Practicing His Presence - Joe Cruse
In preparation for this article each month, I try to put myself in the mindset of the people who will read it. Many are worship leaders already or, are aspiring to step into the role as soon as possible. It can be hard-knowing we have something to bring to the Kingdom of God and wanting it to happen right now. I see so many who want to be the next "Chris Tomlin" or "Cindy Cruse Ratcliff." Believe me, even they spent many years, practicing the presence of God before anyone recognized them publicly.
King David had an opportunity to "practice the presence of God." He was just a young shepherd boy, tending his father's sheep when Samuel came and anointed him. Fifteen years passed from the time he was called until he actually took the throne as King of Israel. Fifteen long years-tending sheep, wondering when. Remember this-before David was a warrior, he was a worshiper. He had ample opportunity to worship, write songs, pray and seek the Lord. This is where the Lord must find us, before He finds us ready for service. Here are the three things to practice everyday that are very practical, yet very important.
It always begins with guarding your heart.Your talent may get you on the platform, but your heart after God will keep you there. As you serve people, things happen that will bring areas of offense. It's inevitable.
Satan's plan is strife and division. He knows what happens through the power of worship, and if he can get us out of the "Holy Place," he has done his job. He knows how powerful the presence of God is.
It's not easy protecting your heart, but you have to. Be careful what you let into your world. Be careful whom you allow to speak into your life. The old saying goes, "Garbage in, garbage out." Psalm 51:10-11 (KJV) says,
"Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right? spirit within me. ?Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Proverbs 4:23 NIV says,
"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." Serve with Joy and Gladness.In my 35-years-and-counting of serving people and pastors there has been a time or two (or three) I have wanted to quit-to throw in the towel and say, "What's the use, who really cares?" Here is a great passage to practice daily. Psalm 16: 8-9
(NIV) says
, " I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure". Verse 11 of that same passage says,
"You have made known to me the path of life. You will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." I love that! Loving and serving people can be difficult but keep the Lord ever before you and His pleasures will be yours.
Wherever you serve, bring joy to that place. Ministry should be fun. Jesus had a good time wherever He went, whether raising a boy from the dead, turning water into wine, feeding the five thousand, or just being a friend. He knew His presence would change even the worst conditions. Joy followed Him everywhere. Bring joy and gladness to your house and the house or ministry you serve.
Daily living in His presenceWe cannot do what we are called to do living off of what happens on Sunday alone. The "high" of the Sunday service is great, but that will not carry you through the week. There must be the constant abode with God-the living in His presence, the fresh touch of heaven daily on our lives. The psalmist said it well,
"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide? under the shadow of the Almighty" (Ps. 91:1 KJV). He also said
, "I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth" (Ps. 34:1 KJV). Abiding is not visiting God on Sundays-it is a daily living.
I am totally convinced the reason many ministers quit or fail is because they get so busy doing ministry they fail to allow the power they are singing or preaching about to be effective in their own lives. Many years ago, the Lord spoke this word to me, "Joe, you cannot take people places that you have never been." Since that time, my heart's cry has been, " God do it first in me."
Paul said (Eph. 3:19 AMP), "
That you may be filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]!" This only happens as we spend time practicing His presence.
To learn more about the ministry of Joe and Becky Cruse or for details about their Summer Intensive Worship Camp June 10-27, 2008, go to wmiglobal.org.
