Saturday, July 10, 2010

Worship and Praise Sunday!


My Heart Is Feeling Revived Today!

I was just thinking this morning how our hearts can grow cold. How they become hard, or toughened sometimes without us even noticing. Even as Christians we too often close off our hearts to the needs of others and think too much on ourselves and our desires. Or we just don't "feel" the closeness to God that we once felt.

Now don't get me wrong...I know that we are saved by grace, through faith in God, and if we have truly confessed our sins and asked forgiveness and invited Jesus into our hearts and lives, we are saved for all eternity! And I know that it's "faith" that saves us, not "feelings". But when we are living in sweet fellowship with God with surrendered hearts, we will have joyful feelings...and most new Christians do.

I am just saying that as time passes after salvation sometimes the stresses of everyday living can rob us of our joyful feelings and we can become lukewarm and not have the zeal we used to have in our lives. I know this has happened to me at times...how about you? It's hard to live in a wicked world and not be affected and to not have our joy deminished.

Last Friday night my husband and I went to a young friend's church to a revival service. This 28 year old young man became a Christian less than three years ago, and he was changed from a druggie and a drinker who had no hope, to one who is on fire for the Lord. He and his sweet young wife were on the front row of the church and I could see his hands raised in praise as he sang the songs when my husband and I came in. However, we settled comfortably closer to the back.

The praise music was loud and we were not used to guitars, bass and drums in our services as our church is much more reserved and conservative. People were standing up and raising their hands to God and clapping as they sang, or they sat closing their eyes in humble worship as they sang the words from their heart. I felt comfortable standing, singing, and clapping, and I also closed my eyes in worship as I sang.

During the 2 hour service our friend smiled towards heaven and raised his hands and heart to God...and went to the altar more than once in prayer. And so did many others, including the pastor and his wife. The speaker said more than once that the altar was open for anyone at anytime to come and pray throughout the service as the Lord leads.

At my church we have an altar call at the end of the service but no one goes up to the front until then...and even at the end when they do go forward we don't usually see them because they are escorted to a private room to pray alone or with a pastor or deacon. This is done in love so that they won't feel on the spot or embarrassed, and I think it is ok. But there was just something so moving to see the Holy Spirit of God working in people's hearts and drawing them into worship so openly. To see them bow before the King! My heart opened up in praise to God and I felt a stirring in my soul, and so did my husband. It wasn't our usual practice, but it was a picture of God at work, and I loved it.

Well I just want to say that by the end of the service both my husband and I found ourselves on our knees at the front of the church with our heads and hearts bowed reverently to God... and my tears of joy from a happy heart were like a medicine or an elixir to me...and it did me so much good. I felt God's love as I knelt before Him and spoke openly as I prayed quietly from my heart to my Lord, in confession, prayer and praise.

My husband and I went for ice cream afterward and we shared our feelings on the evening's service and what we thought about the leading of the Lord. We were so very glad we had attended. God had led me to our friend's facebook message telling about the revival and I am so glad that I saw it, and had then asked my hubby if we could go. We may have been a little bit out of our comfort zone...but we were right where God wanted us to be! Do things like that ever happen in your lives, where you didn't plan for things to happen like that, but you are glad they did?

The speaker was Danny Ledbetter and he was a very good preacher as he presented God's word and many challenges to us. He raised his voice to drive home his message...but that was ok, because he kept our attention and there was no missing his point!

He said that America is slowly having our freedoms taken from us, and a lot of us Christians are just standing by letting them tell us we can't pray publicly at graduations, or we can't use God's name in speeches, but yet people on tv and in movies take the Lord's name in vain and in disrespect and that is allowed and we hardly notice. Or if we do notice we let it go by. He said we should cry out to God and say we are sorry for becoming complacent to that, and to all of the other peversions we are exposed to everyday. Sin should bother us.

Abortion is murder and millions of innocent babies are being killed in America...the nation that is under God! Christians should be broken hearted over the crimes and perversions that are all around us. And we need to stand up against the evil and be praying for our nation. But so often we just become immune to it all...because there is so much evil going on everywhere these days. In years gone by most Americans were against such things, but now nobody does much about it anymore. I think it makes God sad! I think some of the things that Christians are allowing just breaks His heart.

Danny Ledbetter and his wife and family are very musically talented. His wife plays keyboard and sings, and his 16 and 18 year old sons both sang and played guitars and bass, and they have written some of the songs. They are a full time travelling evangelistic team, and if you ever get the opportunity to hear them I am sure you would be blessed by their ministry. You can look them up online by searching Danny Ledbetter.

