wednesday worship talk

Howdy everyone. I have kind of drifted away from worship talk for awhile, but i did warn you i will ramble. So, i rambled off worship for a bit. Lets get back to it. I saw a funny online poll yesterday which asked if the church's music can keep you coming to church or drive you away. hmmm. The guy who started the poll had something against church organs... i wonder how he feels about banjos. well, it got me thinking. I think the most important thing is that you remember that this is for God, not you. Worship time in church is to worship God and please Him, not please you. When I visit churches or conferences that have times of worship, i pray that the Holy Spirit will work in my heart that I will focus on God, no matter what! If your heart is right and open, you will be able to worship anywhere.. but it is nice to be able to worship God and feel comfortable enough to express yourself and be free to be yourself. so, we continue...

God created all music. Music can't be evil.. some lyrics can be, but music (chord structure, melody, rhythm, etc) can't be. So, I believe it is important that each individual can find a church that has music that they can relate to and feel comfortable to worship God with. If you find the music being played at a church is really getting in the way of worshipping God then go find another church. There are so many Bible believing churches out there to pick from with a wide variety of music styles from contemporary to old hymns. There is a church out there that is playing music that you can connect with and worship God with. Each week at Calvary, I really pray about the music that we play each week and I truly believe that God has a hand in picking the songs we do. So, we mix it up. I like hymns (they can get wordy, but the messages are awesome), but I will usually rearrange them. I like to have a little bit for everyone, a couple rockin tunes, a hymn, a slower more reflective tune. The most important thing is that you worship God. The worship of God is what pleases Him. He hears your heart, weather it be to a rock and roll beat or a traditional organ driven hymn. Just worship Him. Go find a church that you feel comfortable with the music. But remember, it needs to be a Bible believing church. Never substitute the Word of God for some cool style of music. Church's first priority is preaching the truth straight from the Bible. If that is in order, then deal with the music. right on!

To close, here's a wonderful worship oriented Psalm.. Psalm 150.

Psalm 150
1 Praise the LORD.

Praise God in his sanctuary;

praise him in his mighty heavens.
2 Praise him for his acts of power;

praise him for his surpassing greatness.
3 Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,

praise him with the harp and lyre,
4 praise him with tambourine and dancing,

praise him with the strings and flute,
5 praise him with the clash of cymbals,

praise him with resounding cymbals.
6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.

Praise the LORD.

God loves you all and loves to hear you worship Him. So, Sunday.. get out there and find a church and worship the Lord!

Bless you all

Tony