Unfolding heart

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:8-9 

Hello blog readers…

I don’t have many words tonight. I just love Him so much. He’s given me irreplaceable, inexpressible joy. My heart unfolds before Him. He is Wonderful, and there is no one like Him.

“Joyful, joyful Lord, we adore Thee
God of Glory, Lord of Love
Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee
Hail Thee as the sun above”

Worship Him. He deserves your heart more than anyone or anything. Sing to Him. Adore Him. Worship Him. Tell Him how great He is. He is the cure for whatever troubles your heart. He is the answer to every prayer.

“Melt the clouds of sin and sadness
Drive the dark of doubt away
Giver of immortal gladness
Fill us with the light of day.”

If you have Him, you have everything. If you have Him, you are rich. Treasure Him more than anything. Love Him more than anything.

Matthew 22:37-38 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’This is the first and greatest commandment.

 

 

A heart for worship

“For Your glory

I will do anything
Just to see You
To behold You as my King
I wanna be where You are
Peace is where You are
Joy is where You are
And Love is who You are”

Hello blog readers. Those are song lyrics that I’ve been singing today. Yesterday, while praying, that song came to me. He speaks to us in many ways. To me, this song represents having a heart for God.

The heart of God is pleased when we desire Him. A heart that greatly cherishes a relationship with God is moved to worship. David had a heart for God. We are blessed to witness it in the many books of Psalms he wrote.

Psalm 103:1-2 Praise the LORD, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits.

Worship sets the atmosphere for miracles. Worship opens the door for God’s undeniable presence. Where He is, there is supernatural Peace, Joy, Love, and Victory.

Psalm 99:5 Exalt the LORD our God! Bow low before his feet, for he is holy!

David was more than a private worshiper.

Psalm 22:22 I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will praise you

He kept his love for God a secret from no one. And God found great favor in him.

Acts 13:22 God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’

For His Glory, David would do anything. For His Glory, a young David battled and defeated a mighty giant, that no one else had the courage to fight. He had a heart for God. David was a worshiper at heart.

Psalm 150 1- Praise the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with timbrel and dancing, praise him with the strings and pipe, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.

I believe in my heart that worship is the one thing we can give to God that He can’t give Himself. It’s the perfect gift — and, an opportunity to pour love and thanksgiving into the heart of the very God who showers us with mercy, love and grace. Our worship is precious to Him. Pure heartfelt worship is what He deserves.

When I think about the love He’s shown me, I’m brought to tears. He turned my chaos into order. He heard every prayer I’ve ever prayed. He transformed my heart into one that loves and gives. He gave me a new spirit that turns away from old habits. He died for me. He arrested death for me. He gave eternal life to me. How much more could He give me? He’s given me everything. Holding back my worship is not an option.

Hebrews 12:28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe

Every time I read my Bible, I receive something. Every time my Pastor ministers a word in church, I receive something. I receive encouragement, strength, and power through His Word. I receive peace, joy, and comfort when I trust in Him. God is so generous, and I’m always ready to receive what He has for me. It’s my responsibility to give Him something back. Something good.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

When invited to a friend or relative’s home for dinner, most people — if they’re able — immediately ask, “Can I bring anything?” It’s a common courtesy. If a person is willing to go through the effort of providing a good meal for you, would you not ask if you can bring something? Or offer a service like clearing away the table or washing the dishes? A grateful heart is inclined to give something back. Worship is giving back to God.

Worship isn’t a song. It can be given through song. But it isn’t “the song”. Worship comes from the heart. God is an examiner of hearts. When we express gratitude, love, admiration, and total submission to Him from the heart — He receives it as worship. When we live our lives, with Him in mind and remembering His commandments — We please His heart.

Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God–this is your true and proper worship.

Worship is intimate and personal — because it comes from the heart.

John 4:24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.

Worshiping in spirit is sincere and from the heart. It can bring you to tears. It can cause you to overflow with joy and hope. When your heart connects to the heart of God through worship, miracles happen. Strongholds are broken. Spiritual walls fall down. In turn, we still receive.

Psalm 84:4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing your praise!

I once was embarrassed to worship in front of others. I wondered if they would think I was faking it. I didn’t want anyone to see me in a vulnerable state. I didn’t want to confess my weakness and brokenness in front of anyone — until I visited a church where everyone worshiped, holding nothing back. I realized that I was missing out on the privilege of experiencing the presence of God!

I sat in the parking lot of that church and prayed that God would remove whatever was holding me back from worshiping Him unashamed. I asked Him to help me pour out my heart to Him in worship, no matter who was watching — because He deserves it. I asked for a heart for worship. He heard me.

That very night, I went into that same church and worshiped like I had never worshiped. I was uncomfortable at first, but I trusted that if I asked for God’s will, it would be given. I lifted my hands and looked up with my eyes closed — still wondering if I looked awkward to others. But I kept them up, thanking Him for what I prayed for. Before the worship service was over, the fear had dissolved. I felt comfortable singing and praising His name. It sounds simple, but it was a big thing for me. It changed how I experienced Him — which in turn strengthened my faith in His power.  It helped me get closer to Him. I gained so much by worshiping from my heart. His presence was thick in that building. It was obvious He was there.

Psalm 27:4 One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.

He’s Great and Worthy to be praised.

For me, coming to God’s house with no worship is like showing up to dinner with no dish. I owe Him worship for all He’s done for me. He Redeemed me with His grace. He rescued me from darkness and made me worthy of His Kingdom of Light.

1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Psalm 71:8 My mouth is filled with your praise, and with your glory all the day.

Praise and Worship

**Note — this post was created as a “page”.. and you can access it from the upper right corner of my homepage for updates! I just wanted to share it under blog postings too (in case you didn’t notice it at the top of the homepage)**

John 4:24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.

This page is comprised of some of my favorite songs to listen to while I offer God praise and worship. It’s important to remember that worship is not a song, or singing. Worship comes from inside your heart! We worship by living holy. We worship by obeying God. We worship by loving and putting God first in our hearts.

Isaiah 25:1 LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago.

More than anything by Joann Rosario

Good Good Father by Housefires

I Worship You by Mary Mary

I Give Myself Away by William McDowell

My God is Awesome

I Love the Lord by Whitney Houston

I choose to include Whitney’s version of this song — not because of her fame. We all know she battled many demons. But even in the midst of her battles, when she submitted herself to do a work for God, He used her. This song touches my heart every time I hear it in a way that can only be touched with help from the Holy Spirit.

Psalm 150:6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.

This Love by Housefires II

More to be added….

Psalm 116:1-2 I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.

**Update**
I woke up this morning with worship on my heart. I have been giving God worship all day. I created this worship page first thing this morning. Tonight, I sat down to fold clothes and started listening to Pastor Joann Rosario Condrey. I had no idea that the video I chose, would cause me to put everything on hold…gravitate to the screen, and pour out my heart, tears, and worship to Jehovah. I’m thankful for Him. I’m thankful for His Son, my Savior. He is worthy to be worshiped! If I’m going to have a page specifically for worship — this video has to be included. I can feel His presence through the screen!!!