2 Timothy 1:7
"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but of power,of love,of self discipline."
This week we have been having revival at our church. I got a word tonight that I just have to share. What a great feeling it was tonight to feel the presence of the Holy Spirit speaking to me. The message tonight hit me right in between the eyes.
Brother Mike's message tonight was from 2 Timothy 1:7. He wanted to let us know that God does not want us living life in fear or a life of worry or a powerless life. God did not call us to be timid or shy about our faith. One of my favorite things Mike said tonight was this. "God desires obedience that is better than sacrifices." We have to be obedient and confident in Our God because He is our hope and our future (Jer. 29:11) and there is no room in that for fear.
Before the service tonight, the preacher's wife, Lisa, asked me if I would help out with a special service that we are having this month at the church. I told her "Yes" but even as we spoke my mind started to fear. I was thinking. Why did I say yes? Am I even capable? What if I fail? What if I don't have time? Before our conversation ended I was already stressing and worrying. WOW! God's word tells us to "take every thought captive to obedience to Christ." (2 Cor. 10:5) Who do you think those doubting thoughts were coming from? Certainly not My God! My God says "Fear Not" 365 times in the bible. A reminder for every day in the year. He did not put that fear inside of me and I rebuke the devil for making me fear using my gifts that God alone has given me for God's church.
2 Timothy 1:7 says that God gave us a spirit of power, and of love, and of self discipline. I automatically started thinking of what a spirit of the opposite would look like. A spirit of weakness, of hate, of recklessness. I had a spirit check to see which area(s) I failed on. I'm here to tell the truth, because that is the only way to freedom and I need help in all of them.
I definitely need help in all areas (power, love, and self discipline). I don't just need help I need GOD'S help. I need GOD's power and GOD's love and GOD's self-discipline. Have you ever tried to be obedient and completely failed? I can't even count the times I have utterly failed in my obedience to Christ. The very reason I have failed is really so simple. I was trying to do it on my own. I was relying on my own power. I, I, I, ...
It is written I can do nothing but in all things Christ gives me strength. (Phil. 4:13) If I want to succeed I have to rely on the Power of CHRIST not myself! Otherwise I will always fail. It is written apart from me you will do nothing. (John 15:5). Praise the Lord, I have heard Your word! I Fear Not because My God will carry me when I am weak. It is written not weapon formed against you shall prosper. (Isaiah 54:17) No matter what this evil world throws at me My God has already won the battle.
The Spirit of Love. At first thought I gave myself an A in this category. Until Mike described this love as "selfless love" and "a love that loves the unlovable". My grade went from and A to F quick. BUT the best news is I can totally get there, not in my OWN strength but in HIS strength. I can learn to love unselfishly. I can learn to love when it harder than my next breath. I can exercise this kind of love when Christ is my focus and not myself. I Fear Not because God will carry me when my flesh fails!
A life of Self Control or Self Discipline would consist of the following:
a sensible mind, a sound mind, a controlled mind, being slow to anger and slow to respond. A life of self control starts by putting gates and guards on our ears, our mouths, out eyes, our minds, and our hearts. To live a life of self control we must take every thought captive. We must saturate our minds with things of Christ more than things of the world.
I left tonight encouraged even though I have a long list of areas in my life where I fall short. I left tonight laying all of it before God and asking Him for His power to overcome my flesh. I left tonight not walking in fear but in power and in belief that the God that parted the seas and that made the mountains and put every hair on my daughter's head is supplying me will all the tools I need to be obedient.
Thank you Jesus!
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Redeemed
Praise the Lord I'm Redeemed! God's not through with me yet! He's not through with you either! I'm so moved by Big Daddy Weave's new song "Redeemed" and I hope you are too! Here is the video link and here are the lyrics. It's just too good not to share!
