Sunday, April 7, 2013

Unsealed

 
 
 
Unseal my lips that I may praise You. Psalm 51:15


When you look back at the history of when Psalm 51 was written, David was going through a very tough time. He had an affair, murdered his mistresses' husband, and was dealing with all of the earthly and spiritual effects that his poor choices had brought about in his life.  Nathan, a prophet, comes to him and lovingly, but sharply rebukes him for his sin. David is convicted and repents...

What is silencing your praise? What is it that hinders you from telling God how wonderful He is? What mutes you from speaking of His goodness to others? 

Maybe like David there are areas in your life that need to be made "right" with God. Because of shame you avoid Him. Because of the guilt of your choices, you refrain from sharing Christ with others in fear they will mark you as hypocritical.  Maybe you think you've just done too much bad to ever be accepted by God. 

 
Remember this - Jesus would have died for you if you committed one sin or if you committed 1,000! There is no limit to the power of His sin cleansing blood and there is NOTHING that stops His unending love for YOU! (Romans 8:35-39)

Lord, I lift up every person reading this.. I pray You reveal to them that which is silencing them and keeping them from You.  Unseal their lips that they may praise You. And in the midst of their praise, may their hearts be unlocked to feel the warmth of Your unconditional love.

Friday, April 5, 2013

Trust

 
 
Jesus was speaking to a multitude of people - saying things that didn’t make sense to their natural mind. Much of it seemed quite bizarre, leading some to think that He was a crazy man. At the conclusion of His talk, the Bible says:

“From this time many of His disciples turned back and no longer followed Him. "Do you also want to go away?" Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”

Notice that Peter doesn’t stop there, but goes on to say, “Also we have come to BELIEVE and KNOW that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (John 6:66-69)

When we come to the realization that Jesus is who He says He is, we can fully trust Him when He tells us something or directs us in a way that doesn’t make sense to us. We can trust Him even when the multitude mocks and when those who once followed Him walk away.

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:9)

TRUST HIM! And trust that His plans for you ARE good! (Jeremiah 29:11) J

Friday, March 22, 2013

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.”




"But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners." Romans 5:8

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Veils



I scurried around the kitchen taking care of my children’s hunger while worshipping along with the music on my laptop.   Suddenly I had to come 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 hang our 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, she 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: 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 areas of her life.

We think these veils protect us.  We shy away because of shame.   We even unconsciously doubt His acceptance because of false perceptions of our worth due to what we’ve been through or because of earthly relationships that have caused us deep pain.

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

Monday, January 14, 2013

Vessel

 
Smith Wigglesworth, a man of God from the 1800's... it is recorded, "He would walk by people and they would come under the conviction of the Holy Spirit and be saved. He began to see miracles and healings and the glory of God would fall when he prayed and preached." I want that!
 
But...
 
We have to step back for a minute and remember - God will use a willing vessel. He will. BUT just because He is using us, doesn't mean He has placed a stamp of approval on our lives. The pride we cleverly disguise, the glory stealing, the rudeness, callousness, anger, hidden sin - all of it still must be dealt with and surrendered to Him. In knowing that, we realize that nothing we do is of ourselves. We have nothing to boast of. We all have "stuff" to deal with. We are not perfected. We are only being used by the Perfect One.
 
It is also not enough that we are just a "likable people." We have failed if our lives have only produced a bunch of people who enjoy our company because of the "good life" we live. We need to be very conscious of why we do what we do and for Whom we do it for. God wants His Kingdom advanced. Let's just make sure we remind ourselves every day that it is not the created that deserves the glory - but the Creator. :)
 
Use us, Lord - whether it be through an encouraging word, a healing, a deliverance, an act of hospitality, an act of service - whatever You choose, to touch a lost and dying people. May our lives, our attitudes, our demeanor, our actions be a mirror of who You are so that people will be drawn to You. May You use us in such a way that it would be evident to all that it is You working and not that of ourselves... We realize that You are the Contents; we are merely the vessel You have chosen to pour Yourself out of...
 
God pours Himself into us, for us to pour Him out to others. May we wake up each morning EXPECTING. May our desire and prayer be: "Grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word. 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)
 
...and whenever and however He uses us, let's give Him ALL the glory and praise that only He is worthy of! :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXH0MjGe10s

Monday, January 7, 2013

I AM

 
 
I feel Your breath within 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!

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Power in His Name

 
 
I overheard my son, out of the blue, declaring, "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 sickness? Depression? Anger? Addiction? Poverty? Relationship problems? 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 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