THE SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES :: WORSHIP

AT RHW WE PUBLISH A NEW COLUMN EACH FRIDAY. WE’RE GOING THROUGH FOUR SPECIFIC STUDIES WITH EACH SERIES BEING PUBLISHED ON A DESIGNATED WEEK OF THE MONTH.

In The Spiritual Disciplines series we’ll be learning 12 disciplines that will guide us as we grow deeper in our walk with God. These columns will post on the second Friday of each month in 2020.

Spiritual Disciplines are not a list of religious duties. But rather habits that nurture and mature our spiritual growth. They are inward, spiritual attitudes walked out by behaviors and actions. These habits are critical for lasting spiritual growth and true life transformation.

“Worship: expressing in words, music, rituals, and silent adoration the greatness, beauty, and goodness of God, by means of which we enter the supernatural reality of the glory of God.” ~ The Life With God Bible

The Spiritual Discipline of Worship is a vital habit to our personal spiritual growth and our relationship with God. It is so important that Jesus makes it his first commandment:

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.~ Mark 12:30

We worship God for Who He is and for what He has done. For every type of person there are as many individual ways of worshiping God.

Worship involves our whole being. As we present ourselves in worship it’s important that our posture be consistent with our inner spirit.

In a humble spirit of adoration we quietly kneel before the Father.

In a spirit of praise we dance with joy and thanksgiving to God.

In honor of God’s greatness and majesty we can lie prostrate on the floor or we can rejoice in fellowship with singing for God’s goodness.

Worship music for anyone is available. To go with the different types of worship experiences we have a plethora of worship music available to us today. Personally, worship music is my favorite music to listen to on a regular basis. It fills my spirit and prepares me to meet my work day.

Some helpful steps for worship:

1. 1. 1. Seek God’s Presence Daily.
    2. Develop a holy dependency on God.
    3. Try different types of worship experiences.
    4. Prepare your heart in advance for corporate worship.
    5. Worship even when you don’t feel like it.
    6. During worship let the distractions roll off.

Worship isn’t for the faint of heart. But for the obedient it strengthens our relationship with God and prepares us to face whatever comes our way. It builds us up and propels us through this exciting life in the Spirit.

“If we long to go where God is going, and do what God is doing, we will move into deeper, more authentic worship.” ~ Richard Foster

Lift up your voice to God in worship with this beautiful new favorite song of mine performed by Kanye’s Sunday Service Choir.

January 31, 2020January 31, 2020

MUSIC REVIEW :: JESUS IS BORN by SUNDAY SERVICE CHOIR

JESUS IS BORN

by the

SUNDAY SERVICE CHOIR

One of the best things to happen in 2019 was that Kanye West rededicated his life, and now all his music, to Jesus Christ. Early in January, he formed a choir/band called the Sunday Service Collective under the direction of the amazingly anointed Jason White. Which includes a group of extremely talented musicians and singers from all walks of life. I’m sure none of them expected the gig to last for more than a few weeks.

Now more than a year later they’ve been singing together every Sunday all across America in small churches and large alike. From exclusive indoor venues like The Forum in Los Angeles to outdoor venues in Salt Lake City, Jamaica, and Baton Rouge. In the fall between every Sunday service, Kanye and the Sunday Service Collective produced two Christian operas: Nebuchadnezzar and Mary. And if that wasn’t enough Kanye and his phenomenal group of artists released two truly remarkable albums: Jesus Is King and Jesus Is Born.

Jesus Is King, Kanye West’s ninth studio album and first gospel album release, not only debuted at number 1 on the charts, but every track landed on the Billboard Top 100 within days of release!

The Sunday Service choir performed on the first song. Kanye and other featured artists rounded out the 11 track set. My personal favorites on this album are: God Is and Water. To some this album was a disappointment considering Kanye’s musical reputation and past successes. But for me, I think we should give him grace and room to grow in his new life and creative ventures as the avant-garde Christian artist/innovator/designer that he is.

Jesus Is Born Releases Christmas Day 2019!

As promised, by Kanye West, executive producer, the Sunday Service Choir debuted their first album Jesus Is Born on Christmas Day 2019. Exceptional in today’s music market, the album has 19 tracks with a playing time of almost 75 minutes. The album is a collection of some of the most powerful praise songs and life-changing worship music available today. It features beautifully performed traditional gospel and praise music, sprinkled with covers of a some secular songs reworked for Jesus, including some of Kanye’s previously released songs.

Jason White ministers to the choir, who minister to the listeners… drawing our hearts and souls into every song.

Jesus Is Born features Choir Director Jason White’s beautiful voice heard on almost every song as he directs the choir’s incredibly precise harmony, the powerful lead vocalists, the amazingly talented musicians playing a wide range or instruments: organ, piano, guitars, an assortment of percussion, horns, and more. This band and choir could hold their own with the finest R&B or jazz groups today!

A worship experience with inspirational versions of soulful bluesy songs.

Kanye and the Sunday Service Choir are single-handedly reviving traditional gospel choir music but with a new twist. They’re sharing the message of Jesus Christ in nontraditional ways with a fresh style. And most importantly they are reaching an enormous audience the church wouldn’t normally be able to reach.

The music is worshipful, sweet and tender, uplifting and energizing.

I’ve been listening to the Jesus Is Born album almost daily since its release on Christmas Day. I can’t get enough of it! This is more than just a praise album. God’s Presence is palpable. The Holy Spirit anointing is powerful.

It’s tough to choose favorite songs on this album because there’s so much incredible music presented. My top 5 in album order are: