I'm chasing you, I'm so in love, captivated, I just can't get enough. I'll spend my days, running after your heart, your heart, your heart. Whoa!
Do we spend our days running after God's heart? Do you know He longs to be in an intimate relationship with each and everyone of us? Eden was created as a place where man could dwell with God and fellowship with Him. Take a few minutes each day and begin to chase after God. I know from experience as we begin to take steps to pursue Him, he takes a huge step towards us. I am so thankful He is able to draw nearing to me as I draw near to Him. Sometimes I see Him so extremely close I can lean in and kiss His face. If you have never seen God's face ask Him to show it to you. It is such a beautiful and glorious face. His eyes are so full of love towards everyone of us.
James 4:8 TPT - Move your heart closer and closer to God, and He will come even closer to You.
Other translations read, draw near to God and He will draw near to you.
Today take time to draw near to God, pursue Him, chase after Him. You will experience such joy and freedom, it is completely amazing!! Don't be afraid when He reveals Himself to you. I know the first time I saw the face of Jesus it was inches from my face. I jumped back at first and then leaned in and just beheld His beauty. It is the face of the one I love!!!
Do you every hear a song that just makes you become undone? Clean by Natalie Grant is that song for me. When I begin to waver and see myself as less than how God sees me this is a great go to song. The lyrics in this song remind me that I may see myself as a mess, I may see myself as unworthy but that is not how God sees us. He sees us as beautiful, whole, completely worthy, acceptable, chosen, clean!!!
Take a moment to listen to this beautiful moving song. You may need a few tissues on hand while you listen and just allow God's love and truth of who you are wash over you!
I love the part that says "I'm coming alive with joy and destiny, cause You're restoring me piece by piece." I know the process can be unpleasant but there is growth and maturity in the process. Stop focusing on the why and what and just focus on Him. Learn to draw close to Him and as you grow in your relationship with our loving Lord, He will begin to reveal His heart for you. He will reveal His plans and purposes for you. May we all learn how to just be. After all we are human "beings" and not human doers!!!
Do you ever have a-ha moments? I had one this morning and it was so simple but so profound. Recently I have felt God directing me to become more faithful to writing this blog but I continually doubt my ability to make this happen. Despite the positive feedback some of you have given me I doubt I have what it takes to be a good writer, to adequately convey all the God is doing in me and through me.
Well this morning God got all in the middle of me worrying about my ability and He reminded me to just trust Him. He took me to 2 Peter where He tells us that He has given us everything we need and then He took me to Moses. Moses was given the great opportunity to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt and introduce them to the presence of God, and they did not want it! In fact after continually trying to introduce the millions of people he lead out of Egypt to the wonderful and glorious presence of God he was really only able to affect 2 people that we are aware of; Joshua and Caleb.
In today's standards that is not much of a success but think about how Moses affected these two men. They were the only two of the original Israelite's that crossed over into the promised land and they did so with the presence of God going with them. Joshua was chosen to lead them into this wonderful promise and I know he must have been a little overwhelmed by the responsibility because God had to remind him at least 7 times to not be afraid (I know I counted them one time).
Whatever God is leading you to do, stop trying to lean on your own ability and talents and just trust Him. He has given you all things that you need to accomplish what He desires you to do. Don't focus on the how or what just focus on Him. Allow Jesus to lead and guide you, allow Him to direct every step you take down the path that He leads you down and then know God is with you every step of the way. Maybe you will reach millions, maybe you will only reach 2. No matter the number be faithful to do all that God has laid on your heart and enjoy every moment you spend with Him and getting to know Him more and more.
For His divine power has bestowed on us [absolutely] everything necessary for [a dynamic spiritual] life and godliness, through true and personal knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. 2 Peter 1:3 AMP
As always, when God speaks to me He provides me a song that drives home the truth that He is showing me. God speaks each of our love languages amazingly well, maybe because He knows us so well. Take time to allow Him to speak to you in your love language. Be blessed today and draw close to God.
