What am I Doing in Church?, Part 3

I desire to continue this thought regarding our participation with God in worship service. We not only participate with fellow believers during the service but we are also called to interact with God. I wanted to take a look at the next step in the process of Worship that God placed in my heart. Release: I firmly believe that each one of us is called and challenged by the Word to release our praise and worship to the Lord God Almighty. No one can tell your story like you can. No one can Worship for you and no one can express your praise and thanksgiving. Is it possible that the modern day church has grown lazy in this step of the process? Many churches have praise teams that are blessed with talented singers and musicians and in some instances we may think that they can offer praise to God for all of us. We grow comfortable allowing them to do the "worshipping" for us and we just sit back and enjoy the music and singing. It can almost become a time of entertainment for us rather than a time of personal gratitude and thanksgiving to God for who He is and for all that He has done for us. After we recognize God, we need to release our praises to God. We need to raise our voice of adoration and exaltation to the One who has paid the price for our redemption. I refuse to allow my voice which desires to reflect a heart of praise to be silent any more; God has worked in marvelous ways in my life and He deserves my very best praise. This past week, Pastor Barfield encouraged the local body to offer "heartfelt praise to God." We need to release our praise from the deepness of our soul as we recognize the work of God's grace taking place in our lives. As we release our praise we find ourselves entering into the deeper presence of the Spirit which then in turn opens the door of our hearts for the ministering presence of the Spirit. We do not have to wait on something spectacular to take place before we can praise Him; David reminded us in Psalm 150 that everything that has breath should offer praise to God. As you prepare for your next worship time with God, whether private or pubic, prepare your heart to offer adoration to God and be prepared to RELEASE your praise and worship. The revival this week at Mt. Carmel was wonderful. The anointing of the Spirit was upon each of the services. Each night found people in the altars and even in the pews seeking the face of God. The anointing of the Lord was very strong and people testified that needs were met by the presence of God. Only Heaven can fully record all that was accomplished but I knew that as I ministered to people that God was doing some awesome things. I am more determined than ever before to see revival come to the church in America. God is at work, will I be willing to join Him in what He is doing or will I be content to be an observer rather than a participant with Him? Only you can answer that question for yourself.