repeatedly so that people can stop 'counting the steps' and start 'dancing'. The more you sing it, the easier it gets to close your eyes and focus on God, instead of focusing on the words on the board. The more songs you know, the easier it is to worship!
And now a word to the people complaining:
You are missing one very important point! The worship team is not there to entertain you! They are there to help you worship God. It's all about God! It's not about you! No worship team will ever be able to satisfy all the needs and wants of the congregation and we are not meant to do it either. We are there to provide a vehicle with which you can get to the presence of God Almighty. It is your choice whether you are going to stand and criticize the vehicle, or whether you are going to get on board. It is your choice whether you are going to worship God whatever the song, or whether you are going to be left out of His presence while you are complaining about the songs.
Stop complaining! Start worshiping!
Thursday, 22 September 2011
Worship (3)
Today I want so speak about the composition of the worship team. I already mentioned that people should be evaluated not only on their musical or singing ability, but on their calling and anointing.
Many churches have a lot of people who would like to take part in the worship team and often, there are more than one player for a particular instrument and a lot of vocals. This is nice since the worship team members also need a day off now and then so that they too can just stand in God's presence and soak up His goodness. Managing this is however not so easy. Here is what I have learned through experience.
Try to make separate teams rather than having one team with just individual people taking turns. The reason for this is not only spiritual, it's logic too. A team needs to bond. By playing and singing together as a team, they get to know each other's style of playing and singing. It makes it easier on the team and on the worship leader. They learn to read each other's body language and music. The learn to trust each other. That is very important. The worship leader must be able to trust each team member's ability to hear from the Lord. It's sometimes difficult to lead the team, focus on the congregation and still hear the Lord. Often times the worship leader just doesn't cope - often times it's a team member who gets a nudge from the Lord to move in another direction. If the hearts of the team members are knitted together, the worship leader will pick up on this and move with that member without feeling threatened by it. So if you have a large group of people, divide them into different teams and alternate the teams instead of the individual team members.
Worship leader: you need to disciple people too. Help members to grow. Pray about it and ask God who you should train to lead worship. Every team member is not meant to be a worship leader, but there will be someone that needs to grow. Don't feel threatened by it. You don't have to lead every single service. Give it over to someone so that when you alternate your worship teams, you have time off as well. You need it.
Worship team member: examine your heart. Why are you there? Are you there because God called you and you want to serve in His temple with a humble heart? Or are you there because you love showing off your talent? If it's the latter, your heart is wrong. Worship is not a concert. You are not there to be in the limelight and show off your talents - you are there to serve. If you stand there with pride in your heart, you are going to prevent the entire congregation of entering God's presence. God will resist your pride. Get out of the team. Sort yourself out spiritually before you go back.
If you are on duty on a Sunday and something is wrong in your life - step out for that service. If there are unresolved issues between your and somebody else, don't get on the stage. You will break the unit in the team, you will prevent Spirit filled worship. Getting up there is selfish. An open place on the stage with Spirit filled worship is far better than a full band and empty music.
That goes for the congregation too! If you are reading this and you are not part of a worship team, make sure your heart is right before you attempt to worship God and enter His throne room. You cannot go there with baggage of unresolved personal issues. If you had a fight with your spouse on the way to church, sort it out before the worship starts.
We must remember that God is holy, and that we can only enter His presence when our hearts and hands are clean.
Psalm 15
A psalm of David.
1 LORD, who may dwell in your sacred tent?
Who may live on your holy mountain?
2 The one whose walk is blameless,
who does what is righteous,
who speaks the truth from their heart;
3 whose tongue utters no slander,
who does no wrong to a neighbor,
and casts no slur on others;
4 who despises a vile person
but honors those who fear the LORD;
who keeps an oath even when it hurts,
and does not change their mind;
5 who lends money to the poor without interest;
who does not accept a bribe against the innocent.
Whoever does these things
will never be shaken.
Many churches have a lot of people who would like to take part in the worship team and often, there are more than one player for a particular instrument and a lot of vocals. This is nice since the worship team members also need a day off now and then so that they too can just stand in God's presence and soak up His goodness. Managing this is however not so easy. Here is what I have learned through experience.