"Redeemed"
Seems like all I could see was the struggle
Haunted by ghosts that lived in my past
Bound up in shackles of all my failures
Wondering how long is this gonna last
Then You look at this prisoner and say to me "son
Stop fighting a fight it's already been won"
I am redeemed, You set me free
So I'll shake off these heavy chains
Wipe away every stain, now I'm not who I used to be
I am redeemed, I'm redeemed
All my life I have been called unworthy
Named by the voice of my shame and regret
But when I hear You whisper, "Child lift up your head"
I remember, oh God, You're not done with me yet
I am redeemed, You set me free
So I'll shake off these heavy chains
Wipe away every stain, now I'm not who I used to be
Because I don't have to be the old man inside of me
'Cause his day is long dead and gone
Because I've got a new name, a new life, I'm not the same
And a hope that will carry me home
I am redeemed, You set me free
So I'll shake off these heavy chains
Wipe away every stain, 'cause I'm not who I used to be
I am redeemed, You set me free
So I'll shake off these heavy chains
Wipe every stain, yeah, I'm not who I used to be
Oh, God, I'm not who I used to be
Jesus, I'm not who I used to be
'Cause I am redeemed
Thank God, redeemed
Big Daddy Weave - Redeemed (Official Music Video) from big-daddy-weave on GodTube.
"Redeemed"
Seems like all I could see was the struggle
Haunted by ghosts that lived in my past
Bound up in shackles of all my failures
Wondering how long is this gonna last
Then You look at this prisoner and say to me "son
Stop fighting a fight it's already been won"
I am redeemed, You set me free
So I'll shake off these heavy chains
Wipe away every stain, now I'm not who I used to be
I am redeemed, I'm redeemed
All my life I have been called unworthy
Named by the voice of my shame and regret
But when I hear You whisper, "Child lift up your head"
I remember, oh God, You're not done with me yet
I am redeemed, You set me free
So I'll shake off these heavy chains
Wipe away every stain, now I'm not who I used to be
Because I don't have to be the old man inside of me
'Cause his day is long dead and gone
Because I've got a new name, a new life, I'm not the same
And a hope that will carry me home
I am redeemed, You set me free
So I'll shake off these heavy chains
Wipe away every stain, 'cause I'm not who I used to be
I am redeemed, You set me free
So I'll shake off these heavy chains
Wipe every stain, yeah, I'm not who I used to be
Oh, God, I'm not who I used to be
Jesus, I'm not who I used to be
'Cause I am redeemed
Thank God, redeemed
Saturday, June 9, 2012
In this world you will have trouble...
“I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
The Lord tells us that having trouble in this world isn’t a maybe. He tells us it’s a guarantee. No one welcomes a hard time, but we can have peace because we don’t have to face it alone.
Recently we have be faced with a troubling time. It has been heartbreaking, it has been very hard in so many different ways, BUT God has been with us every step of the way. God has showed himself mighty and faithful. God has worked miracles right before our eyes. He has done things that only He can do. There is no other explanation. God has answered a long standing prayer of mine that I have prayed and begged of God to answer for almost 4 years! Did you hear me? God answered a prayer that I have prayed for about 4 years!!!! God has given me a peace that what satan intended to harm us God has used for His good. God has drawn me and my family closer to Him during this trying time and I am so thankful. God has shaped and changed my very household forever and for that I am eternally grateful.
The trial is long from being over. We are only just beginning in many aspects. Instead of being discouraged or giving up and giving in to satan and his schemes, we are arming ourselves with God’s armour and battling side by side with our Savior.
God is good all the time! God has given me a story that I can boast about his goodness. I wish I could share all of it with you, but it is too personal for that. What I can share with you is the good news. For when we are weak He is strong. When life looks full of defeat God steps in (when we let Him) and He wins the victory! Thank you Jesus!
Can anyone relate to me? Has God done miraculous things in your life during a hard time in your life? Has God answered a prayer that you thought would never be answered? If so, I want to hear about it. I want to share and rejoice in God’s faithfulness in your life.
Can you relate, because you are going through a trial? Is God trying to teach you, mold you, or get your attention through a trial? Are you clinging to Jesus during a rough patch just trying to hold on? If so, I want to encourage you to keep holding on. Give it to God. Place it in His hands, moment by moment like we are continuing to do.
