Good morning!
Isaiah 48:17-18: This is what the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel says: I am the LORD your God, who teaches you for your benefit, who leads you in the way you should go. If only you had paid attention to My commands. Then your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea.
I am sure I have more times than I can count where I did not pay attention to what God was saying to me. But one stands out above all the rest. I cannot know for sure but I believe it could have been a turning point in my life where peace would have flowed like a river and righteousness would have crashed over me like waves.
God spoke to me as I laid on my bed, curled up in a fetal position. I was lost...alone...scared. What He said was so simple and I am sure it was for my benefit...it probably would have changed my life. "Get up and go get your Bible." I said no. Not only did I not pay attention and act like I didn't hear Him, I answered back and refused the benefits He had for me. He was trying to lead me in the way I should go but I refused.
I ended up back on His path but I took the long route and trust me, it was not so scenic. Maybe if I had known who was speaking to me back then I would have listened. The LORD of heaven, my Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel thought I was important enough to guide and protect and love and save. He knew exactly what I needed at that moment in my life. All I had to do was pay attention.
I hope you don't make the same mistake I did. God has done amazing things in my life and I am blessed and highly favored. But every now and then, I think back to that day. I will always wonder what could have happened that day. What miracles could He have done? Where would I be right now if I would have gotten up and did what He asked me to do? I hope that is one of the things He will show me one day. But I will have to live the rest of my life wondering what could have been. Peace and righteousness can be yours...the Lord is speaking to you...let the river and waves flow!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Psalm 134:2
Good evening!
Psalm 134:2: Lift up your hands in the holy place, and praise the LORD!
I've had so many people ask me if I go to "one of those churches" where you raise your hands. I heard a pastor say once before that just like we hoot and holler for our sports teams, we lift our hands in worship to our God. I've always liked that explanation but now I have Scripture to back it up!
I got to hear this song live last week and believe me there was not a hand I saw that was down by anyone's side! Shout out to God with a voice of triumph! Lift His name up today unashamed!
Psalm 134:2: Lift up your hands in the holy place, and praise the LORD!
I've had so many people ask me if I go to "one of those churches" where you raise your hands. I heard a pastor say once before that just like we hoot and holler for our sports teams, we lift our hands in worship to our God. I've always liked that explanation but now I have Scripture to back it up!
I got to hear this song live last week and believe me there was not a hand I saw that was down by anyone's side! Shout out to God with a voice of triumph! Lift His name up today unashamed!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
1 Corinthians 13:2-3, 13
Good evening!
1 Corinthians 13:2-3, 13: If I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so that I can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I donate all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but do not have love, I gain nothing. Now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.
I got to experience the band Hillsong live last night and this is the name of their new album. Faith + Hope + Love. The only way I can describe it was being a fraction of how the angels worship Him all day long. I never felt so close to Him as I did while I was praising Him with all of those people! It was really amazing. But they showed this video that went along with their new CD and it really got me thinking. I've always loved Chapter 13 of this book but I usually skim over this part and go straight to the famous description of love.
God has really opened my eyes to the importance of what is in our hearts. Are we doing everything that we can think of to appear "godly" or "Christ-like" on the outside but our insides are rotten? Do we fill our heads with "knowledge" and study so hard that we sound like Billy Graham but treat those closest to us as strangers? Are we really examples of Christ's love to those who really need to see it?
The one thing that all humans have in common is our need for love. God is really showing me that not only do people across the world need love, but there are people in my own family who need love. Am I going to focus only on me, or am I going to reach out in love to those who are closest to me?
Having faith and hope is so important...but more important is to have love. To be love. To show love. Does everyone in your family know that you love them? Do they all know that you love Jesus? Are you loving your neighbor like your brother?
God's love is life changing and He thinks it's the most important thing of all. Get Hillsong's new CD and I promise it will start to open your hearts to all the love God has for you. You'll have no choice but to start loving on some people!
