December 24, 2024

The Motions

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

This might hurt, it’s not safe
But I know that I’ve gotta make a change
I don’t care if I break
At least I’ll be feeling something
‘Cause just okay is not enough
Help me fight through the nothingness of life

I don’t wanna go through the motions
I don’t wanna go one more day
Without Your all-consuming passion inside of me
I don’t wanna spend my whole life asking
What if I had given everything
Instead of going through the motions

No regrets, not this time
I’m gonna let my heart defeat my mind
Let Your love make me whole
I think I’m finally feeling something
‘Cause just okay is not enough
Help me fight through the nothingness of this life

Take me all the way
(Take me all the way)
Take me all the way
(‘Cause I don’t wanna go through the motions)
Take me all the way
(Lord, I’m finally feeling something real)
Take me all the way

~  Sing this song with me as our prayer and worship today.  ~

Songwriters: Sammi Zell, Jason Houser, Matthew West
Performed by Matthew West 
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The question on my heart for myself and for you is this:
Are you going through the motions
or are you walking with an all-consuming passion?

I want to live with abandon and give all that I have in this life!!!  When I get to the end of my life I don’t want to have any regrets.  I want to invest, with my whole heart, all that I have.  And not miss any opportunities that God gives me each and every day.

Last night I had the opportunity to go to a Toby Mac concert, and he shared this thought:  “With every opportunity and people you meet along the way you either drain them or lift them up.”  When I ponder this question it really makes me want to use the most of each and every opportunity I am given each and every day to speak life into the lives of others.

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.
Proverbs 18:31 ESV

What we speak and how we act will reap fruit—it can either be good fruit or bad fruit.  The choice is ours….

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Father, I pray that we will be women completely living with Your all-consuming passion; living with abandon to serve You, and to make the most of the opportunities You give us.  May we not be women who just go through the motions!  In Jesus’ Name, AMEN!!!!

Lose My Soul

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Father God, I am clay in Your hands
Help me to stay that way through all life’s demands
‘Cause they chip and they nag and they pull at me
And every little thing I make up my mind to be
Like I’m gonna be a daddy whose in the mix
And I’m gonna be a husband who stays legit
And I pray that I’m an artist who rises above
The road that is wide and filled with self-love
Everything that I see draws me
Though it’s only in You that I can truly see
That it’s a feast for the eyes—a low blow to purpose
And I’m a little kid at a three-ring-circus

I don’t want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul
Don’t wanna walk away, let me hear the people say
I don’t want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul
Don’t wanna walk away, let me hear the people say

The paparazzi flashes, and that they think that it’s you
But they don’t know that who you are is not what you do
True, we get it twisted when we peak at the charts
Yo before we part from the start
Where’s your heart
Tell me what’s your title
America has no more stars, now we call them idols
You sit idle, while we teach prosperity
The first thing to prosper should be inside of me
We’re free…
Not because of 22’s on the range
But Christ came in range, we said yes now we changed
Not the same, even though I made a fall
Since I got that call, no more Saul, now I’m Paul
(YEP!)

I don’t want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul
Don’t wanna walk away, let me hear the people say
I don’t want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul
Don’t wanna walk away, let me hear the people say
Don’t wanna walk away
Don’t wanna walk away

How do I sense the tide that’s rising
De-sensitizing me from living in light of eternity
How do I sense the tide that’s rising
It’s hypnotizing me from living in light of eternity
How do I sense the tide that’s rising
De-sensitizing me from living in light of eternity

(Lord, what we gonna do, we’re relying on You
All eyes are on You, Lord; all eyes are on You
All eyes are on You, Jesus)

I don’t want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul
Don’t wanna walk away, let me hear the people say
(Don’t let me lose my soul, my soul)
I don’t want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul
(This is my honesty, Father, won’t You cover me)
I don’t want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul
(Don’t wanna walk away, and all those people say)
I don’t want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul
(Don’t wanna lose, I don’t wanna lose my soul)

Lord forgive us when we get consumed by the things of this world
That fight for our love, and our passion
As our eyes are open wide and on You
Grant us the privilege of Your worldview
And may Your kingdom be, what wakes us up, and lays us down

~  Sing this song with me as our prayer and worship today.  ~

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In today’s world it is so easy to feel the pull from the world…. Where is your heart? Do you have one foot in the Kingdom and one foot in the world? Or are you ALL IN no matter what the cost? Serving God and His ways in today’s world is by no means an easy task. However I believe God asks to do the tough things because He knows that apart from Him we can do nothing.

