One Night With the King --- Becoming An Inner Court Worshipper

               One Night With the King ---The Choice to to Move Into the Inner-Court of Worship


There's a significant difference of being an outer -court praiser and an inner- court worshipper.  Over the many years of serving in ministry, I've seen both.  However, it was not until I began to seek the truth about the heart of a true worshipper,  did I realize  John 4:23 "It's coming a time when the true worshippers shall worship me in spirit and in truth".

The Heart of a Worshipper

A true worshipper is one who does not care about his or her image,  man made rules or regulations, or the opinion of others concerning them.  There comes a time where a true worshipper will break all the rules to come before the presence of the King and pour his or her soul out to the only one who can do anything about their situation.

In so many cases,  we as believers settle for the bodily exercise of praising, which is merely, dancing, shouting, sweating etc…Please don't misunderstand, all of this is wonderful in it's proper perspective.  I for one have had my fair share of a sure enough "Holy Ghost" dance and shout and I love it.   However, I realized early, as a young single Christian, that I needed more than a shout to keep me delivered from some of the bad habits I developed before becoming a Christian.  One of which was my addiction to men.  Nevertheless,  after many failures in this area in my Christian walk, I finally went to God with tears rolling down my face and I cried out "Lord, deliver me from myself…I don't want to keep failing in this area".  It was then, I clearly heard God say to me,  "it's not until you move from the outer court and come into my inner court will you find your strength to resist".

You see, I had resorted to just the dancing and shouting as my form of worship towards God.  I praised God for what He had done for me.  I was an "Outer-Court Worshipper".  But I never really worshipped God for who He was to me…becoming an "Inner-Court Worshipper" or what we we may be more familiar with..."A True Worshipper".   So I began to study to learn who God was and not what He could do for me.   I realized in the Bible that He had given me power through the Holy Spirit to live a victorious life.  I realized that God was a forgiver, a deliverer, a keeper,  a strong tower where the righteous run into and are saved.  God was a peace maker, a joy giver and so much more.  All of which I needed, but never spent the quality time in His presence to receive.

I was spiritually dying. However, my constant failures, kept me feeling that I was never worthy enough to come before the King and remain in His presence long enough to be endowed with His power to keep me.  Because when  I walked out those church doors I needed power to live the life I shouted about. But I didn't know what I was missing.  I faithfully attended church, bible study, anything my pastor asked me to do, I was there.   But when I was alone, after the church doors were shut...I needed more than the shout, the cutting the steps, the release of the pressure.  I needed the heart of a worshipper that would love God while under pressure and not cave into the cry of my flesh…I needed to become an "Inner-Court Worshipper".

This reminds me of the Story of Esther...

The Book of Esther in the Bible is a fascinating book.  In it, describes a young damsel who was adopted by a relative (Mordecai) after suffering a devastating loss of her parents.  She was eventually "pawned" off to the most powerful person in the region,  The King of Susa.  Esther Chapter 1 describes the process of which she was selected to become the King's wife.  Back then, it was not proper to present oneself before the king if you were not beckoned to do so. If anyone approached the king without his approval, it would likely lead to death, even if you were his wife.  

One day, Esther was made aware by Mordecai that someone within her new husband's kingdom had plotted her people's demise.  Un-beknown to the King he was tricked into signing a decree to have all of Esther's family and her entire nation of people, killed. What an awful dilenma Esther had to face.  She was left with a choice…Do I go before the king without first being beckoned and risk my life or wait and hope that my and my people's life would be spared?  Esther realized that either choice was a life or death situation. So she made a wise decision to adorn herself and enter into the "outer-court" of the King's Palace in hopes that He would beckon her to come closer.  

Her calculated decision and timing proved to be correct.  For when the King saw Esther, the one whom He loved the most. The one of whom He was waiting anxiously to see.  The One of whom he selected to be his new wife.  When He saw her in his "outer-court", he stretched out his hand to her and said, "My beautiful wife…come closer tell me what it is I can do for you".  
 
You see, while Esther feared for her life…she was not aware that she was already considered the apple of her husband's eye.  He was waiting anxiously for her to come out of the outer-court and into his inner court so he could be closer to her. Her frailties, imperfections and even her bad habits were not important to the king.  He still desired her…just the way she was.  This one act of faith, delivered her and her people and destroyed the one who tried to kill them.  