I love the group Housefires! Their new cd is so amazing, loaded with songs that just make you draw closer to our wonderful God. One of the songs on their new cd (yes I still refer to new music as a cd - I could really date myself and call it a record, ha!) is called Pastures. The song, based on Psalm 23:2, talks about how God provides us a place of peace in Him. When we dwell in Him we have found our home, our very being. Isaiah declares that Jesus is the Prince of Peace and elsewhere in the Bible it says that Jesus gives us peace that passes all understanding.
Psalm 23:2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside quiet waters.
Someone I know once made the observation that quiet waters are in the valley and not on top of the mountain. If that is the case then when we are in our low places, when we are going through a trial or storm then we can also find our place of peace in an intimate relationship with Jesus.
If you are like me we love to find all of the promises in God's word and stand on those amazing promises. Do you know that John 16:33 promises us that in this world we will experience trials and tribulations? Do you also know that Jesus said in this verse to take heart because He has overcome the world?
I know any trial or storm is never easy and I know our flesh can rise up and want to have its way but instead of grumbling, instead of complaining, instead of giving worry a voice begin to thank God instead. Ask Jesus who He wants to be for you in this situation. He will always provide an answer.
I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have (perfect) peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous (be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy); I have overcome the world. (My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.) John 16:33 AMP.
As you listen to this song take a minute to close your eyes. Allow the lyrics to speak to you. Allow Jesus to fill you with His perfect peace, then ask Jesus, Father God, and Holy Spirit to give you a picture of the you together with all three of them. Many times he will lead you to a pasture like setting but whatever He shows you it will be a special place for you and Him together.
Blessings.
LYRICS Verse You give me peace that surpasses all my understanding and love that is deeper than all I know
Chorus You lay me down in the greenest of pastures I am found by the one my heart was after
I have been listening to Kim Walker Smith's new cd On My Side. I love all of the songs but one in particular has really been resonating with me. The song is called You Define Me. It makes me sad to realize that so many do not have a really understand how God sees them (how He defines them)
I have always known I am loved by God but because I have experienced life so many outside factors have defined me. I have developed and become what the world and my circumstances have defined me. I have become failure, I have become rejected, I have become unloved, and unwanted but that is NOT who God says I am. That is not who He created me to be and that is not the good thoughts He is always thinking towards me.
For years now I have helped with a ministry called Sozo. Sozo is a Greek word that is defined as healed, saved, and delivered. It is a ministry to heal body, soul, and spirit. Through this ministry the person receiving inner healing lets go of the lies that have been spoken over them. The person receiving the ministry breaks ties with the wrong thoughts (lies) and we pray that the voice of the lie becomes unfamiliar to them. At the same time the person seeks God for the truth. The truth of who God says they are. The truth of how God sees them. The truth of how He defines them. The person not only seeks God for the truth but also asks God to show them a picture of them together. Most of the time when the person leaves they have a totally different countenance on them when they leave then when they came in. They are set free from the lies that have bound them for so long and are beginning to walk in the truth. The individual also has seen themselves with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Even though God is three in one He has three distinct aspects and it is so amazing to see how each of them interacts with you.
So take a moment as you listen to this song to ask God how He sees you. How does He define you? What lies have you been believing about yourself? What lies have you believed about Him? Then ask Him for the truth to replace those lies. God is so good to speak to each and every one of His children. He is so good to show them a picture of them together. If you are not comfortable asking God the Father, then ask Jesus to show you a picture of the two of you together and then ask Him to take you to the Father!!! He loves showing you the Father and they both love showing you the Holy Spirit.
Know that God thinks about you a lot!!! Psalm 139:17-18 says that He thinks about us every day and His thoughts toward us outnumber the grains of sand on every seashore. That is a lot of thoughts!!!
Eph 3:18-19 in TPT describes God's love for us as follows:
Then, as your spiritual strength increases, you will be empowered to discover what every holy one experiences - the great magnitude of the astonishing love of Christ in all it's dimensions. How deeply intimate and far-reaching is His Love! How enduring and inclusive it is! Endless love beyond measurement, beyond academic knowledge - this extravagant love pours into you until you are filled to overflowing with the fullness of God. Eph 3:18-19
Remember that God is always about the one. You are the one!!! When Jesus walked the earth He went out of his way for the one all the time. Consider this, when Jesus and the disciples crossed the sea of Galilee they were met by a man who was demon possessed that could not be chained or dressed. Jesus crossed the water to set that man free and to allow him to be in his right mind. Think about it, he got back in the boat after that event and went back to the other side. I wish I could take credit for this insight but I actually read about it in a book called Draw Near by John Bevere.
