'Worship that Changes the World Around Us' featuring Tami Kent

We had no idea when we filmed this conversation, how in the days and weeks to come the coronavirus would take our world into a state of chaos. And that this conversation would be released as we all sit in quarantine, with stay-at-home orders put in place to protect the most vulnerable in our communities. But the Lord orders our steps. And there is no doubt in our mind that God prepared this conversation for such a time as this, when hope is so desperately needed. 

Hope is birthed in Christ. And as God’s children we have access to living hope in all situations.  Hope is also an attitude and an openness before God, to choose to trust in whatever He is doing, even when things seem hopeless.  So what do we do when we walk through trials that seem hopeless?

The Lord often uses our greatest trials for our greatest breakthroughs. In Romans 5 we are reminded that our pain and our struggles have a purpose in the Kingdom, and that we can rejoice knowing that God will use them to strengthen our hope. And in verse 5 we read that " this hope will not lead to disappointment because we know God has given us His Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” 

Our circumstances can go unchanged, but our hearts can be transformed in an instant. God is more than willing to renew our perspective through prayer, worship, the Word, and His people. 

Remember that God is always doing a new thing, so be willing to receive new revelation, new words, and new life. 

God is faithful. Despite where we might be, He has said that he has already done great things for us, and because of God’s good character, we can rest in full assurance and hope for what is next. It is Christ in us, the hope of glory. 

This coming week, pray this prayer along with us, as we profess the goodness of God over our lives... ”God, help me to see. Help me to go fearlessly into things without knowing how they’ll turn out. Help me to choose to be a representation of your living hope. Help me to hear your word for myself, and to pour it out to others.”

In this weeks Take Away, Tami talks about worship and how the Bible describes it as a fragrant offering to God.

How does a plant exude fragrance? It’s produced from something within itself.

Have you ever had anyone ask you what the name of the perfume or the cologne that you were wearing was, or tells you how good you smell? Sometimes we recognize someone who has entered the room that we are in without even seeing them merely by the fragrance that they are wearing or exuding.

In 2 Corinthians 2:15 it says, “For we are unto God the sweet aroma of Christ.”

What happens within us when we worship is that our lives emit this beautiful aroma that causes the world around us to stop and take notice. Worship is about making God famous and our worship should draw others to God.

Just like two flowers don’t produce the same fragrance, our individual worship and adoration before the Lord is going to exude a fragrance that is different from those around us. We don’t have to compare. We don’t have to strive. And when we catch that and we really own that truth, it will change the way we think, and our identity, and how we impact the world around us.

You were fearfully and wonderfully made. Made to love. Made to worship. Worship God today, with your whole heart so the world may know of His great love!

What does it look like to prioritize pursuing time with Christ above all? From that place of intimacy grows a deeper connection and awareness to all of Gods creation.

In this weeks Take Away Whitney shares with us that “our private time with God bleeds into our time with others.” The truth is that we cannot lead others where we haven’t gone.

Making time to create and nourish community with others is important. Whether you are leading your church in worship, your friends in fellowship, or your family in prayer, it all starts with you and God. In these quiet, private moments, we are able to return to our Creator in heavenly intimacy and choose to go where He leads us.

Psalms 25:4-5 ‘Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.’

What would it look like for you this week to surrender the things that set you back and ask God to fill that space with confidence and trust in who He is?

In this week’s Take Away, Tami talks with us about how in spite of our circumstances, fears, and insecurities we can walk in confidence knowing that God is with us.

Confidence in Christ is found in worship, in letting go of self and allowing the Holy Spirit to fill us up from within. In this posture of surrender we can find a boldness to declare who God is — He is more than enough!

We pray that as you ponder these truths you would wrap your mind and heart around who you are in Christ and begin to walk in that in the confidence that is yours as His child.

What does it look like to choose worship and to declare the truth of who God is even in the midst of your darkest seasons?

In this week’s Take Away, Whitney shares that even when our emotions aren’t matching the knowledge that we know God is good, we still have to make a choice to put ourselves in His presence because He will meet us there.

The truth is, God is always present for His children… in all seasons, and in all circumstances. Draw near to the Lord, and you will find Him, arms wide open, patiently awaiting His Beloved.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Jesus, Matthew 11:28

Scripture reminds us that we are created for and called to a life of service to God and others.


Sacrificial love was modeled for us clearly in the Bible, but our culture often goes against this humbled surrender.


What would it look like in your day to day life to life to offer your time, energy, and resources, or whatever it is God is leaning you towards and as a living sacrifice to our loving Father? 


Take a moment and lean in to what God might have to speak to you today.

Worship is not confined to a genre of music, a feeling, or a Sunday morning service... worship is a response. How we respond to our creator influences how we respond to one another, to our hardships, and our lives. When we reduce worship to one space, we weaken our awareness of what God has for us in our daily lives. 

Worship is a part of us, woven into our very nature. A response from creation to the Creator. It is a declaration of trust that says, “In spite of what I see, I still choose to trust you.”

When we come before the Lord and acknowledge our weakness, we can find confidence for our insecurity, and courage in the midst of fear. 

What does it look like to live and breathe in a posture of worship in your day to day experience?

The noise that often drowns our quiet is less about the outside world, and more about our inner narrative being overwhelmed by the amount of information we take in daily through our phones and technological devices. We are a distracted culture with our entire lives resting in the palm of our hand. 

In scripture we are reminded that it is in quietness and in trust that we will find our strength and salvation. We find ourselves searching for significance, and deep knowing in our distractions, but we can find these things in God if we just lean into Him. We want to challenge you this week to draw near to the Lord. He’s waiting for you whenever you’re ready, so invite Him in, dear child, and know that you are His beloved.

In this week’s take away Lucy reflects on our conversation Disconnecting to Connect.  She has found that in her own life she needs to recharge in peace and quiet — in her secret place with the Lord.  When life becomes hectic and overwhelming, it can be difficult to find grounding. And often times we forget that the Lord is waiting for us whenever we’re ready with open arms.  

Our lives ask so much of us, but our relationship with God is simple.  He wants his daughters to be with Him in fullness.  We don’t have to earn his love, it’s already been given to us. All we have to do is draw near. 

We want to challenge you this week to find your own secret place with God.  What would it be like to make your quiet time less about you, and more about Him, with all of your expectations, worries, and fears aside?  You are chosen by a loving Father, allow yourself to rest and find strength in His embrace.

In this week’s take away, Erin talks with us about seeking rest by setting boundaries for herself with social media.  Technology is such a big part of our lives and social networking has created habits that allow us to find instant gratification and welcome distractions from the stresses of our daily life. We often post about our days instead of living presently in them. 

God is present with us in every moment and we have an open invitation to live fully present with Him.

We want to encourage you today, to take time to ask God what it is that is distracting you and what might be depleting you of your strength.  When we eliminate those distractions we find a depth in the space that remains.  But getting there requires a step of faith. As you draw near to the Lord, choose to step in faith into the strength of your true identity as a daughter of the Most High.