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.
John 15:5

To serve Him we must cling to the Vine at all times to bear good fruit. When we choose to be obedient there is so much blessing and You get to see Him working in powerful ways in Your life. I say the word “choose” because obedience to God is not about a feeling it’s about a choice.  When I was saved 20 years I chose God and drew the line in the sand to serve Him no matter what.  Not obeying is NOT an option for me.

Where do You need to draw your line today??

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Father God, I thank You that we can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens us and that apart from You we can do nothing. I want to be, and for my sisters to be, completely sold out and dependant on you! Thank You for the blessings that come from obedience. In Jesus’ name !! AMEN!!!

Hurricane

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

You’re spinning out of control again
Your life feels like a sinking ship
You’re wondering how it came to this

Is it too late?
Is it too far?
For Him to reach you
And come to where you are
Step out on the edge
Don’t be afraid of it
And when you feel the rain
Call His name
He’ll find you in the hurricane

You’re in the wreckage underneath
Your hope is buried somewhere deep
You’re wondering how long it will keep

It’s never too late
Never too far
For you to reach out
And take a hold of love
Step out on the edge
Don’t be afraid of it
And when you feel the rain
Call His name
He’ll find you in the hurricane

Don’t back down from the fight
He’ll shelter you tonight
Just hold on for the change
Call His name
He’ll find you in the hurricane

There’s a place, there’s a place you can run
When you fall, and it’s all come undone
You’ll be safe in the raging storm
So just let go
‘Cause you are held in His arms
Step out on the edge
Don’t be afraid of it
And when you feel the rain
Call His name
He’ll find you in the hurricane

~  Sing this song with me as our prayer and worship today.  ~

Songwriters: Cindy Morgan, Matt Bronleewe, Natalie Grant
Performed by Natalie Grant

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Have you ever felt as though you had so much going on that things were literally swirling around you and you weren’t sure where to begin?  I know I have…it reminds me of the eye of a storm.  It is a calm place while things are swirling around you.  Do you have Hope in the eye of your storm??  Jesus is the calm in the midst of our storm.

Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
Psalm 34:14

So we should be in active pursuit of peace.  Not that we attain it once…and then we can rest; but this is a continuous process.

Why must we pursue something that is already given to us (John 14:27)?  We already have peace available to us. Jesus IS our Peace; it is found in Him.  We just have to utilize it by keeping our eyes focused on Him instead of the storm swirling around us. I love this excerpt from the book In the Eye of the Storm :

“What internal code kept His calm from erupting into chaos ? He knew the value of people… Interestingly the stress seen that day is not on Jesus’s face, but on the faces of the disciples… ‘Send the crowds away,’  they demand.  Fair request.  ‘After all,’ they are saying.  ‘You’ve taught them.  You’ve healed them.  You’ve accommodated them. And now they’re getting h ungry. If we don’t send them away.  They’ll want you to feed them, too.’  I wish I could have seen the expression on the disciples’ faces when they heard the Master’s response: ‘They do not need to go away.  You give them something to eat…’

When we get outside of ourselves and the storms of our life, and begin to focus on Jesus, then peace will come.  Our storms will be used to minister to others and He will show us what to do in the midst of them.

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Heavenly Father, I thank You for the peace that has already been given to us when we choose to put our eyes and our focus on You.  Thank You that You are our peace in the eye of the storm and that You will never leave us or forsake us.  Thank You for showing us what to do in the midst of them.  In Jesus’ name. Amen!!!

In The Light

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

I keep trying to find a life
On my own, apart from You
I am the king of excuses
I’ve got one for every selfish thing I do

What’s going on inside of me
I despise my own behavior
This only serves to confirm my suspicions
That I’m still a man in need of a Savior

I wanna be in the Light
As You are in the Light
I wanna shine like the stars in the heavens
Oh, Lord be my Light and be my salvation
‘Cause all I want is to be in the Light
All I want is to be in the Light

The disease of self runs through my blood
It’s a cancer fatal to my soul
Every attempt on my behalf has failed
To bring this sickness under control

Tell me, what’s going on inside of me
I despise my own behavior
This only serves to confirm my suspicions
That I’m still a man in need of a Savior