Try to make separate teams rather than having one team with just individual people taking turns. The reason for this is not only spiritual, it's logic too. A team needs to bond. By playing and singing together as a team, they get to know each other's style of playing and singing. It makes it easier on the team and on the worship leader. They learn to read each other's body language and music. The learn to trust each other. That is very important. The worship leader must be able to trust each team member's ability to hear from the Lord. It's sometimes difficult to lead the team, focus on the congregation and still hear the Lord. Often times the worship leader just doesn't cope - often times it's a team member who gets a nudge from the Lord to move in another direction. If the hearts of the team members are knitted together, the worship leader will pick up on this and move with that member without feeling threatened by it. So if you have a large group of people, divide them into different teams and alternate the teams instead of the individual team members.
Worship leader: you need to disciple people too. Help members to grow. Pray about it and ask God who you should train to lead worship. Every team member is not meant to be a worship leader, but there will be someone that needs to grow. Don't feel threatened by it. You don't have to lead every single service. Give it over to someone so that when you alternate your worship teams, you have time off as well. You need it.
Worship team member: examine your heart. Why are you there? Are you there because God called you and you want to serve in His temple with a humble heart? Or are you there because you love showing off your talent? If it's the latter, your heart is wrong. Worship is not a concert. You are not there to be in the limelight and show off your talents - you are there to serve. If you stand there with pride in your heart, you are going to prevent the entire congregation of entering God's presence. God will resist your pride. Get out of the team. Sort yourself out spiritually before you go back.
If you are on duty on a Sunday and something is wrong in your life - step out for that service. If there are unresolved issues between your and somebody else, don't get on the stage. You will break the unit in the team, you will prevent Spirit filled worship. Getting up there is selfish. An open place on the stage with Spirit filled worship is far better than a full band and empty music.
That goes for the congregation too! If you are reading this and you are not part of a worship team, make sure your heart is right before you attempt to worship God and enter His throne room. You cannot go there with baggage of unresolved personal issues. If you had a fight with your spouse on the way to church, sort it out before the worship starts.
We must remember that God is holy, and that we can only enter His presence when our hearts and hands are clean.
Psalm 15
A psalm of David.
1 LORD, who may dwell in your sacred tent?
Who may live on your holy mountain?
2 The one whose walk is blameless,
who does what is righteous,
who speaks the truth from their heart;
3 whose tongue utters no slander,
who does no wrong to a neighbor,
and casts no slur on others;
4 who despises a vile person
but honors those who fear the LORD;
who keeps an oath even when it hurts,
and does not change their mind;
5 who lends money to the poor without interest;
who does not accept a bribe against the innocent.
Whoever does these things
will never be shaken.
Tuesday, 20 September 2011
Worship (2)
Before you read this blog I want you to pray that God will open your heart. This blog is not meant to criticize anybody, it's meant to teach. If you read the blog and you feel offended, it's between you and God. I am only doing what God has instructed me to do.
If you haven't read the blog entry before this one, go and read that one first, as the blog will continue day by day until I have said all God wants me to say. You might miss something if you don't read them all.
This morning in the shower I asked God how to start this series. We will start with the musicians found in church bands.
Most churches are very proud of the qualified musicians they have in their worship teams. Many of them have B.Musicology degrees. They are qualified musicians. The question I have for you is this: Should only qualified musicians be allowed in a worship team? Most times when I ask the question I get a yes, followed by a 'God deserves only the best'. True, God deserves the best. But there is a difference between a qualified musician and a skilled musician. Let me explain.
God called the Levites to serve in His temple. In those days there was no sheet music, no music theory, nothing. Songs were handed down from one generation to the next. And if you look in the Old Testament, you will see that the most skilled musicians were called for service in the temple. There are many qualified musicians today, who are not skilled enough to play in a church. Yes they can play the most awesome compositions written by the great masters such as Bach, Mozart and Beethoven, but they cannot worship. They cannot play by ear. I know a woman like that - you can put any piece of sheet music in front of her and she will play it beautifully, but if you ask her to play something by ear, she battles. I know another woman with three degrees in music, but yet, if she sits behind a piano to worship, God's presence fills the room and people start crying. What is the difference between the two? One is skilled and called to be a Levite, the other is qualified and that is where it ends.
