Staying Connected

For a number of years, I was not listening to any praise and worship songs except when I was in church. 

This was strange because when  my kids were very young and even before then, this was something I did often at home. I would be home doing chores and gospel music would be on. It would be on my phone while waiting with my youngest child for the school bus. She would be singing along with me as well.

I'm not sure at what point this changed but it did. The time I would spend with the Lord became less. I drifted. It got to a place where I would be in church and not know the words to some of the songs that were being sung. Thank God for the projectors. I became only a visitor who attended once in a while.

A few years passed and the Lord directed me to start reading His word daily. From there I could feel Him working step by step, guiding me. One day The Holy Spirit led me to use the resources I already had on my device to create a play list of praise and worship songs. I set it to play and as it began I couldn't believe I had gotten so disconnected. The transformation was immediate, the Lord brought me back. His presence was felt. I asked myself how did this happen? I remember how it was, being in the presence of the Lord through listening to worship songs. Not Sunday worship, but outside of a church building. In my home, and at every opportunity. I used to talk to the Lord like we were just two good friends back then. I had so many conversations with Him about various things. He was always listening. I had prayed to have my mind stayed on Jesus and I allowed the enemy to distract me from just that.

I want to encourage you to stay connected outside of going to church. Don't just pray when there's prayer meetings. Don't just read your Bible on the day you're in church. Pray every time an opportunity arises. This means that if you prayed ten minutes ago and there's another situation that needs to be presented to the Lord then do it. Prayer does not need to be long or loud. We can pray anywhere anytime. We all have cell phones. Let's get some praise and worship music going. It's not just songs. It's one of the ways we stay connected with our Savior, by worshipping and praising His name.

The enemy is cunning and will always be trying to steal our time with the Lord. He will try to distract you with even the things you like to do that may not seem like a problem. We all need time with God and Him alone, no distractions.

John 15:4

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.