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 | Branon Dempsey of Worship Team Training
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 | September 1, 2010 Before You Begin “Fruitful and acceptable worship begins before it begins.” - Alexander MacLaren How often do we first consider our actions and words before we approach God in worship? What is exactly fruitful and acceptable in the Lord’s eyes? More importantly, how does God find our worship when we begin His praise? Each day, I begin my morning with exercise. It is a great way to examine my health and get rid of the unwanted weights of emotional stress, not alone the physical drudgeries. The quote above expresses an important introspection of one’s self in view of Godly worship. It is good to begin with a similar kind of spiritual preparation as we prepare physically for each day. For me, it is unfathomable to not emotionally prepare my heart’s condition before I worship God. When I don’t, I feel as though I just go through the motions. What remains is a sluggish weight in my heart or a distraction in mind. Worship involves sacrifice. When we read the pages of the Old Testament, we see what God expected in the preparation of worship. Leviticus gives us a very clear picture of what was acceptable and fruitful to God in worship. The Bible indicates that there was a preservation of the Most Holy Place. A thick veil curtain separated God from the people. The priest (like Aaron) were to enter the inner sanctum only once a year to offer the nation’s sins and sacrifices. It was truly the most sacred place on earth. To enter this most sacred place, the priests were to prepare and carry out God’s instructions for offering unblemished animals and other perfect regulations for sacrifice. As the priest proposed to offer his gift to God, he would “draw near” to worship. To the Hebrews, there is a more significant action to this phrase rather than today’s casual connotation. The verb “draw near,” conveys the idea of sacrifice. In other words, the form of this verb means “to make to draw near” or “to bring near.” When the worshipper made an animal “draw near,” he had the intention of worshipping. He wanted to honor God, to get rid of his sin and to live again in right fellowship with God and man. He became obedient in bringing the prescribed offering. To prepare for such a great sacrifice to occur for only once a year, had to have been a serious, yet even intimidating factor. Today, we have the opportunity and access to draw near to God anytime. What was once restricted, is now opened. Instead of approaching God in guilt, we come to Him in grace. He purifies our minds and hearts so we may know him in complete truth. He has transformed our lives from fear to freedom. All of this was done through one Man through one way of obedient sacrifice, by the mercy and love of God: Christ is our Sacrifice and Salvation. May we worship Him not in part, but in whole. Before we begin, may we offer Him all that we are as a living sacrifice. Reflection: Before you worship God, how do you draw near to Him? What are the emotional and/or physical weights that are in need of rendering to His feet? Again, how would he find your worship? As you bring him your sacrifice, may he break through your heart as you break forth to Him in praise as David who said: “He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.” - Ps. 40.3 |
 | August 20, 2010 Through the Roof “Of all the music that reached farthest into heaven, it is the beating of a loving heart.” - Henry Ward Beecher Have you ever been in a worship service and you feel like your the only one who may not be in it? What about leading a worship service where you feel the same way? Personally, there were times when either my mind was racing or my mouth was moving, but my heart was standing still. It could be due to things on the brain concerning the week, stress and even worry. Often times we are influenced to believe that once we worship, or if we worship, all of our concerns are melted away. I mean, we are to leave our problems behind before we come to God, right? Wrong. The most expressive times I find in worship is when I bring my worries, stress, concerns and request to the feet of Jesus. What I bring to the Lord in worship is significant to what I expect of Him. What I give to God through the obedience and will of Christ is what He desires. There is an anticipation, not for God to answer my prayers, but rather the opportunity to be honest. It is a time when we also agree with God about our confession. That’s one word we don’t often use as it relates to worship. Here, we find the mercy, grace and strength in our time of need. Honesty or not, God sees it all and knows all. Scripture reminds us that we are to “take every thought in to the captivity of Christ,” (2 Cor. 10.5). We are also told “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need,” (Heb. 4.16). Often we find ourselves going through the motions of Sunday service. We