I know I've blogged about this song before, but I LOVE the song "Open Up the Sky". We sang it yesterday in morning worship and I felt like such fresh revelation was flowing. Part of the words are:
"We won't be satisfied with anything ordinary. We won't be satisfied at all. Open up the sky pour down like rain. We don't want blessings we want you."
Can we really say that and truly mean it? What I felt God impressing upon me was the fact that when we really mean that, we won't mind the trials that bring us to a deeper place of revelation... revelation of more of His glory. Take, for instance, the beautiful rose. It's fragrance can't be enjoyed fully until you crush it. We don't want to be crushed. But maybe, just maybe, He wants to release a pure, undefiled fragrance from our spirit. If you feel you are being tried, crushed... maybe He trusts you with that during this season.
Paul spoke of trials that sort of "kept his feet on the ground".
2 Corinthians 12:7 from the Amplified: "And to keep me from being puffed up and too much elated by the exceeding greatness (preeminence) of these revelations, there was given me a thorn ([a]a splinter) in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to rack and buffet and harass me, to keep me from being excessively exalted."
Don't question the trials. They serve a purpose. It's all about our perspective. If we truly trust Him, we know He will not forsake us and will perform His perfect will through every circumstance we face.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Is "Just Enough" Enough?
This morning I was having my quiet devotion time and this passage just seemed to jump out at me!
Proverbs 30: 8-9 "Remove far from me vanity and lies; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me only food sufficient for me,lest I be full, and deny Thee, and say, "Who is the LORD?"-- or lest I be poor and steal, and take the name of my God in vain."
Can it really be that simple to us? It should be. Just give me my daily portion. ...nothing less, nothing more. I'm remembering the children of Israel and how God provided daily manna for them to eat. They weren't to gather more than they needed for that day. It was a trust issue. They were to trust that He would provide again tomorrow. That seems to be our problem sometimes. We think God has failed us if we can't seem to get all our debt paid off or have our emergency fund all stashed away safe and sound. Don't get me wrong. I'm all for those things! But sometimes I wonder if the unforeseen "financial trauma" that comes upon us through unexpected expenses of every form could be a test of our trust in Him. Sure, He could wipe it all out with blessings from His unlimited supply of resources. ...but what if?
Do we really trust Him? I can look back at times when our finances were in shambles... overextended... not exactly working out on paper... but we paid our tithes first and rested in the peace that He was working it all out. Those are actually some of my best memories. I remember sitting back and watching God miraculously work on our behalf when we put His Kingdom first. He teaches us so much in those times. I am thankful for His loving, guiding hand. I want to see Him in all things... the lean times and the times of blessings.
I want to be a "giver" instead of a "taker". Pastor Terry really compelled us to look deep within ourselves and ask that probing question this weekend: "Am I a giver or a taker?" So, I'm asking you (and myself again) the same thing and asking "is what He says is "enough" enough for you?" Other countries who aren't as blessed as us have the clarity to answer that question. They worship from a whole different perspective than us. We will stand in judgement before God with them one day. What will our answer be?
Proverbs 30: 8-9 "Remove far from me vanity and lies; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me only food sufficient for me,lest I be full, and deny Thee, and say, "Who is the LORD?"-- or lest I be poor and steal, and take the name of my God in vain."
Can it really be that simple to us? It should be. Just give me my daily portion. ...nothing less, nothing more. I'm remembering the children of Israel and how God provided daily manna for them to eat. They weren't to gather more than they needed for that day. It was a trust issue. They were to trust that He would provide again tomorrow. That seems to be our problem sometimes. We think God has failed us if we can't seem to get all our debt paid off or have our emergency fund all stashed away safe and sound. Don't get me wrong. I'm all for those things! But sometimes I wonder if the unforeseen "financial trauma" that comes upon us through unexpected expenses of every form could be a test of our trust in Him. Sure, He could wipe it all out with blessings from His unlimited supply of resources. ...but what if?
Do we really trust Him? I can look back at times when our finances were in shambles... overextended... not exactly working out on paper... but we paid our tithes first and rested in the peace that He was working it all out. Those are actually some of my best memories. I remember sitting back and watching God miraculously work on our behalf when we put His Kingdom first. He teaches us so much in those times. I am thankful for His loving, guiding hand. I want to see Him in all things... the lean times and the times of blessings.
I want to be a "giver" instead of a "taker". Pastor Terry really compelled us to look deep within ourselves and ask that probing question this weekend: "Am I a giver or a taker?" So, I'm asking you (and myself again) the same thing and asking "is what He says is "enough" enough for you?" Other countries who aren't as blessed as us have the clarity to answer that question. They worship from a whole different perspective than us. We will stand in judgement before God with them one day. What will our answer be?
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Be Careful Little Ears What You Hear
In Sunday school most of us learned that cute little song... "Oh, be careful little ears what you hear..." What voices are we listening to?
If only we could have Joseph’s outlook. He never questioned why or grumbled about the circumstances. He had Kingdom focus… Kingdom purpose. He didn’t think, “poor me”… I’ve been done wrong. He rose to the top in every adverse situation he was placed in. …whether slavery, false accusation and even prison… It was all about His perspective.
