I just finished a paper earlier this week on 2 Peter 1. One of the keys that God really spoke to my heart on was the phrase "giving all diligence." All. No excuses. Doesn't matter if you're tired, sick, in pain, or what. Give your all.
I had NO idea how soon I would be tested on this concept.
I had a very trying day. I knew in the back of my mind I had to try to pull it together because I had to go meet with a young 7th grade girl and her parents this evening - for the second night in a row. As time drew closer I found myself thinking "I hurt way too much. I don't feel like going. I don't want to go. I can postpone this. I am in too much pain. Today has been so hard and I'm in a terrible frame of mind. I'm tired. I'm weepy. I'm..." on and on. All that kept repeating were my own words typed into the paper just days before and all I kept hearing were His words "giving all diligence." I asked "Really God? Do I really have to go tonight?" He clearly answered "yes" - all 50 times I asked. No - really - I'm that stubborn. I was hoping He'd change His mind or get sick of me asking and give in. I thought I was quite convincing. We all know how likely that is to work - right? So once I conceded that yes I was going to meet with the family I said "God - YOU are going to have to carry me through this tonight. I can't do it. I can't." His reply (SO cool) - "NO PROBLEM."
SO off I went to meet with this little girl and her parents. On the way there I'm jamming to Star 99.1 (local contemporary Christian radio for those outside of NYC) - TRYING to get in a more positive frame of mind. I arrive, paste a smile on my face and go into the home. Within 5 minutes I felt no pain, no tiredness, no anything but pure love and concern for this family. An hour and a half later I leave absolutely rejuvenated. God MOVED. Amazing. I love when He does that. Especially in such visible ways. Two nights in a row He has piloted as I've flown through some unchartered airspace. Two nights in a row He's shown up, opened eyes, and chiseled away at hardened hearts. Two nights in a row He's reminded me how it's all in His hands and that all I have to do is trust and obey. Two nights in a row He's shown me that He can use me and work through me - even at those times when I feel completely inadequate or useless.
As soon as I got in the car to head home the radio came on again and this time I was singing along (the only time I EVER sing out loud unashamed - because no one can hear my joyful NOISE). The second song came on and I remembered I'd heard it yesterday on the way to this family's home and wanted to find the lyrics. I came home, found the song online and read the lyrics line by line. Guess what stood out?
"I wanna know You like that
To live to love with everything I am
To give it all I wanna know You like that
To become a man after Your heart
And not look back
I wanna know You like that
With every breath I breathe
I wanna help others see
And I will never stop ’til everybody’s singing" (Anthem Lights)
To live love with EVERYTHING I am
To give it ALL
NOT LOOK BACK (EF!!!!!! Sound familiar?!)
With EVERY breath I breathe
NEVER stop til EVERYBODY'S singing
The absolutes. The 100%. To give it all. God just keeps giving me the same lessons over and over and over - through SO many means (and people) - until I GET it. Until it REALLY sinks in. Like I said - YES - I'm that stubborn.
Give it ALL diligence - never stop - and never look back.
Link to the song by Anthem Lights if you're interested:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmwSfYxZ1Pw
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Life is precious
Yesterday one of Don's relatives called to let me know they would be unable to come to Emma's birthday party. As we were talking and catching up, she shared with me about her daughter and son-in-law's new baby boy. When they first found out they were pregnant, they were, of course, overjoyed. Within the first two months, doctors realized something was wrong with the child. The doctors tried to convince the parents that it might be in everyone's best interest to terminate the pregnancy and try again later. Shocking as this seems, it happens every day.
The parents were immediately confronted with an uneasy feeling about the doctor's advice. They made it clear that this child was a life, a human being, already formed by God's own hands and ALIVE. No matter what happened when the child was born, they were determined to give him a chance at life.
The doctors performed multiple tests over the months of pregnancy. The baby boy was "sitting" Indian style in the womb. A c-section was planned for the end of March. However, the baby decided he wanted to come early, so the c-section was done last Monday. At birth, the baby was diagnosed with some type of musculoskeletal dysfunction and was born with both femurs fractured. His little feet were turned in significantly. He was, from the waist up, a perfectly formed, healthy, newborn baby boy. The doctors labored over his lower body and placed him in a cast from the waist down. Then the doctors told the parents, "Everything that is wrong with him can be fixed. None of it is permanent and none of it will affect his life." You can imagine the waves of relief and thanksgiving that came over the parents at that point. You can also imagine the thanks they gave to God for His Spirit intervening and prohibiting them from terminating this life several months ago. Trusting Him, they endured the several months of unknowns and were rewarded with a precious new life.
