Annie led group in worship…
Pastor Ray shared…
Annie, when we were singing the first song about the angels… ♪ holy, holy ♪ What do you see when you sing that song?
Annie…
What do I see?
Pastor Ray…
Yes, what do you see.
Annie…
Ohh! I see the glassy sea. I see the great cloud of witnesses. I see the ten thousand times ten thousand angels around the throne, the angelic army. And I see all creation declaring the glory of God. I see the angels shouting praises to God before the throne of God. And I see all the created universe, the stars and the planets in their orbits singing. Singing! Singing the music of the spheres. They’re singing the praises of God. And all of God’s created people… created in His image who He sent His Son to die for… bowing their knees and praising Him along with the hosts of heaven, along with the angel armies, along with the planets and the stars and the animals. And the ocean and the mountains! All creation cries out “Holy is the Lord!” And all creation, all the earth replied. Praise You, Lord. All the angels cry out “holy!” And all the people on earth and the animals, the plants, the birds… Have you looked out the window at a bird chirping. I always imagine it’s worshiping God! He created it with a song to worship Him. Jesus said if these don’t praise me, the rocks will cry out. I always think, “I’m not going to let a bird praise God and I won’t.” So every time I see a bird singing… Danny likes to remind me they’re probably marking their territories when they’re singing. Ha, ha, ha! But I like to imagine they’re praising God. And I think I’m going to praise God too. He put a song in every heart. So I’m going to give Him my song. I’m going to make a joyful noise! Hallelujah! Let’s all make a joyful noise! All the angels cry out “holy, holy, holy.” And all the earth answers back, “Holy is the Lord!” Worthy is the Lamb of God to receive glory, honor, praises, thanksgiving.
We worship God with music, but worship isn’t music. Music can be used to worship. I love the Canaanite woman. “Then came she and worshiped Him.” She was crying out after Jesus to have mercy on her. “Have mercy. My little daughter is grievously vexed of a devil.” He answered her not a word. Then she came and worshiped Him. I guarantee you she didn’t have a beautiful minstrel next to her like I am privileged to have here. But she had worship in her heart. That’s all he wants from us, right? She came and fell at His feet and worshiped Him. She said, “Even the dogs get to eat the crumbs that fall from the master’s table.” Guess what? That’s worship. Believing that He’s going to give me a crumb. Hallelujah! We worship You, Lord! We reply with all the angels, Holy are You! Glory to God. Lord, You said it’s not right to take the children’s bread and give it to the dogs. But when we worship You and believe that You are merciful and good and You give us the children’s bread. We worship You for who You are. How good You are. Your character. Your perfect love. Your mercy. You are the beginning and the end of everything. Holy are You! Holy is the Lord!
Annie led group in worship…
Annie shared…
I was just seeing something about the Canaanite woman. When Jesus said it’s not right to take the children’s bread and give it to the dogs, He was talking about the covenant rights and those who are in covenant. But with her faith, she said “I don’t have a right. I agree with You. I don’t have a right to any of that. But I’m still going to believe You’re going to give it to me.” Hallelujah! And she received because she believed in who He really was. She believed in who He really is. He is love and mercy and goodness. And He gave everything that He had. We love You, Jesus. You’re so good.
Annie led group in worship…
Pastor Ray…
Hallelujah! Thank you, Annie. I love what you said about what you saw. I just sense that the time spent lifting Him up and reminding us of who He is, it’s like… going up a step and going up a step, up a step, and up a step. And there are more. Just higher and higher and higher. Not naturally speaking but in the realm of the spirit. Hearts. To me it’s like we’re just going right on through Hebrews 12:1–3. I feel like we’re in it. You mentioned “surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses.” In the Passion translation, it says it this way:
“As for us, we have all of these great witnesses who encircle us like clouds. So we must let go of every wound that has pierced us and the sin we so easily fall into. Then we will be able to run life’s marathon race.” At the top of my Amplified Bible, I wrote years ago… because somebody said, “What race? What are you talking about?” I wrote at the top of my Bible, “What race?” We’re in a marathon. We’re in a race and if we let go and remind ourselves of all of those that went before, the witnesses, who encircle us like clouds, then we’ll be able to run life’s marathon race “with passion and determination, for the path has been already marked out before us. 2 We look away from the natural realm and we fasten our gaze onto Jesus who birthed faith within us and who leads us forward into faith’s perfection. His example is this: Because his heart was focused on the joy of knowing that you would be his, he endured the agony of the cross and conquered its humiliation, and now sits exalted at the right hand of the throne of God! 3 So consider carefully how Jesus faced such intense opposition from sinners who opposed their own souls, so that you won’t become worn down and cave in under life’s pressures.”
So we’re in a race. The way the Message says it is “Do you see what this means.” I almost hate to be reading scripture right now because of the Presence. But I felt like this goes along with what we’re doing. “We’re in it.” And we have a long distance race. It’s not a short race. “Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!”
Thank You, Lord. The finish. It is finished. It was finished. That did take place and it was declared. So we keep our eyes, Father, on You and we thank You for the Holy Spirit who is actively working in us and through us. All along this way that You pre-planned. You prepared the way. And You made a way. And even in the plans, the changes, the turns in these days, You’re working on our behalf. We trust You and rely upon You. We lift up and magnify Your name.
Annie continued to lead group in worship…
