My Soul Finds Rest In God Alone

1 Truly my soul finds rest in God;
my salvation comes from him.
2 Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.

3 How long will you assault me?
Would all of you throw me down—
this leaning wall, this tottering fence?
4 Surely they intend to topple me
from my lofty place;
they take delight in lies.
With their mouths they bless,
but in their hearts they curse.

5 Yes, my soul, find rest in God;
my hope comes from him.
6 Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
7 My salvation and my honor depend on God;
he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
8 Trust in him at all times, you people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.

9 Surely the lowborn are but a breath,
the highborn are but a lie.
If weighed on a balance, they are nothing;
together they are only a breath.
10 Do not trust in extortion
or put vain hope in stolen goods;
though your riches increase,
do not set your heart on them.

11 One thing God has spoken,
two things I have heard:
“Power belongs to you, God,
12 and with you, Lord, is unfailing love”;
and, “You reward everyone
according to what they have done.”
Psalm 62

Where Do you Wear Your Halo?

Yesterday, I went outside to enjoy our fresh snow. I came across our little neighbor girl who had just made a snow angel. I thought that it was cool, so I took a picture. Then she said, "See how I used my mittens to make the halo." When I looked, I realized that I had taken the first picture upside down. I hadn't even recognized her halo. So now that I had things in proper perspective, I snapped another photo.

This morning when I got up and looked in the mirror I didn't recognize my halo either. So God had to point it out to me. It was as if he said, "See how I carefully gave you all of these amazing qualities. You are holy, my beloved, truly beautiful." At first, when I looked, I couldn't see that at all. Then I realized it was because I had my halo under my feet and the lies of the enemy over my head. So I got things in the right perspective, lies of the enemy under my feet. God's truth right up top where it belonged.

Then I got in the car to go to work, and this is the song that was on the radio.

Dreams , Visions and God's Word

And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.
Joel 2:28

In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Acts 2:17

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us ... Ephesians 3:20

I have been listening to my favorite speaker, Graham Cook. He says that God wants to do more in our lives than we can imagine. He says that we should ask God to give us dreams of what he has for us. So I did ask. Ever since then, I have been having prophetic dreams. I am so excited as God shows me the awesome plans that he has for me and my family.

Yesterday, my friend and I were praying for people we love that don't know God and are living very corrupt lives. God started giving us visions of how to pray for them. He has such wonderful things in store. It was really fun to pray what God was showing us. Now, instead of being discouraged and sad, we are encouraged and filled with hope.

But wait! There is even more. I have been going through the scripture and reading about who we are as God's children and what he has promised us. I thought I would highlight the scriptures and then I can refer to them later. Oh my goodness! I almost highlighted the whole first chapter of Ephesians. God is so good, and he wants us to become really aware of who he is and who we are in him. Then he wants us to meditate on this and declare it out loud. Take on these 3 practices and you will soon find yourself flying. So cool!

A Piece Of The Puzzle

Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment."
Matthew 22:37-38

Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4

God gives you the desires of your heart. In other words, he is the one that gave you those desires in the first place. Then as you delight in him, he brings them about. A few years back, God said to my friend, "Could it be that your greatest desire is my will for you?" I love this. This truth has brought us great joy and hope. Today, I feel like God is revealing another piece. We are to delight in God. We cannot just delight in our desire, focus on it and hope in it. We are to delight in God. This isn't very hard because God is truly delightful. We just need to be reminded sometimes to get things back into perspective. The first commandment is to love God. Everything flows from this. Well, nearly everything. We love, because he first loved us. (1 John 4:19) Actually, I guess everything flows out of God's love for us. That is why we can love God, delight in him, and receive the desire of our hearts. Have a lovely and delightful day, my friends.

Wanted: Intercessors

I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none.
Ezekiel 22:30

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Luke 6:38

They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.
Revelation 12:11

The other day, I was praying for someone and it was like walking through a fog that has so much substance that I had to push hard to get through it. I kept hearing a voice that said, "How dare you pray for them. You are just as guilty as they are." I had already asked for forgiveness, but the guilt and shame clung to me like super glue.

Then I remembered the scripture that said, "They triumphed over him by the blood of the lamb." I remembered that when Jesus died on the cross, he became my sin and I became his righteousness. So I looked away from my own guilt and the accusations and dwelt in the righteousness given to me when Jesus shed his blood for me. Then I boldly approached God's throne and continued to intercede for my friend.

I was surprised to understand that God seemed to be saying to me that as I prayed for my friend to be healed and rescued, I would get healed and rescued as well. This is one of God's principles, give and it shall be given to you.

So don't hold back. God is looking for people to stand in the gap on behalf of others. He wants to do good things for them and your prayers will help bring this about. Of course the enemy will throw up obstacles. That's because your prayers are really powerful. Have fun working with God and blessing those around you. You will be blessed and helped in return.

Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper. Jeremiah 29:7

True Fasting

Shout it aloud, do not hold back.
Raise your voice like a trumpet.
Declare to my people their rebellion
and to the descendants of Jacob their sins.
For day after day they seek me out;
they seem eager to know my ways,
as if they were a nation that does what is right
and has not forsaken the commands of its God.
They ask me for just decisions
and seem eager for God to come near them.
"Why have we fasted," they say,
"and you have not seen it?
Why have we humbled ourselves,
and you have not noticed?"

Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please
and exploit all your workers.
Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife,
and in striking each other with wicked fists.
You cannot fast as you do today
and expect your voice to be heard on high.
Is this the kind of fast I have chosen,
only a day for people to humble themselves?
Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed
and for lying in sackcloth and ashes?
Is that what you call a fast,
a day acceptable to the Lord?

Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe them,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you,
and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.
Then you will call, and the Lord will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: "Here am I."

If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.
The Lord will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.
Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins
and will raise up the age-old foundations;
you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,
Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.

If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath
and from doing as you please on my holy day,
if you call the Sabbath a delight
and the Lord's holy day honorable,
and if you honor it by not going your own way
and not doing as you please or speaking idle words,
then you will find your joy in the Lord,
and I will cause you to ride in triumph on the heights of the land
and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob.
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

Surrender

Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it Matthew 10:29

Just do it. Give him your all. Let him be the one that is responsible for your life. Just say, "Yes."

Just Come

Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live.
Isaiah 55:2-3a

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
Matthew 11:28-30

I try and fail, try and fail. I don't know how those good sons can just keep plugging along and being so darn good. They say to me, "Just do what I do, and you will succeed like me."

I answer back, that if they would just quit being so darn good, they could come on a few adventures with me.

They then reply, "You squandered your inheritance. You're a loser."

I respond, "You have never truly lived. You have such a boring existence!"

Jesus speaks, trying to be heard above the ruckus. "Hey, leave it all behind. Come and follow me. You both need me. Neither is better. Neither is worse."

We look up and ask, "What are you talking about? We are already trying to do what we thought you wanted."

"Do? You think it's about doing? I am asking you to be. Come follow me and I will make you fishers of men. Come abide in me and I will cause you to bear fruit. Come to me and I will give you rest. Leave it all behind, your shame and your good deeds. Come join my army. I am your commanding officer. I am your friend. It's time for kingdom living. I am your king. Leave all behind that makes you better or worse. I have life, true life for everyone."

"Lord, we don't understand."

"You don't have to understand. Just come."

God Levels The Playing Field

There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28

Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. Colossians 3:11

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23

God levels the playing field. Both the good son that stayed behind and the one that squandered his inheritance need a savior. The one caught in adultery and the one that kept all the laws, the Marthas and the Marys, the sick and the healed, the Simeons and the Herods, the poor and the rich all need a savior. No one is better than the other. No one is ahead of the other. They are all loved by God. They all need salvation.

Protected and Mighty

Then you will know that I, the LORD, am your Savior, your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob. Instead of bronze I will bring you gold, and silver in place of iron. Instead of wood I will bring you bronze, and iron in place of stones. I will make peace your governor and well-being your ruler. No longer will violence be heard in your land, nor ruin or destruction within your borders, but you will call your walls Salvation and your gates Praise. The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Your sun will never set again,
and your moon will wane no more; the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end. Then all your people will be righteous and they will possess the land forever. They are the shoot I have planted, the work of my hands,
for the display of my splendor. The least of you will become a thousand, the smallest a mighty nation. I am the LORD; in its time I will do this swiftly.
Isaiah 60:16b-22

I have been meditating on this portion of scripture for days. I guess I have always liked it, but some parts of it seem to be exactly what God is doing in the lives of his people today. We are not of this world. We live in God's kingdom. This is our greatest reality.

In the world there are certain earthly things that are supposed to protect us, but they are not strong enough for all that comes against us. God has given us strong walls and gates that keep out our enemies. "but you will call your walls salvation and your gates praise." I have been resting in this and am greatly encouraged by it. Jesus is my salvation, my shield, my defender. He asks me to dwell in his righteousness and all that he has done and is doing for me. He is asking me to praise God and declare the truth of who he is.

There is definitely still a sun, moon, and stars. They are beautiful and bring us earthly light, but "the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory." We have God's light 24 hours a day. He wants us to be aware of this and walk in this light, knowing that darkness has no more power over us.

"The least of you will become a thousand, the smallest a mighty nation." There are many famous people that we all look up to, but I am observing that the ones that are least recognized by man, in many cases, actually have the most influence. These are God's little ones, small in the eyes of man, but mighty in the eyes of God.

So I would encourage you today to become aware of who you are and who God is for you. "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth, and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you." Isaiah 60:1-2

Let Your Gentleness Be evident To All

Let your gentleness be evident to all. Philippians 4:5 (NIV)

Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you're on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute! Philippians 4:5 (The Message Bible)

You have heard that it was said, "Love your neighbor and hate your enemy." But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:43-48

God is always on our side, working with us and not against us. He doesn't necessarily help us with all of our screwy ideas, but in general, he is on our side. Just as God is on our side, he is asking us to be on the side of other people. We are to know their worth as people, and affirm them in this. We don't have to agree with all of their ideas, but we are to be gentle and understanding with them, just as God is with us. To an extent this is already in our nature, because we are made in God's image. I guess a lot of what God asks of us is like a dance. God is dancing already, and he is just asking us to dance with him. We are not on our own. This dancing with God could get really fun.