How often in today's world we hear stories of young lives being thrown away, or babies terminated before taking their first breath. I was so overjoyed to hear this story of parents "taking the risks" as the doctors said, and leaving it in God's hands. When we hung up the phone I just sat and cried out my thanks to God for this little boy's life. It was just 34 years ago that my own mother was faced with the decision of what to do about her pregnancy and chose life. I was again reminded of the grace and mercy of our father, and gave praise again for the life He gave.
"Life is precious, life is sweet, like the earth beneath my feet, though I know I'm passing through, I know I belong to You, life is precious, life is sweet, and this truth makes it complete, knowing Jesus died for me, life is precious, life is precious, life is sweet" (Wes King)
The parents were immediately confronted with an uneasy feeling about the doctor's advice. They made it clear that this child was a life, a human being, already formed by God's own hands and ALIVE. No matter what happened when the child was born, they were determined to give him a chance at life.
The doctors performed multiple tests over the months of pregnancy. The baby boy was "sitting" Indian style in the womb. A c-section was planned for the end of March. However, the baby decided he wanted to come early, so the c-section was done last Monday. At birth, the baby was diagnosed with some type of musculoskeletal dysfunction and was born with both femurs fractured. His little feet were turned in significantly. He was, from the waist up, a perfectly formed, healthy, newborn baby boy. The doctors labored over his lower body and placed him in a cast from the waist down. Then the doctors told the parents, "Everything that is wrong with him can be fixed. None of it is permanent and none of it will affect his life." You can imagine the waves of relief and thanksgiving that came over the parents at that point. You can also imagine the thanks they gave to God for His Spirit intervening and prohibiting them from terminating this life several months ago. Trusting Him, they endured the several months of unknowns and were rewarded with a precious new life.
How often in today's world we hear stories of young lives being thrown away, or babies terminated before taking their first breath. I was so overjoyed to hear this story of parents "taking the risks" as the doctors said, and leaving it in God's hands. When we hung up the phone I just sat and cried out my thanks to God for this little boy's life. It was just 34 years ago that my own mother was faced with the decision of what to do about her pregnancy and chose life. I was again reminded of the grace and mercy of our father, and gave praise again for the life He gave.
"Life is precious, life is sweet, like the earth beneath my feet, though I know I'm passing through, I know I belong to You, life is precious, life is sweet, and this truth makes it complete, knowing Jesus died for me, life is precious, life is precious, life is sweet" (Wes King)
Friday, March 11, 2011
Suffering? Well - then - BE HAPPY!
James 1:2
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds (NIV)
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy (NLT)
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds (ESV)
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials (NASB)
PURE joy. GREAT joy. ALL joy. In every trial we need to be fully consumed with joy. Why? Well, other than the obvious "because the Bible says so" - let's explore what it says about why.
The first reason comes just one verse later in James 1:
3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
The trails help us learn to persevere. Why do we need perseverance? To become mature and complete. So we don't lack ANYTHING. To be whole, complete, fully finished - we MUST endure these trials and learn to persevere.
Romans 5 also talks about perseverance through suffering.
3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope.
Perseverance produces character. What kind of character? A Christlike one. Character produces hope. Through facing trials and suffering we learn to have hope.
In 1 Peter 1 we find another answer to the question why:
7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
To prove the genuineness of our faith. So why is that important? Because our faith is worth more than gold! Our faith will withstand these trials so that we can bring praise, honor and glory to Christ!
2 Thessalonians tells us:
5 All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering.
We are suffering for the kingdom of God. We're not suffering as punishment or because of anything we've done (though sin DOES sometimes have consequences that can produce trials & suffering). We are suffering for HIM. For HIS kindgom. He died on a cross for us - enduring all kinds of horrendous things. NOTHING that we go through in life will compare to the suffering He endured for us. We will never be able to repay Him, but we can endure these sufferings with JOY as a way to thank Him.
2 Timothy 3 says
12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
If we want to life a Christlike life, we will suffer. We cannot live as Jesus lived without also enduring trials and suffering.
