Speaking Joy during Imprisonment

The Apostle Paul is one of my favorite men in the Bible. So as I was reading Philipians Chapter 1, I felt the need to share a few things that spoke to my life during my process. Here goes: PHILIPIANS 1:1-12(PLEASE READ FIRST) First, I love and admire Paul passionette introductions in each chapter he writes. He loves his people and has a graceful & humble spirit about him. This man has a joyful heart, he has great pleasure and happiness. He was self-assured that what God starts, He ALWAYS provides a way to help us get through it, NO matter what the process is. Second,Paul was in chains, but still had the guts to feel the joy of suffering for Christ. To me, thats an amazing thing! Can you imagine being in prison and happy about it?? I try to imagine a prison cell in those times. Nothing like todays prisons/jails. He had almost nothing but dirt,rust,chains,maybe rats. Third, Chains for Christ?? We want to please God in all we do. No matter what we have to go through, whatever it takes so that He can be glorified, then thats what it is to truley suffer for Christ. Paul was a perfect example. The story has so much more detail and we will go through it in the next few weeks. Are you in prison? Spiritually,mentally,emotionally speaking. Do you think that the chains are too tight? The burden is too heavy? Or maybe you feel you cant breath or going to die. Lets dwell on these few verses and what Paul had to endure for Christ. We can use his example to be encouraged and hopeful that the Mighty God will help you through. How hard it must have been to be locked up and still be able to speak words of encouragement and life ,words of wisdom and love to those who are lost in a dying world. He also spoke to his fellow brothers in Christ and lifted them up. I want to encourage you today to never give up hope and always speak joyfully because HE WHO STARTED A GOOD WORK WILL BE FAITHFUL TO COMPLETE IT! Paul stated that everyone knew he was in prison and he was NOT ashamed of it. If your trial is too hard to bare, just know that God is Faithful. He is so loving and IS going to help you with all the hurt, hardships and trials. Gods love is greater than anything out there.. TRY HIM..SEEK HIM..ENCOUNTER HIM while He may be found Im no scholar or theologist, but I know the Power of the Word and the Power of His Love for me. I tell you in my darkest hour is when He becomes my Strength! I love Jesus and wouldnt change MY LIFE and situations for anything in this world! Many blessings to you!!!! Maria

Excited to Praise!

Yesterday, Feb.26,2012, we had such an awesome time rejoicing in His Presence. 10:30am @ 27th Street Revival Center, service starts. Me and Jessica Rios began to open up the service with just praise. I told Hector (Lead guitarist) to just play and we will worship and get the atmosphere ready. I was a little nervous but that was fine. The praises went up and the Glory fell. I was excited to sing to HIM, to lead HIS people into HIS PRESENCE! I wanted to jump throughout both of the fast songs, but was a little afraid I would fall from my heals. (Its hard to wear flats, especially on a Sunday Service lol) So I stomped my foot instead and snapped my fingers. Jessica was feeling it too! The congregation was so involved and I know that the LORD was receiving what belonged to HIM. I wanted so bad for Jessica to sing "Perfume a Tus Pies" by En Espiritu y Verdad, which we haven't done in a long while. I tell you, when she started the congregation instantly joined in, sounding like an angelic choir. It sounded so awesome and heavenly. I know that if me and Jess loved to hear it, then it was obvious that Jesus, on His Heavenly throne, stood up and smelled the aroma of praise coming from HIS children from the 27th Street Revival Center! Like our Music Director Ivan Perez says, "If the congregation responds to a new song, then we can do it".(musically & spiritually speaking) We(music ministry) believe in worshiping to songs that will not only touch the Heart of God, but that the people will join in and touch HIS Heart with us. Its amazing to fall in Love over and over and over again with our Savior Jesus Christ. I'm so excited to be a part of the 27th Street Revival Center, to be a part of this amazing,Spirit-filled,musically talented/skilled, passionate ministry! I am looking forward to many years of worship leading! Just my thoughts....
Maria

http://www.facebook.com/27thRC

In our weakness HE is stong

During Worship time last night in church, Brother/ Co-worshiper Tino Garcia had commented on God using us when we are weak. He said that he and many of us feel that God doesnt use us when we are weak. I felt this way soooooooooooo many times.

The bible says 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 says "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

His GRACE is sufficient thru my weakness........ im sorry but that just CRAZY LOVE right there.. we are so undeserving unworthy for any of His Grace and Love but that is Who He is...So Im gonna take this WORD and Receive it.. hold on to it.. and never let go..

What weaknesses do we hold on to today? laziness? sin? doubt? fear? self worth? etc.. the list can go on and on.. Let us continue to Glorify the ONE who has made us Worship Him in Spirit and in Truth . NO MATTER what we go through.. How we feel.. or what others may think of us..

(short but sweet huh?)

Thanks...

camden-revival.org

Is Worship Boring?

I Came across this Article..Is Worship boring.. and of course it captured my attention...

1 Cor. 2:14 "But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised."

What does this mean? My opinion.... you can have a worship service that can be pleasing to God, but since those who are not one w/ God (not a believer but a visitor, or don't have a true relationship w/ God and the Holy Spirit/ or one whose problems & situation & sin blinds them,) cannot capture this Glorious act of Worship & Praise to God. Only those who KNOW Who He is, Who the Spirit is, & have a personal relationship w/ the Holy Spirit can appreciate The Presence and ACT on Honoring Who He is and What He is Worthy of.

So what if a person is born again/has a relationship w/ God etc..??? and still consider "worship" boring??? should we consider their "expectations" or "the worship leader"??? interesting huh?

John 4:24 "For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth."

Hebrews 12:28 "Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe."

I wonder.. how people can just sit there..spectatin..hands crossed..etc while the Glory is pouring out
? God is amazing, in
His His Presence there is fullness of joy
! Wow
! whats your opinion
??
??

My Worship Leader Checklist PART 1

Howdie.. Being one of the Worship leaders @ the congregation of 27th Street Revival Center Camden NJ. (camden-revival.org), I have such a huge responsibility & have to make sure that I follow my own checklist.... Its not easy but it is an honor......

1st- MUST be chosen from the Lord. Matthew 22:14 "Many are called, but few are chosen"

2nd-MUST be faithful to Your Pastors and Church.. Sharing the same vision, Luke 11:17 "Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall."

3rd-MUST be pure/holy in His Presence, living a righteous life. Hebrews 12:14 "Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.

4th-MUST know the Word of God and apply it to your life . Psalms 119:105 "Your Word is a Lamp unto my feet, and a Light unto my path, I will hide Your Word in my heart so that I may not sin against Th

TO BE CONTINUED.....

Y We Worship?

Have you ever wondered why we worship God? Well I've been doing it for a long time..:) I know that the bible says: Matthew 4:10 "Worship the Lord your God and serve him only." it's a command from God. Also, in Psalms 34:1-3, I will extol the LORD at all times; His praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together. If you are like me, have been redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb, has been born again, and is totally in love with Jesus, then you probably have it no other way. In the morning:Worship, in the noon time: Worship, in the evening: Worship...Its just something that we as Christians LOVE to do..

So what does Worship mean? I heard Darlene Zschech say "Its giving due Worth to God".. He is Worthy of all the Glory, all the Honor, and all the Praise. To me, it means just passionately, lovingly, opening up my heart in Praise & Adoration to the ONE Who has set me free and the ONE Who loves me. That alone (freedom & love) assures me, that Yes He is Worthy of Worship.

WHY DO YOU WORSHIP HIM?