November 21, 2024

10,000 Reasons

March 10, 2015 by
psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv
Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul
Worship His Holy name
Sing like never before, O my soul
I’ll worship Your Holy name
 
The sun comes up
It’s a new day dawning
It’s time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes
 
Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul
Worship His Holy name
Sing like never before, o my soul
I’ll worship Your Holy name
 
You’re rich in love and You’re slow to anger
Your name is great and Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness I will keep on singing
10,000 reasons for my heart to find
 
And on that day
When my strength is failing
The end draws near and my time has come
Still my soul will sing Your praise unending
10,000 years and then forevermore, forevermore
 
Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul
Worship His Holy name
Sing like never before, O my soul
I’ll worship Your Holy name

Singer/ Songwriter: Matt Redman

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Bless the Lord, O my soul,
    and all that is within me,
    bless His Holy Name!
Psalm 103:1

This song makes me forget all my troubles and focus on what is most important—worshipping our Lord God with every fiber of my being.  And lifting Him up in every area of my life.

As you begin your day and as you go through your day, stop and worship God. Praise Him for whatever you are going through. Have the confidence for Him to show up and show off. I have done this recently. I was doubting myself and doubting God. But I decided to praise God and tell Him whatever happened, I would trust it to turn out for my best. God is so awesome. He shows us who He is. All we have to do is trust Him… He will love us no matter what we have done.

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Father, thank You for caring enough to be there for us when we do not deserve it.  Thank You for second, third, even 100 chances.  Thank You for Your grace and for sending the Helper to be our conscience.   Help us to always heed the prompting of our Friend.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Be Exalted

August 3, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

I stand in awe of who You are
You have overwhelmed my heart
once again
My all in all, my everything
With abandon I have come
to meet You here

Be exalted
Be exalted
In my life above all else
Be lifted up

My eyes have seen
Your majesty
Filled with wonder
Now my soul must sing

There is only one true God
Who is holy
You are holy 

 

 Singer / Songwriter: Ben Cantelon (along with Mia Fieldes, Jason Ingram)

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Throughout the Bible, there are many, many, many records of those who truly exalted God in their hearts and with their words of praise and through their actions!

A few who quickly come to my mind are,

  • Jesus
  • David
  • Esther
  • Moses
  • Job
  • Paul

But one example that I just love is Mary, the mother of our Lord.  Oh, what a heart she had!  She is a great standard for having the right type of heart and life. Mary was so very humble!  (Check out Luke 1:38.)  Her pure and praise-filled heart for her God is shown in many ways.  One illustration is found recorded in Luke chapter 1.  Upon hearing her cousin Elizabeth confirm what the Angel Gabriel had told to Mary, she was filled with praise! Listen to these words of hers…

And Mary said: “My soul exalts the Lord,
And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave;
For behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed.
For the Mighty One has done great things for me;
And holy is His name.
And His mercy is upon generation after generation
Toward those who fear Him.
He has done mighty deeds with His arm;
Luke 1:46-50

And she continues in her praise to exalt her God, the Almighty One.  But what does it mean to ‘exalt’ God?  One reference I checked, defines exalt as

EXALT‘, v.t. egzolt’. Low L. exalto; ex and altus, high.

  1. To raise high; to elevate.
  2. To elevate in power, wealth, rank or dignity; as, to exalt one to a throne, to the chief magistracy, to a bishopric.
  3. To elevate with joy or confidence; as, to be exalted with success or victory. We now use elate.
  4. To raise with pride; to make undue pretensions to power, rank or estimation; to elevate too high or above others.
  5. To elevate in estimation and praise; to magnify; to praise; to extol.

We can see through these definitions and practical usages of the word exalt that clearly it is to ‘raise…elevate…magnify…praise…extol.’  And it is easy to see how and why our God is THE One to be exalted!  As Ben Cantelon sings, ‘You alone and no one else, be lifted up!’

The following psalm suggests another important perspective to exalt that includes our own bowing down.

The Lord is king!
Let the nations tremble!
He sits on His throne between the cherubim.
Let the whole earth quake!
The Lord sits in majesty in Jerusalem,
exalted above all the nations.
Let them praise Your great and awesome name.
Your name is holy!
Mighty King, lover of justice,
You have established fairness.
You have acted with justice
and righteousness throughout Israel.
Exalt the Lord our God!
Bow low before His feet, for He is holy!
Psalms 99:1-5

Notice in verse 5 the difference between the two exclamations made: “Exalt the LORD our God!” is given in comparison to “Bow low before His feet.”  In studying this verse and looking at the Hebrew words used, I read that the word translated as “bow low” is one of the basic Hebrew words for worship.  Literally it means “to bow low” or “to prostrate” oneself before and worshipping a sovereign, a king.