Rejoice In The Lord

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Philippians 4:4

Then Hannah prayed and said: “My heart rejoices in the Lord; in the Lord my horn is lifted high. My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance."
1 Samuel 2:1

Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. Habakkuk 3:17-18

As a young man marries a young woman, so will your Builder marry you; as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you.
Isaiah 62:5

The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

God is asking us to rejoice always. This sounds like an impossible request. As I pondered how to obey, I became aware that the angels are constantly rejoicing. God is also rejoicing at all times. We are made in God's image. That means that rejoicing is in our DNA. God is only asking us to do what we have already been equipped for. Graham Cooke says that the Holy Spirit is the happiest guy that he knows. God is even rejoicing over us right now. All he is asking us is to join in and rejoice right along with him.

First Impressions Ain't All That

How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe. Psalm 133:1-2

A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24

I just spent some time with a wonderful lady. She is such an encouragement to me. Every time I hang out with her, I come away in dignity and ready to face life as an over comer. In fact, just thinking about her cheers me on. What's funny about this is that the first few months of our relationship weren't like this at all. I found her intimidating, and I steered clear whenever I saw her coming.

As I ponder the women in my life, I am aware of a whole list of people like her. As I look at this list, I am thrilled to say that each of these believes in me. If anyone speaks badly about me, watch out. These women will not put up with that. They would go to bat for me in a heart beat. I love these friends, and am so glad that God put them in my life.

God's Love Is So Beautiful!

And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18

God's love is so beautiful! I can notice the things in my past that wounded me and taught me lies, things that are not healed and still influence me, and I can say, "Oh, it's just you." They have no more power to intimidate me. I know that God will heal me. I know that he will teach me the truth. I no longer need to focus on what is wrong with me or what has wronged me. I can look into the face of the One who loves me. He is the one who teaches me truth, heals me, and is changing me from glory to glory. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.(John 15:13) This is a song of victory. This is truly what is happening to me. "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" (1 Corinthians 15:15)
I have chosen life. Hallelujah, I am free!

Preach The Gospel

Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Matthew 9:37-38

And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. Matthew 19:29

for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
Romans 10:13-15

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.
Isaiah 61:1-3

Know Your Dignity

She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.Proverbs 31:25

Make sacred garments for your brother Aaron to give him dignity and honor.
Exodus 28:2

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16

I love the dignity of a hawk. He regally perches in the top of a tree. The crows come around, squawking and trying to harass him. He doesn't become their victim. He absolutely ignores them. He knows his worth and doesn't need to prove anything to the. Then, when he's had enough, he just flies to another tree where there is peace and quiet. He knows that the whole forest is his, so why hang out in a tree with the enemy?

The World May Call You "Dumbo", But You Can Fly

But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.
1 Corinthians 1:27

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible". Matthew 19:26

"The very things that held you down are going to carry you up, up." (Mouse in the Disney movie, Dumbo)

"You can do it, Dumbo! You can fly! You don't need no magic feather." (The mouse in the Disney movie, Dumbo")

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1

This morning I saw a crow, and it reminded me of the movie, Dumbo. I know it is all make believe, but on the other hand there is so much truth in it. Dumbo was weak, little and odd, and yet he was able to fly. That is impossible. Elephants can't fly! I know, but I am so impressed with how God keeps doing what is impossible in our lives. God is asking us to have faith. We are to hope in what we can't see. God will be doing some really cool "impossible" things in and through us. The world may call you, "Dumbo", but you can fly. God is proud of you and calls you "Beloved". By the way, I would love to hear one of your flight stories if you have any. Just post a comment below.

I Ask For The Nations

And today is your birthday. What do you want? Name it: Nations as a present? continents as a prize? Message Bible Psalm 2

I can still remember the day very clearly. I was in the Philippines with a group of Youth With A Mission missionaries. I had decided on December 1st to begin reading one psalm a day. This was December 2nd and it was also my birthday. I had with me The Message Bible because I had decided to give it a try. When I read the above words I was in utter amazement. What are the odds that I would choose that Bible and that scripture on that day? I knew it was from God. So I said, "Yes, I want the nations as a present. I want continents. I want them to know you as Lord and Savior. I want to go there and proclaim the good news."

God Is Your Provider

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. 1 Timothy 6:17-19

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

Man teaches good money management. God has a law that is above this. He has spiritual provision that goes beyond being good at managing money. It is time to quit hoping in our ability to handle money correctly. Those that are struggling can be encouraged, because God wants to be the one in charge now. Those that look successful can look up with humility and know that God is doing an amazing work both in your lives and the ones that don't look as perfect as you.