Worship

SPIRITUALITY

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Written by Allison Sylvester-Conliffe

Being spiritual, is a term that is used so loosely in today’s society.  We may have heard some people that say that they have to connect with their “spiritual selves”!  We would hear of famous and infamous “spiritual leaders” coming to our shores to hold seminars on spirituality and we are amazed when they perform “miracles” and “signs” because of their involvement in the spiritual realm. 

We may have even heard of persons who chant mantras that invoke a certain presence, even the presence of those who would have already died, and we would refer to that as an amazingly spiritual experience… and indeed it was.  As counterfeit as it was, it was manifested in the spiritual realm.  We burn stuff, hang stuff, chant stuff because we believe that we are being spiritual when we do those things. 

Each human is made up of a body, a soul and a human spirit.

And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. Genesis 2:7

The body is the outer casing that we see.  The soul houses our emotions and our spirit is what connects with our Maker as well as the demonic spirits if we open a door to them. 

Though we live in our flesh, we were made to worship God and to follow as He leads us … by His Spirit.

For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth. Deuteronomy 7:6

We were made for God!  God is Spirit!!  He is not here in the flesh, therefore for us to know His leading and His purpose for our lives we have to connect with Him.  In other words we have to tap into His Spirit and not another.  We are able to do this after accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour and by constantly reading the Word of God as it is written in the Holy Bible. Importantly though, we should not only be reading the Word but we must follow what it says to do, and abstain from forbidden practices as the Word instructs. 

God has left us His Holy Spirit to help us to achieve this.  He literally quickens us by witnessing to our human spirits, to remind us of what the Word of God says when we are faced with situations.  The Bible goes on to say this –

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. Romans 8:14

We become sons of God when we have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, purpose to live by the Word of God and allow the Spirit of God to lead us!  This is what we call living in the Spirit. 

It is noteworthy that there are other spirits that exist in the spiritual realm beside the Holy Spirit.  As it is with the Holy Spirit we cannot see those other spirits but they are indeed present.  These other spirits, by whatever name they are called, are from our adversary, the devil.  Therefore we have to discern which spirit is operating when we see a manifestation of something supernatural or “spiritual”.  Jesus counseled us that –

Ye shall know them by their fruits. Matthew 6:16 

Whatever the Holy Spirit produces will always lead us to the true and living God!  The Holy Spirit guides us into all truth!  Truth is in God through His Son, Jesus … period!  Any other spirit that works contrary to this is from the devil.  The devil is the father of lies, and there is no truth in him.  He is a counterfeit and is destined for eternal damnation in hell! Remember the devil also operates in the spiritual realm and is a deceiver.

The following are some questions that you should ask yourself in order to determine whether your spirituality is counterfeit or not.

  • Is the focus on myself?  
  • Is the focus on the universe? 
  • Is the focus on another person who is flesh and blood like myself – be it pastor, bishop or guru?  
  • Is the focus on the atmosphere? 
  • Is the focus on an object or on a statue?  
  • Does my spiritual experience result in fear or anxiety?

God told us what fruit His Spirit produces, therefore any practice that bears contrary fruit is from the devil.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. . Galatians 5:22-23

As believers, our focus should always be on the Trinity who is – God the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit!  Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life and He works together with The Holy Spirit as well as with God the Father. They are three persons but they are one God!  A Mystery! Jesus tells us that He does only what the Father tells Him to do!  We should do the same by following after His Spirit!

I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. John 5:30

We have entered the age of deception therefore we have to remember that everything that may appear to be good may not necessarily be of God!  Remember a counterfeit dollar note resembles the authentic one but the reality remains … it is counterfeit … false … no good! 
God gave us His Spirit to guide us into all truth

Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. John 16:13

So don’t be swayed by drama and hype.  Let us all as believers tap into the frequency of true spirituality and follow after the teachings of Jesus Christ, who is the Way, the Truth and the Life of the Spirit of God!

…for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.  1 Corinthians 10:4

LISTEN TO THE SOUND

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Thanks to Allison Sylvester-Conliffe for this article

Some sounds can be pleasant and other sounds can be discordant.


