THE WOUNDED WORSHIPER

Is an open wound hindering your worship?

“So David arose from the ground, washed, anointed himself, changed his clothes and he came into the house of the Lord and worshiped.” (2 Sam. 12:20)

King David loved the Lord with all his heart. But he messed up. Yes He did big time. A man after God's heart? Certainly, he was human and fell as everyone else does. But there are some lessons we can learn from his response after the fall.

When David sinned with Bathsheba it may seem for a moment that he had no conscience, but when the child born from his sin died, David was deeply wounded. No one around him could console him. He was a broken man with a secret; the secret was that he knew where to go for healing. Are you walking around with a wounded heart or a wounded spirit and causing your personal worship to suffer? You probably may not be enjoying the corporate worship experience to its fullest either.

You are not free to encounter God’s presence the way you would like because of something you have to let go of a long time ago.

Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty, therefore He would want you to be free so you can worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. What holds true in the human realm is also true in the spirit realm: even the strongest soldiers sometimes get wounded in battle. Take your wounds to God, whatever they may be and have God work on you. You don’t have to keep hurting.

One thing is that most churches are filled with people who have a lot issues to deal with. So even in times of corporate worship they are not able to focus and keep drifting away every now and then. True Worshipers must worship the father in spirit and in truth, but we most people do one and leave the other. The two are to go together!

To worship in truth, our worship must be rooted in the word of God and must also be based on the word of God and not on our traditions or human reasoning. The word of God says “in His presence there is fullness of joy…” and that is the truth. All we need to do when we come before Him is to lay all our fears, sorrows and troubles at His feet and worship Him according to this truth, and as led by the Holy Spirit.

Are you a wounded worshiper? Come now as you are to the father, and you can be healed and restored to be the true worshiper you were designed to be.

Keep worshipping!
AB Kwarteng.

YOU TOO CAN BE A TRUE WORSHIPER

God takes the foolish things of this world to bring enlightenment to those who think they know. His thoughts are definitely not like ours. If they were, why would Jesus want to engage a woman who had a bad reputation in her city, on a very important subject as worship. He did not do this in the synagogue but by a well. It doesn't make much sense in man's thinking, but Jesus was making a statement and setting a standard for us to follow.

Through His encounter with this Samaritan woman, whose name was not even mentioned, Jesus was 
able to break certain barriers that can stood in the way of people receiving God's gift of salvation.
The first barrier was a gender barrier, which Jesus broke by engaging a woman alone by a well. Probably in the afternoon when no one else came to fetch water. Jesus by this showed that He not only need men (like his disciples), but also could use women. 
The second barrier was cultural barrier, where the Jews and Samaritans had no dealings but still Jesus requested that the woman give Him some water to drink. And the woman sought to remind Him of the traditions but Jesus made her know that He even had a better offer for her which was the living water.
The third barrier was social barrier, which was broken when the woman asked Jesus to give her the living water He was talking about and was told to go and call the husband. By this she sincerely said she had no husband, and Jesus revealed her life story to her which made her perceived that He was some sort of prophet.

After Jesus using this opportunity to teach her on true worship, she concludes that He is the messiah!
She then runs to the city to call on all the people to come and be a witness to her transformation.
A sinner made to evangelize to the whole city of Samaria. Couldn't Jesus get someone holier? This woman had been sleeping her way with six men who she was not married to, but though Jesus knew, he was still ready to engage her services. 

When it comes to true worship it is not about our holiness but His righteousness imputed on us. If we were Jesus, we would have ignored this woman for whatever reason best known to us. But we must shun this 'holier than thou' attitude, and know that worship must be in truth. The state of our heart is far more important in worship than any other thing we may show outwardly. 

This Samaritan woman was sincere when she was asked to go call her husband. She replied 'i have no husband'. But meanwhile she had been with five men. And even the one she was currently with was not her husband. True worshipers are required to worship in truth. Truth is truth and you must be real. 

It doesn't matter who you are, where you have been, what others say about you. The question is how does the father see you. Man looks at what is by sight, but God looks at the heart, where all the issues of life stem from.

You too can become a true worshiper and draw others to come  to Christ. You can begin from here!