Thank you Lord for letting us cast our burdens on You. Thank you for giving us hope when it looked like we were surrounded by defeat. Thank you Lord for answered prayers. Thank you for giving me a story to boast about Your faithfulness and goodness. I’m placing this long journey in Your hands once again. I know that You are in control and I am trusting in You to see us through. I pray for others that are going through a trial. I pray that they seek You and trust You every step of the way. I pray that You comfort them and hold them and that You show them that you are in control and are working in the midst of this trial. In your precious name I pray. Amen.
Katie
“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that which Christ Jesus took hold of me...I press on towards the goad to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Phil: 3:12&14
The Lord tells us that having trouble in this world isn’t a maybe. He tells us it’s a guarantee. No one welcomes a hard time, but we can have peace because we don’t have to face it alone.
Recently we have be faced with a troubling time. It has been heartbreaking, it has been very hard in so many different ways, BUT God has been with us every step of the way. God has showed himself mighty and faithful. God has worked miracles right before our eyes. He has done things that only He can do. There is no other explanation. God has answered a long standing prayer of mine that I have prayed and begged of God to answer for almost 4 years! Did you hear me? God answered a prayer that I have prayed for about 4 years!!!! God has given me a peace that what satan intended to harm us God has used for His good. God has drawn me and my family closer to Him during this trying time and I am so thankful. God has shaped and changed my very household forever and for that I am eternally grateful.
The trial is long from being over. We are only just beginning in many aspects. Instead of being discouraged or giving up and giving in to satan and his schemes, we are arming ourselves with God’s armour and battling side by side with our Savior.
God is good all the time! God has given me a story that I can boast about his goodness. I wish I could share all of it with you, but it is too personal for that. What I can share with you is the good news. For when we are weak He is strong. When life looks full of defeat God steps in (when we let Him) and He wins the victory! Thank you Jesus!
Can anyone relate to me? Has God done miraculous things in your life during a hard time in your life? Has God answered a prayer that you thought would never be answered? If so, I want to hear about it. I want to share and rejoice in God’s faithfulness in your life.
Can you relate, because you are going through a trial? Is God trying to teach you, mold you, or get your attention through a trial? Are you clinging to Jesus during a rough patch just trying to hold on? If so, I want to encourage you to keep holding on. Give it to God. Place it in His hands, moment by moment like we are continuing to do.
Thank you Lord for letting us cast our burdens on You. Thank you for giving us hope when it looked like we were surrounded by defeat. Thank you Lord for answered prayers. Thank you for giving me a story to boast about Your faithfulness and goodness. I’m placing this long journey in Your hands once again. I know that You are in control and I am trusting in You to see us through. I pray for others that are going through a trial. I pray that they seek You and trust You every step of the way. I pray that You comfort them and hold them and that You show them that you are in control and are working in the midst of this trial. In your precious name I pray. Amen.
Katie
“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that which Christ Jesus took hold of me...I press on towards the goad to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Phil: 3:12&14
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Free Will
In the garden of Eden God gave Adam and Eve free will. He advised them of the opportunity that laid before them, but he didn’t make them robots and control their every move. Have you ever thought about how heartbreaking that was for God to watch sin enter the world? Yes he knew it was going to happen when he created them, but do you think that made it any easier to watch?
God gave us all free will and we exercise that freedom every time we come to a fork in the road. We have the choice to take the narrow road that is less traveled or the wide road that is usually the more popular choice by the world’s standards. I’ve been thinking a lot about free will and parenting lately. We all want to shield of children from hurt, disappointment, bad choices, sin, and consequences. We want our children to always understand our unconditional love we have for them. We want our children to learn from our stories and mistakes so they won’t suffer the way we once did. The truth is God gives us all free will. God gives us the choice to do right or wrong. As hard as it is to watch our children do otherwise, they will to make their own decisions and mistakes.
God spoke to me directly through his word regarding this issue. At some point we have to let our children go. They aren’t ours forever. They never were only ours to begin with. They were gifts from God and we have to give them back to God. One scripture that God used to speak to me was the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15). Have you ever thought about how hard that must have been for that father to let his son go? The father let his son exercise his free will. He didn’t chase after him and tell him what a mistake he was making. He didn’t stop him from going or guilt trip him before he left. He let him go not because he didn’t love him, but because he loved him so much he gave him back to God. In the end, God let the son suffer the consequences. God let him hit rock bottom and let learn from his mistakes. The son then learned take responsibility for his actions, turn from them, and return humbly home. The father rejoiced and celebrated that his son was once lost, but now he was found.
