BeyondSeeLevel

Sunday morning, I was all up in my flesh. I didn’t want to go to church. Being my extroverted self, I just wanted to be disconnected & un-engaged. I didn’t consider not going. However, I did consider visiting another church. I didn’t want to have to be sociable beyond the surface. Just say “hi” and keep it moving. I didn’t want to be around anybody familiar. But of course, I went anyway. It’s crazy cause I didn’t want to be social, but at the same time, I didn’t want to go a Sunday without seeing my church family. I needed the hugs. I needed to smiles. I needed to be around them. Plus, I didn’t want my little one to miss out on her bible class and children’s worship. She loves attending them. So, I denied what I was feeling and started praying for myself. I asked God to forgive me for being all up in my flesh and not focusing on things above. Then I expressed that I needed a word from Him today. I needed God to minister to my life. Thing is, I didn’t know what I specifically needed. But I trusted that He did. So there I was in Sunday school being intentional in my learning. I asked God to give me something. I’d be foolish to sit idle, disconnected in the assembly and not be watchful for what He had for me. The lesson was awesome! I felt quickened in my spirit. Then I move on to worship. My flesh was still trying to block me, but I was determined to worship God. I was on the stage. God was in the audience. I had to close my eyes to stay focused. But I stayed focused & connected. The praise leaders sang a song that invited the Holy Spirit in. I sang and invited the Holy Spirit in. He was welcomed here.
I know this struggle isn’t foreign to many. The flesh is a beast and doesn’t want us to position ourselves to receive the spiritual blessings of God. And it uses life against us in this endeavor. But it also uses ‘us’ against us. Sometimes, it’s just too much of us in the way to receive the spiritual blessings of God. This is why self-denial is so important for the child of God. As long as you are wrapped up in human flesh, there will be a part of you that wars against & resists the spirit in you and constantly tries to disconnect you from the presence of God. We have to be very intentional in our worship and in our relationship with God. Otherwise, we can find ourselves assemblers, but not worshipers.

#Self-denial
#Purpose
#Expectation
#Humility
#Repentance

Praise & Worship
Praise is about God. Worship is to God.
Praise is opening up. Worship is entering in.
Praise is boldly declaring. Worship is humbly bowing in the presence of the Holy God.
Praise applauds what God has done & is doing. Worship honors God for Who His is.

*tj