Wednesday, February 29, 2012

I'm Single... today



Hi, I'm Raquel and I'm Single. I am no Relationship expert, and the direction of this blog has never been about one or the other. But the Lord has called me to address the season of singleness with those who are single... and think they are ready to mingle! LOL

Let's be real, If you're single, chances are you want to change that status. And so do those around you, those who want to fix this "problem" for you. I am guilty of both. From the beginning of time, looking at the first human ever created, the Bible tells us that it was not good for Adam to be alone. Reading Genesis 2 brings a question to mind, why was it not good to be single?  I'm no theologian or Bible expert, but I can tell you from my experience why being alone is not good, and it comes from Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up." And to this problemo, God has made a solution: God sets the solitary in families- Psalm 68:6. 

In my loneliest moments of being single, I have seen the hand of God shift my sorrow into gladness as He placed me in family-type settings. For example: Bible study groups/small groups, friends, coworker, new family members, ministry opportunities and I'm sure I'm leaving out other family-type groups that have been a three-fold cord in my walk with Jesus. God has shown me that in my season of singleness, I am not alone. Yes, the cliche thing to say would be, "You are not alone; God is with you." But truth is, He is with you AND He also places the solitary in families. We pray for companionship and He does answer our prayers; not necessarily in the form that we want it, but He satisfies our lonely hearts. If you don't have a family-type group, pray for one. Pray for a three-fold cord friendship in your life. It may come in the least expected form, but when it's from the Lord, woah! is it good. (It may just be that ministry opportunity that you are running from).

I don't know your situation, I don't know your season in life or even how long the season will last, but you are in it today, so what are you to do with it? Matthew 6:34 answers this question for us, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." What this means to me is, if I am single today, it's because the Lord wills for me to be single, so today I will be the best single I can be for His glory. My encouragement and challenge to you my single friend: be the best single today. I don't know what the Lord has for us tomorrow. We'll worry about that when it comes. 

Signing out, 
The Single Lily


Follow @whereismyboaz on Twitter 

Friday, February 24, 2012

Lyrical Friday - This Is Our God

Happy Friday to You! 
This is our God by Chris Tomlin is one of those songs... You know what I mean, you hear the first few lines and your heart is overcome with a million emotions. I remember the first time I heard these lyrics, it was as if a vicious wave had picked me right off my feet and tossed me around. It became an anthem of all God had done in my life yet at the same time it hung as a banner for all that He has promised to complete. More than a song, it was a prayer for those who have yet to know the depths of His power and love. By the time the worship band had finished, I was found on the "shore line" almost breathless at the wonders of my God. It is my prayer, as it was that very night, that you would know the depths of His power and love. This is our God.

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This is Our God, Chris Tomlin 


The refuge for the poor
A shelter from the storm
This is our God


He will wipe away your tears 

And return your wasted years
This is our God

So call upon His Name

He is mighty to save
This is our God

A father to the orphan 

A healer to the broken
This is our God


And He brings peace to our madness 

And comfort in our sadness
This is our God
This is our God

So call upon His name
He is mighty to save
This Is Our God

This is/You are the one we have waited for
This is/You are the one we have waited for
This is/You are the one we have waited for
Jesus, Lord and Savior
This is our God

A fountain for the thirsty

A lover for the lonely
This is our God


He brings glory to the humble 

And crowns for the faithful
This is our God

Friday, February 17, 2012

Lyrical Friday - Skeleton Bones

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Happy Friday! 
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Skeleton Bones by John Mark McMillan has stirred within me a greater joy for the then and there of eternity. The day when the sound of the lips of the found speak at once, praise together in worship and adoration of the Son of glory. I recently experienced worshiping with 4500+ people, I can't even begin to imagine the wondrous scene that Heaven will be. Till then, may these bones of ours love the Lord with all our might.
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And my soul shall be joyful in the Lord; it shall rejoice in His salvation. All my bones shall say,
Lord, who is like You, delivering the poor from him who is too strong for him, Yes, the poor and the needy from him who plunders him?” Psalm 35:9-10

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For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. Ephesians 5:30 
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Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! Sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, bless His name; proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples. For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the Lord made the heavens. Honor and majesty are before Him; strength and beauty are in His sanctuary. Give to the Lord, O families of the peoples. Give to the Lord glory and strength. Give to the Lord the glory due His name; bring an offering, and come into His courts. Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness! Tremble before Him, all the earth. Psalm 96:1-9 
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Skeleton Bones, John Mark McMillan




Peel back our ribs again
and stand inside of our chest.
We just wanna' love you
We just wanna' love you

Peel back the veil of time
And let us see You with our naked eyes
We just wanna' love you
We just wanna' love you

Skeleton bones stand at the sound of eternity
On the lips of the found
And gravestones roll
To the rhythm of the sound of you
Skeleton bones stand at the sound of eternity
On the lips of the found
So separate those doors
And let the son of resurrection in.

