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The Asaph Oil - Prophetic Worship Encounters with God - Lesson 03

by Dr. Lavencia Shawver

God Encounters

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An encounter can be described as:

An unexpected meeting or confrontation
A first introduction
The continuance of a relationship
An intimate moment between friends and loved ones.

God cried out to Adam, “Where are you”? (Gen 3:8-9)

Genesis 3:8-10 And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden. 9 And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? 10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.

David known as the sweet psalmist of God was unashamed of His nakedness when praising God for the ark of the covenant.

God created us for face-to-face relationship with Him.

Abram built an altar at Shechem where God appeared to him.

Jacob built an altar at Bethel (Gen 35:7) “because it was there God revealed Himself to Him.

God continuously reveals His heart to commune with us and have face to face encounters with us throughout the scriptures.

Moses Tabernacle was referred to as the “the place where I will meet you”

Exodus 30:36 And thou shalt beat some of it very small and put of it before the testimony in the tabernacle of the congregation, where I will meet with thee: it shall be unto you most holy.

Psalms 27:4 sums up the theme of David’s Tabernacle. Keep in mind the patterns and details were given by God.

The ark of the covenant rested in an open tent.

Psalm 27:4 One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple.

In Solomon’s Temple 2Chron 5:13-14

2 Chronicles 5:13-14 t came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the Lord, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the Lord;

So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of God.

Today the bridegroom is calling His bride to meet with Him in face-to-face encounters.

Song of Solomon 2:14 - O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs, let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely.

Examples of Biblical Prophetic Worship Encounters

1 Samuel 10 - the Prophet Samuel gave these instructions to the young Saul: “...as you approach the town, you will meet a procession of prophets coming down from the high place with lyres, tambourines, flutes and harps being played before them, and they will be prophesying.” (1 Sam 10:5, NIV)

“While the harpist was playing, the hand of the LORD came upon Elisha and he said, ‘This is what the LORD says...’” (2 Kings 3:15-16, NIV)

David, together with the commanders of the army, set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun for the ministry of prophesying, accompanied by harps, lyres and cymbals.” (1 Chron 25:1, NIV)

The Prophetic Psalms - Many Psalms—not just those written by David—are prophecy set to music.

Songs of the Spirit - The early church recognized that praise and worship comprised of different types of songs, including “songs of the Spirit.”

The phrases “psalms, hymns and spiritual songs” (Eph 5:19-20 and Col 3:16-17).

The Greek words translated “spiritual songs” are oide pneumatikos and could also be translated “songs of the Spirit.” (1 Cor 14:15.) These songs could be prophetic in nature, as well as spiritual songs of praise to God.

Gatherings with Songs and Prophecy - Paul gave instructions that the church meetings would include songs and prophecy, as well as teaching and instruction. (1 Cor 14:26)

Prophetic Throne Room Worship

In Rev 11:16-18, we read of Throne Room worship that included prophetic proclamation of what God was about to do. These glimpses of God’s design for worship and a prophetic encounter to go together, should stir our hunger.

One definition of Prophetic Worship - Prophetic worship enables God’s message to be conveyed and His purpose (which includes “encounter”) to be carried out in a worship setting.

The Asaph Oil - Prophetic Worship Encounters with God - Lesson 04

by Dr. Lavencia Shawver

Lesson 04

But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. (JOHN 4:23)

Prophetic worship is key to staying fresh. Many believers strive to stay current in the latest worship trends- Spirit filled worship is more important than trendy worship.

John 4:23-24 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

Jesus is the central focal point of true worship. There is no one above Him. To engage the supernatural realm of prophetic worship, He must be lifted up above all names.

John 12:32 And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to Myself.”

Prophetic worship is not limited to singing only. We can express the heart and mind of God through dance and other art forms.

The Holy Spirit used the Prophet Ezekiel in prophetic acts that were creative and dramatic in nature. In Ezekiel 4 and 5, he uses prophetic sculpture and art, along with drama, to portray the coming judgment on Jerusalem.

