spiritual warfare

The Songs we sing.  

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We sing songs in worship, but do we slow to think of who wrote them, how they came about, what they say and define?  I heard it once said that Christians don’t tell lies, they sing them.  While I know that is not true for all of us, I dare say that it can be said of all of us from time to time.  I do love that the Christmas season brings about its own songs for us to sing and celebrate the Savior with.  My absolute favorite Christmas song to be sang is “O Holy Night!” or “Mary did you know?” and then we cannot forget “Silent Night”.  Each with their own passion, story and intimacy.  I know I should choose one of those for this section, but the Lord has led me to another song.  I was introduced to this song last year and I am forever thankful to the Lord for it.  The most powerful foundation of this song is the Living Word of God.

Singing the Word of God is the most powerful praise we can give.  These are the moments when we know that Christ is exalted and not ourselves.  These are the Words written and given for mankind to know The Lord better and as we sing Him,we come in contact with a greater purpose and a greater experience than ourselves.  These are the Romans 12 moments of the renewing of our minds and the proving of God’s perfect Will.

Risen Savior (Sing My Soul)

Who bore our sin
Who took our shame?
The Lamb of God
Holy and righteous is His name. (1 Peter 2:24)

Sing my soul, sing out and bless the Lord
For He has overcome, Oh by His precious blood
Now He’s lifted high, come let us lift our eyes
Set them on Jesus Christ, He is our Risen Savior

(Psalm 103-104, Philippians 2:9-11)

Who heals our wounds
Who knows our pain?
The Lamb of God
Holy and Righteous is His name
Nothing can ever take His place. (1 Peter 2:24)

Sing my soul, sing out and bless the Lord
For He has overcome, Oh by His precious blood
Now He’s lifted high, come let us lift our eyes
Set them on Jesus Christ, He is our Risen Savior
(Psalm 103-104, Philippians 2:9-11)

Let the earth be filled with Glory
Let our hearts be filled with praise
You are worthy, God Almighty
Holy, Holy, Holy

(Psalm 72:19; Revelation 4:8-11)

Is it a coincidence that when the church or the Christian sings the Words “You are worthy, God Almighty, Holy! Holy! Holy!” the atmosphere changes.  The environment changes.   These Words are being said by angels even now as we sit reading these Words.  The Heavens are declaring Him!  The advent is really all about sitting and recognizing that He is Worthy, He is God Almighty, and that He is HOLY! HOLY! HOLY!

Photo Credits: Clifton Haley Photography https://www.etsy.com/shop/CliftonHaleyPhoto

“I just want it to end.”

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This month I have been exposed to four different people whose journeys ended before they should have. These people were drowning in their own darkness. These people either had addictions or suffered from a mental anguish of health that took them down a road they never intended. These four precious souls were all struggling. Their struggles were known in many cases, but in others they were not.

This month, I am 8 months into my 39th year of life. (Meaning, I turn 40 in four months! PARTY!) However, I would be remiss to not pause and take account for the miracle it is that I have even arrived here. Mental health is real. What we don’t understand or want to speak to is that all mental, spiritual, physical and emotional health are interwoven into the human body. We are either healthy in all or unhealthy in all – they do not work separately. As I have attended two funerals this month for lives gone way too short, I am faced with my own reality. Life is short. Life is hard. Life can be torment. But God is good.

In my own journey there have been seasons when it was all too overwhelming and I didn’t see how I could possibly make it through. There have been many nights of weeping in my own prayer closet begging God to make it all go away or to take me home. There have been moments when in my own darkness I have begged for God to make it all end. And God met me there.

My own curse is the struggle to live in the right now and not in the yesterday or tomorrow. I am sure that I am not alone. My own curse is to make sure everyone is taken care of and that all is as it should be. My own curse is to pour out mental anguish to cover all the bases and forget nothing. My own curse is to create the best fun, most efficient and productive space, while also leaving a lasting impression legacy. My own curse is to pretend to be God to the point of exhaustion and then remember that God is actually God and I am called to much less. My own curse is overanalyzing every human interaction to the point of paralysis instead of releasing it all and walking in true freedom. My own curse is to wonder if I will ever be enough for those in my life. My own curse is to constantly allow the enemy to whisper lies to my own soul and then have them on a highlight reel in my own personal television behind the eyes. My own curse is creating an image of myself that no one in the real world has ever thought or saw. My own curse is heavy. My own curse is lonely. My own curse is bondage.

Jesus has already set me free.

But in the midst of darkness that truth can feel so far away. Seek Jesus.

Our world needs Christians to be Christ-like. Jesus was present with the people and vulnerable with others. Jesus comforted and loved powerfully. Jesus was full of the Spirit and led of the Spirit. Jesus reached out and walked with.

