Worship and Witness- Who is He to you?

As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon possessed begged to go with him. But Jesus said, "No. go home to your family, and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been." Mark 5:18-19

Has something that was familiar to you before, suddenly become something NEW to you? Something that you have seen or heard before, but suddenly you had an understanding of it unlike before? That's how I feel about this scripture!

You may or may not be familiar with this story, when Jesus cast demons out of a man who was possessed by thousands of demons. This man was literally tortured by these demons and he lived among the burial caves, because nobody new how to deal with him. He was literally out of control! (I would really encourage you to read Mark 5:1-20 when you get a chance).

Well the reason I am even writing about this is because I was asked to be the guest of a friends' class. The class that she is teaching at church is a 13 week class on "Growing in Christ", where foundational scriptures of the Christian Faith are learned. This was their last class before the final exam! This week they were discussing Mark 5:19 the scripture above. I was asked to minister this scripture through dance.

Just today, the day of the class I was lead to read the whole chapter Mark to read the story leading up to the main scripture (Mark 5:19). I was and AM amazed at the new revelation that God blessed me with! You see earlier today, as I was seeking the Lord about the song He wanted me to minister this scripture through, He lead me to a Worship song. In my mind I was like, "Lord this scripture is about witnessing, why would you want me to do a Worship song instead of a Witness song". WELL, after reading the chapter of Mark He made it quite clear to me. Hallelujah!

So we see in this text, this was a man that many where scared of and did not dare to go near. Mark even talks about how this man would wander day and night howling and cutting himself with sharp stones. See, these demons were controlling and ruling this man's body; BUT GOD! Jesus cast those evil spirits out of that man (mind you there were thousands, can you imagine!)! 

The reason this has everything to do with witnessing is because in verse 19 after the man was set free from those demons and he was perfectly sane, Jesus told Him to go home to his family and tell them everything the Lord had done for Him. You see this man's Witness was effective now because he himself had a personal understanding of WHO CHRIST WAS AND IS (this is Worship)! He was not witnessing because of momma and em's testimony or because of grandpappa's sermon; but He had his own personal understanding from his own personal experience with Christ!

We can learn a whole lot from this true story and event that actually happened: The Lord gives us our own experiences to share with other's so that they may be drawn to Him! After Jesus told him to go home and share; he went to ten town's and began to proclaim the great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed at what he told them!

I don't know about you, but at times I have struggled with witnessing and evangelism because I tried to do it in a way that other's told me to do it. I have learned that it is much more genuine when I start off with my testimony, then others are drawn to Jesus and I can share with them the gospel of Jesus Christ! Worship and Witness should go hand and hand. He has promised in His word that when HE is lifted up HE will draw all men unto HIM (John 12:32).

So my friend I ask you today, Who is He to you? What is your personal understanding of Him? Whom do you know Him to be? Has He healed you, set you free, comforted you? Think about it and let's make it A POINT to share it with others to open the door to witness, God will lead you if you let Him!

(These ribbons were used during the dance I ministered at the class tonight, God laid it on my heart to lay these ribbons around the ladies during the dance because each one meant something special for each of them).

Worship Warfare!

It is time! It is time to Worship, it is time to take our Worship to another level!!! Did you know that Worshiping the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords is a weapon of warfare? Oh yes it is!!!

It’s easy to go through everything else before we finally decide to put our concerns and worries and questions to the side and just worship the Lord. Praise and worship is so much more than singing a fast or a slow song. I admire David so much because he is known to be a worshipper, but what is he known as in the bible even more: a man after God’s own HEART! You wanna send the devil fleeing? Resist him by praising and worship the Lord! To worship God we have to have His heart, to have His heart we have to know Him.

Sing, Dance, cry out, shout praises, tell God who He is to you, speak His word back to Him, use that sword and activate the FULL ARMOR (Ephesians 6:10-18), give Him thanksgiving and praise, rejoice in Him, intercede for others, lift up your head oh ye gates!

I don’t know who said that the devil is dumb or stupid, but it’s simply not true. I’ll tell you what he is, he’s sneaky, he’s evil and is seeking to see whom he may devour:

1 Peter 5:8 “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour”

Notice Peter tells us to be self-controlled and alert first, so this means we have to be proactive. We have to go and be on watch for our families, communities and nation. That’s really why we have to make it a point to spend time in praise and worship unto the Father, so that we will know what to pray for, where His heart is and how to intercede for others. That's why David won so many battles, He was a man after God's own HEART.