WAITING IN WORSHIP

Waiting is a very difficult task and it takes great perseverance and patience to wait on God even while we worship. Our world is caught up with the disease of 'fast track' so much that it seems we can not patiently wait any longer for anything. It has become so prevalent that we have become impatient with everything. Does that mean that we must also rush when we come before God? Does it also mean that our worship should be fast tracked? This is what God whispered to me: 'the world is ever-changing but I am is still the same'. 

This means that no matter what goes on in this world the word of God never changes. In our worship, whether corporate or individual we should make time and wait on God. We should not rush Him out or be in a hurry to leave. If we do that, we tend to miss out on the true worship experience. We are to constantly make time for fellowship with our father in worship, waiting to hear what He has for us at every point in our lives. 

Worship should be enjoyed. Notwithstanding the fact that waiting in itself may not be easy, I believe that if it is in the presence of God it is worth the pain. The Psalmist wrote that, it is better to spend a one day in the court of The Lord than a thousand years elsewhere. David desired to be in God's presence all the days of his life. We should cultivate this habit and wait in God's presence and worship Him wholeheartedly. We should not change the way we worship God and conform the patterns of this world. Lets make time for God even in our busyness . It always pays to wait on God.

For they that wait upon the Lord, shall renew their strength. When we wait on God in worship, we come out stronger than before. Worship patiently!

A NOTE TO THE SONG WRITER/MUSICIAN/WORSHIP LEADER

As music ministers we are called first to worship God personally and after that lead others to worship Him through our music. There can not be any other reason why we create our music than to bring glory to God-WORSHIP. God is the reason behind every creative music, so any music that goes contrary to HIS WORD is displeasing to Him. We must not just  sing to entertain  and make fun but to impact the lives of those who hear us. It should not necessarily be about performances. 

The lyrics in every song must also  bring comfort, encouragement and must be edifying. It should be void of complains, murmurings and the likes. This must be a reference point to every music minister before they sing or write as song: 'Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to The Lord. Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the father in the name of our lord Jesus Christ'. (Ephesians 5:19-20)

The key word here is "to give thanks in all things". This makes it clear that you don't necessarily write or sing a song based on your feelings. The focus must not be on you, but to give thanks unto God and to build others up no matter how you feel. We must therefore write and sing songs that are scriptural, spiritual, backed by inspiration and revelation.

We can start with this scripture in mind: 'I will bless the lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth' (Psalm 34:1)

One thing we seriously need to do is to guard our hearts, because out of it flows the issues of life. A polluted and corrupted heart will surely produce the same kind of worship. For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. Whatever is in our heart will come out in our expression of worship and in the doing of our music.
God needs our heart of worship and that can be seen partly through the words in our songs.

Are they edifying or terrifying? Is your worship life appreciating or depreciating? Are your songs transforming or deforming? Are your lyrics projecting Christ or your crisis? Your answer to these questions will show where you are. Let us remember where we have fallen and return to our first love. We have been given a mandate as musicians and worship leaders so we can disappoint the body of Christ. Let us arise!

THE RESULTS OF TRUE WORSHIP

The father is seeking for true worshipers to worship him in spirit and in truth, that is quite clear. When I came to realize that to worship in spirit and in truth is complementary I wanted to find out more. It was then revealed to me through scripture that whether in spirit or in truth, we sort of get the same results. It is therefore worthy of emphasizing that, one can not go without the other, which means that you can not worship in spirit without worshiping in truth and vice-versa.

The spirit of God is like the wind, which we can not manipulate. It is dynamic in its operation. The truth of God (which is his word), is also like the rock, which is can not be moved and does not change. 

Our worship of the father must be led the Holy spirit, and not based on the word of God, which is Jesus.

We can therefore see here that worship involves the TRINITY in their fullness. Worship the father (God) in spirit(Holy spirit) and in truth (Jesus). Jesus said in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life, no one goes to the father, except by me". So no one can go to the father -in worship, except through Him (Jesus).

When we worship in spirit we get the same outcome as worshiping in truth. The result of true worship is that people will be set free and be restored. For where the presence(spirit) of the Lord is, there is liberty. And the Bible also says that, you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free. It is only in the presence of God that people can be liberated, and it is only through knowing the truth-Jesus that we can be set free.