I think all of us should re-kindle the fires that burned so warmly when we first came to Christ. If the world sees no difference in our lives, then why would anyone even want to become a Christ follower? A joyful countenance is much more appealing than a cold and indifferent attitude. We all need revival...each and every Christian needs revival!

A Merry Heart Doeth Good Like A Medicine.
Have you had your medicine today? Unleash your love for the Lord and let loose and praise Him, publicly, or privately... and It will make your heart glad!

God Loves You!
Linda @ Truthful Tidbits

P.S. I took my girlfriend back the next night and there was a beautiful warmth and spirit of love working there. People were saved, set free and revived again! Hallelujah!

Today I am singing in my heart to the Lord

I Love You Lord
And I lift my voice
To Worship You Oh my soul rejoice
Take joy My King...In what You hear
May it be a sweet sweet sound in Your ear!!!!


What Worship and Praise song are you singing today? Megan is hosting today, so just click on the link and add your post, and tell us which one is your favorite, and how God is working in your life today.

15 comments:

Sarah Robbins said...

What a wonderful reminder for my heart today. We have been looking for a church here in North Carolina and it has been so discouraging. We trust in the Lord and his timing, but we just desperately long for fellowship with other believers. I am so thankful that the Lord provides them in unexpected and wonderful ways. Thank you for a reminder that God is at work in his corporate church, and that we are so blessed to be a part of it.

Jenilee said...

I'm so glad to hear that you experienced that and it revived your heart! how wonderful! Our church is very lively, being pentecostal and all... lol but I get revived when I go to kids camp and see all of the kids with their arms raised to heaven worshipping God. It is a beautiful and powerful sight. We leave in a week and I can't wait!!

Kristin said...

I enjoyed this story so much! I felt like I was there, the way you described it. I think that's wonderful that your heart was renewed. I myself could use that right now! That sounds like a wonderful message too and that's so true, we aren't allowed to worship, but we have to endure all of the filth. I never thought of it that way! We should expect more and be a light that shows a better way. Thank you so much for sharing your experience!

Deanna said...

Dearest Linda,
Beautiful post!
It's been a while for me and I need a drink from the river...take a dip in the river!!!
Very happy for you and your hubby that you experienced this worship and praise.
An awakening...revival in your life right now...God bless,
d

Holly said...

I enjoyed reading your post and I'm glad you guys went to the revival and stepped out a little.

Jenn@ You know... that blog? said...

Thanks for your visit! Religious or not (I'm not), it is good to feel uplifted and at peace.

Have a terrific day!

September said...

Linda-
What a wonderful post for me to read today! Hallelujah and Praise Him- I could feel your emotions all of the way through your post.. for I would be of the same mind in the beginning of a different service also.
Our church is more reserved and it is amazing to see the Lord actively working when we allow our sekves the "freedom" to worship, isn't it? AMEN to your REVIVAl night - I was praising Him right along with you in your words.
Thank you for sharing..
Love you!
SEPTEMBER

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

exciting 6 words.

liz barber said...

Hi, stumbled upon your blog today. Loved reading your post. I think it's great how open you and your husband were to be in that service setting. More importantly being open to the Holy Spirit and seeing how He works in different church settings is a good thing. God Bless you as you seek more of Him.

Miller Racing Family said...

What a fabulous post. It was such a blessing to read.
Have a great Sunday!

Megan said...

Thank you, Linda, for sharing your heart and your experience. I've been to similar services and it really is a blessing to see God moving in the lives of his people. It usually brings tears to my eyes watching it all unfold.

And I love the song you quoted SO much! Definitely a special one there!

java girl said...

Linda,

I hope you had a nice nap :O) Have a wonderful week!!!

Anonymous said...

I so enjoyed reading your post! I think I could use a little stepping out when it comes to my worship too. Our church is also very conservative about that–they don't even have an alter call at the end of the service! I really like what this pastor said about not being able to pray to God in schools, but His name being taken in vain all the time and nobody cares. So very true! A related tidbit: Dr. Charles Stanley is holding a 140 day prayer challenge, encouraging Americans to pray for our country in specific ways for the next 20 weeks (it started on July 5). You can find out more about it on his website if your interested. Blessings to you!

Subee41 said...

Hello! I am new to the world of blogging and just visiting different sites. I really enjoyed this post. Thanks for sharing!

Linda said...

Sue, thanks for reading my blog post...and I am glad you liked it. God is so good...and I know He makes no mistakes. I will pray for your pain to go away too. I know His grace is sufficient and His Mercy is great! Hang onto your faith in Him.

Linda @ Truthful Tidbits