But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. (Psalm 3:3 AMP)
YAHWEH, You are my glory and the lifter of my head. I choose to look to You. Help me to keep my focus on You and trust You to bring Your good plans to pass in my life today.
From Joyce Meyer devotion, Promises for Everyday Life, on YouVersion.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
I am a little sheep and my Shepherd cares for me
Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. (1 Peter 5:7 AMP)
As I read this passage, I was humming Softly and Tenderly. The devotion I read talked about this passage and being sheep who needs a shepherd!
Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling,
Calling for you and for me;
See, on the portals He’s waiting and watching,
Watching for you and for me.
Refrain
Come home, come home,
You who are weary, come home;
Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,
Calling, O sinner, come home!
As I read this passage, I was humming Softly and Tenderly. The devotion I read talked about this passage and being sheep who needs a shepherd!
Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling,
Calling for you and for me;
See, on the portals He’s waiting and watching,
Watching for you and for me.
Refrain
Come home, come home,
You who are weary, come home;
Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,
Calling, O sinner, come home!
What do butterflies, pearls and diamonds have in common?
"Only God can turn a caterpillar into a butterfly, sand into pearls, and coal into diamonds. Don't despise the seasons of pressure."
I can't find the source of this quote, but want to share it and remember it.
A caterpillar in the chrysalis is totally transformed, down to the cellular level. Emerging from the chrysalis takes pressure and patience. The butterfly is too big for the small container and once out has to pump fluid into its wings and let them dry before flying free.
The sand in an oyster starts out as an irritant, and the deposits around it are a means of reducing the irritation. It takes a long time to produce a pearl of great worth.
Coal under great pressure over an eon of time produces a diamond. The carbon atoms have to be rearranged into a new pattern. It takes high heat and high pressure to make the chemical changes at the atomic level to make diamonds. The beauty of a diamond is how light is reflected from the many facets, producing a rainbow of color.
These are just three examples of precious beauty that result from pressure and time, with changes occurring on a cellular or atomic level.
Applying these examples to our lives in Christ gives us a glimpse of the transformation that occurs inside us, in our very nature, to make us holy, righteous and Christ-like. If we want to be more like Jesus, we must let and trust God to change us at the cellular or atomic level. This will take time. It will take heat. It will take pressure. Don't despise the seasons of pressure!
So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. (2 Corinthians 3:18 NLT)
“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it! (Matthew 13:45, 46 NLT)
Clothed in God’s glory [in all its splendor and radiance]. The luster of it resembled a rare and most precious jewel, like jasper, shining clear as crystal. (Revelation 21:11 AMP)
I can't find the source of this quote, but want to share it and remember it.
A caterpillar in the chrysalis is totally transformed, down to the cellular level. Emerging from the chrysalis takes pressure and patience. The butterfly is too big for the small container and once out has to pump fluid into its wings and let them dry before flying free.
The sand in an oyster starts out as an irritant, and the deposits around it are a means of reducing the irritation. It takes a long time to produce a pearl of great worth.
Coal under great pressure over an eon of time produces a diamond. The carbon atoms have to be rearranged into a new pattern. It takes high heat and high pressure to make the chemical changes at the atomic level to make diamonds. The beauty of a diamond is how light is reflected from the many facets, producing a rainbow of color.
These are just three examples of precious beauty that result from pressure and time, with changes occurring on a cellular or atomic level.
Applying these examples to our lives in Christ gives us a glimpse of the transformation that occurs inside us, in our very nature, to make us holy, righteous and Christ-like. If we want to be more like Jesus, we must let and trust God to change us at the cellular or atomic level. This will take time. It will take heat. It will take pressure. Don't despise the seasons of pressure!
