Several years ago, a friend of mine went to a Jeremy Camp concert and she shared with me the following testimony. God just reminded me of that this morning and led me to share it with you. (Thanks Charity!) I hope it is an encouragement to all of us and a reminder that in any situation we can praise and worship the Father. He can carry us through anything.
" We know how much God loves us and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.
"And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgement, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world."
"Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows we have not fully experienced his perfect love. We love each other because he first loved us." 1 John 4:16-19 NLT
Note: I have to apologize to several of you who read the blog regularly. Yesterday's original post had several mistakes in it and I revised and corrected those last night! My poor computer is on its last leg and often it is not cooperating with me when I am trying to make corrections ! LOL Sorry! Jules
I knew this trip would grow and change Caleb, and I know on Friday that I will want to ask him question after question about his experience. I wonder, will I see a difference when I look upon him? Will he speak differently? Will his values change? I wait expectantly to have this answered.... I just never expected his trip to be such a spiritual marker in my life. I didn't realize the impact his going would have on my heart and mind.... I am not sure words can express what the heart now knows. I am not sure it is meant to be shared, but this I do know....
"Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you." Psalm 143:8 NLT
"May Jesus himself and God our Father, who reached out in love and surprised you with gifts of unending help and confidence, put a fresh heart in you, invigorate your work, enliven your speech." 2Thessalonians 2: 16-17 MSG
You know those mornings when you wake and as your feet hit the floor, the list of needs starts immediately? This morning, I was barely conscious when my youngest son was asking me for "beakfist" (aka breakfast). This was followed by many additional requests; so that when I finally returned to my room to take shelter with my Lord and prepare my heart for this day, I was longing for a deep, all enveloping time with Him. However, the sounds of the house kept beckoning my attention and the needs of the family kept being brought to my attention. It was if the entire world (or at least my household) was absolutely against my spending time with God today! Been there?
Finally, amidst threats of "unless you are bleeding or someone is in danger do not come in this room!"..... I secluded myself and poured praise music into my thirsty soul. I began to pray-still feeling inadequate- and reading His words to me. One scripture just spoke to my heart... and I read it, over and over, in various versions and let those words breathe life in me.
Deuteronomy 6:5
"And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might." KJV
"Love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your being, and all your strength." CEB
"Love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength." NIV
"And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength." NLT
"Love God, your God, with your whole heart: love him with all that's in you, love him with all you've got!" MSG
It hit me that God wants me to love Him with all that I have that day and all that I can give Him that day. He is patient and understanding as He knew before I first drew breath outside the womb that I would struggle with having time with Him this morning. He just wants me to give Him all I have at any given time- Even if it isn't what I had envisioned blessing Him with... it is priceless to Him because it is all of me at that moment. Thank you Lord for loving this imperfect vessel so much!
The air, thick and heavy, this morning greeted me and beckoned me to step out and revel in all that is God's handiwork. Thankful for the subtle, small breeze that occasionally offered a slight relief and I scanned and looked out upon His work. Various birds working diligently- as preparing for their day -singing a melodious song as a butterfly moves in random patterns across the yard as in search of something. Puffy, white dandelion heads rising above the grass, full and ready, for a strong gust to scatter in the sky. Sunlight dances in the grass revealing countless shades of green in the grass and the handiwork of a spider who left its "trail" floating amid the blades.
As I survey this scene, how can I not praise Him? How can I not witness and see all His works and know- truly know- He creates. He created this world, He creates life, and He created me. He will not fail me and His works are best.... I will praise Him!
"For this is what the Lord says- he who created the heavens, he is God; he who fashioned and made the earth, he founded it; he did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited- he says: 'I am the LORD, and there is no other.'" Isaiah 45:18 NIV
" For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities- his eternal power and divine nature- have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse." Romans 1:20 NIV
" Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always." Psalm 105:4 NIV
"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge." Psalm 19:1-2 NIV
"Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am." Philippians 4:13 MSG
I love praising and worshipping our God and King through songs. Times of beautiful worship just draw me nearer to the Father and all of my hectic, crazy world comes into clearer focus in the light of Him. Lately, I have really enjoyed the music of a group named Fee. Today, I thought I would just share a couple of their songs for you to enjoy.
