A FEW TESTIMONIES ABOUT “GOD MOMENTS” OF WORSHIP (part 4)
Below are example shared by saints of their personal experiences of “worship moments.” As I receive more examples I will add them to this list to help us better understand what we mean by “God/worship moments.” Any who read this blog are invited to share a similar testimony for edification of Christ’s body and to the glory of God.
1- I used to try so hard to please Abba. Try as I may, I kept failing. I tried to get up early, read my Bible, I tried hard to pray and keep my mind focused, but it never lasted for me. I think it’s a lot easier to let God pick the time and place. I live in the country and I’m amazed at the times I see God as I watch animals interacting with one another and nature. 2 - Anyone who has a dog (let’s call him Fido) should understand the difference between praise and adoration. The moment the master of the house comes home from being absent for a period of time, a period of pure “praise” will eminate from Fido. There will be yelping, jumping, waging, licking, …..That is praise….pure and simple. Toward the end of the evening while “master” is sitting in his easy chair reading the paper, we find Fido laying at his feet, gazing up into his face….pure worship. This may be simplistic….but I like it!! 3 - I was driving back from Perth yesterday and the countryside on that drive is spectacular at this time of year. All the trees are changing colour and the sun came out at one point to emphasize this beautiful array of all sorts of colours. I realized that this is a picture of death, the bracken and heather by the side of the road was also dying and withering. I saw this as a beautiful sight to behold and told the Lord so. My heart was uplifted and I told my Father, that I too was willing to partake of this death, that in another season, (if the Lord wills) I will bear new fruit for Him. I realized that anything worthwhile, comes in the resurrection and the trees are a wonderful example of this. We tend to want to be fruitful all of the time, but as with the trees, our fruit becomes over ripe and begins to be unpalatable. It is better to allow the Lord to take us through this death, that we may bear new fruit, fit for consumption by all in Christ, who would wish to partake. I praised Him for this and became willing, to become nothing. 4 - There was one time, years ago, I was working on a weighbridge where I would weigh trucks. The weighbridge kiosk was surrounded by glass windows so I could see everything around me. One day, A bee got caught in there and he kept buzzing up and down the front window, trying to get back to doing his “bee thing” but he was caught behind this glass. I took some soft tissue that I had in the booth and cupped him gently in it, trying not to hurt him and keep him from hurting me in his panic. I let the wee fella go and watched as he flew off hell for leather to go back to his flowers and to do what God created him to do. I realized that sometimes, we are like that little bee. We get caught up in a place where we can maybe see out but yet we are in a man made prison. It is God who gently frees us to go about doing what He created for us. I sensed His delight as I watched that bee fly off. I have been set free before too but would like it if Christ in me could do this with men, Christian or not. That is my prayer today. 5 - I can be listening to a secular country western song on the radio, in my car, with noisy, frustrating traffic behind, in front and beside me and I can sense God’s spirit in my car, to the point of tears coming down my cheeks. I will change the meaning of words of those love songs and sing them to the Lord instead of (to the girl down the street). No doubt in my mind that I’m worshipping “in spirit” . 6 - Have you ever awaken knowing that you understood some aspect of life in Christ and could not remember it nor explain it? I once had an experience while with a group of students during a discussion in which I believe God gave me a glimpse into the truth of what we were discussing. In a nano-second I had grapsed it and then it was gone. I was left knowing that I had known and that it must had been Holy Spirit that dropped in on me. 7 - There were times when I failed that I felt I just cannot turn that tape player on today or read my Bible. It’s useless to pray and repent when I know it’s just a matter of time when I will do it again. Here’s what began to happen. I would drive down the road after utter failure the night before, and out of shear boredom turn on the radio. As I would run down the road stations would change. Wouldn’t you know it..a Christian station would come on and before I knew what I was doing, I’d be back in the joy of the Lord! Then I’d think, “wait a minute, I can’t do this! I haven’t even prayed yet.” So I’d turn it off. Then it went a step further. I’d be listening to rock or country music and as I listened I would apply those words and thoughts to God. Before ya know it…I’m worshipping God and the radio is not on a Christian station. How can this be?!! I even started seeing God in tv shows! Whoa! This just ain’t right! It sure didn’t fit MY doctrine!! 8 - As a kid (just like now) I lived for the times we got to sing songs that were moving - whether because I got to hear those great bass voices in the group or because it actually had a tempo that was was not as slow as a crawl. This night, we were singing “How Great Thou Art” which has such moving lyrics - even for a kid. We got to the verse that said: “O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made;
