The Door Is Open To Everyone

For those that lie. For those that kill. For those that bully. For those that steal. For the fatherless. For the gossip. For the sexually immoral. For the spiritually dry. For the cheater. For the abuser. For the people pleaser. For the broken-hearted.

Jesus opened the door for us all to enter.

Since yesterday the Lord was putting this scene from The Bible movie in my heart, where Jesus tells Peter that "the door is open to everyone.". I went back to the book of Acts this morning to study this because I could tell it was on God's heart for me. But before that, I found myself looking at the cost of being a disciple in the book of Luke and I was amazed by how the Holy Spirit revealed the passage to my heart. I've read it so many times before, but it completely ties in to the Acts verses that I'm going to share.

(Luke 14:26-27) If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. 

Jesus was being fallowed by a huge crowd and he stops to explain to them the true meaning of being His disciple the cost of following Him. He didn't deceive them. Before He let them continue walking beside Him He made sure to let them know that this wasn't some kind of magic show...it was a lifestyle. He plainly told them that following Him would look bad to those they loved here on this earth and that they had to get to the point of passionately disliking everything in the world in comparison to Him. We are born into a temporary family here on earth but let us not forget that our eternal home is not here. Jesus told them that there could be no comparison between God and this world. This is hard for our minds to wrap around but we're not being asked to abandon "our lives" for an imperfect human or possession...we are being invited to lose our way of doing life for Him who gave us life, a mission, and unfailing love. Just like a police-man has the obligation to report a case even if it's his own family member, Jesus was trying to explain that following meant choosing Him at all times. He explained that the true weight of carrying ones cross was not a couple of wooden pounds...it's the weight of denying yourself. And that is why He said that if you're building something first you measure it's cost and if there is war ahead of you, chose to wave your white flag if you see you can't handle it. Basically Jesus was telling us to choose and to choose wisely if He and His example to be lived out was truly what we were willing to do. Are we willing to lose our lives for His sake? If He said study this because I need you to go reach those that would never step foot inside a church for counseling, would you do it even though you wanted to be a professional singer? What if tomorrow He told you to move to Mexico to rescue teens off the streets and teach them about the God that loves them and you had a wife and kids? Did it just get a little uncomfortable? It's suppose to. I'll be the first to say that this kind of thinking scared me a couple years back. But it's Jesus and it's truth. Of course it's going to freak us out because we're use to this earth and what it's taught us. The moment we fill ourselves with God's Word and His truth though, our mind is renewed and heaven thinking becomes natural, the way it's suppose to be. It feels like home because it's our true identity. I love the book that I'm currently reading right now by Francis and Lisa Chan because he states that the picture of Jesus and all that He did is beautiful to us, but when it comes to living it out it stops being so attractive. Forgiving our offender. Praying for the backstabber. Truly and sincerely loving people. Oh I know it's hard but if Jesus said it then it's legit. If my blameless Savior managed to show love and mercy after He was mocked and spit in the face then I know that I can do it. He became fully human and oh my gosh, we're fully human. He showed us that with the Holy Spirit's power it is possible to be set apart. We can try to make up all the excuses we want to in our earthly wisdom to get around it but the truth is painted in red. What Jesus did can not be erased or altered. He lived and modeled God's ideal love for us so that we could act on it. Trust me when I say that when we do not show mercy it will not be shown to us. But what I'm tired of always being the one to do this and no one returns the love or the patience. Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. Always keep Him in mind and continue. If you are always the one to apologize or forgive then continue to do it. The Word says to not grow weary of doing good because in due time you will reap what you've sown. Our mind set has got to change and the only way to do it is to spend time with the one who conquered this earth. Spend time with Jesus. It is our God-given assignment to forgive, to love, and to be merciful. After reading this I then hopped a few pages over to the book of Acts.

(Acts 10:15) The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”

I love reading this. This was the moment that Jesus made it clear that He made a way for every single human-being, Jewish or not, to boldly enter. He called us clean even before we repented to show us that His love was first and that the rest was up to us. It's p to us to invite Him into our hearts and into the life we live so that He can have His way. Trust, His way is so much sweeter. He cleansed us with His blood and made us white as snow. Jesus fulfilled the law and paid our ransom with His very life so that no one could deny us entrance into God's presence. I've been saved for six years now and that deep deep fact will never cease to break and tear my heart. I melt at the thought of my Savior Jesus being hurt to the point of not appearing human anymore. I cry because that should have been me. I deserved that torcher, but He quieted me and took the beating for me. I can picture Him looking at me and saying, "do you believe I love you now?" I marvel at His goodness and kind nature. His surrender and sacrifice astound me. But I don't just want my mind to explode...I want my heart and body to act on it. That is the calling. The mission for why you and I were sent here.