We participate according to 1 Peter 4:
13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
So that we may be OVERJOYED when His glory is revealed. We have experienced joy on this earth, but nothing can be compared to the joy we'll experience when we join Him in Heaven. The trials and sufferings here are temporary. The overflowing joy of Heaven is eternal.
Romans 8 gives us such a great promise in answer to our why:
17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
We suffer just as Christ suffered so that we can share in his glory. WE get to share in HIS glory. Awesome! No wonder we should be joyful when we face suffering and trials... they remind us that we will be rewarded for eternity!
So now that we have more of an explanation about why we suffer and endure trials, HOW do we face them with JOY? Easy. Through HIS comfort, joy and power.
2 Corinthians 1:
5 For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.
Christ comforts us. His comfort surrounds us during our trials and sufferings.
1 Thessalonians 1:
6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit gives us joy in the midst of suffering.
2 Timothy 1:
8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.
God gives us the power.
Just the name of Jesus has the power to knock enemies off their feet. The power to make every knee bow. The power to stop the whole world in a second. That same power lives inside of us as Christians. We simply need to ask Him to fill us with the joy and comfort He can provide in those times of pain and rely on His power to see us through.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds (NIV)
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy (NLT)
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds (ESV)
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials (NASB)
PURE joy. GREAT joy. ALL joy. In every trial we need to be fully consumed with joy. Why? Well, other than the obvious "because the Bible says so" - let's explore what it says about why.
The first reason comes just one verse later in James 1:
3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
The trails help us learn to persevere. Why do we need perseverance? To become mature and complete. So we don't lack ANYTHING. To be whole, complete, fully finished - we MUST endure these trials and learn to persevere.
Romans 5 also talks about perseverance through suffering.
3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope.
Perseverance produces character. What kind of character? A Christlike one. Character produces hope. Through facing trials and suffering we learn to have hope.
In 1 Peter 1 we find another answer to the question why:
7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
To prove the genuineness of our faith. So why is that important? Because our faith is worth more than gold! Our faith will withstand these trials so that we can bring praise, honor and glory to Christ!
2 Thessalonians tells us:
5 All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering.
We are suffering for the kingdom of God. We're not suffering as punishment or because of anything we've done (though sin DOES sometimes have consequences that can produce trials & suffering). We are suffering for HIM. For HIS kindgom. He died on a cross for us - enduring all kinds of horrendous things. NOTHING that we go through in life will compare to the suffering He endured for us. We will never be able to repay Him, but we can endure these sufferings with JOY as a way to thank Him.
2 Timothy 3 says
12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
If we want to life a Christlike life, we will suffer. We cannot live as Jesus lived without also enduring trials and suffering.
We participate according to 1 Peter 4:
13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
So that we may be OVERJOYED when His glory is revealed. We have experienced joy on this earth, but nothing can be compared to the joy we'll experience when we join Him in Heaven. The trials and sufferings here are temporary. The overflowing joy of Heaven is eternal.
Romans 8 gives us such a great promise in answer to our why:
17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
We suffer just as Christ suffered so that we can share in his glory. WE get to share in HIS glory. Awesome! No wonder we should be joyful when we face suffering and trials... they remind us that we will be rewarded for eternity!
So now that we have more of an explanation about why we suffer and endure trials, HOW do we face them with JOY? Easy. Through HIS comfort, joy and power.
2 Corinthians 1:
5 For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.
Christ comforts us. His comfort surrounds us during our trials and sufferings.
1 Thessalonians 1:
6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit gives us joy in the midst of suffering.
2 Timothy 1:
8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.
God gives us the power.
Just the name of Jesus has the power to knock enemies off their feet. The power to make every knee bow. The power to stop the whole world in a second. That same power lives inside of us as Christians. We simply need to ask Him to fill us with the joy and comfort He can provide in those times of pain and rely on His power to see us through.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Just take ONE step!
As I was watching Emma take her unsteady little steps into my arms last night, I was reminded of myself. Emma is scared to just let go and walk. She is so steady standing on her own and FLIES around the room holding onto stuff. But when it comes to fully letting go and trusting her feet to carry her across the floor, she balks. She will stand and lean as far as she can trying to reach my hand. As soon as one tiny fingertip touches my hand she starts walking. I am constantly reassuring her - "Come on Emma - you can do it - it's ok - you're fine - I'll catch you". The funny thing is - she's already taken 5-10 steps at a time NUMEROUS times before.
