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After leading praise in some conventional and unconventional
places I have generally found that the flow of it seems to rise to a high place
and then comes back down. Though that sounds elementary, I can remember when any
kind of rise in the Spirit was welcome. Now it is almost common for the Spirit
to be present during times of praise and worship. In many cases there would be
one rise in the Spirit, and if the people wanted to go farther, they would just
stay engaged in the Spirit and soon another wave started and up we all go again.
This can happen many times and sometimes does at conferences and special praise
events.
This is not always the case on regular Sunday meetings, but there are reasons
for that. I won't try to list all the natural reasons I think this happens, but
there is a spiritual reason that is worth facing. Though the praise seems high
and His presence is real; is there more? One might ask, "Is there a higher place
than the presence of the Lord?" Should we even be trying to get somewhere during
praise other than His presence?
I'm aware of the fact that God is unsearchable and no one praise time will get
Him praised, but I want to ask a question and then try to answer it myself and
hope I make sense while doing it. Are those who worship God, coming into His
presence or just facing it? I hope this question has gotten you excited or mad
enough to read further and I'll show you what I mean.
COMPARISON
Imagine for a moment that entering into praise is like entering
the Tabernacle of David. There are three parts to the tabernacle and there are
three parts to our praise. The third part of the tabernacle and praise is
entering His presence. The presence is the great part of this, but the first two
parts are where all the interesting differences are. I also want to make a
comparison between the experience of entering the tabernacle of David with the
body, soul and spirit of man. Since three is one of God's favorite numbers, it
is little wonder that the tabernacle would have three parts; praise would have
three parts as God comes in three parts and we are triune beings as well.
We all know that man is made up of body, soul and spirit. The tabernacle is 1)
the outer court, 2) the holy place and 3) the holy of holies. The apostle Paul
referred to man as the temple of God (1 Cor. 3:16), and with that in mind, look
at the similarities. This would make the outer court the body or flesh; the holy
place is like the soul; and the holy of holies like the spirit. I believe the
Lord has given us a word picture through the tabernacle and temple, of what our
praise experience and walk with Him can be like. Though entering the holy of
holies was only for the high priest in David's time, it was always God's
intention that we would all be apart of a Holy Priesthood. (Ex.19:6)
BRONZE ALTAR AND LAVER
The first place one comes to when entering the tabernacle was the
bronze altar and the bronze laver. The word "bronze" means a metal but also
represents filthiness, lust and harlotry. Before we enter into praise our lusts
and idolatry need to be put on the altar. In simple terms, that means getting
real about yourself with God.
I always felt safe about idol worship because I don't have a statue in my house.
But the Lord reminded me that idol means image. I definitely have an image of
myself and have always wanted others to feel good about me. My image is to look
like a spiritual man. I love Jesus, and I want everyone to think that of me so I
work at that image. It may seem noble to desire to be seen as spiritual, but in
the end, it is just idol worship. I wish it were the only idol that was trying
to control my life. The bronze altar is the place to confess your sins, and that
is the best way to start praise off. (See Ps. 51:16-17)
The bronze laver is next, and that is where we wash our hands and feet. This
washes away the desire to be in power over others. In other words, be free from
the spirit of control. I said that because the laver has another meaning besides
a pot full of water. Laver is also translated stage or pulpit. Ah - the stage;
the place we all fear the most and want the most. When I hear the statement,
"You'd never get me on a stage," I know it requires a platform to make the
statement and presumes someone is asking you to get on the stage. Let's face it;
everyone has some kind of fantasy about the stage even if it is only a platform
for our opinions.
The desire for the pulpit is the same except with a religious spirit attached.
Don't confuse the desire to preach the gospel with the desire to be in the
pulpit. They are very different, and I don't want to cast any aspersions on a
Spirit-led desire to preach the good news. I'm referring to the power that comes
from being in front of others, and the control that gives you over their lives
and thoughts for that hour.
