Saturday, October 18, 2008

Heart of Worship

It was an awesome worship night that we had. It is so true what was being shared........that if God's people would come every Sunday, prepared to meet with God, the atmosphere of worship would truly rock the earth. 6 days..........we are to prepare ourselves for that 1 day that we can meet with God. It really goes to show how much we should be spending that time to get ready.
But well, I can truly say that meeting with God is one of the best things that you can do in life.

Worship is such a beautiful thing, such a privilege to be able to just be in the presence of God to worship, and to enjoy Him. When we were worshipping with the song "Heart of Worship" one of my all time favourites, I was just awaken by the simple lyrics of this song, and had a gentle reminder.........that this day, it is all about Jesus, not about my work, my ministry, my people, my life, but it is about God. And when we can submit to God in this manner, worship wouldn't be a chore, but a joy.

Let's learn from the lyrics of the song:

When the music fades
All is stripped away
(When you choose to surrender all unto God, where there is the understanding that there is none left of you. Just as Paul puts it, that he considers all things rubbish, except the very fact of having Christ in Him; Philippians 3:8 "What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consdier them rubbish, that I may gain Christ." - there needs to be a heart of humility in this, a deep humility that is willing to come to the point of all being stripped of your life)
And I simply come
(and it's only when you can come to that point of humility, then you can SIMPLY COME)
Longing just to see
(when there is nothing left, I pray that we will only long to come and meet with God)
Something that's of worth
(because God is so precious that we know that we are willing to be stripped of all, so that we can come to be with God. It really brings out, are you willing to give of your all, so that you can come and meet with God - how much are you willing to sacrifice to come to God)
That will bless your heart

I'll bring you more than a song
For a song in itself
(it is not just a song of worship, but more than the words of the lyrics that we sing, it is the words from our hearts that we sing)
It's not what you have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You're looking into my heart
(God doesn't see the outward, but He looks into your heart. 1 Samuel 16:7 "The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart". I'm so glad that this is the case, but to remember to always search and examine our heart, that our heart is right before God, that our heart is true to God.)

I'm coming back to the heart of worship
When it's all about you
(We'll come back to the true place of worship, the true humility of worship when we know that worship is all about Jesus - it is about giving all unto Jesus, praising Jesus, thanking Him, adoring Him, loving Him. There is no point of worship when the focus is shifted from coming back to God. The reason that we existed is because God has created us to worship Him.)
It's all about you, Jesus
I'm sorry Lord for the things I've made it
(Come back to that heart of repentance, the heart of forgiveness. Know that God loves you for who you are; God forgives, and God accepts. Would we choose to come to that place of humility, to ask God to forgive of our sins, and times of unbelief and lack of faith, do we know that God accepts when we choose to turn back to Him - look at the story of the prodigal son - Luke 15:11-31)
When it's all about you
It's all about you, Jesus.

Well..........this is God's heart. Would we pursue after His heart when we worship Him. Minister unto Him, draw close to him, receive His grace and mercy............Enjoy the worship unto God. Let it spalsh forth from your heart as you sing praises and worship unto Him. One day in His courts is better than a thousand days elsewhere.


The Heart of Worship - Joel Engle

Sunday, October 05, 2008

Amazing Grace

I just want to take this opportunity to truly thank God for all that He has done, not just in my life, for the last 10 years that I have been part of the church, Hope Brisbane. But as well, just for all that He has brought this church to.......just hearing all the different sharing from the different people just goes to show that this day it is the lives of people that matter. It is not just about what is working well, and what is a better method. But it is about a life. A life that God treasures, a life that matters to God

As we celebrate Hope Brisbane's 15th Anniversary, it brought back a lot of fond memories when I first came in to the church, and how God has blessed me, but more so, how God has brought so many people into our midst, and one question I was asking myself........whose life have I made a difference in today? When I go up to heaven, and meet God, and if God is to ask me...........whose life have i made a difference in, I hope I will be ready to answer that.

As i look back for these 10 years in the church, I just see how God has grown different ones, and also the church. Not just in numbers, but in our lives as well. When I listen to the song sang...........thanks choir (for the wonderful "thank you" song), and as I worshipped God, it just really brought a heart that could not express in words "thank you to God" and thank you to the church leadership team, and thank you to all who have been part of my life. I couldn't express that sense of gratitude, and that no matter how much I do, or will provide, it just seems like it is not enough, because all of you have done so much, not just for me, but for the church.

The celebration that we had, not just brought back fond memories, and lots of thank you, but it also demonstrates God's amazing love. Despite a church that is so not perfect, yet God is willing to keep loving and keep preparing. Looking at all the things that have past, and even just this whole organisation of the anniversary, I can only say that it is God's amazing love and grace that has driven us to where we are today. So what can I say..........but to ask you to join with me to THANK GOD for all.

And I just want to say thank you for all who has put in the hard work for the church

And as well, thank God for the whole events team for anniversary, who has been gracriously patience, helpful and willing to go the extra mile. You have made a difference :)