I believe worship is our highest weapon of warfare. When we lift Jesus up, He takes the battle in His own hands. All weapons formed against us fall to the wayside. All glory to the Lamb of God who sits on the throne who has set the pattern for us to follow and has given us the grace to walk in it. I submit the following as a heart check for us all who are true worshippers of the Lord. Blessings! Yolanda

A psalmist of today would be one whose heart is after the heart of God. He would be one who delights to be in the presence of God and even longs to be. It would be his chief joy. He would be one who finds the time and the place to be alone with Him and has an intimate relationship with Him. He would find the time just to be quiet and still with Him and even basks in His presence.

A psalmist of today, and also a worship leader, would be one who knows the voice of the Lord and spends much time communicating with Him. Because he has spent much time with Him, the Holy Spirit flows through him freely. He gets much practice playing his instruments and singing to Him because he has made worshipping God a way of life not just something he prepares to do to come before a congregation to lead others into worship. Because he is one who truly worships the Lord, others are led into the throne room of God freely because there is an anointing of praise and worship upon him.

Because he is a man of integrity and he takes his calling seriously, the enemy of God has no place in his life; therefore, there is no hindrances in his ministry. He has set the priorities in his life right according to the perfect will of the Lord. There is divine order in his life in every area and in his relationships with his elders, peers, family members, employers, and also in his marriage. He is one who is meek and teachable, submissive, and has a sweet spirit, and is sensitive to the Holy Spirit. He only seeks to bring glory to the Father and strives not to bring it to himself. He is very careful not to fall into the sins of pride, rebellion, materialism, vanity, complacency, or worldly living. He lives to serve the Lord in his calling and in his daily life. This is not just a profession or an occupation for him but it is his heart's desire to worship the Lord.

He knows the balance of intercession and worship, warfare and praise, and can discern the leading of the Holy Spirit in these areas. He knows the importance and power that lies in praise and worship. He is not out to entertain others but has the heart to lead others into high praise and worship of the Father. He seeks only to please the Father and never gives into fear of man. He is not completely dictated by a time schedule but knows when it is the Father's heart to spend more time with His children. He knows that unity in the brethren and intimacy with the Father are of number one importance in worship.

There is much mature fruit of the Spirit displayed in his life and also the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The Word of the Lord flows freely through him both during his daily life and also when he leads worship. The song of the Lord also flows freely through him. He has both skill in the natural art of music and also moves prophetically in voice and in playing his instruments. He is gifted both ways. He doesn't trust solely in his natural talent but allows the Holy Spirit to flow freely. No man can be perfect, but a true psalmist knows the importance of setting a good example and preserving his testimony as a Christian. He can also be transparent and can share when he has fallen short. He is one who can be easily related to. He doesn't pressure others to conform to his convictions but abundantly shares grace to those who need the encouragement to overcome. He edifies others by his behavior, his speech, and his actions. He truly lives a life of faith totally dependent upon the Lord for strength daily. He is one who is humble and seeks to lift others up.

On the whole this man, who is a true psalmist, is both a delight for the Lord to be with and also the brethren. He is one you can see Jesus in because he has practiced living the crucified life and allowing the Holy Spirit to live through him. He has found a true balance in his life, one who patterns his life after Jesus who is full of grace and truth. This man is no novice but has been prepared by God for his ministry through many trials and hardships. He has learned to be content in all situations and knows the importance of not complaining, being critical, or rebellious in any way. He knows the importance and also practices keeping watch at all times and not allowing the enemy access to his life through willful sin.

So you can see, there is much more involved in being a psalmist than just being skilled in voice and in playing an instrument well. Everything that he is and does effects his ministry. What is in his heart comes out of his mouth. This calling is something he can't pretend to have. He is one who is truly called by the Lord and is anointed by God to move in this gifting. He cannot just be trained to take this position.

King David is the greatest example of a true psalmist to follow after. It was his heart's desire to worship the Lord even as a small child. Psalms flowed through him naturally his whole life as he sang to the Lord. Because he spent much time with the Lord, the Holy Spirit trained him and gave him talent and skill in music. He received much practice because he longed to draw away from others to be alone with God. Therefore when he was with others who were troubled, his gifting flowed with the fruit of love, peace, joy and healing. He ministered greatly to those who were around him in deliverance.