Proverbs 29:18 “Where there is no vision, the people perish:”
We need our vision (and our hearing, or better yet, "filters") adjusted from time to time. I am blessed to be a part of one of the greatest churches on the face of this earth... a place of vision. Not everyone has that... I want to be more aware of that. Even if you find yourself in a dry place where no vision seems to be, let HIM realign your vision. It's as simple as getting alone with Him... away with Him. If we have Kingdom purpose… Kingdom perspective, we won’t allow other people's grievances to affect our overall purpose. Be careful what you allow into your ears... because it ends up in your heart and spirit.
Gen 39:2 “And the Lord was with Joseph…” vs 4 “Joseph found grace in his sight…” vs 21 “But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.”
Skipping ahead 42:6 “And Joseph was the governor over the land” vs 9 “And Joseph remembered the dreams” vs 5 “Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.”
Only what’s done in love will last. Let’s make sure we are operating in love.
I Corinthians 13:8 “Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.”
Joseph was continually ridiculed by his brothers for his dreams. It didn't seem to affect him at all. God gives visions and dreams that man cannot take away. Shut out every voice that is going against the dreams, visions and plans God has given you. Maybe you're the only one who knows what they are. Trust in what He has given you. If we have the right attitude, develop the fruits of the spirit in our lives, He will bring it all to pass in His time.
If only we could have Joseph’s outlook. He never questioned why or grumbled about the circumstances. He had Kingdom focus… Kingdom purpose. He didn’t think, “poor me”… I’ve been done wrong. He rose to the top in every adverse situation he was placed in. …whether slavery, false accusation and even prison… It was all about His perspective.
Proverbs 29:18 “Where there is no vision, the people perish:”
We need our vision (and our hearing, or better yet, "filters") adjusted from time to time. I am blessed to be a part of one of the greatest churches on the face of this earth... a place of vision. Not everyone has that... I want to be more aware of that. Even if you find yourself in a dry place where no vision seems to be, let HIM realign your vision. It's as simple as getting alone with Him... away with Him. If we have Kingdom purpose… Kingdom perspective, we won’t allow other people's grievances to affect our overall purpose. Be careful what you allow into your ears... because it ends up in your heart and spirit.
Gen 39:2 “And the Lord was with Joseph…” vs 4 “Joseph found grace in his sight…” vs 21 “But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.”
Skipping ahead 42:6 “And Joseph was the governor over the land” vs 9 “And Joseph remembered the dreams” vs 5 “Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.”
Only what’s done in love will last. Let’s make sure we are operating in love.
I Corinthians 13:8 “Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.”
Joseph was continually ridiculed by his brothers for his dreams. It didn't seem to affect him at all. God gives visions and dreams that man cannot take away. Shut out every voice that is going against the dreams, visions and plans God has given you. Maybe you're the only one who knows what they are. Trust in what He has given you. If we have the right attitude, develop the fruits of the spirit in our lives, He will bring it all to pass in His time.
Monday, December 14, 2009
The World's Economy or God's Economy?
I try not to listen to the news too much. It's so full of doom and gloom. However, this morning I did. No wonder people's hearts are failing them with fear! If I filled my ears and mind with their reports, I would be paralyzed with fear. I'm so glad that as believers, we don't have to worry. We know where our help comes from!
Philipians 4:19 "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."
Psalm 23:1 from the Amplified "THE LORD is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack."
The world's economy is of "no affect" to those who are completely trusting in Him, the source of all! Notice the Amplified translation of the 23rd Psalm... He gives food (daily provision), guides (direction), shields (protection). What more could we need? He delights in knowing that we trust Him completely. Have you told Him that today? I trust you with every detail of my life, Lord! I trust YOUR economy!
Philipians 4:19 "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."
Psalm 23:1 from the Amplified "THE LORD is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack."
The world's economy is of "no affect" to those who are completely trusting in Him, the source of all! Notice the Amplified translation of the 23rd Psalm... He gives food (daily provision), guides (direction), shields (protection). What more could we need? He delights in knowing that we trust Him completely. Have you told Him that today? I trust you with every detail of my life, Lord! I trust YOUR economy!
Friday, December 11, 2009
Healer
On the way back from dropping the boys off at school this morning I became overwhelmed with gratitude and emotion over Tanner's healing. It was almost 8 months ago but it was so miraculous! He was healed of scoliosis! One moment he had it and later that evening after anointing him with oil in our home, his spine was completely aligned! The wonderful thing is that now... 8 months later... I see a bigger aligning. God gave the healing to assure me that He was aligning other things in his life. He has aligned his heart and mind. God is doing such a huge work in Tanner's life. I am completely overwhelmed and amazed! I just want to publicly thank Him today... our Savior... our Redeemer... our Healer!
This is an amazing song... I can't get the link to work but copy & paste into a new window to hear... incredible!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvIEJ_PmqJ8
Healer
You hold my every moment
You calm my raging seas
You walk with me through fire
And heal all my disease
I trust in you
I trust in you
I believe
You're my healer
I believe
You are all i need
I believe
You're my portion
I believe
You're more than enough for me
Jesus, you're all i need
Nothing is impossible for you
Nothing is impossible
Nothing is impossible for you
You hold my world in your hands
This is an amazing song... I can't get the link to work but copy & paste into a new window to hear... incredible!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvIEJ_PmqJ8
Healer
You hold my every moment
You calm my raging seas
You walk with me through fire
And heal all my disease
I trust in you
I trust in you
I believe
You're my healer
I believe
You are all i need
I believe
You're my portion
I believe
You're more than enough for me
Jesus, you're all i need
Nothing is impossible for you
Nothing is impossible
Nothing is impossible for you
You hold my world in your hands
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