In 2004, I came across a group of believers that helped to transform my life and set me on a path of seeking God like no other. I met this group hungry for answers, encompassed with pain, and not fully understanding the totality of what God had for me. But…I knew God. I’ve known Him since I was very young. Even then, He was always truthful, persistent, lovable, secure, and beautiful. He never lied or spoke harshly like that of people. He was not just a thought, a feeling, or a subtle passing of the wind. He is with me the same now as He was then. Pure…untainted…without a doubt the most stable being I’ve ever had in my life! Absolutely my foundation…my One and All!
Rick Warren once quoted, “Your most profound and intimate experiences of worship will likely be in your darkest days, when your heart is broken, when you feel abandoned, when you’re out of options, when the pain is great, and you turn to God alone.”
Knowing the Father is not just a cliche’ or catchy phrase. The very truth is that many believers have never truly entered into or experienced that on-going relationship with the Father. It comes through identity. Exactly as you are and how you were fashioned, He dwells in you. Your unique smile and body shape is perfect unto Him. He’s not concerned with your postings or likes on social media. He’s concerned with your heart. Where is your heart?
Seemingly, the word worship has become a dirty word like that of “stripper” being mentioned from the pulpit….dirty meaning when people publicly critique and put a gauge on how worship should look causing a continuous contamination that makes one septic to confusion.
In its simplicity, worship is honor unto God, to adore, and reverence. Embedded in the word worship are the words valuable and worthiness.
True worship unto God causes one to bend and change like the wind. Seeking the heart of God will change the very foundation and structure of your being. Worship is also a position, a place of entrance….it’s truly a heart posture, a place of existence with God.
A heart is located on the inside of the body for a reason. The heart may survive for a short amount of time outside of the chest cavity, but death of the entire body will eventually happen. Your heart must be protected, and without it functioning in its proper position, the body will not survive. If you are dead, how can you possibly bring life to others? Now, there is a spiritual death we must have with the Lord, but what I am talking about is different. This heart issue comes from the chronic infection of being intimate with religion.
I ask again, where is your heart? Is it located outside of that sacred place with the Lord? Are you trying to lead a group of believers and wonder why the members of your body are dying? They consistently lack knowledge, have no vision, are hopeless, normalize sin, prideful, and immature. There’s a heart issue, but not just with them.
If a hospital never helps you with your issue, what is the purpose then? Yes, sick people are in the hospital to get well, but what happens when the staff at that hospital are not properly trained? You have a serious problem. So, why do we think it is okay for improperly trained leaders in the church to help others in knowing God when they themselves are uninformed? How can one discipline another when they too are undisciplined? Their issue becomes a detriment to the entire body.
Here’s a passage from the article “The Science of Baking with Yeast”:
“As bread dough is mixed and kneaded, millions of air bubbles are trapped and dispersed throughout the dough. Meanwhile, the yeast in the dough metabolizes the starches and sugars in the flour, turning them into alcohol and carbon dioxide gas. This gas inflates the network of air bubbles, causing the bread to rise. During rising, the yeast divides and multiplies, producing more carbon dioxide. As long as there is ample air and food (carbohydrates) in the dough, the yeast will multiply until its activity is stopped by the oven’s heat.”
Religion is like yeast, and once it enters into the heart, it’s difficult to remove without damaging the entire person or group.
Luke 12: 1-3 states, In the meantime, when so many thousands of the people had gathered together that they were trampling one another, he began to say to his disciples first, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 3 Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops”. (NLT)
Notice, He turned to speak to His disciples first. As His disciples, knowing this information must be a “first” and “above all things”. So, beware! Hypocrisy is on the rise! Its tactics are implicit and cavalier in nature. Staying humble is the key!
James 4:6-10 states, And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 7 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. 9 Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor. (NLT)
Once again I ask, “Where is your heart?” Let Jesus be your center.
