PASSION TO WORSHIP THE KING (PART 8) - RUTH

A WORSHIPER OF DESTINY

“your people shall be my people, 

and your God, my God” 

Ruth 1:16

The story of Ruth is the story of one woman’s pilgrimage from the land of her birth, to the land of Judah in Bethlehem; the land of the Hebrew God, Yahweh. 

It is staggering to think of all that this young woman left behind in Moab to embark upon a journey to a foreign land and to a foreign people. She left behind her own mother and father (Ruth 2:11), her sister-in-law Orpah (Ruth 1:14-15), her recently buried husband (Ruth 1:5), her recently buried brother-in-law (Ruth 1:5), and her own native land of Moab (Ruth 2:11).
Ruth had developed a strong bond of affection with her mother-in-law, Naomi, who had also suffered the loss of her husband in Moab. Naomi was a Hebrew who had fled with her family to Moab for food in a time of famine in Bethlehem. Now she had heard that God was again visiting His people with food, so her heart’s desire was to return to her own land and her own people. The strong bond of affection between the two women was probably the very thing that God used to bring Ruth into her God-given destiny. Ruth pledges to Naomi, “your people shall be my people, and your God, my God” (Ruth 1:16).
There are in life what we call “divine hook-ups”. These “divine hook-ups” in the Kingdom of God are friendships that bring about the divine purposes of the Lord in the earth. Ruth’s relationship with Naomi was one of these. 
First of all, Naomi’s influence in Ruth’s life was the catalyst that caused Ruth to pursue God with all her heart. Without Naomi’s influence, Ruth may have never encountered the Lord.
Secondly, Ruth’s labor in the field of Boaz would bring food and provision into Naomi’s house (see Ruth 2:14-18). Without this “divine hook-up” both women may have perished in the land of Moab due to the famine. 
Thirdly, Naomi’s close relationship with Boaz was to bring Ruth in line to become the great grandmother of David, future King of all Israel. The bond between Naomi and Ruth would affect generations yet unborn.
The same will be true in our own life as well. God arranges divine friendships that have His seal upon them, so that His purposes can be fulfilled. 
Ruth embarks upon the journey of her life. Leaving the comforting surroundings of her own home in Moab, she begins the journey to her new homeland in Bethlehem. The events that await her arrival in Bethlehem are nothing short of miraculous. The Lord provides there for her a new home, a new husband and a new baby!
This is a picture of what happens in our own lives as well. God calls us forth out of our own comfort zones to embrace things that are strange and new. It does not necessarily have to come in the form of a geographical move. More often it’s a shift in our hearts that takes place as God brings us to new stages or plateaus in our lives. God brings us out of the old and familiar to experience new beginnings that He has for us (our own prophetic journey). This is how purpose is fulfilled in our lives. As we answer God’s divine directives for us, our lives begin to take on the shape and the nature of our destiny. We truly are called to be “God’s own handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus (born anew), that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned before hand) for us (taking paths which He prepared ahead of time), that we should walk in them (living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live)” Ephesians 2:10 (Amplified).
God has a predetermined plan for our life. He has things for us to fulfill. Things that will help fulfill the great commission in the earth at this time. It is our faithfulness and our devotion to the Lord that will help us to see these things through. Serving God is not for the faint-hearted, nor is it always easy. But encourage our heart today with the example of Ruth.
She left all that she had behind her to serve a strange God in a strange land. She became a worshiper of Yahweh because of the example of Naomi. God rewarded the faithfulness of her heart with His great love and His provision (Ruth 2:12). Ruth’s devotion to Naomi, and to the God of Naomi, brought her into position to become the great grandmother of David, future King of all Israel.
It’s interesting to note that Ruth’s firstborn son would be named Obed. Obed means, “worshiper”. Ruth had learned from personal experience the joy of being a worshiper of Yahweh, the God of the Hebrew people. Worship God!
(an extract from: Heart of Worship by Kerrie Christensen)

