by Elizabeth Burgard Fulgaro (c) 2011 www.holyspiritpress.org www.eaglesnestfoundation.org
Sunday is a divine pause to worship our King and reflect upon His majesty. Our worship is our gift to Him for we turn focus from us and onto God. And yet we are the ones blessed in the process for as we worship He writes His Truth upon our hearts, which fills us with His peace, hope and joy and causes us to be able to stand strong in all circumstances because we have learned who He is. The Psalm selection below is one of what are called the “songs of ascent”, which the Israelites would sing as the climbed the mountain to go and worship God as He instructed. We still ascend when we worship, but now spiritually by the power of His Spirit entering His throne room every time we choose to worship and praise Him. As a result, He fills us with His presence and power, thereby strengthening us for the battles which invariably come. It is God who is our strength; He is our shield. We only need to worship, seek to hear His voice and obey, then watch how He will use all things for eventual good. What a mighty God we serve! ~ Elizabeth
PSALM 121 NIV(a song of ascent)
1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot slip – he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber or sleep.
5 The LORD watches over you – the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day, no the moon by night.
7 The LORD will keep you from all harm – he will watch over your life;
8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
WORSHIP SONG~song & lyrics by Elizabeth Burgard Fulgaro (c) 2006
MIGHTY WARRIOR KING
Mighty Warrior King, Protector, Shield and Refuge
Victor, Counselor, Lord, by Your power all battles are won.
You died on the cross and rose back to life
By Your mercy and love all is conquered.
Chorus
The enemy has no power, when we bow and worship You.
When You are Lord, the battle’s won.
We are free to sing and praise You, for the battle is the Lord’s
You use all things to bring glory to Your name!
“Mighty Warrior King” is available on the ASCEND IN WORSHIP CD on itunes, at http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/ElizabethFulgaro and at www.holyspiritpress.org
WORSHIP PRAYER ~ when we address God, focusing on Him and adoring Him, our prayers and proclamations become declarations of worship which honor our King. According to His promises, He responds to our authentic worship with release of His sovereign power into our circumstances in the way He deems best. Now we will take the beautiful, honoring Psalm written by David above and turn it into pure worship.
Lord, I lift up my eyes and question where my help comes from. O Lord, You are the one from whom my help comes. You are Maker of heaven and earth. You will not let my foot slip – You watch over me at all times for You will not slumber. Indeed, You are the one who watches over Israel and You will neither slumber or sleep. Lord, You watch over all of us. You are the shade at our right hand. Because of You and how You protect us, the sun will not harm by day, neither will the moon by night. You, O Lord, will keep all of us from harm – You will watch over our lives. Lord, You will watch over our coming and going (individually and corporately both now and forevermore.
END
Note to ASCENDING IN WORSHIP on Sundays: I have always loved music and worship music, but have not always understood worship. For many years it was just a word used to describe church service or a type of music. But that changed radically in Feb. 2004 when friends prayed over me to start hearing (thus composing) new songs from heaven. (Since their prayers I have composed over 350 worship songs and recorded more than 60.) Then in Feb. 2005 the Lord gave me a vision which implied worship changes things. I needed to understand what the vision meant. I needed to understand His way. After months spent in Scripture studying everything I could find about worship, it became clear that indeed God promises to respond to our worship with a release of His power, which changes things. Thus worship is not a song, service, drum beat or lifting of hands (though all of these things with a worshipful mindset can be worship). Worship is an attitude of heart which adores God in the majesty and sovereignty of who He is in our lives at all times. Worship is the ultimate expression of our trust in Him, because we choose to spend precious time contemplating the awesome wonder of all He is, without the need to ask Him for anything. It expresses to God we can abandon ourselves to worship Him because we trust He already has everything else handled – that which we can see and which we can’t.
Worship is not a Sunday activity, but a lifestyle. However, Sunday is the traditional day within most Christian circles to take a pause from our work which helps refresh us and honors God as our ultimate provider and protector from whom all good things come. Worship honors Him and strengthens us in Him.
On Sundays, to facilitate this “pause” before God, NUGGETS OF GOD’S WISDOM features Scripture and song lyrics to assist in laying down everything that burdens us and constrains the mind, to enter into blissful, restorative worship of the only One who can which writes His promises on our hearts.
To God be the glory forever and ever!
~ Elizabeth
PLEASE watch the new music video to “RESTORE” (with choir) on youtube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piQYnPY1vIA&feature=related SHARE the link! Let’s worship together as we pray, seek His will, stand and re-take ground for Christ in our communities and beyond (for His glory)!
Elizabeth Fulgaro is a wife, mother, writer, inspirational speaker, worship leader, composer, singer & recording artist. She is also a Certified Financial Planner and Accredited Financial Counselor with a heart for helping Christians understand and steward their finances God’s way.
For books, worship cds, Bible studies and teachings written by Elizabeth Fulgaro or to schedule her to come speak to your group please visit www.holyspiritpress.org Worship music audio clips can be found at www.cdbaby.com/Artist/ElizabethFulgaro For information on her work for the military and their families please visit www.eaglesnestfoundation.org Eagles Nest Foundation is a 501(c)3 corporation. Contributions are tax-deductible.
Indeed, Lord, meet us as we ascend towards You. We would lift Your Name in all the earth. We give you honor and praise and glory. Only You are worthy.
Thank you, Elizabeth for this thoughtul reminder and encouragement. God keeps using you in amazing ways.