WORSHIP

       This Friday I was privileged to lead worship for usins' at the DTS. I had signed up to lead worship the week before and was asked on Wednesday if I could lead Friday morning. Didn't think it would come up so soon! I'm not new to leading worship, but my nerves still came up because my talent in guitar is far below many of the people here so I grow self conscious and I still get nervous when singing in front of people. I was excited though, and I thought God was saying, "yep, let's go!" So I said yes. :o) I asked a fellow student, Jonathon (From Switzerland), if he would play the djembe (drum) with my guitar. We practiced Thursday night and just during practice I felt the presence of God and was encouraged by Jonathon's heart for Jesus. I told him I'd probably stop and just have time of music or I might sing in the Spirit (sing out words that were Holy Spirit inspired). He said, "Yes, yes, that's how it should be!" Then he said, "Why don't you do this right now?" I was a bit taken aback, but I felt this was from God, so I just started singing and God gave me words to sing for Jonathon. It was so encouraging and good. 
           Friday morning Jonathon and I prayed and I told him I was a bit nervous, but I was just going to worship God. He said, "Yep! You just sing from your heart. You're fine." The night before He had said, "I have Jesus, so when I walk into a room, I bring heaven with me." His confidence in Christ and the authority he walks in was great for me to be around! We started out by prophesying over Jonathon's girlfriend who is leaving for China in two weeks. She wasn't actually there, so we filmed ourselves to send to her. It was a blessed way to start out. I started playing and singing and just being with God-leading others into His presence. I was swept away. God is so good. Sometimes we just sang with the drums, we were silent, we clapped, we were still, (I sang in the Spirit about Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and how they weren't alone in the fire-Jesus was the forth man in the fire. Later that night some of us were at a youth service, the preaching was about...Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego...yep, how God was with them in the fire.) I sang from my lungs. When I lead worship, there's something about my desire for Jesus that just expands. I think it's because I'm wanting Him not just for me, but for the others in the room as well. And having the honor to lead others-I just am mega blessed! Calling down heaven and calling out to Jesus-pouring out my love through the songs I get to choose and the method of worship just stirs my heart. I sang so loud-ha-it's like the song lyrics, "I can't hold my love back from you!" I had asked Jonathon to at some point when I stopped playing to just continue with a drum beat. On Thursday we looked up the Tarzan Disney movie soundtrack for this drumbeat he really liked-and of course that was funny and awesome, as I love Tarzan. He let loose on the drums in worship and wow-we heard the heartbeat of God. There was so much power and freedom. I was on a high from the Holy Spirit for awhile on Friday. :o) 
     So-I'm learning to be more abandoned, more abandoned to Jesus' love. After worship Paulien, a dance track staff came up to me and told me, (paraphrased) "I really like your voice, actually I was sitting there and thinking, wow, this is another side of God, I mean, your voice is so feminine and beautiful, so it was like I experienced a new part of God." Wow. Yeah, overwhelmed there. 
       I give to God, but he is the ultimate Giver, no one can out-give Him. I give Him my worship, and He gives me His love, His Presence, His approval. He says over His children, "This one is mine. He/She is mine for all eternity." He so loves us. 
      If there's something you're afraid of, if you want to pour out your love in a way that maybe is scary-please just go for it-God is worth it. :o) 
Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. James 4:8
http://youtu.be/o6kSRKZ60q4