Honesty becomes me
(There’s nothing left to lose)
The secrets that did run me
(In Your presence are defused)
Pride has no position
(And riches have no worth)
The fame that once did cover me
(Has been sentenced to this Earth)
Has been sentenced to this Earth

Tell me, what’s going on inside of me
I despise my own behavior
This only serves to confirm my suspicions
That I’m still a man in need of a Savior

(There’s no other place that I want to be)
(No other place that I can see)
(A place to be that’s just right)
(Someday I’m gonna be in the Light)
(You are in the Light)
(That’s where I need to be)
(That’s right where I need to be)

~  Sing this song with me as our prayer and worship today.  ~

~ Songwriter: Charlie Peacock / Performed by dc Talk ~

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This song is SO powerful! One of the things that struck me to the core is the part where it talks of “…the disease of self runs through my blood. It’s a cancer fatal to my soul….” I think this commentary beautifully sums up being consumed with self.

“People that are self-centered are absorbed in themselves. They have no room in their heart for God. Self-centered people have no room for the true love of another person. A self-centered person glories in him or herself and not in God. Self-centered people are outside of God’s plan. God desires for us to trust Him more than anything else in this world. Self-centered persons trust themselves more than God.”
(See more at: Access-Jesus.com)

I can tell you that when I have become consumed with myself, it has never been helpful to me or the people around me. It is also rooted in pride. Pride and selfishness always go together. A truly humble person cannot be selfish.

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit,
but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
Philippians 2:3-4 NKJ

Where there is jealousy and selfishness, there is also disorder and every kind of evil.
James 3:16 TEV

Selfishness causes all evil. All evil proceeds from selfish actions. Selfishness is the manifest problem, but pride feeds it. Dealing with the root cause of the problem is the only lasting solution.

Submitting to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, and realizing we are not the center of the Universe, is the answer.  Without Jesus, you can do nothing. Apart from His grace, you would not be able to take that next breath of air!

We are called to be humble people who are consumed only with God.  I know I needed this word today and I am guessing I am not alone….

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Heavenly Father, I pray for each of my sisters and myself as we battle our own selfishness.  Instead may we choose to humble ourselves before You and to be the humble women you have called us to be.  Thank You for this much needed word today.  In Jesus’ name AMEN!!!

Under The Shadow

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

He who dwelleth in the secret place
Of the Most High shall abide
Under the shadow
Under the shadow of the Almighty
Though a thousand fall before me
From the evil that’s around me
They shall not
They shall not come nigh my dwelling

And I will say of the Lord He is my Refuge and my Fortress
My God in Him will I trust
And I will not be afraid of the snare of the fowler
My God in Him will I trust

~  Sing this song with me as our prayer and worship today.  ~

~  Written by Nicole C. Mullen and Bahini Johnson/ Sung by Nicole C. Mullen  ~

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This song is from my favorite promise of God’s protection in the Word.  And my favorite version of it is from The Message Bible.

You who sit down in the High God’s presence,
spend the night in Shaddai’s shadow,
Say this: “GOD, You’re my Refuge.
I trust in You and I’m safe!”
That’s right—He rescues you from hidden traps,
shields you from deadly hazards.
His huge outstretched arms protect you—
under them you’re perfectly safe;
His arms fend off all harm.
Fear nothing—not wild wolves in the night,
not flying arrows in the day,
Not disease that prowls through the darkness,
not disaster that erupts at high noon.
Even though others succumb all around,
drop like flies right and left,
no harm will even graze you.
You’ll stand untouched, watch it all from a distance,
watch the wicked turn into corpses.
Yes, because GOD’s your Refuge,
the High God your very own home,
Evil can’t get close to you,
harm can’t get through the door.
He ordered His angels
to guard you wherever you go.
If you stumble, they’ll catch you;
their job is to keep you from falling.
You’ll walk unharmed among lions and snakes,
and kick young lions and serpents from the path.
Psalm 91 MSG

When my youngest son was in the process of healing from a sleep-induced seizure disorder this is the psalm we would pray every night before he went to sleep. Immediately we both could feel God’s peace and we knew He was safe in the arms of his heavenly Father.

What an awesome promise to hold on to! When we are intentionally seeking God and abiding under the shadow of the Almighty, we are protected and we have nothing to fear. It reminds me of the image of a mother hen with all of her chicks safe and protected under her wing. We are safe in the shadow of our Father.