I realized last night how perfectly God used Emma to illustrate a concept with me. I am the exact same way when it comes to God asking me to just let go, fully trust Him and take a step. I want to hold on tight. I want that extra reassurance and the physical touch of His hand before I move one foot forward. I want to know it's ok - that I'm fine - that He's going to catch me. It doesn't matter how many times I've taken a first step into a part of His plan and seen that He really isn't going to let me fall and that He IS going to catch me - I still hesitate. I turn back into that wobbly toddler - reaching as far as she can for the hand to reassure her.
Watching Emma and encouraging her to walk... well... I can imagine now how God feels when I hesitate every time. The thoughts of "you've already DONE this a hundred times - you KNOW you can do this - you KNOW I'm here and I'm not going to let you fall"... I'm so sure my Father says the same things to me each time I hesitate. Though the amount of time I spend hesitating has drastically reduced in the past year as I've worked through the issues of trust and obedience with Him, I still do it.
It's my goal to learn that when He says "walk this way" - that I immediately move. Like the disciples who AT ONCE left their nets and followed (Matt 4:20). When He says "Come. Follow Me." I want to drop everything and immediately go. No fear. No doubt. No hesitation.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
A Vessel
I am a vessel. This vessel is a temple which contains the spirit of God. Within me dwells the same God who created the universe. I have become a part of His divine nature. I am united in spirit with Him. Therefore, I become a visual representation of Him to the world.
That can be downright scary. How could I ever be a living example of God?
Well, God gave us a perfect living example of Him when He sent Christ to this world. When people look at me they should see Christ manifested in me. But even Jesus said He could do nothing on His own but was led by the Spirit of God (John 5:19-20, 30). To manifest Christ I need to learn to be led by that same Spirit. I need to learn to live as Jesus did - doing and saying only what I see and hear the Father doing and saying. I need to quiet myself and tune into the movement of God within me. I need to be into God - not into my own mind or my own heart. It's no longer my strength or my will. It's God's inner strength coming through my spirit and God's inner will coming from discernment deep within my heart. He fills my entire soul. His river flows through me, consuming me and drowning me to self and bubbling up with Him. It's not about what I can do but what I can (and will) let God do through me.
Life isn't about self-actualization. It's about Spirit-actualization. I need to eliminate self-effort. This doesn't mean I need to eliminate my personality or my uniqueness. It just means I need to let God use me just the way I am. I need in faith to yield my mind, my mouth, my heart, my hands and my eyes to His flow. Only then can I truly be the vessel completely void of self and fully consumed by and exuding God.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
How BIG is Our God?
Lately it seems God has been moving in mighty ways in many lives, my own included. As I've watched His hand sweep obstacles out of the way, stop assaults in their tracks, push troubles aside, heal deep wounds, wipe tears and comfort those hurting beyond anyone's imagination - a thought occurred to me.
Often times we are overwhelmed at how God moves. There is no doubt in our mind that He HAS moved, but we are blown away at HOW. We struggle to grasp how He so perfectly puts the pieces of the puzzle together in seconds - when we've been trying for years to figure out that same small step. I have been awed and dumbstruck so many times at how perfect God's plan is when I've seen just tiny little glimpses of it. If we are THAT overwhelmed at seeing one sweep of His hand move NO WONDER we can't phathom how great He is. If ONE hand of His sweeping through our lives is beyond comprehension - HOW BIG is Our God?! I've seen miracles unfold by the power of His hand. If just one hand of God can do such immeasurable things, imagine HOW MUCH MORE He as a whole is capable of. It's mind-boggling to say the least. We can't conceive everything that He has in store for us (1 Cor 2:9). We can't imagine His all-knowing, all-powerful, all-presence... His majesty, His righteousness, His goodness, His grace, His mercy... His LOVE... His being all in all. It's beyond defintion.