We tend to fill our worship teams with qualified people instead of skilled and called people. Every person capable of playing an instrument is not called for worship service. Those called are Levites and when they start playing, you can FEEL the presence of God. It overwhelms you! And it's not always extremely skilled people either. This weekend I witnessed a little boy of about 7 or 8 years old, who played basic chords on a piano and when his mother started singing, I just broke down. God's presence overwhelmed me. Why? He is a Levite and so is his mother.
We audition potential worship team members by evaluating their musical ability instead of evaluating their anointing. We evaluate their credentials instead of evaluating whether they are skilled enough to follow Holy Spirit and play what God wants us to play instead of what we planned to play. Worship teams need people who are skilled enough to play whatever song, in whatever key, without having to scramble for a piece of paper every time. We limit God by choosing a few songs and sticking to a preset program. We limit Holy Spirit through qualified musicians.
If you are in a worship team - ask yourself whether you know that you know that you are called to be a Levite. Fast and pray until you get an answer if you have to.
If you are a musician in a worship team - when last did you practice your skills to play whatever whenever just to please God?
If you are a worship team leader - ask yourself whether the people in your team are qualified or skilled. Are they anointed? Are they called to serve as Levites? If you don't know, you have some homework to do. Evaluate your team's performance. I am not taking about musical performance. I am talking about worship performance. It's easy. Watch the congregation the next time you play. Are they singing along or are they worshiping? The difference is huge and so easy to see. If they are singing along, it's time for change.
We need Levites in our worship teams. Levites who are anointed. Levites who will walk to God's throne room with the congregation following.
If you haven't read the blog entry before this one, go and read that one first, as the blog will continue day by day until I have said all God wants me to say. You might miss something if you don't read them all.
This morning in the shower I asked God how to start this series. We will start with the musicians found in church bands.
Most churches are very proud of the qualified musicians they have in their worship teams. Many of them have B.Musicology degrees. They are qualified musicians. The question I have for you is this: Should only qualified musicians be allowed in a worship team? Most times when I ask the question I get a yes, followed by a 'God deserves only the best'. True, God deserves the best. But there is a difference between a qualified musician and a skilled musician. Let me explain.
God called the Levites to serve in His temple. In those days there was no sheet music, no music theory, nothing. Songs were handed down from one generation to the next. And if you look in the Old Testament, you will see that the most skilled musicians were called for service in the temple. There are many qualified musicians today, who are not skilled enough to play in a church. Yes they can play the most awesome compositions written by the great masters such as Bach, Mozart and Beethoven, but they cannot worship. They cannot play by ear. I know a woman like that - you can put any piece of sheet music in front of her and she will play it beautifully, but if you ask her to play something by ear, she battles. I know another woman with three degrees in music, but yet, if she sits behind a piano to worship, God's presence fills the room and people start crying. What is the difference between the two? One is skilled and called to be a Levite, the other is qualified and that is where it ends.
We tend to fill our worship teams with qualified people instead of skilled and called people. Every person capable of playing an instrument is not called for worship service. Those called are Levites and when they start playing, you can FEEL the presence of God. It overwhelms you! And it's not always extremely skilled people either. This weekend I witnessed a little boy of about 7 or 8 years old, who played basic chords on a piano and when his mother started singing, I just broke down. God's presence overwhelmed me. Why? He is a Levite and so is his mother.
We audition potential worship team members by evaluating their musical ability instead of evaluating their anointing. We evaluate their credentials instead of evaluating whether they are skilled enough to follow Holy Spirit and play what God wants us to play instead of what we planned to play. Worship teams need people who are skilled enough to play whatever song, in whatever key, without having to scramble for a piece of paper every time. We limit God by choosing a few songs and sticking to a preset program. We limit Holy Spirit through qualified musicians.
If you are in a worship team - ask yourself whether you know that you know that you are called to be a Levite. Fast and pray until you get an answer if you have to.
If you are a musician in a worship team - when last did you practice your skills to play whatever whenever just to please God?