Oh let us adore the
Son of Glory drenched in love
Open up your gates before him
Crown Him, stand Him up

We want your blood to flow inside our body
We want your wind inside our lungs
We just wanna' love you
We just wanna' love you


Thursday, February 16, 2012

verses for me to you

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And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. Romans 16:20 (Got this one twice)
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Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass. Psalm 37:5
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The Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He shastens everyone He accepts as His child. Hebrews 12:6
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And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. 1 John 4:16
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I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:1-2

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And the people said to Joshua, “The Lord our God we will serve, and His voice we will obey!” Joshua 24:24 -
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The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself. Proverbs 11:25
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As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God. Psalm 42:1
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The Lord your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17
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Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. Psalm 34:5
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And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Galatians 6:9
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For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. ephesian 2:10
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I said in my heart, “God shall judge the righteous and the wicked, for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.” Ecclesiastes 3:17
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But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved). Ephesians 2:4-5
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Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Romans 12:10
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By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. Hebrews 11:3
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Walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. Colossians 1:10
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For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. 2 Corinthians 4:17

After reading all these amazing verses,
I feel like I opened a treasure chest.
Thanks to all who sent me one.
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Wednesday, February 15, 2012

verses for me to you

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This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. John 15:12-13
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God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way. Matthew 5:11-12
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They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion. Psalm 84:7 // Though we may go from trial to trial the Words promises that if we walk with God we will go from strength to strength
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You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13
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For this God is our God for ever and ever; He will be our guide even to the end.  Psalm 48:14
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For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with theglory that is to be revealed to us. Romans 8:18
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For we walk by faith, not by sight. 1 Corinthians 5:7
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Praise the Lord; praise God our savior! For each day he carries us in his arms. The God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Psalm 68:19,35
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You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy. Psalm 16:11
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 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:8-13
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And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8 
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For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15
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Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men. Colossians 3:23
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Tuesday, February 14, 2012

verses for me to you

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All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see. So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:3-9
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You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. Psalm 73:24 
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Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord  is  at hand. Philippians 4:5
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Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
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Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Proverbs 31:30
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Keep reminding God's people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:14-15
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We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord. Romans 15:2
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If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. Matthew 16:25 
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Not that I seek the gift,but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. Philippians 4:17 
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"I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." Luke 18:14
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For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, Romans 3:25
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I know what Im doing. I have it all planned out-plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. Jeremiah 29:11


He is my loving ally and my fortress, my tower of safety, my rescuer. He is my shield, and I take refuge in him. Psalm 144:2
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Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation. Proverbs 3:2-4
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And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God Ephesians 6:17
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Not with eye service, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart Ephesians 6:6
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And the angel answered and said to her, “ The  Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you...Luke 1:35 /// may we also be overshadowed by Him today.  Doing what is possible only in Him
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When Jesus came into Peter's house, he saw Peter's mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him. When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. Matthew 8:14-16 // I love it because all it took Jesus is one touch and one word. He is almighty and powerful and He lives in us now
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And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38
- He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 p How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! Psalm 133:1 =
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:6-9

Monday, February 13, 2012

verses for me to you

Hi Friends.
These past two weeks have been jam packed and busy. Today marks my return to normal life... for another two weeks! LOL


Part of my routine is to text a verse a daily. Today I felt led to ask those who receive a verse from me to reply one back. See the not above in the picture. The response was overwhelming. I sent the text at 2pm and now 9pm, I have yet to read the remaining 82 verses. As of today and all the way to Thursday, I will post the verses that have been sent to me. Heck, lets all be blessed by these verses! 
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Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore, I have set my face like a stone, determined to do his will. And I know that I will not be put to shame. Isaiah 50:7 (I received this one twice!)
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Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free,[a] and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.Galatians 5:1 
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So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12
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God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us. Ephesians 3:20 
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The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it? Jeremiah 17:9
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Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Ephesians 6:1
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Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. James 1:12
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Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:25-26