God does the same thing with us. He doesn’t force us to choose him and make the right decisions. He gives us free will. When we make good choices we are blessed, not always immediately or materialistically, but in our walk with God. When we make bad choices God withholds his blessing from us and we suffer consequences of our actions. I love this John Piper quote that goes right along with parenting. “True love pursues a person’s lasting good. But the one loved may not care about this good. Thus love may feel unloving.” God hasn’t stopped loving us or stopped caring about us. He’s right there the whole time just watching, waiting, and anticipating our return to him.
As heartbreaking as it is for parents to let their children suffer from consequences, how much harder do you think it is for God to watch ALL of his children make bad choices? I’ve hurt my parents hearts and hurt Jesus’ heart more times than I can count. At the time I wasn’t thinking about what I was doing to them. I was only thinking about myself and what I wanted or thought I wanted. I’ve been lost many times, but thanks to my Savior I was also found.
No one said parenting was easy. No one said it wouldn't be heartbreaking. We have a great responsibility while our children are young to hide God’s word in their heart so that we they grow old they will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6). We have a great responsibility to bring them up knowing Christ and what it means to be a follower of Jesus. The devil is also a very real presence in the world. He seeks to steal, kill, and destroy the lives of our children (John 10:10). We have a great responsibility to pray for our children day in and day out, in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad. (1 Thes. 5:17 and Phil. 4:6). BUT weehave the King of Kings on our side. We have the Lord of Lords who we can fully trust with our children’s lives. We have a Father ourselves that will guide us and teach us everyday of our parenting lives if we will just seek His wisdom.
Here is another article that deals with parenting and our children that God revealed to me recently on the Girlfriends of God website. Isn’t God just awesome like that? I especially love the prayer for parents of all ages of children at the end of the devotion. God is good all the time!
Katie
“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that which Christ Jesus took hold of me...I press on towards the goad to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Phil: 3:12&14
God gave us all free will and we exercise that freedom every time we come to a fork in the road. We have the choice to take the narrow road that is less traveled or the wide road that is usually the more popular choice by the world’s standards. I’ve been thinking a lot about free will and parenting lately. We all want to shield of children from hurt, disappointment, bad choices, sin, and consequences. We want our children to always understand our unconditional love we have for them. We want our children to learn from our stories and mistakes so they won’t suffer the way we once did. The truth is God gives us all free will. God gives us the choice to do right or wrong. As hard as it is to watch our children do otherwise, they will to make their own decisions and mistakes.
God spoke to me directly through his word regarding this issue. At some point we have to let our children go. They aren’t ours forever. They never were only ours to begin with. They were gifts from God and we have to give them back to God. One scripture that God used to speak to me was the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15). Have you ever thought about how hard that must have been for that father to let his son go? The father let his son exercise his free will. He didn’t chase after him and tell him what a mistake he was making. He didn’t stop him from going or guilt trip him before he left. He let him go not because he didn’t love him, but because he loved him so much he gave him back to God. In the end, God let the son suffer the consequences. God let him hit rock bottom and let learn from his mistakes. The son then learned take responsibility for his actions, turn from them, and return humbly home. The father rejoiced and celebrated that his son was once lost, but now he was found.
God does the same thing with us. He doesn’t force us to choose him and make the right decisions. He gives us free will. When we make good choices we are blessed, not always immediately or materialistically, but in our walk with God. When we make bad choices God withholds his blessing from us and we suffer consequences of our actions. I love this John Piper quote that goes right along with parenting. “True love pursues a person’s lasting good. But the one loved may not care about this good. Thus love may feel unloving.” God hasn’t stopped loving us or stopped caring about us. He’s right there the whole time just watching, waiting, and anticipating our return to him.
As heartbreaking as it is for parents to let their children suffer from consequences, how much harder do you think it is for God to watch ALL of his children make bad choices? I’ve hurt my parents hearts and hurt Jesus’ heart more times than I can count. At the time I wasn’t thinking about what I was doing to them. I was only thinking about myself and what I wanted or thought I wanted. I’ve been lost many times, but thanks to my Savior I was also found.