So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. (2 Corinthians 3:18 NLT)
“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it! (Matthew 13:45, 46 NLT)
Clothed in God’s glory [in all its splendor and radiance]. The luster of it resembled a rare and most precious jewel, like jasper, shining clear as crystal. (Revelation 21:11 AMP)
Monday, October 22, 2012
Psalm 19
The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak;
night after night they make him known. They speak without a sound or word;
their voice is never heard. Yet their message has gone throughout the earth,
and their words to all the world.
God has made a home in the heavens for the sun. It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom after his wedding.
It rejoices like a great athlete eager to run the race. The sun rises at one end of the heavens
and follows its course to the other end.
Nothing can hide from its heat. The instructions of the LORD are perfect,
reviving the soul.
The decrees of the LORD are trustworthy,
making wise the simple. The commandments of the LORD are right,
bringing joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are clear,
giving insight for living. Reverence for the LORD is pure,
lasting forever.
The laws of the LORD are true;
each one is fair. They are more desirable than gold,
even the finest gold.
They are sweeter than honey,
even honey dripping from the comb. They are a warning to your servant,
a great reward for those who obey them. How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart?
Cleanse me from these hidden faults. Keep your servant from deliberate sins!
Don’t let them control me.
Then I will be free of guilt
and innocent of great sin. May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing to you,
O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. (Psalm 19:1-14 NLT)
The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak;
night after night they make him known. They speak without a sound or word;
their voice is never heard. Yet their message has gone throughout the earth,
and their words to all the world.
God has made a home in the heavens for the sun. It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom after his wedding.
It rejoices like a great athlete eager to run the race. The sun rises at one end of the heavens
and follows its course to the other end.
Nothing can hide from its heat. The instructions of the LORD are perfect,
reviving the soul.
The decrees of the LORD are trustworthy,
making wise the simple. The commandments of the LORD are right,
bringing joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are clear,
giving insight for living. Reverence for the LORD is pure,
lasting forever.
The laws of the LORD are true;
each one is fair. They are more desirable than gold,
even the finest gold.
They are sweeter than honey,
even honey dripping from the comb. They are a warning to your servant,
a great reward for those who obey them. How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart?
Cleanse me from these hidden faults. Keep your servant from deliberate sins!
Don’t let them control me.
Then I will be free of guilt
and innocent of great sin. May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing to you,
O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. (Psalm 19:1-14 NLT)
Visit to the Throne Room of God
I visited the throne room of God Sunday morning at the retreat. I sensed the angels coming in the room. A lot of angels coming into the room. I heard one of them say- "You know what to do when the glory--falls?" And between the words glory and falls, I went down to my face on the floor. It was a choice, not a Spirit-powered fall. It was obedience. In His presence, I fall on my face.
I don't remember details. I know that it went from being a choice, to being in the Spirit and seeing dreamlike visions. The images would start out looking like drawings or sketches, then I would "know" what I was seeing and the drawing would become a bit more detailed.
I heard throughout the vision the angels crying "Holy, Holy", singing, shouting, dancing and declaring His Holiness. That was always in the background.
The throne room was immense. It was gold, or the Glory filling it was gold colored. I couldn't see a ceiling. I couldn't really make out the walls, they were so far away.
I saw rainbows, multiple rainbows, through out the throne room. At one point I realized they were the result of the Light refracting from the diamond facets of gems, scattered all about.
I saw people, but they were not distinct, more like shadows or blurred from my vision.
I felt the Weight of Glory more than I saw the Light of Glory. The weight was pressed down on me on the floor but it didn't hurt.
At times in the vision, I would stop seeing and start worshipping, crying out Holy, Holy.
At one point I was in a room filled with angels and a desk of sorts. The angels were vying to be assigned to attend the next retreat of this group of marvelous women! They were making travel reservations/plans to come next year. They love to worship with us!
Holy, Holy
Lord of Glory!
Who is and was
And is to come!
I know there was more. I don't remember the details now about the other visions I had. I must trust I have either remembered what I needed to, or that I will remember more later.
When I got up, it was because I sensed that I was to write. I thought it was a song that Dawn was going to be given, but it was a poem, Angels Usher Him In.