This is a beautiful story and a wonderful example of the heart of a true worshipper.  Because it's not until your situation becomes desperate enough will you devise a reason to go before the King of Kings and move out of the outer-court and thrust yourself into the inner- court.  The outer-court may give you relief, but the inner-court will give your deliverance.  

Esther's final thought before she went before the king was "live or die…I'm going to see the King".  She became tired of seeing him standing in the window across the courtyard.  She became tired of the fear of coming before his presence to lay out her most intimate issues before him. She realized her situation was desperate enough to risk all she had in order to move into the Inner-Court to capture the King's attention.  Essentially, to capture his ear to listen to the cry of her heart.

Today, I ask you…how desperate is your situation?  Is your situation desperate enough to remove yourself from the outer-court.  The place where your friends are telling you "it's no use", "you can't stop doing what you are doing" "everybody has bad habits…we just have to learn to live with them" "your weak and can't resist". "hurting is a part of life…you just have to learn to deal with it" It's too hard to pray…it doesn't work anyway"  Whatever voices or lies you are hearing today…Are you tired of remaining in the outer-court, trying to measure up to God?

If this describes you, then it's time to break out like Esther.  Refuse to resort to just simple tears, shouting and dancing.  Move into the "inner-court" and truly worship God.  Allow yourself time in God's presence this weekend to let Him minister to you.  Allow Him time to listen to your cry.   Let Him caress you.  Then...let him heal you, deliver you and assure you that you are His child and you have a right to be in His presence.   Furthermore, you have a right to remain in the "Inner-Court of Worship".   Remember John 4:23,  has the time come for you to no longer settle for the single praise…but become a true worshipper?; One who will serve God no matter what.  Through the good times, the bad times and certainly when you are under pressure and faced with a life or death decision. To get into the inner-court may require a true cry out of repentance…but It will prove to be the best choice you've ever made in your life. 

Thank you for following me at Matters of the Heart...
kellyjenningsmoth7.blogspot.com

Kelly J- Matters of the Heart 
Empowering Word Friday 

   

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Who's Bürden Are You Carrying?

                               Carry Someone Today…One day They May Need to Carry YOU!

We live in a society where it's a "dog eat dog" world.  Everyone is out for themselves.  We are not as much our brother's keeper as much as we are "Brotha, what can you do for me?" The biblical principle of "Give and it shall be given back to you…pressed down, shaken together, and running over" is an awesome empowering word of giving…not just in tithes and offering, but of ourselves.  Unfortunately, many don't exercise and unlock the keys to their blessings, because they are always looking for a hand out, rather than giving a hand to help someone else up.  I guess we can define that as "selfish".

Romans 15:1-7 states we are to bear one another's burdens.  But what does that really mean?  Are we to become an enabler for other's weaknesses or cripple their ability to do for themselves?  Certainly not.   However, there are times those around us are weak and need a little help (maybe a little pushing out of the nest).

You may say to yourself; "I'm in no position to help anyone else; I myself, could use a helping hand". I've met so many people in life who have the "Woe is me" mentality.  But always remember, there's always someone worst off than you. Your worst state could be the best state someone else is praying for.  You may also say, "I don't know what to say or how to help them".  Could it be that God is just wanting you to pray for them, give them a kind smile, feed them, give them a word of encouragement serve in some minimal capacity as a volunteer or even guide them to the resources that can best help them?

Our whole purpose on this Earth is to do the will of our Father who sent us. He will give us burdens that He wants us to personally carry.

All to often, we admire other's servanthood.  They are always busy helping others until the point of exhaustion. When we see them going about their day, constantly busy trying to figure out how to help this or that person; we sit in awe and say, "I wish I could be like them" or I wish I had the energy to do what they do".  Could it be they are carrying the burden that once was your's?  Could it be this was the burden God placed on your heart…but you felt you were not qualified for the task or too weak to perform the thing asked of you?  Could it be that God has passed your burden onto to someone else, because you were not willing or afraid to carry the burden place on your heart?   The difference between those who carry other's burdens and you is "they made themselves available".  All God is looking for is a willing vessel.  He's not looking for a perfect person (no such person exists); He's looking for a willing person.