No one said parenting was easy. No one said it wouldn't be heartbreaking. We have a great responsibility while our children are young to hide God’s word in their heart so that we they grow old they will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6). We have a great responsibility to bring them up knowing Christ and what it means to be a follower of Jesus. The devil is also a very real presence in the world. He seeks to steal, kill, and destroy the lives of our children (John 10:10). We have a great responsibility to pray for our children day in and day out, in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad. (1 Thes. 5:17 and Phil. 4:6). BUT weehave the King of Kings on our side. We have the Lord of Lords who we can fully trust with our children’s lives. We have a Father ourselves that will guide us and teach us everyday of our parenting lives if we will just seek His wisdom.
Here is another article that deals with parenting and our children that God revealed to me recently on the Girlfriends of God website. Isn’t God just awesome like that? I especially love the prayer for parents of all ages of children at the end of the devotion. God is good all the time!
Katie
“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that which Christ Jesus took hold of me...I press on towards the goad to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Phil: 3:12&14
Monday, May 7, 2012
My Top Ten
I love technology! I teach technology to teenagers and I love it. I don’t believe all uses of technology are helpful, but I do believe that technology can be used in ways to further the Kingdom of God. I believe that the internet has opened the door for the Church to spread the Word of God outside of Sunday and Wednesday. With that being said. I want to highlight my top 10 favorite places I go for inspiration.
Lately I just need to be filled. Every second of peace or just every second of downtime I'm hopefully looking to be filled with God's word or his guidance. I don’t want to let satan have one ounce of my time. This is not always an easy task. So many people want to spend time in the word but have no idea where to start. I pray that God will use one of these resources to bring you closer to Him.
1. The Bible: God’s holy and perfect word
No one or nothing can replace God’s Truth and its place in the life of a believer. None of these things I talk about below are more important than the Bible, the words God inspired and God hand picked and selected for us. Nothing can be added or subtracted from God’s truth and I believe and that God sends his truth to us through his word when we seek it. Nothing is more important in our walk than knowing and hiding his word in our heart so that we might not sin against God. Thank you Jesus that we have access to Your word!
2. In Touch Magazine
In the morning I have my cup of jo with Jesus and Charles Stanley of course. Charles Stanley has a free publication called “Intouch” magazine that I have subscribed to for years. It is full of great articles and also has a short devotional for each day of the month. I recently started using the Intouch free app when my magazine was misplaced last month. And by misplaced I mean either thrown away but my clutter free husband or hidden like a treasure by my sneaky three year old daughter.
3. “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young
My Sunday school class at home started using this book together about 2 months ago. We were at a crossroad with bible studies so we prayed about it and felt that God wanted to use this book for a while. It’s been amazing how God has used this to pinpoint our walk with him individually and as a group. This book also has its own app that you can get right here.
4. Twitter
I’ll admit I didn’t originally start using twitter for the purpose of inspiration. I’m a Bachelor/Bachelorette junkie and I started a twitter to follow some of my favorites from the show. Now however I use twitter and am able to daily get inspiration from some amazing people.
Here are some of my favorites that I follow just to name a few: Beth Moore, Charles Stanley, Joyce Meyer, Pricila Shirer, Karen Kingsbury, Kay Arthur, Matt Chandler, Chris Tomlin, Travis Cottrell, John Piper, Francesca Battistelli and my own pastor at my church Ned Nugent and wife Lisa . I can get encouragement from the body of Christ at the tips of my fingers all throughout the day! If you don't have a twitter you should get one so you can be encouraged too. If you do have a twitter then follow me @katieericson1. I don't always have anything original to say, but I can re-tweet with the best of them and share with you what has encouraged me.
5. Girlfriends of God
This website I have recently found and it’s now one of my favorites.This website it awesome and has a daily devotional that God is using in amazing ways. They also have an app that has 52 weeks of daily devotionals and other cool features for only $1.99.
6. Beth Moore’s Blog
If you haven’t noticed I love blogs! I went to see Beth Moore at a Living Proof Live Event this last September and it was awesome. After that event I started following Beth Moore on her blog.