THE STAGE AND PULPIT
The stage and pulpit have their qualities especially when the Spirit is the
reason it is entered, but when the stage is entered, a desire to control or
manipulate the reaction of others becomes overwhelming. When you have the full
attention of another, and they love what you are doing, you can spend a lifetime
trying to regain and hold that kind of attention.
I've been reading Henri Nouwen's book "In the Name of Jesus," and it is worth
quoting: "It seems easier to be God than to love God; easier to control people
than to love people; easier to own life than to love life." This desire to
control others is more apparent when we are faced with obeying the Lord's
commandment, "Love one another…" (John 13:34) The love He is talking about will
require vulnerability, honesty, confrontational skills and Godly patience - just
to mention a few. Under those conditions, it does seem much easier to control
than walk this kind of thing out with others. Still the call on a believer's
life is to have a relationship with God and with others. (Matt. 22:37-39) The
reason we must wash our hands and feet of the stage and pulpit is because it is
a poor substitute for the relationship-oriented life the Lord continually calls
us to.
All these things are to do with the body or flesh of man. I know what you're
thinking, "If we had to walk through all this before we could enter into the
praise, He would never be praised again." Don't get discouraged - it gets much
worse.
THE HOLY PLACE
The next encounter is the holy place which is represented by the
soul. In this place the lamp stand, the altar of incense, and the table of show
bread are present. The lamp stand represents the church (Rev. 1:20); the incense
is the worship (Mal. 1:11); and the show bread means food and facing the
presence or the bread of the Presence. (Ex. 25:30 NAS) This is also the place
where many of us stop.
The reason many stop at the holy place (the soul) is because the experience of
praise with an encounter with the Holy Spirit is all we feel we need. I must
admit, when the presence of the Lord comes into a meeting and I'm leading
praise, I think we have arrived. What I have slowly learned is there is more.
When the Spirit is present we are only facing it, not entering into it.
While the Lord was hanging on the cross, the veil was rent, making it possible
for all to enter the holy of holies. With that truth staring back at us, why
don't we enter?
HOLY OF HOLIES
It has been my experience that many people, especially men, have
a hard time embracing the idea of intimacy with God. This is not a new thing in
their lives, but there has been something that has managed to keep them from
being vulnerable...open to others about short-comings and a basic sense of fear
concerning deep spiritual matters. The comforting thing about the holy of holies
or entering the presence of God is, it was dark in that place. No one could see
in there and no one was looking. Nothing is done as a show.
There is a sign that is on those who have entered the holy of holies. It is the
power to heal the sick; the faith that God will always provide; they will have
mercy as well as give mercy to others; they will know and walk in the promises
of God.
I have seen people with healing ministries, evangelistic outreaches where
thousands get saved, prophetic gifts, words of knowledge and the like and the
one common denominator is they have entered the holy of holies. Beyond the torn
veil is where the mercy seat of God awaits us. It's in this secret place that
the power of God is available. (Aaron's rod) Here is where the constant
provision of God is. (Golden jar of manna) And it is in this intimate place that
the promises of God and the hope of glory, Christ Jesus, awaits every man who
enters.
It is my belief that entering the holy of holies is much harder to do in a
church setting then it is at home along with the Lord. That is because the
praise in the holy place is processional and boisterous, but then in the holy of
holies you see the cherubim with their heads bowed low before the Lord. A
procession in this place would be inappropriate as would bowing low in the outer
court would only be a show of humility for man to see. This does not mean we can
not humble ourselves before God publicly; in fact, David did this all the time.
I'm only referring to trying to make a show of your humility.
ALL ARE TO ENTER
"'Now then, if you will indeed obey My
voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the
peoples, for all the earth is Mine; and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests
and a holy nation.' These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of
Israel." Ex. 19:5-6 (NAS)
God intended for all to be priests, thus qualifying us all to be a holy nation.