1 Corinthians 13:2-3, 13: If I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so that I can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I donate all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but do not have love, I gain nothing. Now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.
I got to experience the band Hillsong live last night and this is the name of their new album. Faith + Hope + Love. The only way I can describe it was being a fraction of how the angels worship Him all day long. I never felt so close to Him as I did while I was praising Him with all of those people! It was really amazing. But they showed this video that went along with their new CD and it really got me thinking. I've always loved Chapter 13 of this book but I usually skim over this part and go straight to the famous description of love.
God has really opened my eyes to the importance of what is in our hearts. Are we doing everything that we can think of to appear "godly" or "Christ-like" on the outside but our insides are rotten? Do we fill our heads with "knowledge" and study so hard that we sound like Billy Graham but treat those closest to us as strangers? Are we really examples of Christ's love to those who really need to see it?
The one thing that all humans have in common is our need for love. God is really showing me that not only do people across the world need love, but there are people in my own family who need love. Am I going to focus only on me, or am I going to reach out in love to those who are closest to me?
Having faith and hope is so important...but more important is to have love. To be love. To show love. Does everyone in your family know that you love them? Do they all know that you love Jesus? Are you loving your neighbor like your brother?
God's love is life changing and He thinks it's the most important thing of all. Get Hillsong's new CD and I promise it will start to open your hearts to all the love God has for you. You'll have no choice but to start loving on some people!
Monday, August 24, 2009
Psalm 63:1
Good evening!
Psalm 63:1: God, You are my God; I eagerly seek You. I thirst for You; my body faints for You in a land that is dry, desolate, and without water.
I have never been stranded in a desert but I don't think I need to be in order to understand how quickly my body would break down without the one thing it needs...water. I know that I wouldn't last a day being exposed out in the deadly sun. I've watched Planet Earth...I've seen the vast and dry deserts. It's the one place I do not want to be...stuck out in the emptiness where I have become the hunted. That is what the world would be without my God. I wouldn't make it a day without Him. Every day I find a reason to turn to Him. He helps me in so many ways. My body just doesn't work without Him.
God, You are my God...and I eagerly seek after You.
This song is a great example of this Psalm...Only You!
Psalm 63:1: God, You are my God; I eagerly seek You. I thirst for You; my body faints for You in a land that is dry, desolate, and without water.
I have never been stranded in a desert but I don't think I need to be in order to understand how quickly my body would break down without the one thing it needs...water. I know that I wouldn't last a day being exposed out in the deadly sun. I've watched Planet Earth...I've seen the vast and dry deserts. It's the one place I do not want to be...stuck out in the emptiness where I have become the hunted. That is what the world would be without my God. I wouldn't make it a day without Him. Every day I find a reason to turn to Him. He helps me in so many ways. My body just doesn't work without Him.
God, You are my God...and I eagerly seek after You.
This song is a great example of this Psalm...Only You!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Psalm 55:16
Good evening!
Psalm 55:16: As for me, I will call upon God, and the Lord will save me.
You may have already tried once to talk to God or see if He is really there. I remember doing that a few times in my life. But it was never really genuine. My heart was not in it. I was half joking. I still didn't want to let go of all that I was hanging onto.
But when you do get to that point, when all you were hanging onto is gone or doesn't mean anything anymore, try to talk to Him again. But this time, get serious, open your heart, and call with all you've got. He will answer you if your heart is contrite and sincere. When you finally get to that point when you really need Him, He will be there. He will save you. You may have failed before to come in the right way but He never fails to hear you, meet you or save you.
Psalm 55:16: As for me, I will call upon God, and the Lord will save me.
You may have already tried once to talk to God or see if He is really there. I remember doing that a few times in my life. But it was never really genuine. My heart was not in it. I was half joking. I still didn't want to let go of all that I was hanging onto.
