LOVE

L-O-V-E…the subject in my mind and heart as of late.  I've been trying to write this post for months now and have had a terrible time putting my thoughts on paper.  It's deeper than I can express here.  God is taking me deeper into His love, teaching me more about how He loves and how that draws us into loving Him, ourselves, and others. Every teaching, every song, every sermon I hear draws me more and more into focusing on His love.

I think I've learned this lesson of 'God loves me' more than once.  But it's an ever-increasing revelation, you know?  It is multi-faceted.  It relates to everything in my life.  My salvation, my marriage, my children, my home, my church, my dreams…  It is weaved throughout the fabric of my existence.  There's really no escaping it.  It surrounds me.  "The earth is filled with Your love, Lord" Psalm 119:64

I recently read an article written by Mike Bickle about loving God, receiving His love, and then being able to love ourselves and others out of the fullness of His love.  One thing Bickle said was, "God's love cannot diminish or grow…because it's already perfect, full and constant.  He is love."  We must come to trust in the perfect, wholehearted love of God.  He is faithful.  He's not like the spouse that walked out on the marriage or the mother who walked away from her children for drugs.  I've heard way too many of these stories.   However, "the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations." (Psalm 100:5)  Our own personal experiences may make it hard to believe, and the worldly beliefs we encounter daily certainly tempt us to doubt, BUT... God is good and His love endures forever.  We have to believe.

I heard a quote while at a retreat that said, "How glorious the splendor of a heart that trusts that it is loved." (Brennan Manning)  There is beauty in that statement.  It makes me think of my babies when they were tiny tots - so trusting of Mom and Dad.  They had no fear of anything really because they trusted we'd take care of their needs.  They had never experienced otherwise.  They were adventurous and brave and fun!  A heart that trusts it is loved can be free.  Knowing you're loved allows for a sense of safety.  To be yourself.   My kids will dance like you wouldn't believe in front of me…perhaps not so much in front of strangers.  (That goes for me too!)  They feel free to be themselves with me.  They feel safe.  They trust my love.  1 John 4:18 says, "There is no fear in love…"

Mike Bickle says that the same love each part of the Godhead has for the other parts is the same love He has for us.   He loves His Son, and the Son loves the Spirit equally as much.  The Father loves us as much as He loves the Son and Spirit.  Wow!  I mean, I know we hear about God's love for us all the time, but suddenly there is something new in it for me.  There's some freshness to it that makes my heart sing.   How much easier it is to love others when we are secure and rooted in His love.  How much easier it is to love our brothers and sisters, our parents, our spouse, our friends - when we know that we know that we know we are LOVED.  Fully.  Wholeheartedly.  It's freedom!

In Psalm 136, every verse ends with "His love endures forever".  I mean - He's clearly trying to help us understand!!  There's nothing we can do to make Him stop loving us.  He's always with us, loving us.  His love goes on forever.  It's just Who He is.  You can't separate love from God - He is love.  You can't separate yourself from His love.  It radiates from Him…everywhere, always, forever.  

1 John 4:17-21The Message (MSG)
To Love, to Be Loved
17-18 God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we’re free of worry on Judgment Day—our standing in the world is identical with Christ’s. There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love.

19 We, though, are going to love—love and be loved. First we were loved, now we love. He loved us first.
20-21 If anyone boasts, “I love God,” and goes right on hating his brother or sister, thinking nothing of it, he is a liar. If he won’t love the person he can see, how can he love the God he can’t see? The command we have from Christ is blunt: Loving God includes loving people. You’ve got to love both.

We know Father God loves His son Jesus. We know Jesus loves His Father. We know they both love the Holy Spirit.  It's the 'fellowship of the burning heart', as Bickle describes it. A heart that beats passionately and loves WHOLEHEARTEDLY. The great Three in One loves us with that same love. There is no flaw in it. No deception. No disloyalty. No disregard. No forsaking. It's pure, faithful, consuming love. We will never be able to love ourselves or others well unless we know this burning love of God. It is the answer. It is what will heal our hearts and bring us into wholeness. It is what will empower us to love ourselves and others.  It will empower us to live as children of light (Eph 5:8).   Trusting in His love creates a safe environment for us to love Him lavishly and to love His people…those that He 'longs to gather, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings' (Luke 13:34).  "Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law." (Romans 13:8)

People are starving all over the world for this Love.  People are hungry to know this Love.  People are asking, 'why didn't anyone tell me?' and writhing in pain because they lack this sweet, nourishing, safe Love.   Now more than ever, I hear Him beckoning us to share His love.  Share His heart.  I was once one of the lost ones.  I was once starving for that kind of love.  I once asked the question, "Why didn't anyone tell me?"  I'm glad someone finally cared enough - loved enough - to tell me of His great love.  How deeply grateful I am…how deeply I long to do the same for others now.  

