The Atmosphere for Miracles
/We have a mission statement for our worship team, for which I am the pastor. Part of it says, “We create an atmosphere where the miraculous can happen.” But what do I mean by that?
We must put ourselves in the atmosphere of expectation, in the presence of Jesus. Jesus can only do what we BELIEVE He can do for us (what we will ALLOW Him to do for us). In worship, we start to elevate Him and speak words of love and admiration for Him; and as we do that, several things happen to create the perfect environment for miracles:
God inhabits the praises of His people. That means where we are worshipping and singing to Him, giving our hearts to Him, He is right there looking into our gaze. His glory is poured out in a tangible way when we invite Him. That’s all He’s waiting for is an invitation. He won’t just barge in. But when we invite Him into our lives through worship, He draws close, and He opens the door to Himself! It is impossible to be in the presence of Jesus and remain unchanged. When He is here, we are forced to decide whether we believe in Him or not, because neutrality becomes very hard in the face of His tangible presence. We are confronted with spiritual reality, and it gets stronger than the pull of this earth.
Our spirits grow full of expectancy as we set aside our problems. What we focus on will grow, and focusing on Jesus produces faith and expectation. In worship, we refocus our attention and affection on Jesus, rather than our circumstances. As we do that, we are reminded of His power and His promises. We can’t help but get our expectations up because of His amazing power. We are unlimited because He is unlimited. Suddenly, that sickness or situation seems weak in comparison. It’s easier to have faith in God when you are worshipping Him, beholding Him for who He is.
Worship reorders our priorities to receive the greater, versus the lesser things, of this life. When the two sisters, Mary and Martha had Jesus over to their house, Martha was obsessed over DOING things for Jesus, while Mary was obsessed with learning from Jesus and sitting at His feet in rapt attention. She gave Him first attention when He was in the room. Worship means “first kiss,” and that’s the only kind of life-offering God accepts. FIRST-priority kind of fellowship is what worship is all about. God doesn’t receive second place. He won’t accept half of us. He won’t live in the same house as us if we have a mistress (a false idol). Only first-priority fellowship honors Him properly. And only first-priority fellowship can receive a supernatural miracle. Why couldn’t Jesus do any miracles in His hometown? Their lack of honor and belief could not receive from Him. But when complete sinners and even non-Jewish people (without a covenant) fell on their faces in worship, hailing Jesus as “Son of David!” and “Messiah!” and “Worthy One!” they received their miracle.
When we are in the presence of the Healer, the physical realm and the spiritual realm react! Demons start cringing and running in terror. Angels start joining in the worship and bringing blessings into the earth realm. Jesus’ love settles our souls, quieting them down long enough for us to hear His voice and receive Him.
Fellowship with Jesus is truly the greatest gift we received through His work on the cross. It was the restoration of this friendship with God that tore the veil in the Holy of Holies. Suddenly, mankind had access to the very high and holy courts of God! And in that place of worship, we are transformed from soul-led to spirit-led. Therefore, we can hear and think the thoughts of God. We can feel His affirmation and His encouragement. Our soul sicknesses are healed, and physical healing often results.
If you are believing God for something, always remember to put yourself at the feet of Jesus. Don’t seek His hand before you’ve sought His face. Don’t prioritize the things of this world over the riches of knowing Him and seeking Him first. But I promise you, when you seek Him first and get in the habit of telling Him what He means to you, everything in life shifts. The greater thing emerges, and the lesser things fade.
So what are you waiting for? Put on some anointed worship music and start giving Jesus your “first kiss” in life. He is a rewarded of them who diligently seek Him!
“And the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.”
