Getting into the Lord's presence

[Guest mlann]

Hi. I am new. I thought it would be cool to have a discussion on entering into the Lord's presence. I think it is so incredible and diverse how God gets us to be in his presence! I think sharing the ways God gave us, will be enlightening and rewarding. Plus, we may be able to incorporate a fresh new touch in our walks with God.

For me most of the time, the easiest way for me to come into the Lord's presence is to worship through danceing! When I worship through dance, it not only focuses me on only God, but I feel as if I were in God's courts. My soul feels so free, and yet so heavy with God's presence! It is easier to worship through music that tells of our dependence on God. For example, I love worshipping to Water from Kristy Starling. In the song, Kristy exclaimes that God is like water and oxygen to her! That is the truth! To listen to the song, go to www.kristystarling.com, and click on music.

[ted]

Hi, mlann, and welcome.

I would say that prayer is your answer and lean not on music or dance. Music and some dance forms are way in which we can celebrate our relationship to God, but prayer is our way in which we bring our praise, problems, needs and questions to God.

Charles Spurgeon and many others have written about this subject. Maybe you can seek these forms of help. Remember that the Bible is the final Authority in all subjects though.

May your prayer life be enriched!

t.

[nebula]

Hey, mlann!

Dance with me, O Lover of my soul

To the Song of all Songs

Romance me, O Lover of my soul

To the Song of all Songs

Behold You have come

Over the hills, upon the mountains

To me You have come, my Beloved

You've captured my heart . . .

I'm a dancer for Jesus, too! I actually belong to a dance ministry at my church. We worship through dance all the time. And I agree, it is an awesome expression of worship!

I, too, have found that dancing before the Lord just sets you free a lot of things. To put it in more "spiritual" terms, when you are down in the valley, it's the quickest way to get to the top of the mountain. When you are in the desert, it brings you to springs of water. When you are in battle, it scatters the enemy!

I'll have to try that Kristy song you mentioned. Thanks!

[Guest boochie]

Dance strips away all fear of man and brings such an intensity to worshipping God. Dance can be prayer, intercession, thanksgiving, celebration, praise, intimacy, artistic expression. It can bring deliverance, anointing, joy, confidence, and even prophecy.

Anyone who can't dance in church should ask themselves one question :

Why?

When I'm too complacent, proud, or scared to dance, I feel like I'm missing out on a great chance to experience God at a deeper level. I'm missing out on a chance to worship Him with full abandonement. Without any thought to what others would say or think. Who cares. Its all about God. Its like His Spirit wraps you in a shroud or blanket. His son embraces you and shares your joy. The Father pours his fire and anointing over you like from a river. There's nothing like it when its done by His Spirit.

I can only seem to do it when the Spirit is heavy on me and I'm in a deep deep place in worship (and even then I hide behind my guitar). Many do it by faith as a sacrifice of pride and energy. He blesses each time they do. I wish I could have that kind of confidence in Him. I used to have it. I guess I'm too cool now. Hopefully not for long.

[nebula]

You said it Boochie! :t3:

BTW, about the last paragraph, I may be misreading you, but there is a remedy for feeling intimidated (is that the correct word?) to dance in church - if that is what you are referring to. If you are not doing this already, do it at home alone. It's good to spend time alone with God in worship this way on its own. But it can also be "practice time."

The point is, there would be less need to "hide behind a guitar" if you have more confidence in your ability to dance.

It's also helps to watch others, ones you may note as good dancers. See what they do, learn from their dancing. I actually took a ballet class to help improve myself as a worship dancer. (You don't have to go to that extreme; I did it because I am on a dance ministry.) The point being you feel less goofy if you can actually know how to move the feet and arms in what you know to be graceful movements.

But that's one thing I love about Messianic folk dances, when you have songs with such a beat or melody. They're simple steps anyone can do and you don't have to worry about form or anything like that, and you can just release yourself without having to be concerend about anyone else. (But that's a whole other discussion....)

[Guest boochie]

thankyou nebula.

oh what a good stretch that would be for me! (dancing alone)

we'll have to see...

[johnc]

I feel His presence most intensely when I am free of the artificial confines of clothing and bathed by the sun, water and gentle breezes. The cares of the world drift away and I feel much more in-tune with God's natural and spiritual world around me. A bit more controversial than dancing to those of a prim state of mind I suppose, but it's the portal to my closest encounters with Him.

[Bill]

I'm a musician...trumpet player exactly (We have a band in our church (8 or 9 musicians) that works with the 9 vocalists to form our praise team).

There's something about the idea of playing for the Lord that is just so totally special for me. The Holy Spirit moved me a little more than a year ago now to come out of a "retirement" of sorts from playing...I had quit after high school and said I would never play again. I was in church with my fiancee on Mother's Day 2002 (12 years removed from my "retirement" as it were) and the praise team did "Ancient of Days" with this bridge part that they turn the trumpets loose on "solo" (more like a trio) then bring the vocals back in. I turned to my fiancee and simply said this: "I can still do that." A curious smile from her resulted...and I was sorta dumbfounded as to why I said it at first, but I knew it was a God-moment.

Why this is so good for me as far as getting into the presence of God is this. Given the way I've come back to playing, I know instrumental music is my gift. I can't sing. I can't dance. I can play the lights out with my trumpet though. I find it's when I play, when I'm using my gifting for God's glory and not my own (I'm like anyone else and get caught up in the flesh sometimes) that His presence is just so strong and real to me. And it's been in these times that, in the time of study or prayer that follows (whether still in the church or after I've gone home) that God just really opens up the scriptures to me or just speaks a word to me through prayer that gives me more insight into His plan for me, my future family, and so much more.

[godrulz]

Lately I have been retreating to my 'sanctuary' aka Pontiac Aztek. I play the new Time-Life Worship series (Worship Together) and sense His presence. After I enter His courts with praise, I approach His throne in worship. I wait before God, and His presence is palpable. This often leads to listening, intercession, and thanksgiving. Praying and reflecting on His Word is also vital.

Practically, I am away from the distractions of the family (later at night). It does not have to be long, but the key is to set apart time to be with Him. It took trials to get me back to a place of dependency and desperation with God. One day in His courts is better than a 1000 elsewhere (Psalms).

[Guest shadow2b]

IN the hebrew custom of worship they considered ;studying HIS WORD was the highest form of worship----

AND thanks ted--you are absolutely right----GOD'S WORD is the FINAL authority on ANY subject---{Gary}

:upsided: