It's Time

‎Prisoners function, but they are not free. We too often learn to function in dysfunction -  physical or emotional - becoming so accustomed to bondage that we settle with the condition.  It becomes normal.  It becomes comfortable.   We learn to live with it... functioning through life but never free!

You are meant for so much more than going through the motions of life.  It's time to quit settling! It's time to stop seeing yourself through the lens of your past! It's time to aspire beyond limits others have led you to believe that you have. 

It's time to kick off the shackles and reposition.  Your environment and the people you surround yourself with must change in order to blossom into all that God has created you to be.   

Jesus came to set the captives free!  It's time...

^"The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon Me, because He has anointed Me [the Anointed One, the Messiah] to preach the good news (the Gospel) to the poor; He has sent Me to announce release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to send forth as delivered those who are oppressed [who are downtrodden, bruised, crushed, and broken down by calamity]." (Luke 4:18)

In Your Footsteps

O Father, I lay before You now

A willing vessel for Your use

Brokenness is working in me

I now want whatever You choose

Lord, I'd forsake all to obey Your voice

Not always an easy thing to do

But despite the tears and hovering pain

Your strength is carrying me through

I don’t know what You have for me

Or the work that You are doing

My mind can make no sense of it

But Your will I’ll keep pursuing

A time of preparation this has become

For what—I do not know

But may You get the glory out of it all

Let Jesus in my life be shown

In Your footsteps I want to walk

Fulfilling Your purpose for me

I want every day within me to be a day

That Your presence is clearly seen

"Choose this day Whom you will serve....but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."  Joshua 24:15

We know that at the moment we became a Christian we made the decision to gives our lives to the Lord.  However, it is so easy to get stuck in the "trap" of a life where we lose our sight...our spiritual sight of why we are even here on this earth; what our purpose as a Christian really means.

While in a time of prayer and worship, a desire to write a family commitment to the Lord welled up inside of my spirit.  So I began to write.  There’s just something about writing it down.   It's like making plans for the day with things you wish to accomplish.  Once you make a checklist of those things, you come face to face with a feeling of obligation to do that which you have set in your heart to do. It’s becoming accountable to your goals.

So I wrote and I cried as I shared my innermost thoughts with the Lord.  In that moment, I made a written commitment not only for myself but also for my family.  I want to encourage you to make a written declaration to the Lord...to commit your life to His will.  You'll be amazed by the peace that will engulf you as you affirm to Him, "As for me and my house, we WILL serve the Lord."

Our Commitment

Looking at our life, what an impact You have made

Delivering us from a life of hopelessness, a life of defeat

May we never ever lose sight of that

It’s so easy

So convenient

To turn away to the flavor of the world

But this day we choose…

We choose to be separated unto You

We accept the position as ambassadors

Your representatives to everyone we come in contact with

We refuse to live a life that portrays You as anything less than the Truth

Wherever You lead us we will go

You’re plan alone is the reason we exist

May our desires always line up with Yours

That we would be ONE with You and Your will

The call is great…

Beyond our comprehension

The number of lives You’ll touch through us we may never know

We do know that to seize this call, there is a price

But with Your love

Your strength

We can and will do all that You’ve called us to do

We commit our lives into Your hands.

When our mission here on earth is complete

May You be well pleased

By the glory that we brought to Your name…

Satisfied Life

"Temptations are an appeal to meet righteous needs in an unrighteous way." ~ Bill Thrasher

This is so true, isn't it?   For peace, we turn to substance. For acceptance, we compromise our convictions.  For love, we turn to ungodly relationships. Our needs are real and God given, but He is the only One who can provide that which will truly satisfy.  It pays to seek Him for every area of our lives.

 

Father, we don't want to be hasty in our decisions or careless in our actions.  We don't want to give ourselves over to temptation for a temporary fix,  but want to walk in wisdom and do things Your way - the only way that will bring true satisfaction.  Help us to slow down, evaluate our life through Your eyes, and soften our ears to hear Your voice...

 

Mouthpiece

May we be true representives of Christ on the earth; giving voice to what the Lord would say to His people...

I have to go higher – new levels in You

Take me higher, Lord – a heavenly view

Pour out Your glory- so I can reach the world

A heavenly tugging – a heavenly stir

Intoxicate me – with Your manifest presence

Saturate my spirit- a sweet taste from Heaven

Fresh revelation from Your throne above

Fill me with wisdom – overflow me with love

Guide my every step – as I proclaim Your Word

Anoint my lips as I release what I have heard

What's Your Story?

"And they have overcome (conquered) him by means of the blood of the Lamb and by the utterance of their testimony..." (Rev 12:11)

Satan, the accuser of the brethren, loves to keep us bound in condemnation over our past sins to silence us from speaking the very testimony that defeats him!  Your story contains hope and life that others need...  It's time to give voice to what God has done in our lives! :)

Pure Motives

When we reach out to help another, we aren't to do it for the recognition of the outward act... we are to do it out of a pure heart motive to demonstrate the love of Christ. God rewards motives not acts alone. I don't care if people remember exactly what I did or said to them, but I do want them to walk away knowing that they were loved.

Secret Place

Pour upon me

Your anointing

Fill me up

to overflowing

Flood my soul

with Your presence

A healing touch

straight from Heaven

Your presence

is so amazing

Your love, oh Lord

is unchanging

You put life within me

once again

Your faithfulness

never ends

The veil’s been torn

I can enter in

to that secret

and holy place

I want to be

where Your presence dwells

Where I can see You

face to face

Working with God

Oftentimes we throw out the "God is in control" phrase, and it becomes an unconscious excuse to do nothing. Believe it or not, God needs us to execute His will on the earth... although He is all capable, in some things He chooses to limit Himself to our "co-laboring" with Him... I think it's because He is all about relationship... He WANTS to work together with us. How amazing is that?

Living Proof

They told me hope’s all over

Even set a date my life will cease

But I know an almighty and faithful God

Who is the Healer of every disease

He’s Jesus Christ, God’s only Son

Who shed His blood for me

He took this sickness upon Himself

In His name all disease must flee!

He’s Jehovah Rapha, my Healer

It’s not His will to take me this way

Satan, you thief!  You won’t end my life

I take authority; you cannot stay!

I now know that years ago

Jesus took the keys of death from you

I realize this was your last attempt

But you no longer have me fooled

Many die because they don’t know this truth

But I know what the Word of God declares

Surely the Truth will make me free

I no longer fear your wicked snares

Jesus came to set the prisoners free

To set at liberty those who are bound

Devil, you’re a trespasser being evicted

For you’re treading on holy ground

In Jesus’ name I command you to flee

Every spirit of infirmity and disease

You must obey the Name above all names

You have no place in me

I’m living proof of the Lord’s power

I’ll proclaim it wherever I go

Jesus Christ has delivered me

I’m an overcomer, healed and whole!

Genuineness of Your Faith

Several months ago the phrase “Genuineness of your faith” ran through my mind in the middle of the night.  So first thing when I woke up, I dove into the Scriptures. 

“So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your FAITH IS GENUINE. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.” I Peter 1:6-7

Not every trial is from God, but IN ever trial, is a testing ground.  A test of our true character.   A test of our true foundation (Luke 6:48-49). How we walk through our trials reveals whether our faith is genuine or not. 

Wow, appears to have the same ongoing theme as my teaching a few days ago on being steadfast.  Part of the definition of ‘steadfast’ means “loyal support that will ENDURE STRAIN.”  Strain, hmmm… sounds like trials to me. 

James1:2-3 tells us, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.”

The word ‘patience’ does not mean to be passive during the troublesome circumstances, but rather to have STEADFASTNESS that bravely endures.  An “I’m not giving up” kind of attitude.

Situations in life are hard.  It’s very understandable why at certain points in everyone’s lives we feel like throwing our hands in the air and saying, “Enough! I can’t handle anymore!”  We’ve all been there.  But if you can see past the storms...  See past the clouds...  There is a brighter day on the other side!  Make the choice TODAY to start new with an attitude of steadfastness.  There is something worth fighting for.  There is SOMEONE worth enduring for.

