Just today I stumbled across an excellent artist, with a song,that speaks forth what I believe...as if she had tumbled into my prayer closet and heard the words I was praying to my Lord, a desire for deeper intimacy with Him. It hit that close...a kindred spirit. The artist is Misty Edwards and the song, is "Favorite One."

Here are her lyrics to "Favorite One":
Jesus,
Here I am your favorite one
What are You thinking, what are You feeling?
I have to know
(Repeat x 2)

For I, I’m after Your heart
I'm after Your heart
I am after You
(Repeat x 2)

(Repeat all x4)

And I'll crown You with my love.
(Repeat x7)

Jesus,
Here I am your favorite one
What are You thinking, what are You feeling?
I have to know
(Repeat x 2)

For I, I’m after Your heart
I'm after Your heart
I am after You

You know that I,
Than I’m after Your heart
I'm after Your heart
I am after You

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

The music to "Favorite One" makes this so much richer.. Also, her song "Dove Eyes," touches my very soul...

(The Lyrics to "Dove Eyes":)
I don't want to talk about You like You're not in the room
I want to look right at You I want to sing right to You

I believe that You are listening
I believe that You move at the sound of my voice

Give me dove's eyes

Give me undistracted devotion for only You

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For More lyrics: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/m/misty_edwards/#share

My apologies to everyone who has been following this blog. Between working on my writing, helping my pastor to get a website up and running, editing her new manuscript--God's Glory--working on my website, and my "regular" job and other miscellaneous household tasks, I have been wearing myself a little thin. (Let alone all the email I'm still going through.) The good news is that I am catching up. Well, back to working on my website...I'll let you know when I put it up. :)

Just meditating on the Word...

Psalm 62:
For Zion's sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not be quiet, until her righteousness goes forth as brightness, and her salvation as a burning torch. The nations shall see your righteousness, and all the kings your glory, and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the LORD will give. You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. You shall no more be termed Forsaken, and your land shall no more be termed Desolate, but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her, and your land Married; for the LORD delights in you, and your land shall be married. For as a young man marries a young woman, so shall your sons marry you, and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you. On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have set watchmen; all the day and all the night they shall never be silent. You who put the LORD in remembrance, take no rest, and give him no rest until he establishes Jerusalem and makes it a praise in the earth. The LORD has sworn by his right hand and by his mighty arm: “I will not again give your grain to be food for your enemies, and foreigners shall not drink your wine for which you have labored; but those who garner it shall eat it and praise the LORD, and those who gather it shall drink it in the courts of my sanctuary.” Go through, go through the gates; prepare the way for the people; build up, build up the highway; clear it of stones; lift up a signal over the peoples. Behold, the LORD has proclaimed to the end of the earth: Say to the daughter of Zion, “Behold, your salvation comes; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him.” And they shall be called The Holy People, The Redeemed of the LORD; and you shall be called Sought Out, A City Not Forsaken.

Mmm...such gems in the Word...His love letter to us; we are so precious to Him...
"I am my Beloved's and He is mine..."
(Oh, to sings songs over Him, of Him, for Him, forever...I can't imagine a more wonderful thing now...I can't help but love Him.)

Hope and (Progressive) Vision (Part 2)

(Part 2)

Now hope is tied to vision. With a vision, you have been given hope for a Godly purpose. He has called you out for His good purposes. Without a vision from the Lord, you wander around aimlessly. When you seek God for a vision, a purpose in Him, don't set your mind on a having to receive that vision in picture format. It may not come that way, but it will be clear direction, one of which you are certain of being from God. It is bigger in you and it will take God to have it come to pass.

A Godly, progressive vision is one of God's way of wiring our brain. Research has shown that when you have a goal, a purpose, that is difficult—that is beyond man's limitation—that they are in fact easier to reach than simple ones. Why? Because there are certain chemical changes that occur in the brain that take place when pursuing that purpose. It leads to a brighter mood, increased performance, and other positive health changes. It changes your perspective for the good.

