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Briers and Thorns and Thistles - 7/22/2008 11:51:16 AM
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RevMT
Posts: 5
Joined: 8/22/2005
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I have an interesting story to tell -- and it's all about truth, about worship, and about discouragement.
For the past three or four years, I have been really struggling with the leading of worship. I had felt many times as if I was beating my head against a brick wall -- entertaining the congregation instead of accomplishing their participation. It wasn't as if I didn't pray and seek the Lord for a service, because I did. It was the lack of response that frustrated me and had me scratching my head. I have posted comments about that here before.
Yesterday, I received the answer. And yes, some of you who read this may say, "Of Course!" It was me, but not for all of the "usual reasons."
Several years ago, in fact, back in 1983, the Lord began to give me music. He called it "the songs of His heart." He told me to write them down as He gave them, and that they would serve a specific purpose when I had received all of them. I wrote faithfully for three or four years whenever He gave the song.
Then some things happened. Events occurred that changed my entire perspective on life. They were not pleasant events, and I stopped writing. I stopped listening. And yet, I tried to continue as before. However, "the cares of this life entered in, choked the word, and it became unfruitful."
When you stop listening, everything changes. When you stop listening, the obedience and submission stops along with it. When the obedience and submission stops, so does the anointing. What once was profitable becomes empty and void of power. Flesh profits nothing.
Yesterday, I heard Him say to me, "Finish what you started." He showed me what He was talking about -- the music that I had started writing so many years before. The implication was that if I would finish, I would be blessed. A reminder of the meaning to the word, "He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Christ." The word never changes. The responsibility for obedience and submission never changes.
I praise Him for the fact that He is cutting away the briers, thorns, and thistles that have grown up to choke the Word, and that have strangled the voice of true worship. I pray that this little note has been a blessing to others who may be struggling.
Advice ----- don't give up. Don't stop seeking Him for the truth. Don't stop asking what is in the way, because if you seek Him with all your heart, you will surely find Him. I know without a doubt what He has done for me, and what He is doing in me. He is no respecter of persons, and He will do the same for whomever asks for truth.
Blessings,
RevMt
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RE: Briers and Thorns and Thistles - 7/22/2008 2:28:35 PM
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rcjames
Posts: 5028
Joined: 7/15/2005
From: Oklahoma
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Having been in the ministry for over 45 years, I have probably seen it all in the area of praise and worship.
sing in this key is is more conducive to worship, then do praise in this key, Pray before the song service, pray after the song service, pray during the song service. Do the chimes at this point in this song and folks will feel God, have the bass lead out here or there and people will respond to the Spirit, Shout here, cry there, sing softly here, sing with volumn there, do this or do that and the people will join in and feel God.
Having preached over 7000 messages following the perfunctory prise and worship I will say this with all sincerity;
The best praise and worship leader I have ever been priveledged to hear was a Pastor's wife at Word of God Church in Harlingen, TX. She got up and worshipped God, and praised God with her heart, mind, body, and soul; and if the congregants wanted to join in they could (or could not I guess).
It was the most honest, beautiful, heartfelt display I have ever seen of praise and worship. NO practice, no choreographing, no do this or do that; just a sincere believer worshipping God with an invitation for any to join in that wanted to join in.
Hear me on this; when someone is baring thier heart and soul in adoration for our God and Saviour it is wonderful, in tune, in key, out of tune. wrpmg key, tinkleing chimes or not; it matters not.
Thanks
RC
_____________________________
Just a country Preacher's humble opinion
Read the first chapter of my latest book here;
http://www.deliveranceofsara.com
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RE: Briers and Thorns and Thistles - 7/22/2008 10:42:03 PM
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RevMT
Posts: 5
Joined: 8/22/2005
Status: offline
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RC,
Thank YOU. My own pastor says it this way........"If it isn't in the heart to start with, it isn't going to come out of the mouth." It's simplistic, but it's true, because out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
It is one thing to sing a song of worship and quite another to be a worshipper. Jesus told us all what His Father is looking for -- true worshippers, those who worship in spirit and in truth. Going through the motions out of a sense of obligation just doesn't cut it. God is not the least bit impressed. I know what the answer is for me, and I have begun the long road back.
I used to sing to Him all the time -- I never gave it much thought, I just did it. Somewhere along the line, entangled in all the briers and thorns was my first love. As the song says, "I'm coming back to a heart of worship."
RC, I always find great value, encouragement and peace in the things you share with us, and I thank you tonight for your encouragement and your wisdom.
In Him,
RevMT
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RE: Briers and Thorns and Thistles - 7/23/2008 1:43:35 AM
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lightshineon
Posts: 3416
Joined: 4/11/2005
Status: offline
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Thank tou for your post, I was infact, thinking about the same scruptre, and troubles stealing the word. I am for sure not musical, but have been called to another area of ministry. You know maybe it is not you, and your desire to worship God, but, maybe the people are worshiping with their mouths, and their hearts are far from him. I do noy know, of course. I do thank you for everything you wrote, you are absouletly right.
_____________________________
Remember, whenever you have pearls, there are always plenty of pigs nearby who would be glad to step on them.
F.T., 2007
Be sure you vote for those, whose views you want your children to emulate.
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RE: Briers and Thorns and Thistles - 7/23/2008 6:16:59 PM
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mvic
Posts: 1037
Joined: 1/17/2008
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Thank you RevMT for sharing your story.
I so agree with you. Many I suspect worship in name only and attend church out of habit. Their heart is not really in the Lord.
_____________________________
http://www.holyvisions.co.uk
Welcome to my Blog
MEI VITA INDICO CHRISTUS
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RE: Briers and Thorns and Thistles - 8/16/2008 7:14:36 PM
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4IMPersuaded
Posts: 424
Joined: 11/17/2007
From: Florence, KY
Status: offline
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What a blessing, MT! I, too, am experiencing the annointing of being given something to write down and you know, I have had the same understanding. As I am obedient, I have peace and I am able to share Him with others without fear. It isn't that my life is perfect when I obey in this one area, but I am more likely to obey in the other areas as well. When I act outside of the task that I know he has given me, I am therefore disobedient and I can tell how the tone of my daily life changes!
We are to love the Lord with all of our heart, soul and mind first, love our neighbors as ourselves and obedience will flow from us! Hallelujah! I m so humbled by my task and so grateful that He has chosen me for it. I am so glad that you have returned to His clear word for you.
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