music monday// clear the stage

There was a time in my life, the lukewarm years, when I didn’t really understand that worshipping God is not just about singing and raising my hands to Him, that it isn’t about the worship and praise time during service. Cos, one moment I would be singing a song of praise to God and the next moment I would be singing a lustful, sensual song. I was a mess. Lukewarm.

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Oh, but thank God for His wisdom! With time Holy Spirit convicted me to the point of repentance and I decided to de-clutter my soul and really seek the face of my Father. I began to understand that my worship to God is way beyond a song. It’s about how I honor God in everything I do-how I dress, what I read, say, do, the tv series/movies I watch, what I write, the friends I consistently spend time with, the thoughts and imaginations I have…and of course the kind of songs I sing and listen to.

I began to see that worshipping God was in fact every single thing I did with my life, not just singing to Him on a sunday morning. I got real with God about needing His help to change and be better for Him, and He has radically changed me! I’m not perfect, but I’m so glad I’m not how I used to be! I intentionally carved out time to consistently spend with the Lord, and I still do. The results are real good! This entire blog is one of the fruits of my worshipful heart to the Lord, as He impressed on my heart to create it a few years ago to draw people’s heart to Him.

clear the stage~ jimmy needham

Clear the stage and set the sound and light ablaze

That’s the measure you must take to crush the idols.

Check the pews and all the decorations too

Until the congregation’s full, then have revival

Tell your friend that this is where the party ends

Until you’re broken for your sins, you can’t be social

Then seek the Lord and wait for what He has in store

And know that great is your reward so just be hopeful

Cause you can sing all you want to

Yes, you can sing all you want to

You can sing all you want to and still get it wrong

Worship is more than a song.

Take a break from all the plans that you have made

And sit at home and wait for God to whisper

Beg Him please to open up His mouth and speak

And pray for real upon your knees until they blister

Shine the light on every corner of your life

Until the pride and lust and lies are in the open

Then read the Word and put to test the things you’ve heard

Until your heart and soul are stirred and rocked and broken

We must not worship something that’s not even worth it

Clear the stage, make some space for the One who deserves it

Anything I put before my God is an idol

Anything I want with all my heart is an idol

Anything I can’t stop thinking of is an idol

Anything that I give all my love is an idol

Cause I can sing all I want to

Yes, I can sing all I want you

And we can sing all we want to

And we can sing all we want to

We can sing all we want to

And still get it wrong

Worship is more than a song.

Clear the stage and set the sound and lights ablaze

That’s the measure you must take to crush the idols.

“you shall have no other gods before Me.” exodus 20:3

“if My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 chronicles 7:14

“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm-neither hot nor cold- I am about to spit you out of My mouth. You say, “I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.” But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.” Revelations 3:15-17

“my sacrifice, o God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart You, God will not despise.” psalm 51:17

“then you will call on Me and come and pray to Me, and I will answer you. you will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:12-13

“come near to God and He will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.” james 4:8-10

“and without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6

You’re probably knee-deep in some addiction that does not honor the Lord, that is consuming your heart, eating away your soul and pulling you into depression. Maybe you’re too addicted to Instagram-comparing your life constantly with others, in an unhealthy manner…maybe you’re struggling with pornography, sleeping around with someone you’re not married to, masturbation, lying, stealing, gossiping, dealing in drugs, smoking, gluttony, cutting your precious self out of low self-esteem…know that there is healing. Earnestly and sincerely pray to God to help you get out of that bondage. You might have to confide in a trusted Christian friend to offer some counsel and guidance. Reading the Word consistently might seem a daunting task for you, but as you keep praying and reading biblically based memoirs/books concerning your situation, your hunger for scripture will increase and you’ll desire and engage in the right, God-honoring habits which is good for your soul.

It’s time to break off from the stronghold of idols you’re dealing with. God yearns for all of our hearts. He went to such great lengths to purchase us back to Himself by sacrificing Jesus, His Son to take away our sins if we confess and believe in Him. it’s time to worship Jesus with all your life, let your spiritual worship penetrate into every part of your life-socially, emotionally, physically, financially, mentally. Worship is more than a song.

xoxo, gen delali.