lesson | Revelations From The Road

Freedom

May 25, 2008 by Bill Leave a Comment

Given May 18, 2008

Freedom in worship is a hard thing sometime. Depending on what denomination you are involved in, you may be totally free or not free at all. I’m reminded of King David being free in worship: “David, wearing a linen ephod, danced before the LORD with all his might, while he and the entire house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouts and the sound of trumpets. 2 Samuel 6: 14-15“. He didn’t care who saw him or what they thought, he was going to worship his God for the things He had done.

My church is one that encourages freedom in worship and many are, especially the youth. Most will clap their hands, raise their hands, and even move a little. Even though I’m one of the “older” generation, I love praise and worship and even sing on the praise team and consider myself pretty free in worship. However, God showed me a contrast this day in church.

We have three praise teams and mine was not leading this day so I was in my regular seat worshiping God with the congregation. I was clapping, raising my hands, and getting into the worship. I noticed a family nearby where the father and teenage son were pretty ridged. The son was tapping his hands on the back of the seat in front of them so I could tell he wanted to do more but seemed hindered to do so. The dad stood still. I prayed for them to be free.

I lead the morning prayer too so I made my way up to the front during the third song and behind the stage, where it’s dark, to await the end of praise and worship so I could lead in prayer. In the darkness, behind the curtain, as I participated in the last worship song, I was in tears at the wonder of my God. He spoke to me there and said, “You aren’t really free either. See the difference between your worship here and out there?”

Oh man! It was like night and day! I saw that it did matter to me what “people” thought. No one was looking behind the stage and I let go and worshiped. It was a revelation to me. I had to repent.

Jesus said to worship God, “in spirit and in truth. John 4:24“. I will think of this today as my praise team is not leading and I will be in the congregation again. Lord, make me free to praise you and be pleased with my response to your presence. Amen.

God’s To-Do List

September 27, 2007 by Bill Leave a Comment

Given August 2, 2007
As you’ve prayed, has God told you anything He wants you to do? Have you gotten impressions of something you feel you need to do? Maybe someone you feel you should go see? Well, I sure have. I’ve begun to write these things down and describe them as, “God’s to-do list”. Things He wants me to do.

Now, I’m also praying for God to do some things for me. And I know He’s got some wonderful things planned so why haven’t they come to pass? This is how God described it to me: It’s like a teenager who asks his father, “Can I have the car Dad?” And the dad replys, “Have you cleaned your room yet, like I asked? You can’t have the car until you clean your room.”

God won’t do what He’s got planned for me until I do my part and do what He’s already asked me to do. It’s an obedience thing. “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. James 1:22“. Yes, I want to be a good kid and do what my Father asks and, I know, He’ll be real good to me when I do. What has God asked you to do?

All Your Ways

September 14, 2007 by Bill Leave a Comment

Given August 2, 2007
In Proverbs 3:6 it says, “In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight“. In all your ways…what does that mean? What are your ways? I think my ways are everything I think, say, and do during the day. That’s a lot of things!

I acknowledge God during my morning prayer and devotion time and in church, sure, but what about when I go to the grocery store. What about when I’m in a meeting and the boss disagrees, or eating in a restaurant? How about when I’m doing some work around the house and what if I hit my finger with the hammer…..do I honor God then? Uh Oh!

God is looking for a few who will acknowledge Him in everything and, I believe, He’s got a wonderful promotion waiting for those who prove to be faithful.

I was mowing the church grass, BY MYSELF, one week, no one showed up to help, and after about three hours, I was getting pretty fed up. I’d see church people pass in their cars, wave, and go on about their business. I was griping to myself, “Yeah, watch them wave. Why don’t they get over here and help me!” Whaaa, whaaa, whaaa. At that instant, God spoke in my spirit and said, “Bill, are you mowing this grass for yourself or for Me?” Oh man, the ton of bricks fell! I was instantly reminded of Colossians 3:23, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.”

Lesson learned! I repented, asked forgiveness, and spent the next hour and a half mowing in joy and peace. Whatever you do, acknowledge God, do it for Him, and He’ll direct you.

Freedom

God’s To-Do List

All Your Ways

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