A PASTORAL PONDERING
(Environments & Atmospheres)

Worship is a supernaturally powerful thing. It can change circumstances both personally and corporately – internally and externally. It can reshape conditions around us or around the world. It can reach up into the heavens and impact the very universe itself. I could provide you with lots of Biblical grounding for what I’ve just said, but this is a blog, not a dissertation.

Authentic (heart-felt) worship – the kind that engages our spirit by linking us up with the Trinity is powerful beyond measure. Let me try to explain what I mean.

For the purpose of what’s to follow please consider these two “working definitions”:

Environment: The circumstances, objects, or conditions by which one is surrounded.

Atmosphere: The air of a locality.

Environment is personal (or private) / Atmosphere is corporate (or public)

With that in mind, take a few moments to ponder what can happen when worship is offered up based on an example from Scripture.

The text for consideration is Luke 6:12-18. In this passage we are shown how a “Spirit-charged” (personal/private) environment can produce a (corporate/public) atmosphere where God-things can happen.

In verse 12 we’re told that Jesus went off by himself to pray. The word pray is proseuchomai in the Greek. It can be translated as “worship”. It comes from a word that means to move forward, toward, or along side (motion toward, accession to, or nearness at). In other words, the act of prayer which moves us into a deeper intimate relationship with God can be understood as an act of worship. This perspective is essential in order for us to see how dynamic our pray/worship life can be. Look at what happens when we apply this viewpoint to the story in our text.

As Jesus engages himself in prayer/worship (v.12) the “environment” surrounding Him (the condition or circumstances) is changed (charged) by the power & presence of the Holy Ghost. I think this works in the same way that a rechargeable battery is renewed when it’s plugged into its power source. When the link between the source and the containment system is properly connected things began to change dramatically.

With Jesus now energized through a fresh infilling, His internal environment has been altered/altared by the explosive power of the Spirit. The story begins to unfold from there.

In verses 13-16 Jesus comes down from a high place (descending) to where His disciples are gathered.

These 4 verses state that there are more “disciples” present than just the 12 we usually think of. In verse 13 we’re told that Jesus called His disciples to Himself, and from that unidentified group He then chose the 12 as apostles.

NOTE: You can be one of those who follows Jesus, but not be one who He chooses for something specific. That’s the Lords call to make. Our charge is to follow Him obediently and remain faithful to His will and yielded to His guidance. In other words, others may be called out in a way that you aren’t. That does not make them higher, holier, or more important. It does however separate them (based on the Lord’s calling) for some type of service that may not be yours to be actively involved in. Selah…

In verse17 as the Lord descends from where He’s been (alone with the Father) He brings with/in Him an internal “environment” that’s been changed by having been in worship/prayer all night long – alone.

When He gathers His apostles (called out ones) to continue down the mountain slope they are caught up in an “atmosphere” that’s being energized by the “environment” that is self-contained in our Lord. The power of the environmental presence that’s emanating from Christ is impacting those who are closest to Him (see Matt.9:20-22).

They (Jesus & the 12) all come down to a “level place” together. The “environment” that Christ is carrying has engulfed those nearest Him as they have moved along together descending from the mountain. They are then joined by “a great multitude of His disciples” (A congregation / The Message Bible). Note please that this “multitude” consists of “His disciples”. This group is filled with believers that were not part of the group of disciples that the 12 apostles were chosen from who had gone part way up the mountain with Him. That is to say, there are now three distinct groups that we have been introduced to:

1. The disciples up on the mountain side
2. The 12 who were chosen from out of that larger group
3. Another group of disciples (believers/followers) who are gathered at the base of the mountain “on a level place”

{Groups within groups – do you see it? This is a very important kingdom principle}

Now, still in verse 17, another group appears. A “great throng of people from all Judan and Jerusalem and the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon” show up. The text tells us they are not disciples as such.

Verse 18 states that they have come to “hear Him, and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were being cured.” Scripture shows us no real relational connection to Christ by this group. We only see that they are interested (they’ve come to hear Him) and needy (they want something from Him). Sanctuaries worldwide fill up every Sunday with folks just like these. Selah…

The “environment” that was created around/inside of Christ (through His overnight worship & prayer experience) has overflowed or influenced His disciples up on the mountain; the 12 He’s called out; the larger group of disciples who were waiting for Him (and the others) as they descended down to where the much larger group was gathered and waiting for ministry to take place. The “internal environment” that Christ carried (and then released to those directly linked up with Him in ministry) began to spread out into the area where the “throng of people” had gathered. The “atmosphere” where the multitude was gathered is then energized and Spirit-charged through the outpouring of what Jesus brought down with Him to the level of where those in need were standing, waiting for a miracle

Verse 19 tells us what happened next:

“….power was coming from Him, and healing them all.”

The public atmosphere began to explode spiritually as the needs were being met. The personal environment of prayer/worship enabled this to take place. My God, what a service they had that day!

Now, consider what could happen if we gathered together as a congregation of “needy people” and brought an environment of power, healing and deliverance with us into our services. Instead of coming to receive we’d be coming to give. That’s called servanthood (Luke 22:26&27). That is only possible through personal and private acts of prayer/worship taking place PRIOR to ever coming together as a fellowship corporately. And that's called consecration.

Please seek the Lord as to how this may apply to your life personally. An internal environment of power in the Holy Ghost can create an external atmosphere where the supernatural can take place.

Anticipate His presence and *consecrate yourself to impart it to others.

*Consecration: The setting apart of any person, place, or thing for acts of holy service.



"WHEN WE WORSHIP (We Are Changed)"


When we worship we are changed
When we come into God's presence
We will never be the same


When we worship we are changed
When we worship we are changed
Transformed into His image
In His likeness to remain
When we worship we are changed

So let us worship Him
Lift up our hands to Him
Come let us worship Him
Cast all our care on Him

When we worship we are changed
When we come into God's presence
Though our trials may remain
When we worship we are changed

Copyright Secured: See & Say (Songs & Such), BMI