Below are the lyrics to the song! Read them if you want or just go to the bottom and click on the video. Close your eyes, focus on Jesus and allow Him to fill you full of His truth about you are. Allow Him to tell you how He defines you. Ask Him to show you a picture of the two of you together and then write down what He says and shows you. Meditate on the truths He gives you until they are firmly rooted within you leaving no room for the lies. Blessing!
You Define Me"
No whisper can accuse
No rumor can undo
The words You speak over me
No lie can ever break
No shame can ever steal
The words You speak over me
You're speaking over me!
Only Your words, define me
You tell me who I am
Only Your love, can hold me
You make me who I am
You define me
You define me
The author of my days
You're writing every page
With blood and scars
You heal my heart
Oh, You heal my heart!
Only Your words, define me
You tell me who I am
Only Your love, can hold me
You make me who I am
You define me
You define me
No fear, can hold me hostage
No lie, can keep me bound
My God has the final word
My God has the final word
No fear, can hold me hostage
No lie, can keep me bound
My God has the final word
My God has the final word!
Only Your words, define me
You tell me who I am
Only Your love, can hold me
You make me who I am, oh!...
Only Your words, define me
You tell me who I am
Only Your love, can hold me
You make me who I am
You define me
You define me, yes
You define me
You define me
You define me
Have you even been in a time of transition? Since my last transitional place I had decided that my next transition would be a better time and yet I still find myself struggling emotionally. I want to carry on, throw a fit, and just rant and rave but I know that is not going to make the process any quicker if anything it will slow it down.
God promises that He will never leave or forsake us. God promises that there is absolutely nothing that can separate us from His love. God's word declare that God is for us and not against us!! All amazing great promises. It also states in James that we are to count it all joy when we experience various trials because the trials build our faith and give us wisdom and other amazing God minded things (see James 1:2-8)
I love almost all of the music that comes out of Bethel church in Redding, CA. I would say their worship team is among some of the best because their worship attempts to glorify God and help others draw closer to God through their worship.
One of their older songs, God I Look to You contains such valuable Godly truths that I felt this was the song to share with all this week. As you get ready to start your work week know that God is with you every step of the way. Take a few minutes each morning to just pray and declare this song because it will help you get your focus on Him and not all the chaos going on around you.
God truths;
He will give us His wisdom to know what to do and say in every and any situation
When we focus on Jesus we cannot be overwhelmed
God is our strength and shield. He is our refuge in times of trouble.
Worship changes our focus!!!
Ps 91 TPT
When you sit enthroned under the shadow of Shaddai,
You are hidden in the strength of God Most High.
Here’s how I describe him:
He’s the hope that holds me, and the Stronghold to shelter me,
The only God for me, and my great Confidence.
And He will rescue you from every hidden trap of the enemy,
And He will protect you from false accusation and any deadly curse.
His massive arms are wrapped around you, protecting you.
You can run under his covering of majesty and hide.
His arms of faithfulness are a shield keeping you from harm
You will never worry about an attack of demonic forces at night,
Nor have to fear a spirit of darkness coming against you.
Don’t fear a thing! Whether by night or by day,
Demonic danger will not trouble you,
Nor the powers of evil launched against you.
For God will keep you safe and secure; they won’t lay a hand on you!
Even in a time of disaster with thousands and thousands being killed,
You will remain unscathed and unharmed!
You will be a spectator as the wicked perish in judgment,
For they will be paid back for what they have done!
When we live our lives within the shadow
Of the God Most High, our secret Hiding Place,
We will always be shielded from harm!
How then could evil prevail against us, or disease infect us?
God sends angels with special orders
To protect you wherever you go,
Defending you from all harm.
If you walk into a trap they’ll be there for you
And keep you from stumbling!