God wants us to be abiding under the shadow of the Almighty not just in the shade. He wants a day-to-day relationship with us not just a Sunday morning visit. God wants to be a part of our everyday lives.

Jesus said:
Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them,
will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.
John 15:5 NLT

This is so very true! I know there have been MANY times in my life where I have tried to do things in my own strength and all I did was ending up depleting myself and rendering myself ineffective for the Kingdom.

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Heavenly Father, I pray for each woman reading this that we would be intentional about seeking first the kingdom of God and not let the distractions of life get in the way of our day-to-day relationship with You.  That we would put You in your rightful place—first in ALL things. and I thank You for the promise of protection under the shadow of the Almighty. In Jesus name, AMEN!!!

Call On Jesus

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

I’m so very ordinary
Nothing special on my own
I have never walked on water
I have never calmed a storm
Sometimes I’m hiding away
From the madness around me
Like a child who’s afraid of the dark

But when I call on Jesus
All things are possible
I can mount on wings like eagles and soar
When I call on Jesus
Mountains are gonna fall
‘Cause He’ll move heaven
And earth to come rescue me when I call

Weary brother
Broken daughter
Widowed, widowed lover
You’re not alone
If you’re tired and
Scared of the madness around you
If you can’t find the strength to carry on

Call Him in the mornin’
In the afternoon time
Late in the evenin’
He’ll be there
When your heart is broken
And you feel discouraged
You can just remember that He said
He’ll be there

~  Sing this song with me as our prayer and worship today.  ~

~  Singer/Songwriter: Nicole Mullen ~

As evening came, Jesus said to His disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Then He asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey Him!”

Mark 4:35-41 NLT

One of the things that I love about this passage in Scripture is that Jesus was sleeping in the midst of the storm…He was at peace in it.

He is our peace in the midst of the storms in our lives when we focus on Him instead of our circumstances.

For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation,
having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is,
the law of commandments contained in ordinances,
so as to create in Himself one new man from the two,
thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God
in one Body through the Cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.
Ephesians 2:14–16

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Heavenly Father, thank You for Jesus and that He is our peace in the storms of life and that we are never alone in this journey of life. Father, I thank You for the peace that surpasses all understanding when we focus on the gift given to us through Your Son. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Give Me Jesus

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv
In the morning, when I rise
In the morning, when I rise
In the morning, when I rise
Give me Jesus

Give me Jesus
Give me Jesus
Give me Jesus
You can have all this world
Just give me Jesus

When I am alone
When I am alone
When I am alone
Give me Jesus

When I come to die
When I come to die
When I come to die
Give me Jesus

Give me Jesus
Give me Jesus
Give me Jesus
You can have all this world
You can have all this world
You can have all this world
Just give me Jesus

~  Sing this song with me as our prayer and worship today.  ~

~ Traditional African Spiritual  ~ Arranged and Sung by Jeremy Camp ~

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Jesus is the only One that can fill in all of those empty places.  If you have Jesus…that is all you need.  Jesus is the Living Water.  Let’s go to one of my favorite places in the Scriptures—where Jesus talks to the Samaritan woman….

Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.”  He was alone at the time because His disciples had gone into the village to buy some food.  The woman was surprised, for Jews refused to have anything to do with Samaritans.  She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?”  Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask Me, and I would give you living water.”  “But sir, you don’t have a rope or a bucket,” she said, “and this well is very deep.  Where would you get this living water?  And besides, do you think you’re greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well?  How can you offer better water than he and his sons and his animals enjoyed?”  Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again.  But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again.  It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” “Please, sir,” the woman said, “give me this water!  Then I’ll never be thirsty again, and I won’t have to come here to get water.”  “Go and get your husband,” Jesus told her.  “I don’t have a husband,” the woman replied.  Jesus said, “You’re right!  You don’t have a husband—for you have had five husbands, and you aren’t even married to the man you’re living with now.  You certainly spoke the truth!”  “Sir,” the woman said, “you must be a prophet.  So tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place of worship, while we Samaritans claim it is here at Mount Gerizim, where our ancestors worshiped?”  Jesus replied, “Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem.  You Samaritans know very little about the One you worship, while we Jews know all about Him, for salvation comes through the Jews.  But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth.  The Father is looking for those who will worship Him that way.  For God is Spirit, so those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth.”  The woman said, “I know the Messiah is coming—the one who is called Christ.  When He comes, He will explain everything to us.”  Then Jesus told her, “I AM the Messiah!”

