So Much More

This life, this relationship, this love is so much more than we could ever imagine.  We get so caught up in all the things of this life that we forget what is really important.  Anything we put before God, anything we focus all our thoughts on, is considered an idol!  We need to clear the stage of this life and make room for the focus and attention to be on the One who deserves all the glory! 


Verse:
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
Matthew 6:33


I found this song last night and found it so convicting.  I believe my words will just be extra after hearing this, so I will let God speak through this song.  Listen, reflect, and pray to clear the stage for the King of Kings for He is worth so much more! 


It's called Clear the Stage by Jimmy Needham
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpYClnBtH-4


I love you all! 

Draw Me Near

I realize there was no post last week, and for that I am sorry.  I was on spring break, and literally took a break from everything.  I spent time with the Lord, rejuvenated my spirit, and am back at this week.  This post is less of a lesson and more of a prayer.  I often find it easy to dig into the Word, to rattle off a message to you all, and to simply move on with my week.  From here on out, however, I want it to be a little different.  I want to enter into prayer with my Father, to really get to the core of my relationship with Him before I spread His word to all of you, so that we can all grow from these blogs.  

As most of you know, a friend of mine and I have a duo called The Grace Collective.  We have been working on a few more of our original pieces lately (getting them on Youtube eventually) and the following song contains lyrics that came straight from my heart.  It took me all of ten minutes to write this song because it simply was not me doing the work.  It was the cry and plea of my heart to envelop myself in the love and redemptive power of Christ.  

Draw Me Near - The Grace Collective

I have but one desire

To grow closer to You Lord

To seek Your heart of hearts

And strive to know you more

All other things in life

Will simply fade away

But, You, my Rock and King

Forever will remain

So let my heart ring true

And let my faith stand strong

All praise belongs to You

And to You we lift this song

Draw me near, Lord, to find shelter in Your love

Pull me closer, so I will know that You’re enough

And let me dwell, now, in the light of who You are

Just draw me near, Lord, just draw me near

Where You need me Lord

Give me strength to heed that call

And remind my heart that You

Will be the guiding light through all

I need nothing more than You

You’ve surrounded me with grace

I’ve been anointed by Your love

And I will live to seek Your face

For Your cup, it overflows

And new mercies You provide

You’ve ignited change within

Now draw me closer to Your side

Verse:

So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he'll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it's the only way you'll get on your feet.

James 4:7-10 of The Message

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dct2T7NrzXU

I pray these lyrics, this prayer, will not only be my prayer, but the prayer of all of you as well.  We live for and serve a mighty and awesome God.  He is so worthy of our praise, our time, and our love.  We must simply ask Him to draw us near. 

Exalt Him

We serve a mighty God, and today I want to give Him thanks.  He deserves more than we could ever offer, and yet He so desires and longs for the praise, love, and adoration we can bring before Him.  It seems like such a minuscule thing to take a minute and thank God for all He has done, but it is one of the most important things we can do as Christians.  Thanking Him, in every situation, strengthens our faith, builds a deeper relationship with Christ, and encourages us to keep pressing forward in the spiritual battle that is this  earthly life.  


Struggles come and hurt happens, but all that is temporary compared to the steadfast love and promise of everlasting life that can only be found in Christ Jesus.  In all things, give thanks.  Find the lesson, learn from it, and continue to strive towards that deeper relationship.  A true test of our faith is when we find ourselves in those difficult situations; it is easy to praise God when things are going well, but when we are pushed to our limits does He still get the praise He deserves?  I do not have all the answers, and I don't ever intend to.  Faith is about believing without seeing; I do not have to know every aspect of God's plan for my life to accept the fact that it is the best possible plan for me.  I simply believe it, and I strive to thank Him continually for all the wonderful things He has placed in my life. 




Verse:
LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago.
~Isaiah 25:1


Reflect on what God has done for you, how His tests have strengthened your life, and how you have learned from these trials to see that better and brighter paths have been opened up before you because of Him.  Thank Him, exalt Him, worship Him, and love Him.  He deserves all this and more!