True praise will break the yoke and bring the breakthrough that is needed individually, corporately, and even will pull down strongholds in the heavenlies. There is so much power in praise in worship and there is an awesome responsibility upon the psalmist and also a great joy to behold this calling. One whose heart is truly after the heart of God is a true psalmist.

RainNglory@msn.com

Oh holy ones, come into My presence in a new and profound way for I want to reveal to you My glory for I want to pour it out upon you in abundance for My glory is My life lived through My holy ones. I love you with a never-ending love. There isn't anything you can do to make Me love you any less. Come into My throne room of glory, and let Me bless you with My power in extreme measure for this is the time that I want to do greater works through you. I want to touch the spiritually blind and want to set the captives free through you. I want you to be completely yielded to Me, nothing standing in our way of intimacy.

This is the day of the latter rain outpouring. Yes, I am pouring out My fire and My rain, and I am purging the hearts of My people of all dross. Yes, I am taking you through the fire, and I am purifying you as gold. As silver tried in the fire seven times, I am making you. So come before Me with open hearts and worship Me endlessly even as a way of life for this is the time and the hour where I will pour out My power and through you, My holy ones.

You have waited upon Me and have never given up on My faithfulness to perform My word on your behalf. You have endured My chastening. You have wrestled with times where you could not experience My presence in a tangible way, and I am restoring you this hour to the place where your heart is the most pleased at. And even at that place you desire more of Me. And I am stretching you to receive Me more fully. Yes, I am enlarging your borders. I am increasing your territory. I am pouring out increased capacity that you be able to be filled to overflowing of My grace and glory.

Come unto Me for this is the day I will touch you. I will strengthen you and yes, I will heal you from within. I will take out the roots that have even caused you the sickness in your flesh. I will open your eyes to the hidden truth. Yes, through My counsel I will set you free of all that has held you back. For now it is time for you to run and be free to share My glory with others. For I will use you in a mighty way to touch multitudes with My saving grace, and signs and wonders will follow My words through you.

Be yielded and I will give you the fruit of the land. I will give you My fruit and character in abundance. When others see you, they will see Me living through you for I have made you My bond-slaves because you love Me with all your heart can give. Be blessed, My holy ones, and be encouraged for great times are ahead for ministry, but also much tribulation and persecution. But fear not for I have made you ready like My son Stephen. In the middle of stoning he experienced My glory and My presence, and even saw Me standing at the right hand of the Father, applauding "My good and faithful servant, come into your heavenly inheritance." Be blessed for the best is yet to come, says your Lord and King, the Mighty Lion of Judah, and I roar for you.

RainNglory@msn.com

Come be intimate with Me, My bride. Come into My secret place and worship Me for this is the time and the hour to come apart from your worldly cares and abide in My presence. Come close to Me, My bride, and I will fill you to overflowing with My love and grace. I have come to heal the brokenhearted. Yes, I have come to heal all your inner wounds, but you first must come close and wait upon Me. Serve Me with a heart of thanksgiving and of rejoicing for it pleases Me when My bride shows that she has an abiding trust within her.

Why are you downhearted? Why do you not show that you trust Me by you coming and resting in My presence? Be still and know that I am God and that I am faithful to perform My word on your behalf. So come before Me and kneel at My feet and let Me bless you. For I come to bless you with My kingly anointing for you are a royal priesthood, and I will do mighty works through you in behalf of those I gave My life for. Yes, I will touch you and anoint you and send you forth to do mighty works in My name. For yes, this is the time and the hour that I will pour out My power. And yes, you have faithfully waited on Me, and you have trusted in My faithfulness to bring to past all that I have said I would do concerning My latter rain. For yes, I am the rain, and yes, I am the fire, and I am the wind. And I come to shower out upon you My glory.

You are My precious gems. You are My rubies. And I rejoice that you fill My crown with precious jewels. Yes, I wear you as My crown for you are so precious in My sight, My bride, My love. So know how much you mean to Me. Let Me touch you with the fire of My love that you will burn for Me even more. For I long for your intimate presence. I love to feast with you and to dance un endlessly for this is the time of coming forth where I will present My bride at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. Be ready. Yes, make your garments ready and rejoice. Look up for your redemption is drawing nigh for I will embrace you and catch you away into My everlasting arms of love. Yes, this is the time and the hour where I will pour out My power and the fire of My love, says your God.