Listen, Do You Hear His Voice?

      

Give ear, O heavens, and let me speak;

         And let the earth hear the words of my mouth. 

    For I proclaim the name of the LORD;

        Ascribe greatness to our God! 

   The Rock! His work is perfect,

       For all His ways are just;

    A God of faithfulness and without injustice,

         Righteous and upright is He.  Deut 32:1,3-4 Moses song.

Dearest Sisters,

Can you imagine being in a place where everything says, “Glory”? Some day we will bow before the throne of the Lamb and cry “Glory”.

"Worthy is the Lamb that was slain.... And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, "To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever." 

Rev 5:12a&13

We will be there. Hear me and let it lift your spirit heavenward.  YOU will be there! All the storms of life are over having lost all power to inflict. (if you are 'in' Christ, having repented of sin, believing He died to pay the penalty for your sin. You receive this gift of eternal life when you invite Christ Jesus to live in you and forgive you).

Psalm 29 has not let go of my heart but day after day has continued to buoy me. I must not wait until heaven to ascribe to Him glory and strength, the glory due His name! Praise, to the glory of His name is explicit revelation of 'who' He is and true worship reflects this back to Him.

Ascribe to the LORD the glory due to His name... 

And in His temple everything says, "Glory!" Ps 29

 To Ascribe, Attribute, Impute. Attribute denotes, 1. To refer some quality or attribute to a being; as, to attribute power to God. 2. To refer something to its cause or source;

When earthly storms are raging with intensity of wind and pounding rain, my ears are deafened to another's voice. This is an analogy of our spiritual storms and I take warning that I must not lose the sound of His voice; often being a still small voice.

And a great and strong wind was rending the mountains and breaking in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.

I Kings 19:11-12

Psalm 29 describes a storm and the voice of the Lord which is not a 'still small' voice! Read the verses and let them speak. 

             The voice of the LORD is powerful,

         The voice of the LORD is majestic (vs 4)

It gives me the shivers as it goes on to say His voice shakes, thunders, breaks, strips, and think of an earthquake making mountains skip, Lebanon buck like a calf and Mount Hermon leap like a wild ox. Vs 6 NLT What would we be feeling, besides the ground shaking, if we were standing at the base of Mt Hermon? Fear? 

I ask again: What will it be like to gather before this Holy God on His throne and shout 'glory'?

Psalm 29 ends with our King sitting; reigning as King. He, who allows the storm and rules the storm and times the storm, gives strength and peace to His children. What greater gifts would we want or need to face our storms?

“Struggle yourself and be trapped; rest in Him and be free!" MS

"Many Christians keep themselves in a perpetual foment through hoping they will get into a situation where they can enjoy a better (and easier) Christian life. They feel enclosed in a net of circumstances from which they cannot escape. They are so wearied and baffled and beaten by the continuous pressure about them that they wish and itch for things to be different, quite sure that if they were only different Christ would be more real. It has not dawned upon them that at the heart of these very circumstances they are to find the Lord Jesus, find His grace sufficient, find the life more abundant." -L.E.M.

Abba, You who reign over the storms of life, Compassionate One, Keeper of our hearts, thank You there is not one storm we need ever face in our own strength. Examine our hearts and reveal where I may be harboring fear and resentment. Thank You for showing me where I struggle in my flesh to improve in me what You have condemned and my resulting disgust and despair are just a feeble echo of Yours! I am so thankful You are not looking for any good in me! The Lord Jesus is before You, completely acceptable to You and You have placed me in Christ. I long for all my sisters to taste the deep joy of our being in Christ; accepting our nothingness, released to rest in Your geat Love. Teach us to sing like Moses!  Lord I pray in the Holy Name of the Lamb who was slain.

Listening for His voice in the storm...az

My Be-attitude

"You are the light of the world. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Matt 5:14,16 fragments

... for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth) Ephesians 5:8-9

Dear Ones loved by our amazing Savior,

Sometimes I cannot get on paper what is filling up my heart as He discloses Himself to me and I want to go up on the roof (mine is flat) and shout His praises and dance before Him! Other times, surreptitiously, I am called to be flat out, my face covered with my hands in fearful delight. I am so in awe of Him and wonder why He would allow me near! These are not times you share with another but tuck them in your heart as purest treasure. I see Mary as one who definitely had a time of purest treasure receiving news from Gabriel that she was chosen to bear the Messiah of Israel. (Luke 1:26-38) Amazing and wondrous faith displayed. Hear her words.