It's funny.  Today the boys were watching the Falcons game on tv and their motto is "rise up".  I am thinking that is what we should say to encourage one another in our faith…in our calling.  Rise up!  Rise up, Church!  Rise up men, women and children!  Rise up and sing of the goodness and love of the Lord!  Rise up and fulfill His call to proclaim the Good News.  Rise up and declare the goodness of God!  Rise up and love your God with all your heart, soul and strength!  Rise up and love your neighbor as yourself!  Rise up!  The earth groans as it waits for us to take our rightful place as sons and daughters, so rise…and shine!  LOVE! 

Wonder

On the You Make Me Brave CD by Bethel Music, you can listen to Amanda Cook sing these lyrics:  "May we never lose our wonder.  Wide-eyed and mystified, may we be just like a child staring at the beauty of our King. Cause You are beautiful in ALL Your ways."   Ever since I was a young girl, I can remember being in awe of creation.  Growing up on a farm, this was easy to witness.  I got to grow up seeing baby calves and kittens being born.  Fields of crops grow from seed to fully mature plants.  Trees multiplying and blooming.  All around was fruitfulness.  Growth.  Rebirth.  Renewal.  Nature was amazing to me.  Creation witnessed to my heart that there was a Creator of it all. 
"For ever since the creation of the world His invisible nature and attributes, that is, His eternal power and divinity, have been made intelligible and clearly discernible in and through the things that have been made (His handiworks)." (Romans 1:20)
As I've grown and come to know this Creator, I've discovered that He is much, much more than a Creator.  He is love.  He is Father.  He is Savior.  Every so often, this beautiful God introduces Himself to me in a new way.  Healer…Comforter…King…Light...  And every time He does, I am refreshed and brought to humble amazement.  Each time it's like opening a present carefully wrapped in colorful, polkadot paper (I love polka dots!), complete with ribbon and bow.  There is a joyful anticipation.  I receive so much from these "reveals" - the gifts of peace, joy, humility, love, wonder, mercy, grace, depth…
"Many, Lord my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare." Psalm 40:5
I am thankful that God is willing to reveal Himself to us.  I think He actually takes pleasure in revealing Himself.  As I think about it, we are made in His image, so I think it's in us as well to want to share our hearts and the glory God has put inside of us.  I spent some time with a small group of women over the past year, and each one of us had an opportunity to share our story.  There was a transparency, an unveiling of our hearts.  It isn't always easy to share our hearts - especially when we've been wounded in the past in doing so.  But this unveiling was so raw and real and needed.  It felt good to tell our stories.  To be heard.   To share our hearts.  To be known.  I think God delights in sharing His heart with us and is equally as delighted in us sharing ours with Him.   
Jesus prayed, “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me.  I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.” John 17:25-26

Jesus was the reflection of God's heart walking around on earth for us to behold and witness.  He revealed to us His loving, kind, merciful heart in order to displace the lies we've been taught about Him through the world and its deceiver.  He came to unveil His great love for us, who were created by Him and for Him.  He came so we'd know the goodness of the Father's heart…the truth of Who God is.
Today I ask God to release an unveiling of His nature and character, His heart, to all of us.  I ask Him to release a sense of wonder - to marvel at how incredible His story is.  To be humbled by His selfless, gentle Spirit.  To be astounded at how full of Creative Power and Life He is.  How full of Love.  God DESERVES our gratitude and our worship.  He is WORTHY of our wonder and awe.  Let's begin to allow Him to tell us about Himself through His Holy Spirit and His Word.  And let's start sharing our hearts with Him.  He knows us, yes - every hair on our heads - but there's a  freedom we can experience in  unveiling our hearts to Him.  It allows the God of Light to shine on us and bring healing and restoration.  

"Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it."  Revelation 2:17

A Thankful Heart

Some friends that are missionaries in Ghana posted one time that they got to take their first hot shower in over two months!  Immediately, I was convicted and drawn into a state of thanksgiving.  I mean, hot showers are a luxury we don't even recognize living here in the US.  It's just an expectation, really.  When I was little, my parents purchased a small farm in Ohio.  It was 160 acres with a century old barn sitting on the property and a dilapidated old house.  They spent their weekends at the farm fixing up the barn and tearing down the house to build a new one.  I was probably 6 or so and remember driving the 2 hours each weekend to "camp out" so they could work.  We would take baths in an old stone water trough.  (Thankfully there were no animals or anything there, so it was relatively clean spring water bubbling up.  I think.  Hmmm.   It was COLD water - that's all I remember.  :)  So I can certainly understand the significance of a hot shower, Ghana friends!  Anyway, right now my mind is filled with thoughts of how good I have it compared to many, many people across this world.  