There is a sound that emanates from Heaven … a distinct sound … a sound of worship unto God, night and day!  The Bible says that the elders and the angels make a continuous sound of worship as they cry, “Holy, Holy, Holy!!”  This sound is as many waters.  It is a beautiful and infectious sound … but there is another sound that emanates from Heaven.  It is the Voice of God! 

Sometimes it thunders and sometimes it is as a still, small voice.  However, when the Voice of God speaks a sound, that sound is directed to His creation, His children.  Therefore after He sounds that sound, He looks for a response from us.  His sound is sometimes one of rejoicing or it may be a sound of lamentation and woe.  How do we know what sound He is speaking to us at any given hour?  The sound that comes from God is always the sound of His Heart.  We must be tuned in 24/7 to hear and identify what His sound is speaking. 

You know that sound speaks don’t you?  Take music for an example.  The sound of music can create an atmosphere of joy or it can speak sounds of lamentation.  Some music can project an awareness of danger and others project fear.  A typical example of this is evident in the sound effects that are created for the movies.

We must be able to identify the sound that we hear from Heaven.  If this is not so, then how would we know when the sound from Heaven is speaking to let us know it is time to intercede?  How would we know when the sound from Heaven is telling us to be militant in warfare?  How would we know when the sound is telling us to be silent? 

The sound from Heaven will usually give us instructions and direction.  There is a sound that emanates from God’s Throne that is speaking to us by the minute.  God speaks to us either audibly or through His Spirit to our spirit. However as we read in John 15, we must abide in Him, so that we will be one with Him and thus be attuned to His Voice … His Sound! 

As God’s children we are His image and likeness in the earth. Therefore we are to echo the exact sound from heaven as the Father dictates to us, so that His will can be done here on His earth. This requires our intimacy with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

As you quiet your spirit and tune in to the sound from heaven, what do you hear?

Love to All!

A WORD TO THE CHURCH

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 The following is a prophetic word that was given 
to a trusted minister of the Gospel while in intercession. 
May we have ears to hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.

“I want you, My church, to understand that the state of the nation is as a result of the attack against My church and the people who chose to serve Me and remain faithful to My call.

The enemy has steered the church away from the concerns that will heal My Body, and bring My church back to My divine purpose.  If the church repents and denounces their conformity to the world and its systems, the enemy has no place and so would not have a hold, thus allowing My people to freely enter into My Favour.

There is spiritual apathy in the church so that there is no prevention of the violence, intense pestilence and affliction that has touched the land.  The sin of My people first has to be repented of, and then the land will be healed.

Yes, the cries of repentance are coming up all over for the healing of the land, but what about the repentance for the church… so that wounds can be healed?”

I asked the Lord, “But Lord, what about the genuine prayers of the saints? There are good people praying.”

He continued:
“Their prayers are polluted, because their Altars are polluted. It’s all out of flesh and emotion. Who among those that pray have gone after the spirit of apostasy and iniquity that sits comfortably in the church? Are my ears heavy that I cannot hear? Are my Hands short that I cannot deliver?  Have I no eyes to see the blood of the innocent that flows on your streets? But what do I hear from My church…. Prayers of personal need…. Prayers of emotion…. Prayers of panic.

Where is the repentance for the sin of the Fathers of the Faith – My shepherds who have allowed the sheep to stray. THE CHURCH NEEDS TO REPENT FOR THE CHURCH!

Repent and return to ME, that I can accept your prayers, your Worship, and release My Glory!

HE IS THE FIRST AND LAST

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I’m not sure who wrote this poem, but it expresses my sentiments exactly
He is the First and Last,
The Beginning and the End!
He is the keeper of Creation and the Creator of all!
He is the Architect of the Universe and the Manager of times.
He always was, He always is, and He will always be
Unmoved, Unchanged, Undefeated, and never undone!
 
He was bruised and brought healing!
He was pierced and eased pain!
He was persecuted and brought freedom!
He was dead and brought life!
He is risen and brings power!
He reigns and brings Peace!
 
The world can’t understand Him,
The armies can’t defeat Him,
The schools can’t explain Him, 
Hitler couldn’t silence Him
The New Age can’t replace Him, 
He is light, love, longevity, and Lord.
 