Wouldn’t you say this could apply to how we can exalt God, figuratively, by not only by raising our voices in praise to Him, but also by humbly bowing low before Him in worship.  Truly,  at times, we are literally bowing before God as a response to His incredible and awesome greatness!  This physical act can help our hearts to humbly bow before Him.  But whether we kneel or are prostrate on our faces before God or not, we can exalt Him within our hearts as we recognize and praise, “Be exalted…in my life above all else, be lifted up!”

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May our prayer and our praise be to always exalt Almighty God whether we be standing with arms raised in praise, or singing joyfully out our praises, or kneeling humble before Him, or flat out before Him in submission to Him!

I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My life makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble and afflicted hear and be glad.
O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.
Psalms 34:1-3

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Ancient Of Days

July 12, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Blessing and honor, glory and power
Be unto the Ancient of Days
From every nation, all of creation
Bow before the Ancient of Days

Every tongue in heaven and earth shall declare your glory
Every knee shall bow at your throne in worship
You will be exalted oh God and your kingdom
Shall not pass away, oh Ancient of Days

Your kingdom shall reign over all the earth
Sing to the Ancient of Days
For none can compare to your matchless worth
Sing to the Ancient of Days

Every tongue in heaven and earth shall declare your glory
Every knee shall bow at your throne in worship
You will be exalted oh God and your kingdom
Shall not pass away, oh Ancient of Days

Oh Ancient of Days
Oh Ancient of Days
Oh Ancient of Days
Oh Ancient of Days

Your kingdom shall reign over all the earth
Sing to the Ancient of Days
For none can compare to your matchless worth
Sing to the Ancient of Days

Composed by Ron Kenoly

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As I looked, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took His seat.
His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of His head was white like wool.
His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze.
Daniel 7:9

There are only three verses in the entire Bible that use the title, ‘Ancient of Days’: Daniel 7:9, 13, and 22. Verses 9 and 13, refer to God the Father on the Throne, and verse 22 speaks of Jesus Christ coming as Judge in the end-times.

Throughout the Bible there are many more verses that refer to God’s eternalness and His justice. The Ancient of Days deserves our reverence and worship.   Here’s just a few:

Isaiah 43:13

  • God refers to Himself from ancient days (eternity to eternity,) meaning that He existed before time was created (Genesis 1.)

Psalm 90:2

  • He is from everlasting to everlasting.

Isaiah 44:6

  • God is the First and the Last.

Revelation 1:8

  • Jesus says of Himself,

“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending…
which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.”

Revelation 4:8-11

Each of the four living creatures … Day and night they never stop saying:
‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, Who was, and is, and is to come.’

Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne and Who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him and worship Him who lives for ever and ever.  They lay their crowns before the throne and say: ‘You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they were created and have their being’” (Revelation 4:11).

Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and Your dominion endures through all generations.
The Lord is trustworthy in all He promises and faithful in all He does.
Psalm 145:13

What an awesome God! I am humbled that this mighty and eternal God is merciful in His judgment and trustworthy in His promises, and yet calls me (and you) to Himself.

Before Me every knee will bow; by Me every tongue will swear.
They will say of Me, ‘In the Lord alone are deliverance and strength.’
Isaiah 45:22-23

That’s where I want to be—on my knees confessing Jesus as my Lord!

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Dear Lord Almighty, the Ancient of Days, You are from everlasting to everlasting!  You, and You alone, are worthy of all glory, honor, and praise.  You are our merciful Lord, Savior, and Judge.  Thank You for keeping all of Your promises.  We look forward to spending now and eternity worshipping and serving You.  In the Precious name of Jesus, Amen.

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Click here for a wonderful article giving further understanding of the term ‘Ancient of Days’.

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Shackles (Praise You)

May 3, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Whoo!
It sure is hot out here, Ya know
I don’t mind though
Just glad to be free
Know what I’m saying, uh!

