Guidance

photo from google

All of us are too inexperienced to try to make it through life without a guide. God’s Word is that guide. Psalm 119 unfolds the manifold features of God’s Word, showing how dynamically and practically it will assist us in all of life’s circumstances. But no single verse focuses this more clearly than verse 105, which shows how God’s Word lights the way, giving direction for each step (“to my feet”) and giving wisdom for long-range plans (“to my path”). 

Joshua links the regular application of God’s Word to life as the most certain way to both success and prosperity in living (Josh. 1:8). Further, Psalm 119:130 notes the wisdom God’s Word gives to the “simple,” reminding us not to make decisions based on human delusion or outright senselessness. Also, Proverbs 6:23 reminds us that the reproofs of God are essential and for life. 

Let God’s Word guide, correct, instruct, lead, teach, and confirm. Do not hasten ahead without it—ever.

—Jack Hayford 

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Joshua 1:8

Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. Psalm 119:105

The teaching of your word gives light, so even the simple can understand. Psalm 119:130

For this command is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and correction and instruction are the way to life. Proverbs 6:23

Rest for the weary and burdened

Then Jesus said, 

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens,

 and I will give you rest."  Matthew 11:28

Jesus understands weariness. As a small ship crosses Galilee, and a storm’s fury terrifies His companions, Jesus sleeps. 

His physical frame is worn and His stamina spent from ministering to multitudes. So worn and weary is He that even the crashing of the waves, the whipping of the boat, and the shrieking of the winds do not awaken Him. 

If you've ever felt so tired you couldn't take another step, and if you've wondered whether God knew that feeling, here’s your answer: There is One who not only knows your weariness but who says, “I’ll walk the next step with you because I've been where you are ... and further." 

—Jack Hayford

Praise In The Presence Of God 

Create in Me a clean heart

Rend Collective is currently one of my favorite bands. I was very pleased to see that they wrote YouVersion reading plan. Below I am sharing a portion from Rend Collective's The Art Of Celebration plan that goes hand in hand with their recently released album by the same name. 

We love quick results don't we? We are constantly fine-tuning every aspect of our lives to eliminate that despicable enemy known as "waiting."

So when we first meet Jesus, hopes are high. This is the God who crafted everything, from elephants to supernovas, cilantro to Everest in just seven days: surely he's going to transform us in an instant... like Ramen noodles of righteousness.

He could, but he often chooses not to.

He turned Paul's life around while on the Damascus road, right? Sure, but that was just the beginning. The refining process was still going on in that jail cell in Acts.

He gave the shepherd kid, David, mastery over a giant. But years later, as a man he failed to master his lust problem, giving in to adultery and worse, a murderous cover-up.

It's in the middle of this mess that he wrote Psalm 51.

"Create in me a clean heart"

I'm sure he was desperate for an immediate transformation of character. But that isn't what he got. The Lord is patient. David's heart was renewed by traveling the painful, winding roads of confession, accountability and repentance, in the company of the Holy Spirit. The Lord didn't shortcut the work of cleansing David's heart.

We may be frustrated with patterns of sin that repeat in our lives, our niggling character flaws and lack of discipline. We may want "one-click" holiness. But Jesus doesn't wave a magic wand of saintly character over us.

Don't lose heart - he's not finished with us yet. He promises to finish what he started in us.

We can change. He will change us.

 (For those unfamiliar with YouVersion, it's a Bible app with helpful tools such as word search, bible reading plans, and devotionals.)

Lyrical Friday - The Art Of Celebration - Joy

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Happiest of Fridays to You!!!

This past Sunday, my cousin treated me to see Rend Collective as they opened for Kari Jobe. I counted down the days to see them, and when the day arrived I was beyond excited. After their loud, rambunctious, and festive opening song they shared a thought that left: "We are not Worship Leaders, we are worshipers and the Holy Spirit is the worship leader." From that moment, the hype of seeing Rend Collective fizzled, and a greater emotion evolved for the worship that was about to come. For that hour I was an Irish worshiper, lol.

