THE DIARY OF THE WORSHIPPER by Isaiah Fosu-Kwakye Jnr.

WHY EVERY BELIEVER/WORSHIP LEADER NEEDS THIS BOOK IN HIS/HER LIBRARY.

Some years ago, a foundation I work with organized a worship concert at Perez Chapel and Pastor Isaiah Fosu-Kwakye Jnr was one of the big names on it. As usual, the time for the program was up and instead of the people taking their seats they were outside chatting. I don’t know if it is a Ghanaian problem or an African thing. I later heard my coordinator saying that Pastor Isaiah was going to start the program. I thought it was a bad idea because of course he is Pastor Isaiah and must wait for the crowd. But it was Pastor Isaiah's decision to start. Mind you, this is the first time I was meeting this wonderful worshipper who I had been hearing about.
If you have been at any worship program where Pastor Isaiah ministered, you would have realized that he mostly likes to speak and sing in tongues before actually singing a song or two at most. Now, I have seen him worship with at most 2 songs for 40minutes. Something most ministers find difficult to do. When he was singing in tongues, the atmosphere just changed and I don’t know why but I decided to look outside. To my surprise, the only people standing outside were our own ticket ladies and other technical members. Everybody in the auditorium had their hands in the air like they were waiting for the upper room experience.

Now, this is where it gets interesting. For the program, I was in charge of video and photography. Since the program had begun, it was only right for me to ensure that the cameras were rolling and each member of the team was in position and doing their work. The two gentlemen on the master camera were recording, and so were the gentlemen working on the reaction shots of the crowd and that of the stage. The only person that was lost in action was the photographer. I would like to say that this gentleman is very professional. When it is time for work, all games must go on standby. So, as a good manager, I decided to go around and look for him. I was hoping to see him doing something that would demand a slap but I got the shock of my life. I found this gentleman a few steps from the stage with the camera off and strapped around his neck. And yes, his hands were up in the air and his eyes closed in worship. As I stood for a few seconds to be sure that I was not dreaming, all I could ask myself was “What is happening?” This gentleman is not a fan of worship so what is he doing. He is not the type to easily do this. So, what is happening? The answer is simple: HE HAD COME INTO CONTACT WITH A WORSHIPPER WHO WAS LEADING A PEOPLE TO THE THRONE ROOM.
Anyway, I still gave him a slap on the head. He could not be enjoying intimacy while we were working. And if you are thinking this is nothing, the same gentleman had to be slapped again by me when our church invited Pastor Isaiah for one of our quarterly worship programs. Again, the fact is: HE HAD COME INTO CONTACT WITH A WORSHIPPER WHO WAS LEADING A PEOPLE TO THE THRONE ROOM.

If like me, you have been wondering why Pastor Isaiah has that unique stage presence then the book to read is – “THE DIARY OF THE WORSHIPPER (His personal reflections on worship)”.  In this book, Pastor Isaiah shares his thoughts with scriptural references to the following:

• What worship is.
• What the worship altar is.
• Who benefits when we worship.
• Faith and worship
• The importance of meditating on the lyrics of a song during worship.
• The importance of staying on a particular song for a while during worship.
• The importance of a worship leader being in tune with the Lord. 
• The importance of having your own perception of God.
• Learning to ‘sing-say’ instead of ‘sing-sing’.
• Learning to wait in worship.
• Difference between ‘thinking worship’ and ‘telling worship’.
• Difference between a worshipper and a singer.
• The true definition of a gospel song.
• The John 2:1-12 revelation on worship every worship leader must know.
• The importance of worship leaders availing themselves as vessels for God.
• The Worship Leader and the Word of God.

One interesting chapter you should read when you get this book is Chapter 2 (God in Need?). This chapter speaks on a particular notion most Pastors and Gospel Musicians keep saying each time they are about to worship or speak about worship – “God can do all things but, one thing He cannot do for Himself is to praise or worship Himself”. That chapter was a big blow to my face. Get the book and you will thank me later after reading this particular chapter.

I wish to share all that I learned from the book with you, but I would not be encouraging Pastor Isaiah to write volume two. I would encourage you to grab a copy from any leading Christian Bookshop or better still send me an e-mail at trotrodevotion@gmail.com or a WhatsApp on 0557445225 for a cool price if you are in Ghana.

Remain in the blessings of the Lord as you remain in Christ.
Have a blessed week!

THE COLD HANDS OF DEATH

"I walk a path that will definitely lead to my death, but the thought of that particular death makes that path attractive than ever. I will prefer to die living for God, than for a man or myself." 

I used to think about death and shiver and quiver like a fish brought out of water. And each time I asked myself:
Why fear death as a believer if my home is not this place but above?
Why fear death as a believer if my life is in the hands of God, and only He can do as He pleases with it?
Why fear death as a believer if truly the one living in me is far greater than he who moves about the earth like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour?
Why fear death as a believer if the God I serve is truly the giver of life?
Why fear death as a believer if I am a product of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah?
Why fear death as a believer?

The truth is this: We fear death because truly our hearts are not on the things above. Unlike Apostle Paul, we are afraid to die because we know deep down within us we still wish to enjoy certain privileges and things of this earth before dying. We have not driven that Mercedes, that Range Rover, that Bugatti, that Chrysler, that Toyota, that Bentley, etc. We have not bought that mansion, we have not traveled to that country, we have not enjoyed this or that. And until we do that, most of us are not ready to think or talk about death.

Some deceive themselves that they are afraid to die because they have not completed their mission. For a few it may be true, but how can you complete a mission you have no idea of? How can you complete a mission you have no interest in? How can you complete a mission you have not enquired about? Again, the answer is this: Our hearts are on things below, not things above. It has nothing to do with your mission on earth Mr. and Mrs. Believer, it has everything to do with the content of your heart.

Colossians 3:2 (KJV)
Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

Others are quick to say that they cannot and must not die now because God is the giver of a long life. That is true. But what is a long life in the sight of God? A long life before God has little to do with the length of days as men see it today. It has everything to do with your kingdom's achievements on earth. It has everything to do with your mission being accomplished successfully on earth. Enoch lived 365years and Methuselah lived 969years, yet Enoch was remembered for his walk with God. We know nothing about Methuselah on the other hand. We mostly believe that John the Baptist and Jesus died prematurely or died too young, but what else must they do in a foreign world after completing their mission when they have a better place awaiting their arrival? Deacon Stephen never feared death and by the end of Acts chapter seven (7) gave himself for the truth he held in his heart and cherished above his life. Apostle Paul was never afraid to die because he knew where he would be and was more than ready to get there quickly.

2 Corinthians 5:8 (KJV)
We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

It is the same for the many young men and women who gave themselves up for the truth they cherished. But that can't be said of most believers today. Why? We have set our eyes on the things below than on the things above. We will do anything to keep our lives so we can fully enjoy our many lustful desires.

Matthew 10:39 (KJV)
He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

I am only thinking aloud. I should end here.
Stay blessed!

PRAYER
Lord, help my unbelief. Help me trust you when there is no hope. Help me trust in your perfect plan for my life always in Jesus' name.