WORSHIP; PROPHETIC; WARFARE

HIGH PRAISE (WORSHIP; PROPHETIC; WARFARE)

By Gilbert Hughes, MINISTER of the word

All believers are commanded to praise God! In fact, Isaiah 43:21 explains that praise is one reason we were created, "This people I have formed for Myself; they shall declare My praise." Hebrews 13:15 confirms this: "Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise - the fruit of lips that confess his name." What type of praise - or what methods of praise - does the Bible indicate we should use in order to come into God's presence? Ps.100:4 tell us to enter His gates with 'thanksgiving' and his courts with praise. Worship must become our life and our breath. Worship is ultimately the key that unlocks our whole lives before the Lord and provides a way of experiencing every depth in Him. Many of today's young people are turned off by the anemic praise and worship which takes place in many of today's congregations. They look around them (assuming they even come in the first place) and do not see any victory over depression, disease, divorce and drugs. They listen to one or two hymns and songs which may well have been vibrant when written, but in so many cases have become nothing more than a weekly ritual. In short, Saul's weapons are not doing these fellowships any good. Why then should we be surprised that these future David's and Gideon are turned off by them? During our fellowship's own times of Spirit led praise and worship - which includes raised hands, clapping, shouting, dancing & leaping as well as laying prostrate before the Most High, I have seen people come to the Lord, rededicate their lives to the Lord, receive both physical and emotional healing, experience the tangible presence of the Lord and gain victory over the forces of the enemy which had come against them. Unfortunately, worship has not been taught or treated as prophetic in most of our churches, so few have glimpsed the glories or plumbed the depths of what God really intends for us as worshipers. Because of this lack, we have missed the very nature and essence of God's heart for us as we meet Him in church services and private devotion

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Gilbert Hughes Minister of the Word gilbertvrp@apostolicyouthministry.org

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Rev 19:5-16 5 Then a voice came from the throne, saying: "Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, both small and great!" 6 Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: "Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. 7 Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.

There is a new sound of praise and worship that is coming to the church today. It often comes as a roaring sound like mighty rushing waters and loud expressions that sound like thunder and loud shouts of victory 8 Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear." (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.) 9 Then the angel said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!'" And he added, "These are the true words of God." 10 At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, "Do not do it! I am a fellow-servant with you and with your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." 11 I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war.

First Worship Second prophecy Third warfare

they are Biblical expressions of praise and adoration (singing, clapping, dancing, lifting of hands, bowing, etc.) that are directed to God, inspired and directed by the Holy Spirit, and which come forth from the heart of man. Prophetic worship is where Gods voice is heard and His presence felt as Christ begins to sing and express praise to the Father through His people (Heb. 2:12; Ps. 22:22; Rev. 19:10). These high praises of God both exalt the Lord and accomplish spiritual warfare in the heaven lies (Ps. 149:6-9; Eph. 6:12; 2 Cor.10:4-6). It is worship that is expressed in obedience to a prompting of God that brings forth a prophetic word, mantle or anointing that results in the manifestation of Gods power (2 Chron. 20:14-22; 2 Kings 3:15; 1 Sam. 10:5-6).

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Gilbert Hughes Minister of the Word gilbertvrp@apostolicyouthministry.org

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One of the Greatest Weapons in our Arsenal is Worship.

FIRST, WORSHIP
The goal of worship is to commune with God Himself. As we worship, God is enthroned in our praises. We punch through into Heavens frame of reference. Acts 16: 19-34. As we worship, we come into unity as a people. We come into the manifest presence of God and yield ourselves anew to Him. His desires, His priorities, and His presence are exalted. His Word and His power can be released through a yielded people. It is when Jesus is exalted that every knee must bow. These high praises of God It is worship that is expressed in obedience to a prompting of God that brings forth a prophetic word, and accomplish spiritual warfare in the heaven (Ps. 149:6-9; Eph. 6:12; 2 Cor.10:4-6). or anointing that results in the manifestation of Gods power (2 Chron. 20:14-22; 2 Kings 3:15; 1 Sam. 10:5-6). Worship puts the enemy in perspective. God is in control. We develop sensitivity to the issues on Gods heart. Worship brings us to a place where the sword of the Spirit can be used effectively. Choosing to worship God with your will places your mind in subjection to the kingdom of God. Worship focuses us on the Lord. When we truly worship, we take "every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ." We can't worship and be tempted to sin. We can't worship and lust. We can't worship and lie, hate, covet, gossip, cheat, etc

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Gilbert Hughes Minister of the Word gilbertvrp@apostolicyouthministry.org

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SECOND, PROPHECY
Prophetic worship is about connecting heaven and earth. It is worship that is both heavenly and earthly. Psalm 40 He put a new songv. 3 many will see and fear

Prophetic worship is where Gods voice is heard (Heb. 2:12; Ps. 22:22; Rev. 19:10). Prophetic worship is catching the wind of the Holy Spirit for a specific service and flowing with it. The main aim of the Holy Spirit is to focus us on Jesus. There needs to come a time when a true death to self and all these other things come so that we may indeed be lead by the chief Worship Leader, the Holy Spirit. For the purpose of edification, exhortation and comfort or may be directed to God as the Holy Spirit helps us express our deep devotion that we could not ordinarily express by ourselves (Heb. 2:12; Rom. 8:27; Zeph. 3:17: "The Lord thy God...will joy over [or through] thee with singing").