I believe that being thankful is something that draws us closer to the Father.  Ephesians 5:20 says we should be giving thanks at all times for everything.  1 Thess 5:18 is similar, saying "Thank God in everything (no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks), for this is the will of God for you (who are) in Christ Jesus (the Revealer and Mediator of that will)."  No matter what's going on... this isn't always the natural inclination of my heart.  Our family faced a few health issues over the past 6 months, which to be perfectly honest, took the wind out of my sails a bit. It's been nothing compared to what some face, but I saw how easily the experience tossed me around. I almost felt ashamed that it could cloud my view so easily. What I knew to be true was not what I was experiencing, and instead of being thankful, I felt disappointed and disenchanted.  

Through the trial, I kept hearing Him calling me to be thankful.  No matter what. Thankful for life…for doctors…for hope…for healing that's on its way.  I am believing for His healing and His provision. I am thankful for 'eyes to see'.  I am thankful for His love and mercy. I am thankful for precious family and friends to walk through life with.  I believe it gives us a huge 'leg up' on the enemy to be thankful in the midst of affliction.  That turkey may be throwing things at us, trying to steal our joy, kill our dreams and destroy our lives, but we can turn and face the Lord and receive His grace and provision to get through.  I came upon this verse and it struck such a chord in my heart. "And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace Who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself complete and make you what you ought to be, establish and ground you securely, and strengthen, and settle you." (1 Peter 5:10)  I already feel Him grounding me and strengthening me and settling me.  And it feels good!

God never leaves us or forsakes us. Never. Being thankful helps our minds focus on the good. And reminds us to be humble. We have because God gave.   Kris Vallotton says, "True humility is born out of an awareness of God's greatness, grows in a heart full of gratitude, and matures in the awe of His passionate love for us."  Isn't that good?  It refreshes me to read that.  

So I guess I just wanted to encourage a state of thanksgiving.  Jesus sure did a lot for us so that we'd live a life connected to Him.  So that we'd have eternity with Him.  So that we'd be healed and restored.    So that we'd inherit with Him the Kingdom of God that cannot be shaken.  Though we suffer temporarily, it will not always be so.  We will one day walk on streets of gold, gazing upon the beauty and the splendor of His very face.  Spend time today just thanking Him for the very breath in your lungs.  Think upon the generous heart of our God.  I believe it will usher you into His beautiful presence and fill you to overflowing with peace and joy.  

I remember a long time ago hearing a song called "Come Fall On Us" by Enter the Worship Circle.  Some of the lyrics are… 

"The Mighty One, The Lord, calls to all the earth. From the rising of the sun to the place it makes its bed. He calls His people, and we will listen. He will not keep silent 'til we feel the Fire again. The mighty One the Lord, calls to all the earth. For a heart that would bow down, for a head that He could lift. With eyes of mercy, a burning passion. He will not keep silent 'til we feel the Fire again. A thankful heart prepares the way for You my God! Come fall on us, we fall on You. A thankful heart will be our rhythm. A thankful heart will be our song."

So let's all allow a thankful heart to be our song to the Lord today!   Sing a new song to Him…a song of thanks.  

We Believe

I love the song 'We Believe' by The Newsboys. It gets me every time when I hear, "We believe in God the Father, we believe in Jesus Christ, we believe in the Holy Spirit and He's given us new life..."  Proclaiming God is our source!  Our God!  "We believe in the crucifixion, we believe that He conquered death, we believe in the resurrection and He's coming back again!"  Declaring Him as our Savior and that He is coming on the clouds one day...  It just makes my spirit leap within!  

1 Peter 1:18-19 "You must know - recognize - that you were redeemed/ransomed from the useless/fruitless way of living inherited by tradition from your forefathers, not with corruptible things such as silver and gold, but you were purchased with the precious blood of Christ the Messiah, like that of a sacrificial lamb without blemish or spot."  Verse 21 says, "Through Him you believe in (adhere to, rely on) God, Who raised Him up from the dead and gave Him honor and glory, so that your faith and hope are centered and rest in God."

There is something so healing and powerful and exciting about professing our faith. It reminds us of our salvation story. It reminds us these are temporary troubles. It reminds us He is coming back for us. It reminds us He is our help, our comfort, our strength.  It keeps the focus where it should be - on Him!

