Beyond Sunday Worship

Worship Podcast

Archives for March 2009

Lessons from WILSON

Wilson

This is Wilson. He is my foster brother. My sister just sent me this picture because I guess he is listening to my music and smiling because of its sheer awesomeness. Maybe not. But he is smiling. He tends to make loud noises whenever I sing. He loves music.

Wilson has many horrible physical problems. He was shaken traumatically as a baby and doesn’t have much brain function. He is also blind. He cannot do anything (I mean anything) on his own.

In spite of all that, he may be the happiest person I have ever met. Not joking. He has the biggest smile and the most contagious laugh, even though he doesn’t always know what is going on. If you have never met Wilson, you really need to. He could change your life.

Never take for granted all that you have. If you tend to get down easily with issues in your life, hanging out for a few minutes with an amazing person like Wilson may teach you the most profound truths about life.

"Jesus Driven Ministry" – Ajith Fernando

Just finished a very encouraging book – Ajith Fernando’s “Jesus Driven Ministry”. Ajith has been the Youth for Christ director in Sri Lanka for over 25 years. Having never read any of his writings, I was impressed by the practicality and genuineness of his writings. He is a man very dedicated to the Lord and focused on daily obedience.

Alongside his many personal life stories, I loved how each chapter was an exposition of Scripture. From practical teaching on casting out demons and praying for the sick, to retreating from activity, to prayer, to being saturated in the word, he led me through the earthly ministry of Jesus and taught me how to have a truly enduring ministry.

Highly recommended.

What kind of a leader are you?

There is a powerful passage in II Timothy that outlines the characteristics of Paul’s leadership. I want to lead and live this way. God help me.

“You, however, have followed:

  • my teaching
  • my conduct
  • my aim in life (i love this!)
  • my faith
  • my patience
  • my love
  • my steadfastness
  • my persecutions and sufferings…” (II Timothy 3:10-11a).

Can you say this about those you are leading? Are you living a life worth exemplifying?

40 Days of Consistency – Scripture for Week 1

Psalm 43

Theme: Anticipation for God’s Presence

“Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause against an ungodly people, from the deceitful and unjust man deliver me! For you are the God in whom I take refuge; why have you rejected me? Why do I go about mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling! Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy, and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God.

Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.”

I’m amazed by the brutal honesty of the Psalms. David and the other writers were not afraid to verbalize the depths of their pain, yet at the same time they revealed their faith in God.

What strikes me about this passage is the singer’s anticipation to be in God’s presence. His soul is cast down and in turmoil from the oppression of wicked people. Where does he run? What is his place of security? You ready?

GOD WAS HIS EXCEEDING JOY.

What if we approached our worship times as if God was our exceeding joy? What if our highest longing was to be in the presence of God?

Let’s cause our worship focus this week and our preparation for Sunday to be on God our exceeding joy. Think and pray and prepare in such a way that your heart is longing to be with Jesus. Anticipation paves the way for genuine worship.