Let us worship in spirit and in truth and will be set free and be restored.

WORSHIP IS FOR THE DIVINE

A very significant illustration of worship is given in Matt 2:11. There is something remarkable that is worthy of noting. It states that, 'then they opened their treasures and presented him gifts...'. This immediately proceeded their act of bowing down to worship him (baby Jesus). What do we learn here? Whenever we come before our king to worship, we should 'open our treasures'. The bible saids 'where a man's treasure is, there his heart will be'. This means that, when we treasure to worship our father, we will automatically show a genuine heart of worship.

When we are intoxicated with the spirit of worship our heart will be in total surrender and submission, that is when we can talk about presenting our gifts to God. It will be a bit difficult if not impossible for a proud person to bow down and even to talk about worship. We should therefore be humble and in abject submission present our gifts in worship.

Worship is not just for anybody but purposely for divine persons. In Matthew 2:1-2, when the wise men came from the east of Jerusalem, they inquired of Herod the king saying 'where is he that is born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east and are come to worship him'. These men knew the reason for which they had journeyed that far, and were specific on their mission. They had come to worship the new born king and none other. They did not come to bow to the King Herod, because he was not their God.

Worship is truly reserved only for divinity. References: (Rev. 19:10, 22:8-9. Luke 2:13-14). Do not worship any other god or any man neither should you worship any material thing, for none of these is worthy. Our God is the only one worthy of worship. He is still seeking for those who will obey him and worship him in spirit and in truth.

WORSHIP...HABIT AMONG REASONABLE PEOPLE (H.A.R.P)

Anytime the name David comes to mind what immediately follows is 'the man after God's own heart'. But David was also the man on the H.A.R.P. This was an instrument he used to make music as he worshiped his creator in the wilderness. This instrument is prominent in the psalms he wrote. 

I would want to use this instrument that David used in his worship to God, to draw our attention to some things. The HARP featured so much in The Old Testament worship. David played it one day in the presence of King Saul and it drove the evil spirit from him.

But we also see in The New Testament that, the twenty four elders and four living creatures are said to be worshiping with their harps before the lamb. (Revelation 5:8). This shows that the harp must be an important instrument that can be used in worship. 

The first thing I would want to share with you are some key things that you can carry as your HARP as you seek to worship God. In worship we give Honor, Adoration, Reverence and Praise to God. And that is your harp in your hand. You can begin to worship with it.


The second thing this: In Romans 12:1, Paul besought us to offer our bodies as a living sacrifices, holy and acceptable unto God, for that is our REASONABLE service, and service is a form of worship. Other translations put it as 'spiritual act of worship'. But I want to dwell on the reasonable service aspect. This simply connote that, it takes those who are reasonable (wise), to worship God. Worship therefore is not for fools, who would always want to complain and argue about everything being offered to God. 'The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God'. (Psalm 14:1) This means that, to the fool there is no need to worship, since 'there is no God'. It only takes unreasonable people to come to this conclusion. 

So in conclusion, I want to make it clear that, worship is indeed is a Habit Among Reasonable People. And just before you begin your worship grab your HARP (honor, adoration, reverence and praise), and like David worship your maker without any inhibition. 


Let worship become a HABIT(if you are reasonable) and worship like David the PSALMIST who was the HARPIST because God truly EXIST and he deserves IT. Take IT or Leave IT.

WHAT IS A WORSHIP SONG?

In order to define what makes a great “worship song” we have to figure out what a “worship song” actually is. The question is,  Is it a song by a “worship artist” ? or Is it a song that you sing during “worship”?

The broad definition that is mostly given for a worship song is this:  

''A song that, when sung, causes one to think about something to the extent of moving one’s heart to worship it.'' The problem is that we, as worship leaders and worshipers in Christian, evangelical churches need to narrow the definition.  After all if the broad definition applies, then “I Love Rock and Roll” would be a worship song about rock and roll music.  You could then easily turn many, many “secular” songs to be worship songs with this kind of definition in mind.