(Acts 10:28) He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean.

God saw our hearts. He looked at the goodness that he planted that we let the world corrupt. His Son was not sparred, He was given up. The ultimate injustice on our behalf, but the ultimate justice on God's behalf. In our earthly thinking it's unjust to feel pain or to sacrifice but notice that while we think that we don't think about the injustice of the Son of God doing that for us. Mind-renew-check. So that we would never think that God was unjust He gave up Himself. Creator in exchange for His creation that He loved. We cry and become bitter when the things of this world are taken from us yet we don't think about the pain of an innocent Savior bleeding from the weight of his body on a cross suspended by a couple of nails. Gravity pushing Him down, His beautiful heart had to take His Father turning away from Him because He was drenched in our sin. That is why Jesus can look straight at us because only He could understand. Only He could stare sin right in the face because He overcame it. He took on all of our sins, every single one. And that is why Jesus told Peter to look past who we were and preach Jesus because Jesus tore the vail that separated us from God and humiliated the enemy. He went to hell and bought our souls with His blood and never did He regret it. Whether or not some of those souls would chose to say yes to Him, He gave us that much worth. Even the thought of the pain wasn't enough to turn our sweet Savior away. It is finished and now we have to carry His legacy until the end of our days.

(1 Peter 2:23-24) When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”

(1 Peter 4:1) Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.

Youtube Series: Christ-Centered Relationships

Happy first day of September! I'm a little bias though because it is my birth month. Anyway...I'm really excited to share with you guys what preachings I've been listening to on-line. A week before I got engaged, I began to pray about marriage and for God to make me into the person that He wanted be to be. Like I said in my previous posts, the Lord told me to delight in Him so that I could let go of anxiety, worry, and frustration to experience His joy. I went on Youtube last week and stumbled upon Pastor Francis Chan and his wife Lisa Chan talking about what marriage truly looks like to God and the purpose that God has for it on earth. Let me be honest you guys...I love them. I mean, I felt like I had just eaten a full meal and felt satisfied. I didn't get to finish them all in one day so I broke the three videos into parts by watching at home, before class, or before bed. I knew God had intended for me to watch these videos all along to confirm what He's doing in my life. I was so moved by the Lord that I even ordered their book (which I'm leaving y'all a link to the best deal I could find), "You And Me Forever: Heaven In The Light of Eternity", that recently came out a few days after I watched their videos. I totally love these videos and the message that I know is on God's heart for His kids who are planning on getting married and who already are. You might watch these and think that they're meant for married couples but truly I tell you that if we as single gents and ladies prepare our minds for this before-hand, we will be walking in with God's beautiful vision for this. Hope y'all enjoy and feel free to comment. I myself am taking a a lot of notes for myself and also for some good Facebook posting. Have a good labor day!

Christ-Centered Relationships Series: Pastor Chan & Lisa Chan

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

The Process: Loving People & Giving Your Life in Prayer

At one point along our spiritual journey we will all come face to face with the realization of what love really means. I'm talking about moving in God's powerful, transforming, and sin-covering love. Whether someone in your family hurts you, your best friend betrays you, your brother and sister's in Christ speak falsely against you the reality is we're in a hurting world that is crying out for the real children of God to rise up and take their place. The children of God that forgive seven times seventy times, that speak life, that pursue holiness, that move in the spirit, that walk in faith, that promote true peace, that go forth in spiritual warfare, that pray without ceasing, and that love. And that love. And that love. And that love! The sooner we realize that the moment we decide to follow Jesus we're all automatically walking as a work in progress along the narrow road, the sooner we can receive grace and give it to other's. Because we are all like clay jars in the hands of the potter, being perfected in Christ until Jesus returns for us, His bride. All of us. I've struggled with this and I've seen other children of God battle with this type of attitude: Well at least now we're on the road you know so we're ok. No. Oh, no. I was so wrong thinking this. We are all being perfected and whether we'd like to suppress the fact or not, we all have a plank in our eye that still needs to be removed before we can take care of our brother's or sister's plank. God is becoming strong in our weaknesses day by day as we're seeking Him so as we walk forth lets encourage one other, rebuke in love, forgive, and move forward. I'm going through something so difficult right now that if you were to have told me growing up what was to come I would have fled in fear. I can trust God with my life's picture now. I can trust God with the people I love and know that even though I thought my plan was beautiful for them God's is spectacular and full of glory. There's a scripture that the Holy Spirit has been bringing to me through this rough time and it is...

