His Purpose

We tend to think that if Jesus Christ compels us to do something and we are obedient to Him, He will lead us to great success.  We should never have the thought that our dreams of success are God's purpose for us.  In fact, His purpose may be exactly the opposite.  We have the idea that God is leading us toward a particular end or a desired goal, but He is not.  The question of whether or not we arrive at a particular goal is of little importance, and reaching it becomes merely an episode along the way.  What we see as only the process of reaching a particular end, God sees as the goal itself...

What He desires for me is that I see "Him walking on the sea" with no shore, no success, nor goal in sight, but simply having the absolute certainly that everything is all right because I see "Him walking on the sea" It is the process, not the outcome, that is glorifying to God.

-My Utmost for His Highest, July 28th

I thought this was so eye opening.  So inspiring.  I love the last paragraph. Even through the times when we can't see past the fog that is swarming in and the haze that is blinding our view, he's there. Walking on the stormy waters of our lives.  Always right beside us, holding our hand, coaxing us along or saving us from drowning.  He's even there in the good times, when the world is all rose colored.  In the times when we are blinded by such a happiness that we forget to thank the one who guided us through to brighter days.

 We may have our eyes set on some obscure goal, but His plan, His purpose for our lives is wrapped in so much more, it's our whole life story.  I don't think any one of us will ever fully be able to grasp what God has done in our lives...it's too glorious, too splendid.  His perfect interweaving of hardships, sorrows and joys. Through the mediums of our lives he creates a painting so beautiful it touches other's hearts.

Thoughtfully,
S

We Have Been Healed (from the Risen album)

This is a song from Sovereign Grace Ministries. I believe it adequately describes God's love. I hope you enjoy it!
Love, J

On Worship

I've been thinking a lot about my relationship with my true prince, Jesus.  I want my relationship with him to be first and foremost in my life.  So far I've tried waking up at 7:30 every morning to enjoy quiet time with him without any distractions.  I've woken up, but my one distraction makes it really hard to even read. Sleepyness!  My eyes go blurry and I can't even enjoy reading his word and my brain just zones out when I try to pray. But I'm sure with some consistent work on waking up, in a week I'll be doing great!  (I'll let you all know)

Today as I read Authentic Beauty this passage really struck my heart. Bare with me it is a little long.

Have you ever noticed how most worship services are filled with solemn-faced, distracted people, singing along mindlessly, more out of obligation than sincere adoration of their Prince?  Even in more expressive churches, I have talked with many worshipers who admit that they close their eyes and raise their hands simply because that is what is expected of them.  I believe the lack of sincere and heartfelt worship we often see today comes from the lack of Christians truly knowing their Lord.  Worship leaders often try to make the experience more enjoyable by adding cool guitar solos or smoke and lights on the stage.  but mere entertainment can never replace true, heartfelt worship.

There is something missing in most modern-day worship-- something I call tender reverence for our Prince.  We sing a lot of songs about our failures or desires, we shout out a lot of personal requests to heaven, and we may even get an emotional worship high by dancing, japing or clapping along with the beat.  There is a time and place for having fun, singing little mindless ditties about taking a bath, or scratching someone's back.  but how often do we tune out the rest of the world and stand speechless in wonder and awe at the incredible majesty of our Prince?  How often do we sing about His incredible love and sacrifice with tears of gratitude streaming unashamedly down our faces?  How often do we fall on our faces in adoration, stunned y His awesome power and amazed by His infinite tenderness?

I never understood what true worship was until I experienced deep, daily intimacy with my Prince in my inner sanctuary.  When I truly began to know Him, suddenly I couldn't help singing to Him of my adoration or falling on my knees in awe before HIm.  Sincere, tender reverence for my Prince became a natural outflow of my intimacy with Him, not only in worship services, but also as a lifestyle of worship every day.  nurturing ongoing intimacy with our Prince produces an effortless outpouring of adoration for Him.

Leslie Ludy Authentic Beauty Pg.183-184

Isn't that amazing to think!  Worship surrounding only him.  I mean I totally know how it feels to just go with the flow and to just robotically sing along at church, sometimes it's really tough to even worship at all. Sometimes the song just doesn't touch your soul cords, you don't understand what the words mean, so you just ignore them...I mean, got loves our pure, undivided worship.  and I want to give that to him.  I want to center my life around worshiping him and living solely for him!

Love always,
S