Take the shackles off my feet so I can dance
I just wanna praise You
(What’cha wanna do?)
I just wanna praise You
(Yeah, yeah)

You broke the chains now I can lift my hands
(Uh feel me?)
And I’m gonna praise You
(What’cha gon do?)
I’m gonna praise You

In the corners of mind
I just can’t seem to find a reason to believe
That I can break free
‘Cause You see I have been down for so long
Feel like the hope is gone
But as I lift my hands, I understand
That I should praise You through my circumstance

Take the shackles off my feet so I can dance
I just wanna praise You
I just wanna praise You
You broke the chains now I can lift my hands
And I’m gonna praise You
I’m gonna praise You

Everything that could go wrong
All went wrong at one time
So much pressure fell on me
I thought I was gon lose my mind
But I know You wanna see If I will hold on through these trials
But I need You to lift this load
‘Cause I can’t take it anymore

Take the shackles off my feet so I can dance
I just wanna praise You
I just wanna praise You
You broke the chains now I can lift my hands
And I’m gonna praise You
I’m gonna praise You

Been through the fire and the rain
Bound in every kind of way
But God has broken every chain
So let me go right now

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

Be joyful always;
pray continually;
give thanks in all circumstances,
for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Be joyful always?  Give thanks in all circumstances?  Seems like a tough one, doesn’t it?  When things are going really well for us, I hear folks saying “God is good!”, but are we saying that when things AREN’T going our way??  We should! God is good, friends, ALL THE TIME!

I have a playlist on my computer simply called “Praise.”  This song (Shackles) leads the group.  Whenever things seem to be a bit overwhelming or I’m having a particularly rough day, I crank that playlist and sing with all I’ve got.

Psalm 100 tells us:

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.  Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.

You see, it’s not about MY circumstance, it’s about HIM.  I know who I belong to, and the One who made me is good, He loves me and will be faithful to me!  So I praise him through ALL circumstances.  I don’t have to like the circumstance, but I do love God, and I trust that when He tells me that He works all things for my good (Romans 8:28), that He is able to turn anything around!  As an added bonus, when I focus on praising God, I take my attention off myself which then allows God to lift my spirits!

Why not try it today?  Crank up this song and sing and dance unto the Lord!

  • Praise Him for His greatness and love for you!
  • Praise Him for having all things under control!
  • Praise Him for loving you unconditionally and caring about the circumstance in which you find yourself – no matter how challenging!

Then feel how those waves of praise come back to you in the peace and love of Jesus.  Praise the Lord!!  😀  Have a wonderful day filled with the love of God!

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“I AM” Chapter 2 – Day 1: The Great I AM in the Book of Ezekiel

July 15, 2013 by

Have you ever watched someone worship and wonder, “How do they do that?”  I have.  I think I have “worship envy.”  Maybe it was my upbringing in a conservative church environment, maybe I care too much what people think, maybe I have never totally surrendered myself to worship.  The reality probably lies somewhere in between.

As I read the Book of Ezekiel, I found myself in awe again of someone so sold out for God that he was willing to do whatever to get God’s message across.  Ezekiel was “All In.”

If God said lay in the street on your left side for 390 days and then on your right side for 40 days…Ezekiel did it (to teach a history lesson).  If God said shave your head and divide your hair into three piles to explain a prophecy…Ezekiel did it.  If God asked Ezekiel to NOT mourn the passing of his beloved wife as an example to the Jews…he managed to do it.

God said, “Teach” and Ezekiel had the responsibility to teach the captive Jews discipline to follow their God.  Discipline doesn’t always have a positive feel to it, so I looked it up for us.

Discipline

1)       Training to insure proper behavior;

           the practice or methods of teaching and enforcing acceptable patterns of behavior.

2)      Training that corrects, molds or perfects the mental faculties or moral character.

The Israelites found themselves in captivity…again.  Sometimes we think God isn’t paying attention to our lives when times get hard.  I think it is just the opposite.  Those hard times are to drive us toward Him.  How do people survive without God?  We were created to need Him.  If we leave Him out then we deny a very important part of ourselves.

God sent Ezekiel to help the Jews adjust to their captivity.  He gave them hope to carry on and a way to return to a right relationship with God.  “God never forgets those who are faithful to Him” (pg 25).   He won’t forget you either.

Do YOU know Ezekiel’s God?  Ezekiel 16:62 says,

 “I will establish my covenant with you, and YOU shall know that I AM the LORD.”

God’s promise to establish His covenant was for anyone who would obey Him and follow His commands.  That’s what the name LORD means.

As we see in Ezekiel’s story, there is not one sedate and reverent way to worship God.  Neither is there always craziness associated with worship of the LORD.  Worship happens as we seek His face.  As we offer our lives to Him, He chooses how to express His love to us.  Give your life to the ONE TRUE GOD and be part of the Body of Christ.