*~*~*

(Luke 6:31) Do to others as you would have them do to you.

*~*~*

This verse has been becoming flesh in me. Forgive as you would like to be forgiven. Love as you would like to be loved. Encourage as you would like to be encouraged. Live the life that you would like to see others live in Christ. These are true words but accomplishing them  is easier said than done. The only way that I can explain to you how I'm doing this is by telling you that through my process I've faced situations where I know I should forgive but couldn't so I prayed and literally cried out with all my heart for God to do in me what I couldn't and I've failed miserably sometimes. But as time has past and I've matured in faith doing the impossible has become possible because the one who makes things possible is invading my heart and emotions more and more. Simple truths of maturing in Christ are prayer, fasting, and filling ourselves with God's Word. The gospel. Jesus. As you walk more and more you won't have to ask WWJD because His Word will slowly become flesh the more you read, fast, pray, and apply. 

There's one well known fact that we have all come to know and if you haven't trust, you will know: When we face hard times we come to know who our true friends are. I'm here to tell you that when you go through trials or you or someone you love stumbles you will realize who's a mature christian, who's not, and who never was.  Those that rebuke you in love and stand by your side by breathing Christ's redemptive power and loving grace into your life I would define as mature christians because though they too are walking in the process, the Spirit of God is at work in them revealing to them Christ-like character that is visible. The proof is in the fruit. I've been doing some things that are completely out of my character and human nature that I can only accredit to Jesus in me. I don't feel rejected and betrayed when everything in this world says I should. My culture says one thing but God's culture is above it all. I've talked to people who I thought I'd never talk to. I'm stepping into places I never in a million years thought I'd step into. And I feel peace when I really shouldn't. I really shouldn't. It isn't normal. It's God. Only God could do this!

Continual prayer has sustained me, I know. Talking to God when I wake, as I shower, in the car, between meals and classes, before bed, and during the night when I wake up and feel my spirit itching to be fed. Right now I'm battling for my best friend, praying that God's will be done in his life no matter what that looks like in God's eyes. In my eyes that picture should be so scary right now but any moment I begin to worry or he comes to my mind or I look up and see our bracelet I just pray. I don't want to block what God is doing so I pray for God's will to be done, for repentance and for a miracle. I can see that these months that I've spent specifically praying for him have been crucial because God is rearranging things not the way I wanted or would have planned but the way He knows is best. I'm thankful to have another friend who has gone through what I'm going through and is in prayer agreement with me and lifting me up and pouring out grace. I'm thankful for blessings in the middle of chaos and for love and forgiveness. My desire is to really reflect Jesus through this and while others abandon ship, I want to stand at the forefront. Even if someone doesn't know how to return love...just love like Jesus. I woke up reading The Word and the same part of a verse kept being confirmed during my morning. I'm taking a hold of it and battling through this. I encourage you today with Luke 18:1 that tells us that we should "always pray and not give up." Jesus said this. Don't give up! If an unbelieving cruel judge can be swayed by a persistent widow, will not our heavenly Father hear our prayers if Jesus made a way for us? He hears. Keep praying and let His picture be revealed in His timing. Don't lose heart. God bless and much love in Christ!

Worship Freely Tunes {20}

Ok. If you've been on my facebook or instagram recently then you know that I can not, I repeat...can not, get this song out of my head! Last night all of our internet was out and all I had left was my handy dandy cell. I had to search for some info about Carl Rogers for my Abnormal Psychology class and low and behold I find myself a song on my history that I never searched for. Hmmm...Coincidence? I think not. You know those moments when you can't explain why you give something so insignificant your full attention? My moment right there. I went to youtube and typed in the song title and I almost wanted to cry when I heard this song. I slumped down in my bed and thought, my Jesus...It was like my spirit spoke. Hope y'all enjoy!

"Love Knows No End"- Hillsong

Worship Freely Tunes {19}

This song is from Kim & Skyler's newest album called "Home." The first time I heard this song I felt like finally not just a christian love song but a song that really makes me think about Jesus my bridegroom and I His bride. I think this song is really special, at least to me it is. It makes me smile. If you've never heard it have a listen and if you have share your thoughts. 