“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”  James 1:12

May we one day be able to look back on our lives and quote the words of Job:

“But He knows where I am going.  And when He tests me, I will come out as pure as gold.  For I have stayed on God’s paths; I have followed His ways and not turned aside. I have not departed from His commands, but have treasured His words more than daily food.”  Job 23:10-12

Taste

I hunger and thirst for You

I know there’s so much more

Can almost taste Your presence

You’re standing at the door

Lord, I’m no longer satisfied

Where I am at in You

Holy Spirit, please come in

I want to see You move

I’ll put to death those things

That keep me from Your face

I’m starving for Your presence

Your glory I must taste

Stop Comparing

We have to STOP comparing and elevating ourselves above others. Whether you fell short twice today and someone else doubled that, fact is: we all need the same blood to make us clean. God does not operate with a "totem pole" mentality!  We must quit taking score, categorizing sin, and shooting our wounded with self righteous insults. Our righteousness is not based on a point system...

Think about it: When we expose the sin of others, is our HIDDEN sin any less evil in His eyes?

Father, help us to view others through your eyes.  Let us not see someone else's sin as opportunity to puff ourselves up. Though our sin may not always be something that is publicly seen, we know there are things hidden in us that grieve Your heart.  We want to make that right with You. Forgive us for thinking we can expose the sin of another and keep ours in secret.  We commit to pray for those who are in bondage or choosing ways apart from You. Lord, help us to be conscious to walk in the mind of Christ so we leave no room for self righteousness to infiltrate our hearts. 

In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Steadfast

After just finishing a morning walk, I asked the Lord, “What is it you want me to study today?”  INSTANTLY that Michael W. Smith song rang in my ears, “My heart is steadfast, oh God, my heart is steadfast.”  And like most of us do, I questioned myself as to if that was God or not, but being that I haven’t listened to that song in a very long time, I thought I better perk my attention to what the Lord was saying.

Hadn’t given much thought to the specific word ‘steadfast’ before.  So I said, “Okay, Lord, steadfast… What about being steadfast?”  In my couple of minutes before getting back to the house, He told me to be steadfast was to be immovable, to be fixed in place.  He went on to say that every person was given the very breath they breathe to fulfill His purposes, to be steadfast in their callings.  He told me that we MUST pray for and check ourselves that we are maintaining a steadfast spirit, a sold out loyalty to our ordained purpose.  He showed me that it’s ONLY in that steadfastness that we will walk in the fullness of our call. 

I know it seems simple enough, but it’s just so great when what you “hear” is confirmed by what is “written.”  It’s so reassuring that we serve a God who truly speaks to His people TODAY! J

So back in the cozy house, I am warmed by what I read.

The dictionary defines steadfastness as: firmly fixed in place or direction, firm in purpose, firmly loyal, unwavering, loyal support that will endure strain…

With that in mind, I went to the Scriptures and read them with a “fuller” understanding of the term ‘steadfast.’

1.   Just as the Lord said we must pray for ourselves in regards to our steadfastness, we see David exhibit this in Psalm 51:10:

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and RENEW A STEADFAST SPIRIT within me.” 

2.   It’s ONLY when our hearts are STEADFAST, fully fixed upon our purpose that we will abound [be rich, in full supply] in the work God has called us to. Let NOTHING move you. 1 Corinthians 15:58

                   

3.   Jesus will present us holy, blameless, and above reproach in His sight, “If indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and STEADFAST, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard.” Colossians 1:23

            

4.   “For we have become partakers of Christ IF we hold the beginning of our confidence STEADFAST to the end.”  Hebrews 3:14

So yeah, I have this word ‘steadfast’ steadily on my mind.  And for that I am very grateful to the Lord for showing me.  Peter warns believers:

“You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked.” 2 Peter 3:17

STEADFASTNESS: A heart positioned to receive and walk in Gods perfect will

Inner Healing

                                                            

                                       You know where the lie is

Deep within my soul

Though I never knew it was buried

All these things You know

You removed the scabs that covered

The pain that needed to be revealed

What I thought I had forgotten

Was never truly healed

It’s not Your will for partial healing

But to make me completely whole

Father, do what it is You have to do

To bring completeness to my soul

These hindrances You want to erase

So I can be all You’ve called me to be

I have to admit it’s not easy, Lord

I need You to carry me

I start in Your arms, but You urge me to crawl

And then You lift me upon my feet

You don’t want me to just get through life

You haven’t ordained a life of defeat

You press me on and encourage me

To count it all joy in this time

Though it’s not easy, and the pain is strong

You remind me that victory’s mine

The way to my healing is in Your name

By no other can I be set free

You’re a faithful God…I will not doubt

I know You will heal me…

Pressing On

No matter what someone else or the enemy throws smack dab in the middle of our "race" ~ God's plan still remains intact! Might be a few extra hurdles to jump over and obstacles to maneuver around, but God turns it around for our good... developing godly character and endurance in us that becomes the needed strength for us to press on to the prize!

