What It Means To Be A Worshipper
By: Rev. James C. Matthews
Did you know that there is a reason for your existence? God knew you before you were even formed into a fetus. He has a specific plan for your life. Your job while you are here on earth is not to choose your destiny but to discover it. Many people search for fulfillment their entire lives and never find it because they fail to discover their purpose. God is the Creator of all things. Your life is not a mere coincidence or a mistake, but a part of His plan; He has a specific assignment for you.
Do you know what it is? If not, here are 10 questions to help you discover your true destiny:
1. What is your deepest desire?
Psalm 37:4 says "Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart." When you decide to serve God, He will actually give you the desire to do what you were created to do. You will know it is a God-given desire because it will line up with His Word.
2. What stirs your passion?
Passion is the zeal, enthusiasm, excitement and intensity you feel about things that are important to you. It will stir you to action. What bothers you the most? God may be calling on you to find a solution to a problem or to be a solution to a problem.
3. What naturally flows out of you?
Have you ever taught someone how to do something that you could do with your eyes closed? It may have seemed simple to you, but complex to them. What is that natural talent or ability you have that others do not?
4. Where do you get real results?
In Luke 13:6-9, Jesus gave us a time guideline for how long it should take to "try something out," such as a job, career, business or ministry. He gave an example of a man who had a fig tree in his vineyard and had been checking for three years to see if it was producing fruit. Then Jesus asked the question, "Why cumbered it the ground?" This was a nice way of asking, "Why is this thing taking up space?" What is taking up space in your life?
5. What is the witness of the Holy Spirit in your spirit?
God will confirm the plan He has for your life. He will sometimes speak through dreams and visions or in a still, small voice. He will make sure He gets the message to you in one way or another. Are you listening? To hear and recognize His voice clearly, you must position yourself by spending time seeking Him, diligently praying and studying His Word.
6. What do mature Christians see in you?
Keep in mind that a "mature Christian" is not just someone who has been saved for a while, but instead is a Believer who consistently makes decisions based on the Word of God. Mature Christians can give you good advice about seeking God's will for your life.
7. What career or ministry do you feel the peace of God about pursuing?
Philippians 4:6-7 says to pray with thanksgiving and let your request be known to God, and He will bring you peace about the things that concern you. Let the peace of God in your spirit man guide you and confirm His will for your life.
8. What thoughts, visions or dreams are impossible to put out of your mind?
God speaks to us in various ways. He will give you thoughts, visions and dreams, but your job is to recognize when it is God's message and when it is not. You will know God has given you a dream, vision or concept when you have spent time seeking Him. He will confirm it through His Word, as well as through people who may speak into your life about the situation. In addition you will see situations and circumstances line up to make your dream or vision come to pass.
9. What goal or ambition can you dedicate yourself to 100 percent, for the rest of your life?
Is there something you can do for hours and really enjoy? What career or job could you do for the rest of your life? When you discover your purpose, it will incorporate all of your gifts, talents and strengths, and you will have a passion for it that enables you to do it even when you are tired.
10. What do people volunteer to help you accomplish?
When you find what you were created to do, God will send people, opportunities and resources to help you along the way. Is there something you do that people want to support? When you get into that place, you will find total fulfillment. Don't waste another moment trying to find satisfaction in all the wrong places; find God's true purpose for your life today!
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Friday, May 23, 2008
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
What It Means to Worship
What It Means to Worship
By: Dr. Creflo A. Dollar
When many of us think of worship, we think about a slow praise song, or waving our hands in the air during church service. But true worship starts on the inside of you. The Greek word for worship is proskyneo which means "prostrating, bowing to and laying aside our own self and our own life." To worship God is to bow your desires down before Him, and let His will be done in your life; it is an inward state of being that continually honors and reverences God.
In Matthew 4:10, Jesus demonstrates the manner in which we should always be willing to lay down our lives and our bodies as a living sacrifice, even during temptation. In this scripture, Satan was tempting Jesus by offering Him the world and the very kingdoms that Jesus had come to take back from him if He would bow down and worship him instead of God. In the face of this test, Jesus responded by saying, "Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord they God, and Him only shalt thou serve." Jesus laid down the temptation to yield to His flesh in order to accomplish a greater mission. So likewise, you have to be willing to put God before everything else in your life.
Can God trust that He can work out his plans and purposes through you? A perfect example of this is in Genesis chapters 42-46, when Jacob thought he had lost his beloved son Joseph forever. Through God's mighty hand, however, he reunited Joseph with his father Jacob and his brothers.
