Lyrical Friday - Yours To Take

Hola!
I had a completely different song in mind this morning to post for Lyrical Friday. However, the Lord had a very special song in mind, Yours To Take by Jimmy Needham. I pray that this song challenges you to consider your life, are you His to take? Can God do with your life what pleases Him or are you living your life for yourself?

I happened across a verse this morning that so beautifully ties in with this song, atleast I think so. As I read it, I pictured myself sitting under the shade of a tree. Jesus is there and extends His hand towards me, and He speaks, "Rise up, my love, my fair one, And come away*." As we purpose our lives to be lilies among thorns I challenge you today to rise up and follow hard after Him. 

My Beloved is mine, and I am His. He feeds His flock among the lilies. Song of Solomon 2:16

Yours To Take, Jimmy Needham


This is my second chance
This is no song and dance
You came in and renewed a right spirit
This is grace at its best
This is taking a restless, messed up heart and having you clear it

I can feel the weight is lifting
I'm barely staying on the ground
And I can feel the wait is over
Finally the lost is found

[Chorus]
So, this is what it feels like to live life
So, this is breathing air for the very first time
The Son of man, He came here to give life
And in return He asking for mine
I've Been captured by grace
I'm not going away
I'm Yours to take

I was down for the count
I was up, but knocked out
When I heard pardon for the interruption
Then like out of blue
Out came glorious You

You picked me up without barely any introduction
You won my heart by a landslide
You tend to do that every time
So, everything I have is Yours now
Even my very life

[CHORUS]

Your kindness leads me to repentance
Leads me to the cross, which leads me to forgiveness
So, I'm counting it all as loss


*Song of Solomon 2:10

early fellowship

I read this devotional a week ago. I pray that this devo may bless you and challenge you to draw closer to Jesus.

go ahead.

sit alone with your Maker.

Toward the dawn . . . Mary Magdalene . . . Went to see the tomb. -Matthew 28:1


Let us learn from Mary Magdalene how to obtain fellowship with the Lord Jesus. Notice how she sought. She sought the Savior very early in the morning. If you can wait for Christ and be patient in the hope of having fellowship with Him at some distant season, you will never have fellowship at all; for the heart that is fitted for communion is a hungering and a thirsting heart.

She sought Him also with very great boldness. Other disciples fled from the tomb, for they trembled and were amazed; but Mary, it is said, "stood"1 at the tomb. If you would have Christ with you, seek Him boldly. Let nothing hold you back. Defy the world. Press on where others flee. She sought Christ faithfully—she stood at the tomb. Some find it hard to stand by a living Savior, but she stood by a dead one. Let us seek Christ after this mode, cleaving to the very least thing that has to do with Him, remaining faithful though all others should forsake Him.

Note further, she sought Jesus earnestly—she stood "weeping." Those teardrops were as spells that led the Savior captive and made Him come forth and show Himself to her. If you desire Jesus' presence, weep after it! If you cannot be happy unless He come and say to you, "You are My beloved," you will soon hear His voice.

Lastly, she sought the Savior only. What did she care about angels? She turned herself back from them; her search was only for her Lord. If Christ is your one and only love, if your heart has cast out all rivals, you will soon enjoy the comfort of His presence. Mary Magdalene sought thus because she loved much. Let us arouse ourselves to the same intensity of affection; let our heart, like Mary's, be full of Christ, and our love, like hers, will be satisfied with nothing short of Himself. O Lord, reveal Yourself to us this evening!

1John 20:11
for more by Alistair Begg click HERE.

Lyrical Friday - Forever Reign

Hello. 
Today's song is Forever Reign by Hillsong United. We sang this song last Sunday and I have been singing it ever since. I pray that as you read these lyrics and listen to the song, may the God of goodness, love, light, peace, truth, joy and life be your comfort. Know that God loves you and desires nothing more than to bless you.

The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying: “ Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you." Jeremiah 31:3

Forever Reign, Reuben Morgan


You are good, You are good
When there's nothing good in me
You are love, You are love
On display for all to see
You are light, You are light
When the darkness closes in
You are hope, You are hope
You have covered all my sin

You are peace, You are peace
When my fear is crippling
You are true, You are true
Even in my wandering
You are joy, You are joy
You're the reason that I sing
You are life, You are life,
In You, death has lost it's sting

//CHORUS//
Oh, I’m running to your arms,
I’m running to arms
The riches of your love
Will always be enough
Nothing compares to Your embrace
Light of the world forever reign

You are more, You are more
Than my words will ever say
You are Lord, You are Lord
All creation will proclaim
You are here, You are here
In your presence I'm made whole
You are God, You are God
Of all else I'm letting go

//My heart will sing
no other name
Jesus, Jesus//

making it personal

hi dear friends. 

It's embarrassing in a way to share this because I love to pray... but my prayer life hasn't been what it should be. I have to be completely transparent with you, I've known this for quite some time. And though its not dead or nonexistent it has been in an unsafe place of complacency. That my friends is a dangerous place. It's like having a gallon of water in the wilderness, its only good till its gone and don't want that. God has spoken truth and light to my prayer life. In order to grow, I find myself going back to the basics. 