"My One And Only"- Kim Walker & Skyler Smith

In Pursuit of True Love

*~*~*

An unending love I seek.

A beloved with whom my heart can beat.

To feel complete.

To overflow.

An unending true love I seek.

That which this world can not offer.

For that I hunger.

I ran and ran to look for love.

I searched and searched with no one to hug.

I was tossed around by the wind.

Then suddenly I fell into true loves first kiss.

Heaven and earth once again met.

Outstretched arms held me tight.

I lifted up my eyes.

My best friend.

My lover. My prince. 

All in one.

I will pursue Him with all my love.

*~*~*

(Hosea 2:14) 

“Therefore I am now going to allure her; 

I will lead her into the wilderness 

and speak tenderly to her.

(Hosea 2:16)

“In that day,” declares the Lord,
    “you will call me ‘my husband’;
    you will no longer call me ‘my master.

(Hosea 2:19-20)

I will betroth you to me forever;
    I will betroth you in righteousness 

and justice, in love and compassion.
 I will betroth you in faithfulness,
    and you will acknowledge the Lord.

 I'm browsing through my Itunes and listening to some songs by Bethel, Eunice Rodriguez, and United Pursuit. Busy busy but a good break does the heart some good. I've been thinking...

True Love. I want this so bad. Whether God has someone in the future for me or not I hit a place in my heart where I just said, Lord I'm going to love you regardless, I'm going to worship you regardless. When we're called to God's purposes all of the crazy, messy, beautiful, and just plain odd things will come together in the end for our good. His word says it so I believe it. I've seen it before so why would any other case be different? I'm in the pursuit of true love. I want to constantly keep the fire burning in my heart so that the joy of my salvation never fades. And trust, things have tried to burn out my handy dandy candle. What The Lord has been placing in my heart is that He is my husband. This really hit me hard. For so long I wanted someone to touch when all this time that special someone was walking right beside me. I'm married. Bam! Right? It was like He was saying: Be faithful to me, I'm your best friend, be a friend back because it's my utmost desire to be with you. My love life???...hmmm...I want God to be my love life right now. I want the well and I need the well right now, not a bucket. I'm in pursuit of true love and the definition of love is my sweet Jesus. He's The One I need right now. Some days these words resonate while other days my heart aches because of what my heart wants but in that wilderness, in that visible solitude God is at work. The moment we feed our Spirit Man He takes over and our heart is at peace and the way we perceive our surroundings changes. I pray for a mind renewal in the wildernesses of our lives and for true love to come forth. That's a good place to start, falling in love with The Lord. And if we're already head over heals in love, let's go further and deeper. There's no end. There's always more we can give and there's always more we can be given.



"The wilderness will contain our greatest difficulties,
but also some of our most glorious experiences."

                                                                                                      

                                                                                               -Rick Joyner 

Worship Freely Tunes {15}

A Season Of Seeking Out The Hidden Things

When we find ourselves secluded theses are the seasons where one on one with The Holy Spirit we grow and mature. There is always a lesson to be taught and learned. I find myself in this season right now and The Lord is who He says He is. Faithful and true, holding my hand and walking me through. After some adjustments in my life The Lord revealed to my heart and placed this scenario before me: "There is a bus that is taking you and others to the next season and you got on early. Better to be the first one on than the last because the last ones to get on I had to push and force so they come hurt, scared, and confused. This is a season of seeking out the hidden things." I've been hearing this in my Spirit and then came God's word to confirm His spirit taught words to me:

*~*~*

(Isaiah 26:20) 

Go, my people, enter your rooms 

and shut the doors behind you; 

hide yourselves for a little while 

until his wrath has passed by.

(Isaiah 45:3) 

I will give you hidden treasures, 

riches stored in secret places, 

so that you may know that 

I am the Lord, the God of Israel, 

who summons you by name.

(Isaiah 48:6-7) 

You have heard these things; 

look at them all. Will you not admit them? 

“From now on I will tell you of new things, 

of hidden things unknown to you. 

They are created now, and not long ago; 

you have not heard of them 

before today. So you cannot say, 

‘Yes, I knew of them.’ 

