Shout - Day 3 - Wednesday, October 26th, 2011

⁸ When Joshua had spoken to the people, the seven priests carrying the seven trumpets before the LORD went forward, blowing their trumpets, and the ark of the LORD’s covenant followed them. ⁹ The armed guard marched ahead of the priests who blew the trumpets, and the rear guard followed the ark. All this time the trumpets were sounding. Joshua 6:8-9

What trumpet are you blowing? What is the song coming from your life? When people are around you what song do they hear? If you picked a song that described what it is like to be in your presence what song would it be? I'm not talking about your favorite song, I'm simply saying what do you and others hear as the music coming from your soul, your mouth, your actions.

Now let me ask you another question. What would you like to be the song coming from your life? Is it different from what is currently there? What trumpet would you like to be blowing?

These might sound like kind of weird thoughts but bear with me for a minute. Every person on earth has a song coming from their life. You have a different type of feeling when you're around each individual. And each person around you picks up on the music that is produced from your character, your choice of words, your actions. For instance, some people are like listening to excellent classical music - they are peaceful, sophisticated, soft spoken, yet complex and meaningful. Someone else might be like a pop song, very energetic, positive, fun to be around, etc. Get the picture? It's an analogy that has faults, like any analogy, but for the most part it's a really revealing way to describe someones persona, the presence that they carry with them wherever they go. Being around an angry, spiteful, critical person who constantly uses harsh words and foul language is indeed another type of song, I'll let you imagine for yourself what that song would sound like to you. We all are blowing a trumpet guys - every single one of us. And everybody around us hears that sound loud and clear. Loud, or melancholy, or cutting, or meaningful, or depressing, or uplifting, encouraging, etc. etc. etc. etc.

So I ask you again, what is the sound people hear coming from your life? If it's not what you would like it to be then praise God for recognizing that - He is there to help you! God is very near you when your are broken hearted. He is the only true one that can fill your life with the music of Heaven. It all starts by being in the presence of God. Being filled with His Holy Spirit. Listen again to the Word of God:

the seven priests carrying the seven trumpets before the LORD went forward, blowing their trumpets, and the ark of the LORD’s covenant followed them.

Remember, the ark of the Lord is a physical representation of a spiritual truth. It represents the very presence of God. When we recognize ourselves as priests of the Lord, Holy unto Him and sanctified unto the Lord for His service through the finished work of Christ on the cross, we begin to carry around with us the very presence of God himself. And people, we will notice that! And everyone around us will hear that song and feel the presence of God's Holy Spirit when they arre around us! Even what we actually listen to in our lives will change! You'll find yourself wanting more and more to hear the song of Heaven, songs that exalt the Lord and bring you into His presence. The trumpet you are blowing will bring with it the presence of God to you and all who are around you!

DAY 3

*You just read your lesson for today!

*Now take a time to worship and pray.

*Pray about the third of The Seven Areas of Life:

Social - Your relationship with others
Pray that your life will reflect God to others. Take time to examine what it is you think is the sound of the trumpet coming from your life. Take time to examine if there are those you need to forgive and let go of past hurts. Ask the Lord to fill you with His Spirit, and fill you with songs of praise and worship in your heart. Ask him to make this scripture a reality in your life:

"Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, ¹⁹ speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, ²⁰ always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Eph 5:18-20

*Pray for your church, it's pastor, leaders, people and community.

*Finally, close by letting everything go and simply worshipping Him. Put on a worship song or slip your headphones on with a praise song on and stop everything - tell Him you love Him and that He is your God, your loving Father, your everything! Let your heart forget everything else and focus only on our awesome God! The Holy Spirit will fill you friends, the enemies of your soul will be thrown into confusion, and the walls around the new ground you are about to take will start to weaken and begin to crumble. WORSHIP HIM WITH COMPLETE ABANDON!

Love you guys and the music coming from your lives :)

Pastor Kenny