Heaven's Will and Earth Collide

What is it that stopped Jesus in His tracks to tend to Bartimaeus' need in Luke 18:35-43? 

Here is a man who thought money or goods were his greatest need as he sat on the road begging that day.  That is until he overhears that Jesus is passing by.   Something stirs within him.  His spirit leaps when he hears that the Man of Compassion is in his midst.   Faith arises.  Bartimaeus becomes desperate to receive more than what a fallen world had dealt him.   He becomes bold.   He pushes past the fear of men; men, who had sight, yet were blind to what his soul was reaching for.   He refuses to keep silent.   He no longer accepts “the bad report,” but to trust in the Name above all names. 

 

Heaven’s will and earth collided that day.  Bartimaeus walked away with far more than eyes that could see, but a life changing encounter with Love Himself.  

 

 

Begging for what I thought

To be life’s greatest need

Until Love’s presence passed me by

And my soul cried to be freed

 

Refusing to keep quiet

A heart in desperate plea

To reach the ears of Messiah

Simple words - that I believe

 

Unashamed persistence

Abandoned fear of man

Confident pursuit in the One

Who holds my need in His hands

Relentless in pursuit

Crying out all the more

The King of Glory turns to me

“What is it your soul longs for?”

 

Simple faith and confidence

Stopped Mercy in His tracks

Healing my sight to fully see

True Love move on my behalf

 

-ets

 

 

 

Veils

Years ago I  was scurrying around the kitchen taking care of my children’s hunger while worshipping along with the music on my laptop.   Suddenly I  came to a dead halt; not knowing that MY "hunger" would be met that afternoon.  Leaning onto my elbows on the counter, eyes shut - the One being worshipped reached down to touch me: depositing into me the only way to feed my longing to know Him more intimately.

 

“…the veil of the temple was torn in two.” (Luke 23:45)

Ultimately the veil has already been torn for our free access to God, where we can come BOLDLY to Him, but we are well learned in hanging up our own self constructed veils that keep us from confidently approaching Him.

I see Jesus, just the lower half of Him, in a white robe.   His hands outstretched beckoning one to come to Him…

 

A woman, behind a white veil – sheepishly pokes her head around to see Him.   She knew Him.  He knew her.   That was evident.

 

As she made her way to Him, there were rows of veils to maneuver around.   Each veil had a name such as shame, hurt, bitterness, resentment, anger, guilt, abuse, abandonment; all in which were blocking her from coming to Him FULLY.  She longed to be with Him, but these veils…

She loves Him and is in relationship with Him.   She is a worshipper, but she only presents to Him the “pretty” parts -  ashamed of those unhealed, dark areas of her life.  

We think these veils protect us.   We shy away because of shame.   We even unconsciously doubt His acceptance of us.  We've allowed the image of our worth to be molded by the pain we've experienced  and the people in our lives that have rejected us for who we are.

The most intimate relationships are born out of being vulnerable to share your whole “story.”   This is why He is calling.   He longs for all of you, and He knows the healing power His presence brings. Beloved, He is beckoning you…

Longing for a love exchange 

Abandoned and free 

I anticipate our togetherness 

As you make your way to Me

  Suddenly you cower 

From Me, your eyes divert 

Veils drape around you 

Tailored by years of hurt
 

I see the shackles tighten 

Binding up your heart 

You hold from Me the broken

Only giving Me a part

 

A part of who you really are

A portion of your soul

I need to embrace it all

To mend and make you whole

Restoration only comes

To places you let Me touch

Press past your own resistance

I’m the One who you can trust

 

Anxiously I beckon you

As a husband to his bride

To make your way again

Confidently by My side

 

Recklessly abandoned

To My arms you quickly run

Cradled in My acceptance…

Veils dropping… one by one

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djrY_eFDOwE

Intricacies of Life

I was walking through a "year round" Christmas store and couldn't help but notice all of the varieties of Christmas villages on display. From afar, they looked nice;  caught my eye, but when I really got up close and saw all of the intricacies of each individual piece, it made the display that much more beautiful and appreciated.

I began to think about our lives and how all too often we look at the BIG picture and we miss the "little" things. Years pass us by and all we can account for is eating, sleeping, and paying the bills  - a life of what appears mundane when you look through it with surface vision. 

Day after day we acknowledge the  existence of people, places, and things but fail to notice their beauty. We grow weary concentrating on what we don't have and miss out on the enjoyment of what is right at our fingertips.  We get so stuck in our routines that we sacrifice relationships both in our homes and beyond the four walls.

Looking at the villages I was also reminded of a couple of verses in Psalm 139. "You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank You for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it."

When an artist puts detail into his creation: a painting, a sculpture, a writing,  it is placed there for a reason... for the observer to take notice and  to find enjoyment in the beauty and uniqueness of it.

God is the Master Creator, the Master Artist, and He is into detail.  Everything He has ever created is an authentic masterpiece made for not only His pleasure but for ours! Our job is to slow down to find the joy in the NOW.

Let’s stop merely glancing over the big picture of life. Hit the “zoom” button and you’ll discover what a fleeting look will never see.

Begin studying the individuality of your children. Love them BIG right now in both their cuteness and what you may see as annoyances and quirks. Begin noticing the deeper things deposited within your spouse, your family, and your friends rather than year after year maintaining “how's it going?” shallow  relationships where you have no real desire to listen or share in either their joys or their woes.   Quit being satisfied with the pet answer of, "It's going good," and begin to really care about people.   Care about them deeply.  Set aside your selfish, patterned day and allow for interruptions.  In time, it just may dawn on you that they were not interruptions at all.  These were the moments of true living like God intended. 

Seize opportunities to share life together and be an encouragement to one another.  Quit waiting for an "easier" or “more convenient” stage of life to live in the now. Before you know it, the chance you had is over and everything gets pushed off for a future that never comes.

 

 

 

“Slow down and smell the beauty in life.” e

Name Above All Names

 

When my son was three years old,  I overheard him saying, "There's power in the Name of Jesus! Grrr!"

Made me chuckle at the surety in the statement coming from such a small vessel, but it threw me quickly into a moment of reflection.  How often we forget what's behind that Name: JESUS.

"Therefore, God elevated Him to the place of highest honor and gave Him the Name above all other names, that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:9-11) 

EVERY other name is subject to the Name of Jesus!  

What "name" are you battling?  Is it addiction?  Anger?  Anxiety?  Broken relationships?  Depression?  Disease?  Fear?  Grief?  Guilt?  Poverty?  Sickness?  Begin to speak His Name over your situation.  Even if you can only muster enough strength to whisper, "Jesus" - continue to do it over and over again. There is unfathomable power and authority behind that Name! (Matthew 28:18)

Salvation in the Name of Jesus:

“Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

“And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the Name of the Lord shall be saved.” Acts 2:21

Demons flee and protection found in the Name of Jesus:

“But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the Name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour.” Acts 16:18

“And these signs will follow those who believe: In My Name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” Mark 16:17

Strength and soundness of mind in the Name of Jesus:

“And His name, through faith in His Name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.” Acts 3:16

Healing in the Name of Jesus:

“Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the Name of your holy servant Jesus.” Acts 4:30

“Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. By faith in the Name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ Name and the faith that comes through Him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.” Acts 3:6

The Name that saves.  The name that delivers. The Name that heals.  The Name that strengthens.  The Name that calms the storm. The Name of hope. The Name of victory.

Jesus.

The disciples saw Jesus do many other miraculous signs in addition to the ones recorded in this book. But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in Him you will have life by the power of His name.” John 20:30-31

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zpLPh6LibE

Being Perfect

 

Matthew 5:48, "Be PERFECT, therefore, as your Heavenly Father is perfect."

Have you ever struggled over this Scripture?  Some may even think if this is what it means to be a Christian, I can never measure up.  They end up walking away from a relationship with Christ or half-heartedly serving Him because it feels pointless to try something that’s unobtainable. 

I’ve read that the word 'perfect' (teleios) has several meanings.  One definition is "completion," another speaks of maturity but not necessarily sinless, and another is "the appropriate state at the appropriate time."  For instance, a tree that has no leaves in winter is perfect.  It is at the appropriate stage for the appropriate time. 

Not everyone is in the same season.  It would be silly for a mature tree to compare itself to a newly planted seed.   That's not a level playing field.  They are in a totally different stage of growth.

 

So why do we?  I know it’s human nature to want to compare sins; place people at different sin degrees.  We play "Let's Compare" instead of "How can I become more like Christ?"   

"A butterfly should never judge the caterpillar." -et

God meets each of us right where we are.  As long as our heart is to serve and please Him ~ we are in the appropriate state at the appropriate time! Does this mean we aren't ever to keep one another accountable and spur one another on?  Of course not, but that's a different message :)

Like any relationship, it takes time to grow.  For relationships that you are cultivating and desiring deeper intimacy in, you will pass through different stages to get to that level.  It takes time to develop. Our relationship with Christ is the same.   In a relationship, you will either be moving forward or moving backwards.  It’s through full surrender and willingness to let God work in us that brings the needed growth. Sometimes it's through tough times that we grow and sometimes it's simply in the quiet moments spent with the Potter. 

I want to encourage you that if your heart is fixed on a sincere desire to follow Christ and walk in obedience to His Word, you are in the appropriate state at the appropriate time... To God, this is to be perfect.  Without flaw? No, but definitely on your way to completeness...

"And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ (right up to the time of His return), developing (that good work) and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you." Philippians 1:6

Forgetting but Remembering

 

Do you ever question your usefulness in the Kingdom of God when you are bombarded with thoughts of your past?  It is Satan's ploy to derail you.  He wants to keep you planted in the bad soil of your past in order to prevent you from growing in the things of the Lord.  There is nothing you have ever done that will disqualify you from being used by God.  Yes, we deviate off the path, but we can always refocus and get back on track.  God is faithful and committed to work through every one of our mistakes.

"Forget the past and look forward to what lies ahead." (Philippians 3:13b)  This is a great Scripture to help us to get forward focused on what God has planned for us.  I think it is also important though to remember that Paul, the same writer, in 1 Timothy, referred to himself as HAVING BEEN "a chief sinner." Though he didn't stay stuck in his past, in condemnation, or in a state of unworthiness; he did keep in remembrance where he came from.

Satan and some people will try to keep us chained to our past; marking us as unusable. This is a lie.  God is always ready and willing to redeem us and set us back on course.  However, keeping before us the humble knowing of where God has brought us from is also a good idea.  In doing so, we will be more sensitive to others who are stuck in the very messes of life we were once in or are currently walking through.

I want to encourage you to ask God to give you opportunities to testify of the life changes He has made in your life. You too will be able to say to others, "But by the grace (the unmerited favor and blessing) of God, I am what I am..." (1 Corinthians 15:10)

 

 

Easter Story

 

 

Twelve men left all and followed Him

Miracles they had seen

They watched Him heal all who were sick

Those with unclean spirits were made clean

But one follower named Judas Iscariot

Betrayed Him with a kiss

Handed Him over to the chief priests

To be scourged and put to death

He was mocked by those that held Him

Asking Him, “So, are You the Christ?”

“You wouldn’t believe Me if I told you,” He said

For they accused Him of speaking lies

“Are you the Son of God?” they stammered

He responded, “Yes, I am He”

Accusations of blasphemy filled the land

An act deserving the death penalty

They all condemned Him to be put to death

As they struck Him and spit in His face

Even one of His disciples whom He loved very much

Denied ever seeing His face

Carrying Him away; they delivered Him to Pilate

“Are you the King of the Jews?” Pilate sneered

“You say rightly that I am a King,” Jesus said

“But My kingdom is not from here.”