Joseph was Jacob's favorite son, and his older brothers envied him because of this. They sold him into slavery, and tricked Jacob into believing that his son had been fatally attacked in the wilderness. God was with Joseph, however, which gave him the power to prosper everywhere he went. He was thrown in prison after being falsely accused of rape, but he prospered even behind bars, and was promoted. Joseph eventually became Pharaoh's highest ranking official after he interpreted a mind-boggling dream for the ruler.
Years later, during a severe famine, Jacob's family came to Pharaoh for food. As the chief official, Joseph was the man who was responsible for supplying their need. When Jacob's older sons came to him to buy food, they did not recognize Joseph, and he used it to his advantage to see his younger brother Benjamin and request him to return to see him after their first trip to Egypt. Jacob feared the possibility of losing another son, but he submitted to what was being asked of him. As a result of his being obedient to Joseph's orders, and the will of God by releasing Benjamin to Joseph once more, the Lord was able to reunite this family, and restore what Jacob thought had been lost. Not only did Joseph reveal his true identity to his father and brothers, but God also used him as an avenue through which He could funnel his provision to them during their time of need.
Jacob operated in true worship in the face of fear, and losing something that was dear to him-his youngest son Benjamin. Are you willing to do the same? This is what worship is all about; a sacrifice must be given before the God-kind of abundance is released. What is God trying to get you to give up for His plans? It may simply be a good deed, money or clothing. Whatever it is, if you are holding something you treasure from God, you are keeping your Benjamin. You have to trust God, that he will bless you because of your sacrifice, and heart of worship toward Him. You cannot see it as a loss, but as a spiritual gain. When you lay your desires and your plans aside for God, He sees it as true worship.
By: Dr. Creflo A. Dollar
When many of us think of worship, we think about a slow praise song, or waving our hands in the air during church service. But true worship starts on the inside of you. The Greek word for worship is proskyneo which means "prostrating, bowing to and laying aside our own self and our own life." To worship God is to bow your desires down before Him, and let His will be done in your life; it is an inward state of being that continually honors and reverences God.
In Matthew 4:10, Jesus demonstrates the manner in which we should always be willing to lay down our lives and our bodies as a living sacrifice, even during temptation. In this scripture, Satan was tempting Jesus by offering Him the world and the very kingdoms that Jesus had come to take back from him if He would bow down and worship him instead of God. In the face of this test, Jesus responded by saying, "Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord they God, and Him only shalt thou serve." Jesus laid down the temptation to yield to His flesh in order to accomplish a greater mission. So likewise, you have to be willing to put God before everything else in your life.
Can God trust that He can work out his plans and purposes through you? A perfect example of this is in Genesis chapters 42-46, when Jacob thought he had lost his beloved son Joseph forever. Through God's mighty hand, however, he reunited Joseph with his father Jacob and his brothers.
Joseph was Jacob's favorite son, and his older brothers envied him because of this. They sold him into slavery, and tricked Jacob into believing that his son had been fatally attacked in the wilderness. God was with Joseph, however, which gave him the power to prosper everywhere he went. He was thrown in prison after being falsely accused of rape, but he prospered even behind bars, and was promoted. Joseph eventually became Pharaoh's highest ranking official after he interpreted a mind-boggling dream for the ruler.
Years later, during a severe famine, Jacob's family came to Pharaoh for food. As the chief official, Joseph was the man who was responsible for supplying their need. When Jacob's older sons came to him to buy food, they did not recognize Joseph, and he used it to his advantage to see his younger brother Benjamin and request him to return to see him after their first trip to Egypt. Jacob feared the possibility of losing another son, but he submitted to what was being asked of him. As a result of his being obedient to Joseph's orders, and the will of God by releasing Benjamin to Joseph once more, the Lord was able to reunite this family, and restore what Jacob thought had been lost. Not only did Joseph reveal his true identity to his father and brothers, but God also used him as an avenue through which He could funnel his provision to them during their time of need.
Jacob operated in true worship in the face of fear, and losing something that was dear to him-his youngest son Benjamin. Are you willing to do the same? This is what worship is all about; a sacrifice must be given before the God-kind of abundance is released. What is God trying to get you to give up for His plans? It may simply be a good deed, money or clothing. Whatever it is, if you are holding something you treasure from God, you are keeping your Benjamin. You have to trust God, that he will bless you because of your sacrifice, and heart of worship toward Him. You cannot see it as a loss, but as a spiritual gain. When you lay your desires and your plans aside for God, He sees it as true worship.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Let Worship Be Your Mirror
Let Worship Be Your Mirror
By: Cory Bradley
Our culture is obsessed with images. The media, the internet, the workplace, and even sometimes the local church; image seems incredibly important to many facets of our life.
Can you imagine a day in which you didn't get dressed and prepare yourself for the day without using your mirror as a reference? Probably not.