Revelation 22:14 says, "Blessed, happy and to be envied are those who cleanse their garments, that they may have the authority and right to approach the tree of life and to enter through the gates into the city."  We stand on the truth that the blood of Jesus has been poured out for us, and believe it was more than ENOUGH to cleanse us of all iniquity and restore us to relationship with Our Father. We get to rest in the promise of entering God's paradise forever, eating of the tree of life.  That is good news y'all!!!  Good, good news!  

I encourage you to take a moment today and profess your faith in the Father, Son & Holy Spirit. Maybe sing along with the Newsboys!  It does a believer good! ;) 

http://youtu.be/WjZ01FcK0yk

Firsthand Knowledge

Then Job said to the Lord, I know that You can do all things, and that no thought or purpose of Yours can be restrained or thwarted.

[You said to me] Who is this that darkens and obscures counsel [by words] without knowledge? Therefore [I now see] I have [rashly] uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know...

I had heard of You [only] by the hearing of the ear, but now my [spiritual] eye sees You.

Job 42:1-3,5 (AMP)

If there is one prayer I repeat daily for my children, it is this.  I want them to KNOW God.  I want them to have firsthand knowledge of Him.   I don’t want them to rely on others’ experiences with God but to have their own encounters.  Encountering the Living God changes a person.  It changed me.  I grew up hearing about Him, but it was years before I encountered Him in a personal way and I was never the same.  I want that for my children.  I love that I can teach them about God and create an atmosphere in my home that is conducive to hosting God’s presence (though sometimes I fall short of such).  But ultimately, I want them to encounter Him in a personal way.  I want the King of Kings to pursue them the way He did me and I want them to recognize Him.  (Preferably quicker than I did!)  

“I had heard of You only by the hearing of the ear, but now my spiritual eye sees You.”  I just love that verse.  I love the revelation behind those words.  I love the discovery.  The other day my younger two kids were experimenting with a mining kit.  It comes with a plaster rock that contains pieces of quartz inside.  They sat outside and used little brushes and tools to uncover the quartz pieces hidden within.  It was so fun for them (and for me to watch them).  As I think about it now, it reminds me of the discovery in Job’s words.  Job saw God in a way he had not recognized before.  And this discovery - this revelation - caused Job to grow very humble.  He realized his lack of understanding and his limited view of the Holy, Great God, and he repented.  

Funny thing about repentance.  I believe it helps greatly if we believe God casts our sins ‘as far as the east is from the west’.  If we don’t believe that He’s willing to forgive, it will be hard to let go of the guilt and shame we feel.  Then we continue to walk around still in chains.  Believing God is made easier as we get to know Him, ponder His word, and spend time in His presence.  I thank God for the Holy Spirit teaching us and revealing things to us.  I thank God for His deep well of mercy!  Once forgiveness occurs, He begins to restore.  In Job’s story, God begins to restore to Job his health, his wealth, and relationship with God and others.  He accepts and answers Job’s prayers and doubly blesses what he had originally.   

We don’t repent to get blessed.  We repent because we have been introduced to God and have grown to love Him.  We don’t want to hurt His heart.  We want to be in an intimate relationship with Him and for nothing to come between us.  And perhaps we even fear Him a little.  After all, He is HOLY and OMNISCIENT and OMNIPOTENT and RIGHTEOUS.  And we are not.  The only way we can be righteous is by Jesus.  Huge sigh of relief that Jesus did what He did for us!  He is willing to forgive us and accept us.  Such love...

My heart desires that we will all see Him with our spiritual eyes and not just hear of Him.  We need to look for Him, listen for Him, and reach for Him.  We need to believe He’s there and we need to open our hearts to the idea of encountering Him in a tangible way.  Never do I want to settle for second-hand knowledge!  And I believe He would desire the same for each of us.  He wants to blow our minds with “high and lofty” revelation.  He wants to touch our face and hold us when we feel alone.  He wants to dance with us.  Laugh with us.  Just be with us.

And so I will continue to pray for my little loves to encounter this UNMATCHED God of LOVE.  And I will continue to pray for my own new encounters that are awaiting me.  There’s always more with God, right?! 

