Day 5: Week 8 (Illumine Them)

[russhutto]

Illumine Them

1) Central Passages:

• 2 Chronicles 20:21-29
• 1 Peter 2:9
• Exodus 33:12-23; 34:27-30
• Acts 6:15
• Acts 4:13
• 2 Chronicles 20:29
• Psalm 40:3

2) My Daily Praise:
Take a moment to complete the "View From The Top" workshop.

3) My Daily Surrender:
Ask the Lord to give you wisdom to see the "surprise" waiting for you at the top of this proverbial mountain of learning.
What has God taught you today?

[Wannabe a Worshiper]

Central Passages
There are a few things from today's study that stood out to me.

We cannot get everyone to follow. No matter how well we do the first 4 things from this week, some will follow and move to a deeper walk with God; others will do as they always do, and stay where they always are spiritually. It is God who does the changing; we are merely the instruments to offer change.

I like 1 Peter 2:9 ESV "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." Peter was talking to believers here. And we, as those who serve to lead, are the proclaimers. Great stuff!

I also liked the quotes by Dan deHaan,

"Today we must do the same thing that Moses did. Those of us who are leaders must carry God's presence into the lives of people. Most of us do the opposite. We carry people into the presence of God. We must come down from His presence to minister with anointing from above."

and Sally Morgenthaler,

"The purpose or intent of worship is not evangelism...Yet, evangelism...should be one of worship's dimensions or by-products. Evangelism is the natural and expected fruit of worship that is authentic and full of God's presence and truth."

My Daily Praise
I will do the"View From the Top" worksheet tomorrow. It will be tough for me, since I'm not actually the WL.

My Daily Surrender
God, if I am to bring your presence to the people, then I must spend much time with you so some of you will have rubbed off on me. I will make it one of my New Year's resolutions to make time spent with you one of my highest priorities.

[WorshipVanguard]

Central Passages:
WOW! Today did feel like a breath of fresh air. I must admit this week was tough spiritually like I was almost out of breath. My emotions were playing games with me, and I began to beat myself up thinking I am useless to the Lord’s kingdom. Today literally felt like I could breathe easier before I even finished the reading. Praise God!!!

I love the two quotes Moore used by Dan DeHaan and Sally Morganthaler. They were very well said, and my heart rejoiced as they clarified that our role is to bring the presence of the Lord to the people we need to evangelize. AWESOME!

Daily Praise:
Lord, today clarified so much. Thank you!!! Here is my VIEW FROM THE TOP:
1. How do you believe your praise has affected the Lord?
The Lord allowed me to experience that he “inhabits the praises of His people.” I know the Lord is pleased with my praise when he inhabits them. Love you, Lord!
2. How do you sense your praise has affected your church?
Well, it did not affect it at all since my husband and I left our previous church, and are still looking for a church home. I pray that the Lord illumines me as we find a new church home.
3. How do you sense your praise has affected those around you?
Since my husband and I are between churches, my husband and my kids are the only ones that are around. In all honesty, sometimes I feel I don’t praise enough. When I do praise, my kids notice; they even dance with me! My husband noted that I’m maintaining some cynicism toward certain issues. In light of that, I desire to praise more so whatever cynicism is left in me will flush out.
4. How do you sense your praise has affected you, both spiritually and emotionally?
My praise assuredly brought me closer to the Lord! I have a desire to learn his scriptures more than ever and a hunger for understanding his words. My prayer is that my passion for the Lord and hunger for the understanding of Scripture will encourage others to do the same. Lord, “illumine” me.
5. How has your praise affected your battle with temptations and struggles?
The battles are still there, but when I am with the Lord, they are insignificant. I immediately lose focus of the battles, and my eyes are on the Lord enjoying his safety and his care for me.
6. What week of this study has helped you the most? Why?
In the week we were suggested to hear God’s voice, the Lord introduced me to my prayer language! It was a beautiful moment. I heard the Lord’s voice in a fresh new way and since it was a different language I had to listen intently! I’m eager for more days like this. I want more days I can sit still and listen to the Lord without interruptions. The more I hear God’s voice, the more focused I can be on what he desires of me to serve in his kingdom. Father, speak for your servant is listening!

Daily Surrender:
Lord, I know your glory is the treasure you desire us to seek. Just as you illuminated Moses while he was in your presence, I long for the same presence to illumine us. I choose to walk humbly before you in all your ways, and may I not boast in the things I do (for they are nothing) but only in your grace and might.