Well, can you imagine getting dressed, washing your face, making sure all of your hairs were in place, only to do so with someone else's mirror or image as a reference?
If you are saying no or think that may sound absurd, believe it or not, it is something we do everyday when we do not make worship apart of our daily routine.
Recently, I had sort of a meltdown on Myspace while viewing all of the beautiful faces and toned and fit bodies; I thought to myself, "What's wrong with me? No one looks at me and admires me in such a way that reflects my value and worth."
After giving God my laundry list, I heard God clearly respond to me and tell me that things aren't that much different with Him either. He said, "Cory (that's me), maybe it's not what wrong with you, but maybe the problem is what others are looking for."
He went on to say, now with sort of a melody behind Him: "Instead of searching and asking others about your insufficiency, why can't you be more focused on what I see?" As a worship leader, I have come to realize something. When we worship God, we are washing ourselves and the images we tend to embrace that God has nothing to do with. Worship, praise, and adoration of who God is provides us access to the thoughts of God and how He perceives our lives.
Our standards of beauty are changed through every encounter. The more we reflect on Him, the more our beauty is revealed. Worship is the perfect looking glass.
From the times of Moses until now, worship is man's greatest tool to cleanse away the worldly perspectives we have regarding this life. It is how we renew our lives and most importantly, how we embrace how beautiful we are in the sight of God.
This day, let worship be your mirror.You may be surprised on how great you really look!
By: Cory Bradley
Our culture is obsessed with images. The media, the internet, the workplace, and even sometimes the local church; image seems incredibly important to many facets of our life.
Can you imagine a day in which you didn't get dressed and prepare yourself for the day without using your mirror as a reference? Probably not.
Well, can you imagine getting dressed, washing your face, making sure all of your hairs were in place, only to do so with someone else's mirror or image as a reference?
If you are saying no or think that may sound absurd, believe it or not, it is something we do everyday when we do not make worship apart of our daily routine.
Recently, I had sort of a meltdown on Myspace while viewing all of the beautiful faces and toned and fit bodies; I thought to myself, "What's wrong with me? No one looks at me and admires me in such a way that reflects my value and worth."
After giving God my laundry list, I heard God clearly respond to me and tell me that things aren't that much different with Him either. He said, "Cory (that's me), maybe it's not what wrong with you, but maybe the problem is what others are looking for."
He went on to say, now with sort of a melody behind Him: "Instead of searching and asking others about your insufficiency, why can't you be more focused on what I see?" As a worship leader, I have come to realize something. When we worship God, we are washing ourselves and the images we tend to embrace that God has nothing to do with. Worship, praise, and adoration of who God is provides us access to the thoughts of God and how He perceives our lives.
Our standards of beauty are changed through every encounter. The more we reflect on Him, the more our beauty is revealed. Worship is the perfect looking glass.
From the times of Moses until now, worship is man's greatest tool to cleanse away the worldly perspectives we have regarding this life. It is how we renew our lives and most importantly, how we embrace how beautiful we are in the sight of God.
This day, let worship be your mirror.You may be surprised on how great you really look!
Monday, May 12, 2008
What Is A True Worshiper?
True Worshipers:
- Are Doers of the Word and not just Hearers!
- Lovers of God and His Word!
- Are Christians who love others in the Biblical definition of love (read 1Corinthians 13:1-13)
- Seek to please God first above everyone and everything --even their own desires...
- Are willing and obedient followers of Christ
- Has an intimate relationship with God.
- Trust God with all their heart, mind, soul, and strength.
- Believe that God's Word is true, living, and powerful.
- Don't live according to the patterns of this world.
- Live their lives according to the principles in the Word of God.
- Pray daily.
- Read the Word daily.
- Are always growing and maturing in their walk with God.
- Share the gospel with others through their words and lifestyle.
- Are thankful -- grateful -- have an attitude of gratitude in everything.
- Look for ways to be a blessing to someone. A Giver of time, talent, and their treasures.
- Wants God's Will to be done in and through them.
There is so much more that can be added here but I will stop here. If you have one to add please feel free to add it in your comment.
Blessings to all!
Lady Cohen
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Sunday, May 4, 2008
The Purpose of this Site.
Welcome to True Worshipers.
I created this site because I love to worship God with all that is within me. It is dedicated to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. May this site be one that always Glorify God. Amen! It is also made to encourage those who are True Worshipers of our Great, Awesome, and Mighty God. Hallelujah!!! It is also created to bless all who would come across this blog. Everyone is welcome here. Where the Spirit of Lord is there is liberty -- receive freedom today as you worship Him in Spirit and in Truth -- He alone is Worthy to be Praised. Amen!!!!
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