In the middle of the storm,
On a clear summer day,
On a boat tossed by the winds,
In the warmth of the sun's rays,
I will worship You
because You are
both sovereign and soulmate,
Indescribably and intimate,
Feared and friend.
You, o Lord, are all I need, want, and desire.
Your heart is for me;
May I crave your presence daily.
I've laid my heart out for all to see (or at least Emily) - though I'm still battling the AM wake up call, it really is my heart to experience God in His fullness.
But here's the question - despite my heart's desire, what does He want from me? Is my heart in the right place? Is His will the motive behind all I do?
Jesus Calling: What I require of you is to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with Me - wherever I lead. (Micah 6:8)
Lay down our lives, not just die... My Utmost for His Highest: God saves a man and endues Him with the Holy Spirit and then says in effect - "Now work it out, be loyal to Me, whilst the nature of things round you would make you disloyal." Stay loyal to your Friend, and remember that His honour is at stake in your bodily life.
James 4: 2You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. 3When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.; 7Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
This week has been eye-opening. I don't stay in constant motion, but my time is obligated to multiple events: work, youth, nursery, singles, my family, my friends, and God (not that He's last on my list - just happened that way). Because I've obligated myself to all of this, I am sharper with my words, more selfish in my prayers, and physically unable to function fully.
After a couple of long conversations with my "2 minutes" partner, I stopped to think about the prayers I've been praying lately, the time I spend allocated to different activities, and the quality and quantity of time I spend with my Father. I basically got the spiritual beat-down of my life in James 4.
Look, God's not asking us to recreate heaven and earth. He's not asking us to attain perfection in 2.2 seconds or less. Yeah, He does let us know there are actions we need to take after receiving His gift of salvation, but why do we flip out when He wants to hang out with us?
My cousin's alarm clock goes off everyone morning at 5:30. When you go to bed at midnight or later, 5:30 comes REALLY quickly. That part's not so bad. The part that makes me want to cry is it continues to go off every few minutes or so. He has to hit snooze like 4 or 5 times. He also has two alarms, so the sounds alternate as well. On top of this, he doesn't have to get up at that time every morning, but he chooses not to change the time.
What is the Lord asking of me? To beat down my cuz? Probably not. To get up and spend time with Him, starting my day by giving Him praise? More likely than not.
So, here's the answer to my title question: His will. Whatever it is. He's shown me this week that "His will" includes, but is not limited to, prayer, worship, thanksgiving, humility, perseverance, love, joy, peace, patience, self-control, laughter, smiling, words of affirmation and encouragement, faithfulness, truth, and slow to anger.
It does NOT include laziness, gluttony, stupidity, harshness, negativity, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, and envy AKA basically my whole attitude this week.
Yes, I am hard on myself; however, I am growing in grace for myself. So, bless God, amen! "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,m]">[m] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Thank you Father for the goodness of the Father.
I will do what you ask of me. Just keep waking me up - I'll move, I promise.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Beginning of Unleashed 2010
"You won't relent until you have it all - my heart is yours."
"I don't have time to maintain these regrets when I think about the way He loves us!"
" I am unleashed to love you with my mind, with my heart, and with my soul."
What do these lines have in common? Well, they're all song lyrics. They say a lot without using a lot of words. Mostly, they refer to one thing - God's love.
Tonight was reassurance of God's love. How He loves us so! How often do we need to be reassured of this fact? Right now, it's on a pretty regular basis for me - constantly. Some moments, I am confident; other days, I wonder, as I continue to fall short, "Why do you bother, God?"
Do you know the sun rises and sets because of you? Rain waters the earth because of you. Flowers color the scene, mountains rise majestically above, trees bring shade, and animals join the song that brings joy to God's heart... all this because He wants you to enjoy it. The stars shine, and the moon reflects light... solely because of you. All creation serves the purpose of a constant reminder to man of the Father's love.
Have you ever taken a moment to just be with Jesus? "Getting lost in the gaze of your eyes - getting lost in the warmth of your smile. Your love is like the ocean; I'm drowning in your presence." Can you imagine what that must be like as an experience? I've only been in one serious relationship, and I remember there were moments when he smiled at me... imagine what it's like with our Father God, our brother and Lord Jesus Christ, and our friend Holy Spirit. Waves of love overflowing and overwhelming us all day and night.
The innocence and simplicity of our faith is rooted in the Father's love. What would it be like to solely be in love with God? To be completely engulfed by His love? I want that - I want to get lost in His eyes. I want His arms to enfold me and keep me close to His heart. I want to see all the love He has for me written on His face and arm. May He wear His love for me boldly on His sleeve, but even more, I want to do the same!
Here's part of a book I read every couple years - not gonna tell a synopsis. Just go with me :)
Jason spoke again in the quiet. "Thank you, Jesus."
The ground began to tremble.
Leiah lifted both hands and whispered to the sky. "I love you, Father." White light streaked from her mouth from the heavens.
Jason lifted his chin and joined her. "I worship you, Father. I love you."
