Random Blonde: Worship Warriors

Luke 19:47-30

"When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:

'Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!'

'Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!'

Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, 'Teacher, rebuke your disciples!'

'I tell you,' He replied, 'if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.'”

Now, I am a competitive person....I believe I have written about this before, and anyone who has ever played a game with me knows that when the game begins- the kindness comes to an end! LOL...just kidding...sort of. I just tend to have a big mouth when it comes to bragging about my skills at the game table! And my victory dances are a little over the top at times....and I am a bit proud to say that the apple has not fallen far when it comes to my youngest son on this matter...lol...although I will admit his dance moves are a little smoother than mine- but do not tell him I said that! The point is: I do not allow others to beat me without a fight. The muscles come out and the mouth opens wide for retaliation! This is all in fun of course....

But I was just thinking of my retaliation tactics when it comes to the battle with the enemy....have I had my A-Game in tact? Have I sent him slithering away in crushing defeat lately? Have I danced on the Devil with delight? Have I utilized the powerful source of praise in order to persevere in the face of persecution? Or when my mouth has opened....has it only added to my destruction?

I was just looking up the word worship in the Bible. Finding many familiar verses, I was reminded of the calling we have on our lives as Christians. We are to glorify an amazing, all-powerful God! Even the name of Jesus sends Satan sprinting! Imagine Satan's despair and destruction when I begin shouting praises from the rooftops to Jesus- my Savior, my Father, my Friend, my Healer, my Provider, my comforter, my ALL IN ALL!

In all that we say and do, we should be showing the power of Christ in our lives. Yet after reflecting upon my words and actions over the last few years....I think there are more times when I lesson His power with my pity-parties instead of pouring out praise that promotes powerful promises from a God who is more than enough to handle all my mess!

Reading through so many verses about worship, I remembered the verse quoted above and a song that stems from it about not allowing the rocks to out-praise us! Well...I sense a challenge here....it could just be me though...but if it is me versus the rocks- they better be ready to be crushed into sand, because this shortie will sing praises louder than any little pebble- whether on pitch- or way off pitch- I will remember to sing praises to my Heavenly Father who has given His life for me. I will proclaim His unfailing love, His faithfulness, His abundant mercy and grace and His promises that stand true every day- no matter what I am facing!

Forgive me Lord for downplaying Your power in my life lately. Help me to worship You whether on the mountaintop or in the pit. Help me to joyfully sing Your praises even if I am facing persecution from every corner; as I feel like I have been this last few weeks. Allow your love to shine through me even in the darkest moments in my life! I also thank You Lord for the awesome people that You have put in my life to remind me of Your promises! I thank you for all the ways you speak to me and remind me, not only of who I am- Your beloved child, but more importantly of- WHO YOU ARE! I thank You, Jesus, that no matter what I go through- because of Your amazing power and Your perfect plans for me- I can always do the victory dance- and You know how we love to dance in this house! I pray Lord that the words of my mouth be pleasing to You! Help me Lord!

"Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.

Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his ;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.

For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations."

Psalm 100:1-5