Reflections on Corporate Worship ~ Ray E Horton

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FEB 15 8am

Alone but together is the seeming paradox of true corporate worship

Corporate worship is a wonderful experience, whereby, in one accord, we experience the life and love and reality of the Holy Spirit in our lives, and the truths of God’s Word and His will come alive in us, and the gifts He has bestowed on us are stirred.

Alone but together is the seeming paradox of true corporate worship. We are alone in that we focus on, tune into our God in spirit and in truth.  But, there is a special synergy and sense of unity and bonding in doing it together, so that God, with the power of unity and agreement, is able to move in ways we wouldn’t expect otherwise.

It’s more than songs, but anointed songs minister to Him and to us. It’s about Him and His goodness and wonder, and it’s about our relationship with Him.  We worship the God out there, creator of the universe, and we worship the God within, through the Holy Spirit, who indwells His people.  We celebrate His greatness, and we celebrate the intimacy of knowing Him.

And, as the river of the Holy Spirit flows in our midst, free worship, spontaneous song of the Lord, worship in other tongues, prophetic utterances, bring a refreshing and lead us into the high praises of God where He is blessed and we are encouraged and strengthened.

In this time of corporate intimacy with our Lord, He as the head, and we as the body, we strongly sense His ever real presence, and our hearts are opened to hear His voice, our faith arises, and His love is received.  This builds us up to experience all that He has given us for life and godliness after the corporate gathering, until we meet again. We are filled anew to be the light and love of Jesus to the world around us.

If this hasn’t been your experience, but you know and love the Lord, step out and enter in the next time you are in a true corporate environment.  Taste and see that the Lord is good, and He has much more in store for all who will allow Him to bring you deeper.  Experiencing His presence brings the fullness of joy, which is your strength, the light comes, new hope comes, God’s Word opens up, and faith for ongoing intimacy and hearing His voice is stirred.

It is then that receiving all that God wants to give is greatly facilitated, so that He can live more fully through us to touch the world, which is our destiny.  What joy, what fulfillment in serving Him and His Kingdom.