For those struggling in mental battles, you are not alone. Most people are. Seek Jesus. Jesus is always with you and your journey is not over – do NOT let the lies of the enemy tell you that your burden is too heavy for you to keep carrying. Jesus will carry your burden. Cast your cares upon the Lord, for HE cares for you. If you are choosing to self medicate, through drugs/alcohol/busyness/food – stop. Seek Jesus. Jesus will carry your burden. Cast your cares upon the Lord, for HE cares for you.

Your pains are never without purpose.

On more than one occasion, the enemy’s voice has held a microphone in my mind. Don’t let him hold one in yours.

Seek Jesus. Jesus will carry your burden. Cast your cares upon the Lord, for HE cares for you.

If you are not in one of these dark spots, be thankful, and listen to the Spirit as He leads you to people. He is calling you to call people because they are in a darkness that no one knows or understands.

Each of us must seek Jesus. Obey His Spirit.

If you do not know Jesus personally, relationally, today you can – seek Him and you will find Him when you seek Him with your whole heart.

Jesus will carry your burden. Cast your cares upon the Lord, for HE cares for you.

Review: 7 by Jen Hatmaker

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Review: 7 by Jen Hatmaker

Okay, there is conviction… and then there is CONVICTION.  This book has challenged me to study God’s Word to see what it means to truly be a disciple of Jesus Christ.  I have been a believer and follower of Jesus since I was 12 years old.  In many ways, I have been blessed with Godly wisdom to avoid some of the major pitfalls of this life.  However, in many ways the plumb line that I had used against myself was not the Living Word of God, and definitely not the Saviour of the Universe.

Now that I have seen, I am responsible.

I have always struggled with how the Living Word was supposed to scrub up against the life of the a 21st Century American Christian.  This book has caused me to focus on 7 major areas of my life and hold them up against the Word of God.  Those areas are: Clothes, Spending, Waste, Food, Possessions, Media & Stress.  At first glace, you might think, “I do okay in those areas..”.  If you feel like you are good and have accomplished all that Jesus has for you, read this book.  If you feel like you are obedient in most areas of your life, read this book.  If you feel like you have no real understanding of what God says about these areas, read this book (and then become a Berean and study it out).

Jen doesn’t seek to be the end all, be all about these issues mentioned.  My understanding is that she just wants the American Church of Jesus to study out how our lives actually line up with the Word of God.  Our view of Christianity is skewed by an American worldview, and not a Jesus worldview.

If you dare to go and pick this book up, be prepared to be challenged.  Be warned, this book is not for the weary.  Actually, the weary might just be the very one intended to read it!

Happy to you in finding your alter to fall upon with all of your idols!  Get ready!  Don’t say I didn’t warn you… (btw we all have idols).  Remember we have a loving Saviour who is willing to show grace to all, may repentance be near.

seven

Review: Sons of Encouragement by Francine Rivers

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Review: Sons of Encouragement by Francine Rivers

This book.  This book.  Wow.  This book.  Okay, so my girl Francine Rivers has challenged my knowledge of God’s Word once again.  Francine writes a beautifully anointed book in exploring every avenue of scripture.  She doesn’t just focus on the text, but the historical, physical and sociological climate of our scriptures.

This book explores the lives of five men in scripture: The Priest (Aaron), The Warrior (Caleb), The Prince (Jonathon), The Prophet (Amos) & The Scribe (Silas).

These men each faced extraordinary days in walking with the Unseen God of the Hebrews.  These men were placed in positions that no one else had ever faced and were forced to choose- follow Him faithfully & fearlessly OR disobey and walk away from the only peace and truth they’d ever known.

Not only does Francine challenge us with her sanctified imagination of scripture, but she follows up each section with a dive straight into the Living Word of God.  It is always important to decipher between what we actually know from scripture and what is sanctified imagination, but Francine paints crucial pictures for all believers everywhere to study out further.

This book has challenged me in ways I never could’ve dreamed.  It has also taught me how to view each person in our Holy Scriptures: real, sinful people born of the same dust as me.  These people were not super heroes.  These people were common.  These people only accomplished what they did for the Kingdom because the Spirit of the Living God was upon them.  Lord, may I be one who is known as a girl with the Spirit….

 

sons of enc

Review: Angels Walking by Karen Kingsbury

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Spiritual warfare is real.  There is a spiritual world that is going on all around us, every moment of every day.  This book is a beautiful fictitious depiction of how angels are involved in the spiritual warimagefare all around us.

Have you ever been curious about why God’s perfect plans for our lives are so important and how they effect those around us?  God knows what is best for us, He knows what His perfect plan for us is, He wants us to surrender our will to His perfect Will.  This book shows how normal people, living normal lives make decisions that effect the course of their lives forever.  Karen Kingsbury creates an inner monologue within the reader that forces them to view every day activity with a new set of eyes, spiritual eyes.

If you want to look at life from a different vantage point, this series is the one for you this cold, winter season!  It is a MUST READ!  The second book in the series, Chasing Sunsets, is also ADDICTIVE and may actually be better than the first.

This series also shows you the major importance of prayer and the power that it has on the course of life.  And never forget how much power is found in the Name of Jesus.