During the ministry time that followed worship, I was in the throne room. At times I had to sing, and everyone in the room sang with me. Holy, Holy! I couldn't NOT worship His holiness with song. There were times when I closed my eyes as others were praying, and I sang in my heart about the holiness of God.
Diane read a passage from the Bible with such anointing! I felt the Word reverberating and resounding throughout the Throne Room! The application of power resounded in my spirit.
I had seen the clouds on the way to the retreat, with a large opening of sun coming through. I stopped to take a picture. It was like a prophecy of an open heaven!
24 hours later, I'm still sensing the presence of heaven, of the throne room. I have a foot in the world and a foot at the throne room of God.
I think part of the reason that God's mercy allowed me to visit the throne room was because of Jary's teaching on heaven that followed the ministry time. What she shared, I had just experienced first hand, in part. It was a confirmation of what I had experienced. Without it, my logical mind might have argued about the reality of it all and spent time analyzing her words. And I'm still learning to take my thoughts captive, so I might not have stepped into the teaching with my whole heart like I did. As it was, I was filled with joy and anticipation!
I've never been gifted in receiving poems before. I don't know if this is something new or the anointing of the retreat. I got a poem for Erin, which by faith and much courage from the Spirit, I was able to step out, and in the faith that I would get and hear the words as they were spoken to me, to speak them to her. Definitely stepping out in faith! I got a poem after being on the floor, "Angels Usher Him In." And then, when I sent out an email to those who attended about getting me their photos, I started typing and the poem "I Just Want to Sing."
I don't want to come down from the mountain. Can I just stay up here and put up a tent and not go back yet? I don't want to loose this connection, but the world surrounds me. I feel like there is a bubble of protection that is making the world seem unreal, blurred somehow. All I want to do is think upon what I learned, saw, experienced, felt. I made tea and breakfast; I was functional. I don't know about the rest of my day yet, however!
I don't remember details. I know that it went from being a choice, to being in the Spirit and seeing dreamlike visions. The images would start out looking like drawings or sketches, then I would "know" what I was seeing and the drawing would become a bit more detailed.
I heard throughout the vision the angels crying "Holy, Holy", singing, shouting, dancing and declaring His Holiness. That was always in the background.
The throne room was immense. It was gold, or the Glory filling it was gold colored. I couldn't see a ceiling. I couldn't really make out the walls, they were so far away.
I saw rainbows, multiple rainbows, through out the throne room. At one point I realized they were the result of the Light refracting from the diamond facets of gems, scattered all about.
I saw people, but they were not distinct, more like shadows or blurred from my vision.
I felt the Weight of Glory more than I saw the Light of Glory. The weight was pressed down on me on the floor but it didn't hurt.
At times in the vision, I would stop seeing and start worshipping, crying out Holy, Holy.
At one point I was in a room filled with angels and a desk of sorts. The angels were vying to be assigned to attend the next retreat of this group of marvelous women! They were making travel reservations/plans to come next year. They love to worship with us!
Holy, Holy
Lord of Glory!
Who is and was
And is to come!
I know there was more. I don't remember the details now about the other visions I had. I must trust I have either remembered what I needed to, or that I will remember more later.
When I got up, it was because I sensed that I was to write. I thought it was a song that Dawn was going to be given, but it was a poem, Angels Usher Him In.
During the ministry time that followed worship, I was in the throne room. At times I had to sing, and everyone in the room sang with me. Holy, Holy! I couldn't NOT worship His holiness with song. There were times when I closed my eyes as others were praying, and I sang in my heart about the holiness of God.
Diane read a passage from the Bible with such anointing! I felt the Word reverberating and resounding throughout the Throne Room! The application of power resounded in my spirit.
I had seen the clouds on the way to the retreat, with a large opening of sun coming through. I stopped to take a picture. It was like a prophecy of an open heaven!