I love it because you get glimpses into her everyday life and also get to hear what God puts on her heart to share with others. She is one amazing woman and I love her bible studies as well. I can’t wait to start another, but until then I can still be ministered to through her blog. My Sunday school class has done “Breaking Free” and “Jesus the One and Only” and God used both of those in mighty mighty ways in our lives. I highly recommend both of those to anyone who is looking for a bible study to do with a small group or individually.
7. “Breaking Free” day by day from Beth Moore.
Beth Moore hits my top ten list again. I have the audio app of her book Breaking Free day by day and I listen to it in the morning while I’m getting dressed. It is a daily reminder of my freedom that is found only in Christ and it constantly urges me to drop the baggage, guilty, sin, and anything else that is robbing me of that freedom.
8. No Compromise Ministries
My former pastor, Matt Edwards, who has such an amazing bold walk with God has a blog and ministry called No Compromise Ministries. He often blogs in the middle of the night or in the wee hours of the morning whenever God has a word for him. I love being able to be ministered to by him even though he isn't my current pastor. God used him in mighty ways in Seminole and then called Matt to plant a new church in his former town of Paradise, Texas. Matt and his wife boldly took a step of faith to be obedient to God. They are true examples of disciples of Christ and I’m so thankful that God brought them into my life.
9. Karen Kingsbury
I love to read. I’m usually always in the middle of reading a book. Not too long ago God convicted me of filling my mind with too much secular reading. That’s when I started reading Karen Kingsbury books. I didn’t have to sacrifice the enjoyment of reading rather God showed me good wholesome books that are just as entertaining and more fulfilling. She is now one of my favorite authors and I now pre-order her new releases on my kindle, because I just can’t get enough of her stories. If you are looking for a new series to start I highly recommend the “Redemption Series”. Just a warning, you will be hooked and the chores around your house my fall to the wayside while in the middle of her books.
10. Music
Music just hits me square in the forehead a lot of the time. My XM radio is always on The Message channel and the 3 minutes I have alone in the car on the long commute to work each morning are used to get some sort of a word through music. Travis Cottrell who works a lot of time with Beth Moore is one of my favorite worship leaders. If you haven’t worship with Travis Cottrell you are missing out. Here are some of my favorite song title. “The Word of God Has Spoken” “I’m Changed” “Just As I Am” and his version of good ‘ole “Victory In Jesus”
So where do you get your daily dose of Jesus? I’m addicted to stuff like this and am always looking for more. I pray you fall in love with one or more of these great resources and that you grow deeper and stronger in your relationship with Christ.
Sunday, May 6, 2012
The Well
God meets us where we are in our time of need. I love to testify of when God sent a message to me at exactly the right time. My Sunday school class at church is amazed all the time at the way God sends the exact message we need to hear at different times. Oh how I love Sunday mornings when we come to share our stories from the previous week and how God met with us individually. We are often brought to tears by God’s goodness.
During a recent time of change, heartbreak, confusion, and need God showed me a song that fit perfectly. It’s not the big hit on the newly released CD even though the album is named after this song. I had never heard it before the time when I needed to hear it the most and I listen to worship music all the time. God met me during this time of need and again brought me to my knees before him in surrendering my situation completely at his feet.
I’ve teased you enough. I’ll get to it and share this song with you. it’s Casting Crowns, “The Well”. If you haven’t heard it yet go listen to it now. Here are the lyrics to this amazing song that urges us to leave every need, every want, every hurt, every worry, every longing at his feet.
Leave it all behind,
Leave it all behind,
Leave it all behind,
Leave it all behind,
I have what you need,
But you keep on searchin,
I've done all the work,
But you keep on workin,
When you're runnin on empty,
And you can't find the remedy,
Just come to the well.
You can spend your whole life,
Chasin what's missing,
But that empty inside,
It just ain't gonna listen.