John 4:7-26 ESV

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God is the only One who can fill every empty space; every desire and dream that make up who I am can only be filled by my Savior.

I want to be that woman who is completely satisfied in Christ even if my biggest dreams fall to the wayside. I want to let Jesus fill every inch of my soul and heal the broken pieces that reside there.  I want Him to be enough because I know He is.  So I come to Him with hands lifted up asking for help.  Here I am, Lord, please fill the empty places and heal the broken pieces. In Jesus name…AMEN!!!  – Brooke Smith  (shared from the Dayspring  (In)courage blog )

Jesus, Messiah

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

He became sin, who knew no sin
That we might become His righteousness
He humbled Himself and carried the Cross
Love so amazing, love so amazing

Jesus Messiah, name above all names
Blessed Redeemer, Emmanuel
The Rescue for sinners, the Ransom from Heaven
Jesus Messiah, Lord of all

His Body the bread, His Blood the wine
Broken and poured out all for love
The whole earth trembled, and the veil was torn
Love so amazing, love so amazing, yeah

All I hope is in You, all I hope is in You
All the glory to You, God, the Light of the world

Music and Lyrics by Ed Cash, Jesse Reeves, Daniel Carlson, Chris Tomlin
Performed by Chris Tomlin
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There is power in the name of Jesus! Let’s take a look at what the Bible says about the name of Jesus.

And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
John 14:13 NKJV

For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.
Matthew 18:20 NKJV

If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.
John 14:14 NKJV

And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you,
whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.
John 16:23 NKJV

When Jesus walked the earth, His name had great power. The following Scriptures show the use of His name and the power to heal the most terrible afflictions. These people called out to Jesus in faith.

And when he had called unto Him His twelve disciples, He gave them power
against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness
and all manner of disease.
Matthew 10:1 KJV

And the LORD will take away from thee all sickness,
and will put none of the evil diseases of Egypt,
which thou knowest, upon thee;
but will lay them upon all them that hate thee.
Deuteronomy 7:15

Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name
that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:9 NIV

That means that everyone ever born will someday bow when the name, “Jesus,”  is mentioned.  They will not only bow but will acknowledge Jesus as Lord.

Right now, those who believe in Jesus and acknowledge Him in this lifetime as Lord and Savior, already have the power to use His name.

But these signs are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah,
the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in His name.
John 20:31

The phrase “in the name” of Jesus denotes His authority and power.  To “believe in the name of Jesus” is to be persuaded in Jesus’ authority (Matthew 28:18) and thus place our trust, acts in His authority.   Acts 4:12 says,  “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under Heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”  Saved, healed, delivered included.  For those who really do believe in the name of Jesus, there is no pit that Jesus cannot deliver you from.

Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for Thou art my praise.
Jeremiah 17:14 KJV

~ quoted from the 1st Wittness blog ~

We can live in Victory all throughout our lives because we have Jesus living inside of us!! We are not Victims—we are Victorious through Him!

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Heavenly Father, thank You for the power in the name of Jesus that is available to us because of the sacrifice made on our behalf. Because the same power that raised Jesus from the dead now lives in us who believe. May we be women who choose to live in Victory and not live as Victims of our circumstances. To You be the glory, Father! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

Overcome

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Seated above, enthroned in the Father’s love
Destined to die, poured out for all mankind
God’s only Son, perfect and spotless One

He never sinned but suffered as if He did
All authority, every victory, is Yours
All authority, every victory, is Yours

Savior, worthy of honor and glory, worthy of all our praise, You overcame
Jesus, awesome in power forever, awesome and great is Your name, You overcame

Power in hand speaking the Father’s plan
You’re sending us out, light in this broken land
All authority, every victory, is Yours

We will overcome by the blood of the Lamb
And the word of our testimony
Everyone overcome

~  Sing this song with me as our prayer and worship today.  ~

Words and Music by Jon Egan / Performed by Jeremy Camp 

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This song is so powerful and speaks to me in so MANY ways!!!  Let’s take a moment to praise Him, shall we??

Savior, worthy of honor and glory, worthy of ALL our praise!!!  You overcame!  Jesus, awesome in power, forever, awesome and great is Your name!!!

 

We walk in VICTORY because of Jesus!  We can hold our head up high in ALL of our circumstances because with Jesus we can be victorious in each and every situation we face and we can do it well.  Let’s see what it means to walk victoriously in our day to day life….