Someone who will look beyond their problems and see the needs of others.  You may carry a burden for the loss, the sick, the elderly, the abused, the addicted, the hurting and broken (and so many more).  The question is:  what are you doing with your burden? Regardless of how weak and frail you feel...you are strong enough for someone else. You have something to bring to the table even if it's a simple "I love you".    

Maybe you're not in a position to physically,  financially or emotionally help someone else.  But you have talents, gifts, skills and abilities that are lying dormant in you.  These were given to you, not just for yourself and your family members but they were given to you by God to help bear the infirmities of the weak. There are times we are unknowingly selfish. We only think about "my four and no more." We let other's down on our promises, because we become consumed with "ourselves" more than we should.  Can I enlighten you to something very profound?…someone outside of "your world" needs you and they are depending on you to break through on their behalf.You have what it takes…to carry someone else's burden.

So if you have not done so this week; (Look outside of your family).  Take up your cross and follow God to the person you are suppose to help.  Speak a kind word, apologize, forgive, most of all show the Love of God.  If you have to, place them on your shoulder and carry them through the storm long enough until they are able to stand on their own two feet.  But don't enable or cripple them so that the are overly dependent upon you.

The song that comes to heart for me this week is "Finish Strong..by Jonathan Nelson".   If you've missed it all week; you still have time…I challenge you to go back and get it right…and Finish Strong.  Then be strong for someone else.

Have an awesome Empowered Week -- Enjoy your worship experience with God and "Finish Strong".
Take your mind off your problem...Choose to be a CARRIER of someone else's burden today

Kelly Jennings
Matters of the Heart
Friday's Empowering Moment

Follow me on my blog at kellyjenningsmoth7@blogspot.com
Who's Bürden Are You Carrying?

Happy Love Day….

If you have no-one to love today…Remember God's Love is always available. 

His love just keeps on giving

The Grace of His AGAPE LOVE.

I LOVE YOU….

What Are You Conforming To?

Are you a conformist?…or a break out dare to be different, 

radical, truth standing individual?. Well…I guess it all depends 

on what truth you are standing on.  Dare to be different…live 

for the true and living God through Jesus Christ. 

Elevation --- The Matter of the Mind

Elevation is not in changing your physical position...it's in 

changing your mind.  You can never go to a place where you 

are not willing to transform your mind.  Change your mind…

and your position will follow.

I'm looking for a higher place 

in God…

Romans 12:2 

There's Nothing Good About Gossiping...

You are one of two persons and there are two reasons why people feel comfortable talking to you. 

1.  They know whatever they say to you in confidence will be kept in confidence.

2.  They know they are gossiping and realize you are just as messy as they are and will not correct them when they are wrong. 

Which one are you?   Proverbs 6:16-19

If it's not worth praying about it; It's not worth talking about it…














...Kelly Jennings

Worship: It's True Intimacy With God

Worship:  It's True Intimacy With God

When I think about worshipping God, I equate it to Intimacy with my spouse (sorry; to the singles) but this analogy applies to everyone if you would allow yourself to relate in a spiritual way. As I consider worshipping my father, I find that my worship with Him escalates throughout the week so that by the time I reach church on Sunday, I'm in great expectation to meet Him and lay before Him in His presence.   

This is the same with our spouses, if we are loving and speaking kind words to each other throughout the day and really meditating on how much we love our spouses, when we come together at the end of day our time with each other is explosive and with lasting memories.

This is the same thing God is asking of His children.  Don't wait until Sunday morning to worship Him.  Worship him throughout the week.  Meditate on His words and sing psalms that ushers you into His presence. So when Sunday comes it's an explosive time of worship and praise. The aftermath and overflow draws you back into a hunger for his presence that keeps this lifecycle of worship flowing through the next week.  

God is seeking true worshippers…not because He has a big ego…but because He knows what true worship will do for us.  True worship, heals, delivers, sets the captive free and brings God on the scene of everyone of our concerns. Then the scripture that says "where the spirit of the Lord is there is liberty" comes to life and we see the manifestation of His Glory in our congregations.  

Make a choice today to become a true worshipper.  Begin prepping yourself for an awesome Sunday morning explosion. Start meditating on His word now, set some time aside to be intimate with your lover "Jesus" this weekend".  So that when you "lie" down with Him on Sunday, you will have an explosive time of intimacy with Him.   

