Wednesday night was my first night leading music during a service. The job description "song leader" doesn't quite cover it on Wednesday night, because it's not like leading singing on Sundays. Our church's Sunday music usually lasts for three or four songs, and that's it. There must have been somewhere in the neighborhood of ten to twelve songs sung on Wednesday, and they were all interwoven throughout the service. I guess that makes the job more like "moderator" than "song leader" on Wednesday, because that's a long evening of being on one's feet in front of everybody!
The challenging part came when I started having to lead songs I hadn't sung before. Ever had to sightread music, sing it, and conduct it at the same time? What fun! I had more than my usual share of sour notes that night, but I couldn't let that stop me. I was there to serve, and that was the task the Lord had chosen for me then. All I could do was remind myself of that fact, and pray during the few breaks I had, to thank God for allowing me this privilege and ask Him for strength to keep going.
With the various experiences and ministry opportunities coming my way lately, I feel as if the Lord is showing me exactly what it takes to serve Him with my life. God is not looking for those who will hold back any part of their lives from Him. He's not looking for someone with a "ho-hum" attitude. He wants it all - everything I've got, no holding back. He asks that I serve Him with my whole heart, my whole life.
He came to this earth in bodily form to give everything He had, even His very life, for me. How can I not give everything I have to Him in return? After all, everything I am and everything I have belongs to Him, because He created it all. He created everything and everyone for one purpose - to glorify Himself. How can I not do my absolute best to fulfill that purpose, knowing everything He's done for me? Praise God, my creator, my provider, and my redeemer! Glory to His name!
"And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshiped him that liveth for ever and ever." - Revelation, chapter 5
The challenging part came when I started having to lead songs I hadn't sung before. Ever had to sightread music, sing it, and conduct it at the same time? What fun! I had more than my usual share of sour notes that night, but I couldn't let that stop me. I was there to serve, and that was the task the Lord had chosen for me then. All I could do was remind myself of that fact, and pray during the few breaks I had, to thank God for allowing me this privilege and ask Him for strength to keep going.
With the various experiences and ministry opportunities coming my way lately, I feel as if the Lord is showing me exactly what it takes to serve Him with my life. God is not looking for those who will hold back any part of their lives from Him. He's not looking for someone with a "ho-hum" attitude. He wants it all - everything I've got, no holding back. He asks that I serve Him with my whole heart, my whole life.
He came to this earth in bodily form to give everything He had, even His very life, for me. How can I not give everything I have to Him in return? After all, everything I am and everything I have belongs to Him, because He created it all. He created everything and everyone for one purpose - to glorify Himself. How can I not do my absolute best to fulfill that purpose, knowing everything He's done for me? Praise God, my creator, my provider, and my redeemer! Glory to His name!
"And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshiped him that liveth for ever and ever." - Revelation, chapter 5
1 comment:
I'm liking your blog! Keep up the good work.
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