When nothing can satisfy,
And the world leaves you high and dry,
Just come to the well
CHORUS:
And all who thirst will thirst no more,
And all who search will find what their souls long for,
The world will try, but it can never fill,
So leave it all behind, and come to the well
So bring me your heart
No matter how broken,
Just come as you are,
When your last prayer is spoken,
Just rest in my arms a while,
You'll feel the change my child,
When you come to the well
And now that you're full,
Of love beyond measure,
Your joy's gonna flow,
Like a stream in the desert,
Soon all the world will see that living water is found in me,
Cuz you came to the well
And all who thirst will thirst no more,
And all who search will find what their souls long for,
The world will try, but it can never fill,
So leave it all behind, and come to the well
Song writers: Matthew West and Mark Hall
Lord, You are so good to meet us exactly where we are. So many times in my life I seach, work, thirst, and try to fill my life and heart with the things of this world. When I have bumps along the road I often seek advice from everyone around me before I seek You. Thank you for reminding me that all I have to do is come to The Well to meet You. You don’t promise me a miracle immediately, but You do promise me that You will never leave me or forsake me (Hebrews 13:5). You promised me that your plans for me are to prosper and not to harm me. (Jer. 29:11) You promise me that when I drink of the Living Water I will not thirst again. (John 4:13-14) You promise me that Your grace is sufficient for all my past and future sins and that each time I repent Your angels are rejoicing in heaven. (Luke 15:7) Thank you Lord for your constant presence, love, and guidance in good times and bad. Help me to rely on You more moment by moment.
So what is God urging you to leave at The Well? Past regret? A weary heart? A broken heart? Loneliness? Rejection? Pursuit of Perfection? Temporary pleasure? Busy-ness? Guilt that weighs you down? Unforgiveness?
Leave it all behind. He is ready and waiting to take your burdens. Leave it all behind and live in the freedom that comes only through Christ Jesus our Lord.
During a recent time of change, heartbreak, confusion, and need God showed me a song that fit perfectly. It’s not the big hit on the newly released CD even though the album is named after this song. I had never heard it before the time when I needed to hear it the most and I listen to worship music all the time. God met me during this time of need and again brought me to my knees before him in surrendering my situation completely at his feet.
I’ve teased you enough. I’ll get to it and share this song with you. it’s Casting Crowns, “The Well”. If you haven’t heard it yet go listen to it now. Here are the lyrics to this amazing song that urges us to leave every need, every want, every hurt, every worry, every longing at his feet.
Leave it all behind,
Leave it all behind,
Leave it all behind,
Leave it all behind,
I have what you need,
But you keep on searchin,
I've done all the work,
But you keep on workin,
When you're runnin on empty,
And you can't find the remedy,
Just come to the well.
You can spend your whole life,
Chasin what's missing,
But that empty inside,
It just ain't gonna listen.
When nothing can satisfy,
And the world leaves you high and dry,
Just come to the well
CHORUS:
And all who thirst will thirst no more,
And all who search will find what their souls long for,
The world will try, but it can never fill,
So leave it all behind, and come to the well
So bring me your heart
No matter how broken,
Just come as you are,
When your last prayer is spoken,
Just rest in my arms a while,
You'll feel the change my child,
When you come to the well
And now that you're full,
Of love beyond measure,
Your joy's gonna flow,
Like a stream in the desert,
Soon all the world will see that living water is found in me,
Cuz you came to the well
And all who thirst will thirst no more,
And all who search will find what their souls long for,
The world will try, but it can never fill,
So leave it all behind, and come to the well
Song writers: Matthew West and Mark Hall
Lord, You are so good to meet us exactly where we are. So many times in my life I seach, work, thirst, and try to fill my life and heart with the things of this world. When I have bumps along the road I often seek advice from everyone around me before I seek You. Thank you for reminding me that all I have to do is come to The Well to meet You. You don’t promise me a miracle immediately, but You do promise me that You will never leave me or forsake me (Hebrews 13:5). You promised me that your plans for me are to prosper and not to harm me. (Jer. 29:11) You promise me that when I drink of the Living Water I will not thirst again. (John 4:13-14) You promise me that Your grace is sufficient for all my past and future sins and that each time I repent Your angels are rejoicing in heaven. (Luke 15:7) Thank you Lord for your constant presence, love, and guidance in good times and bad. Help me to rely on You more moment by moment.
