Not About Us

Exo 40:26-27 MKJV
(26) And he put the golden altar in the tent of the congregation in front of the veil.
(27) And he burned sweet incense on it, even as Jehovah commanded Moses.

This was the first point that Moses or the Levitical priesthood had ever burned incense to God, per God's instruction. I would imagine that out of all the unpleasant business the priests had to tend to, burning incense was a favorite task. It was peaceful. It didn't involve blood. It smelled GOOD. Do you think that there were ever times when the priest thought, "Hmmm, I think I'll skip the incense today." Or, "Lets change this stuff up some... I'm getting tired of the same old smell."

No.

God had already warned the priests, "You shall offer no strange incense on it" (Exodus 30:9). The message was clear. God said, "This is not for you. This is for ME." The penalty for not doing it God's way was NOT GOOD!

And yet, we treat worship the same way. If it's the same song as last week, people get offended. If it's too heavy or too light, people find a different church. If someone plays an instrument... or someone doesn't... for some reason we take that as a burden upon ourselves. What a backwards way of thinking! Shame on us if we ever do this! "It aint about you or me, so get over it and worship Him!"

The Power of a Choice

God wishes to be loved by choice. He created angels - magnificent servants - but they were not created in His image. Man was His masterpiece. Why did man make the choice he made in the garden? Why did he survive the choice?

The answers are many, depending on the scholars you listen to. I believe that along with the wonderful power to choose, coupled with a finite mind with limited perception, Eve was deceived by the serpent who could not stand (and still can't) anything that is made in HIS image. Why did Adam follow Eve? Maybe he, too, was deceived. Maybe he loved Eve, and was afraid of losing her, so he followed her lead to insure they would not be separated. It's conjecture. I certainly would have considered it.

But even today, we have multiple trees in the garden. Most are good. Some are evil. God is a god of reward, and there can be no reward if there is no choice. We who are in Christ live in this blessed limbo of choice: good choices yield reward; bad choices yield no condemnation. Yes, there are consequences, but no condemnation. That is good news!

This presents another scenario. The very presence of God inspires - even demands - worship. Ask John, who fell at the Glorified Lord's feet as though dead. Ask him if that was a simple act of reverence. I think not. The reason that God does not manifest Himself 'more' in our worship is because if He did... we would have to worship Him. The very stones would cry out - as Jesus said.

God doesn't want forced worship any more than He wants forced love. He wants us to desire Him. Is it possible that if everyone were worshiping Him with all their heart, He would manifest Himself more often and in more power? After all... if we all freely give everything to Him in worship, then our choice has already been made.

Shaken and Stirred

Note the words of verse Acts 4:30, “And when they had prayed, the place was shaken.” There are many churches where they never pray the kind of prayer that you read of here. A church that does not know how to pray and to shout will never lie shaken. If you live in a place like that you may as well write “Ichabod - the glory of the Lord has departed” - over the threshold. It is only when men have learned the secret of prayer, of power, and of praise, that God comes forth. Some people say, “Well, I praise God inwardly,” but if there is an abundance of praise in your heart, your mouth cannot help speaking it. -- Smith Wigglesworth

Wouldn't it be great to experience this? Physically - the worship building shaken by the Presence of God? In these last days as the Spirit is being poured out, I fully expect this to happen. I'm waiting on it.

Losing Control

Last night's services were amazing. God showed up and ministered to everyone there, I believe. It's such a strange observance - when God shows up. I use that term in reference to when the Holy Spirit is present in such a Power that He can be tangibly felt. Many would deny that ever happens... but... there weren't many there last night, either.

Can you imagine jumping naked into the arctic ocean in the middle of winter? I can only imagine that one loses all control of their body when placed in such a medium. The body can no longer heat itself, and it's attempt to go into overdrive in order to do so shuts everything else down.

Or how about bungee cording off a 2000 ft bridge? I've seen videos where the frightened individual loses all bladder control, or worse... Yes, it's an odd post, but my point is that the flesh can only handle so much before unusual phenomenon take place.

It has always been my contention that the Presence of God has the same effect on the flesh. God says that nobody can see His face and live. That is extreme. He told Moses to watch His back as He passed by, so that he might have the honor of seeing God in the flesh and surviving the experience.

When God's Presence manafests in such a power here on earth, is it any wonder people fall down? Or cry? Or sing (even if they can't)? It's a delightful experience.

Is it also any wonder that shepherds who try to control their flock's spiritual experience rarely if ever experience a move of the Spirit? That is a sad thing, and especially when the people have never had a God-encounter.