They released The Art Of Celebration, their latest album, this Monday on St. Patrick's Day... genius! (only $9.99 on iTunes) It's a gem!
The Holy Spirit definitely orchestrated each word, strum, and beat, to compile a collection of artistry and beauty. His fingerprints are all over the album, and theological truth is embedded in the core of each song. Thank you guys for not leading, and allowing Him to create something marvelous in and through you.

The story behind The Art Of Celebration (you will be blessed by this video.. yea, so don't skip it!)


Rend Collective has written a 7-day YouVersion Reading Plan, check it out:

A man learns a lot during the lead up to his wedding.

I learned that the women in my life have very strong, informed opinions about things I didn't even know were things.

I learned how to fake having opinions.

I learned that my family and friends are even more supportive, caring and generous than I had previously dared believe.

I learned that my wife still radiates grace and beauty when she's under stress.

And I learned that joy is a discipline and celebration is an art form.

You would think that joy and celebration come naturally and don't really require effort, as though they are our default factory setting. And I think maybe this was true until Adam and Eve made that earth-shattering decision in the garden. All I can say is that now there is nothing automatic about joy.

That's why planning a wedding celebration takes so much effort and preparation, and why "party planner" is a real occupation. If everything in our world is not perfect and there isn't an abundance of cake, balloons, fireworks and confetti, you just can't trust humans to choose joy. Since the fall, negativity and cynicism have become our "go-to" states of mind.

God knows this about us. That's why there are so many commands to celebrate in the Bible. Think of the Old Testament Law... God's people are told they must have a Passover feast, that they must have a "Year of Jubilee," that they must have a day of Sabbath rest. The Psalms are full of exhortations to sing at the top our lungs and jam out on the psaltery (whatever that is!). Even Communion, the time during which we remember Christ's sacrifice, is not a time of mourning. It takes the form of a feast with friends.

He wants us to choose celebration. He commands us to choose celebration.

I know we all experience heartbreak and sorrow. I don't say this lightly. But "the joy of the lord is your strength."

Even in the shadows and the sorrows, we always have a reason to sing. Even if it is the "cold and broken hallelujah" Leonard Cohen sang about.

Jesus and his gospel are still worth celebrating: choose joy in defiance of your suffering and lift up your trust as a song and an offering.

This is the discipline of joy. This is the art of celebration.

Joy, Rend Collective 



She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. Proverbs 31:25

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Philippians 4:4

be profitably engaged

Happy Wednesday Lovelies! 

This morning as I sipped on my coffee and casually opened my Youversion bible apple to the reading plans, I read Day by Day With Billy Graham. Here below is the reading for today: 

"As Christians, we have the Spirit of God in us. But ours is the responsibility to keep sin out of our lives so that the Spirit can produce His fruit in us. Become grounded in the Bible. As Christians, we have only one authority, one compass: the Word of God. Abraham Lincoln in a letter to a friend said, “I am profitably engaged in reading the Bible. Take all of this Book upon reason that you can, and the balance upon faith. You will live and die a better man.” Begin the day with the Book; and as the day comes to a close, let the Word speak its wisdom to your soul. Let it be the firm foundation upon which your hope is built. Let it be the Staff of Life upon which your spirit is nourished. Let it be the Sword of the Spirit which cuts away the evil of your life and fashions you in His image and likeness.Almighty God, Your Word nourishes my whole being and I praise Your holy name!"

I was refreshed yet convicted by these words. Too often I head for my phone, check off a reading plan and consider that God's Word for me that day. How easily I have exchanged my Bible for technology. Not to say that these Bible apps are terrible, they are not. However, nothing should replace the intimacy of alone time with God... Alone meaning just me and my Bible. May my hands be engaged with the pages of my Bible. May my eyes be engaged with every word . May my heart be fully engaged with the heart of the One who penned this book for me. And may my mind be engaged with every command, truth, and promise.

"I am profitably engaged in reading the Bible." -Abraham Lincoln
Can these words be true of me?

ll Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

... and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:17

Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. John 17:17

How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. Psalm 119:9

For the word of the Lord is right, and all His work is done in truth. Psalm 33:4

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105

Lyrical Friday - How Great Is The Love

Happy Friday Lovelies!