Jesus, the Christ, and Barabbas, a murderer

Stood before the multitude

By custom one prisoner could be released

The one whom the people choose

“Away with this Man; release to us Barabbas,”

Insistently the people cried

“Then what shall I do with Jesus, the Christ?”

They shouted, “Let Him be crucified.”

A purple robe they placed on His body

A crown of thorns twisted on His head

“Hail, King of the Jews,” they mocked

As blood streamed from His head

His back took brutal beatings

His head they struck with a rod

Spitting into His face they scorned

“Save Yourself if You’re the Son of God!”

He didn’t fight back to prove who He was

For He knew His hour had arrived

To fulfill the very purpose for why He had come

For a lost people He would have to die

As they drove the cold nails in His hands and feet

His body exposed for all to view

Jesus cried, “Father, forgive them”

“For they know not what they do.”

Blasphemous words echoed throughout

Gross darkness encamped the land

And with His last breath He shouted aloud

“Father, I commit My spirit into Your hands.”

On the third day since His burial

An angel descended from Heaven

The earth quaked; the stone rolled away

The tomb was empty, for Jesus had risen

Two women mourned nearby the tomb

For they thought His body had been stole

The angel approached them and declared

“Rejoice, for He has arose!”

Quickly they fled to tell the disciples

Their hearts filled with great joy and fear

Some of them rejoiced while others doubted

And then in their midst Jesus appeared

They fell at His feet and worshipped

As He blessed them with His hands

“Go into all the world and tell them of Me,

I won’t be back ‘til it’s reached every land.”

“Remember you're not of this world

If you've received Me as your Lord

Be not like the world; keep from all evil

So that you may receive the final reward.”

“It’s time for Me to leave now,

You must carry out My ministry

I give you the authority to be My hands and feet

With My name you’ll set many free.”

“For it won’t be long before I return

For those who live for Me

They are who I will take as My bride

To Heaven for eternity.”

“Keep watch for the hour is so near

Be prepared to meet Me again

For in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye

As I am now, I will appear again.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOY0mjjmx8Y

"But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners."

 Romans 5:8

 

I AM

I sense Your presence in the breeze

I know You're breathing life in me

A shattered heart

Placed in Your hands

Putting my trust

in the Great I AM

 

Your loving voice

Calls out to me

"You shall know the Truth

and it will set you free."

 

You reveal to me

All who You are

"I AM your All in all

The Bright Morning Star"

  

I AM Agape Love

My anger is slow

I AM the God of Compassion

Lover of your soul

I AM the Whisperer

That gently speaks to You

I AM Alpha and Omega

I came to make things new

 

I AM Mercy and Grace

Forgiver of your sins

I AM the Most High

I will stand in your defense

I AM your Comfort

Your Provider, Your Friend

A Faithful Father

My love never ends

 

I AM Wisdom

Your Shepherd, your Guide

I AM the God who sees

Every tear you've cried

 

I AM your Hiding Place

Your Rest, your Calm

I AM your Safe Shelter

From every storm

 

I AM your Hope

I AM Faithful and True
The Author of your life

Who came to deliver you

 

I AM the Bread of Life

The filler of your heart

The God of new beginnings

Who gives you a fresh start

 

I AM the Light of the world

The One to be revealed

I AM the Prince of Peace

I AM the God who heals

 

I AM your Redeemer

The only One who saves

The perfect Lamb of God

For you, is why  I came

 

I AM the Resurrection

I AM Absolute Truth

The Anointed and Chosen One

Who has chosen you

 

I AM the Vine

Living Water for your soul

Refreshing comes from Me

I AM the God who makes you whole."

 

Such depth to who You truly are

In awe – I humbly stand

My everything, my every need

Found in You, the great I AM!