If you search for the I AM, you will find Him…He wants to be found.

Let’s PRAY:

We come into Your presence to acknowledge that YOU are LORD.  You are Sovereign and You know what is best for us.  Thank You for loving us enough to reveal Your character to us.  Ezekiel has shown us that You can breathe new life into our dry, dead lives if we only have faith in YOU.  Change our hearts so that we can more fully submit to YOUR will and not ours.  We want to worship you in freedom.  Lord, teach us!  We love you, LORD.

AMEN

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Girls with Swords: Chapter 11- Open Thoughts of Chapter

June 6, 2013 by

I remember my grandmother telling me the favorite part of her day was when she was worshipping God.  When she told me that, I asked her if she sang to God every day.  I was confused because the only time I ever thought I worshipped God was when I would sing praises at church.  My grandmother knew exactly what I was thinking and, with a smile, she replied with words that spoke directly to my heart, “I sing to God every day, with my words, with my prayers, with my thoughts, and with my time I spend reading the Bible and being still in His presence.”  This is when I learned worship isn’t about the building you are in, the drums in the background, or the people around you.  Instead it is all about using every opportunity of worship throughout the day to escape to a place of love, grace, mercy, peace, and complete joy with our Heavenly Father.  Our favorite time of the day should easily be the time spent singing to God. 

After reading this chapter and the blogs that my amazing friends have prepared for us there are some things God has laid on my heart I feel compelled to share with you.

Revelation 4:9-10

Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on  the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:

“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”

The first time I read this passage in the Bible, I could not help but cry out to God.  This passage helped solidify who God is in my life.  He is worthy of all of my praise, glory, and honor.  This passage challenges me to make sure that in everything I do, there are elders on their knees in Heaven worshipping our One and Only.

I love You, Lord,
and I lift my voice
to worship You;
oh, my soul rejoice!
take joy, my King
in what You hear…
may it be a sweet, sweet sound in Your ear!

I cannot even begin to describe to you how this song has helped me through some of the darkest hours of my life.  Now, I fall asleep singing this song many nights.  I am so thankful for music that God uses to help us through the dark.  As Lisa says on page 173 “Music invites your body to move, but remembering all that God has done for you will move you.”  (Move you out of the darkness!) What are some songs God has used in your life?

When I was singing the above lyrics as I was preparing this blog for today, I thought of different lyrics.  Let my life be a sweet, sweet, sound in your ear.  I decided to type this into Google and this is what I found…

I am an instrument of the living God
My life a melody to His name
More than the songs I sing
Worship is everything
I live to glorify my King

Hear the song of my life
Let it be a sweet, sweet sound
Let it be a sweet, sweet sound
I raise this anthem high
Let it be a sweet, sweet sound
Let it be a sweet, sweet sound

Through all the mire and clay
You’re washing me with grace
You carry me, oh Lord, through it all
So I will testify even in the fire
I live to praise my Savior

Meditate on the lyrics of this song.  Is the song you sing every day the life you live for God?  I pray this song blesses your heart as much as it has mine.

 

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father,  I thank You for orchestrating the songs of our lives.  Help us to play back to You the music You created in our souls from the very beginning.  I pray we desire to bring You alone praise and glory and honor.  I thank You for the melody You are playing in our lives.  Help us to always let our lives be a sweet, sweet sound to Your ear!  AMEN!

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Girls with Swords: Chapter 11 – “Sword of Song – Songs of Battle” (pgs 170-173)

June 5, 2013 by

 

When I read this section, I thought of this song. I thought of how this song touches my heart and empowers me each time I hear it. This song reminds me of how music works, it reminds me of those times when I was in the middle of a battle, in the middle of a test or trial and I would turn music on. Sometimes I would sing aloud, or sometimes I would sing silently to myself; either way the words of the song, and the sounds of the music would help to create a type of “joyful strength” (p. 171), as Lisa described it. Songs have the ability to “remind us of just how awesome the Most High is” (p. 171).  It is so easy to become caught up in life and to let His promises drift to the back of our mind. Music has a way of bringing us back.