Three blazing shafts of light fell from the sky, like supercharged spotlights illuminating each of their heads. The light pounded through Jason's skull and numbed his bones with a love so pure and raw that he thought he might die. He dropped to his knees and then collapsed to his back, trembling from head to foot.
God was responding.
I love you.
Jason could barely breathe. An ache rose through his chest and he began to weep.
"I love you, Jesus."
The light washed through his body, like an airborne intoxicant, and he lay there quaking and begging forgiveness and loving his Creator in a way he did not think humanly possible. Beside him Leiah and Caleb lay on the grass, receiving this kiss from heaven.
To experience God's love in this way - to live all my days covered in this light shaft of love.
Remember how far you have fallen. Return to me and change the way you think and act, and do what you did at first. I will come to you and take your lamp stand from its place if you don’t change. (Rev. 2:5 - God's WORD translation)
Get back to basics. Keep it simple and innocent - Matthew 5:8 "Blessed are those whose thoughts are pure. They will see God."
"I don't have time to maintain these regrets when I think about the way He loves us!"
" I am unleashed to love you with my mind, with my heart, and with my soul."
What do these lines have in common? Well, they're all song lyrics. They say a lot without using a lot of words. Mostly, they refer to one thing - God's love.
Tonight was reassurance of God's love. How He loves us so! How often do we need to be reassured of this fact? Right now, it's on a pretty regular basis for me - constantly. Some moments, I am confident; other days, I wonder, as I continue to fall short, "Why do you bother, God?"
Do you know the sun rises and sets because of you? Rain waters the earth because of you. Flowers color the scene, mountains rise majestically above, trees bring shade, and animals join the song that brings joy to God's heart... all this because He wants you to enjoy it. The stars shine, and the moon reflects light... solely because of you. All creation serves the purpose of a constant reminder to man of the Father's love.
Have you ever taken a moment to just be with Jesus? "Getting lost in the gaze of your eyes - getting lost in the warmth of your smile. Your love is like the ocean; I'm drowning in your presence." Can you imagine what that must be like as an experience? I've only been in one serious relationship, and I remember there were moments when he smiled at me... imagine what it's like with our Father God, our brother and Lord Jesus Christ, and our friend Holy Spirit. Waves of love overflowing and overwhelming us all day and night.
The innocence and simplicity of our faith is rooted in the Father's love. What would it be like to solely be in love with God? To be completely engulfed by His love? I want that - I want to get lost in His eyes. I want His arms to enfold me and keep me close to His heart. I want to see all the love He has for me written on His face and arm. May He wear His love for me boldly on His sleeve, but even more, I want to do the same!
Here's part of a book I read every couple years - not gonna tell a synopsis. Just go with me :)
Jason spoke again in the quiet. "Thank you, Jesus."
The ground began to tremble.
Leiah lifted both hands and whispered to the sky. "I love you, Father." White light streaked from her mouth from the heavens.
Jason lifted his chin and joined her. "I worship you, Father. I love you."
Three blazing shafts of light fell from the sky, like supercharged spotlights illuminating each of their heads. The light pounded through Jason's skull and numbed his bones with a love so pure and raw that he thought he might die. He dropped to his knees and then collapsed to his back, trembling from head to foot.
God was responding.
I love you.
Jason could barely breathe. An ache rose through his chest and he began to weep.
"I love you, Jesus."
The light washed through his body, like an airborne intoxicant, and he lay there quaking and begging forgiveness and loving his Creator in a way he did not think humanly possible. Beside him Leiah and Caleb lay on the grass, receiving this kiss from heaven.
To experience God's love in this way - to live all my days covered in this light shaft of love.
Matthew 18:2-3 (New International Version)
2He called a little child and had him stand among them. 3And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Father, what must I do to have a child-like faith and experience your Kingdom here on earth?
Remember how far you have fallen. Return to me and change the way you think and act, and do what you did at first. I will come to you and take your lamp stand from its place if you don’t change. (Rev. 2:5 - God's WORD translation)
Get back to basics. Keep it simple and innocent - Matthew 5:8 "Blessed are those whose thoughts are pure. They will see God."
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Happy New Year!
Ok, so I know you're thinking, "You kinda missed it, Jayme. January 1... June 1... little bit of a difference." I know - if nothing else, snow v. no snow, right? Well, on June 1, God showed me that on June 13, my 29th birthday, a new year begins.
Talking to my sister in law, I learned that, at 30, my body will go through a hormonal disruption. I also found out I can be prepared for it, so guess what I'm doing? You better believe my diet is changing, my activity level is changing, and my priorities are changing at a pretty rapid pace! I want to be ready for ALL God has for me at 30, but even more, I want to be ready for all God has for me today.
People make New Year's resolutions and declare "this is how I will live my life this year". Well, I have a few declarations for my new year. With the help of my Father in Heaven, I will:
- love the Lord (Luke 10:27 He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind' and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'")
- walk in obedience to my God (2 John 2:16 And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love)
- share the love of God with the world (Matt 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.)
- use my talents for the Kingdom (Matt 25:29 For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.)