God's vision for your life must be activated, engaged, spoken forth, acted upon. Jeremiah 29:18-19 says, "Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law. 19 By mere words a servant is not disciplined, for though he understands, he will not respond." 

You gotta' respond. Habakkuk 2:2-3 says, "And the LORD answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. 3 For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay."

Seek God for that vision. It comes in response to prayer. Acts 10:1-6 says, "At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, 2 a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God. 3 About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius.” 4 And he stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. 5 And now send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter."

Through that first step, God moved mightily. Miracles occurred, things beyond expectation.

Move down to verse 9 (in Acts 10). *****Peter saw one that lead to the tearing down of ethnic barriers -- GOD'S children coming together -- LEAD TO PREACHING OF THE GOSPEL, SALVATION FOR CORNELIUS AND HIS FAMILY and the miraculous speaking in tongues - Acts 10:9-20 thru Acts 10:44-48 (esp v. 46)

A vision is dependent upon God's timing. (Acts 16:6-10.) (When to go to Macedonia; first no, then yes.)

A vision encourages you to keep pressing on through difficult circumstances: "And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, 10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.” 11 And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them" (Acts 18:9-11).

You are called to go forth. God will enable you. You must place your hope in the Vision He has given you. It is tied together.

What is your vision; what have you been called to do? Do you believe it; do you hope for it? Because if you believe, down in the depths of your soul, you can know amd say... "I am anointed to (do this "given thing" b/c I have this vision from the Lord to do this) all for the glory of God. B/c if He doesn't get the glory, it is dust.

Hope and (Progressive) Vision

(Part 1)

A Christian needs both hope and a progressive vision in this life to be able to serve God (to the fullest) and obtain the breakthrough God has called each of us to. Without hope, miracles cease, God's hands become tied, and one doesn't expect change nor for God to move at all. Without vision — a progressive, ongoing vision — there is no hope nor expectation that the Godly desires God has given you will be fulfilled. A progressive vision means that God gives you a piece at a time, and adds to it. It is also fluid, meaning it can adapt to changing situations.

Without hope placed in Christ, you lie in darkness, depression and despondency. You plain give up. Then you become apathetic and lukewarm.

A Godly vision gives a person purpose in life, a goal, something to accomplish, a reason for going on, pressing on. Recalling that vision motivates you within your Christian walk.

(Let's look at what the scriptures have to say about it.)

Jeremiah 29:11-13 says, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart."

We must seek Him. Let's turn to Psalm 42:4 — No, let's go up to verse 1.

"As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? My tears have been my food day and night, while they say to me all the day long, “Where is your God?” These things I remember, as I pour out my soul: how I would go with the throng and lead them in procession to the house of God with glad shouts and songs of praise, a multitude keeping festival. Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God."

And again in verse 11, "Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God." Hope in God. Put your trust and hope in Him.

In Psalm 71:5-6, "For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O LORD, from my youth. Upon you I have leaned from before my birth; you are he who took me from my mother's womb. My praise is continually of you." Praise keeps hope strong.

Studying the Word keeps you strong. Psalm 119:49-50 says, "Remember your word to your servant, in which you have made me hope. This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life."

Hebrews 10:23 says, "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful."
Psalm 130:5,6, "I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning."

Psalm 63:6-8, "When I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me." You can endure if you hold onto Him, and put your hope in God.

It delights God when you put your hope in God, and not the circumstances around you. Psalm 147:11 says, "the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love."

So, speak to yourself. Speak back the promises of God that He's given you.

Ezekiel 37:11-14 says, "Then he said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Behold, they say, ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are indeed cut off.’ Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I will open your graves and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will bring you into the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves, and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I am the LORD; I have spoken, and I will do it, declares the LORD.” "

To be continued...

Are You Playing House With God -- Part 2

God's not after a Church to be merely one who does mighty deeds in His Name—to be able to pull out their spiritual resumé just to say, "I did this for You; I did that for you—all in Your Name."

