No Spectator Allowed

The first time I volunteered to be part of the choir and participated in a healing crusade being held in town was unforgettable. I went with the idea to have fun, find good seats for myself, friends and my family, sing of course, and be part of something I've never done before. Unbeknownst to me this moment would change my life forever. I found out that it wasn't praise worship as usual.

Since I wasn't able to attend the various informational meetings and rehearsal held before the events I was at a lost as to what to expect. When the day came I showed up at the time requested to take position and start practicing before the main event. When it was my turn to be checked from the list, pick up my music book and be seated, I was asked: “Are you a Soprano or Alto”. Since I didn't know what I am and what to say, I chose Soprano because it sounded better to me than Alto. Smile! Until today I don't know for sure what I am, or if I can even keep a proper tune. But I do know now after looking in the dictionary the difference between Soprano and Alto. Does Father even care?

I was so thankful to God that there were hundreds of others singers around and no one would care about how I sing. The few meetings that I was involved in were revelatory. To my great astonishment practicing and singing for hours not only was fun, uplifting and inspiring, it was also a bliss. Oh the ecstasy of singing sincerely in spirit and in truth with other believers seemingly to be in one accord about the truth of God's goodness, greatness, mighty power and love for us all. Oh the joy of experiencing this strong sensation of the bubbling and fire in the soul that flows like a mighty river. I wish I could sense fully in the spirit what will happen when every creature in heaven and on earth, and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them will be singing in one accord to the glorious Father in heaven.

I found out that true and powerful praise worship has such a way to (1) remove burdens, strongholds and bondages; (2) relieve from self the heaviness of heart; and (3) bring self into the presence of the Lord where healing power flows to heal the mind, soul and body. For me it was an occasion that father took to clean house and remove all inhibition in me. This first experience has enriched my life so much that I participated in more events that brought new heights and revelations of the Lord in my life.

Do you want to feel the heart of the Father and receive revelation knowledge? Do you want to experience the manifest presence of the Lord as you sing to him? Do you want to feel this indescribable rapture of your soul taking you to a depth in the spirit that is unexplainable? Then worship the Father in spirit and in truth.

Open your heart, cry to him, spend time with him, let him speak to your heart, learn to hear him, love him, and learn to abandon yourself to the healing and loving embrace of the Father. Also when you sing to the Father, ignore your surroundings and don't worry about what people around you may think, say or do. I can still remember the sting in my heart when one of my children told me once that I was louder than anyone else at the church we were newly attending. To such remark I remember stating that “if you were paying attention to what you were doing and singing with your mouth open, you wouldn't have noticed nor heard me”.

When you sing don't forget that you are singing for your precious, wonderful and loving father who delights in you, is pleased with you, loves you unconditionally, and not to entertain others. As you do you will find solace for your soul. After all, heavenly creatures are worshipping regularly and in the near future all living beings created will worship our heavenly Father (Revelation 5:11-14). The bible states that we will be able to hear the heavenly host. Hallelujah! Glory to God!

I'd like to conclude with these words of the Psalmist: “Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful. Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; sing praises on the harp to our God. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!“ (Psalm 147:1, 7; Psalm 150:6).

Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and obey it! (Luke 11:28)

Marie Monaus