Father, even in the midst of the temptations and trials, we can have the confidence that you are working it all out for our ultimate good because Your Word declares it so.  We trust You. We believe in Your love, a love that wants the best for Your children, a love that sees the end from the beginning, a love that doesn't see a situation in a temporal sense but by the eternal. 

We so often only see what is right in front of us; failing to remember that even when we can't see it You ARE working behind the scenes!  Help us, Lord, to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus!   As our example, He endured the race that was set before Him even to the point of death. What appeared, in the natural, as a tragedy was actually a victory!  Lord, help us not to limit our sight on circumstances, setbacks, or on a single chapter in our lives... We commit to press on despite  the current "backdrop" in our race KNOWING that the scenery is going to change and ultimate victory is ours through Jesus!

Amen!

"God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him." James 1:12

"I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us." Philippians 3:14 

"And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2

We Surrender

CHORUS

We surrender to You, Jesus

We make You Lord of all

Move within Your church, Lord

Let Your presence fall

We surrender

With hands uplifted

We surrender

To Your lordship

Over the earth

Take our life

Use it for Your glory

Let revival

Now be birthed

(Chorus)

Down on our knees

We surrender

To our part

In Your perfect plan

We’ll forsake

All of our wicked ways

Please, Lord, heal our land

(Chorus)

In brokenness

We surrender

We lay aside all pride

Forgive us for not making You Lord

Over every part of our lives

(Chorus)



What Does Father Mean to You?

What does “father” mean to you?  For many it is one who has caused you great pain in life or one you never even knew. If this is you, I hurt for you and understand that void...  I understand the warped sense of "father" you have carried, and you know what? God understands too.  The very fact that He has a Scripture just for you: "He is a Father to the fatherless." (Psalm 68:5), clearly shows He wants everyone to understand the TRUE meaning of a father and experience the beauty of it in their lives.

A true father will get down to the level of his children; engaging in “their” world with a heart full of love for them not for what they do, but because they are his; a gift entrusted to him.  He exercises patience in times of rebellion and yet spurs his children on to become who they are called to be; what they are capable of becoming in this life.

Isn’t it amazing that God, the Creator of everything, wants us to call Him “Father?”  Having Him as Father makes Him a living, personal being who is concerned with our day to day challenges, joys, fears… And just like any good father loves to hear his children call him by name, our Heavenly Father is longing for the same... 

When you call on Him, with open arms, He meets you right where you are... You don't have to fear being turned away or put off for another time... Climbing into the safety of "Daddy's" arms is the best place to be...

You can’t hug someone who is resisting you.  You can’t share your love and the secrets of your heart with one who is continually speaking…  It’s time we let down our wall and quiet ourselves for a love encounter with Him.  He is waiting on us because He counts it a great joy to love on His children...

Discovering Your Assignment

You don't decide your assignment; you discover it. (Ps 139:16, Jer 1:5, Jer 29:11) Our assignment is geographical. Where you are is as important as what and who you are. You can be the right person in the wrong place. Jonah was the right person, but he surely wasn't going to accomplish what he was called to do in the belly of a fish :)... Lord, enlighten the eyes of our understanding...

Worth

Never content

The longing never filled

Looking for love

In a person to fulfill

You long to feel worth

To fill an aching void

Then in times you hide away

Rejection – to avoid

You think through your mind games

Your protection is found

But within this vicious cycle

You only remain bound

I’m aware of your struggles

I know where the hurt lies

Beyond your tough façade

I see the inner cries

Nothing I’ve created

Was made to quench your thirsty soul

No one in your life

Can ever make you whole

These idols in your life

Will one day come crashing down

And then you’re faced with the reality

It’s in Me – your worth is found