Today's post will be a combo of a devo I just read that ties so well with today's lyrics. 

Devo by Jack Hayford from Praise in the Presence of God // YouVersion Reading Plan

Lyrics by Meredith Andrews // Vertical Church Band

Boaz, a marvelous Old Testament picture of our Lord Jesus Christ, reveals his love for Ruth, an equally beautiful picture of the Church, that is, of you and me. As they are about to become engaged, Boaz expresses his commitment to Ruth by asking her to spread out her shawl (see Ruth 3:15–18). Into its folds he pours out six ephahs of grain—a total of about seventy pounds of barley!

Now catch the picture. Can you see our Lord Jesus saying the same thing to us, His bride?

“I don’t want you to go through life empty-handed. I want you to know My abounding provision for all matters of your life.” Jesus is saying, “I will fill the biggest pocket you’ve got! I’ll fill it with love and everything else you need as well.” That’s His promise!

Know therefore that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His loving-kindness to a thousandth generation with those who love Him and keep His commandments. Deuteronomy 7:9 

Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. John 15:13

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?  He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?  Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:31-39

Thank You for the way that You love us
How You love us
Thank You for the way You have made us

We were created
For Your pleasure, for Your presence
For the glory of Your name

Thank You for the way that You love us

Jesus, faithful King
Lord, with grateful hearts we sing
How great is the love
How great is the love
Of our Savior
The weight of the cross, the curse of our shame
You carried it all and rose from the grave
How great is the love, how great is the love
Of our Savior

Thank You for Your grace that has saved us
You forgave us
Thank You for the way You have freed us

We have been ransomed
We've been rescued, we've been purchased
With the price of Your own life

Thank You for the way that You love us

Jesus, faithful King
Lord, with grateful hearts we sing
How great is the love
How great is the love
Of our Savior
The weight of the cross, the curse of our shame
You carried it all and rose from the grave
How great is the love, how great is the love
Of our Savior

Thank You for the way that You love us
How You love us

Beautiful

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Happy Monday! I am currently reading a Youversion plan: Praise in the Presence of God. It's 365 days consisting of a short read that pertains to a specific verse on the topic of praise. Today's read: 

[Beauty may not be your first thought when you get up in the morning and stare into the mirror. Stress, tragedy, or deep sorrow may have etched creases of weariness or suffering on your face. But make this experiment; prove God’s Word. Take that countenance, as it is, into the presence of the Lord day after day, in frequent, steadfast praise and worship. The prophet Isaiah says plainly what you will receive in return. He says the Messiah is sent specifically to console those who mourn with “beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning” (Isaiah 61:3). That’s an oil that surpasses the anti-aging effects of the best cosmetics!]

Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful. Psalm 147:1 NKJV

Praise the Lord! How good to sing praises to our God!How delightful and how fitting! Psalm 147:1 NLT

I challenge us to dedicate five minutes of simply praising God every day. 

promise of the Spirit

Promise of the Spirit // by Jack Hayford (Check out this reading plan on YouVersion)

The blessing of being filled with the Holy Spirit is not for the sake of mere enjoyment. It is rejoicing, to be sure! But at the core of a life of growing discipleship with Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives is what’s most important.

It is the Spirit who keeps the Word alive.

It is the Spirit who infuses prayer and praise with passion.

It is the Spirit who teaches and instructs.

It is the Spirit who brings gifts and giftedness for power-ministry.

It is the Spirit who will bring love, graciousness, and a spirit of unity to our hearts.

God raised Jesus from the dead, and we are all witnesses of this. Now he is exalted to the place of highest honor in heaven, at God’s right hand. And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today. Acts 2:32-33

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If you are interested in sound doctrine on the Holy Spirit, I recommend these: 

For an individual or home study: When The Spirit of God Moves

Reading: Spirit Rising, Fresh Power, The Holy Spirit, God's Promise of Power (a favorite of mine), Touched By His Spirit, Forgotten God, The Holy Spirit: Activating God's Power in Your Life, The Code of The Spirit. 

YouVersion reading plans: Who Me, Gifted?, Celebrate, Praise in the Presence of God