If you are reading this, I hope you are well today! May the Lord bless you and your family.
This month I had a couple instances of really feeling the weight of the Lord’s presence, or perhaps, the ethereal lightness! They were happy times for me personally; fulfilling times. As the Psalm says, “in your presence lies all fullness of joy” (16:11). These were times of experiencing the presence of God through preaching/teaching and leading worship, two avenues through which I have been growing in and finding enjoyment these past 6 months. I had the privilege one Sunday night this month in the rolling hills and lush greenery of Malaysia to give a message to a group of men living up on a mountainside working on a palm plantation. I found out on the two hour journey up to see these young men that I was going to be giving the message. So, going with the flow and accepting the challenge to preach last minute (I always knew this moment would come!), the adrenaline rose within me and I started praying and seeking the Lord for what He would have me teach on – what He wanted me to say to these men on the mountain. God was good and slid something across the table to me to share with them. I didn’t have much time to prepare insofar as tediously taking notes as the ride was so bumpy at times it literally launched me out of the back seat of the truck Seth, Tayo, and I were riding in. I thank the Lord for being there in that small wood shed that night, lit up with a small light bulb and the Holy Spirit’s fire in our hearts (someday we won’t even need light at all the presence of Almighty God will be so strong! Rev.21:23). We sang some worship songs I couldn’t understand but man I could feel the heart behind the words. Sometimes the Lord allows us to experience His presence more than other times, to really feel the heart – I sure felt Him that night and I’m thankful for those sweet sweet times. So we worshiped and gave testimonies and I shared what the Spirit put on my heart; we followed with prayer the laying on of hands upon our brothers. It was a time I won’t soon forget!
I had the privilege of sharing the same message the next week at another church after leading worship. Afterwards I was tired, but at the same time I wasn’t. I was so thankful for God giving me the words and strength and voice to deliver His heart and His words.
It is such an honor, privilege, and responsibility to deliver the Word of God and to lead others in the worshiping the Almighty God, our Father, the Lord Jesus Christ. I pray the Lord, if it be His will, to continue to give me more opportunities to preach, teach and lead others in worship. He has blessed me through it and hopefully others have been blessed by the words He gives me!
One of the things I have been learning more and more in this area is this: the Holy Spirit must be in it. In my preparation, prayer, study, writing, and delivery, He must be there in it all. I have to allow Him to take me over and speak what He wants me to speak. Furthermore, the more I lose myself in prayer and in His Word in the mornings and evenings during the week the more prepared I am. The more I seek the presence of the Lord each day, yes, even each hour, the more He will be faithful to bring His presence when He calls me to do something like preach or lead worship. Practicing the Presence of God in everything! Brother Lawrence gets it right! God is pleased to use us in larger and larger things as we remain faithful in the seemingly less significant things. Seemingly less significant. Lord, make me ever more faithful and consistent. Lord, make me ever more desirous for depth in your delightful presence. Thank you for using broken clay pots, broken vessels, for your Kingdom. And may it come, Father!
