I've been so encouraged by the number of people who connected with my last blog post, where Loren shared some of her heart and gave some tips to Christians in their 20's about how to thrive in God.
Here's the next post in the series where my good friend Matt Knapp answers the same questions I asked Loren. Matt is like a brother to me. He is so much fun and we have so much hilarious banter. We also have really deep conversations where we talk about our mutual hunger for more of God and His powerful presence. Matt is a brilliant worship leader with a brilliant heart, but most of all he's a brilliant human being and I am one of his biggest fans.
The 3 questions I asked Matt to answer are:
- Who are you and what do you do?
- What is God speaking to you about the moment and how are you responding to Him?
- What would be your tops tips for people in their 20's to thrive in their relationship with God?
My name is Matt and I’m 25 years old. I gave my life to Jesus when I was 7 years old. My oldest brother taught me to play the guitar when I was 12, and I found myself leading worship when I was 14 at my youth group. I have been leading ever since. I grew up in Southampton and moved to Bedford for uni where I studied Sport Science. A few years ago I married my incredible
wife, Charlotte; she is an artist. I’m currently working with my brother in law as a carpenter.
At the start of lockdown I felt Jesus speaking to me about purity in worship and worship that truly pleases Him. Matthew 5:8 says “Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God”.
During this time God woke me in the night saying that He wants a purifying in the church and in worship. There’s a call to repentance. A surrendering needs to take place. I kept seeing these two words: Repent & Purity.
We worship a Holy God
He is looking for worship that pleases His heart and worshippers who will worship Him in spirit and in truth. “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:23-24
At the turn of the year God began to speak about wanting to shift atmospheres in the home. About homes becoming places of prayer and worship and discipleship, where whole households will be undivided in their devotion. David writes in Psalm 86:11 “Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.” This has been my prayer over the last few months. I want to have an undivided heart.
What does it look like to want just one thing?
To have one pursuit in life?
One purpose?
One meaning?
One desire?
One mission?
In John chapter 5 Jesus says “I only do what I see my father doing”. What would it take for you to become wholehearted in your devotion to Jesus? To live with an undivided heart, completely undivided in your pursuit of Him?
This has been a season of repentance for me
A season of consecration and putting down the things that are not helping me run my race or add to my fire. I have also been longing to gather people to pray and worship together, with no agenda but to worship God Almighty and seek His face. Charlotte and I have started a life group at the King's Arms called ‘Houses of Prayer and Worship’ where we will be pursuing this.
My top tip for someone wanting to grow in their relationship with God is to get alone with Him. Read His word, worship Him for who He really is and let Him change you. It's here that we find out who we are, and where we find out who He is - in the presence of His Holiness.
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Wendy Mann Equip | www.wendymannequip.com
Building Family, Prioritising God's Presence, Extending God’s Kingdom