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

photo credit 

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

Sentence Tuesday

The Holy Spirit comes: 
to bring the whole life of Jesus Christ, 

into the whole of our personalities, 

so the whole love of God can be relayed to the whole world! 

— Jack Hayford 

[photo credit]

God's family - my family - your family

 Last night I met up with a friend I hadn't seen in over a year. She moved out of town and was back. In catching up I shared with her my Mother's journey in the past year with Glaucoma, loosing her sight, numerous procedures, and her sight being restored. As the words poured forth from my mouth, my heart remained steadfast and at peace. For my mind understood that God had done a great and mighty work in my Mom. My mind recognized that the prayer of God's people availed much. My faith was firm, therefore by God's doing I was able to stand firm. 

I continued sharing the grueling testimony and her eyes watered, she looked away, folded her hands, and even cringed in her seat. I then shared the last sentence, "So that's where we are at. Tomorrow (which is today) she has an appointment with Dr. Bennett who is a cornea  specialists and a glaucoma specialist. This appointment will determine the possibility of a future surgery, a delicate surgery." Her words that followed, "Raquel, this may seem strange... My grandfather who was a Pastor for many years lives just around the corner. I feel that we need to have him and my grandmother pray for your mom. Is this weird?"

Not. At. All. 

One thing I tell everyone is to never reject prayer. Never! 

Brethren, pray for us. I Thessalonians 5:25

Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. II Thessalonians 1:11-12

And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. James 5:15-16

Without further ado, she made a call, told her grandparents that she was with a friend who needed prayer for her mom. They did not hesitate to have me over. These wonderful people are in the picture above. 

Jose Raul and Eda Maria Borroto welcomed me in and greeted me like their own family. I have them a quick summary of my Mother's condition and Eda Maria began to pray. She prayed for our hearts to be cleansed from our iniquity, that we may enter his throne room of grace empty of ourselves, and prayed for us to be filled by His Spirit. She praised God for giving us His Spirit who teaches us all things and gives us the right words to pray. From there we spent a sweet time in prayer and praise.

 I was given the opportunity to pray for Jose Raul, a 90 year old man who not to long again fell and fractured his elbow and hips. The doctors have been astonished with his recovery and ability to walk again. May I remind you he is 90 years young! He continued speak the Word to me and gave me specific scriptures to share with Mami. He reminded me that God is all powerful and above all He is love. 

I experienced last night the joy of being a member of God's family. In Christ, Jose Raul and Eda Maria are my family, and because you and I are family they are your family too! What wonderful and glorious news. And so I ask you to join me in prayer for these two faithful saints who are our relatives. They both suffer from numerous health complications and are in need of prayer. Continue praying for Mami's eyes, for her faith to be strengthened and her spirit renewed. 

May the Holy Spirit fill you as Eda prayed and teach you all things pertaining spiritual growth and give you words to pray. "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13 "For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” Luke 12:12

Happy Friday friends! 

"and peace I give as a gift"

Are you in need of peace? Peace of mind? Peace of heart? 

Perfect peace which surpasses all understanding is made available to us because the Father longs to give it freely to us, through the Word which is Christ, and produced by the power and work of the Holy Spirit. No positive thinking will ever produce perfect peace. No yoga, meditation, or getaway can give it to us. No messenger of God can fully produce that which only God can do. For any and every situation the Bible is our peace maker, so let's stop seeking our own solutions and go to the source of peace: 

In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe. Psalm 4:8

The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you. Psalm 9:9-10

The Lord gives his people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace. Psalm 29:11

Those who love your instructions have great peace and do not stumble. Psalm 119:165

People who wink at wrong cause trouble, but a bold reproof promotes peace. Proverbs 10:10

A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones. Proverbs 14:30

Better a dry crust eaten in peace than a house filled with feasting—and conflict. Proverbs 17:1

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Isaiah 26:3

I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. John 14:27

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. Psalm 16:33

Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. Romans 12:17-19

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

And now may God, who gives us his peace, be with you all. Amen. Romans 15:33 

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Galatians 5:22-23

 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Philippians 4:6-8

The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. 
He lets me rest in green meadows; He leads me beside peaceful streams.  
He renews my strength. 
He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.  
Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for You are close beside me.
Your rod and Your staff protect and comfort me. 
You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.  
Surely Your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23

Go on, do a word search on peace and be filled. 

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

Lyrical Friday - Great Are You Lord

[photo credit: Kerry Halasz]

Hello Friends. A few days ago I read Ezekiel 37, the portion where Ezekiel is found in a valley with dry bones. These words haven't left my mind:

The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry.  

