Take a Little Time to Worship

Tonight, while off to run a few errands together as a family, we had about an hour in the car together. My kids love praise and worship music, and requested "Oh-oh" which is code for the song "Glorious" on Paul Baloche's new worship cd. As our super-cool gray minivan made its way to Kohls, we sang about God's glory, about his great love, and his sacrifice on the cross for us. And as that same super-cool van made its way back to the house where we make our home, we sang about rejoicing in the day God made and more about how he is glorious.

Here's the thing. I love worshiping God through song - always have, and always will. But on a recent trip to Chicago I heard a message from my husband's old pastor that has had me pondering worship in a different way...he talked about worship as fortification. So yeah, that's a big word, but it simply means walls or forms of defense to strengthen something. The pastor shared a story in the Bible where King Jehoshaphat put singers that were singing songs of worship to God in front of his army going into battle!!! Can you imagine a praise band heading into battle before well-trained soldiers today? And listen to what they sang...2 Chronicles 20:21 "After consulting the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the LORD and praising him for his holy splendor. This is what they sang: "Give thanks to the LORD; his faithful love endures forever!"

Here's the deal...whether you precious girls realize it or not, you are in a battle. There is battle going on in our culture to make you feel insecure and hopeless, causing you to turn away from God and to things of the world to make you feel happy and confident. There is a battle in our culture to make you think that there is no truth, no right or wrong, and that anything goes...but sadly, most people learn this the hard way after they have experienced sometimes devastating consequences from this type of thinking.

The binge-drinker proving she can "hold her alcohol" dies after she stops breathing and no one around her is sober enough to realize what is going on and get appropriate help. The fast driver showing off for his friends gets in a crash that forever takes away the use of his legs. The anorexic who is constantly striving for control and perfection loses hair and does permanent damage to her organs.

If you stop and think about it, you know the drill. And you realize that yes, it's not easy being a teenager these days! But sweet girl, don't ever feel helpless in the battle. Not only do you have God's Word (the Bible) for advice as well as people in your life that love you and believe in you, you have a tool for fortification (there's our big word again)as the battle around you rages...worship!

Here's my suggestion to you. Go to itunes or your favorite music site, and download some great worship music onto your phone or ipod. And at some point in the day, whether it be as you are putting on your makeup before school or riding in the car to soccer practice, take a few minutes to worship. You will be amazed how much something as simple as praising God can do to give you strength to stand strong against temptation and stay true to your faith! You will be amazed even at the energy you will feel when you felt like you were completely drained and not able to face another day of school drama, family trouble, peer pressure, etc. after listening to a song like "Today is the Day" or "I'll Stand."

Worship can and will strengthen you in a world that is ready to tear you down. So take a few minutes to add some praise and worship music to your favorite song set and when you pop in your earphones, be ready to be blessed and strengthened in a way you would have never dreamed!

P.S. I will leave you with a few of my favorites in case you are completely unfamiliar with praise and worship music. Brooke Fraser "Hosanna" and "Lead me to the Cross"; Paul Baloche "Glorious" and "How Great is the Love"; Hillsong United "I'll Stand" and "Run"; Lincoln Brewster "Today is the Day" and "Everlasting God."

Happy downloading and worshiping!