If you want to really know how to be a true worshipper…study the life of David and read the entire book of the Song of Solomon.  If you do this, I guarantee your life of a worshipper will never be the same again.   

This concept can be applied in our marriages as well.  If we would take time to apply this; our marriages will ignite like never before (more to come at our Marriage Enrichment Retreat).  Hope to see you all there.  


Love you all.
Kelly 

The Power of the Tongue: Proverbs 6: 16-19

The Power of the Tongue:  Proverbs 6: 16-19

I bet you never thought you would or could be a murderer.  However, in many cases we have.  The Bible states that the power of life and death lies in the tongue.  Additionally, out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.   So you say, you've heard these words before, but that only applies to the person that's  doing the talking.  

Unfortunately,  applies to the one who's on the receiving end as well.  Consequently, in most major crimes there is likely an accompish  to the crime.   Gossiping is this crime. You may not have pulled the trigger but you were at the scene of the crime.  This  makes you an accessory to murder.   Wow!!! that sheds a greater light on the 10 commandments "Though shall not commit murder".  

When a person chooses to gossip, It's their desire to invoke verbal harm, abuse or death in a person's life.  Since it "takes two to tango".   Gossip needs a dance partner in order to maneuver around the dance floor. As they waltz around the dance floor they are aways looking to gracefully exchange hands  to another dance partner.  (sounds like someone who is walking around seeking whom he may devour).  

The goal of a gossiper is to saturate the atmosphere with death by invoking discord, division, jealousy and strife.  However, his or her plan is only as effective as the partner who chooses to dance with him or her.  The profound revelation to the recipient who listens to gossip is rather than keeping hope alive you are  "keeping death alive".  What we choose to do with a gossiper makes the difference.  

When we allow ourselves to be the recipient of a gossip; we ourselves become an accessory to murder. In most "partner in crime" situations, you always have one that is trigger happy and the other that is considered the innocent by-stander.  But what it boils down to is the fact that both are guilty of the same crime.  DEATH BY GOSSIP.     

So what do you do with gossip.  You have a choice of one of two things:  Listen to it or choose to say "the buck stops hear"(NOT Here) and refuse to be subject to it.  What you choose to "hear" is up to you.   Since it takes "two to tango"-- and "misery loves company"  We as the recipients can choose to change our dance partner and not allow negative words that are  spoken about ourselves or others to enter into our ear gates.   My mother always said "what you don't know will not hurt you".  To an extent this is true.  Itchy ears can cause you to discover something you wish you never heard.  

Truth be told, we've all participated in gossip of some sort. Either as the carrier or as the recipient. While most choose not to be the carrier we have likely been the recipient of gossip.  Although we may not have agreed with what was said, we essentially "kept death alive" by allowing the gossip to travel.   

Today, I challenge you to become a life giver.  Use your tongue for the purpose intended.  Share a kind word, pray for someone in need, speak a word of encouragement, prophesy the good news.  Let the words that you speak not be spoken with wrath, hatred, anger, resentment or guile.  For the married couples:  don't let the frustrations of your marriage open the door for other's in your business because of your wagging tongue.  Instead, allow your tongue to reflect the love of God.  Be quick to listen…and slow to speak. Don't let a moment of frustration cause you to lash out something you'll regret later. Most importantly don't let you mouth take you to a place where an innocent conversation can quickly turn into gossip.  Watch who you associate with.  Guard your tongue.   There is power of life or death in the tongue; how you choose to use it will determine your future.   

Uniquely You - Matters of the Heart, 
Kelly J.

It All Began With Him - Jeremiah 1:5

Contrary to popular belief, your existence started well before the day you were birthed into this Earth.  You were created in a place called "eternity" by the Spirit of God..He thought it was necessary to bring you into time.  You were not a mistake or an oops!! God planned you to come to this Earth for a set purpose and a set time.  So what does this all mean?…Your time on this Earth is limited. While you were in eternity, God whispered in your ear and told you what He was placing you in time on this Earth to do.    

However, you entered into time what we call "our birthday".  Our image of who God called us to be was distorted by others (mother, father, family members, teachers etc). These people, though their intentions may have been good,  began to direct us in to a destiny that society calls for.   

Overlooking our creative abilities and our uniqueness of being fearfully and wonderfully made; they began to mold our  lives after the pattern of what they thought was best for us.   Unknowingly, they were directing our destiny away from our intended purpose and guided us into what they thought was best for us  (Now, we understand what being "born again", really means).

Some of us are products of our environments we grew up in.  The vision for our lives have never been given to us, so we like sheep, follow the tele"vision" or any form of vision production media.  These tools have been used to shape our vision; unfortunately, this vision is not the vision God intended for our lives. For some this is not true, because you had some Godly people in your lives who help cultivate the gifts and callings on your lives…for most of this we were not blessed to have such strong spiritual mentors in our lives.   So we put these visions before ourselves and our children on a daily basis, we established our destiny or purpose  through the so called "role models" as the regular images we use to create our vision. 

Subsequently, while we are begin to  pursue the misguided vision for our life,  our spirit begins to cry out for our ultimate purpose.  So you hear a still small voice cry out from your soul that says "Why Am I Here?" "What Have I Been Placed on This Earth To Do?"   Some will ignore these pertinent questions that cry out from deep within our soul, others will respond to the inquiry of our heart and seek to find out.   

This is in some cases what "deep cries out to deep"  mean.   There becomes a dissatisfaction in your soul, that you are out of place and most of all out of time…Then suddenly you sense the urgency to discover your 1st purpose and you begin to seek out other religions, relationships, social groups etc…but still find no relief in this hunger inside of you to find the root of the cry in your heart.  It's not until you discover the one and only true and living God will you begin to get a clear understanding of who you are and what God called you to this Earth to do. 

You know it's like an individual who purchases a Mercedes or Mazerati (don't have one probably why I can't spell it correctly).  Lol… Anyway, when you have these expensive vehicles,  when you have mechanical problems you look quite silly driving your vehicle to a Ford dealer asking the mechanic to find out what the problem is with your vehicle and if when they discover the problem to fix it and put original parts back on your vehicle. 

This Ford dealer mechanic will likely tell you "not only do I not know what's wrong with your vehicle, but I can't fix it or put original parts on it.  If you really care about the operability of your vehicle it's best you go back to the original manufacturer…they made this vehicle and they know exactly how to fix it…not only that, they also know what each part was meant to do".  

If you can relate to this analogy, then consider this as you begin to search out your purpose.  There is no-one on this Earth who knows your absolute purpose…no matter how great the prophesy sounds.   The only one who knows what you are originally placed on this Earth to do is the original manufacturer (Your creator…Yes the true and living God through Jesus Christ).

 Some may believe they are masters of their own destinies…and God had nothing to do with it…I'm not really trying to convince you otherwise, If you are stuck in that belief system and thought process.  

I'm talking to those who believe in God and know that you were not placed on this Earth to be a drug addict, drug dealer, prostitute, physically or emotionally abused, raped and molested and left with the pain, anguish, hurt, bitterness, un-forgiveness, embarrassment and resentment .  

I'm talking to these kind of individuals who realize their pain has a purpose and you are destined to find out…I can't tell you exactly God's plans for your life but I can guide to the one who knows exactly what He created you to do.  

So if you really want to know what you've been placed on this Earth to do.  It's starts and finishes with the one who created you. No other manufacturer (religion) can tell you about you…because you were not created by them.   God says" if you seek me you will find me";  He's not hidden or playing "hide and go seek".  If you pray and study the word of God…He promises you will find Him.   

So this week…take time to seek God.  Let your frustration of not knowing  or having a strong relationship with your natural father drive you to knowing your original father who is is waiting for you to return to Him.  He wants to provide you the correct road map for  your life.   

Your life, purpose and your true happiness is in Him; quiet frankly I don't believe any of us can be fully satisfied until we are walking in God's perfect plan for our lives…Don't settle for less than what God has for your life.. You deserve so much better.  

I hope this helps someone this week.  Someone who may be  at the end of their rope and feel like giving up…know that God is calling you back to Him.   You must answer the call and return to Him for Him to give you the road map for your life.  

The choice is your's because He gives you a free will to choose your destiny…It is His greatest desire that you will choose Him..choose life…choose your original purpose for why you were placed on this Earth.   

Kelly -  
Matters of the Heart