And He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?”So I answered, “O Lord God, You know.” 

Again He said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! Thus says the Lord God to these bones: “Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I am the Lord.”’” 

So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone. Indeed, as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them over; but there was no breath in them.Also He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.”’” So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army. 

Then He said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They indeed say, ‘Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!’  Therefore prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. Then you shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves. I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken it and performed it,” says the Lord.’”

Wow! Every time I read this passage my bones are rattled, my faith renewed, and my hope restored. Oh to have been  present at this valley and witnessed the breath of the living God filling the lungs of these dead bones, being raised to life. This is the mighty power of God. Guess what? He didn't limit His power to only that valley, He is still pouring His Holy Spirit on dry bones today. He is still breathing upon those who are frail and lifeless.

I have experienced my share of valleys:
Valley of discouragement
Valley of depression
Valley of uncertainty and confusion
Valley of waiting and growing weary
Valley of injustice
Valley of brokenness
Valley of hopelessness

Need I continue? I am human and at the core, I am dry bones with skin. But God—  He breathed upon me each and every time as He did these bones in Ezekiel. He breathed life into my life, His life.

Are you in a valley? Are you feeling dry, frail, or practically lifeless? God can do the same with you, and breathe life into your lungs and raise your dry bones from this pit. He is that great! His hand is not too short that it cannot save, nor is He deaf that He cannot hear you (Isaiah 59:1). I am here cheering you on: Go on, cry out to God. Ask Him to breathe upon you with His Spirit. If sin has kept you far from God, repent of your sin and cry out to God. If you are bitter confess this to God and cry out to God. Believe that He can help you forgive. And the best remedy to life's hangups is praising God. Worship Him and sing His praises, for His faithfulness and loving kindness endures forever and ever. I believe that He will fill you with His Spirit.

Spirit of God breathe upon us.

Great Are You Lord, All Sons & Daughters 


You give life, You are love
You bring light to the darkness
To give hope, You restore
Every heart that is broken

Great are You, Lord

It's your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise
We pour out our praise

It's your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise

To You only

All the earth will shout Your praise
Our hearts will cry, these bones will sing
Great... Are... You, Lord

when you're troubled...

Imagine with me the disciples troubled in a room. Their leader was constrained by a tomb, lifeless and powerless. They must have be frightened, discouraged, and ashamed. And then, Jesus appeared.

Overwhelmed
Discouraged
Defeated
Ashamed
Afraid
Empty
Lost

Whatever it may be that is bringing you down, think of this scene.
And then, Jesus appeared.

In your troubles Jesus can and will appear.
He will comfort,
He will refresh,
He will renew,
By the power of the Holy Spirit when you cry out for Him.

"In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land." Jeremiah 29:12-14

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. John 16:33

Lyrical Friday - Holy Spirit

Happy Friday!
So excited to be sharing with you a song that has overtaken my Thursday nights. The girl youth leaders and I have been doing a bible study on the Holy Spirit by Pastor Jim Cymbala. (I highly recommend it, get it HERE). On our first day meeting together one of the leaders asked if we had heard Holy Spirit by Jesus Culture. Only she had known of it, and with that we were each encouraged to listen to it. Every Thursday since, these lyrics have been sung and prayed out. We are crying out for the Holy Spirit. May you long for the Spirit of God and seek Him! God bless you.

I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. John 14:25-26

I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. Matthew 3:11

Holy Spirit, Jesus Culture


There’s nothing worth more,
That will ever come close 
Nothing can compare, 
You’re our living hope
Your Presence Lord

I’ve tasted and seen, 
Of the sweetest of Loves
Where my heart becomes free, 
And my shame is undone
In Your Presence Lord

Holy Spirit You are welcome here
Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere
Your Glory God is what our hearts long for
To be overcome by Your Presence Lord

Let us become more aware of Your Presence
Let us experience the Glory of Your Goodness

hello April

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Happy April to YOU!
Where did March go? It was been a busy month. Lot's of birthday fun and love, with many breakfasts, lunches and dinners. It was a great month that ended with the greatest celebration of all: Easter. Jesus is Risen!

I'm secretly hoping for a quiet April.
With two bible studies happening, I find it more difficult to actually sit down and receive from the Word without it feeling like homework. So as the saying goes, April showers bring May flowers, I am praying for an out pour of the Holy Spirit to shower over me and bring forth much fruit. I pray the same for you!

