Our Sunday morning church services have been especially notable for the past few months. We have all felt something stirring and brewing in our midst and the momentum is growing stronger and stronger each week.
During praise and worship this past Sunday the pastor stopped to read a short but very powerful definition about what it means to worship. The quote came from an author who often expresses some very incredible and profound thoughts yet unfortunately always signs his name ´unknown´. His pearls of wisdom become even more inspiring because it is so apparent that this writer does not care who gets the credit but his obvious desire is for God to receive the glory. But now I´m getting a little off track, so let me share the quote Pastor Nick read this morning concerning worship ... "It is a quickening of the conscience by the holiness of God; a feeding of the mind with the truth of God; an opening of the heart to the love of God; and a devoting of the will to the purpose of God.´
This type of worship springs from a genuine hunger and thirst for God by the one who ´longs for Him as someone in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water.´ That depiction is from Psalm 63 and it continues in verse two; ´So I have looked for you in the sanctuary, to see your power and your glory. Because your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise you. Thus will I bless you while I live; I will lift up my hands in your name.´ (NKJV)
That type of worship can birth revival. A ´holy fire´ revival that will transform the heart and mind of a person, making them tender and humble towards a Holy God. A ´holy fire´ revival that produces purity in motive to simply please the Lord Most High. A ´holy fire´ revival that causes a person to search deep within their soul and purge out the sin and corruption found there. A ´holy fire´ revival that causes them to fall on their face and repent before God because they see the evil that is lurking there.
Allow me to quote a poem from a lady who has obviously experienced such a revival in her own life. . Her name is Betty Jo Mings and she relayed that she was delighted that I was using her poem and feels so privileged to be able to bless someone by something that she had written.
LORD, WHAT DO YOU SEE? Lord, what do You see when You look down at me? Do You see a blest soul that desires to be free, To meet You in Heaven and join the vast throng Of those who are singing redemption´s glad song? Or do You see one who is looking for fame, And money, and power, and worldly acclaim; Who scarce gives a thought to the Heavenly things, But loves first the world and the pleasure it brings? Lord, what do You see?
Lord, what do You see when You look at my hands? Do You see they are quick to obey Your commands, To lift up a brother who´s fallen astray, And help him find Jesus, the only true way? Or do You see hands that are holding on tight To allurements of sin and the darkness of night; So busy with projects there´s no time to pray, While building more idols to worship each day? Lord, what do You see?
Lord, what do You see when You look at my feet? Do You see they´re attuned to a Heavenly beat; And following closely the path that You trod, To bring them at last to the presence of God? Or do You see feet that just follow the crowd To altars of evil, with knees that are bowed? Feet that travel the road that seems fun at the start, But leads to destruction and hardness of heart? Lord, what do You see?
Lord, what do You see when You look at my deeds? Do You find me aware of the world and its needs? Do I pray for Your guidance from Heaven above, While holding on tightly, secure in Your Love? I pray that my deeds will be pleasing to You, And all of my life I´ll be faithful and true. And may I with love complete every task, So when life is over, I´ll not fear to ask, Lord, what do You see?
Clearly, this was written in an attitude of worship. This attitude of deep reflection brings true revival which is capable of igniting such a raging fire in our innermost being that we will set the world ablaze for God.
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