Exchange and Be Changed

One thing I personally love about the atmosphere worship sets is the healing and deliverance that takes place when the Father's presence is welcomed into the place of meeting. As a lead worshipper myself, it is what I desire to see happen every time I enter a corporate worship setting, regardless of whether I be on assignment to lead or not. Scripture declares that where the Spirit of the LORD is, there is liberty (2 Corinthians 3:17). If the Set Apart Spirit is indeed present, then there also should be the manifestation of liberty. And it goes beyond the freedom to praise and worship. If nothing else is evident, the signs of the times should be clear enough for us to see that people are in desperate need of so much more than a "hallelujah good time."  There is a desire for the liberation to live--and might I add to live life more abundantly, as the Savior Himself said (John 10:10).

As we endeavor to become atmosphere changers and not just atmosphere readers, it is imperative that we become intentional worshippers. Each time we enter into the holy of holies, it should be our aim that we welcome the presence of Almighty GOD in to repair every broken place and mend every torn space in us as well as those around us in worship. When we worship with an awareness that there are others around us in need of repair and mending, we'll be more inclined to take the intensity of our worship up a notch or three because we understand that the healing virtue of GOD flows freely in His presence. As worshippers--whether we be onstage behind microphones, playing instruments or singing among the congregation--we must be fully engaged in the moment, so the right atmosphere can be created.

When the atmospheric conditions are such that the love of GOD can enter into those broken places and torn spaces, then people's hearts soften enough for "the exchange" to take place. In order to be changed, there must be an exchange. The healing often being sought by many is impeded by the unwillingness to release what's at the root of the "dis-ease" in question. This is why--in educating believers about worship--the principle must be stressed that the change we desire is the result of an exchange that's required. And since worship--in its most sincere, authentic state--facilitates the exchange, it becomes the responsibility of EVERY mature (and maturing) believer to take an active role in setting the appropriate atmosphere for the exchange to take place. People's failure to release those less than desirable somethings in their lives will hinder the fulfillment of GOD's promises being experienced. Therefore, let's be found guilty of creating atmospheres of worship that encourage and compel hurting people to let go in worship, so they can receive something far greater than all that pain, disappointment, rejection and bitterness...  HEALING.