He is goodness, Kindness, Gentleness, and God.
He is Holy, Righteous, mighty, powerful and pure.
His ways are right, His word is eternal,
His will is unchanging, and His mind is on me.
 
He is my Savior! He is my Joy,
He is my guide, and He is my Peace!
He is my comfort,
He is my Lord, and He rules my life!
 
I serve Him because His bond is love,
His burden is light, and His goal for me is abundant life.
I follow Him because He is the wisdom of the wise,
The power of the powerful.
The ancient of days, the ruler of rulers, the leader of leaders, 
the overseer of the overcomers, and is to come. 
 
His goal is a relationship with ME!
He will never leave me, Nor forsake me,
Never mislead me, Never forget me,
Never overlook me 
and never cancel my appointment in His appointment book.
 
When I fall, He lifts me up!
When I fail, He forgives!
When I am weak, He is strong!
When I am lost, He is the way!
When I am afraid, He is my courage!
When I am hurt, He heals me!
When I am broken, He mends me!
When I am blind, He leads me!
When I am hungry, He feeds me!
When I face trials, He is with me!
When I face persecution, He shields me!
When I face problems, He comforts me!
When I face loss, He provides for me!
When I face Death, He carries me home!
 
He is everything 
for everybody, 
everywhere, 
every time, 
and every way.
 
He is God, He is faithful, 
I am His and He is mine!

THE SOUND OF THE KINGDOM

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 This article was originally posted in 2009.
Thy Kingdom come, 
Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
 Matthew 6:10
But the hour cometh, and now is, 
when the true worshippers shall worship the Father 
in spirit and in truth: 
for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 
God is a Spirit: and they that worship him 
must worship him in spirit and in truth.

John 4:23-24

 Each nation has its own unique qualities that make it stand out from others. The laws, the way people speak, their social etiquette, even their money distinguishes them and sets them apart. So does a nation’s music. The music that is indigenous to Jamaica, for example, is reggae, and to Trinidad it is calypso, soca and chutney. Rap, rhythm and blues, and country music are distinctly American.

So too, the Kingdom of God has its own distinguishing features. Hence the reason why the citizens of the Kingdom are called ‘a peculiar people’, ‘set apart’ and a ‘holy nation’.

It is vitally important that we, the sons of God, embrace fully every aspect of the culture of God’s Kingdom. Some features are easily distinguishable. The law of the Kingdom of God for example, is love, and we can look to Scripture to guide us in this law. But there are other features of the Kingdom that are not as easily discerned. One particular area is music, and I believe that it is vitally important that we learn and adopt the sound that is unique to the Kingdom of God.

The music of the Kingdom originates in the heavenly realm – not on earth – and serves only one purpose – to glorify God. It does not have an American sound, or a Caribbean, Hispanic, Asian, African or European vibe. No, the sound of worship that fills the Kingdom is as unique and distinct as each of its other characteristics. It’s a sound that sets it apart as reserved for the King of Kings Himself.

I believe that in this season when the manifestation of the Kingdom of God is imminent, we must re-examine what has until now been accepted as worship music. The pure music of the Kingdom is not a sound of a mixture of the secular and the sacred. Sacred words joined to an originally secular sound are a mixture.

God requires that we worship Him “in spirit and in truth”. A good beat or a catchy tune may be wonderfully inspirational or entertaining. Unfortunately, today many of our most popular Christian songs minister to the people instead of ministering to the Lord.

Is it any wonder that despite the abundance of Christian music being played on the airwaves and in Christian gatherings the presence of God is sadly lacking? God inhabits and manifests Himself in true worship, and it is in His presence that souls are saved, hearts and bodies are healed and people are delivered from all kinds of oppression.

I have personally witnessed the impact that pure worship, played through a cd player, can have on a demon possessed person. This person was manifesting demonic activity, wild-eyed and spewing curses for hours. However, as soon as that pure worship was released into the atmosphere the demon left and the person regained his composure.

The presence and miraculous power of God is the only factor that draws unbelievers to Him. We need to reject the idea that the only way to entice them is with inspirational songs that have a familiar cultural sound.

It is time now to diligently seek and tap in to the Kingdom of God, and let the sound of the Father’s music come on earth as it is in heaven.