Obedience in worship
Posted by appolus on June 22, 2025
A few years ago, my wife and I visited Bar Harbor, Maine, a picturesque town along the rugged coast of northern Maine. On the surface it was charming, but beneath that charm I sensed something deeply troubling. There were pride flags in abundance, drag performers openly parading down the street, but it was not the mere presence of these things — it was the spiritual atmosphere. It was oppressive, heavy, dark. A spirit hovered there that grieved my soul, and I knew it. The Spirit of God within me bore witness, and I felt led to walk through that town early one morning, praying in the Spirit.
With each step I called on the name of the Lord, walking the streets as one who carries the presence of God. Eventually, I came to the Village Green, and felt impressed to sit and worship. I reached for my earphones, but realized I had left them in the hotel. Yet the call to worship remained. So I turned up the volume on my phone and let the songs of praise rise into the morning air. I sat there quietly at first, hoping not to disturb, but then the Holy Spirit spoke gently to my heart.
He said, “There are pride signs everywhere. These people are proud of who they are. Are you proud of who you are?” It was not harsh, not condemning, but firm and loving. The answer welled up in me, not just as a thought, but as a fire—yes Lord, I am not ashamed of You. I am not ashamed of the Lord Jesus Christ. And then the Spirit said, “Raise your hands here, in the middle of this park, and worship Me.”
I hesitated for a moment. The flesh wrestled with the spirit. What will people think? What will they say? But the Spirit whispered, Who cares what they think? Galatians 1:10 says, “For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.” So I surrendered, I raised my hands, and worshiped. In the open. In the daylight. Among strangers.
And when I did, something broke. The chains of fear and intimidation snapped. Freedom swept over me like a wave. For ten, maybe fifteen minutes, I sat there, hands lifted to heaven, praising the King of glory. People walked by, some stared, but I no longer cared. I had entered the sanctuary of His presence in the open square. And when it was done, the oppression that had pressed upon me was gone. Lifted. Dispersed like a mist under the rising sun.
You see, brothers and sisters, there is power in being unashamed. There is liberty in declaring with your whole life that Jesus is Lord. As it is written in Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes.” There is a direct connection between boldness and power, between confession and anointing.
Jesus said in Luke 9:26, “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels.” Let it not be so with us. Let us be those who glorify our God not just with words, but with surrendered lives, with uplifted hands, with fearless obedience.
The world is growing darker, more hostile to Christ and His people. But the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it.
Stand firm. Be unashamed. And in doing so, walk in the power of His gospel — the only power that saves, the only power that delivers. His way, His truth, His life.
A Call To The Remnant 
Obedience in worship – Online Answers said
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Anonymous said
Hi I’ve believe I’ve been called by God to find the remnant can we connect? My email is Lgaohmr@gmail.com
Anonymous said
I just had that moment while worshipping early morning on my back porch Saturday. Whenever I sing hymns to the Lord I cry intensely, and it’s been that way since I was saved 15 years ago. My heart just wells up so big, only the Holy Spirit can explain it. I wear headphones and sing and smile so hard, crying, but afraid to lift up my hands in case my neighbors see me. Saturday I heeded the Holy Spirit’s call to release my praise for such an incredible God and. like you. that flood of joy, peace and rest fell on me.
When I think of what a gift it is to have the power of the living God present and blessing us in our worship, why wouldn’t we want others to see? He is worthy of all glory!
Thank you again brother Frank for your encouragement, because the darkness does want to intimidate us, embarrass us, shame us. But we must stand firm on the rock of our salvation Jesus Christ and rejoice in the truth of the light we’ve been given!
God bless you!
Shannon
appolus said
Amen sister Shannon!…..bro Frank
Anonymous said
Imagine those demons fleeing from humans as you worship, Brother Frank! Imagine the trauma bond overlay being healed by Jesus for those that were molested as children in that area while you worship! Praise God for your obedience!!! That is what God desires of us – obedience to His voice. Thank you for your faithful posts all these years! The death veil is coming down and the fields are already white for harvest!!!
appolus said
Amen! It has been an honor for me to be sharing over all these years, I am glad that you have been blessed by them…….bro Frank