If you are a worship team leader - ask yourself whether the people in your team are qualified or skilled. Are they anointed? Are they called to serve as Levites? If you don't know, you have some homework to do. Evaluate your team's performance. I am not taking about musical performance. I am talking about worship performance. It's easy. Watch the congregation the next time you play. Are they singing along or are they worshiping? The difference is huge and so easy to see. If they are singing along, it's time for change.
We need Levites in our worship teams. Levites who are anointed. Levites who will walk to God's throne room with the congregation following.
Sunday, 18 September 2011
Worship
I am frustrated with the type of worship present in most churches today. And I am not disrespectful when I say that. There is a huge difference between Spirit filled worship and religious entertainment. In most churches, there is only religious entertainment to be found. It's sad.
The reasons for this phenomenon are many and I will discuss it over the next few days. Don't get me wrong, I don't claim to know it all, but God has blessed me with a talent for worship and He has anointed me in that ministry. I have walked a long, long road in this ministry - I was in grade 3 when I started playing organ for the congregation. I want to teach the things I have learned to other people. I believe the church must be taught how to worship in order to really experience God's presence and God's favour.
I was once a religious entertainer too. Then I became a worshiper through the grace of God. I know the difference between the two. I have seen both sides of the coin.
Over the next few days, I want to teach you some principles of worship. If you have questions about worship, I will address them too (42757231@mylife.unisa.ac.za).
Watch this space. I might just change your life!
Thursday, 15 September 2011
This is my God (2)
I wrote a song several years ago - if I remember correctly it was in 1998. Actually I didn't write the song, I just listened to what God gave me.
He prompted me to go sit at the piano and as I started playing, the melody came out smooth from finish to end. I was scared I was going to forget it, so I scrambled for a paper and pencil to pen the melody down. Then I asked God for the words and He sent me to the last few chapters of Job. As I scanned the text, certain phrases jumped out at me. It was as if it suddenly became a 'bold' font in front of my eyes. I just wrote and wrote and wrote.
When I sat down at the piano again - the words fitted the melody perfectly.
Why am I telling you this? On the previous blog the awesome greatness of God is proclaimed. Today I want to encourage you by telling you that this awesome God, knows you by name.
Herewith the words to the song:
I come to sing a new song to You
I come to bring You praise
I came to bow in worship my Lord
For You are holy
You laid the earth's foundation
You set the stars in place
You fill the clouds with rain
And yet You know my name
The storms howl out Your greatness
The lightning writes Your name
You set a limit for the sea
And yet You know me
You are holy, holy
Holy is the Lord Most High
You are worthy, worthy
Worthy is the Lord Most High
Come let's sing a new song to Him
Come let's give Him praise
Lift your voices high
For He is holy
copyright: Hilda Steyn
Lift your voice today and worship our awesome God, for He knows you by your name. He knows how many hair you have on your head. He knows what you are going through, what you are feeling and what you need. Just let go and let God!
He prompted me to go sit at the piano and as I started playing, the melody came out smooth from finish to end. I was scared I was going to forget it, so I scrambled for a paper and pencil to pen the melody down. Then I asked God for the words and He sent me to the last few chapters of Job. As I scanned the text, certain phrases jumped out at me. It was as if it suddenly became a 'bold' font in front of my eyes. I just wrote and wrote and wrote.
When I sat down at the piano again - the words fitted the melody perfectly.
Why am I telling you this? On the previous blog the awesome greatness of God is proclaimed. Today I want to encourage you by telling you that this awesome God, knows you by name.
Herewith the words to the song:
I come to sing a new song to You
I come to bring You praise
I came to bow in worship my Lord
For You are holy
You laid the earth's foundation
You set the stars in place
You fill the clouds with rain
And yet You know my name
The storms howl out Your greatness
The lightning writes Your name
You set a limit for the sea
And yet You know me
You are holy, holy
Holy is the Lord Most High
You are worthy, worthy
Worthy is the Lord Most High
Come let's sing a new song to Him
Come let's give Him praise
Lift your voices high
For He is holy
copyright: Hilda Steyn
Lift your voice today and worship our awesome God, for He knows you by your name. He knows how many hair you have on your head. He knows what you are going through, what you are feeling and what you need. Just let go and let God!
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