The prophet(ess) Deborah wrote a song (recorded in Judges 5)

In Exodus 15:20 we read, ‘Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took the timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.’ (Exodus 15:20, NKJV)

Acts 15:15-17 And to this agree the words of the prophets as it is written, After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.

Prophetic worship will break churches and denominations out of traditional and cultural worship.

Psalm 81:10 I am the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.

Prophetic worship requires faith. It requires complete trust in God to release God is speaking and saying yield to Holy Spirit.

After that thou shalt come to the hill of God, where is the garrison of the Philistines: and it shall come to pass, when thou art come thither to the city, that thou shalt meet a company of prophets coming down from the high place with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp, before them; and they shall prophesy (1Sam 10:5)

Prophetic worship is not just for the pastor and key leaders. Develop a habit of prophesying. Practice!

Hang out with the prophets and prophetic people. It’s contagious. You will prophesy.

1 Samuel 19:21 And when it was told Saul, he sent other messengers, and they prophesied likewise. And Saul sent messengers again the third time, and they prophesied also.

Prophetic worship allows the Church, the Lord’s bride, to sing love songs to Jesus, the Bridegroom, in the midst of His people.

Jesus loves love songs and sings over us with His love. It’s Jesus way of expressing love toward His people (His bride).

Zephaniah 3:17 The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

Prayer is essential for a strong prophetic anointing. David’s lifestyle of prayer and intercession is key to the anointing that was on his life.

Revelation 5:8 And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.

Churches and individuals that long to seek the Lord as David did have a constant flow of prophetic rivers.

Psalms 27:4 One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.

Hebrews 10:25 says, “… not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching” (emphasis added).

The psalms of Asaph speak about the sanctuary. The singers and player of instrument are mentioned in the same place as the sanctuary.

Psalms 68:24-26 Your procession, God, has come into view, the procession of my God and King into the sanctuary. In front are the singers, after them the musicians; with them are the young women playing the timbrels. Praise God in the great congregation; praise the LORD in the assembly of Israel.

Psalms 73:17 till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.

Psalms 77:13 Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?

Psalms 78:54 And he brought them to the border of his sanctuary, even to this mountain, which his right hand had purchased.

It was always God’s plan to bring Israel into the land to the sanctuary. The sanctuary is the place of His presence and glory.

Exodus 15:17-18 Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established. The LORD shall reign for ever and ever.

Psalms 96:6 Honor and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

The Asaph Oil - Prophetic Worship Encounters with God - Lesson 06

by Dr. Lavencia Shawver

The Song of the Lord and Holy Spirit

JOHN 14:16 AMPC - And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever.

From the root word of Paraklessis Jesus used the word “Parakletos” meaning Advocate or Counselor, to describe the close counseling work of the Holy Spirit.

The song of the Bridegroom is a song that can advise or coach you closely about the affairs of life.

The song of Comfort will heal and welcome those that have gone through rejection into the arms of the Father.

Psalm 27:10 — “For if my father and mother should abandon me, you would welcome and comfort me.”

Psalm 71:20-21 — You, who have shown me great and severe troubles, Shall revive me again, And bring me up again from the depths of the earth. ou shall increase my greatness, And comfort me on every side.

The song of Comfort will rescue you from the deepest problems and it will revive you back to life and bring you to greater honor than before.

Psalm 86:17 — “Send me a sign of your favor. When those who hate me see it, they will know Jesus because you help and comfort me”.

The song of the Lord will release uncommon favor in the face of enemies.

Psalm 119:143 — Trouble and anguish have overtaken me, Yet Your commandments are my delights.

The song of Comfort is filled with the words and commandments of Daddy God, relieving you from distress and anguish.

Isaiah 40:1-2 — “Comfort, yes, comfort My people!” Says your God. Speak [a]comfort to Jerusalem, and cry out to her, That her warfare is ended, That her iniquity is pardoned; For she has received from the Lord’s hand Double for all her sins.”

