Have you noticed there are some people who seem to wear their cares and troubles on their faces while others appear to have no troubles at all? We know it is impossible to live without any kind of opposition, so what is the key?

Without a doubt, one of the keys to living unmoved by what may be surrounding you is praise and worship. When your attention is properly placed on the Almighty God, anything troubling you begins to diminish compared to the One you’re worshiping. The enemy does his best to distract you from this willful act of true worship, and it is to attempt to keep you under his rule and dominion. 

For many weeks, I have been strongly stirred to work with the Holy Spirit to mine the worship that is in God’s people. Why? Because it is powerful, and it directs people to their seat of victory in heavenly places.

In John 4:23-24, Jesus tells the Samaritan woman at the well, “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and His worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” This passage underscores the essence of worship–it is not about the place or the style, but about the heart and the spirit with which we approach God. 

When I recently visited the Navajo Indian Reservation in Arizona, I was so blessed to be in their worship service, reminding me that true worship transcends cultural boundaries. It is a universal language that connects us to our Creator. 

This experience reinforced the truth that worship is innate in every human being. Throughout history, various cultures have expressed worship in different ways, often without fully understanding what or whom they were worshiping. 

Unfortunately, in our modern, westernized society, we often lose touch with the raw, instinctive nature of worship by becoming sophisticated and polished, sometimes to the point of losing the heartfelt, passionate expression of worship that God desires. 

Romans 12:1 in the Passion Translation beautifully captures this truth, “Beloved friends, what should be our proper response to God’s marvelous mercies? I encourage you to surrender yourselves to God to be His sacred, living sacrifices, and live in holiness, experiencing all that delights His heart. For this becomes your genuine expression of worship.” 

Worship is not confined to a church service; it is a way of life. It is about presenting our bodies as living sacrifices and living in a way that honors God in every aspect of our lives. 

We must recognize there are two kingdoms at work in this world–the kingdom of God and the kingdom of Babylon. The kingdom of God, established through Abraham and his descendants, has brought us the truth of who God is. In contrast, the kingdom of Babylon represents the world’s system, often leading people to worship what they do not know. Our mission is to worship God in spirit and in truth, standing firm in the knowledge of who He is and what He has done for us. 

When we worship, God speaks. Psalm 138:1-2 says, “I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; before the gods I will sing your praise. I will bow toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your unfailing love and your faithfulness, for you have so exalted your solemn decree that it surpasses your fame.”

Worship is a response to God’s Word, and it positions us to hear His voice. When we praise, however, God acts. Throughout the Word, we see that praise precedes victory. Whether it was Joshua and the Israelites at Jericho, Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah, or Paul and Silas in the prison, praise brought about miraculous breakthroughs. 

What about you? Are you eager to hear God speak? Are you expecting a miraculous breakthrough? Praise and worship are the gateway to these experiences. Whether you shout with your mouth, dance with your feet, or lift your hands in surrender, let your worship be wholehearted and genuine. 

I am excited about what God has in store for us in the coming months. The second half of this year will be glorious! Let us continue to press in, mining the depths of worship from our spirits, and experiencing the transformative power of God’s presence.