Great is Your Faithfulness

Last week, James and I went on vacation.  Originally, we were going to go to Florida with my cousin but things got a little crazy and we decided to go to Branson instead by ourselves.  Cameron had other commitments so he stayed home.  I was finally going to have enough alone time to do some song writing…I brought my keyboard and all kinds of other notebooks and “stuff” I thought I might need; I really didn’t have high expectations, I didn’t feel like I knew what I was doing but on Saturday morning after I unpacked and had my quiet time I sat down and began.  I had written some lyrics while I was sick a while back…back when I had a moment to be still.  So I poured over the lyrics to a part of a song I had written called “Be Still”; it really was the story of my life, always being distracted and busy and never “still” enough.  It was based on Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God”.  The music – lyrics and chord progressions came pouring out of me and after a few hours I had a complete song.  Well, at least a song with all the main parts…I could play it for myself and sing it.  I was simply awe struck, God is so good to me.  Day 1 and I already had a song.  I recorded it and sent it to a couple friends, I played it for James - much to his surprise (because he didn’t expect much either) but no one was as surprised as I was and am.  That night a lady I didn’t know texted me about some Alaskan missionaries at her church there in Branson, she said she thought we were supposed to attend her church the next morning and meet them.  So, we did.  If you read my previous post you know that I bawled through at least half of the service, it was an amazing day.  Sunday afternoon I wrote my second song.  Tuesday, I wrote another.  What was happening to me?  God was turning me into a song writer!  The song I wrote Tuesday was called “Great is Your Faithfulness”…He really is faithful.  Tuesday morning we met with an old friend of James’ from back in high school.  She is a songwriter and happened to be in Springfield the week we were in Branson.  She is a wealth of knowledge and gave me so much advice and instruction on where to go from here.  God’s timing is perfect, He has a plan.  It was a wonderful week, I wept a lot and grew closer to my Lord.  Below are some things I wrote down each morning.

April 23, 2016

Galatians 1:24 “And they glorified God because of me.”

This is my desire, that people would glorify God because of me.  I want God to use me to bring people to faith in Him and to worship Him.

Lord Jesus, help me use the gifts You’ve given me to honor You and to show people who You are that they may fall on their face and glorify You, that they would sell out to You with all that they are.  May they glorify You because of me, because I’m living with abandon, following Your will, and pointing them to You.  Keep me humble, holy and righteous.  May you be first in every area of my life and may I boldly display that.  Thank You, Jesus for this opportunity to serve You.  You are glorious and worthy of all praise.  I love You.  Amen

I wrote a song today, it’s called “Be Still”.  It’s based on Psalm 46:10 “Be Still and know that I am God”.  I am simply in awe that God allows me to serve Him in this way.  Singing, playing piano, and now writing music.  Incredible, amazing, He is truly wonderful and worthy of much more than anything I have to offer.  What a blessing it is to be His child and to serve Him.

April 24, 2016

Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ.  It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.  And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

                When I surrendered my life to Christ, I gave up living for myself.  There are times when the Spirit battles the flesh but my life is no longer ruled by the flesh if I stay in the Word and in close fellowship with Jesus.

                Jesus, help me today to live by faith, to put away any selfish ambitions and live for You, for Your will and for Your Glory alone.  Thank you for giving Yourself up for me so I could have a relationship with You.  Thank You for what You are doing right now in my life.  Help me not take one moment for granted and to be constantly in awe and wonder of who You are.  Thank you for this journey however short or long it is.  You make what seems impossible possible, I am grateful.  Praise Your holy name.  I love you, Jesus. Amen.

April 25, 2016

Galatians 3:28-29 “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for You are all one in Christ Jesus.  And if You are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.”

                Do the offenders in prison really know how loved they are, how God wants to free them with the power of the gospel and have an intimate relationship with them?  I want them to know this, I want them to see that they/we are all one in Christ.

                Lord, use me in this mission field to show Your love for these, incarcerated men and women.  Humble me, give me words when I have none, silence when none are needed and love so powerful that it cannot be denied it’s from You.  Help me stay focused and not let the world crowd in and distract me from this calling.  All for Your glory, Lord.  Thank You, Jesus, for this time, this journey, this incredible way to serve You and to make You known.  I love You, Jesus.  Amen.  Let our lives reflect You.

April 26, 2016

Galatians 5:16-17 “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.  For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.”

                Spirit vs. Flesh – this is sometimes a tough battle.  I find myself sold out to the Spirit and ready to jump off a cliff into unknown possibilities and then other times find myself desiring comfort and “so called” stability.  And I forget, I forget that God’s ways are higher than my ways, that He has this all figured out and that His plan is the best plan.  I simply need to trust Him more, rely on His strength, there’s real stability in following His will and an overwhelming peace.

                Lord Jesus, Save me from myself, keep me focused on Your plan for me, lead me by Your Spirit.  When I am tempted to chicken out, remind me of Your mission, remind me that people need to hear about Your saving grace, remind me that time is fleeting and this world is not my home.  May Your Spirit that lives in me overcome my flesh and win out in every decision, thought, and circumstance.  Use me for Your glory, Lord.  I love You, Jesus.  Amen.

April 27, 2016

Galatians 6:9 “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”

                Don’t give up!  We will reap what we sow. Some may see that as wordly gain but I see it as lives changed.  Do not grow weary in doing good!  I don’t ever want to tire of sharing the gospel with the lost and hopeless.  What is the cost of one human life/soul?  It is priceless.

                Lord, Use me to share Your truth and hope, help me stay focused on Your plan and not get side-tracked with my own personal interests, help Your interests always be my interests.  Give me strength when I start to get weary, give me a greater, more supernatural love for the lost.  I love You, Jesus.  Amen.

April 28, 2016

Hebrews 11 “Faith”

                This chapter is all about faith in action.  These men and women had faith in an invisible God to lead them to something better and they didn’t have the Holy Spirit!

                Lord, I want to put my faith into action; I want  to so fully rely on You that even when people say I’m crazy I will have Your overwhelming peace and joy, knowing that I’m doing Your will and what You’ve called me to do.  Thank You, Jesus, for Your faithfulness, Your peace, and for continual sanctification.  Make me who You want me to be.  I love you, Jesus.  Amen.