*~*~*

I've been what feels like the last one on the bus and it is not pretty...it hurts. I thought my wounds were going to kill me but my Lord healed me and only the scars remain. I never understood the scripture that reads that God wounded us but now He would heal us until I encountered these seasons. God raises a banner and calls out to us but sometimes we hesitate for too long and enter a zone of false comfortability. And then He is forced to drag us because He loves us and can not sit there and watch us miss the prepared table that He has set before us. The confusion and pain won't last forever because our God is faithful and will bind our wounds and wipe our tears. There is rest in knowing who we are in Christ and what God wants us to really do. We will never be able to fit a man-made mold. That yoke is too heavy and only brings us neverending burdens. They are burdens disguised as servanthood obedience and kingdom obligations but God will not permit His loved ones to be fooled. 

*~*~*

(Psalm 127:1-2) 

Unless the Lord builds the house,

    the builders labor in vain.

Unless the Lord watches over the city,

    the guards stand watch in vain.

2 

In vain you rise early and stay up late,

toiling for food to eat—

    for he grants sleep to those he loves.

*~*~*

Just two Sundays ago I had this vision during the service while the team and I were worshiping in song and what I saw was a beautiful treasure box. I felt my Lord's excitement. He wanted His people to open it. He desired for us to open it. I say "us" because He longs for all of His children to want more of Him. To be curious and child-like in our Daddy's spiritual matters. This makes Him happy. The treasures of our Father's heart are found through communion and relationship with prayer, worship, and reading scripture in spirit and in truth. 

There are things that I've had to step away from because God is dealing in His way with those things and desires to keep me on His track. Those "things" in the natural seem good and should have God's stamp of approval because they are ministry related and done in His name but God's ways are higher and so much sweeter. Can anybody say amen?! Some people won't agree but that's OK, the murmurs just have to roll off your back. In the secret place with The Lord and with the support of those around you who can truly perceive the move of God this period of time will bring a new revelation of who God says you are. In this season, unlike other past seasons, it was easy for me to let go and move with the Spirit of God because I know He's going to teach me something good. I've tasted this very fruit in the past and I've seen God's goodness and the joy that overflows from His dwelling place.

On another note, My Summer II Mexican American Lit class officially starts tomorrow and I couldn't be any more excited. My best friend is also teaching me to play piano, something a few seasons past I thought would be impossible. My excuse was that I'm not a good multi-tasker but God just laughs at my excuses and hugs me before sending me on my way. I've been reading through The Bible so much to the point where it's been a day long thing sometimes. I know I won't always have that kind of time so this season is so important to and for me. It's a step back in order to step in. A hungry heart The Lord cannot resist and that's my purpose in this time...to love on my God and to rest in the fact that my Beloved's desire is for me.

Morning Conversation: A Love Revelation

I think a lot. Especially while I drive on my way to school. If you were to be in the seat next to me you would see and listen to me pray, sing, worship and converse with God. That's my time. My ipod is as high as my ears can take though my spirit can handle any level really because He's on fire. Well, anyways, on my usual (or not so usual) drive today as always I stepped into God's presence (yes, all while driving and no I did not have my eyes closed...so not recommended at all!) and we just started talking like we always do. While I verbally talk He listens and then I listen as He begins to respond in whatever way He chooses. Every day is different. He always keeps me on my toes waiting for His romantic surprise. And today I said,"God you had it all but still you chose to create me...us all. Why?"

(Long pause)

"Because of love. You longed to love me...you longed to love and longed to be loved. I know people say that you don't need it but that's not how love works anyway. One loves not out of need but out of love. The need to love comes after. And I love you because you loved me first."

How can loving another come out of love? 

Love is the fountain and therefore anything 

we do comes out of that fountain. So to 

love we need to be loved and only God 

can fulfill that. Only God is that portion 

and perfect complement.

Random Snippets: Preparation, Fire, Love

“If we want to be transformed we first need to be informed and to be informed we need to be instructed.”

