Praise for Freedom
PostPosted: Sun Apr 04, 2004 4:32 pm
This is a testimony to the power of God in my life as it has worked recently.
First, I should mention that (until today) I had not worshipped God except in spirit for nine years. For some reason, I just stopped one day when I was 10. I had various excuses for it over the years, but I never sang in church or did anything to worship God in a public manner.
Of course I hid behind other works, such as knowldege of God's word, striving for good character, etc.; but the fact of the matter was that worship was seriously lacking from my life. All of these are good, but they do not replace real, God-centered worship.
Of course I was convicted every time I read a scripture about people praising God with their lips, or during the the musical segments of church services. This was rooted in self-centeredness, putting my own desires (if indeed it was entirely from within myself) before the clear commands of God.
Then last wednesday, I was in a bible study on the topic of worship. Normally I have a lot to contribute to the discussion, but that night I had nothing to say. At the end of the study, the campus minister asked us how we could improve our worship, and all I could say was that worship was a weak point in my Christian walk, and that I needed to improve in it.
The campus minister emailed me and asked to meet on friday. I explained my situation, and we both agreed that it was a problem. Yesterday was a night of prayer at our church, so after the main service, he took me to a room to pray.
And today during church, I worshipped God for the first time in 9 years. Praise God!
Perhaps some of you have had similar experiences, or are dealing with the same problems. If so, I would encourage you to confess to an elder in your church, and ask him/her to pray for transformation in your life.
I will leave you with a passage from the Psalms, which no brings me joy rather than conviction: "May my lips overflow with praise, for you teach me your decrees. May my tongue sing of your word, for all your commands are righteous" (Psalm 119:171-2).
First, I should mention that (until today) I had not worshipped God except in spirit for nine years. For some reason, I just stopped one day when I was 10. I had various excuses for it over the years, but I never sang in church or did anything to worship God in a public manner.
Of course I hid behind other works, such as knowldege of God's word, striving for good character, etc.; but the fact of the matter was that worship was seriously lacking from my life. All of these are good, but they do not replace real, God-centered worship.
Of course I was convicted every time I read a scripture about people praising God with their lips, or during the the musical segments of church services. This was rooted in self-centeredness, putting my own desires (if indeed it was entirely from within myself) before the clear commands of God.
Then last wednesday, I was in a bible study on the topic of worship. Normally I have a lot to contribute to the discussion, but that night I had nothing to say. At the end of the study, the campus minister asked us how we could improve our worship, and all I could say was that worship was a weak point in my Christian walk, and that I needed to improve in it.
The campus minister emailed me and asked to meet on friday. I explained my situation, and we both agreed that it was a problem. Yesterday was a night of prayer at our church, so after the main service, he took me to a room to pray.
And today during church, I worshipped God for the first time in 9 years. Praise God!
Perhaps some of you have had similar experiences, or are dealing with the same problems. If so, I would encourage you to confess to an elder in your church, and ask him/her to pray for transformation in your life.
I will leave you with a passage from the Psalms, which no brings me joy rather than conviction: "May my lips overflow with praise, for you teach me your decrees. May my tongue sing of your word, for all your commands are righteous" (Psalm 119:171-2).