Now that we are the temple of God, the holy of holies is represented by our
spirit. If we live with the Spirit of God guiding our spirits, then we will be
Spirit-led. A Spirit-led life will lead you right to the intimate place we long
for in the Lord.
It is the spirit that needs to be in control of a man's life, not the flesh and
not the soul. The spirit cannot control the body unless the soul comes into
agreement with that idea. Is this not the place where all men fall? Is it not
the flesh and its lusts that cause so much internal strife in man? It is in the
holy of holies that this is all settled.
What would happen if we were Spirit-led through our lives? What would church be
like if it were led from the holy of holies and not just from the soul place or
the holy place? If the Spirit of God was free to do whatever He wanted and not
what I think He wants?
To imagine a Spirit-led life seems like a delusion to some and a dream to
others. To wake up one day and say, "I'm going to be spirit-led from now on" is
easier said than done. Our spirits must be guided by the Holy Spirit. If we are
willing go through the first two parts of the tabernacle then living a
Spirit-led life will follow.
by Don Potter
Web: http://www.donpottermusic.com
Email:
info@donpottermusic.com
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While I Wait
(Instrumental CD)
By Don Potter
$15.00 Instrumental Music CD |
 "I
have to admit to you all (my secret) that Don Potter is probably my favorite
musician...or should I call him a 'prophetic minstrel'? With prophetic clarity
and allegorical poetry, Don Potter brings the Word of God to life in a musical
way and in a spiritual way like none other I've heard. Often in parable form,
sometimes in instrumental-only form.
"In this new release, in instrumental form, is where you will get a mix of
mellow and blue-grass-type music, to something that sounds like you're at an
Irish festival.
"I go to bed at night and often place my (another secret) noise-canceling BOSE
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CD. This one will not disappoint you, I promise you that!
"Some may be interested to know that Don Potter was the one who originally
produced 'The Judd's' - the mother-daughter duo who became famous worldwide. A
highly gifted musician placed 'in high places' by God for such a time as this,
Don Potter continues to inspire others with his new releases. I hope you'll get
this new CD." - Steve Shultz, THE ELIJAH LIST
Listen to Samples!
Close to Home
mp3
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While I Wait
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order online OR
by phone (1-8.6.6-881-0477)
http://www.elijahshopper.com/detail.aspx?ID=1317
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Facing the Wall
By Don Potter
$15.00 Music CD |
 "I've
spent many years trying to entertain people and later lead them into the praise
of the Lord Jesus. In the middle of leading praise one day, I believe I heard
the Lord say, 'Go home and play until you discern My presence.' I did this by
facing the wall and playing the guitar. At first, I could only play a few
minutes before the desire to entertain crept back in. After a year, I could play
for hours and never realize it happened. The pleasure of the Lord was better
than any reward I had ever received. The music you will hear is the result of
facing the wall." - Don Potter
Listen to Samples!
String Dance
mp3
wma
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Facing the Wall
mp3
wma
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Feel free to
order online OR by
phone (1-8.6.6-881-0477)
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Facing the Wall
A Book for Praise Leaders and those who Love to
Worship
By Don Potter
$12.00 Book |
A Book for
Praise Leaders and those who Love to Worship
"This
book is a collection of studies and stories on praise and reactions to leading
it, accumulated over the past twenty years. Finding salvation later in life and
spending many years in the mainstream music business has allowed me to see from
a different perspective than someone with a longer church background. The
similarities of the church and the world concerning music are looked at in this
little book. The direction praise is starting to take, and the concern for our
young people and the music they embrace is addressed as well.
"This book explores what the prophetic and praise can accomplish when in unity,
and how praise and intercession are inseparable.
"Praise is a difficult subject to define or understand why it is necessary. I'm
hoping not to over-complicate, nor understate, such a spontaneous act. One would
sooner define their feelings when falling in love." - Don Potter
Feel free to
order online OR by
phone (1-8.6.6-881-0477)
http://www.elijahshopper.com/detail.aspx?ID=438
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While
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Facing
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Facing
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