I'm making it personal... again. 

God's word that is. 

There is nothing more intimate in prayer, maybe just for me, than praying God's Word. I used to do this a lot. I would open my bible and begin to pray scriptures. If the Word of God is as powerful as we believe, than why not make it personal? Let's not just read but believe it, pray it and live it? As I challenge myself to go back to this basic discipline in my own life, I challenge you as well. Make it personal. 

My prayer is that our prayer life may be a fresh and sweet smelling aroma unto the Lord. May the Lord bless you as you bless Him. 

I lie in the dust; revive me by your word.

Psalm 119:25

Lyrical Fridays- True Things

Hi Friends. I am very excited about today's Lyrical Friday post. True Things by JJ Heller is one of those songs that brings a smile to my face. When I need cheering up, this song does it. It reminds me that who I am is God's beloved daughter- loved & set free! I am not bound to the things of this world. This song helps me love me.
=
God works ALL things out for our good. When you have a chance go to the Wonderfully Made blogsite to read the complete post. Here is a portion from that blog that ties in so beautifully to this song:
- 
When faced with the temptation to give into that which will keep you in bondage (whether it's overeat, not eat, etc.):

· “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1

-

When you find your thoughts consumed by worries about what you did or didn’t eat or your body size:

· "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?” Matthew 6:25

-

In the face of self-destructive behavior:

· "Everything is permissible for me"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me"—but I will not be mastered by anything. 1 Corinthians 6:12

-

When tempted by gluttony or laziness:

· “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” Hebrews 12:10-12

-

When you’re struggling with negative thoughts about your body or physical appearance:

· “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful Lord, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:14

· You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay! Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, "He did not make me"? Can the pot say of the potter, "He knows nothing"? Isaiah 29:16

-

True Things, JJ Heller

- 

I’m not the clothes I’m wearing
I’m not a photograph
I’m not the car I drive

I’m not the money I make
I’m not the things I lack
I’m not the songs that I write

-

I am … who I am
I am who I am

-

There are true things inside of me
I have been afraid to see
I believe, help my unbelief
Would you say again what you said to me
I am loved and I am free
I believe, help my unbelief

-

I’m not the house I live in
I’m not the man I love
I’m not the mistakes that I carry

I’m not the food that I don’t eat
I’m not what I’m above
I’m not my scars and my history-

--

To your love I’m waking up

In your love I’m waking up

journaling

 Hello. 

One of my favorite activities with the Lord is journaling. I was cleaning out a drawer this weekend and came across one of my 2006 journals. In reading through it, I was encouraged with the scriptures that I jotted and the notes that I took in various teachings at Church. But what encouraged me the most, and always does, is the prayers that make up the journal. They keep me accountable and serve as a reminder of God's mercy, grace and truth in my life. It's awesome to read how God has answered prayers in my life. Even more so, to read the many dumb Raquel-ideas that He has spared me from. I love reading old entries and realizing that yes, I have grown in the Lord.

If you don't journal or aren't disciplined in journaling, I highly recommend that start. It's not about writing a book or filling a page, it's about you and God. Jot down scriptures that speak to you and mark the date. Write love letters to God... your prayers are a sweet smelling aroma unto the Lord. Get creative with it. Make it your story book with God.

Here I are some prayers from three journal entries and I post them not to brag but because today, four years later these words still echo in my heart as prayers for my life and now I add you to them:
Father deliver me from ever becoming comfortable. Keep me moving onward to the place you have prepared for me, keep me on the path you have cleared for me. Equip me for any situation that may shake the ground beneath me. And fill my heart with love and meekness towards other. 7/12/2006
-
It always amazes me to see what awesome and great power You have. Lord I am nothing yet You allow me to play a small part in Your holy and mighty works. You are so good to me. What a mighty God I serve. 7/17/2006
-
Lord thank You for Your Word which always reminds me to worship Your holy name. Father may Your praise be continually on my lips and in my heart. Instruct me how you desire to be praised and teach me how to prepare my heart for worship. 7/19/2006

Beautiful words stir my heart.

I will recite a lovely poem about the king,

for my tongue is like the pen of a skillful poet.

Psalm 45:1

Lyrical Friday - One Pure & Holy Passion

Hi Friends. 

One Pure and Holy Passion by Mark Altrogge is one of my favorites. To me, it is much more than a pretty song we sing at Church or play on the car radio. As for me, this is the cry of my heart. My prayer for you is that God would captivate your heart, in such a way that you would metaphorically pack your bags, get up and follow hard after Christ. I pray that you may come to a place of reckless abandon to your desires and the things of this world. May you be captivated by the Lover of our soul as He pursues, allures and leads you on. God Bless YOU! 

Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me." Luke 9:23

Therefore, behold, I will allure her, will bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfort to her. Hosea 2:24

One Pure & Holy Passion