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness' " (Matthew 7:21-23).

He's more interested in who you are — your relationship with Him — than what you can do for Him. God will always honor His Name, His Blood, and His Word, but how well does He know you? Yes, how well does He know you? He may be omniscient, but do you share with Him, confide in Him, reveal yourself to Him, as one does a friend?
In verse 23 He said, "Depart...I never KNEW you." Think about that. A sovereign God who knows all there is about you — all the facts — but have you "allowed" Him to know you? How much have you let Him into your life? Is it all business with Him — serve, serve, serve — or is He your best friend, you can do anything with?
In a relationship you share with the other person, you open up to them, you become vulnerable. Marriage is the ultimate example of this.

Turn to Ephesians 5:22.

"Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body."

You have to choose relationship with Him. He draws you; He desires it! But it's still your choice.
In a relationship with God, you are in a commitment to follow Him, to obey Him and submit to Him, not just surrender. You cannot just be self-centered, stomp your feet and say, "You were supposed to do it this way."

"And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light" (Colossians 1:9-12).

This relationship is a partnership: He gives, you give. You work together for one another, not merely for your own motives and rights to be upheld. It's teamwork; it's not meant to be a cake-walk all of the time. Any worthwhile commitment will take work.

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him" (James 1:2-5).

One cannot have a partnership with one another in the Body of Christ without knowing one another—as they currently are—the good, the bad and the ugly. As with the Lord, He takes us where we are at and it's His Love that changes us, but we must be willing to accept that Love and Love Him in return and not just be playing house.

Are You Playing House With God? (Part 1)

     The Lord God desires intimacy with His people, the Church, His Bride. He'll use your dry times, your desperate times, to draw you closer to Himself. He desires a relationship with you that has you leaning joyfully upon Him, and not leaning upon our own resourcefulness, or the ways of the world.

In Hosea 2:14, the Word says that God allures us. 

     “Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak tenderly to her."

God wants us so deeply He woos us, He "allures" us. The word, allure, means (1) to attract something desirable; entice, (2) to be highly, often subtly, attractive (American Heritage College Dictionary).

     Let's look at GOD'S intention toward us in Hosea 2:14-20.

“Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak tenderly to her. And there I will give her her vineyards and make the Valley of Achor a door of hope. And there she shall answer as in the days of her youth, as at the time when she came out of the land of Egypt. “And in that day, declares the LORD, you will call me ‘Ishi,’ and no longer will you call me ‘Baali.’ For I will remove the names of the Baals from her mouth, and they shall be remembered by name no more. And I will make for them a covenant on that day with the beasts of the field, the birds of the heavens, and the creeping things of the ground. And I will abolish the bow, the sword, and war from the land, and I will make you lie down in safety. And I will betroth you to me forever. I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy. I will betroth you to me in faithfulness. And you shall know the LORD (Hosea 2:14-20).

     In verses 16 and 17 it says, 

" 'And in that day, declares the LORD, you will call me ‘Ishi’ and no longer will you call me 'Baali.’ For I will remove the names of the Baals from her mouth, and they shall be remembered by name no more."

Ishi means "my husband," whereas Baali means only "my lord." The Church will no longer cry out for things of gods —little "g"— of this world but will be a thing of the past and totally uninteresting.

God does it want a Church that is merely "playing house" with Him. His desire is that the Body of Christ mature and not act as children wanting their own way, acting as if God is supposed to be obedient to their whims and serve them.

     "They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, “‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not weep’ " (Luke 7:32).

He wants us to KNOW HIM intimately. He wants us beyond those childish behaviors and become matured in the Kingdom of God. We must grow past the games and role-playing.

(To be continued...)

RINGTONES AND DRAMA FREAKS

“As soon as they heard me approach, they grew quiet. I mean nothing. Absolutely nothing.”

“What do you mean, nothing?” Staci rolls over, propping herself up on her bed.

