DAY 27
Devotional by Lydia Kicker
Devoted is almost here, and for myself and so many others – my favorite conference of the year! Worship is a huge part of why I love Devoted and it plays such a big part in Devoted as a whole. It is in worship where so many begin to experience the presence of God in a real and tangible way. I have been part of a worship team since my high school days in the 90’s, back when we called it “a praise band” in an effort to be “contemporary.” And I have been singing as a part of our worship team since the very first women’s conference, back when it was called Just For Her. I can honestly say that there is nothing like the worship that happens when it’s just the women that gather together. The women of God love to worship… You ladies are ready from the very first moment it begins. An encounter with the Presence of God can lead to so much more than just goose bumps and all the “feels”… It leads to freedom. For so many, true freedom in Jesus could not come soon enough. Worship at Devoted Conference is all about what we come expecting God to do in and through us. There is such an expectation and faith in the atmosphere; we know God is going to show up. But it isn’t just the faith of the pastors and leaders or just the super spiritual. No, it is the faith of every woman, young and old, first time at Devoted or 10th time, those on a spiritual mountaintop and those in a valley needing a miracle from God. God is moved by our combined faith to where we experience breakthrough and freedom. I believe that it is in worship that chains are broken and the weights that we are unwilling to any longer carry start to break off. When the women of God cry out to Him with a holy desperation, God’s presence and glory fall and it is undeniable.
But I hope our worship to Jesus is more than just emotional, but truly spiritual. They that worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth. Let’s come to Devoted this year with such vulnerability and an honest heart that says, “here I am God, this is me; You have it all, the good, the bad, and the ugly.” And then allow God to speak to your spirit through His Spirit. Deep calls out to deep.
My prayer, ladies, is that from the moment we step into that auditorium, even before the first note is played, that we come bringing our faith and our expectation. Expectation that God can do something fresh in our hearts even during the worship. Take your eyes off the girlfriend next to you and what she’s doing. Don’t be intimidated by the sound of your own voice, but be encouraged by the collective voice of us together and what we offer up to heaven. God is ready; He is waiting for us. Heaven will come down as we together touch the heart of our Father through worship.
PRAYER
Father, we long for Your presence and we come to Devoted with faith and expectation that You will touch the heart of every woman. Let every woman know and feel Your presence in a real and fresh way. I pray that every woman would find freedom and be transformed by the power of Your presence. As we take our eyes off ourselves and off our circumstances speak to our hearts. Draw near to us as we draw near to You. In Jesus’ mighty name. AMEN.