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from Oceans // Hillsong
Psalm 121:1 I lift up my eyes to the hills— where does my help come from?
Psalm 123:1 I lift up my eyes to you, to you whose throne is in heaven.
2 Corinthians 4:18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Colossians 3:1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
there is just “something” about lifting our eyes, about looking with a different perspective and vantage point.
i will lift my eyes from my i cants, to God’s i can
i will lift my eyes from my limitations, to God’s nothing is impossible
i will lift my eyes from my flaws, to God’s gift of forgiveness and righteousness through Christ
i will lift my eyes from my loneliness, to God’s promise that He is with me
i will lift my eyes from my exhaustion, to God’s invitation to come
i will lift my eyes from my excuses, to God’s encouragement that i can do all things through Christ who strengthens me
Sometimes we may never know the WHY something happens. But we can always know the WHO. And we can be confident that God is always with us. Always.
He is our view. Let us fix our eyes upon Him, the author and perfector of our faith.
Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice!
Have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
When You said, “Seek My face,”
My heart said to You, “Your face, Lord, I will seek.” ~ Psalm 27:7-8
With so much instability and fear in the world today, we must cling to Jesus and fix our eyes on Him and view life through the eyes of trust and faith. God is always good. In every challenge and every circumstance, He is good. He can always be trusted. He is in the business of turning anything bad into everything good. He breaks open prison doors, He sends whales as coast guards, He tells the paralysed to get up and walk. And He raises the dead to life.
Perspective matters. Perspective changes death into life. Perspective changes hopelessness into hope. Fear into faith. Crisis into opportunities to grow and trust God.
Instead of letting difficulties draw you into worrying, try to view them as setting the scene for God’s glorious intervention.
Five Minute Friday is a feature over at Lisa-Jo Bakers TALES FROM A GYPSY MAMA blog. i first read about it on my friend Fee’s blog and thought it sounded fun!
So, let’s do this thing. Let’s write.
Set your timer, clear your head, for five minutes of free writing without worrying about getting it right.
1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..
OK, are you ready?
#FiveMinuteFriday —>Click to Tweet that.
The Lord is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life;
Of whom shall I be afraid?
When the wicked came against me
To eat up my flesh,
My enemies and foes,
They stumbled and fell.
Though an army may encamp against me,
My heart shall not fear;
Though war may rise against me,
In this I will be confident.
Psalm 27:1-3
*** i love this great WORD FOR TODAY by life fm!
Picture it one more time – a boat lashed by huge waves, and 12 frightened disciples who thought they were going under. They forgot to look for Jesus to rescue them. Yet as the night advanced and things looked hopeless, ‘… Jesus went to them, walking on the sea’ (Matthew 14:25 NKJ). Did they rejoice? No, their fear intensified and they said, ‘… It’s a ghost…’ (Matthew 14:26 NKJ)
Your fear can distort your perceptions and make you see the answer as just another problem. Often what appears a threat is actually a blessing about to be revealed. Look to Jesus in your time of fear; when He takes away the lesser it’s always to give you the greater.
Very often, God’s best requires facing something you fear. Jesus called Peter to come to Him. Deciding it was safer in the storm with Jesus than in the boat without Him, Peter took the plunge. But there’s always a moment after you step out in faith when you hear, ‘What if I’m not up to this?’ Peter heard it, and the waves began to engulf him. Panicked, he called and Jesus immediately rescued him. Peter wasn’t drowning; he was learning and growing! When you walk by faith, even your failures will lead to success. So step out with Jesus; He won’t let you drown.
So what now? Rely on God more today. Do something today that’s way out of your comfort zone – maybe it’s offering to pray for someone’s healing or giving your testimony.
**** last night i had a major freak out moment. i was totally spooked. my husband and son are away on school camp so it is just girls week here, me and evangeline. something happened and it made me feel very afraid. i deadbolted the door with the lock we don’t use at night (because its key lock and the kids wouldn’t be able to open it in a fire… our usual lock is fine, but, i wanted to take extra precautions) i left the kitchen light on. i checked everything twice. paced. and then i remembered, what is the psalm i’m so into at the moment. psalm 27. of whom shall i be afraid? so i spoke to my soul and i declared the reign of jesus over our home and that no weapon formed against us would prosper. and i went to bed. punching fear in the face.