“You could literally hear a pin drop. It was that quiet. It was like time stood still in a black hole. And they just sat there with their mouths open like a guppy. It was embarrassing. I didn‘t know what to say, so I just stood there and waited for a few minutes. And when they finally did do something, they raised the volume on their speakers or went back to their iPods.”

“I don’t see why you tried going over there in the first place. They were probably in shock and when you had nothing to say, it was back to same-o, same-o living in their machines,” Staci rationalizes.

“But Evan was the one who invited me and he acted as surprised as the rest of them.”

“You know the ‘Ringtoness’…” Staci trails off. “You’re not cool unless you own all the latest in video-graphical equipment. Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize. What a bunch of noise. ‘Tech-noise’ is what they should be called.

“I’m amazed they even know how to communicate apart from all their technological gadgets. I mean, come on, text messaging one another while you’re in the same room, when all you have to do is open your mouth and talk to the person next to you.”

“Why did you go over there, anyway? Besides Evan inviting you.”

“Oh, you know,” Emily sighs, “ ‘The Company’ really could use their technological skills in our production of Macbeth. I think it would be kinda’ cool.”

Emily jumps up, her face lit, “Imagine, a deep and dark forest, fog crawling eerrily across the ground, while the three witches are mixing their brew. ‘Double, double, toil and trouble. Fire burn and cauldron bubble,’” as Emily pretends to stir the cauldron.

“Quit being dramatic, Emily. You don’t need to convince me. I know the play would be better with some cool techno effects, but,” she sighs in emphasis, “they’re the Ringtones and we’re the drama freaks.”

“Speak for yourself! I am not a freak. Liking drama, Shakespearean plays and musicals does NOT make you a freak. And besides, Evan was excited about the idea and I thought that was why he invited me to meet the group in the first place.”

“Hey, don’t get into a tiff at me. I’m not the one who told you to go over there. That was your decision. Plus,” Staci tilts her head, “Why didn’t you say something if they didn’t?”

“Evan invited me there, so I thought it would be better coming from him, but when he didn’t even say anything, what could I say? They don’t know me. And they might not even see me as credible.”

“Why do you say that? I see you as credible; I know you to be credible.”

“C’mon, Staci,” as Emily rolls her eyes, “Just look at me. I don’t even own a cell phone. Horror of horrors to a Ringtone. Let‘s face it, they probably just think I live in a technologically deficient time zone.”

Chosen Vessels

While in prayer with the Lord this morning, I was discussing a long-time dream with Him. It has been such a long time coming to pass, and I had been, and still am doing what I can, what if that dream is dying, or has already has. Why is it delayed? I do not have forever upon this earth. Or perhaps why the dream has not reached fruition was due to some kind of flaw within me, a shortcoming, that made me ineligible.

He told me to stir up the gift within me, to sacrifice unto Him regardless of what occurs. This delay was not due to some kind of character flaw, but of tempering and growth that was needed, and that certain types of development cannot happen overnight or else this clay pot would crack and be of no good to anyone.

He did not make me less, or with beauty only He knows is there, or is able to see. He called me one of His chosen vessels. I had to be requested from the potter, retrieved from the back, and trusted to be the vessel needed, whether I appeared to be one or not.

We have to trust His choice and His timing, and not lean upon our own understanding and perceptions. For the "what ifs" in our lives are merely platforms of doubt. And our lack of trust, of faith, is the foundation for that doubt.

Should we allow the fickle "if"s in life to give us pause and form our destinies? Or should we seek His wisdom and understanding and be made into those choice vessels of destiny for Him?

For we are all made to be God's chosen vessels, used in positions that honor Him for the task for which we were formed. And He has sent forth this clarion call of destiny upon all His vessels, to give Him glory.

Choice vessels are unique, one of a kind, special vessels, that doesn't just sit out in the middle of the shop, thinking everything or everyone revolves around them. They are hidden, silently waiting in the back of the potter's shop, in anticipation of destiny's call.