PASSION TO WORSHIP THE KING (PART 7) - SOLOMON

THE WORSHIPFUL KING

Solomon was well trained in the ways of the LORD. His father had seen to that. David, the King of Israel and father to Solomon, outwardly encouraged his son to pursue an intimate knowledge of the LORD:

And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father

[have personal knowledge of Him, be acquainted with,

understand Him; appreciate, heed, and cherish Him]

and serve Him with a blameless heart and a willing mind"

1 Chronicles 28:9a (Amplified)

David had instilled into his son's heart a love for God, right from the earliest moments of his life. What a wonderful thing. So it isn't any wonder then, that when God later appeared to Solomon in a dream, he instinctively knew exactly the right thing to answer God in the dream. He didn't ask for riches or honor. He asked instead for wisdom. But God decided to reward him with all three! (2 Chronicles 1:7-12)

Solomon enjoyed a very prosperous and fruitful reign as King of Israel. Solomon demonstrated both a fear and a love for God, and a deep love for the people of God. He fulfilled the prophetic word by Nathan the prophet that he would be the one to build a house for the LORD. He was faithful to do all that the LORD had commanded him to, at least in the early years of his kingship.

Not only was he faithful, he was a TRUE WORSHIPER of the LORD. The picture we find painted of Solomon in 2 Chronicles chapter 5 through 7 is one of a man of deep prayer with a heart literally overflowing in WORSHIP to his God. Before the entire assembly of Israel he unashamedly falls upon his knees, with arms outstretched towards heaven, to WORSHIP God. His heartfelt cry that day is for the people of God, that they would experience the same touch of God upon their life, as he himself was so familiar with.

Solomon held desperation in his heart that day to see the LORD reach down and place His presence right in the very midst of His people. He yearned to see God reach down and meet the needs of the people. He longed for the Kingdom of God to enter into the earth realm, where mankind could feast upon the bountiful supply of his King.

And in the early years of Solomon's reign as king of Israel, he displayed an amazing love for the one who had blessed him beyond human comprehension. Solomon was a devoted WORSHIPER, knowing the bounties of his benevolent God.

And so it is with every WORSHIPER of the King of kings. Within their breasts beats the never-ending song of love for their Savior, singing His PRAISES and proclaiming His greatness to the ends of the earth. 

Solomon declares that there is none like his KING (2 Chronicles 6:14), and our hearts echo his chorus, "Yes. Truly, there is none like our KING." WORSHIP entices God to draw near to us. It beckons to Him to incline His ear to us. It causes Him to respond to the yearnings of our heart.

(an extract from - Heart Of Worship by Kerrie Christensen)

PASSION TO WORSHIP THE KING (PART 6) - DAVID

I Would Rather Be A Doorkeeper

In The House Of My God ...

Psalm 84:10

As we take a page out of King David's intimate journey with God, we wonder why would a king want to be a doorkeeper? As a passionate "God chaser", King David was saying, "No, I've learned something: A doorkeeper at the RIGHT DOOR has more influence in the world than a king on his throne! A doorkeeper in the house of God is a doorkeeper at the gate of Heaven. Now if I can find that opening in Heaven ..."
King David discovered a key that we need to rediscover in our day. He did more than return God's presence to Jerusalem. He did more than display God's glory in an open tent without walls or veil of separation. Somehow he managed to entertain God's presence in his humble tent and keep an open heaven over all Israel for almost 36 years! 