Isaiah 54:1

“Sing, O barren,
You who have not borne!
Break forth into singing, and cry aloud,
You who have not labored with child!
For more are the children of the desolate
Than the children of the married woman,” says the Lord. (NKJV)

I think of praise and worship on Sundays, and the atmosphere that the songs usher in. The sanctuary full of people singing praises to God in unison, everyone lifting their voices in praise and thanks to our Heavenly Father. His power in the room can be felt. It pours into our hearts and minds, it covers us in God’s love. I think of driving in the car with the radio playing and a feeling of life and peace enveloping me. I think of my rambunctious children and the effect that music has on them!  I love hearing them singing Christian songs in the backseat as we go about our daily tasks; in their own way, they are singing through their own battles.

There are ‘go-to’ songs that I have when I need to feel closer to God; songs I listen to when I clean; songs I play for my children when they go to sleep. God has given us many tools in life, and the gift of song is one of them. There are times in our lives when we need to pick up our sword of song, we need to wield it, shout and sing. The song of battle needs to be one of our tools as a warrior of Christ, and, as a girl with a sword.

Let’s Pray:

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your gifts! Thank You for reminding us of Your love and Your strength through song. Thank You for the joy it creates, and the security it provides. Lord, please give us a holy boldness and remind us that we are living for none other than You.  In Jesus’ Name we pray, AMEN!

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A Daughter’s Worth: Week 12 / Day 1 – Give Honor to God

December 17, 2012 by

GCH_Eph2_10

In order to give someone honor, don’t you think you have to know that person or at least know what they have done in order to receive honor?  God is more than just a “someone” He is the Creator of the world we live in.  Without God there would be nothing.  If there were ever a time to give honor, God should be at the top of the list, don’t ya think?

Do you know who God is personally? 

  • God created YOU for a purpose (Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.)
  • God loves YOU so much that He sent His only Son to die on a cross for our nasty sins that we continually commit (John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.)
  • God is our help in times of trouble.  He did not just create us to watch us suffer through this cruel world alone.  He promises to be with us and to hold our hands and hearts and to help us in every struggle we face in this world.  (Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.)

I honestly would love to just go on and on about how amazing God’s love for us is.  I would love to share with you every single thing that I possibly can to showcase God for who and what HE really is!  There are no words this side of Heaven to be able to do this for you though.  It is not enough to say He is good, He is amazing, and my words do not even come close to just how perfect God is.  So, I am turning to the Bible for help!  This scripture is one of my favorites; I can just close my eyes and picture God as my safe place, the Rock I run to when this world tries to bring me down.  Psalms 62:7-8 My salvation and my honor depend on God ; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. {8} Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.  Instead of me going on and on, why don’t you think of some ways to describe who God is to you!  Write them in your journal and thank Him for being who He is to us!

Let’s read Revelation 4:9-11

Whenever the living creatures (that’s us!) give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever (that’s God), the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever.  They lay their crowns before the throne and say:

YOU ARE WORTHY OUR LORD AND GOD

TO RECEIVE GLORY AND HONOR AND POWER

FOR YOU CREATED ALL THINGS

AND BY YOUR WILL THEY WERE CREATED

AND HAVE THEIR BEING

The first time I read that I cried.  Really think about this for a moment.  Every single time we thank God for our many blessings HE gives us, or give Him the glory for something amazing that happened in our lives, or honor His name in everything we do: 24 elders fall to their knees in worship to God!  How utterly amazing is that?  Close your eyes….picture this!  I don’t know about you, but I want this to happen all day long for God.  I never want there to be a time when those elders are not on their knees singing praises to God!

Let our hearts desires be the same as those elders in Heaven.  Let us strive to not go ONE moment without remembering our GOD in praises, worship, prayers of thanksgiving, and HONOR.  For when we do this we will be reminded that God is getting all of those praises in Heaven!

Let’s Pray:  Lord, I thank You so much that Your love and Your very being are indescribable.  I pray that we all are able to find out who You are personally for us.  I pray that each girl set their heart’s desire to give You honor and understand just why we are to give YOU honor.  Today and always Lord, I give You honor because You are my Savior.  You have blessed me and saved me from a life of misery and You have given me hope!  Much love to YOU!  I picture the praises in Heaven and they motivate me to keep on giving You all of my honor and glory that You so perfectly deserve!  I love You so much!  Amen.

Let’s all think of ways we can HONOR our KING in HEAVEN today and always,

Diane

If you do not know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, we invite you today to ask Him into your heart.  Please pray with us:

Lord Jesus, I come to You today and ask You to be my Lord and Savior.  I have learned who You are through this bible study Lord, and I want to know You personally.  So today, Lord, I confess the sins that I have in my heart, and I ask You to forgive me and cleanse me of all unrighteousness.  I ask You now to come into my life, as my personal Lord and Savior.  AMEN!