             —Kris Vallotton

We all must go through stages and seasons of preparation because without learning periods we would be walking through life thinking that ignorance is bliss. I am the first to stop right there and admit that it is abso-tu-ta-lutely not. It's scary and frustrating when we don't know what to do and when we don't have the answers. It's like trying to put together a brand new desk by looking at a picture because we're too lazy to read and follow the instructions step-by-step. Guys, girls, friends nobody on this earth taught us to enjoy the preparation because our human and carnal nature just wants to survive and live life by jumping through hoop after hoop. I've learned to enjoy the calm seasons and the wacky-out-a-control seasons also. For a while it's like we're either in a desert with no one around to support  or befriend us, or like everything is getting too hectic to stand. In particular, I want to address the seasons of solitude. Us and God and nobody else (so it seems). Literally, it's like where have all the Christians gone? It's a season of preparation. I asked God a while back what was going on with this and why I felt this way and He simply answered by giving me this image in my mind: I was a Porcelain Doll inside of a wooden hutch with glass doors, protected and hidden. I asked The Lord what this meant and I just felt Him say, "You're that doll and right now that is exactly how I have you because when it's time for you to move I'll take you out but until then I'm protecting you because I'm going to teach you during this period of time." Preparation. Enjoy the learning process and take close notes because you will need them later on for what God has begun to do with you.

Someone once said that my generation had fire but no foundation. Well that was my spiritual cue to get even more fired up. You see the events and the retreats are great but they flame out while true passion for God just cannot because it only takes one taste of His water to never thirst again. I will continue my preparation but at the same time I know God is using me to lay down the foundation for His temple. That temple is every one of us because the Word of God tells us that our bodies are the Temple of The Holy Spirit. We are The temple. The hardest thing is to start up a fire but once you get it really going there's no stopping it. The first song I actually sang in church when I was little was, 

///Oh this little light of mine

I'm gonna let it shine///

*~*~*

///Don't let Satan blow it out

No, I'm gonna let it shine///

*~*~*

///Let it shine///

If the fire is already there then now all I've got to do is fan it so that it can't be blown out. God is using you and I to lay down the foundation in the hearts of His children. We're going to bridge the generation gaps. My generation will not only have the fire (which is *extremely important) but also the foundation that is God's Word. When someone is in love though, nobody has to make them do anything because they will do it out of love. That's also what I've been called to do. I'm like the wing-woman, the third wheel bestie, the match-maker. I'm that vehicle that God uses to lead others to Him, to encounter Him, and He does the rest. He does the wooing and the candle-lighting. To accomplish this we need to let The Holy Spirit prepare us and mold us. If getting into God's word is hard for you then don't ask God to help you like reading ask Him to make you fall more and more in love with Him. Because love is what God is all about and that's what our worship to Him is born from. Love is like a burning flame that cannot be easily put out.

(Song of Solomon 8:6-7) 

Place me like a seal over your heart,

like a seal on your arm; 

for love is as strong as death,

    its jealousy unyielding as the grave.

It burns like blazing fire,

    like a mighty flame.

⁷ 

Many waters cannot quench love;

    rivers cannot sweep it away.

If one were to give

    all the wealth of one’s house for love,

    it would be utterly scorned.

Some questions for you:

Do you have someone who mentors you?

Who can you be an example for?

Is it enjoyable for you to get into God's word?

Has God been revealing His heart to and for you on a deeper level?

Does your Worship (intimate and congregational) reflect Solomon's 8:6-7 verse?

What questions do you have?...

The Depths Of Love

*~*~*~*~*

(Song of Solomon 8:6-7)

Place me like a seal over your heart,

    like a seal on your arm.

For love is as strong as death,

its jealousy as enduring as the grave.

Love flashes like fire,

    the brightest kind of flame.

⁷ 

Many waters cannot quench love,

    nor can rivers drown it.

If a man tried to buy love

    with all his wealth,

    his offer would be utterly scorned.

*~*~*~*~*

Divine Romance

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Finally...home sweet home. My last class ended tonight at 6:00 and I am officially ready to be wrapped in my lover's arms. The Holy Spirit is my sweet valentine here with me. He's done so many interesting and romantic things lately to catch my attention that have all lead up to this one question: Will you be mine? You see, He knows that I don't just want a nice-and-easy or casual relationship. On Tuesday I asked God, "How deep can I go...take me there, as deep as possible and don't let go of me." I want to be there. Living in that moment of pure over-bubbling ooie-gooie love that at the same time is so fierce and powerful that no human force can contain it. The Holy Spirit gave me the most beautiful present that my heart was longing for. There, in a humble gathering of young adults with two acoustic guitars, a bongo, expectant hearts, and God's presence I received the gift of speaking in tongues. My heart had been aching for that Acts 2 moment until finally by surprise it came. The Holy Spirit met me right where I was: hungry, worshiping in spirit and in truth with nothing to hide and all to give.I'm God's. I'm Jesus'. I'm The Holy Spirit's. I'm their's. I'm His. Those encounters shape us, I mean to encounter the living God is life-changing. My belly was warm and I was balling out tears. My God is my valentine not just for a day but for an eternity because He chose me long before I chose Him, but it took me way too long to understand those love letters He kept passing along my way through the years. He's been with me through every step. My secret admirer. Now I pursue Him willingly, boldly, and wholeheartedly. So because all the time my lover has invested in me has accumulated I want to give some of it back. With a sweet raspberry tea in one hand and with my Bible and journal in another I will be having a date night with my King. Just me and Him. I feel all too happy to just be. To dwell. To be filled. Those quiet times are irreplaceable and oh so crucial because just like we want to know what's in our lover's heart, He longs to hear our heart as well. It's time!