From the dew of heaven and the richness of the earth, may God always give you abundant harvests of grain and bountiful new wine. Genesis 28:27




I will be to Israel 
Like a refreshing dew from heaven. 
Israel will blossom like the lily; 
It will send roots deep into the soil 
Like the cedars in Lebanon. 
Its branches will spread out like beautiful olive trees, 
As fragrant as the cedars of Lebanon. 
My people will again live under my shade. 
They will flourish like grain and blossom like grapevines. 
They will be as fragrant as the wines of Lebanon.
Hosea 14:5-7

the comforter and the jarrah tree

The Comforter
by Pastor Jack Hayford

And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever—
John 14:16

In Australia, there’s a tree called the Jarrah—also known as “ironwood.” This tree is so heavy and dense and hard that termites hate it. That’s why this ironwood is used widely in construction. But let me tell you, it takes real strength, skill, and determination to build with ironwood.
Aspects of your life may cause you to wonder: Is this a “jarrah” situation—one so hard I don’t think I’ll ever be able to “cut it”?

Well, rest in comfort—rather, in the Comforter. The Holy Spirit can handle it! He is deeply personal, all-powerful, and ever present. And He wants to make Himself known in the details of your life and your relationships.

Rebuilding the Real You

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sentence tuesday

Our greatest need as Christians is for

the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. 

-Raquel Rodriguez

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sentence tuesday

No teaching can replace the inward power of the Holy Spirit.

-Jim Cymbala

{photo credit}

Lyrical Friday - Beg

Happy Friday! As of lately, the Lord has been reminding me of the good ol' days. The days when my salvation was fresh and passion filled. The days when I welcomed the Lord's consuming fire to burn in my life. He took me back to the days when all I had was my first love and not religion. 
-
We can so easily become accustomed to the Christian "agenda": read the word for x amount of time, pray the right prayer, sing a song and do a good deed. I can't remember how to do life without this agenda. And so I question myself, and I question you: If this agenda was taken from us, what would we have left?
-
Beg by Shane and Shane has caused me to beg God to move and break through in my life. I pray that it would be our love for God, for more of Him that would draw us to His Word. I pray that it would be our love for God that would bring us to our knees in prayer. I pray that it would be our love for God that would cause us to live a life of worship. I pray that it would be our love for God that would lead us in obedience as we serve Him and His people. I beg God to move and break through in your life like never before.

I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations. Ezekiel 36:26-27
-
Beg, Shane and Shane 

-
Here I am
One more day of not
Loving Him the way He asks
In fact my heart is singing praises to the things
that make me feel alright

So I’m sinking fast like a stone heart should
And on the way down
I’ve done what I could
To try and try to turn this stone to flesh

I’m haunted by my God
Who has the right to ask me
What by the nature of my rebellion
I cannot give.

So I beg for you to move
I beg for you to move
I beg for you to break through

So here I am
Got my deeds for the day
All my cute little words about
How I am saved
Am I saved?

Could I love you with my mouth like a church kid should
At the end of the day
My words get burned as wood
Oh, but I was good.

These songs are noise
In your ears
A clanging drum
You want my love

ordinary to extraordinary...

Hi Friends.

Today's post is coming to you from in the name of Love by Bianca Juarez. Her blog has been a huge source of encouragement in my walk since the day I first read it. It's like an everlasting, neverending Gobstopper, each post is like a layer of the candy, unique in its own way yet just as exciting and challenging as the last. May you be blessed and challenged in your walk today as you read Ordinary to Extraordinary.

David was a mere shepherd boy until the day he was anointed by Samuel. From the top of his head to the tip of his toes he was covered as a providential sign of his calling. From that pivotal point on, his life was rocked. An ordinary shepherd boy began to do extraordinary things. Oh, you know, like killing beast of the fields and slaying giants. Average stuff for a teenage boy called to greatness.

Deborah was part of the tribe of Israel until she was called to be a judge in the land. To painfully point out the obvious, she was a woman. But this ordinary wife was a leader, foreseer, and motivator to the masses. She lead Israel into a successful battle, when women of this time were non-entities of society. No matter the gender bifurcation or elevation, she did was God called her to do: Be extraordinary.

Peter was a fisherman. No, not like Long John Silver, but like one of the Jersey Shore kids. Leathered skin, horrible accents, unwarranted swagger. Fisherman were over-looked by society, but this ordinary fisherman was chosen to be a extraordinary fisher of man. He walked on water, participated in miracles, and gave one of the best apologetic defenses of the gospel even today.

How?

When God calls us, He equips us. Each of the people mentioned relied upon the work of the Holy Spirit to fill them... to do the extraordinary. And guess what? God is still calling people to do the impossible.

John 14:12, I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these...

The question is simply, are you willing to stop living an ordinary life?

So, what's your extraordinary life? How can we live spirit-lived lives?