If my God is capable of such incredible feats with one hand - WHY do I allow myself to doubt? Why do I allow myself to fear? Why do I continuously struggle with trust? Why don't I let myself just rest in His arms? Someone pointed out a simple concept that so many of us miss. If it isn't Truth, it's a lie. Therefore, doubts and fears are lies. They are sins. They are not of God. We are commanded to fear not (Is 43:1-2, Prov 3:25-26, Is 41:10,13, Matt 10:29-31, Luke 12:32, Deut 31:8, Heb 13:6). If we have been perfected in His love, there is no fear (1 John 4:18). The same God of the Bible - God of Abraham, Moses, Isaac, Jacob, Daniel, Matthew, Paul, Peter and all of the rest - is the SAME God today. The same God who moved mountains, calmed stormy seas, parted water, multiplied loaves and fish, and provided manna in the wilderness is the SAME God who is still working miracles today. He is the same yesterday, today and forever (Heb 13:8). Why do we find it so difficult to accept today? He is still God, still moving, still working and still caring for our every need. Why should we fear? He's still there and the battle has already been won.
There is a song that has been echoing through my soul since I first heard it yesterday. It's a new release from worship artist Jared Anderson. The lyrics blew me away - especially since it was a concept I was already discussing with our wonderful Father God. He IS the Great I AM. He is God Almighty. He is Holy. He is Worthy. King. Majesty. He is Powerful. EVERY knee shall bow in His presence. There is none besides Him. None. Not one. He IS. There aren't enough words in every language in human existence combined to describe Him. He deserves our praise just because He is. Whenever the lies of fear, doubt, mistrust, inferiority, death and other heartaches cross our paths, we need to stop and praise Him. He is the Truth. He is the Light. He can sweep one hand across our lives and wipe every single one of those lies out of our way. I asked a praise leader what he does on days he just doesn't feel like singing - when troubles of the world are pressing in and the last thing he wanted to do was sing praise and he thought for a second, half-laughed, half-smiled and said "I sing". It's so true. No matter what we are going through we can still sing praise. We can still glorify our Creator and our Father. He is greater than our troubles. As my children will tell you - God is bigger than the Boogie Man. :) You have the Mightiest of Mighty, the most Powerful of Powerful, the King of KINGS walking beside you and within you. Don't let the lies of satan trip you. Your God is bigger than that. Be bold, be brave, live fearlessly and live for Him.
The lyrics (and sorry - but I'm not 100% sure that they are 100% correct)...
Great I AM (written by Jared Anderson)
I want to be close, close to Your side
So Heaven is real, and death is a lie
I want to hear voices, angels above
Singing as one, Hallelujah
Holy, Holy
God Almighty, Great I AM
Who is worthy, none beside Thee
God Almighty, Great I AM
I want to be near, near to Your heart
Loving the world, hating the dark
I want to see tribals, living again
Singing as one, Hallelujah
Holy, Holy
God Almighty, the Great I AM
Who is worthy, none beside Thee
God Almighty, Great I AM
He's the Great I AM, the Great I AM
The mountains shake before Him
Their demons run and flee
At the mention of the name King and Majesty
There is no power in hell
Or any who can stand
Before the power and the presence of
The Great I AM, the Great I AM
The Great I AM
The Great I AM, the Great I AM, the Great I AM
Hallelujah, Holy, Holy
God Almighty, the Great I AM
Who is worthy, none beside Thee
God Almighty, the Great I AM
The Great I AM, the Great I AM
The Great I AM
The mountains shake before Him
Their demons run and flee
At the mention of the name King and Majesty
There is no power in hell
Or any who can stand
Before the power and the presence of
The Great I AM, the Great I AM
The Great I AM
The Great I AM, the Great I AM, the Great I AM
Hallelujah, Holy, Holy
God Almighty, Great I AM
Who is worthy, none beside Thee
God Almighty, the Great I AM
The Great I AM, the Great I AM
The Great I AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPb1OwqplR8&feature=player_profilepage
Often times we are overwhelmed at how God moves. There is no doubt in our mind that He HAS moved, but we are blown away at HOW. We struggle to grasp how He so perfectly puts the pieces of the puzzle together in seconds - when we've been trying for years to figure out that same small step. I have been awed and dumbstruck so many times at how perfect God's plan is when I've seen just tiny little glimpses of it. If we are THAT overwhelmed at seeing one sweep of His hand move NO WONDER we can't phathom how great He is. If ONE hand of His sweeping through our lives is beyond comprehension - HOW BIG is Our God?! I've seen miracles unfold by the power of His hand. If just one hand of God can do such immeasurable things, imagine HOW MUCH MORE He as a whole is capable of. It's mind-boggling to say the least. We can't conceive everything that He has in store for us (1 Cor 2:9). We can't imagine His all-knowing, all-powerful, all-presence... His majesty, His righteousness, His goodness, His grace, His mercy... His LOVE... His being all in all. It's beyond defintion.
