The Glorious Throne, by April McCullohs

"A glorious throne, exalted from the beginning, is the place of our sanctuary."  Jeremiah 17:12

 
I imagine it's a funny thing.

When a person with little or no church background walks into Church at the Bay for the first time and sees a band on stage, rocking their hearts out for Jesus. People in the auditorium are clapping and singing along, the lights are moving and the words of the songs are flashing on the screens.

It can't seem all that different from a Sugarland concert.

But then, when that first-time guest looks on stage at the singers, they notice something different. The singers' eyes are not reaching the audience's. And the audience, for that matter, isn't directing their attention to the singers'. For the most part, eyes are closed and heads are lifted up to the rafters.


Who, or what, are we singing to? To the guys in the light box in the back?

The difference between corporate (all-together) worship and concerts, even Christian, is in the audience. With musical performances, the musician seeks to connect with and please the audience through the music. With worship, the music isn't the end game. It's simply a venue, a conduit, for expressing grateful praise to God.

So, the eyes closed, the head lifted or bowed, the hands raised--these physical acts are all directed toward a God who promises to hear our praise and (even this!) to draw near to us when we worship with truthful hearts.

When I'm on stage singing, or in the third row of the auditorium on Sunday and my lids close over my eyes, where do I go in my head? In my heart? How do I picture this God to whom I direct my praise?

The most frequent place I go, mentally, is to His throne room. Revelation 4, Isaiah 6, Ezekiel 1 all have vivid descriptions of the glorious throne room of God. If you need some help visualizing the awesome dwelling place of God, read these passages and let them fill you with an excited anticipation for the next time you address God, in prayer or in worship.

For me, the words are not just words to be sung because that's what we do in church. Our worship time together is a dynamic, real-time opportunity to push aside the me-centeredness that so often drives my thought-life and actions and to allow my spirit the chance to give God the attention He deserves.

God is not some far-off politician who checks the fan email and is happy to see we're still sending Him our vote. When we set our hearts to pray, or to sing songs of praise, He promises to be present in those actual, real-time moments.

To receive our heart-cries.

To direct His attention our way.

To even allow us to sense His holy presence more clearly and more powerfully.

It takes faith to believe that we have an audience with God when we pray and when we sing. It's so much more than some yoga visualization exercise--this privilege, to address the King of Kings, is an invitation extended to us and made possible by the forgiveness of Jesus.

So the next time you quiet your heart to pray or show up for worship on Sunday morning, come with a heart prepared to stand, forgiven, before the throne room of the Lord.

And then sing your heart out.  

Metropolitan Ministries Service Project, November 20

Join your friends from Church at the Bay as we partner with Metropolitan Ministries to meet the needs of families in the community this Thanksgiving holiday!

We'll be helping thousands of needy families "shop" for their Thanksgiving meal at Metropolitan Ministries' Holiday Tent on Saturday, November 20. There are two shifts to choose from.

While this is a CATB Ladies' Event, guys are welcome to serve also--make sure you include any additional people in your email response.

Email catbladies@churchatthebay.com to respond. In your email, include which shift you'd like.  

Shift 1: 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m., OR

Shift 2: 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

We'll be meeting at Metropolitan Ministries: 2001 N Florida Ave, Tampa, FL 33602 You'll receive an email confirmation once you respond.

Looking forward to serving with you!

Guest Devotional - Alexis Albright

When we sing to God, we sing songs that lift-up, praise, and edify His name.  We often use the term “worship” to describe this time of singing.  We can also say that we are, through music, honoring God, adoring Him, showing reverence, or glorifying Him.

The words in the songs that we sing at Church at the Bay most often come from Scripture—straight out of God's word, the Bible.  After singing at church on Sunday, I regularly have those songs “stuck” in my head.  I will find myself doing errands or household chores and singing those tunes.  And as I’m singing them, I think about the words and my worship continues!  I love that worship is not confined to our Sunday service or my quiet time… Worship can happen anywhere at any time.  God wants us to worship Him all day long—for who He is and for the works of His hands.

My favorite lyrics of late are, “Our God is greater. Our God is stronger. God, You are higher than any other. Our God is healer, awesome in power. Our God, Our God.”  Aren’t these words so powerful?!  I will pray these words, acknowledging Him and praising Him through prayer.  Whether I am singing or praying, I know I am deepening my relationship with God because I am doing what He created me to do: worship Him!

Psalm 150 says, “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.”  

Music helps me connect to God in an intimate way.  What does that for you?  You don’t have to be a good singer, an eloquent prayer, or a detailed observer to be a good worshiper.  If you’re driving with the windows down, you can thank Him and praise Him for the weather. Worship Him for giving you another day of life.  Adore His creations (people, trees, sunshine, etc).   God wants our worship.  He wants to hear from us.  And He wants us to hear from Him!