The God Who Reminds

I know there’s more than this

I know there’s more where it came from

I know there’s more to You

Than the box we’ve put You in

I’m searching for the deeper things

I’m searching for the deeper things of You

There’s more to You 

than what our painted windows have portrayed

There’s more than meets the eye 

than the buildings that we’ve made

I’m searching for the deeper things

I’m searching for the deeper things of You

There’s much more to Your bride

than religion has conveyed

Oh change the worldly eyes

to see the glory that You’ve made

We’re searching for the deeper things

We’re searching for the deeper things of You

I have to know You

I have to know You, Jesus

--Bethany Stephens, I Have to Know You

These lyrics capture my heart's attention this morning, causing it to beat a little faster as I think upon the One Who inspires such a response. A response from deep within that says, "I have to know You!" How can we help but be inspired by Him? How can we help but love Him? How can we help but praise Him? He has created, provided for, and held together all we see and all we are. He has poured out His love in such great measure upon us! His majesty and His faithfulness are at the very least breathtakingly beautiful. Sometimes I feel at such a loss for words…but maybe that's a good thing. It allows the spirit to express what words cannot. The spirit inside comes to life and begins to dance and sing and witness to the truth and beauty of God's heart. We worship in spirit and in truth...

I remember being asked once what Jesus looked like to me, and I instantly saw the eyes of every single person that has ever loved me like Jesus flashing one at a time through my mind's eye. So many beautiful people that Jesus has made His home in…they were all revealing His eyes. Deep, penetrating eyes that were brimming with understanding, gentle love and fiery passion all at the same time. Eyes that made me feel known and loved so deeply and completely. Experiencing that vision made me even more in love with His heart and more desiring of His presence. We never get to a point where we know it all or where we have exhausted our pursuit of knowing Him more. There's always something new to discover about Him. And doesn't that point alone excite you? The adventure and discovery of intimately knowing more of His heart each day?

What if we engage our imagination a little and imagine He is sitting at the foot of our bed every morning, eager to talk to us and begin our day of adventure together. What if we imagine He follows us everywhere we go, listening attentively and lovingly putting His hand on our shoulder to steady us and encourage us. What if we imagine He is commanding angels to act on our behalf when things are becoming difficult or the enemy is prowling at our heels. What if we imagine He is preparing the table for us, reminding us of His willingness to be a sacrifice for us. What if He is tucking us into bed, tenderly kissing our cheek, and telling us how much He adores us. What if He is praying over us and singing lullabies over us as we drift off to sleep. What if? Now these are the 'what-ifs' we should think on. These what-ifs encourage my heart when it grows faint within me. Imagining God with us is not hard because He IS right there with us. He IS helping us. He IS praying for us and singing over us. His Word is full of examples of such! Our lives are full of examples of such! We just need to be reminded of it sometimes. Jesus said the Holy Spirit is sent to remind us. "But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you." (John 14:26)

I pray this morning that Holy Spirit will bring to your mind all the ways He has been faithful, all the promises He has made in His Word, and that it would bring your heart JOY and assurance. I pray that He'd show you how He looked with joy and loving anticipation upon you as you entered the world. How He looked longingly at you when you were looking away. How He and the heavenlies rejoiced as you declared Him your Savior and Lord. How He is working things out on your behalf and protecting you even when you can't see it. That He'd remind you of how He scooped you up in His arms and held you against His heart when you were broken and hurting. How He protected you from the enemy's trap. I pray these reminders would settle any uncertainty within you about whether He will come through for you. I pray that you see in His word of truth how many times and ways He saved, healed and delivered His people. And that He'd speak to your spirit, affirming you with the truth that He thinks you're worth it, too!

Psalm 107

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,

for his steadfast love endures forever!

Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,

whom he has redeemed from trouble

and gathered in from the lands,

from the east and from the west,

from the north and from the south.

Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,

for his wondrous works to the children of man! 

For he satisfies the longing soul, 

and the hungry soul he fills with good things. 

Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; 

let them consider the steadfast love of the Lord.

Kerri

February 6, 2014

Vitally United

I recently read an article about "going green". My kids are learning about it in school and I was helping one of them with some research. The article was about the importance of buying local produce. The article explained when we buy fruits and vegetables in a normal supermarket, we are often buying products that have been harvested and shipped across the country. The length of time this produce has between when it's picked and when we actually eat it can be over a week or more.  Once the fruits and vegetables are removed from the plant or vine, they start to lose important nutrients.  The article claims that much of what we buy has lost about 40-50% of its nutrients.

This immediately reminded me of the importance of staying connected to The Vine!  John 15:5 AMP says, "I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me (cut off from vital union with Me) you can do nothing. If you live in Me (abide vitally united to Me) and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you."

Vital union with Him. He wants us to 'abide vitally united to Him'. Those words are rich!!  They are filled with LIFE!!  Just reading those words makes me desire to be in His presence. What a God!  That He would be so mindful of us.  That He would give us this connectivity with Himself which provides us with life and value and the nutrients we need to thrive. 