sing the songs, pray the prayers and listen to the message. But what does it mean, where is the impact and where are our thoughts? On what words are we truly meditating according to Php. 4.8 ? In this scenario, our response of worship may seem thin; it may even seem that it does not breakthrough the ceiling. Worship is not about what we get from God, but rather what we give to God. He does not answer our concerns/prayers based on how much we praise Him. This would be conditional. What He wants is for us to praise Him - no strings attached - unconditionally. Psalm 28.7 says: “The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.” Where is the writer in this scenario? Sounds like he came from the shadows of despair and into the light of joy. How? He found the strength of God in the time he needed help. We see that the writer was rescued, and therefore, his heart leaped for joy in giving thanks through song. Our worship is changed when our hearts are changed. As our hearts are changed, so are our lives and the songs of which we sing. Like the Psalm writer, we are to approach God with a heart of trust, with soul of humility and with a mind that brings every thought captive into the obedience of Christ. In this exchange, we find true freedom, true significance, true acceptance and most of all love. This rescue causes our hearts to sing for joy in thankfulness. In Jesus Christ, this new song we sing has the ability to go through the roof. Question/Reflection: Are you living the kind of life that is equally reflective of how God sees you? How does God find your sincerity in worship? In finding true grace and mercy and being transformed by His love, how would this affect your personal time with Him and your worship-participation in the church you serve? |
 | August 9, 2010 Rising Tides "And it is through conflict that God induces the believer to seek and to grasp total triumph in Christ." - Watchman Nee Have you ever been called into a task that seemed greater than your ability to swim? What may be increasingly difficult, is the decision to pick up where your predecessor left off. Such was the case for Joshua. He was selected to finish what God had originally commissioned to Moses. But Joshua had a problem, which end of the pool was he to enter, by the stair side or diving right into the deep? The life of Moses made a way for Joshua, and he prepared the people for the work that must be done. Very early in chapter 1, in fact, right away, God calls Joshua out. Moses has passed, but the work continues and now devolves on his successor. This was the trial-conflict if you will, to the faith of Joshua. All his life, he learned from such a great and powerful leader, now the baton is in his hands. How can he fill these shoes? Joshua's feet must have turned to ice. Have you been here? Even though the task was given right away, Joshua was not first commanded to begin the journey. The Lord first commanded Joshua three simple precepts: be strong, courageous and be careful to follow God's laws by doing everything in them (vv.6-9). In continuation of God's instructions, he wanted Joshua to wait and prepare. Sometimes it may appear easy to jump right into the deep for the sake of getting it done. Hit it straight on! Be done with it! Others may feel that they would rather jump out of the way and head for the hills. Be done with that! God does not rush Joshua; he clearly wanted him to take his time and prepare. In verse 11, He says, "get your supplies ready. Three days from now you will cross the Jordan…" It is evident that God wanted Joshua to start in at the shallow end of the pool. He knew that there is a timing and strategy involved in wading the waters. Here, you get a better perception of the elements, temperature and current to navigate the river-road. Similarly, when we study the Scriptures to find God's current in our situations, we hold the most valuable compass - His Word. God instructed Joshua to not turn away from the Scriptures, to the left nor to the right. Sometimes in our haste, even with the best intensions, we can dive right into the deep only to find that we soon become exasperated, overwhelmed and under prepared to continue. It's amazing how the Bible serves as a reservoir for our souls. The triumph we find in our challenges and conflicts, is the ability to discover that we can truly do all things in Christ (Php. 4.13), who gives us strength. Apart from Him we are nothing, He alone is only to fear, not the deep waters and rough tides that surge at our feet. God develops the courage within us as we rightly prepare by taking one step at a time. As we seek Him first, He surprises us by His will. Even when we stand in the waters, we see the beauty of God: he is always moving forward, even when it seems like we are standing still. God is constant. One promise He whispered to Joshua as he still whispers today, "As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Jos. 1.5). Reflection: Put yourself in Joshua's place, how would you respond? Would you carefully follow God's instructions, or would you make hasty decisions? In the streams of your life, how is God revealing Himself? What is he saying to you right now, concerning how to approach the tides that lie ahead? |