*** housegroup plan for tonight
{WORSHIP SET}
One Thing Remain
{SKYPE} Psalm 27
{8 TO BE GREAT} 1. Passion. 2. Work. 3. Focus. 4. Push. 5. Ideas. 6. Improve. 7. Serve. 8. Persist.
{101} Group and Pair Discussion
P: What does “success” mean to you?
P: What is your definition of influence?
P: What are you doing with the influence you currently have?
P: Are there discrepancies between what you desire in your heart and what you are doing with your life?
G: "You only have as much influence as people have respect for you." How do you increase or get credibility?
G: What does the bible say about credibility and influence?
Too many people are content to live a life of information rather than revelation. But knowledge alone will never inflame a sustained blaze in you to love Jesus passionately. Only revelation will do that ~ Banning Liebscher
G: World changers understand their dream of the Kingdom of God invading earth doesn’t come by simply sitting around inactive. They know “the ball is in their hands and take steps to co-labour with Jesus and see His desire fulfilled. What are two things you could do today to shift your life out of passive mode and into an offensive posture?
P: Think back to a time when you felt the love of God. Talk about how it happened and how it impacted your life. In what way did it change and empower you?
P: Pray for each other
i love this song after hearing on the end of the Jesus Culture Leadership Podcast… but love the free worship on this youtube clip…
All the angels cry out, Holy is the Lord God All the earth replies, Holy are You All the angels cry out, Holy is the Lord God All the earth replies, Holy are You
in a fwe weeks we have our ILLUMINATE Daughters Conference – so excited! this week has been busy organising giveaways and goodie bag treats! i’ve been so impressed by our local community (connected on fb) who have donated goods and services to bless our women. makes my heart sing.
okay while this isn’t perhaps something i totally love, because how sad is it for the diner and how sad it is for jamie but loving the awareness getting out there about allergies and coeliacs. i don’t have coeliacs, i was tested but i don’t have the gene. but i have been told that sometimes an allergy or an intolerance can be worse because a ceoliacs can sometimes eat without symptoms (they so shouldn’t cheat though! so bad for you!) whereas an allergic or intolerant person will react almost immediately and violently. last year i toasted my buns to make a quick chicken roll for dinner before i dashed out to a church leaders meeting. i toasted the buns on top of the paper i had just cooked my kids dinner on. battered chicken nuggets. boom. 1/4 hour into the meeting. i was so unwell. sooooo unwell and didn’t think i would make it home in one piece! i don’t eat out at all now (because i have a complex combo of allergies) but so think restaurants and cafes need to be so vigilant in caring for their diners if they market their food as safe. i also have to point out that i totally love jamie oliver – love his mission, love his tv, love his revolution!
Coeliac sufferer made ‘violently sick’ at Jamie Oliver restaurant: Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver’s Italian restaurant chain was fined £8,000 after a woman who told staff three times she was allergic to gluten was served wheat pasta.
okay so i totally pinched this from Paisley Jade – brilliance… i think is my favourite! no wait the second one is… okay they might all be…
okay so NOT totally loving this nusery spider hanging out on our bbq over right next to the laundry door (we have an outside access to the laundry.) freaked me out. i totally girl screamed and had both of my guys running! of course we then had to catch it, photograph it and then caleb relocated it. on a tree down and across the road. after he went and showed the neighbour. he has then informed me that there may be “family” hanging around our house. great. i’m never going outside again. or opening a door or window.
we had a fun week with my parents up from the South Island – on sunday we also invited Tony’s mum (bottom photo) for the afternoon too. we made the most of a half hour window of sunshine to take some family photos.
and as always. i love Jesus with all i am and all my heart and all my soul and all my days. For His glory and the building of His kingdom and the rescue of the lost.
so what are you totally loving this week?