I had the privilege of riding horses this week with some friends at the national park. It was a glorious day with sunshine and fresh air and doing something I absolutely love.  There is a spot we always stop to let the horses rest and graze for a few minutes - it is right by a little pear tree in the middle of a big field. This time the tree was full of blossoms and the evidence of new life. Around it were daffodils blooming white and gold. It was a picture of new birth, of renewal, of freedom. 

Again, God reminded me of the passage above about abiding vitally united to Him. A life in Him is beautiful and free. It is not tethered to anything else.  It simply allows Him to do what He does best - to be God.  And it allows us to do what He wants us to do - bloom and grow where He's planted us. He gives life that brings joy and peace and love and freedom.

I have a LOT of learning and growing to do.  I don't always get it right. I don't always do the right thing or say the right thing. I don't have answers to every question. But I do know that if I don't have vital union with my Maker, I am going to lose nutrients I was created to need in order to thrive.  I NEED Him.  I always have. I was created to need Him. I need His love and grace, His joy and His peace.  I need His word of life to nurture me.  We all need Him. We all need to remain vitally united to Him...so that He can help us be all we were meant to be.  More God! 

I will close with a song by Kim Walker-Smith called "I Need You More"...  

Bethel LIVE "I need You more" Kim Walker (Official Music Video)  http://youtu.be/i-66KeF1LQ4 

I need You more

more than yesterday

I need You more

More than words can say

I need You more than ever before

I need You Lord...

3/24/14

Always on His Mind

Lord, I will seek You

On my bed, think upon You

In the day I'll dream of You

You're always on my mind

With my whole heart I'll love You

With my mind and my strength, too

Waste my life searching for You

You're always on my mind

And though I'm poor and needy 

The Lord thinks upon me

Though His name is Holy

I'm always on His mind

Though I'm weak and lowly

The Lord dreams about me

Though He's high and lofty

I'm always on His mind

For I'm in love with God

And God's in love with me

How far will You let me go

How abandoned will You let me be

I'm in love with God and God's in love with me

This is who I am and this is who I'll be 

and that settles it…completely.

--Misty Edwards, One Thing Live CD, "Always on His Mind"

This morning I've been listening to Misty Edwards and this song just got to me. It's the thought that there's not a moment we are out of His mind. 'Out of sight, out of mind' is completely foreign to Him. He is omniscient. Omnipresent. He watches us day and night, pursuing us with loving tenacity. He doesn't let go or give up. He doesn't write us off. He loves completely, all the time.  You cannot separate yourself from His love. He can't turn His love off.  It's just Who He is. He is Love. 

Though I'm poor and needy …  The Lord thinks upon me … Though His name is Holy … I'm always on His mind

The song reminds me how BIG and how GREAT God is.  Humility comes to me straight away.  A reverence that settles me into such peace and such security because I know how kind He is in His greatness.  He doesn't lord His strength over us.  It's a strength that brings peace.  He is the Creator and I'm what He's made.  There's something very settling to me in that.  I feel able to rest in that place of knowing He's good and He's got me in His grip.  I don't have to have all the answers or understand all things.  Here in this place, I am able to see the love and humility of Christ…that He took on flesh and became like us.  No greater love…

With my whole heart I'll love You … With my mind and my strength, too … Waste my life searching for You … 

The song reminds me of the scriptures, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."  (Jer 29:13) And, "Yes, let none who trust and wait hopefully and look for You be put to shame or be disappointed…" (Psalm 25:3)  We are encouraged to seek Him and to look for Him, and the beauty is the promise that He will be found.  He wants to be with us.  He wants to speak with us. He wants to share His heart with us.  He doesn't want a heart divided, but a whole heart that is completely His.  Then He can truly pour into us by His Spirit and we can live from a place of connectivity. We can live from a place of peace because we are where we are supposed to be in our heart - with Him.  It's not so much where we go or what we do or what we have, so long as we are connected heart-to-heart with Him, all our senses awakened to Him.

I believe everyone on planet earth has experienced heartbreak in some form or fashion. Most likely out of relational experience. Rejection, betrayal, loss, abuse...all contributors to a broken heart. I just don't know that a person can make it through life on earth without experiencing a broken heart. You lost your dad.  You lost a pet. A friend ditched you for another. Someone said they didn't love you anymore. At some point something has pierced our hearts and it felt like it split right down the middle.