You’ll even walk unharmed
Among the fiercest powers of darkness,
Trampling every one of them beneath your feet!
For here is what the Lord has spoken to me:
“Because you have delighted in me as my great lover,
I will greatly protect you.
I will set you in a high place,
Safe and secure before my face.
I will answer your cry for help every time you pray,
And you will find and feel my presence
Even in your time of pressure and trouble.
I will be your glorious Hero and give you a feast!
You will be satisfied with a full life
And with all that I do for you.
For you will enjoy The fullness of my salvation!”
God I Look to You
God I look to You, I won’t be overwhelmed
Give me vision to see things like You do
God I look to You, You’re where my help comes from
Are you a participant or a spectator when it comes to worship? Do you only consider worship as a service that happens on a Sunday morning during a church service? Do you know that worship needs to be a lifestyle? Do you know that when life's difficulties bombard you that it is worship that allows you to rise above the situation?
I love music and so many of today's songs contain wonderful reminders of God's promises. I am very much of a lyrics person when it comes to worship songs. I really don't want to sing about anything that does not line up with what God's word say or what God's word says about us. That is why it breaks my heart so much to hear songs sung in churches across america that speak to a weak minded mentality or ask for something that God's word says we already have. I also do not care of fluff songs, songs that sound great on the radio but really do not say anything meaningful. I guess you can call me a worship song snob, not a great title I know but worship is so near and dear to my heart because it is through worship that we glorify our savior. It is through worship that we can connect with Him, to see Him, and to hear His voice.
I love to consider the fact that in Heaven all we will do is worship Jesus (see Revelation 4:8) and during our worship we will not be distracted by various thoughts. Our worship will be completely focused on the one we love and the one who loves us. I wish I had that hear and I am growing in that but I can still be distracted by the clock, what needs to be done or my worship can be delayed because I cannot get my body out of bed early enough in the morning. This past year I had a friend pass away who was a mentor to me when I was younger. Her passing grieved me and I missed her greatly. There were many if only moments the day I found out until the though hit me that she was with Jesus and she was worshiping Him and she was spending one on one time with Him with absolutely no distractions. I must admit I was a bit jealous but it also helped me be thankful for the time I was able to know her here on the earth and I knew she was in an amazing place.
So because God speaks to me through music so much I would like to begin sharing with each of you some of the truths and promises various songs bring to me. It is my hope and desire that we can go on this journey together of learning to worship Him more and draw closer to Him. It is my desire that we can grow in our intimacy with our creator. I do want to add I know that worship is not just singing a song, it is a heart attitude, but it is through music that we tend to express the most our worship and adoration to God.
The below song is by Elevation Worship and is calle Your Promises. It speaks to me that when you are going through a storm in your life you don't have to focus on the storm you only have to focus on God and His promises. He will never fail you, He will never forsake you, and there is nothing that is going to take His love away from you. You cannot mess up greatly enough that Jesus will not still love you.
What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it—we’re called children of God! That’s who we really are. But that’s also why the world doesn’t recognize us or take us seriously, because it has no idea who he is or what he’s up to. But friends, that’s exactly who we are: children of God. And that’s only the beginning. Who knows how we’ll end up! 1 John 3 Message Bible
Remember always You are a child of the Most High God and you are greatly loved. God is for you!!!!
Your Promises
When the weight of the world begins to fall On the Name of Jesus I will call
For I know my God is in control and His purpose is unshakable
Doesn't matter what I feel Doesn't matter what I see My hope will always be In Your promises to me Now I'm casting out all fear For Your love has set me free My hope will always be In Your promises to me
As I walk into the days to come I will not forget what You have done For you have supplied my every need And Your presence is enough for me
Doesn't matter what I feel Doesn't matter what I see My hope will always be In Your promises to me Now I'm casting out all fear For Your love has set me free My hope will always be In Your promises to me
You will always be more than enough for me You will always be more than enough for me Nothing's gonna stop the plans You've made Nothing's gonna take Your love away You will always be more than enough for me
Doesn't matter what I feel Doesn't matter what I see My hope will always be In Your promises to me Now I'm casting out all fear For Your love has set me free My hope will always be In Your promises to me
