ENCOUNTERS WITH GOD
- Aug 11
- 2 min read
The Gateway to The Destination
Psalm 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
John 4:21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. 23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
Comprehending the distinction between praise and worship can facilitate the enrichment of your relationship with God by discerning how each form of expression individually honors Him and how to effectively engage in an encounter with Him.
Praise is the Gateway, but Worship is the Destination
Luke 5:17 And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them all.
Jesus was present at a gathering intended for healing everyone, but only the paralytic man — whom his four friends lowered through the roof — had an encounter, resulting in his salvation and healing.
Divine presence resides where there is praise; however, only those who worship Him shall have the opportunity to have an encounter with Him personally.
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION:
How has your understanding of praise and worship changed your perspective when attending a service?
How many gates can we enter through in any given service, and how many have you gone through?
In what ways have the biblical examples of extravagant worship challenged you?
How did the woman who was considered a sinner show remarkable and heartfelt worship with her alabaster box, leaving a lasting impression that people still talk about today?
How can it be that the power and presence can be in a room to heal them all, but only one gets healed?
What were one or two one-liners I mentioned in the message that ministered to you the most?
What was your “aha” moment in the message?
Looking forward to our discussion!
In His Service,
Bishop Bill
Watch the message here: https://youtu.be/d8Q5BHFmg98?si=6YYnTrI7pR1aGfuL
How has your understanding of praise and worship changed your perspective when attending a service?
-Before coming here my praise was... Thank you Jesus, I love you Jesus, praise you Jesus - just those phrases on repeat, it bothered me, but I didnt have other words no understanding to get past the broken record 😐 since coming here I've learned things like - what are you giving praise to, are you complaining... Well that's praise to something, yikes 😬
Real praise celebrates God's acts ❤️
Praise is a gateway, worship is the destination... Praise gets us to worship wow! Im sure I saw praise and worship as basically the same, not one getting us to a personal one on one…
ALL My words Fall Short I got nothin new ho w could I express all my gratitude I could sing these songs as I often do but every sing must end and you never do so I throw up hard s inside for Bishop do praise
Great message Bishop it was very informative and made me think and evaluate my understanding before your message and what I have become to know now.
How has your understanding of praise and worship changed your perspective when attending a service.
It was Bishop pointing out the difference between praise and worship I guess I thought praise and worship were kinda the same thing but with the help of Bishop's message I have lurned that there is a difference when we praise him it for his goodness and kindness it's the praiseing him but when we worship him and put him before anything in our lives and allow him to be Lord over our lives.
How many gates can we…
Thank you Bishop for delivering such a powerful message. It was both humbling and peace bringing.
1.How has your understanding of praise and worship changed your perspective when attending a service?
Its goes beyond feeling the presence of God. If I stay merely at the feeling of love the goosebumps the exhilaration and never go further to submitting there is no true intimacy.
2.How many gates can we enter through in any given service, and how many have you gone through?
Three
Have I entered all three before? Yes.
Do I often stay encounter adjacent? Sadly also yes.
3.In what ways have the biblical examples of extravagant worship challenged you?
Take moments seriously it maybe the only one.
4.How did…
How has your understanding of praise and worship changed your perspective when attending a service?
When I make it personal he gets personal.
How many gates can we enter through in any given service, and how many have you gone through? Three. First the Brazen altar. At this altar we enter with Thanksgiving sacrificing our flesh looking for a connection to the Father. The second gate is the laver; this is where we pass into his court. Here we are washed and we begin to hear his words and transformation begins. The third gate is at the altar of incense and here we come to the holy of holies. The place where his presence abides and we receive the gift…