I Am A Worshipper

I Am A Worshipper

Mainly through songs that I grew up with.
Hymns, choruses, choirs, specials, and cantatas,
And make sure there are a few straight out of The Word of God.
Psalms 30, 34, 37, and 61 – just to name a few
I have the heart of a singer but without the voice or ear.
As I age and my hearing gets worse,
I listen for voices and styles I can follow and agree with.
Hopefully, in a key and tempo where I can sing.
Else, how can you Worship if you cannot join?
Still, it’s often easier to return to a time
when we sang from the hymnal in church,
and were proud when we reached the point
where we no longer needed they hymnal – we knew all the words!
If you were really good, then you knew the page numbers by heart!
One of the things between old and new,
Between printed and displayed,
I always knew where the song could go
That’s not often the case today.

To me, worshipping God is a personal experience where I lift my heart, voice, and hands to the one who saves, keeps, and watches over me. My Savior. My King. The Creator, Ruler, and the Possessor of my reins. Okay. Sometimes new translations do not equal the old tried and true KJV:

For thou hast possessed my reins:
thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.
Psalms 139:13 KJV

Regardless of your words or mine, I believe worship finds itself rooted in scripture that is thousands of years old but with hundreds of generational experiences. Across the miles and through the years, billions have lived and worshipped. Some did it well, and many struggled, but if your heart points you to God, then Worship flows. Go ahead! Call yourself a worshipper.

We cannot re-write God’s Words nor manipulate His command and teaching on Worship. With songs, melodies, words and heart, we must choose to do it in a way that does not sound out of tune with God.

Some want it loud, and I like it soft; fast versus slow; notes that hit the atmosphere, or those which stay within the range of most of our voices. Oh, how some want the difficult chord, the key that puts me in a hunting mode to when I know it’s out of reach. I will agree there are songs, old and new, where the tempo challenges my slow southern drawl. There are songs that speak to women, and some are for men. Regardless, we work on teaching worship to our kids through songs.

What Am I Saying?

What I think I’m trying to say, if we are going to worship God with a song, we should have a scriptural basis for the words and consider the singers before we put them to music. If you cannot find a scripture reference within the lyrics, I would update the words or not sing it within a church service.

One reviewer says, “If you can replace God with a Human in the words you are using, then perhaps the song is too worldly.” (I cannot find my source for this, but I read the article months back.)

I’ve been in a number of services where the singing was all about the stage talent and presence. The audience mouthed the words when they could but the noise level in the auditorium all came from the platform.

I’ll agree, some want to be entertained,
but I want to entertain God with my personal worship!
Give me a song that helps me do this!

Another article describes the reasons many do not sing. It’s interesting and there is some truth to the list. Click to read his viewpoint ===>>>>. [Source]

If you think I’m wrong, that’s your opinion. But there is a generation of songs fading out of knowledge because we’ve left them behind. Is that bad? Not necessarily. Equally, I can say of my generation that we left older songs behind because they did not fit theology. If you’re Pentecostal, then you know what I mean. I’m still trying to figure out that ol’ speckled bird song. Read it in other translations and the scripture may become clearer. Vultures, anyone? (Jeremiah 12:9)

There Are Many Problems

Worship in these modern times cannot exist without electronics, electricity, and loudness that threatens to drown out the audience. It could be we’ve replaced heartfelt singing with a spectator environment. When I cannot hear “us” sing, then perhaps we depend too much on “them.”

Other problems relate to the songs. How many times over the past few years have we heard worship leaders (their role comes from the Tribe of Judah) say about the songs they are writing and “performing” – “I don’t even know if they are theologically correct.” Who is looking over our songwriters’ shoulders and helping them write according to a Biblical foundation?

While researching, I found a good article that deals with these thoughts that are pounding in my mind. Check it out. There is a test to see if what we sing and worship is Godly and right! [Source]

Yes. We are supposed to play skillfully (Psalms 33:1-3) and even do it in harmony (Psalms 92:3). If there is an angel band in heaven, we want do it as skillfully and harmonious as they do!

Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous!
For praise from the upright is beautiful.
Praise the LORD with the harp;
Make melody to Him with an instrument of ten strings.
Sing to Him a new song;
Play skillfully with a shout of joy.
Psalms 33:1-3 NKJV (Emphasis mine)

There are songs meant for quiet reflection and somber remembrances. Equally, there are songs that we are encouraged to play loudly. Timbrel and dance, anyone?

Praise the LORD!
Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty firmament!
Praise Him for His mighty acts; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness!
Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; Praise Him with the lute and harp!
Praise Him with the timbrel and dance;
Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes!
Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with clashing cymbals!
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD!
Psalms 150:1-6 NKJV

Again, you don’t have to agree with me, but I come at this with eight decades of experience that began in the ’50s. I’ve been part of worship since before I can remember. Old and new songs and styles can work hand in glove, equally taking us into the presence of the Lord.

Worshippers, Arise!

Jesus spoke to the woman at the well in John 4, and I believe he was talking to us today.

Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.
God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
John 4:21-24 NKJV (Emphasis mine)

She was living in sin and came from a life of sin. Her background included some history, and the fact that she came to Jacob’s well (this is a deeper study for a future thought) to draw water in the middle of the day may say much. Yet, if you study this chapter, you will find she thirsted for life-sustaining water that comes from a spiritual source. A source from which you will never thirst again (vv15).

What did she do? She found reason and purpose. Hurridly, she returned to the village and proclaimed a man who knows everything, and that crowd followed her to Jacob’s Well. Jesus turned to his disciples, “See, the fields are ripe unto harvest.”

Not to read into this something that is not mentioned in scripture, but the thought of worshipping brings about the life saving Words of Jesus…not another song. Worship will and should attract those who do not know, but it will be His Words that will make the ultimate difference.

Gasp… I know… I found a new song from a new artist. In my search for style, substance, words, melody, and, can I understand it, I found this song called Sunday Sermon. Hope you like it.

Today

Think about our worship services at church. We come to God thirsty. We want the life-sustaining presence of God to be lifted up and felt. We want to drink deeply from a well that will never dry out. Prayer. Worship. Word. Altar. That’s our traditional order. Insert your routine into the mix and you will find that these are the main pieces of our church service.

There’s a lot of momentum created with every song, and yet we come back Sunday after Sunday with our knuckles dragging in need another soul-pumping worship service to bring our focus to bear upon the One we adore.

To some, worship is a formula: this + this = that. Others want it free-flowing and following the spirit – eventually, we’ll get there. Some know what’s on their heart to lead, but we must take into account the church, audience, and their needs. That’s primary.

I was part of a particular church service where after nearly 40 minutes of singing, the worship leader asked the pastor, “Are we there yet?” The pastor said, “Sing a couple more songs.” Do you remember old-time church where the hymnal pages were shared in advance on the changeable board at the front and side of the platform? Yep… Been there… The best services? Prayer brings our focus to bear on the reason we are there, and worship turned our attention to the One we love.

I want worship to bring me to my feet, not comfortable sitting down until we’ve finished! If someone new and exciting shows up (politician, entertainer, actor, etc.) we don’t hesitate to stand to our feet. Worship should bring me to my feet! I don’t want to watch the screen for the next set of words, I want to know the words so I can worship with my eyes closed!

Equally, the weight of the world drops away as our worship goes forth. We find sweet release in the abundance of His Presence. There are times worship will send me to my knees. Other times I will get my body moving (don’t call it dance!) and worship joyously.

I cannot force others to worship. It must begin with me. I stand in honor of the One who saves me.

The culmination of my week of worshipping should end with corporate worship we do at church, but that’s also what sets up my future week for success!

If we only wait until Sunday for worship, then we miss even the opportunity built into the Disciples Prayer that Jesus taught. Catch this thought. Jesus was teaching the Disciples how to pray after they asked Him to instruct them. It was not His prayer. If you want to experience His prayer, then read John 17. Big difference!

Worship, like prayer, should be an everyday occurrence. With worship, you build your faith, establish your foundation, and lift up God no matter what life brings you! You won’t make it without the One who stabilizes you!