… check out what other peeps are loving whatever day of the week it is over at MNM’s BLOG
Revivals begin with God’s own people; the Holy Spirit touches their heart anew, and gives them new fervor and compassion, and zeal, new light and life, and when He has thus come to you, He next goes forth to the valley of dry bones…Oh, what responsibility this lays on the Church of God! If you grieve Him away from yourselves, or hinder His visit, then the poor perishing world suffers sorely! Andrew Bonar
We have to let Heavens strategy guide our Earthly activity and get on the same page with God. Like marching around Jericho, like stepping out of the boat onto the water, like facing off against a giant, like sending the worship team at the head of the army God has a unique way of doing things – He has the power but He uses us to demonstrate His reality and goodness. When we say YES He steps in and moves. The walls fell AFTER they walked around the city. Peter walked on water AFTER he stepped out of the boat. David defeated Goliath AFTER he stepped in the ring to fight, Jehosaphat won the battle after worshipping God. The valley of dry bones became a roaring army AFTER Ezekeiel prophesied. What is your AFTER moment? What is God calling you to step out into? from DRY BONES
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. Romans 8:28-29
we know.
and we know.
and we have this awareness and revelation.
we know.
we know that God is good and that He is faithful and that He is our Heavenly Father.
we know that He is the same today as yesterday and will be tomorrow.
we know that He has done all that needs to be done to make us His children and that it is by grace and grace alone that we are saved.
we know that God is at work in our lives and His intentions are good.
He is at work in our lives turning what was meant for evil around for good and for His glory.
He is at work for the good.
but i am aware that sometimes OUR perception of good is very different from GOD’S perception of good.
God is at work in our lives to conform us to the likeness of His Son, Jesus.
He is at work in us forming godly character, at work creating a family resemblance.
sometimes character formation isnt a happy task.
but God isnt at work for the happiness of us. He is at work for the good.
like a Father.
because of that reality, that WE KNOWNESS, i choose to trust God and His handiwork in my life.
i can trust that He is at work for good and for His glory
there is a reward
there is a triumph
and in the process His heart cry is that we come to Him.
I need a song to sing to You
I stand in awe of what You do
I need words to describe
All that You are, what I feel inside
You whisper deep inside my heart
You show my glimpses of who You are
Iris Ministries & Will Reagan {I NEED A SONG}
i need a song. i need a song to communicate to others and TO MYSELF the greatness and goodness of God.
worship REMINDS us who God is, His greatness, His goodness, His power, His grace
it REFOCUSES our attention on Him, His greatness, His goodness, His power, His grace
it REFRESHES our heart and CONNECTS us in RELATIONSHIP
it is an expression of love, adoration, surrender
worship reinforces what matters most, reminds us of truths we forget and renews our desire to live what we believe. Rick Warren
a song comes from within me,
rising up and expresses my feelings towards God.
it rises up and declares faith in His power and majesty.
it rises up and gives Him the honour He is due, as Saviour, Creator, Lord.
a song sings to me, reminding me of His love, power and character.
there have being seasons and times which have had “a soundtrack” – a particular song that expresses how i feel or what God is doing at the moment. there are seasons when a song has resonated so within me that it becomes etched in my heart and allows the truth within the words to write comfort and hope in my mind and soul. these songs are God given, His graceful gift to me. His language to me is in songs.
One of note is COME TO ME by Bethel, that was released, as a pre release, on the day tony’s dad died. i downloaded it for free and had it on repeat for weeks. it was HIS song for me for that moment, His love song that He sung over me. (Zephaniah 3:17)
God is so worthy, there are not enough words in the universe to accurately express the wonder and wonderfulness He is. but i will sing. i will try.
Worship Songs I Love:
Oceans // Hillsong {my fav worship song at the moment}
Anchor // Bethel Church
you are the song I sing, you are the song I sing, Jesus, With every breath I breathe , With every song I sing, I want to shout it out, Lord I am listening Spirit Speaks
you’re the one that paints with light the night, you’re always not wrong, and never not right, there’s not enough words on earth to describe, or to put into song, or compare with the brightness of your majesty // MAJESTY
Psalm 5:11 But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.
Psalm 7:17 I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High.
Psalm 13:6 I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me.
Psalm 57:9 I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples.
Psalm 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
Psalm 101:1 I will sing of your love and justice; to you, Lord, I will sing praise.
Five Minute Friday is a feature over at Lisa-Jo Bakers TALES FROM A GYPSY MAMA blog. i first read about it on my friend Fee’s blog and thought it sounded fun!
So, let’s do this thing. Let’s write.
Set your timer, clear your head, for five minutes of free writing without worrying about getting it right.
1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
Revival is about as much of a miracle as a crop of wheat. If you don’t plow, sow, water and reap you will never see a revival. if you plant the seed God has given you and pray over the place where you live and partner with the Holy Spirit you will watch God move in your region this year.
~ Andrew Robertson
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