24 hours later, I'm still sensing the presence of heaven, of the throne room. I have a foot in the world and a foot at the throne room of God.
I think part of the reason that God's mercy allowed me to visit the throne room was because of Jary's teaching on heaven that followed the ministry time. What she shared, I had just experienced first hand, in part. It was a confirmation of what I had experienced. Without it, my logical mind might have argued about the reality of it all and spent time analyzing her words. And I'm still learning to take my thoughts captive, so I might not have stepped into the teaching with my whole heart like I did. As it was, I was filled with joy and anticipation!
I've never been gifted in receiving poems before. I don't know if this is something new or the anointing of the retreat. I got a poem for Erin, which by faith and much courage from the Spirit, I was able to step out, and in the faith that I would get and hear the words as they were spoken to me, to speak them to her. Definitely stepping out in faith! I got a poem after being on the floor, "Angels Usher Him In." And then, when I sent out an email to those who attended about getting me their photos, I started typing and the poem "I Just Want to Sing."
I don't want to come down from the mountain. Can I just stay up here and put up a tent and not go back yet? I don't want to loose this connection, but the world surrounds me. I feel like there is a bubble of protection that is making the world seem unreal, blurred somehow. All I want to do is think upon what I learned, saw, experienced, felt. I made tea and breakfast; I was functional. I don't know about the rest of my day yet, however!
I Just Want to Sing!
I just want to sing
Give glory to God Most High!
I just want to praise
And lift His name up high!
I just want to worship
And rest in His Presence!
I just want to be
Where the Spirit of God rains down!
I just want to sing
Give praises to Him alone!
I just want to look
Upon His glorious throne!
I just want to hear
The music of heaven!
I just want to be
Alone with Him forever!!
Give glory to God Most High!
I just want to praise
And lift His name up high!
I just want to worship
And rest in His Presence!
I just want to be
Where the Spirit of God rains down!
I just want to sing
Give praises to Him alone!
I just want to look
Upon His glorious throne!
I just want to hear
The music of heaven!
I just want to be
Alone with Him forever!!
Angels Usher Him In
Angels usher Him in
Where mortals receive their rest
The throne room awaits us
Filled with glory, color and presence
There is none like Him
In Heaven and in Earth
Only the angels know
Constant glory and grace
But I see a window
A vision of beauty, of greatness
His Glory rests on us, as a weight
Without pain, with only pleasure
He graces us with His glory
Angels in multitudes
Worship before the throne
They are constant in their worship
Bow down, lay on your faces
In the Glory of God
Worship God with all your heart
Let your mind not be troubled or concerned
This is of the Spirit -- just receive
It is for Jesus, to do the things
It is for me to rest at Your feet.
Where mortals receive their rest
The throne room awaits us
Filled with glory, color and presence
There is none like Him
In Heaven and in Earth
Only the angels know
Constant glory and grace
But I see a window
A vision of beauty, of greatness
His Glory rests on us, as a weight
Without pain, with only pleasure
He graces us with His glory
Angels in multitudes
Worship before the throne
They are constant in their worship
Bow down, lay on your faces
In the Glory of God
Worship God with all your heart
Let your mind not be troubled or concerned
This is of the Spirit -- just receive
It is for Jesus, to do the things
It is for me to rest at Your feet.
Monday, August 20, 2012
Tethered With A Golden Braid
The Cordless Christian devotion had convicted me. I prayed and asked the Lord to tether me to Him. On the way to church, I sang. I sang new songs. I sang words from the liturgy to new melodies. I asked the Lord to change my heart.
I remember one song- "I want to worship with the heavenly host!"
I had projector, and there were a few problems that seemed to interrupt my worship, yet I kept my focus, or rather, the Lord kept me in Him.
During prayer time, one of the Elders said that the Lord wants us to be tethered to Him and those that wanted this should come forward for prayer.