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.” Just at that moment - a huge rolling blast of thunder was heard outside. I remember looking up at amazement at my dad, who was sitting next to me - that we had an audible confirmation of just how great He art! It just meant a lot to me and I have never forgotten it. My thunder memory is a special bond I have with God - just something done for a little girl who was just beginning a quest to learn who He is. 9 - I found myself thinking about death this morning and recalled something that happened last year, so I thought I would share it here. Early last summer, I began to get heart palpitations and numbness in my arms and legs. I went up to the doctor and they began to run some tests. I realized during this time that I was afraid to die. I felt very much ashamed, knowing that by faith, to leave this body is to be with the Lord, so I admitted my lack to Him. Within a week or so, we took our dogs over to this long sandy beach that we go to, very few people and you can walk for miles. We noticed up ahead, this large bird standing in the surf, looking out over the North Sea.Our retreiver (Molly) went bounding up to it and we expected it to fly off but the next thing we knew, it was in Molly's mouth. Retreivers have a soft mouth so she didn't kill it but we scolded her and she put it down. We walked up to it and immediately wanted to help it. I reached down to pick it up and it pecked me. It was as if it wanted to be left alone. Judy took her sweater off and scooped it up and we were trying to think of some rescue centre we could take it to. We were miles from the car or any populated area by this time. Then it occurred to me that this bird was waiting to die. Intuitively, I knew that any intervention by us would have been an intrusion, so we just took it up and hid it in the sand dunes and left it for that transaction to take place between God and this bird. I noted that was no panic in the bird, no fear or trepidation, just a quiet acceptance. This really spoke to me. There was no medical system involved, just an agreement between God and the bird. I knew right away, that that is how I would like to die, not trying desperately to hold onto this life but to just quietly agree with God. I asked Him to work that in me, that my death as well as my life could in some way, please Him. That bird made quite an impression. 10 - NEW (01-07-07) I was at the river with my dogs one morning and there was a huge beech tree standing there. I was troubled about many things and the Holy Spirit drew my attention to that tree. I could see that it was completely naked and was not moved by the winds, also that it was firmly anchored by its root system. The Holy Spirit said "Be Still". I was immediately stilled upon hearing this. 11 - NEW (01-17-07) This testimony is replete with analogies regarding our old man and God's kingdom and nature. See if you can see yourself in this.
I recently got some new fish to re-stock our pond. The supplier will package the fish in plastic bags with water and oxygen for a short transport back to their new home. When you get to the pond you place the bag in the pond and let it sit for a while. Then you open the bag and let a little water from the pond into the bag with the new fish. Gradually, as the fish acclimate to their new environment you open the bag and let the fish find thier new home (in the pond).
I've noticed that some fish figure it out quickly and leave the confined bag and find freedom in their new home in the pond. Others cling together afraid to leave and find security in remaining at the far end of the bag.
I left the bag open and as more pond water filled the bag, eventually more fish found freedom in their new home. I also noticed that some fish would never leave their "safe corner of the bag" but huddled together for safety and security until I finally tilted the bag and set them free.
If I had let them remain in that confined bag, they would have totally missed out on the wonderful new world and freedom they could enjoy in the big pond (environment) they were made to live in.
I couldn't help but see the correlation of ME in that bag. I was one of those who would remain in the corner of the bag to the very end. I found myself worshipping God that He loved me enough to upset "MY world" and set me free into what I was created to live in..His kingdom, design and heart's desire.
12 - NEW (01-18-07) Worship is a way of life, because I can worship God in everything that I do! How I spend my time and money, who I hang out with, how I dress, where and how I work, how I treat people, how I drive, etc., all became expressions of God’s worth (or, yikes, lack of worth!) to me.
Seeing worship as a way of life has really helped motivate me to consciously take God with me wherever I go and seek to please Him in all that I do. Biblically, I would say that this is also loving God (1 John 5:3). Among the many positive results I’ve experienced are more consistency in my walk with the Lord, a livelier prayer life, plus greater authenticity and joy when singing those great worship songs 13 - (1-27-07) I remember one day last year, we had taken a drive over to Loch Rest (the one we named) and wanted to let the dogs have a run on the beach there.
It was very stormy there that day and we didn't spend long out of the car. We had brought a pack lunch with us and we sat in the car having our lunch, looking out over the Loch.
I noticed a small boat moored in the bay and it was bobbing around as it was assaulted by the waves. I noticed though, that although it was being affected by the storm, it was not moving because its anchor line was sure and taught.
I learned a lesson from this little boat, I could see that on the surface, it was reeling, but down below, beneath the surface, it was firmly anchored. So, it is with us.
Now, I have found that when God reveals something to us, He wants us to hold it and allows it to be tested because He wants us to walk in the light He gives us and doesn't just just us information or head knowledge.
It wasn't long after that, that I had a really rough day at work, I was working as a weaver, learning to weave tweed in old old tweed mill here in town and I had made a mistake on a customer's order. The whole piece (which was sizeable) was lost and I had to tell the boss about it. He went mad and gave me a written warning, then after leaving work, I found that my bank had closed down my account and my monthly bills were due.
I was really quite distraught by this time and looked up at the Lord. The Holy Spirit spoke just then and He said "Look beneath the surface, look within yourself", so I did. Then He said "Do you see a place of calm there knowing that I am in control of all things?" I said "Yes Lord, I see it!
As it turned out, one phone call sorted out the thing with the bank, and within three months, my boss congratulated me on the increased volume and quality of work at the mill.
It was just then that I remembered the little boat at Loch Rest, It was all just, surface chop. That is something I will always hold and I thought that I would share it with you this morning.
Have a good day in our Lord
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