For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of[a] love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. Hebrews 6:10 
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As soon as you began to pray, a word went out, which I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed. Daniel 9:23

 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. 2 Corinthians 3:5

And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. Matthew 6:5-7
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He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed. Proverbs 13:20 


Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 14:6
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A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need. Proverbs 17:17 

I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 1This is my command: Love each other. John 15:15-17

Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person. The past is forgotten, and everything is new. 2 Corinthians 5:17

And everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved. Joel 2:32
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Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 

Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials, because the testing of your faith produces perseverance. James 1:2-3

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.


So what verse do you have for me today?

Friday, February 10, 2012

Lyrical Friday - Set A Fire

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Happy Friday!
There is no better place to be than in the place where you are secure in God's love. His love is altogether lovely and free. If you feel that you are far from God, return to Him. He is only a breathe away. If you feel that you have failed Him, return to Him. He will forgive. In your worst, He loves you. There is nothing that you can do that can separate you from His love. 
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As you here this cover of Set a Fire, make it a prayer, for your life and for the lives of those around you. God bless You!
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Set a Fire, Will Reagan & United Pursuit



No place I would rather be 
No place I would rather be 
No place I would rather be 
Than here in Youlove here in Your love 
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Chorus: 
Set a fire down in my soul 
That I cant contain 
That I cant control 
Cause I want more of You God I want more of You

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

sentence tuesday

When I give a piece of bread to a little hungry child,I believe what Jesus said "You did it to me". 
-Mother Theresa


Friday, February 3, 2012

Lyrical Friday - Kingdom Come

Happy Friday!
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We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—  Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies. Yes, we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus, so that the life of Jesus will be evident in our dying bodies. So we live in the face of death, but this has resulted in eternal life for you. But we continue to preach because we have the same kind of faith the psalmist had when he said, “I believed in God, so I spoke.”[c] 14 We know that God, who raised the Lord Jesus, will also raise us with Jesus and present us to himself together with you. All of this is for your benefit. And as God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory.Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:8-18
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For He has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; nor has He hidden His face from Him; But when He cried to Him, He heard. Psalm 22:24
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The righteous cry out, and the Lord heard, and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. He guards all his bones; not one of them is broken. Psalm 34:17-2 
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Those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death,
Bound in affliction and irons—
11 Because they rebelled against the words of God,
And despised the counsel of the Most High,
12 Therefore He brought down their heart with labor;
They fell down, and there was none to help.
13 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
And He saved them out of their distresses.
14 He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death,
And broke their chains in pieces. Psalm 107:10-14

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Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 1 Corinthians 5:17
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Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. Colossians 3:12-13
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But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 2 Timothy 4:5
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Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless. 2 Peter 3:13-14

-I pray that your faith has been renewed after reading these verses. Kingdom Come by JJ Heller is a song that settles these very scriptures in my heart. Your affliction, heartache, pain, struggle and burdens matter to God. He is intimately acquainted will all your ways (Psalm 139) and promises to perfect all which concerns you (Psalm 138). There will be a day where He will make all things new, brand spanking new! There will be no more sorrow, no more tears, no turmoil, no more fears. We will abide in peace, eternal and glorious peace. There will be no shadow of shame over us and sin we will not know. Thinking of it overflows my heart with joy.

So what are we to do until that day comes? I would fail you if I didn't point you in the right direction (--->Jesus). He is your portion of strength, courage, boldness, peace, joy, self control, love, mercy, grace, validation, affirmation, counsel, hope and well, the list goes on. Though we live in the here and now, we are building/and being built for the then and there of eternity. May hope arise for you in Jesus as you allow Him to manage your current affliction and deliver you from them.
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I can't wait to spend eternity with you!
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Kingdom Come, JJ Heller


Ashes, ashes, we fall down
It always feels too soon
But when we walk on golden ground
All will be made new

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Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah

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All will be made new

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Life is but a dream at best
Morning's coming soon
Kingdom come will bring us rest
All will be made new
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Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
All will be made new
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All sorrows and sighs
Will fade away into the night
And all will be made new
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Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
All will be made new


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