Experiencing GOD's Greater Glory - Part One | 04.27.12

Something very interesting recently occurred to me.  Well, first of all, I'm always listening, especially when people may be thinking that I'm not; and as I mentally replay dialogue that I've heard, certain statements and phrases usually stand out and catch my attention.  In this particular instance, I was thinking about how we have a tendency to say we want "more of GOD," or that we want "a greater experience with GOD."  While I do believe there are realms of glory we've yet to tap as worshippers, I don't believe that it's necessarily due to any "withholding" of glory on GOD's part.  Although this may be a tough pill to swallow, the GOD-presence we desire to experience, in most cases, far exceeds the depth in which we actually worship the Almighty.  We are the ones who limit GOD's ability to manifest Himself in greater ways because our worship, which we believe to be so deep, is in fact quite shallow.  The worship we offer fails to bring us into the place of intimacy with the Father that we desire because our disobedience nonverbally communicates a lack of trust in GOD.  And despite our best attempts at experiencing intimacy with GOD, who in their right mind feels comfortable letting their guard down around anyone they really don't trust?

I know this may offend some readers, but it's a truth of which we need to be made aware.  We can love GOD, believe His Word, have faith in His promises AND STILL find ourselves desiring more from our worship experiences.  Yes, I know that this sounds puzzling; however, what we neglect to consider a vital part of our worship is the powerful role obedience plays in the releasing of GOD's glory.  Isaiah 64:6 has been quoted by many to affirm that "our righteousness is as filthy rags" to GOD; and unfortunately, when taken out of context, this verse of scripture can mislead many well-intended believers to minimize the vital importance of obedience by downplaying its effect on our ability to experience GOD like never before.  The "righteousness" spoken of in Isaiah 64:6 refers to man not being able to achieve right standing with GOD on his own.  However, once we've been declared righteous by GOD, then we are to live righteously in obedience to GOD.  So let's be honest with ourselves, okay?  We can only sing so many songs, say so many prayers and shed so many tears before we hit a plateau in the realm of the Spirit.  Herein is the reason why our worship runs "smack dab" into spiritual glass ceilings: the places in GOD we desire to be require a greater degree of access than we've allowed ourselves to be granted... Reaching those untapped places in GOD we so desperately desire does not require better material to sing, more skilled musicians and vocalists, or higher quality instruments and audio equipment... The powerful moves of GOD we hunger for require lives of obedience, which in turn receive clearance from the heavenly government to function as portals (or conduits) for GOD's glory to enter the Earth realm.

Be sure to check out Part 2 of Experiencing GOD's Greater Glory