 | August 5, 2010 Unlock The Word of God "study to practice in life that which the Lord commands, and then be you assured that you shall never hear nor read the same without fruit." - John Knox We are surrounded by uncountable streams of teaching. Even in the Church, doctrines and traditions of men have been a problem since the writing of the New Testament. We find confusing terms and questionable theology even in the songs we sing, the words we read and the speech we hear. How are we to discern inherent and sound Biblical teaching? The apostle Paul encourages Timothy and Titus to oppose false teaching and teachers, by revealing the truth of God's Word. It can be confusing: what you heard that was either loosely memorized by men, or sincerely spoken straight from Scripture. When was the last time you heard or experienced something and sought God's Word for the real answer? Paul reminds us to hold on to what we have learned and keep it "as the pattern of sound teaching," (2 Tim. 2.13). We keep a good pattern of teaching by continually resorting to the Scriptures. If we are to worship in Spirit and in truth, we must be in the Spirit of Christ as we meditate on His Word of truth. This is critical in the planning of worship services by songs, art, element, prayers and spoken word. Just how are we to know what is consistent with sound doctrine? Go and get a seminary degree? Become a pastor? Memorize a bunch of Hebrew and Greek terms? Actually, these are all good ideas, but you need something else for immediate use. It's found as close as your finger tips that can turn the pages of the Bible + your ability to rightly interpret them. Just follow the voice of 2 Tim. 3.16, God says that His Word is able to "make us wise for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ" as it also helps us to become "thoroughly equipped for every good work," (2 Tim. 3.15,17). All Scripture is God-breathed and useful for every good work, especially in the training of righteousness. The key of knowing Scripture and rightly dividing it for every good work in our ministries is to discover the display of God's nature. By understanding His nature is to know His character: the love of God and to exalt His worth. To know His worth is to explore, discern and worship the Triune God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit). This knowledge, which only comes from God, frees us from redundant worship. Our vision is then lifted beyond our experiences as we fix our eyes on the One who desires us to know Him intimately. As you worship according to the Word, you dispel lukewarm, shallow and vain traditions taught by men. The worship of the Scriptures truly sets the prisoner of falsehood free. For God is not the Author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33). Reflection: What difference and benefit would the study of the Scriptures make in your planning of worship, versus the study of your recent set-list and song history? Are you challenging your church and worship team to "make wise" the knowledge of the Bible? What tangible steps can you take to allow the Scriptures to unlock and free your worship to God? |
 | August 4, 2010 The Learning of Fatherhood "A child is not likely to find a father in God unless he finds something of God in his father." - Austin L. Sorensen (To the left: Jonathan Scott Dempsey, born 7.12.10) It's been a long, blurry and tiresome 3, 4 or so weeks, but I am glad to be back! Recently, my wife and I gave birth to a 8 lbs / 12 oz baby boy! If you are a parent, you understand both the immense joy and responsibility. If you are a parent-to-be later in life, you too will experience the state of euphoric wonder and happiness. My wife and I have been together for 18 years and married for 10 years. We did not see a reason to rush through life. Now that we are parents and I am a father, I can see how fast the years have gone by. Friends tell us that the coming days will go by faster, and they are right. My question: if these days are to be fleeting, just how are we to spend them in view of those we love? I think of my baby boy all the time and wonder what he sees through his little eyes. I look at my devotion and worship, my marriage and fatherhood as well as my vocation and calling. What kind of fatherly example am I to be in each of these scenarios? What kind of learner am I to be from my heavenly Father? People have told me all my life, and now my perspective has truly changed in becoming a father: my understanding of God, giving of my worship to Him, leading of my family and serving of His Church. What we learn becomes imperative in what we model. For me, the leading of worship also has a different meaning. You may not think of it this way, but there