What did you do with your broken heart? Often we are very young when the wound occurs and we may not have a person that comes alongside of us to show us the way to healing. Many didn't grow up in a home where forgiveness was taught or practiced. Many didn't know Jesus, which makes it really hard to find healing for our broken hearts.  Thus it becomes very difficult to believe that God is always thinking about us, always has us on his mind. The fact that we are always on His mind is no less true. We just don't believe it as truth. Our experiences have told us different. Our truth is not God's truth. We make exceptions or exclusions or excuses for why this can't possibly be true. God loves us all the time, no matter what. But our mind tends to go down the road of 'but...' or 'except when…' or 'what about…'   

Somehow we have to come to a place where we reject our unbelief. That's really what keeps us from the truth, isn't it? Unbelief that He could be that good, that loving, that full of mercy and grace, that faithful.  Jesus didn't die on the cross for us so that we could walk around in disbelief, questioning our place in Him.  We HAVE been adopted into His family. He IS full of love for us.  We ARE forgiven and set free.  We so often stand in our jail believing we're bound, but really all it takes is to walk out of that jail. Disengage from the lies and cleave to Faithful & True.  The door has been ripped open by Christ.  Walk forth into the Light of His presence and BELIEVE in His goodness.  Believe in His love.  Believe He's bigger than our past experiences or present circumstances.  Believe His death and resurrection means freedom for us.  It's a choice we need to make.  Psalm 32:8 says, "I the Lord will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you."  We are never out of His sight.  We are always on His mind. Believe it!

'I'm in love with God and God's in love with me.  This is who I am and this is who I'll be and that settles it.  Completely.'

Kerri

2/26/14

Garden View

A few months ago, I was helping minister to a woman at church. One question we asked her was something along the lines of 'If you close your eyes and ask God to take you to a place where you can go spend time with Him, where is that place?'. The person answered 'a beautiful garden'. She went on to describe this place in her mind's eye - lush and green, perfectly peaceful.

At first I wasn't all that moved. I had heard many people refer to the same thing when asked that question. But the Lord stirred my heart and prompted me to think into it more. He reminded me that He Himself likes gardens and drew me back to Genesis 2 where He planted the first. He made the garden of Eden both bountiful and pleasing to the eye. Imagine what it must have been like. Completely untainted by pollution or garbage or disease, and instead filled with healthy, fruit-bearing trees and plants - planted by the Master Gardener Himself. I imagine it being lush and green and naturally (or supernaturally) beautiful to behold - so much so that it would have taken our breath away just to catch a glimpse. I imagine life springing up from rich, dark soil...crystal clear streams meandering through...flowers of intricate design bursting into bloom...perfectly ripened peaches, plums, apples, oranges, etc. hanging from well-tended trees...vines hosting an abundance of plump, juicy grape clusters...berries...butterflies...a sweet fragrance wafting through the air.

I could be wrong - but that's what I picture. :) Every day we wake and witness nature revealing the hand of God. Yet I just imagine the sights we've beheld probably don't compare to the "paradise" of Eden. God created that garden as a place for man to dwell in safety - well-provided for, surrounded by beauty, and in communion with Himself. A place that would no doubt stir your soul to praise the Creator. A place that revealed abundant life. That's all part of God's nature - a provider, a protector, a friend, a Father. God walked in that garden with man and woman. He talked with them. He enjoyed their presence and they His. It was a time and place of intimacy - a pure connection between the Creator and the created. I imagine it felt so safe and secure - so peaceful - so inspiring - so right.

We all know, of course, that sin entered the picture - cue serpent - and suddenly Adam and Eve were running for cover, hiding from their Father. But God still continued to pursue them. Even though they hid from Him. Even though they chose to disobey Him. Even though they chose something over Him, sought something else to meet a need. God pursued them, He cared for them, He covered them. Clearly there were consequences for their sin, but God didn't turn away or decide to disengage. He kept pursuing them because that's His heart. He covered them and showed mercy. He made a way, as only He can.

The Lord wants us to know that He hasn't changed. Malachi 3:6 says "I, the Lord, do not change." I just love when He says that. He isn't a different God from the time of Eden. He is still the same today as He was in the garden and as He will be tomorrow. His heart is for us. He desires intimacy with His children - you and me. He still longs to walk with us, our hand in His, talking with us. He still longs to protect and provide and father us. He still wants us to walk in abundant life and in the shelter of His arms - shielded from the enemy's deception. And every day we wake with a choice: choose to follow Him or not. Stay under His care and protection or not. Stay in communion or run and hide when we make a bad choice. God didn't hide from Adam and Eve - they hid from Him. But He showed them they didn't have to hide nor carry their shame. He showed them mercy. Did they do anything to earn it? No. It was His gift - just like he has continued to offer us throughout the generations - ultimately through Jesus. Mercy.

