Simple Worship

So as I am sitting here trying to write the things I have learned thus far at Bible College, I'm torn at where to start. Each class is getting better and better. I am still in awe at how the Lord brought me here. Even if it may only be for one semester, I am so thankful beyond words at this present season.
I felt led to talk a little bit about the worship here. It is unlike anything I have ever experienced. Every morning on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, we have Morning Chapel. You are required to be present; it's an actual class you have to attend. The whole school meets at a little bit before 8am and worships together, as a body, as a family, in the name of Jesus. The worship is followed by a short devotions. During the first few weeks, you could definitely sense the grumbling in the students (and myself) of having to wake up so early in the morning. But now, we are all craving the mornings and are getting there earlier and earlier. These sessions are what my Worship Band class will be involved in. Groups from my class will be able to perform in front of the school for a few mornings throughout the semester and leading the school for Worship.
As if we could not be blessed enough with so much worship, the school all meet on Friday mornings for worship followed by class lectures, Sunday mornings for worship and study at the campus church, and Sunday nights for Evening Chapel, with worship and a evening church service with a local pastor. It's a LOT of worship time! I have to admit, I was rather sick of it by the end of the first full week here. Not in the act of worship itself, but just in hearing the same songs over and over, and getting overfilled a little TOO much.
What I learned at the end of that week, however, is that these times of worship fully prepares us to hear God's word, whether it IS something as short as devotions or an entire lengthy sermon. It is vital to worship before indulging in His Word. I just never understood that concept fully until now. I am beginning to appreciate so much the true heart of laying my all at the feet of our Lord and Savior so I may hear from Him and His precious Word. It is not so much about being engaged in the worship or inspired to praise Him, but just understanding that I can meet with Him at His heavenly throne when in worship is such a beautiful thing. And then sitting with Him to hear what He has to say is even more glorious. Worship is definitely the cowbell that calls the family member home to eat. It draws you to the table, so you're ready to sit down and enjoy what God has to feed you.
God is definitely worshiped here at CCBC. It is not a spiritualized, feeling experienced moving. It is real. Real, young people just singing and pouring their hearts out for Christ. Simply put, simply done. People here don't have to public acknowledge that, "the Holy Spirit was moving today" or "His presence was so powerful". They just know when it does and when it needs to. I just love that!

Isaiah 55

This chapter in Isaiah has really been on my heart this week. God beautifully writes a formal invitation through Isaiah, an invitation to abundant life. Life through his Word, life from His body, life of peace, joy, prosperous life, life eternal.

¹ “Ho! Everyone who thirsts,
Come to the waters;
And you who have no money,
Come, buy and eat.
Yes, come, buy wine and milk
Without money and without price.
² Why do you spend money for what is not bread,
And your wages for what does not satisfy?
Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good,
And let your soul delight itself in abundance.
³ Incline your ear, and come to Me.
Hear, and your soul shall live;
And I will make an everlasting covenant with you—
The sure mercies of David.
⁴ Indeed I have given him as a witness to the people,
A leader and commander for the people.
⁵ Surely you shall call a nation you do not know,
And nations who do not know you shall run to you,
Because of the LORD your God,
And the Holy One of Israel;
For He has glorified you.”
⁶ Seek the LORD while He may be found,
Call upon Him while He is near.
⁷ Let the wicked forsake his way,
And the unrighteous man his thoughts;
Let him return to the LORD,
And He will have mercy on him;
And to our God,
For He will abundantly pardon.
⁸ “ For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD.
⁹ “ For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.
¹⁰ “ For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven,
And do not return there,
But water the earth,
And make it bring forth and bud,
That it may give seed to the sower
And bread to the eater,
¹¹ So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
¹² “ For you shall go out with joy,
And be led out with peace;
The mountains and the hills
Shall break forth into singing before you,
And all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
¹³ Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress tree,
And instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree;
And it shall be to the LORD for a name,
For an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.”