But when you do get to that point, when all you were hanging onto is gone or doesn't mean anything anymore, try to talk to Him again. But this time, get serious, open your heart, and call with all you've got. He will answer you if your heart is contrite and sincere. When you finally get to that point when you really need Him, He will be there. He will save you. You may have failed before to come in the right way but He never fails to hear you, meet you or save you.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Matthew 16:24
Good afternoon!
Matthew 16:24: Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."
This song is so moving, you truly can get lost in it. I love the desperation and longing that drives you to your knees in worship. There are some days when you just need to be with Him! You're coming after Him no matter what and I imagine that's exactly where Jesus wants you to be, all the time. I promise you won't be denied.
Matthew 16:24: Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."
This song is so moving, you truly can get lost in it. I love the desperation and longing that drives you to your knees in worship. There are some days when you just need to be with Him! You're coming after Him no matter what and I imagine that's exactly where Jesus wants you to be, all the time. I promise you won't be denied.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
John 5:16-17
Good afternoon!
John 5:16-17: Therefore, the Jews began persecuting Jesus because He was doing these things on the Sabbath. But Jesus responded to them, "My Father is still working, and I am working also."
When Pastor Leszek Mocha from Poland read this verse this morning at church, it hit me between the eyes. "God is busy", he declared. "God's not sitting on the Throne, drinking His royal coffee! He is busy...working!" He is building His Kingdom, He is revealing wonders, He is healing the sick, He is setting captives free, He is touching hearts all over the world at the same time, He is creating lives and ending them, He is performing miracles, He is making all things new. He is always at work. He is always busy. And He needs workers to work with Him.
Am I working? Am I taking the time to focus on the Heavenly things or am I too wrapped up in this world? I believe God has so much for us all to do but we don't have a very good work ethic. We are selfish and lazy. Stubborn and unmotivated. Content and distracted.
I listened to Pastor Mocha's normal life where he lives off of $500 a month and his people have very little. But they are working, they are giving, and they are making a difference. We are a very blessed people but we get so used to accepting the news of this world that we are receding and we never look up and receive God's news...that we are blessed and that we will prosper. With just the slightest bit of effort, we could make such an impact. Every prayer you pray, every dime you give, every meal you make, every hour of your time you volunteer to help some else know the love of Jesus Christ will only build your harvest that much more.
God's word was spoken today...stop looking down where you can only see the tips of your shoes. Start looking up to all the blessings that are flowing out of Heaven to those who are busy working. I love it!
God is oh...so...good.
John 5:16-17: Therefore, the Jews began persecuting Jesus because He was doing these things on the Sabbath. But Jesus responded to them, "My Father is still working, and I am working also."
When Pastor Leszek Mocha from Poland read this verse this morning at church, it hit me between the eyes. "God is busy", he declared. "God's not sitting on the Throne, drinking His royal coffee! He is busy...working!" He is building His Kingdom, He is revealing wonders, He is healing the sick, He is setting captives free, He is touching hearts all over the world at the same time, He is creating lives and ending them, He is performing miracles, He is making all things new. He is always at work. He is always busy. And He needs workers to work with Him.
Am I working? Am I taking the time to focus on the Heavenly things or am I too wrapped up in this world? I believe God has so much for us all to do but we don't have a very good work ethic. We are selfish and lazy. Stubborn and unmotivated. Content and distracted.
I listened to Pastor Mocha's normal life where he lives off of $500 a month and his people have very little. But they are working, they are giving, and they are making a difference. We are a very blessed people but we get so used to accepting the news of this world that we are receding and we never look up and receive God's news...that we are blessed and that we will prosper. With just the slightest bit of effort, we could make such an impact. Every prayer you pray, every dime you give, every meal you make, every hour of your time you volunteer to help some else know the love of Jesus Christ will only build your harvest that much more.
God's word was spoken today...stop looking down where you can only see the tips of your shoes. Start looking up to all the blessings that are flowing out of Heaven to those who are busy working. I love it!
God is oh...so...good.
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