During Prophetic Worship Some Things Happen PROPHETIC SONG A song that is inspired, anointed and directed by the Holy Spirit through an individual; usually spontaneous in nature, which expresses the mind of God in musical form. It is literally prophecy through song (referred to in the New Testament as spiritual songs). (See Colossians 3:16 and Ephesians 5:19.) These songs are directed to man for the purpose of edification, exhortation and comfort or may be directed to God as the Holy Spirit helps us express our deep devotion that we could not ordinarily express by ourselves (Heb. 2:12; Rom. 8:27; Zeph. 3:17: "The Lord thy God...will joy over [or through] thee with singing").

During Prophetic Worship Some Things Happen Most Christians think of worship as something we do as we come together on Sunday morning. We've learned that worship helps us endure trials and empowers us for witnessing. However did you know that worship aids us in spiritual warfare as well?

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Gilbert Hughes Minister of the Word gilbertvrp@apostolicyouthministry.org

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THIRD, SPIRITUAL WARFARE:

Because Praise and Worship is a Weapon of Warfare This is reflected in the songs. One might find that the music starts to flow in the direction of sounds of war. The drums might start to feature. The worship leader should be sensitive enough to step out of the way and let the anointing go at this point and make room for the Holy Spirit to flow through the percussive instruments etc. to go to battle and lead the people in spiritual warfare. Worship releases the anointing of God to break yokes (Isaiah 10:27). Now, what are the results when we do this? Ps.9:2-3 tells us that God's enemies turn back, stumble and actually perish when His Name is praised. There is a binding of principalities, powers, and rulers of darkness. Not only that, but Ps 149:6-9 6 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand, 7 To execute vengeance on the nations, and punishments on the peoples; 8 To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; 9 To execute on them the written judgment-- this honor have all His saints. Praise the LORD! (NKJ) The praises are not the same thing as the sword. What is the sword? According to Ephesians 6: 17, the sword of the Spirit is the rhema Word of God; truth proclaimed into the spiritual atmosphere. Tell us that the enemies' kings and nobles are bound with shackles of iron when we praise the Lord. Use praise as a weapon. Now, While there can be no doubt that God is worthy of praise (I Chron. 16:25) and that He called us for the very purpose of praising His name (Is.43:21 & I Pe.2:9), when it comes to spiritual warfare, praise is a powerful weapon. When we exalt the Risen Lord in our midst, then darkness is exposed by the light. Satan cant stand it when God gets all the glory. When we are yielded to God in worship, then God is able to show Himself strong on our behalf.

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Gilbert Hughes Minister of the Word gilbertvrp@apostolicyouthministry.org

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Here then is a very brief overview of the warfare aspect of praise. To begin with, Gen.29:35 tell us that the very word Judah means 'praise.' By itself, this fact does not indicate any relationship between praise and spiritual warfare. But when we recall that Israel's greatest warrior king was King David, who is also the author of most of the book of Psalms, a tentative link can be drawn between these two concepts. This link is strengthened for us in

A. The worship and praise of Almighty God gives us victory over the enemy II Chronicles 20 is the most commonly quoted example in scripture of "warfare worship". Lets examine this passage in detail: in verses 1-13 the people intercede. V.15-17 God responds. V.20-24 the people go forth praising and find the enemy has been destroyed. Based on this scenario, the argument is advanced that it was the worship of the people of God which went ahead of them and won the battle. However, a careful reading of the passage fails to support this conclusion. In v.15 the Lord says "...the battle is not yours". In v.17 He states "you will not need to fight in this battle...", thus clearly implying that whatever they were doing, it was not fighting. Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord who is with you..." They did not even directly confront the enemy. They went forth rejoicing and praising God in faith for His promise that they would not have to fight! As they did so, the Lord arose and defeated the enemy. The worship of the saints was unto God. It was not directed at the enemy. In the OT, the people of God learned that worship and warfare went hand in hand. Over and over we read of situations in which the people failed to worship God with their whole hearts. As a result their enemies defeated them. However, when they repented and truly worshiped God, He always gave them victory. They could not win a war without sincere worship.

1. It worked for Israel

Judg 1:1-2 Now after the death of Joshua it came to pass, that the children of Israel asked the LORD, saying, Who shall go up for us against the Canaanites first, to fight against them?And the LORD said, Judah shall go up: behold, I have delivered the land into his hand. Judg 20:18 And the children of Israel arose, and went up to the house of God, and asked counsel of God, and said, Which of us shall go up first to the battle against the children of Benjamin? And the LORD said, Judah shall go up first.

