I was given a sweet compliment on Sunday by one of our worship leaders.    He told me that I was such an encouragement when he looked out into the crowd during worship.  I said, “I just love Jesus!” and he said he could tell.  That blessed me so much, but then again I wondered how I differ from others in the congregation.  What made me stand out?

I just can’t be still when worshiping my Lord!  The beat of the music moves me and I cannot contain my love for Him!

Honestly, sometimes I wonder if I could just be taken straight up into heaven during worship!

Of course, after our worship leader shared his thanks with me, the enemy was quick to come in and whisper his poison: “You are a distraction!  You look ridiculous out there dancing around!  It bothers those around you!” Blah, blah, blah ….   Satan and his demons are nothing but liars …

John 8:44
You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

I sang in a worship team for years and I totally understood what the worship leader meant.  From the stage, it was encouraging to see others loving on Jesus too.  Our purpose was to LEAD others in worship, not to put on a performance for them to watch.  So many times I saw people stand there like they were on the outside looking in through a window.

A lot of people are hurting.  I look around sometimes at those who are so stoic during worship.  I wonder why they seem so disconnected.  I can only speak for myself, but as my chains were removed —  I wanted to worship the Lord more and more!   I don’t have the chains holding my feet, body, and hands down now.

My Jesus set me free!  He will do the same for you!  (<—— Do you want to TWEET that statement to encourage others?  Click here.)

I have said it before and I will say it again:

You just can’t appreciate freedom unless you have been a slave!

I was in bondage to fear for years!

It controlled my life!

I remember one of the first Women’s Aglow retreats I ever attended, the women were up at the front of the auditorium dancing.  My heart longed to go dance and praise the Lord, but I felt so self-conscious … hesitant … embarrassed.   But the time came when I couldn’t sit there any longer.  I broke through the constraints and a new level of freedom became mine!

Maybe you are one of the people looking at others who seem to worship without restraints.  Before you judge them, realize they have experienced something with the Lord that has radically changed their lives.  They can’t help themselves.

Perhaps you want to worship with greater abandon.  Take steps forward and chains will break off.   Praise is a powerful weapon!  It brings us into God’s presence and a place of power.   Praising God also pushes back darkness!  No demons want to be where true worship is taking place!

We should use our weapons because we are in a battle my friends.

2 Corinthians 10:4
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.