is a common root in how you live your life and how you lead worship. Above all, there is a deeper connection in how you obey the Father. The obedience you demonstrate is a direct result in what you believe about God. In the leading of people and His worship, I see my role as a facilitator, more of a shepherd like quality in leading praise. No matter our vocation, life involves care. According to my Webster's New World Dictionary on my Mac, care is defined as: 1 the provision of what is necessary for the health, welfare, maintenance, and protection of someone or something 2 serious attention or consideration applied to doing something correctly or to avoid damage or risk Do we pay serious attention/consideration to the health, welfare, maintenance and protection of living a Christ-like life and offering of Godly worship? Do we care enough to learn from the Father to avoid the damage and risk, when worship is diverted to something else? Like the caregiving we extend to a child, there is a responsibility in both rendering worship to God and edifying His people. There is a learning from God that we must understand in reflection of how we live life and lead people. Psalm 119:7 I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws. Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 1 Thessalonians 4:4 that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, Isaiah 1:17 learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Matthew 9:13 But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." In each of these passages, we see what we are to learn about God: His ways, his commandments, his standards, his justice and his mercy. In each of these attributes, we also see a reflection as to who we are to be as leaders in our families. One question I keep coming back to: what will my little boy see of God in me? I need to practice. I need to fail. I need to learn. I need to walk. Thus I will grow. In fact, my learning is no different as of a child. Even more so, isn't that that the way we are to approach God, by coming to him as a small child? Reflection: In being both aware and unaware, we model what we learn and believe about God. For parents, our modeling of love is imperative for our children. As leaders, our modeling of love is critical in how people see Christ within us. In the places you serve, what are you learning about the love of the Father. How are you showing the love as a father, mother or friend? How would others describe your modeling of love for one another? What does God say about His love for you - his kid? |
 | June 30, 2010 Unto God "When you have learned God's secret of trusting, you will see that a life yielded up to His working is one of rest and power." - Catherine Jackson What challenges you the most as a worship leader? Sometimes, it feels that the weight is all on our shoulders. What if they don't sing? What if they don't like the songs? Are they really taking me seriously? These self-talk questions can really be a burden as it robs the joy of worship itself. Plus, it can be downright demotivating when we have doubts about the calling He has placed on our lives. This is not limited to worship leading or ministry service, but every fiber of daily living. Joshua 1.9 is one of my all time favorites. God asks a serious question: "Have I not commanded you?" Like Joshua, The Lord has called you to a greater vision beyond yourself. In other words, God does expect us to do the work, but ultimately, the plans belong to Him. He breathes in His dreams and orders our steps. When we learn to trust Him and yield our ways to Him, we find rest and power in His leading. It's been said before: "worship is for God." This is true. Our services of worship belong to Him, at the same time, they are to be tangible for the congregation. We are to do our best in preparing our teams in our rehearsals, just as much as we are to effectively lead people in worship. There will always be comments and critiques. Ultimately, when we seek His kingdom, He will add to our leadership, preparation and delivery. Like Joshua, we are to be strong and courageous. Has he not called you? Has he not gifted you? Then take heart my brothers and sisters and lead as unto God and not unto men (Col. 3.23). Reflection: Do you believe that He sends ordinary people, like you, to do extraordinary tasks in His name? How can you learn from God's lead to live a life that is worthy of His calling? |