We wait for January 1st like it's the reinvention of who we are when our new year can start at any time. When God creates a new season in our lives, He has priorities for our time, talents, and skills. He has a plan for all that we are and all He wants us to become during that time. Be open to celebrating New Year at any time of the year - God never said His plans for you were to prosper you, not to harm you, to give you hope and a future, and only revealed at the beginning of every calendar year.
Earlier this month, God gave me a word for my new year: "You have to watch your diet. You have to take care of you, or you won't be ready. You won't be in the shape I need you to be in to do what I need you to do. Be diligent, and I will prove my faithfulness."
How many times has He said this to me in the last 6-9 months? How many times have I fought Him with everything in me to stay where I'm at? People, I HAVE to get it together, I HAVE to get in shape (physically, emotionally, spiritually) to do what He wants me to do - I don't have time to waste! He doesn't want me to waste time - He wants to return! Granted, I'm not the sole vessel God will use to proclaim the name of Jesus to the whole world, but I am one of them!
God wants so badly to take all of us to another, deeper level (listening to Israel right now), and we fight him tooth and nail (which is actually "fight with every tooth and every nail") - with every ounce of our being. Oswald Chambers said, "The abiding awareness of the Christian life is to be God Himself, not just thoughts about Him. The total being of our life inside and out is to be absolutely obsessed by the presence of God." Acts 17:28a "For in him we live and move and have our being." If God is planning our lives and totally in everything and all we are and do, then we HAVE to be obedient, love the Lord, share His word with the world, and use our talents for His kingdom.
Honestly, I don't want to stand before God one day and say, "I wasn't willing to sacrifice my flesh to be obedient". So, yeah, I'm gonna change things around; I don't want to tell the Father He's not worth the effort. Who am I to tell God "mm... I'm thinking not so much to your plans"? He totally gave it all, did it all, and continues to be all.
Contemplate this idea as you read:
The choice wasn't yours;
It was His.
Before you were born,
Before you were a thought,
He picked you
From all the people
Throughout all of time.
He loved you
Before your first step.
Before your first breath,
He wrapped Himself all in, around, and through you.
It's why you crave Him
Like a famished man
Longs for a meal.
It's why you're dying for Him
Like a man wandering in the desert
In search of an oasis.
And yet, you miss Him
When He whispers your name.
Heed, hear, harken to Him -
Respond to His call.
He chose you.
He loves you.
Happy New Year to me - may it be a year when I give my all to and for Him.
- share the love of God with the world (Matt 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.)
- use my talents for the Kingdom (Matt 25:29 For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.)
We wait for January 1st like it's the reinvention of who we are when our new year can start at any time. When God creates a new season in our lives, He has priorities for our time, talents, and skills. He has a plan for all that we are and all He wants us to become during that time. Be open to celebrating New Year at any time of the year - God never said His plans for you were to prosper you, not to harm you, to give you hope and a future, and only revealed at the beginning of every calendar year.
Earlier this month, God gave me a word for my new year: "You have to watch your diet. You have to take care of you, or you won't be ready. You won't be in the shape I need you to be in to do what I need you to do. Be diligent, and I will prove my faithfulness."
How many times has He said this to me in the last 6-9 months? How many times have I fought Him with everything in me to stay where I'm at? People, I HAVE to get it together, I HAVE to get in shape (physically, emotionally, spiritually) to do what He wants me to do - I don't have time to waste! He doesn't want me to waste time - He wants to return! Granted, I'm not the sole vessel God will use to proclaim the name of Jesus to the whole world, but I am one of them!
God wants so badly to take all of us to another, deeper level (listening to Israel right now), and we fight him tooth and nail (which is actually "fight with every tooth and every nail") - with every ounce of our being. Oswald Chambers said, "The abiding awareness of the Christian life is to be God Himself, not just thoughts about Him. The total being of our life inside and out is to be absolutely obsessed by the presence of God." Acts 17:28a "For in him we live and move and have our being." If God is planning our lives and totally in everything and all we are and do, then we HAVE to be obedient, love the Lord, share His word with the world, and use our talents for His kingdom.
Honestly, I don't want to stand before God one day and say, "I wasn't willing to sacrifice my flesh to be obedient". So, yeah, I'm gonna change things around; I don't want to tell the Father He's not worth the effort. Who am I to tell God "mm... I'm thinking not so much to your plans"? He totally gave it all, did it all, and continues to be all.
Contemplate this idea as you read:
The choice wasn't yours;
It was His.
Before you were born,
Before you were a thought,
He picked you
From all the people
Throughout all of time.
He loved you
Before your first step.
Before your first breath,
He wrapped Himself all in, around, and through you.
It's why you crave Him
Like a famished man
Longs for a meal.
It's why you're dying for Him
Like a man wandering in the desert
In search of an oasis.
And yet, you miss Him
When He whispers your name.
Heed, hear, harken to Him -
Respond to His call.
He chose you.
He loves you.
Happy New Year to me - may it be a year when I give my all to and for Him.
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