When we invest in God, He always pays dividends.

I had the opportunity to go to my first praise and worship conference in 2003. I was playing music with a few other people at Church and was approached about going to a conference. This was to give us some insight and training for future opportunities that the Church was looking into. That would be the first of many resources that I would seek out and be blessed with over the next several years and up until now.

There were three of us that were given the opportunity to go to the conference. It was an incredible opportunity and I was really exited about going. It was all paid for by the Church (or so I thought) and we just had to have money for food and incidentals. We got everything ready and headed out.

This was an intimate setting at a Church over on the coast. I think there were about 200 people at the conference and they had break down classes for nearly every aspect you could imagine. This involved praise and worship, leadership, band dynamics, music composition, and types of praise and worship songs. These were all covered along with, Audio media and sound operations. There were classes on individual instrumentation, bass, guitar, drums, vocals, keyboard and limited discussion about brass. There was praise and worship several times each day during the multi-day conference. This gave us time to see Praise and Worship in action and to be given feedback on what was happening during those times of worship. It was really an eye opener as to what Praise and Worship really was and what it should and shouldn’t be.

There were question and answer sessions where every question you could imagine was asked, from playing solo’s to how often to introduce new songs. There was feedback and conversation from other attendees that were both seasoned worship leaders and young people new to the calling. We were neither young nor seasoned but I took in everything I could. This led to a series of resources just being dropped in my lap…. another way God provides for us….. web sites, books, other workshops and training courses. I have a list of resources a mile long that never cease to keep me grounded and looking toward God and teaching me and challenging me in new ways.

Weekly I not only spend time reading God’s word and in prayer but I also spend time sharpening the saw reading and learning from all of these resources. Several of them are by well respected Worship leaders around the world that have books that I have read over the years, and video series that I have played for the praise and worship team. I have had the wonderful opportunity to be a part of a Praise team for the last year as of May 30th. It is a blessing to serve God in what ever capacity or task he has given you. We should step out on faith and trust God to provide what we need to do his work. It takes diligence, it takes time, and it takes faith that God will perfect in us what his plan is. This goes for any ministry or Church. You can try to rush it if you want, but God works in his time and that is the bottom line.

Last week after Praise team practice I had a conversation with a very dear friend and man of God. We were talking about what God has in store for us if we are obedient and are willing to step out on faith. I personally know he has great things in store for us because I have experienced God’s plan in my life. I made a statement to my friend,  "who would have thought that God would use me in a way to lead Worship, it just goes to show you that God can do anything."  He responded with.... when my wife and I felt led by God to pay for you guys to go to the praise and worship conference we knew that God would use you.  Wow!!!  I had no idea that anyone had personally contributed, this was 7 years later and not a word had ever been said until now. That was in response to what I had said.... it was not boasting by any means.  All I could say was….. You know when you make and investment in God he always pays dividends, even if it is seven years later. All in God’s time…… all in God’s…….time. I am nothing with out the wonderful redeeming presence of Jesus Christ. Thank you Jesus for the blessings that you have given me.

Have you made an investment in God? What are you waiting for……….