When we open the windows of Heaven through our worship, we also need to post a guard - a doorkeeper - inside the dimension of God (worship) to hold open the windows of Heaven. In David's day, the Levitical worshipers surrounded the Ark of the Covenant with continuous worship and praise. They enjoyed the benefits of a continuous open heaven because somebody stood in the gate and held it open.
A gatekeeper can be anyone who has the responsibility of opening the windows of Heaven to a city, a church or a community. They could be leaders, intercessors, worship leaders, worship musicians, worship singers, and every worshipers. An open heaven refers to the free access of God's presence to man and to the free flow of God's glory to man's dimension.
As a gatekeeper, King David understood the importance of his office. When he penned Psalm 84:10, I feel that he was saying, "I would rather be a doorkeeper at the RIGHT DOOR, because that is the place of real influence." Never underestimate the power of God's presence. If you can be a doorkeeper and open the door of the manifest presence of God to your church and your community, understand that you have been placed in the most influential position in the entire world. Like the Levites of old, we are all called to be a gatekeeper people, the people of His presence. You can literally become a walking doorway to God's presence. People can sense the glory light shinning under the door.
We need people who know how to access His presence and open door for the glory of God to come into our homes, churches, cities, and nations. King David again writes the vision so we can run:

"Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in." (Psalm 24:7 NKJV)Gates don't have heads. It is obvious that we are the gates in this Psalm. If we lift up our heads, what happens? The Hebrew literalization of the phrase is " be opened up you everlasting doors." When we obey this command, the King of glory Himself will come in. What does all this mean? We, as the Church, are literally the gateway for the rest of the world to have an encounter with God. When you stand in the the place of worship, you are literally opening up and swinging wide a spiritual gate, an entrance for the risen Lord. A "modern-day David" named Martin Smith sings a new song based on an ancient theme:

"FLING WIDE YOUR HEAVENLY GATES

PREPARE THE WAY OF THE RISEN LORD!"

If we ever want to move from a visitation of God to a habitation of God, someone has to learn how to open the door to the heavenlies.

(an extract from: God's Favourite House - "If You Build It, He Will Come" - by Tommy Tenney)

WORSHIP THE KING (PART 5) - THE SHULAMITE GIRL

SING TO ME  A SONG OF LOVE

(Read Solomon Chapters 1 & 2)

The Song of Songs is an awesome portrayal of one woman's love for her King, and her King's desire for her. It is also a picture, or a type, of Christ's love for His church, and of the desire of the bride for her King. The Shulamite Girl depicts the Bride of Christ, and the King is a picture of Christ.The Song of Songs is literally translated, "The best of Songs", and it really is the very best songs! Most historians believe that Solomon is the author of this song, hence, it's other title, "Song of Solomon". 
The book is full of devotion and desire that streams between both bride and Beloved.
The Shulamite Girl is unashamedly vocal and passionate with regard to her love for the King. She is truly a worshipper of Him! Her mouth is full of praises for Him, as she eagerly sings all of the wonderful attributes that belong to Him:

- She is aware of the beauty contained just in His name (1:3)
- She is  aware of the fragrance of His love for her (1:3)
- She is increasing aware of His voice beckoning her to come away with Him, because He longs to see her face and hear her voice (1:14)
As the Song depicts, God  desires us to drink deeply of the love that He has for us. God's love for us is absolutely amazing and far beyond the reach of our human reasoning. He longs to look upon our face and to hear our voice speaking to Him. he longs to shelter us from harm and to know sweet companionship with us.
How do we develop this intimate relationship with our King? Relationship takes time to build. Begin to build and fashion a space and a time for Him to draw near to us. Talk to Him as if He were our dearest friend. Read His Word (like love letters). We'll uncover wonderful treasures about Him.
 As we nurture and develop our relationship with Him, over time our understanding of Him will grow deeper. And the exciting thing about a relationship with the LORD is that we never get to the end of who He really is and what He's all about. There's always something new and fresh to learn either from Him or about Him.
The Shulamite Girl knew the King not only as her beloved, but also as her friend: "This is my beloved, this is my friend, daughter of Jerusalem." (Song of Solomon 5:16) We would do well to follow her lead and make our LORD our very best friend. When we behold Him, we cannot but worship Him!
(an extract from - Heart of Worship by Kerrie Christensen)