So why would I be surprised by someone telling me in a sozo that they pictured a beautiful garden? Why would I not be awestruck by the beautiful symmetry? God hasn't changed. He's waiting for us to take a stroll with Him through the garden of our souls. He has things to tell us...seeds to plant in us...secrets to whisper in our ears...dreams to fill our hearts with...inspiration and creativity to impart...courage to instill. His nature and character are trustworthy and faithful. His grace is sufficient. His love unfailing. His mercy great.

"The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail." Isaiah 58:11

Kerri

August 8, 2012

Speak Life

 James 3:3 A bit in the mouth of a horse controls the whole horse. A small rudder on a huge ship in the hands of a skilled captain sets a course in the face of the strongest winds. A word out of your mouth may seem of no account, but it can accomplish nearly anything—or destroy it! 

Last week I had one of those moments that takes your breath away for a moment...but not in a good way.  My son randomly had some blood work that came back 'abnormal'. The doctor called me at 7:15 in the morning to tell me.  It wasn't so much the fact his levels were off but that she said the word leukemia in the second sentence she uttered. I do not like that word. Not one bit. It immediately brought fear to my heart to be totally honest. 

Sometimes I get irritable with doctors that say things like that. I prefer a little bit of modesty in their spoken knowledge of 'could be's'.  I'm not saying I want to live in ignorance or denial. Just don't read me a list of the 5 deadly things it could be in the first 2 minutes of conversation. ;)  

I think it just bothers me because I am learning so much about the power of The Word and the power of the words we speak. Our words have weight - we are made in His image. He created with words! "Let there be..."  When we speak, it should be words that build up and create peace, hope, love and faith. Toby Mac has a new song on the radio called 'Speak Life'. Maybe you've heard it?  He sings, "Hope will fall like rain when you speak life with the words you say.  Raise your thoughts a little higher. Use your words to inspire. Joy will fall like rain when you speak life with the things you say. Look into the eyes of the brokenhearted; watch them come alive as soon as you speak hope, you speak love, you speak life." 

That reminds me of Night of Healing Prayer at our church. (It just so happens that the day we found out our lab results was the monthly NOHP service which we were so thankful for!!)  Our prayer ministers speak life!  It's a place and time where the world is blocked out for a little while and you are immersed in the presence of God. Peace, joy, and LOVE are swirling from every angle, wrapping around you like a luxurious, warm blanket. Words of life are spoken over you, encouraging you to believe and to rely on the truth and promises of God. Hope is released in the heart that is feeling overwhelmed. Joy is released in the downcast soul. Peace subdues the fear-filled mind. 

There is just the sound of rushing waters...reminding us that God is with us and speaking to us. That He is over all things. That He is completely aware of all that we are and all that we are experiencing. That fear is not ours to hold in our hearts.  That He just loves us because He is love.  That He's faithful and true. And through such prayerful reminders we are carried into heavenly places…

For me it's almost like the voices of our prayer warriors, worshippers, and artists form into a rushing stream that carries hurting, broken people into a new place.  A heavenly one. 

I think every time we pray, worship or just speak a word of encouragement, we are allowing The Word to give life where it's needed.  (John 1:1 In the beginning (before all time) was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself). We are facilitating a meeting between the thirsty, hungry soul and the Bread of Life.  

John 6:57-58 Just as the living Father sent Me and I live by (through, because of) the Father, even so whoever continues to feed on Me, whoever takes Me for his food and is nourished by Me shall in his turn live through and because of Me. This is the Bread that came down from heaven. It is not like the manna which our forefathers ate, and yet died; he who takes this Bread for his food shall live forever.  

 Filling our souls and spirits with The Word is imperative to our lives here on earth. So many things come at us - things that are meant to steal, kill and destroy us. But when The Word is in us, and the Spirit of the living God is leading us, we are more than victorious.  When we speak His words and speak life, we are throwing life preservers to drowning souls.  Souls that hear so much negativity and hopelessness from the world that it's like having weights around the ankles pulling them under. 

We are meant for more. We all know that. We are meant to speak the Word of God boldly. Confidently. Lovingly. Connecting lost souls to The Word of life and truth.  I love that "He sends forth His word and heals us, rescues us from the grave." (Psalm 107:20)  I feel He is sending us - filled with His word - to feed His sheep. 

"So speak life! Speak life! Watch them come alive as soon as you speak hope, you speak love, you speak life." T Mac 

Hebrews 4:12 AMP "For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power making it active, operative, energizing, and effective; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life soul and the immortal spirit, and of joints and marrow of the deepest parts of our nature, exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart."

More Lord!!

Kerri 

4/9/14