Pastor prayed for me. Then I rested in Yahweh. I saw a golden braid being connected to the depths of my belly. Yahweh said it was connected to the place where His Name was written. He tied the knots that secured the braid. The other end of the braid was in heaven, tied to the throne of Yahweh. The braid had rubies, emeralds, sapphires and diamonds woven into it. The Lord assured me it was long enough to tether me wherever I went. While I rested, I worshipped with the heavenly host!
Even today, I can feel the tether in place. it is a connection, a sense of Presence, a warmth of peace.
The Word I had yesterday was, "All is well. Be at peace. All is well in the Kingdom of God. You are the Kingdom of God. You reign with Me. All is well! Be at peace!". I feel the Word in the tether today. I feel that sense of peace, that He is in control. Another person followed this Word with "Rejoice!". It is right and good that we rejoice! For He has all things in His Hands. And all is well!
I remember one song- "I want to worship with the heavenly host!"
I had projector, and there were a few problems that seemed to interrupt my worship, yet I kept my focus, or rather, the Lord kept me in Him.
During prayer time, one of the Elders said that the Lord wants us to be tethered to Him and those that wanted this should come forward for prayer.
Pastor prayed for me. Then I rested in Yahweh. I saw a golden braid being connected to the depths of my belly. Yahweh said it was connected to the place where His Name was written. He tied the knots that secured the braid. The other end of the braid was in heaven, tied to the throne of Yahweh. The braid had rubies, emeralds, sapphires and diamonds woven into it. The Lord assured me it was long enough to tether me wherever I went. While I rested, I worshipped with the heavenly host!
Even today, I can feel the tether in place. it is a connection, a sense of Presence, a warmth of peace.
The Word I had yesterday was, "All is well. Be at peace. All is well in the Kingdom of God. You are the Kingdom of God. You reign with Me. All is well! Be at peace!". I feel the Word in the tether today. I feel that sense of peace, that He is in control. Another person followed this Word with "Rejoice!". It is right and good that we rejoice! For He has all things in His Hands. And all is well!
Friday, August 17, 2012
I want to be a Tethered Christian, not a Cordless Christian
I've been living my life as if I have a cordless connection to Jesus. It is as if I think I can recharge my batteries and then go through my day with that power in me, rather than staying connected, tethered, to Jesus every moment. I've been living disconnected without even realizing it.
The image I have is from photography. When capturing images in real time, the camera can be tethered to a computer with software running that immediately reveals the image on the
computer screen for instant review. The photographer can see at that moment if any adjustments or changes need to be made. If not tethered, the photographer must wait until the images are loaded on the computer, often a day later, to see if the images are good. Many times it is too late to recapture corrections after the fact.
It's the difference between a Sunday only Christian and one who lives "In His Presence" every moment. I have been Cordless, like a rechargeable power tool or other technical gadget. We live in a cordless technical wonder world. It is a crisis if our phone dies mid-day because we forgot to recharge it, or we scramble to find an outlet or wonder if we have our cord with us when we travel. A job becomes tedious if the power tool battery dies in the middle of a job and we have to wait until its recharged before we can finish.
My life with Jesus has been much like the phone that dies mid-day or the power tool that doesn't have enough juice to get the job done. And what happens when the cordless device has no power? It stops functioning, like I stop relying on God for strength and wisdom.
I want to be a Tethered Christian. Now. Today. I want to abide. I want to trust more. I want His Strength to be my strength today. I want Him to guide my decisions, my words, my thoughts. I do not want to be cut off from the vine!
Lord, make it so. I acknowledge my sin. I confess my need. You, and You alone. I do not have the strength or wisdom to make the right decisions every moment of my day. Help me today to stay tethered to You!
The image I have is from photography. When capturing images in real time, the camera can be tethered to a computer with software running that immediately reveals the image on the
computer screen for instant review. The photographer can see at that moment if any adjustments or changes need to be made. If not tethered, the photographer must wait until the images are loaded on the computer, often a day later, to see if the images are good. Many times it is too late to recapture corrections after the fact.