Mary said, "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word." And the angel departed from her. Luke 1:38

As I put myself in Mary's place and imagine being told this amazing news, I wonder how would I respond? Would I believe and sweetly acquiesce? The Jews awaited Messiah for thousands of years it was wondrous to be chosen. So very young and her heart so tenderly accepting. Read her response again and 'feel' her attitude. (above) Would she have said these words if she knew they included future suffering and misunderstanding?  

I was reading in Matthew 5 when v14 tapped me on the shoulder and verse 16 stopped me. Taking a surprised breath I was unable to read on. I had read this dozens of times but as a 'fact', not hearing “You are the light of the world”. My mind raced. Just how was I to 'let' my light shine before men 'in such a way' <(what exactly does this mean?) that others, including those who are in the house (family) will see my good works and glorify my Father in heaven. Do I get to define 'in such a way'? Does it include all the Beatitudes just spoken? Is it my choice of what I will engage in to ‘bring’ Him glory? Did Mary decide what Gabriel would say? How many days have I made such decisions based on what fit my  plans? 

 As usual, I gave my day to the Lord asking that I might bring Him glory and please Him. ( a bit presumptuous as it was never 'my' day!) I knew how I would spend it. Things had been so busy I wanted to slow down and dovery little. My husband had different plans which stretched to 4 pm. It was a fierce battlet not to embrace resentment. Instead I attempted to keep a good attitude and count the flesh dead to sin. (Romans 6) My mind cried out, “It isn't fair”. But then life isn't about 'fair'' it about His glory. One small unnoticed act of kindness may garner more glory for Him than any planned act of service, in His name. What happened to my: “Lord, this is your day”? How quickly it became my will, not His. My reasoning was not of faith, but of flesh. Unbelief as to His word to me.

In Ephesians 5 it explains what it is to let your light shine, it is the fruit Light.  Jesus is the Light. I Tim 6:15-16 It is His Life and Light in and through us that brings Him glory.  Eph 5 tells us to: walk in love, walk carefully, walk redeeming the time, walk in wisdom, walk in understanding and the key to this walk is in vs 18 'walk filled with the Spirit'. After reading this I knew that to be the light of the world was not a legalistic effort to keep the Beatitudes Jesus had just given, but to have the Lord’s Light shining through all my cracks. It is His Spirit that produces and I only receive. 

He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen. I Tim 6:15-16

I also saw  another Beatitude spoken by Elizabeth to Mary.. 

“blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord.” I want this beatitude to apply to me and to all of you my dear sisters, in such a way,  that we are transformed for His glory! God’s word is spoken to us by the Lord; as we draw near and read it with hearts of faith. May He give ears to hear and eyes to see His Truth. Blessed be His name. 

“You cannot live in the world without knowledge and learning. The kind of knowledge that will really profit you-- in soul as well as in body-- is the knowledge that comes as you learn how to walk with God in the humble character of Christ. That is, the intimate knowledge that comes as your spirit interacts with Christ's Spirit, and He begins to shine and become present in you. (as LORD) T.K .

 Lord, You who shelter me. Incline my heart to let Your Light shine enabling me to embrace what You send to my day in such a way it results in Your glory! How quickly I turn from Your way to mine. Change me. Hide me in the pavilion of Your love and grace, in such a way,Your way, that Your glory permeates my life and spills all over the place. Oh, to have hearts as Mary who lived in such a way her attitude was 'Be it unto me” as she trusted You for all she did not understand. Because You are the Light of the world and live in me I can shine in such a way that Your name, Jesus, is lifted high. Thank You for such a privilege as this. You not only died for me, I died with You. Mary's light shone in such a way in the darkness of her time... I pray my sisters and I will shine in the darkness of this age, wherever our day takes us and especially in our families. Encourage them for they are the light of the world!  Live in us in such a way as to cause our lives to have eternal impact.In the Name of Love I pray, amen

shine in such a way!

az

Focus and Hope

Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. II Corinthians 12:10

My Sisters who love the Lord,

I met my daughter at her appointment to entertain Joshua (4yrs) while she was with the doctor. The 4 story building with many hallways called for an adventure. Josh was leading, as we slunk, hugging the walls until we made it to the stairwell. Approaching the 4^th floor, I whispered, “ J-man will the enemy detect us? Are we safe?” Without a backward glance he replied, “Grammy, we just need to Focus and have Hope!”