[InHisName]

Central Passage

I, also, was struck by DeHaan’s quote. Coming down and bringing God’s presence into the lives of people. I won’t go as far to say that I have seen the Lord directly, face to face (!) but as leaders I do feel like we need to come down from wherever we are and bring God to the people! A lot of times as leaders our, or my, mindset is: people come to US to be led into His presence. We need to go to them. I like that. And it also hearkens back to being sensitive to the people we are ministering to.

It does take off some self imposed pressure when we understand that we’re not going to reach 100% of the people 100% of the time. It’s like witnessing-we’re obedient, we pray, seek, be led, and in the end it’s up to the person we’re witnessing to. Free will.

Daily Praise

1. How has my praise affected the Lord? I believe, or hope, that my praise has brought Him joy. I know that he is pleased with what I have learned through this study. I believe he has been speaking to me directly through Dwayne Moore, through everyone in the study, and of course through his Word. “Pleased” is what comes to mind.

2. Since I haven’t led too many times, and haven’t since I began the study…I think…I’m not sure I can answer the question as a WL. But I DO know when I lead again this month I will be a stronger, more effective leader for Him with the tools I now have.

As for praising Him in the congregation…I hope the freedom I have in clapping, shouting, and raising hands has affected others-that they may have that same sense of freedom. And I got to teach a lesson in our Sunday school class on “Worship”…I pray others will be blessed with these truths as I have been.

3. I think I answered this one in #2 . : )
4. I feel a sense of being “filled up” as I praise Him. I think praising Him in Spirit and in truth has really helped me grow. I have grown closer to Him and have become more sensitive to the Spirit. I take time now to pray and listen for God’s voice. Praising Him reminds me of his greatness, and all he does for us.
5. Definitely this study has helped me with humility issues. I didn’t realize I had these issues until this study. I mean, I guess I didn’t really confront them until now. But that’s how the enemy works…whispers in the ear can become debilitating. I saw my pride, confessed it, and am asking the Lord to take it! What freedom I had in worship today, instead of a frustrated attitude, a true attitude of worship and praise. It’s sad that it’s taken me this long to figure it out. Many times regarding song writing and worship leading I would ask, “Why am I not moving forward?” and God said, “Here…read this and do the study, and I’ll TELL you why you’re not!” This doesn’t mean that because I’m practicing humility that all of a sudden things will explode into a fantastic whirlwind of MY will. May it be GOD’S will-your servant is preparing!
6. I’d have to choose two weeks…Week 5 and 6. Week 5 was a great practical study of the methods, and Week 6, qualities of leadership. It really helped me to learn about being led by the Spirit, hearing God’s voice, and prayer! Topics I already know about but hadn’t studied really in depth. And Week 6 was the “Law of Divine Elevation”-it really socked me in the gut. Hurts so good! : )

Daily Surrender

Lord, you have brought me to the top of this mountain. It’s been illuminating and humbling. I realized how much I didn’t know about being a minister THROUGH music, and how much more I have to learn. I thank you for pointing out my weaknesses, and I again, give them to you now. I pray that you take me from this point on, and give me the opportunities and the courage to glorify you through music for your kingdom! I surrender all to you. Please remind me of the times when pride creeps back up…help me to slap it back! You are great and glorious and may I ever glorify your name. Amen.

[bkwestman]

1. Central Passage
- So true - we will never get 100 percent of the people following us. That's why influence can't be our number one goal. Our ultimate responsibility is to "declare God's praises to those around us", and our ultimate goal, then, is to bring God's presence to them, not to force people into God's presence. We are carriers - we carry God's presence to them. Loved Dan DeHaan's quote

"Those of us who are leaders must carry God's presence into the lives of people. Most of us do the opposite. We carry people into the presence of God. We must come down from His presence to minister with anointing from above."

How do we know we've illumined people? The praise goes to God, not people. We show His glory, and the people see God, not us - that's our goal. We don't want to merely impress, inspire, instruct and influence, because with all of those ways, the praise may still end up directed at us. We need to illumine them to put the focus entirely on God.

This has helped me know how to encourage my team as we prepare to lead - to be a light, to illumine the people by bring God's glory and presence to them. We can't worry about people who are not following us - that's up to them, but we need to do our part and just keep the focus on God.

2. My Daily Praise
- Lord, thank You for helping me to make it to the top of the learning mountain in this study! Forgive me for getting behind the rest, but I'm glad I've persevered and have stuck with it to this point. Thank you for all You've taught me and how to praise You!

3. My Daily Surrender
- Lord, I do ask that You would show me the surprise that Dwayne mentioned in the study today. I'm excited to be at this point, and look forward to what You have in store for the final week!