If my God is capable of such incredible feats with one hand - WHY do I allow myself to doubt? Why do I allow myself to fear? Why do I continuously struggle with trust? Why don't I let myself just rest in His arms? Someone pointed out a simple concept that so many of us miss. If it isn't Truth, it's a lie. Therefore, doubts and fears are lies. They are sins. They are not of God. We are commanded to fear not (Is 43:1-2, Prov 3:25-26, Is 41:10,13, Matt 10:29-31, Luke 12:32, Deut 31:8, Heb 13:6). If we have been perfected in His love, there is no fear (1 John 4:18). The same God of the Bible - God of Abraham, Moses, Isaac, Jacob, Daniel, Matthew, Paul, Peter and all of the rest - is the SAME God today. The same God who moved mountains, calmed stormy seas, parted water, multiplied loaves and fish, and provided manna in the wilderness is the SAME God who is still working miracles today. He is the same yesterday, today and forever (Heb 13:8). Why do we find it so difficult to accept today? He is still God, still moving, still working and still caring for our every need. Why should we fear? He's still there and the battle has already been won.
There is a song that has been echoing through my soul since I first heard it yesterday. It's a new release from worship artist Jared Anderson. The lyrics blew me away - especially since it was a concept I was already discussing with our wonderful Father God. He IS the Great I AM. He is God Almighty. He is Holy. He is Worthy. King. Majesty. He is Powerful. EVERY knee shall bow in His presence. There is none besides Him. None. Not one. He IS. There aren't enough words in every language in human existence combined to describe Him. He deserves our praise just because He is. Whenever the lies of fear, doubt, mistrust, inferiority, death and other heartaches cross our paths, we need to stop and praise Him. He is the Truth. He is the Light. He can sweep one hand across our lives and wipe every single one of those lies out of our way. I asked a praise leader what he does on days he just doesn't feel like singing - when troubles of the world are pressing in and the last thing he wanted to do was sing praise and he thought for a second, half-laughed, half-smiled and said "I sing". It's so true. No matter what we are going through we can still sing praise. We can still glorify our Creator and our Father. He is greater than our troubles. As my children will tell you - God is bigger than the Boogie Man. :) You have the Mightiest of Mighty, the most Powerful of Powerful, the King of KINGS walking beside you and within you. Don't let the lies of satan trip you. Your God is bigger than that. Be bold, be brave, live fearlessly and live for Him.
The lyrics (and sorry - but I'm not 100% sure that they are 100% correct)...
Great I AM (written by Jared Anderson)
I want to be close, close to Your side
So Heaven is real, and death is a lie
I want to hear voices, angels above
Singing as one, Hallelujah
Holy, Holy
God Almighty, Great I AM
Who is worthy, none beside Thee
God Almighty, Great I AM
I want to be near, near to Your heart
Loving the world, hating the dark
I want to see tribals, living again
Singing as one, Hallelujah
Holy, Holy
God Almighty, the Great I AM
Who is worthy, none beside Thee
God Almighty, Great I AM
He's the Great I AM, the Great I AM
The mountains shake before Him
Their demons run and flee
At the mention of the name King and Majesty
There is no power in hell
Or any who can stand
Before the power and the presence of
The Great I AM, the Great I AM
The Great I AM
The Great I AM, the Great I AM, the Great I AM
Hallelujah, Holy, Holy
God Almighty, the Great I AM
Who is worthy, none beside Thee
God Almighty, the Great I AM
The Great I AM, the Great I AM
The Great I AM
The mountains shake before Him
Their demons run and flee
At the mention of the name King and Majesty
There is no power in hell
Or any who can stand
Before the power and the presence of
The Great I AM, the Great I AM
The Great I AM
The Great I AM, the Great I AM, the Great I AM
Hallelujah, Holy, Holy
God Almighty, Great I AM
Who is worthy, none beside Thee
God Almighty, the Great I AM
The Great I AM, the Great I AM
The Great I AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPb1OwqplR8&feature=player_profilepage
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