 | June 28, 2010 Togetherness "I never knew how to worship until I knew how to love." - Henry Ward Beecher The essence of our relationship with Christ and our relationship with one another is through a committed spirit of love. This kind of love is the strongest bond of friendship. From the words of Hebrews 13, brotherly love was in danger of being lost. The writer tells us to "keep on loving each other as brothers," (v.1). It does not say we must love or need to love, as this would be some kind of a new thought. No, Hebrews charges us to "keep on" loving one another, as Christ taught us to love. The love that Hebrews expresses is a devout kind of relational love - being knitted together. We see this Old Testament example in the relationship between David and Jonathan. It is a commitment. It is a harness that says, I am with you no matter what. It is a deep care that is not shaken by pride, condition, worry or inconvenience. When we see this kind of love expressed from our Father, we are filled with a knowing of God's commitment to us. We have His promise as indicated in Hebrews 13.5 where He says: "I will never leave you; never will I forsake you." God graciously invites us to draw near to Him - daily - mommently. Are we inviting our neighbors in the same way? To approach His throne of grace with confidence is through the humility of Christ. Acknowledging the holiness of God and remembering the frailty of our own humanity in worship, will bring us to a richer understanding of His mercy and the mercy we are to show to one another. When we learn how to love one another unselfishly, we learn who to love God more authentically. Reflection: When you are in the presence of God, how do you respond to Him through the humility of Christ? When we meet for worship, we are instructed to wait for one another as seen in Cor. 11.17-22. As you are in the presence of friends, neighbors and strangers, how is your brotherly love witnessed by God and a testimony to the Church? Branon Dempsey Photography by Spencer Burke monotation.com |
 | June 26, 2010 Losing to Gain "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." - Jim Elliot We live in a competitive world. Our thoughts are challenged and our senses are distracted. To live in this world by having an eternal perspective is one of the most highest and yet difficult task in the Christian life. I confess, so often I want it my way. Many times I'd like things to take shape according to my preferences. Becoming impatient or to seek one's own glory is an old curse dating back to the days of Adam. Thank the Lord that he is able to save me from my feeble attempts and prideful nature. When I set my focus on a personal outcome, I set myself up for failure and disappointment. The tragedy is that I gain nothing but self and lose the essence of Christ in my life. In Matthew 19.16-28, Jesus calls us literally to drop everything and follow Him. This is a wonderful invitation to gain a life filled by Christ. The call to follow Jesus also helps dissuade us from seeking our own agendas. Just has a child studies the work of his father, our eyes are intent in watching what the Savior is doing and learn from His ways. Every-time when we do, our strength become his, our minds become more like Christ and our love for one another increases to be more like how the Father commanded us to live and love. In this by-product, we gain Christ and lose self. Our success, wisdom and money cannot get us into heaven, but only through the blood of Jesus. Not based on our merits, but only on the grace and forgiveness through Christ our Lord. Everyday we begin anew, learning from His ways and walking in His love. Jesus gives us this charge: "What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?" - Mark 8.36 May we not follow Christ out of selective obedience or follow Him in order to gain something other than His glory. Reflection: Are you willing to set aside everything that you are, everything you treasure and everything you dream about, for the unsearchable riches of Christ? Are you able to let go all your gains and losses for the surpassing greatness of knowing and following the LORD? |
 | June 24, 2010 Promise of Victory "God gives us the grace to accomplish what He calls us to do. His commands are also His promise of victory." - Floyd McClung Jr. There is no great effort of work apart from hardship. Building or rebuilding your dreams and/or work for God can seem like a towering wall. However, where faith begins is when we are at the wall of impossibilities. Nehemiah and the people of Israel were under attack in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. The enemy waited for the workers to tire. Their objective was to take advantage of their vulnerabilities. But God, had strengthened the Israelites through prayer and spiritual means as well as resources and physical means. He used Nehemiah to speak words of encouragement to the people. The people obeyed God's commands in finishing the wall, which later led them to victory. As long as we are engaged in ministry and/or spiritual work, we are also engage in spiritual warfare. Nevertheless, God equips us with spiritual armor as we find in Eph. 6. He also provides gifts for our work as he shields us under His hand. He then leads us to victory in accordance to His plans. As we continue our work in the Lord, may we follow His commands under His protection. Let us find spiritual strength as we remain diligent. As we seek God's victory, may we serve faithfully in the power of the Holy Spirit. Reflection: It's easy to throw in the towel when battles get tough, how do you remain in the strength of God? What has God promised you that He will do (from His Word) as you seek Him first? |