The song of Comfort is full of tender mercy and forgiveness, and it is so powerful that it can remove sadness and depression from your life.

The Song of the Lord will release:

Deliverance
Transformation
Strategies
Worship
The Glory of God

Deliverance – The Song of the Lord will usher in Deliverance.

Psalm 32:7 — You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah

He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps. He has put a new song in my mouth — Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, And will trust in the Lord.

Transformation- The Song of the Lord will usher in Transformation.

Hosea 2:15 TBL — “There I will give back her vineyards to her and Transform her Valley of Troubles into a Door of Hope. She will respond to me there, singing with joy as in days long ago in her youth after I had freed her from captivity in Egypt.

When the song of the Lord is released in the local assembly it will become a fruitful vineyard filled with the joy of the Lord.

Vineyards in scripture also represent prosperity, so the song of the Lord has the ability to impart prosperity to its’ recipients.

Another example of Transformation is the life of Saul when he was among the company of prophets who were trained in praise and worship by Prophet Samuel.

Strategies- The Song of the Lord will help release strategies of victory for one’s life.

One of example of the release of strategy was when the prophet Elisha received strategies when the minstrel and the hand of God released warfare strategies for Kings Ahab and Jehosphaphat against Moab. (2 Kings 3:15-19)

Psalms 1:6 — “For the Lord watches over all the plans and paths of godly men…”

Worship- The Song of the Lord will help usher the people of God into worship.

The Song of the Lord will help usher the people of God into worship.

2 Chronicles 29:27-28 — “The song of the Lord began also with the trumpets, and with the instruments ordained by David king of Israel. And all the congregation worshipped, and the singers sang, and the trumpeters sounded.”

Psalm 66:4 — “All the earth shall worship thee and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to they name. Selah”

In Hebrew, the word for worship is “Shachah,” which comes from the root word “Chavah,” meaning to bow down or to prostrate oneself before anyone to do him honor or reverence.

It means to humble oneself and submit.

It also refers to a worshiper who has prostrated themselves so low that their voice arises out of the dust when they speak.

Psalm 95:6 — “O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker.”

The Glory

The Song of the Lord will usher in the Glory of God.

The word Glory in the Hebrew is “Kavod.”

The Hebrew concept of Glory is heavy or weighty; like as a person can feel the weighty of honor, dignity or authority of a dignitary or a famous person or some one of authority that walks in the room.

In this concept, one can discern the change in the atmosphere of place by another person.

The Glory of God encompasses ALL of the Attributes of God.

2 Chronicles 7:1 — “…The Fire came down from heaven…and the Glory of the Lord filled the House.”

The key to unlocking the presence of God is prophetic worship or the Song of the Lord because it can open the floodgates of the Glory and fill the house to overflow.

The Tabernacle of David is the place where the Glory of the Lord lives, and we are that Tabernacle.

Amos 9:11 — In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David, the fallen hut or booth, and close up its breaches; and I will raise up its ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old.

We should daily erect altars of praise and worship with our lives allowing the Glory-fire to descend upon us and become that Tabernacle of His Dwelling.

2 Chronicles 5:11-14 (TLB) — When the priests had undergone the purification rites for themselves, they all took part in the ceremonies without regard to their normal duties. And how the Levites were praising the Lord as the priests came out of the Holy of Holies! The singers were Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and all their sons and brothers, dressed in finespun linen robes and standing at the east side of the altar. The choir was accompanied by 120 priests who were trumpeters, while others played the cymbals, lyres, and harps. The band and chorus united as one to praise and thank the Lord; their selections were interspersed with trumpet obbligatos, the clashing of cymbals, and the loud playing of other musical instruments—all praising and thanking the Lord. Their theme was “He is so good! His loving-kindness lasts forever!”

And at that moment the Glory of the Lord, coming as a bright cloud, filled the Temple so that the priests could not continue their work.

Worship welcomes the presence of God into the place and where there is no worship of God there will be no presence.

