Come Close To God

"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

I personally experienced something this past Sunday that has taken a few days for me to process.

When you hear of someone experiencing God's presence or God's power in a mighty way, it is always in the rear view mirror. You know, a past tense story. And you hate to discard it because in the off chance that it really did happen. So often when the topic of God's presence comes up, I nod my head in a religious fashion and try to remain openminded.

God draws near...

A couple times a year, a very talented local Christian family provides special music for our church. Usually it is their 3 teenage daughters. Our church has the highest respect for their love for God and their God given ability to minister through music. Our church has fallen in love with them and relishes each and every time they visit. This last Sunday, they had 3 songs practiced and ready to worship God.

At 11:15 they stepped to the platform and began to sing. From the first verse of the first song, the Spirit of God swept over the church.

By the end of the second song, the church body sat in stunned silence - then as one, the church body leapt to their feet in a standing ovation. In my 40+ years in church, I have never experienced this vivid outpouring of God's presence in a service.

What makes this even more remarkable, the 3 teenage girls were just as shocked as I.

In fact, as I watched them, I could see that they were struggling to process what God was doing in that life impacting service.

As they completed the third song, I looked around the sanctuary and tears were flowing from most everyone. Distractions were long gone. Obstacles were removed. Hearts were open and God's Spirit was freely touching lives.

A basic principle of God's Word is that when you brush against the presence of God, you come away transformed.

One of the endearing strengths of the 3 teenage girls is that they have no clue how much talent God has given them. Humility is a rare trait.

As a pastor, I watch people for 3 necessary traits. (a) a deep desire to know God and His Word; (b) humility; (c) honesty.

When I find all 3 of these traits in someone, my heart is blessed beyond words because I know there is no limit to what God will accomplish in that heart. In the case of my 3 teenage friends, they all demonstrate these 3 attributes.

At the risk of sounding proud (guilty), I get to share my pastor's heart with you.

You cannot walk away from a service like we experienced last Sunday, without forever knowing that you were standing on holy ground.

For the rest of those 3 teenage girl's lives, they will know they will know without a doubt that they worshipped in the presence of God Almighty and He poured out His Spirit without restraint.

They will forever remember me as the pastor that sat on the platform weeping tears of joy while they led us in worship.

When they are married with children of their own, they will look for a church that resembles when they experienced last Sunday.

Why?

Definitely not because we spend our limited funds on extravagant buildings. We are a 110 year old 1 room building with 2 out houses and a cemetery.

Definitely not because we have a full band to back up our worship team. Our band is one faithful brother on an acoustic guitar.

Definitely not because the pastor has a doctorates degree in Theology and dazzles them with complex homiletics. When God moved last Sunday, I very effectively hadn't said a word. My ministry Sunday was to stay out of God's way as He ministered to hearts.

So "why"?

Simply because God blesses His church when they humbly and honestly give heartfelt honor His Word.

"Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive His approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the Word of Truth" 2 Timothy 2:15

I will wrap this up with this thought:

If you draw near to God on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, then on Sunday, God will honor His promise to draw near to you.

This should come as no surprise.
If you spend every day of the week living a self centered life, giving no thought to God or His desire to walk with you through every thought and decision, then it should come as no surprise when your "blesser" is busted when you come to church on Sunday.

"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

The Power of Music

God uses music to prepare our hearts to meet Him.

"For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of His tabernacle and set me high upon a rock. Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at His tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord.". Psalm 27:5-6

Today we had three remarkable young ladies provide praise and worship music for our church. I have seldom experienced the Holy Spirit's presence as powerfully as I did this morning. As they sang, my heart was drawn into an expression of worship that was honest and humble. As they sang, all distractions were removed as the Spirit spoke to hearts. As they sang, the Holy Spirit was nudging the sermon in a different direction than I anticipated. God seized control of the service in a wonderful way.

OK, so my point to this blog is, "Does your choice of music draw you closer to God or move you further from God?"

James 4:8 says, "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you".

And before you start throwing tomatoes at me, I am not talking about "rock" verses "Christian". I tried for years to define "Christian" music and in my simple mind, music breaks down into 2 categories: music that pleases God and music that does not please God.

I will give you two verses to ponder on this and I will leave you to your musings.

Psalm 19:14
  "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you,
    O LORD, my rock and my redeemer."

Philippians 4:8
  "Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise."

Proverbs 4:23
  "Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life."
(FYI: this word "guard" in the Hebrew is the same word for "gatekeeper")

One of my favorite old hymns is:
"The Savior is patiently waiting to enter your heart,
why won't you let Him come in.
There's nothing in this world to keep you apart,
what is your answer to Him?
Time after time,
He has waited before,
and now He is waiting again.
To see if your willing to open the door.
Oh how He wants to come in."