So what is God urging you to leave at The Well? Past regret? A weary heart? A broken heart? Loneliness? Rejection? Pursuit of Perfection? Temporary pleasure? Busy-ness? Guilt that weighs you down? Unforgiveness?
Leave it all behind. He is ready and waiting to take your burdens. Leave it all behind and live in the freedom that comes only through Christ Jesus our Lord.
Saturday, April 14, 2012
My journey
I know God puts desires in our hearts for a reason. Our hearts are all full of desires. I pray that I will know the difference between desires that God puts in my heart and desires that the devil puts in my heart. And let me tell you it is a constant battle. I've lived my life out living by desires from both. This latest desire that God had put in my heart is a desire to share my journey to know, seek, learn, love, and live as Christ with others.
For a long time my journey with Christ was a christian checklist. Church on Sunday-check, church on Wednesday-check, pray before bedtime-check, read the bible on my own once in a while-check. I lived the life of a guilt ridden christian and I thought I'd never get enough boxes checked to be good enough or worthy enough of such love.
During revival in 2010 God rocked my view of what he wants from me. He wants a heart that desires to know him more. He wants me to cry out for more of him. He wants me come sit at His feet not because I feel like I have to but because I want to be there. He wants me to rely on Him moment by moment not just when I'm in distress or in need. He wants me to hunger and thirst for more of Him instead of more of the earthly stuff that the world sells. He wants my #1 priority in my life to be my relationship with Him. He stripped me clean of my checklist and showed me the difference between christian acting and truly wanting a relationship with God.
One of the fundamental scriptures that God showed me during that revival was Joshua 24:15. Many of you are familiar with the last part of this scripture, but it was the first part that rocked my world.
"But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." Joshua 24:15 NIV
For so long serving the Lord seemed undesirable to me because I didn't see the fulfillment in it. I served him when I felt I had to and I served the world and the devil when I wanted to as well. There is no black and white with God. He wanted me to choose this day out of the desire of my heart who I was going to serve.
I've felt Him telling me to testify of the things He is revealing to me. This verse had been in my head Luke 19:40: "I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out." His love and his teaching are meant to be shared and if we don't share of His goodness the rocks will cry out.
I'm so glad you are joining me on this journey. I have so much more to learn and so many hurdles for God to guide me over. If no one reads this I know that that the Lord will still use His teaching to guide me day by day. If I have readers then I pray that somehow by God's infinite power, wisdom, and intervention you will choose to serve, long, hunger, and thirst for more of Him too.
For a long time my journey with Christ was a christian checklist. Church on Sunday-check, church on Wednesday-check, pray before bedtime-check, read the bible on my own once in a while-check. I lived the life of a guilt ridden christian and I thought I'd never get enough boxes checked to be good enough or worthy enough of such love.
During revival in 2010 God rocked my view of what he wants from me. He wants a heart that desires to know him more. He wants me to cry out for more of him. He wants me come sit at His feet not because I feel like I have to but because I want to be there. He wants me to rely on Him moment by moment not just when I'm in distress or in need. He wants me to hunger and thirst for more of Him instead of more of the earthly stuff that the world sells. He wants my #1 priority in my life to be my relationship with Him. He stripped me clean of my checklist and showed me the difference between christian acting and truly wanting a relationship with God.
One of the fundamental scriptures that God showed me during that revival was Joshua 24:15. Many of you are familiar with the last part of this scripture, but it was the first part that rocked my world.
"But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." Joshua 24:15 NIV
For so long serving the Lord seemed undesirable to me because I didn't see the fulfillment in it. I served him when I felt I had to and I served the world and the devil when I wanted to as well. There is no black and white with God. He wanted me to choose this day out of the desire of my heart who I was going to serve.
I've felt Him telling me to testify of the things He is revealing to me. This verse had been in my head Luke 19:40: "I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out." His love and his teaching are meant to be shared and if we don't share of His goodness the rocks will cry out.
I'm so glad you are joining me on this journey. I have so much more to learn and so many hurdles for God to guide me over. If no one reads this I know that that the Lord will still use His teaching to guide me day by day. If I have readers then I pray that somehow by God's infinite power, wisdom, and intervention you will choose to serve, long, hunger, and thirst for more of Him too.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)