If you prayed this prayer today with us, would you send us an email?  We’d like to pray with you.  You can reach us at GCH_decaf@girlfriendscoffeehour.com.  

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Jordan’s Journey to GCH:decaf!

September 14, 2012 by

Introducing……

GCH: decaf blogger Jordan Spring

Hello precious readers!! I am SO excited to be writing this blog post, and I can’t wait to write more in the future. I really feel so honored and so thankful that the Lord has connected me to all the right people in order to be involved in this ministry, and because God is the ultimate networker, He brought them all to me!

I am currently in a “waiting room” season in my life. I’m 20 years old, and because of our financial situation, I have yet to start college. I have spent many days these past few months asking the Lord what His purpose is for me while I’m in this season, and I firmly believe that GCH:decaf is one of the reasons the Lord has not opened the doors for me to go to school yet.

Looking back on my teenage years, I can see clearly where the Lord used other women and girls within the Kingdom to minister to me. Many times He would speak into my life through mentors or friends, and He always brought about the conversations exactly when I needed them. My teenage years were not all butterflies and gumdrops. I loved Jesus, but I, far too often, allowed other things to take His place as first in my heart. I was constantly searching for friends to tell me my worth, and when they couldn’t be found, I went to boys. It took me a very long time before I BELIEVED in my heart that JESUS defines me. JESUS tells me I’m beautiful, worthy, loved, etc. Only He can satisfy my heart. Once I had that revelation, I fell madly in love with Him. I want to be a part of what God is doing in the Kingdom in any way that I can. I want to make Him known and to be an instrument of His hands.

My prayer for you is that, through this ministry, you would allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you about who you are in Jesus. We serve a God who is SO much stronger than any lie the enemy uses to keep us in a place of insecurity. You are all called to something very specific and very unique, and we NEED your gifting. The Kingdom needs you to walk out your calling CONFIDENTLY; knowing who God is and believing what He says about you. I also want you all to grow in your relationship with Jesus while growing in friendship with girls who are seeking the Lord alongside you. Fellowship is SO important. Jesus says, “Where two or more are gathered in My name, I am there.” So He is definitely HERE in GCH:decaf! I believe that He is going to move mountains in your hearts as we begin our first Bible study. I believe that He is going to bring healing to the brokenhearted. I believe that He is going to give hope to the girls who have been burdened by the struggles they have faced. I believe that Jesus is going to show up, and He’s going to change lives through our time together.

I hope you’ll join me on this amazing journey we’re about to begin. And I PRAY that you’ll have an open mind, an open heart, and open hands to receive from the Lord through this ministry.

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Please “like” our Facebook Community page here to stay up-to-date on all we are doing for teens over here at GCH: decaf: https://www.facebook.com/GCHdecaf.

Be sure to email our lead barista, Megan, if you would like to join a small group or if you have any questions about the study or this ministry. She would love to hear from you!  Teens@girlfriendscoffeehour.com .

Our first study will start October 1st!  We will be studying A Daughter’s Worth by Ava Sturgeon.

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Jordan Spring is 20 years old, and is waiting on the Lord’s timing for her to go to school for ministry. She was saved when she was five, has led worship since she was 13 and senses a calling on her life to lead worship full time. Her dream is to travel around the world and lead people in worship. Her heart for worship comes from walking through brokenness and having encounters with the Holy Spirit during those seasons, and she wants to lead people into His presence so that they, too, can encounter His love while walking through fire. She also writes songs, and her prayer during her songwriting is that she would write songs from the Lord that would give people hope and would draw people to worship.

Jordan has such a heart for teenage girls and LOVES to talk to them about Jesus. She loves to encourage them to walk in the confidence of who God is and who God has created them to be! She works with teen girls at her church and has lead them in small groups and retreats.

She loves blogging, singing, eating healthy, all things Christmas, coffee, a good book, fuzzy socks, Disney World, frozen yogurt, and rainy days. She also LOVES headbands, pearl bracelets, hairspray, and loves to put together outfits that are trendy, cute, comfortable, and modest.

Jordan grew up in Jackson, MS. She and her family moved to the Sunshine State when she was 18, where they now live in Pensacola Beach.

We are so happy to have Jordan working with us on our Leadership Team and with your precious daughters! Be sure to leave her a comment and let her know how happy you are that she is answering God’s call!

Be sure to check out her personal blog here: www.justacupofjo.com

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