It's the difference between a Sunday only Christian and one who lives "In His Presence" every moment. I have been Cordless, like a rechargeable power tool or other technical gadget. We live in a cordless technical wonder world. It is a crisis if our phone dies mid-day because we forgot to recharge it, or we scramble to find an outlet or wonder if we have our cord with us when we travel. A job becomes tedious if the power tool battery dies in the middle of a job and we have to wait until its recharged before we can finish.
My life with Jesus has been much like the phone that dies mid-day or the power tool that doesn't have enough juice to get the job done. And what happens when the cordless device has no power? It stops functioning, like I stop relying on God for strength and wisdom.
I want to be a Tethered Christian. Now. Today. I want to abide. I want to trust more. I want His Strength to be my strength today. I want Him to guide my decisions, my words, my thoughts. I do not want to be cut off from the vine!
Lord, make it so. I acknowledge my sin. I confess my need. You, and You alone. I do not have the strength or wisdom to make the right decisions every moment of my day. Help me today to stay tethered to You!
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Good Friday Thoughts
He was rejected. I, too, have felt rejection, but not to the point of death.
He was mocked. I am mocked for my faith, my faith in Him.
He was abused. I have felt emotional abuse, and was once physically abused.
He was tried and found guilty, though He was innocent. I have been accused of being guilty, when I was innocent and falsely accused.
He offended others as a stumbling block, while taking no offense at other's actions. I offend others when I share about Him, but I take offense at other's actions, when I shouldn't.
He was beaten, just short of the point of death. I have never been beaten.
He was crucified. A painful death. A horrible death. I may be persecuted for my faith in years to come, could be martyred, if society continues as it is, but I will never be crucified.
He rose from the grave. I will rise from my grave at the Judgement Day.
He reigns in heaven. I will reign with Him in heaven one day.
He and I have much in common, though I have suffered far less than He.
How can I complain, or whine? How can I take offense? How can I be slow to forgive? He suffered so much more and didn't complain or whine or take offense.
Love. I just don't love enough. He loves with a depth that I can't imagine. He wasn't selfish like me. He didn't let the hurt fester and turn to anger like me. He didn't procrastinate doing what needed to be done like me. I just don't love enough. He loves so much. He gave so much.
I need to feel His love for the Father, His love for others, His unselfish, unoffendable, loving care for everyone.
Give me Jesus' love.
Joy took Him to the cross. Love kept Him on the cross until IT was finished. Because of that, we can have Peace with God.
He was mocked. I am mocked for my faith, my faith in Him.
He was abused. I have felt emotional abuse, and was once physically abused.
He was tried and found guilty, though He was innocent. I have been accused of being guilty, when I was innocent and falsely accused.
He offended others as a stumbling block, while taking no offense at other's actions. I offend others when I share about Him, but I take offense at other's actions, when I shouldn't.
He was beaten, just short of the point of death. I have never been beaten.
He was crucified. A painful death. A horrible death. I may be persecuted for my faith in years to come, could be martyred, if society continues as it is, but I will never be crucified.
He rose from the grave. I will rise from my grave at the Judgement Day.
He reigns in heaven. I will reign with Him in heaven one day.
He and I have much in common, though I have suffered far less than He.
How can I complain, or whine? How can I take offense? How can I be slow to forgive? He suffered so much more and didn't complain or whine or take offense.
Love. I just don't love enough. He loves with a depth that I can't imagine. He wasn't selfish like me. He didn't let the hurt fester and turn to anger like me. He didn't procrastinate doing what needed to be done like me. I just don't love enough. He loves so much. He gave so much.
I need to feel His love for the Father, His love for others, His unselfish, unoffendable, loving care for everyone.
Give me Jesus' love.
Joy took Him to the cross. Love kept Him on the cross until IT was finished. Because of that, we can have Peace with God.
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