We therefore need to narrow the definition.  A Christian worship song could be defined as this:  A song that, when sung, causes one to think about God (The Father, Son and Holy Spirit) to the extent of moving one’s heart to worship Him. I believe with this definition we are close to home. But always remember that worship is not about the song we sing but the position of our heart as we sing in worship. Let us keep this close to us and understand more about what we were made to do and what we will do for eternity-WORSHIP!

What then is true worship?

If we think what we do on Sundays is true worship, we have missed it. What about going to church to see what we can get? Almost the same-we have diverted. We have also deviated if we judge our worship by how we feel. TRUE WORSHIP is living a life of obedience to the Lord in all things. It is thus not only about singing to him, but the position of one's heart as they sing the song to him. When we have obeyed his will for our lives on a daily basis, when we seek him with all our heart,mind,body and soul, and when we come before him in our private and corporate worship with all we have (not seeking what we will get), then we have not only worshiped but we would have become true worship, who worship the father in spirit and in truth. 

WHAT MOST MUSICIANS LACK

The ultimate musician in the 21st century is one who spends nearly his entire life studying music and usually a specific instrument. Nothing else matter; just play flawlessly! His course is fixed on one singular purpose: to make it to the top and be recognized as second to none. But is this the main reason for our calling as musicians? Just to make sure we are at the top? If so, then everybody else can do that. But the difference between us and the people of the world must be clear.

The skill could be the same, as in everybody knowing what they are about and playing so well. But the difference comes in the presentation.

How do we carry ourselves as we minister? Our reaction to the praises we receive from others would determine our level of humility. No matter how gifted and talented we are, it is to the glory of God. Every good and perfect gift is from above and therefore our promotion will also come from above as we learn to be humble servants. The lord gives grace to the humble but resists the proud. All we have to simply do is to give off our best with the little that has been given us and leave the rest to God. “Seest thou a man diligent in his business, he would stand before great kings and not mean men.” (Prov. 22:29).

Study to show yourself approved but in so doing “humble yourself before the Lord and He will lift you up” (Jam 4:10). What most musicians lack in our generation is HUMILITY, and David one of the greatest musicians knew better. Therefore he wrote in Psalm 51:17, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”

Ultimately, though, the Lord doesn’t need our talents (after all he gave them to us freely), all he wants is our heart-yielded to him. God is looking for a broken and contrite heart, one that is not self-centered but focused on Him. All the abilities we can muster are of very little eternal consequence. We need to admonish each other and remind ourselves that we need to be humble as Christ taught us. “He who wants to be the greatest must first become a servant.” It takes great humility to serve as a musician.

Therefore as musicians let us preach, teach and minister in humility, for if there was one thing that caused Lucifer to fall, it is the issue of pride. Let’s avert a possible fall by being humble musicians and we shall make a great impact in our world,

Remember, we do the humbling….God does the lifting…!

THE ME OUTSIDE, THE I INSIDE

We may achieve great-ness publicly and privately be in a great-mess. Remember David and Sampson? Success that is applauded by everyone except you yourself is not as gratifying as one that you personally endorse (inwardly).

Many people may see your outside accomplishments and admire you, but you know deep in your heart that, you've got issues and need serious help. If you are also not careful, the danger is; you might be carried away by those praises till you lose your head. 
You might even pay so much attention to the sayings of the outside world and neglect the gentle admonitions of your inner-self. You can make so much investment in others (not bad though), but forget to feed yourself too. This is not to condone selfishness, but a false balance is equally an abomination. 

Preachers want to preach powerfully to bless everybody except themselves. Singers want to sing to encourage those who are down excluding themselves. The truth is, many people are suffering inwardly trying to leave good impressions on others. If we are not careful, with time, we may become 'public successes' and 'private failures'. The earlier we do something about this, the better it would be for us and those we seek to impact. Because in no time, the truth shall be uncovered and there would nothing more to hide. 

No more pretense: we can't be unhappy inside and show our teeth to the outside world, that we are fine. It is about time we opened up (not to me), but to the one who can heal the deepest scare and mend the broken pieces. He is indeed friend of a wounded heart and His name is Jesus. 

"Come unto me, all ye that labour (feel fatigue) and are heavy laden (overburdened) and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)