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Gilbert Hughes Minister of the Word gilbertvrp@apostolicyouthministry.org

WORSHIP; PROPHETIC; WARFARE

In Judg 1:1-2, Judges 20:18 & which tell us that singers proceeded the army into battle. That's right, the choir and musicians were walking point! But there is a reason for that. You see, Ps.22:3 & Ps.114:2 each tell us that God inhabits His praises. Therefore, the quickest way to get God on the scene is to praise Him.

2. It worked for Jehoshaphat

II Chron.20:13-24. V.13 the people intercede. v. 15-17 God responds. v. 20-24 the people go forth praising 15 the Lord says "...the battle is not yours". In v.17 He states "you will not need to fight in this battle...", "Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord who is with you..." They did not even directly confront the enemy, and find the enemy has been destroyed

3. It worked for Paul and Silas

Paul and Silas won the victory by singing in the depth of the Philippians prison and were freed by an earthquake.

4. It will work for you!!!

Our passage continues as it gives a description of Jesus and all the saints coming back in this great battle of triumph over the devil and demon power 12 His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no-one knows but he himself. YOU CANNOT GIVE HIM A NAME WHEN HE FIGHT FOR YOU "I Am That I Am" YHWH-Yireh (Yahweh-Yireh) "The Lord will provide" (Genesis 22:13, 14). YHWH-Rapha" "The Lord that healeth" (Exodus 15:26). YHWH-Niss"i (Yahweh-Nissi) "The Lord our Banner" (Exodus 17:8-15). YHWH-Shalom "The Lord our Peace" (Judges 6:24). YHWH-Ra-ah "The Lord my Shepherd" (Psalms 23:1). YHWH-Tsidkenu "The Lord our Righteousness" (Jeremiah 23:6). YHWH-Shammah "The Lord is present" (Ezekiel 48:35). 13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. 14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter." He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. (NIV)
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Gilbert Hughes Minister of the Word gilbertvrp@apostolicyouthministry.org

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In Ps.47:1-2, Isa.55:12, Ps.98:8 we are told to clap our hands during our times of praise. I believe that in the context of spiritual warfare these Scriptures are inviting us to clap our hands in defiance to the enemy which we are coming against. This is why Ps.144:1 tells us that the Lord 'trains our hands for war' and our 'fingers for battle.' Now, what are the results when we do this? Ps.9:2-3 tells us that God's enemies turn back, stumble and actually perish when His Name is praised. Not only that, but Ps.149:8 goes on to tell us that the enemies' kings and nobles are bound with shackles of iron when we praise the Lord The Prophetic Word of the Lord: I am calling thee to create a habitation of worship, to create a habitation of praise. I am going to ride upon the wings of your praise that shall soar to new heights in My Presence. This is the day, which shall mark new beginnings for many. For this is the season that I shall move you out of the comfort of the eagles nest into the realms of My Power and My Glory. Im going to begin to do a brand new thing within you. Im going to break up the fallow ground of your heart that you may become all that I have destined thee to become. That which was spoken of by the prophet Joel, shall become a living reality within you. I shall pour out My Spirit upon all flesh! And yea, your sons and your daughters shall prophesy! I shall cause those that are extremely young to begin to move in the things of the Lord. The Word of the Lord shall begin to come forth even out of the mouth of babes and sucklings. And you shall know that the Hand of the Lord has been stretched towards thee this day. Enter in! Enter in! For as you determine to enter into My Presence and create a habitation, I will dwell in thy midst, and I will continually speak unto thee. My Spirit is going to begin to move over the nations of this world. I am going to raise up an army of people who are going to create an atmosphere for the enthronement of my presence in their midst. I am going to begin to shape political powers and political structures. And yea, My Kingdom is going to begin to be established. This is the day whereby My signs and wonders are going to come forth in great intensity. And yea, My Word shall burn in the mouths of the prophets of the Most High God. The day is now approaching when they are going to go to leaders of nations and speak to men in high places, saying, Hear ye the Word of the Lord for your land and for your city. I am going to raise up people in despised places and regions and place honor upon them and given them a new degree of My glory. And I
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Gilbert Hughes Minister of the Word gilbertvrp@apostolicyouthministry.org

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shall begin to overthrow the altars and high places down of the vain imaginations of men who shall extol Me, and see Me for who I Am, saith the Spirit of Almighty God. "The Lord will cause His glorious voice to be heard, and show the descent of His arm, with the indignation of His anger and the flame of a devouring fire, with scattering, tempest, and hailstones. For through the voice of the Lord Assyria will be beaten down, who struck with a rod. And in every place where the staff of punishment passes, which the Lord lays on him, it will be with tambourines and harps; and in battles of brandishing He will fight with it." (Isaiah30:30-32)

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Gilbert Hughes Minister of the Word gilbertvrp@apostolicyouthministry.org