Behold, I will allure her, will bring her into t he the wilderness, and speak comfort to her. I will return her vineyards to her and transform the valley of trouble into a gateway of hope. She shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, as in the day when she came up from the land of Egypt. Hosea 2:14-15 - Do not look upon me because I am dark— the sun has darkened my skin. My brother’s were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards, but my own vineyard I have not kept. Song of Solomon 1:6 - You are altogether beautiful, my love, and there is no spot in you. Song of Solomon 4:7 - Yet now He has reconciled you to Himself through Christ. As a result, He has brought you into His own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before Him without a single fault. Colossians 1:22 - There is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1
God has called you His own, His prized possession, the apple of His eye, His beloved. He loves you, all of You! And though you may think you are not worth it, God says you are. Though you may see yourself as junk, a pile of useless ashes, God sees you in His glorious splendor. He is a lover of ashes and can make all things new! Ask God to help you see yourself not through the lenses of this world, but through the lenses of Heaven.
Lover of Ashes, JJ Heller
Simple voice talk to me in simple words
Gentle wind come sing to me the songs that I know
Come to me and hold my heart inside of me
Come and see
Come and see in me
Oh lover of ashes Be patient with me
My filthy complexion is all that I see
But up from these ashes a beauty will rise
The pride of her father
Though humble in size
Perfect love Fill my soul with melody
Perfect words of perfect peace
I will breathe, I will sing
I will breathe, I will sing
Anxiety in the heart causes depression, but a good word makes it glad. Proverbs 12:25
A word fitly spokenis like apples of gold in settings of silver. Proverbs 25:11
Now listen, the words of the prophets with one accord encourage the king. Therefore please let your word be like the word of one of them, and speak encouragement. 2 Chronicles 18:12
I want to challenge you today to speak encouragement. Enough with the lecturing, pointing a finger and rubbing it in that you were right- speak encouragement.
Tell someone how blessed you are to know them.
Thank someone today for being who they are in your life.
Compliment someone on their smile.
Commend someone on the great job they are doing.
Tell your family and friends that you love them.
Speak Encouragement.
Speak a kind word.
Speak thankfulness.
Speak in love, in mercy, in grace.
This was not like any Friday...
The Environmental students were given an all day passes to skip other classes in order to spend that school day working outside. I spent all day with my fourth period class pulling weeds, planting, trimming, watering, moving many things around, among other garden work. Being teenagers we didn't just work hard outside, we killed time too. We talked, we laughed, we enjoyed each others company and at the end of the day we all said good-bye and went our merry way.
The weekend faithfully rolled in and with it much excitement. Saturday morning arrived with Prom preparations: hair, nails, makeup, dress, drive, arrive and party on. Sunday was more of a day of rest. And so the weekend had come and gone.
Monday Morning is a day I will never forget, along with the days leading up to it. We were greeted at school with the tragic news that three students had passed away during the weekend: two Senior boys right after Prom in a freak car accident and one teenage girl committed suicide. Horrible way to start the week. I didn't ask to many questions as too the who's and what, I just minded my own business. That is, until my first period class when someone asked me how I was coping with Susy's death.
It was as if they were talking about another Susy.
This couldn't be real. Susy. Susy!? But I had spent all Friday with her. We were talking, laughing and having a good time... suicide? All sorts of thoughts kept crossing my mind, nothing making sense. Still the fact remained, Susy had committed suicide Friday evening after school.
Susy was dead and I was left alive with questions, doubts, fears, guilt, regret and many days ahead of no sleep. She had spent all day with me, and I was too consumed with myself to see her need. I had spent all week and all day with her yet was too self-conscious to speak up and share with her what God had been prompting me to tell her. I spent all day with her and I was too self absorbed to offer her the only solution to her problems: Jesus.
It wasn't too long after that I vowed before the Lord that I would never be ashamed of the Gospel or hide it from anyone. With blood on my hands, tears in my eyes and after many years still heartbroken, I owe it to God (who has restored me) and Susy to speak up for the sake of the cross. Jesus died for you, for me, for that coworker of yours that seems fine, for the student that sits next to you in class, for the guy who you cross paths with on random days, He died for all... you may never have a next time to share Christ with those around you. I beg you, do not be to afraid to intrude with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Next Time, The Arrows Band
I never get tired of believing You I never get tired of trying to breakthrough I just get tired of myself sometimes Cus' you know that it's so easy to be human It's so easy to make excuses But the simple truth is I was too scared of intruding These are peoples lives you're playing with He said Every time you get a little bit scared You let another one slip through the net He said They need Me more than you need to be comfortable I said stop listening to your head Oh and Listen to Me Your mind doesn't understand the things that I see Next time next time next time listen to Me Because my voice should be louder than your reasoning, your reasoning Those human things Cus' if I don't go when you say go If I don't speak when you say so We might find that we run out of pace to see the world around us changed If I don't move when you say move Cus' I don't trust what you told me to do It might never come around again Heeeeey, next time I'll do it your way You never know where the Spirit has been whispering at night You never know where the angels have been putting up a fight We cannot see with our own eyes Everything is organised We can only view when it’s our turn to go Switch on the lights!
But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? Romans 10:14
In that day you will sing: “I will praise you, O Lord! You were angry with me, but not any more. Now you comfort me. See, God has come to save me. I will trust in Him and not be afraid. The LordGodis my strength and my song; He has given me victory.”
With joy you will drink deeply from the fountain of salvation!
In that wonderful day you will sing:
“Thank the Lord! Praise His name!
Tell the nations what He has done.
Let them know how mighty He is!
Sing to the Lord, for He has done wonderful things.
Make known His praise around the world.
Let all the people shout his praise with joy!
For great is the Holy One of Israel who lives among you.”
I had an incredible Sunday. There's a new church in town: Rebel Church and Dominic Balli was here. 54 lives were rocked unto salvation. Crazy enough, the fliers for the event that I bombarded my local supermarket with, made it to one of the employees who attended last night and surrendered His live to Jesus. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but betransformed by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2). Be a part of the rebel movement wherever you live.
Anywho, yesterday I read 2 chapters of Ezekiel that have impacted me greatly. I will not dare to elaborate or share my thoughts on it. Rather, I'll let you read it and allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you. May the Lord bless you and keep and make His face to shine upon you. May you be beacons of light and the mouth piece of God as you go out in the name of Jesus.
Ezekiel 2. To read click HERE. Ezekiel 3. To read click HERE.
It's almost 3am, and I have to be up early... But, I can not go to sleep until I speak to you.
As I mentioned in a previous blog, I am reading through the book of Acts in my devotion time. Before heading to bed I went back for some more. I picked up where I had left off and kept reading until I got to Acts 20:2, "While there, he encouraged the believers in all the towns he passed through..." Even as I am writting to you, I am blown away by Paul's zeal to speak!
It got me thinking, am I that diligent to encourage the believers around me? Am I being a vessel of honor, sanctified and ready for any opportunity to minister to my sisters (2 Timothy 2:20-21)? Am I as enthustiastic as Paul, to speak the things of God everywhere I go? When I enter a room do I diffuse the frangrance of the knowledge of Christ (2 Corinthians2:14-15) ? Am I being salt and light everywhere I go (Matthew 5:13-16)?
Paul goes on to say:
(Verse 24) But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
(Verses 26-28) I declare today that I have been faithful. If anyone suffers eternal death, it’s not my fault, for I didn’t shrink from declaring all that God wants you to know. So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as elders.
May we be Proverbs 31:26 women, "She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness." My prayer is that like Paul, I would be faithful to speak when He is commanding me to do so. I pray the same for you.