Romans 8:28 tells us:
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

Notice that it doesn’t say in some things.  It says in ALL things!!!  We ARE overcomers.  We were never meant to walk defeated in life.  We are to walk from victory to victory and strength to strength remembering who God says we are. We were never meant to be weak-willed women…but MIGHTY for the Kingdom.

I want to share with you one of my favorite women in the Bible—Deborah.  I love how courageous she was and how mightily God used this woman.  She was definitely not a weak-willed woman.  She inspires me.  Here is what a  Chabad.org,  says about her.  I love the visual picture this commentary paints of her.

“Deborah lived in the Mountains of Ephraim, between Ramah and Beth-El. In the midst of the sin and idolatry, Deborah remained true to God. She was wise and God-fearing, and the people flocked to her for advice and help. Deborah held court beneath a palm tree, in the open air. There, where everyone could hear her, she warned the Jewish people and urged them to leave their evil ways and return to God. The entire Jewish nation respected this great prophetess.
Deborah was the wife of a man whose name was Lapidoth, which means “torches.” It tell us, that at the advice of his wife he furnished large wicks and oil for the lights of the sanctuary of Shiloh, which burned like torches. This was the effect of this holy woman on everyone around her: spreading the light of Torah. Similarly (it explains) that she sat under a palm tree to show to the world that the Jewish people was all united and turning their eyes again to God, like the leaves of the palm turn upward together, towards heaven.”

Deborah was in tune with God and knew what her part for the Kingdom was and she did it well and God used her mightily. We ALL have different gifts that God has given us for our role in the Kingdom. It is important to be in tune with God so we know what our role is. A woman with a teachable spirit and a willing heart can be used mightily by God.

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Heavenly Father, I pray that we would remember who we were meant to be and who You say we are.  I pray that each woman would be in tune with You and as they seek You they will find out their role and purpose in Your Kingdom.  I thank You that You have overcome and, because of that, so have we.  To You be the Glory, Father, in Jesus name!!!  Amen.

My Redeemer Lives

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Who taught the sun where to stand in the morning
Who taught the ocean you can only come this far
And Who showed the moon where to hide ‘til evening
Whose words alone can catch a falling star

Well I know my Redeemer lives; I know my Redeemer lives
All of creation testifies tthat here’s life within the Christ
I know my Redeemer lives

The very same God that spins things in orbit
Runs to the weary, the worn, and the weak
And the same gentle hands that hold me when I’m broken
They conquer death to bring me victory

Now I know my Redeemer lives; I know my Redeemer lives
Let all creation testify that there’s life within the Christ
I know my Redeemer…

He lives to take away my shame
And He lives (forever I’ll proclaim)
That the payment for my sins was the precious life He gave
Now He’s alive and there’s an empty grave

And I know my Redeemer lives; I know my Redeemer lives
Let all creation testify that there’s life within the Christ

I know my Redeemer
I know my Redeemer lives
I know my Redeemer lives
I know my Redeemer lives
He lives….

  ~  Sing this song with me as our prayer and worship today.  ~

~   Nicole C. Mullen   ~

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When you really stop to think about those things (and really reflect on them): Who taught the sun where to stand in the morning?  And Who taught the ocean to only come so far…and then stop and go back out?  Or Who taught the moon where to hide ‘til evening?  It is AMAZING and something most of us cannot even begin to comprehend!   The Creator of the universe didn’t miss a detail…so powerful!

Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom.
Isaiah 40:28

The very same God that spins things in orbit, runs to the weary, the worn and the weak

But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31

And the same gentle hands that hold me when I’m broken…

The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalm 34:18

(The same gentle hands) they conquer death to bring me (and you) victory…

But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.
So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable.
Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know
that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.
1 Corinthians 15:57-58

Sisters, we have SO MUCH to be thankful for!  A heavenly Father who went through so much to redeem and restore our lives.  Even though in this world we know we will have trouble, be encouraged!  Jesus has overcome the world!  This week I encourage you not to focus on the circumstances. Instead choose to have joy in your journey and be thankful for ALL the Blessings you do have.

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Heavenly Father, I pray for each one of my sisters this day that they would be strong and immovable and that they would know that nothing they do when they do it for You is useless. When they choose to have joy in their journey, and choose thankfulness and victory in You over their life’s circumstances, I know You will be smiling.  And I pray You would bless them through their obedience in Jesus’ name!!  AMEN!!