The Kiss of Heaven, by Darlene Zschech : Highlights and Quotes
Grace is used to talk about our position in life, while favor is used much more frequently to talk about our mission. Grace to live and favor to move.
For it is by grace that I live. This, I have only totally understood fully over these past 2 years. Reminding me always, that even the chance to breath, the opportunity of being alive, the privileges of enjoying all the blessings and the honour to serve Him, are indeed, His abundant grace for me. Thus, with a joyful heart. I bless, because He has blessed me. I love, because He has first love me.
July 2011 had become one of the significant months for me in my walk with Christ. It is significant due to the commissions that He alone has bestowed upon me. I remember the night of July the 9th, when pastor John Mendez imparted the anointing of the "Favor of the Lord" upon many brothers and sisters that came. This is followed by another few occasions of the anointing through Pastor Johan, and my personal mentor, whom had led me so much in my spiritual growth. Favor of the Lord is real, when we receive with faith. My life started to change since that time. Since then, my walk has been directed towards fulfilling my destiny, the calling.
Heaven Exchange : moments when God literally exchanges our weaknesses for His strength, our brokenness for His wholeness. Walking with Him involves surrendering my old nature to Him. The more we dive into the truth, the more I am aware of the sinful nature in me. And the more I realise how dirty I am, the more I need the blood of Jesus to cleanse me. At first, it was hard, it was painful , I denied it, and I rebelled for not wanting to change. I tried to defend myself, until I realised that, it was either following Him or no. I couldn't stand in two boats anymore and I had to choose. Thank God, I surrender. Impatient, easily angered, hot-tempered, workaholic, over perfectionist, self-pity and extreme emotions are all my weaknesses. Bringing all my weaknesses to Him increase my dependency on Him. And He did honor my honesty. There was a time when, before I led worship that I came to Him saying that: Lord, I was not a good speaker, but I surrender. Amazingly, He put words in my mouth when I served.. and I know, it wasn't me. It was Holy Spirit, speaking through me. This is heaven exchange. "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9)
True worship is a daily lifestyle that honors God. The differences between worship and music : worship is inclusive, not exclusive. The music of worship embraces every man, woman and child. The heart of worship implores us to bring an offering of heart. It allows everyone to come and participate. On the other hand, music was created to carry, capture and communicate the presence of God.
As a musician, both through academic training and personal lifestyle, I had been living in a mindset of a musician, having the idealism of a musician, having the attitude and the character of a musician and even, I had to admit that I had the pride as a musician. This is what it means by music is exclusive. It was difficult and a constant struggle to distinguish the line of music and worship. Many times I separated the the essence of worship and performance and this did not please the Lord. I do love music, and I love to sing. But when I sing with the mindset of a performer, my heart would not be fully His. It became a human show, and the fragrant of His presence would be absent. Yes, this is one of my weaknesses that is in need of constant changes. I humbly need Him to put my heart of worship to Him above everything, and music would only be the instrument to His presence. Let me be His instrument, for He created music in me to please Him, and not myself.
The Lord doesn't require how good you are. He only desire your heart. I had been blinded by the pride that I had, and it was only because of His grace that finally I come to understand, this year.
When coming back to the heart of worship, then I realised that, adoring Him is the most important. It is not a matter of how good or talented I could sing, how musically knowledgeable I have.. but His presence is the most important. He alone deserves the worship and He is seeking the true worshiper who worship in spirit and truth. (John 4:23-24).
Worship alone is not enough. We need to be rooted in His words. And the more He speaks to us through the words, the words become so alive that, we would be hungry for more and more. Pray for revelation when reading the words as Human 's logic would not comprehend the hidden truth. Seek for the meanings, let it become alive for the Words of God are powerful.
Darlene quoted that 'The more we know of God's Word, the more the Holy Spirit can use God's truth to direct us in our daily walk.' Respect and fear the Lord, and humbly ask for it, and for the knowledge of the Words are one of the true treasures of the world.
" He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure." (Isaiah 33:6)
Advices concerning pride:
The most dangerous to the flow of favor, is our own pride. When God's favor is shining on us, it tends to put us in the spotlight of attention. Signs of pride: easily offended, self-centeredness, fighting for our rights, isolation, needing to be served.
Pride and self-righteousness often hinder ourselves to be used fully by God. For carrying pride means we do not need Him. This is a very crucial point that I myself try to heed, especially when I know I have several gifts. My mentor, friends and even leaders have constantly giving advices about pride and I want to be careful with it. For this, I need God to change my heart, renew my mind, deny my flesh and undergoing the process of sanctification. I pray that as I encounter Him more and more, I am more in need of a humble heart. So that, when I bless, I shall serve in humility. So that when I sing, I sing with a pure heart, and so that, when I lead, I lead people to salvation.
Be clothed with humility. Humility is freedom from pride or arrogance. It is not thinking of yourself as being lower than a worm, because if we are going to lead people, we have to be out in front. But leading is all about taking people by the hand and pointing them to Jesus - not showing off our own wonderfulness ! "Who may ascent the hill of the Lord ? Who may stand in his holy place ?He who has clean hands and a pure heart?" (Psalm 24:3-4)
Undeniably, Darlene Zschech is an incredible woman of God, a true worshiper of the Lord and an inspiring leader. Reading this book has blessed me so much and taught me heaps. Her insights inspire me to deepen my walk with God and to shout and declare His name on high.
" I long to be an extravagant worshiper that God would discover the song in my heart to be elaborate, over-generous, and wasteful in my pursuit of Him" - Darlene Zschech.