To be continued...

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Valentine's Day Playlist

   

Valentine's Day Playlist from deyassong on 8tracks Radio.

Love Trails

I love, love, love, love, love...love my God. My sweet Daddy always knows what's best for me. This girl right here typing away wanted to be an architect and was ready to head off to Austin TX to make that plan happen, but (God loves this word) the Lord had something higher in mind than I could have ever imagined. He left me trails of love to follow. Because you see, when your so out of your mind passionately in love with God your eyes are so unshakably fixed on His eyes that through that intimate relationship you come to know the desires of His heart and what He loves. Those desires become your desires because Jesus no longer has to pursue you now, that hunger is born and that desire causes us to pursue Him and press through anything and everything to get to Him. I was (an still am) so love sick that just like Elisha I burned up all my desires that I had clung so tightly to and simply followed my love with a love that is so powerful that one doesn't have to be blinded to follow. You see, I followed Jesus with eyes wide open knowing that my reality was crazy but His reality for me was perfectly planned. And that's been my journey up till today. I've been following those love trails especially through my whole college career. Things haven't always been so clear as to what I should do next but what was clear was that every time I had to take a step the Holy Spirit met me right there, reached for my arm, and guided me on forward to my next task. So now here I am almost two years later in the second semester of my second year of college seeing the fruit of my trust. I love what God has placed in my hands. Because I love Him, I love what He loves, and because I love what He loves, I just simply love. Rehabilitation with a Concentration in Addiction Studies. If words could express the passion and joy that I feel as I drive to school to just soak up the lectures my words would run short. I love it with all my heart. Now I see. Now I understand.

Trust God. Follow His love trail. Cling to Him. Give Him the glory. You will discover. You will fall in love with God's plans. Because you love Him. You will be victorious. His plans are higher. Trust. Follow the love trail.

(Romans 8:28)

Love Has A Name

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(Luke 2:6-7) While they were there, the time came for the baby 

to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped 

him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because 

there was no guest room available for them.

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(Luke 2:17-20) When they had seen him, they spread the word 

concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who 

heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered 

them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying 

and praising God for all the things they had heard and 

seen, which were just as they had been told.

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(John 3:16-17) 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. For God did not send his Son into the world to 

condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.

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For God so loved me...you and I. For He so loved. These words make my heart want to sing right this minute. I'm going to be meditating on this love not just throughout Christmas but every day of my life. It was the love of Jesus that revived me and gave me life. I bless the day that He came to this world to rescue me. I thank the Lord because Jesus lives and He lives in me. I want to shine as bright as the star that pointed the three kings on their way toward salvation and I want to leave a big trail of love just like my sweet Jesus has. We may not have the best to offer our Lord, at least not what He deserves, but we do have our lives. Our lives are worth more than anything because Jesus gave it that worth. So this Christmas and every day after I want to make my heart that humble stable for my Jesus to be born and reign in. Though He's already there, I always like to remember the moment that He found me and that the manger of my heart opened up its doors for Him. For years Jesus searched and pursued me until finally I realized that all I want to do now is pursue Him. It's not about giving Him the best of what you have, it's about giving Him all that you are. Just like Mary, I've grasped every single thing that Jesus has done for me and continues to do and I've stored up these treasures in my heart so that I never forget my first love. Jesus is the reason for it all because the word says that He came to save the gentile. You and I, unless we were Jewish, had no hope until hope was born. It's not about which day we celebrate His birth on because, like my daddy says, we should be celebrating every day. Joy! Our hope was born and lives in us! Let us celebrate Jesus every day and demonstrate our love for Him through obedience. Let us celebrate the day that grace was born! Oh my sweet Jesus, thank you for existing and thank you for being born in my heart.