Falling Facedown!

"I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him. Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD When I saw it, I fell facedown, and I heard the voice of one speaking." Ezekiel 1:27-28 (NIV)

Over and over through scripture when men of God would come into his presence and experience HIM they would immediately fall facedown. The realization of whose presence they were in caused them show reverence to the holiness of God. Sometimes when I watch children as they defy a request from a parent, teacher, or an adult in "authority" I take a moment to observe their body language. So often they cross their arms and get a stance that says, "Don't mess with me" (I'm not saying they have to bow in authority- just trying to make it "real"). How many times do I take that same position with God when I am not obeying what I KNOW He has led me to do, when I outright defy what He has asked of me? When, what I really should be doing, is falling face down!

Praising in the Storm

"Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name;let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always." 1 Chronicles 16:8-11 (NIV)

No matter what is going on in my life- whether it's the calm before the storm or chaos in the midst of the storm- I know that I am to praise. To give thanks to HIM- to share what HE has done in my life. To look to HIM and to seek after HIM!

Praise

Praise- to glorify (a god or saint) especially by the attribution of perfections (Merriam Webster Dictionary). Praise, it's something we all like to have as part of our daily living. When we do something right- we "expect" praise. The question is- do we give praise to the ONE who deserves all the praise?

as a teacher I see this on daily basis- when my students do something "good" and I praise them for it they in turn work harder and give me work. Aren't we the same way? And yet, there is one who just simply deserves our praise- without us expecting to "get more" from Him.

"I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever. Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts. They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works. They will tell of the power of your awesome works, and I will proclaim your great deeds. They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness. The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made. All you have made will praise you, O LORD;
your saints will extol you. They will tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might, so that all men may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made. The LORD upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.
The LORD is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made. The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them. The LORD watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy. My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD. Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever. Psalm 145:1-21 (NIV)

Walk on the Water

"For you, O God, tested us; you refined us like silver. You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs. You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance." Psalm 66:10-12 (NIV)

This morning- I was reading this chapter and this verse jumped out at me. The chapter is all about giving praise to God in light of all that He has done. Then this verse is in there- God has tested us and through that testing we are refined. We have been cast into troubles (just in life) and carry heavy burdens. People may "walk" all over us-we WILL go through the trials BUT (and this is the good part)- on the other side- is a place of glory and abundance. But, to do that we have to step out of the boat- our comfort zone and live- even when we want to give up...

One of my favorite songs is Walk on the Water by Britt Nicole- here are the lyrics (and this has actually been played on a couple of episodes of Biggest Loser the last few weeks):

Walk On The Water lyrics

You look around and staring back at you
Another wave of doubt
Will it pull you under
You wonder
What if i'm overtaken
What if i never make it
What if no one's there
Will you hear my prayer?
When you take that first step
Into the unknown
You know that he won't let you go

So what are you waiting for
What do you have to lose
Your insecurities
They try to hold to you
But you know you're made for more
So don't be afraid to move
Your faith is all it takes
And you can walk on the water too

So get out and let your fear fall to the ground
No time to waste, don't wait
And don't you turn around, and miss out on
Everything you were made for
Gotta be, I know you're not sure, more
So you play it safe, you try to run away
If you take that first step
Into the unknown
He won't let you go

So what are you waiting for
What do you have to lose
Your insecurities
They try to hold to you
But you know you're made for more
So don't be afraid to move
Your faith is all it takes
And you can walk on the water too

Step out, even when it's storming
Step out, even when you're broken
Step out, even when your heart is telling you,
telling you to give up
Step out, when your hope is stolen
Step out, you can't see where you're going
You don't have to be afraid
So what are waiting, what are you waiting for

So what are you waiting for
What do you have to lose
Your insecurities
They try to hold to you
But you know you're made for more
So don't be afraid to move
Your faith is all it takes
And you can walk on the water,
walk on the water too

Beautiful You

Today's verses and song don't fit with the focus of the past week but this was a song that I felt led to share TODAY. Society tells us (all of us) that we should look, dress, and act a certain way- if we don't- well then we just don't fit in. But, I strive to live my life focused on things above-if I do that then I will know who I am but more importantly- WHOSE I am. If I do that-then the rest falls into place.

When thinking what verse I was going to use tonight I kept coming back to a song that I have been listening to over and over again for the last few months. A friend of mine posted this on his wall a couple of months ago and I immediately went and downloaded it. It's one of those songs that I have not tired of- the message is so important for young... See More people today. I encourage you- if you have a young person (especially a young lady) in your life- take a listen to this song and ponder the message.

Two passages today-

"But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV)

"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the ... See Morewearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. 4Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. 5For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. " 1 Peter 3:3-5 (NIV)

Safe

The celebrations are over, things are back to normal- or are they? I struggle with getting in a rut. But this year, I want my life to be different- I want my life to have purpose- I want a life lived for HIM. I want courage yet fear holds me back- lack of trust causes me to doubt but if I really LISTEN to HIS word...- I find that I have no need to fear- I am SAFE- in HIS arms

I was reading Psalm 91 earlier and the passage just said so many of these things to me- in this time that Easter is over- I truly do not want to let my life become so routine that I miss HIM in the day to day living. I need to know that I am safe and this passage tells me that I am- I will choose to trust- that no matter what season of life I am in- that He holds me in his arms.

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge;his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart." Psalm 91:1-4

"If you make the Most High your dwelling—even the LORD, who is my refuge- then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation." Psalm 91:9-16

I LOVE this part: "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.

Because I love Him I can know- beyond the shadow of a doubt- that I am safe- that I am protected...

LOVE this song by Phil Wickham (have been singing it in my head - because that's the only place you all would want to hear it- all day)



Safe Lyrics

(Feat. Bart Millard)


Verse:
To the one who's dreams are falling all apart
And all you're left with is a tired and broken heart
I can tell by your eyes you think your on your own
but you're not all alone

Have you heard of the One who can calm the raging seas
Give sight to the blind, pull the lame up to their feet
With a love so strong and never let you go
oh you're not alone

Chorus:
You will be safe in His arms
You will be safe in His arms
'Cause the hands that hold the world are holding your heart
This is the promise He made
He will be with You always
When everything is falling apart
You will be safe in His arms

Verse 2:
Did you know that the voice that brings the dead to life
Is the very same voice that calls you to rise
So hear Him now He's calling you home
You will never be alone

Bridge:
These are the hands that built the mountains
the hands that calm the seas
These are the arms that hold the heavens
they are holding you and me

These are hands that healed the leper
Pulled the lame up to their feet
These are the arms that were nailed to a cross
to break our chains and set us free