 | June 23, 2010 Desolate to Delight "our Christian life hinges on one thing...taking God at His word, believing that He really means exactly what He says, and accepting the very words in which He reveals His goodness and grace, without substituting others or altering the precise modes and tenses which He has seen fit to use." - Francis R. Havergal Ever feel defeated? Even while doing the Lord's work? It seems that we can give so much out to serving others, that sometimes, all you get in return is grief. This can leave a person tired, spent and even depressed, while others demand more and more without end. In Isaiah 61, the writer speaks of how the enemy had plundered Israel. The people were devastated as their cities were burned, ruined and shattered. Farms were destroyed and livelihoods were damaged. How did the people of God responded? They persevered in the Lord by taking God at His Word, even when times were at their darkest. God says in verse 8: "For I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery and iniquity. In my faithfulness I will reward them and make an everlasting covenant with them." The people of God knew, that though they suffered much, the journey was not over. God provided a hope through His faithfulness. He is a God of justice, as He is a God of mercy. We see Jesus doing the same in Luke 4.18-21. What did he do? Jesus, came as the Living Word, to restore, bind and heal the broken hearts and the wounded. This comfort is what brings us a new joy. This restoration of loss, fills us with a new purpose. Now we worship and wait once more through faith, for Christ to come again in power and glory. This is why Isaiah says in verse 10: "I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God." As you serve God, persevere through His faithfulness. You are not alone and you are not without. Most always, God uses the broken to demonstrate His power. Let the Word of God provide the needed hope and comfort. Take Him at His Word, as He takes you from desolate to delight. Reflection: Do you believe exactly what God's Word says He will do? How do you find this significant in your life experiences? What will help you stay close and abide in His Word? |
 | May 12, 2010 Beyond Sight "Faith is the daring of the soul to go farther than it can see." - William Newton Clarke Christ came to bring light to a dark world; He also gave sight to the blind, which is our souls. In Luke 18.35-43, we read about the blind man by the roadside. He was not only blind but poor; this is fitting for the analogy of those whom Christ came to save. Despite this man's ability to not work, the eyes of Christ found favor on this individual. He sat begging, as it was his daily occupation. This poor man could only hear and sense the commotion of the multitudes that followed Jesus. He asked what it meant. We can see that he made better use of his hearing than seeing; his blindness drove him to seek Jesus. As he asked the people around him, he was able to see through other's eyes to visualize the Messiah. The blind man could see that this Man came in full Power and full Light. Like the blind man, we too stumble to find our way. It is difficult. Sometimes we do not find what we seek due to our earthly limitations. However, faith dares us to go beyond what we can see. The worship of God calls us into a greater intimacy. In continuing in the Gospel story, the blind man called out to Jesus in a loud voice, "Have mercy on me." (v38). Instead of begging for material things, this man is now begging to live, to be healed and to see. In the presence of the Savior, we too are captivated by the splendor of His glory. Our cares fade and the mercy and grace of God is all we see. The man's calling on Jesus was a fervent prayer of faith. Against all opposition and rebuke, this man cried louder. In amazement, Jesus commanded the beggar to come to Him. Here is another thumbnail in how Christ invites and receives sinners. The Lord knows all our wants and needs, and He gives us what is best. Jesus asked the man anyway what he wanted. The man simply uttered that he wanted to see. Not a complicated request. Jesus healed and the man received his sight. In response, this man and the people followed Jesus and praised God. Reflection "Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see," (2 Cor. 5.7). Worship is a response; not just in cooperate service, but in every fiber of our daily lives, as well as every fiber of our daily needs. Are you taking more time to listen, pray, walk and call out to God rather than searching for what you do not have? The healing of Christ cannot forbear people giving praise to God; neither should we remain silent, as His mercy fills us completely and overflows to call on Him in praise. |
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