When we worship the Lord it is SO POWERFUL! Shackles fall off, curses are broken, healing and deliverance take place. Worshipping God is so powerful I believe it will restore our children's’ innocence, mend broken marriages, allow the lonely to receive love and give love, end sexual immorality and restore purity in our nations, end the laws from being passed in New York, California, D.C. and wherever else and restore GOD’S institution of marriage, bring men and women out of the crack house, children will leave gangs and walk into the arms of Jesus, leaders and pastors will return to holiness and have a heart for the things of God. Hallelujah! I believe it!

My brothers and sisters now is the time!!!

Jesus- The way out!

Praise the Lord brothers and sisters in Christ and future siblings in the Kingdom!!!

I want to share with you all a fresh revelation the Lord gave me this week. This past month or so has been really difficult for me. I was not myself, I was feeling down, shameful, disappointed and even sorry for myself. Now we know these feelings are not from our Father God! Now, there is a season for mourning, the bible tells us that, even if its for a day, week or some months. God understands sometimes we need to vent and all. However, if all we do is feel sorry for ourselves and get upset, this is a distraction and it will hold us back from where God is trying to lead us. I refuse to be like the children of Israel, who were headed to the promised land and because of their murmuring, complaining and lack of faith; it took them 40 years to make a 11 day trip. NO THANKS, I cannot let this be me. I don't want this to be you either!

This week at work, I was sitting at my desk and began to think of my life over the past few years . I begin to murmur and complain and "woe is me" type of thoughts. So much that I began to cry at my desk, I mean tears streaming! I ran to the bathroom fell on my knees and began to cry out to God: "Lord, I refuse to live my life in frustration and unfullfillment". "I need your help Lord, please tell me what to dooooo!" As I was sobbing in the company bathroom, Holy Spirit dropped in my mind 1 Corinthians 10:13:

"No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it."

So, I began crying even more: "Lord, tell me, show me my way out. Even if it's just one word, I NEED YOU". Then in that still small voice with so much peace I heard: "Jesus"! That's it, Jesus is my way out and He is yours too! You know how sometimes we know something or someone so well that if we are not careful it looses its significance or impact to us?!

Why would we feel sorry for ourselves when Jesus loves us so much that He died just for you and just for me! He thought of you, when He was on that cross. Do you know what that means? Is there any greater love than this?

Self-Pity, insecurity, depression and so on are traps of the devil. When we really think about Jesus, dying on the cross for our sins, if it were not for Him we would either be wallowing in our sin or dead!! He came that we might have life and have it to the abundance! HALLELUJAH. Not only did He die for us, but He got out of the grave with all power in His hands and is now our intercessor, standing at the right hand of the Mighty Father! Who better to have as our prayer partner and intercessor than Jesus Christ? I'm getting so excited, that when I finish typing this. I'm gonna run around this house!!! I'm still not done, not only did He die for us and is our chief intercessor, because of Him we are heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ!!

I could go on and on, but know that Jesus is the way and the only way! Because of him we can be free and have liberty, but we have to receive it. We don't have to be in bondage of anything (i.e debt, sickness, generational curses, past hurts/mistakes, etc.).

This year one of my personal goals is to learn more about the cross and what it means for me. I encourage you to do the same. God has a plan for us all and He has given us gifts and talents to use for His glory. Don't let your gifts be buried because your focusing on the have nots and wants and when he's going to do this or that. I truly believe our blessings are in our purpose, so start moving forward. I know I am! And I don't want to do it by myself, that's not as fun ;-). I want you to join me. Let's use those gifts our Father has freely given us and give it back to Him by using them for HIS glory!!

As Bro. Dave Ramsey says, " This is the year to be weird and do accomplish or at least begin accomplishing those things we have been Talking about for years"!

Love y'all!


****SPECIAL UPDATE: The Praise and Worship Him blog has some exciting things coming up. Starting March 2011. There will be at least 2 posts a month, one being a video. There will be some mighty men and women of God featured on the blog and I am SO excited to see what they have to share with us! Stay tuned :)