The key to unlocking the presence of God is prophetic worship or the Song of the Lord because it can open the floodgates of the Glory and fill the house to overflow.

The Asaph Oil - Prophetic Worship Encounters with God - Lesson 05

by Dr. Lavencia Shawver

Sing to the Lord a New Song!

Little children look to parents to protect them so they trust them that nothing bad will happen when they obey them. We must humble ourselves like children.

Luke 18:16-17 But Jesus called them to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. 17 Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”

Psalms 8:2 You have built a stronghold by the songs of children. Strength rises with the chorus of infants. This kind of praise has power to shut Satan's mouth. Childlike worship will silence the madness of those who oppose you.

Matthew 18:4 Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

The song of the Lord is a spiritual song from the Lord sung through a yielded vessel, releasing a prophetic or corporate prophetic word through song.

A new song springs forth unrehearsed from the heart of a worshiper who has been struck with wonder at the greatness of God and the salvation He has provided. When we see the mighty hand of God working in a way we’ve never observed before, we can’t help but burst forth with a song we’ve never sung before.

The “new song” we sing does not have to be a newly composed worship song. The new song is merely a fresh response of praise and thanks—one that matches the freshness of God’s goodness and mercy, which are “new every morning.”

Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.

Ephesians 5:18-20 - And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The song of the Lord is characterized as a spiritual song.

A spiritual song is a new song given by inspiration influenced by Holy Spirit and founded upon and backed by the indwelling of the word of God. Either song to the Lord or from the Lord to His people.

There are two prerequisites to singing a spiritual song.

You must be filled with the Holy Spirit. “Filled” in Eph 5 implies to be continually filled or in other words to be continually drunk.

The second prerequisite is we must allow the anointed word of God to fill our life.

Colossians 3:16 - Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

The word of God is where we receive wisdom, knowledge and understanding of the ways of the kingdom and praise and worship is included.

John 6:63 - It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.

There are two voices in spiritual songs:

The voice of the Bride/a song sung to the Lord.
The song of the Bridegroom/ Songs sung from the Lord.

Psalms- singing the O.T. book of praise and worship.
Hymns- songs that have been composed with the intent of reinforcing biblical doctrine and themes.

Spiritual songs are songs that are spontaneous by nature rather from the heart of man under the influence of the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 14:3 - But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.

The song of the Lord is prophetic by nature.

Prophetic Song- a song that warns, instructs, or gives directions, has foretelling and forth telling nature to it.

Deu 31:30 - “And Moses spake in the ears of all the congregation of Israel the words of this song…”

It was the foretelling the future rebellion of Israel and it’s ultimate rejection of God.

Psalms 22:1-25 sung in the Tabernacle of David that revealed the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

The song of the Lord is edifying by nature.

Edification: a song of encouragement that lifts up one spirit and mind, erecting one back on the feet for victory.

1 Corinthians 14:12 - Even so you, since you are [a]zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the [b]edification of the church that you seek to excel.

1 Corinthians 14:26 - How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.

The song of Edification should be done out of love and truth. When we gather as believers there should come forth a song of edification for the gathering.

The song of Edification will release a grace and comfort to the hearers.

The Song of the Lord should be extortive in nature.

Exhortation: A song that stirs one back to the plan of God for their lives.

The song of Exhortation will always instruct the recipient to do what is right in the eyes of the Lord.

Titus 1:9 - Holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.

The song of the Lord by nature is one of comfort.

Comfort: to soothe heal and release a holy degree of tender care and intimacy in the midst of any trial of life.

It ushers you in the presence of the Comforter. And He becomes your restorer.

An example would be Nehemiah whose name means “Comforter”, a type of the Holy Spirit, who comes to restore the broken walls and brings relief to Spiritual Israel from her enemies.

The song of Comfort will restore you, beautify you, fill you with the joy of the Lord and bring you into a place of honor and grace.

John 15:26 - But when the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby) comes, Whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of Truth Who comes (proceeds) from the Father, He [Himself] will testify regarding Me.