These words echoed in my heart. Out of the mouth of babes... For His lovers, He is our focus and Hope. Oh, such mystery in the ways of our Lord with His lovers. He bids us draw near, come to Him. Now and again with other lovers, but so often altogether alone. He nurtures and comforts imparting strength none but His lovers know. Even further He discloses Himself and makes His word known to those who seek Him in spirit and in truth. Then we move on, awareness of Him in the present moment. Hope. We are safe. Grace.

“From this point, not craving for what, if continued, would become a spiritual luxury, they go on like the sun that rejoices to run the race.” ac

Some days I deeply long to be on my face before His throne and done with a profoundly disappointing separation. “Lord, I long to be with You. I long for home.” His poignant reply was, “Arlene, it is enough for now that I indwell you.” Searching words as well as comforting. Each moment a gift from Him. What would it be like to be content in the moment? Even more so, to be 'well-content'? “Lord, reveal our hearts even now uncover discontent.”

And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness " Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. II Cor 12:9

Paul discloses a very challenging mind set; a spirit willing to receive whatever God deems good for Paul. Focus. Look at the list of what Paul boasts he is “well” content!  Paul was just a man. The grace God supplied him is ours in Christ. Christ's grace is possessed of unfailing strength. The phrase 'is sufficient' is in the perfect tense and means 'is continually being made perfect.' God is supporting our mind with His most powerful influence, causing me to rejoice with joy unspeakable!! Paul uses words like 'delight, gladly, boast'. Focus.

Again, I ask, “Do I really believe this?” When have I been well-content with suffering? Do I rejoice in the rest? (meaning is to spread as a tent over and dwell in). He is Rest. We never lose by suffering and affliction. His strength rests on us enabling us this very moment. Hope.

It does not say what Paul's thorn was but the word means 'a sharp stake used for torturing or impaling someone. God permitted satan to buffet Paul (means to beat, to strike with a fist). I see two messages one from satan to Paul, but God also had a message for Paul... grace. I love the acrostic for Grace: God's Riches At Christ's Expense. Sufficient grace, strengthening grace, transforming grace. Focus. Safety.

Our Father, You who are the Lover of our souls and give us grace sufficient and perfect. You who always hear my prayer, You my abundant Life-Giver! It blows me away to see how detailed Your provision is for me O Lord and that You not only love me, for You are love, but You like me and delight to have me draw near . Words fail Majestic One. Teach me and my precious sisters to be well-content and know Your rest, to focus and to have hope. Keep us from being willing to just have salvation and go to church and do churchy things. Give us a hunger that will move us to greater intimacy with You through Your Word, which lives. I love you and thank you for the privilege of sharing my heart with these sisters. O how you love them. In the Name of Him who left heaven to be our Redeemer. amen


Focus and Hope in Christ alone,


az

Apart from Me You Can Do Nothing

"You shall follow the LORD your God and fear Him; and you shall keep 

His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him. Deut 13:4 

Abide in Me, and I in you...  apart from Me you can do nothing. John 15:4a-5b.

My Sisters, in faith, you have been prayed for this week, 


I have a question... is it normal to frequently ask questions while reading His word? I do. This week i hit the wall while reading John15. Verse 5 generated the sentinel question which stopped further progress. i heard... 'Arlene, do you believe this?'  i then had a great need to paraphrase the question:  'Do i truly believe apart from the Savior Himself, I can do nothing?' This leaves no room to hedge! But of course, if you were to come up to me and ask me this very question i would give the correct response. 'yes, i do.' Yet, Jesus said "by their fruit you shall know them'? How many 'works' such as teaching a Bible study, serving the poor, housing a missionary, giving financially, serving our family by cleaning, washing clothes, cooking, groceries.... are done in the strength of the flesh day after day after day?

If i am abiding in Christ it is 'not I but Christ', His life is flowing through me in all His glorious effortlessness; i will reap indescribable rest. Jesus work never fails and there is always the evidence of the sweetness of His love and grace about the work. The life of endeavor which is 'my serving Him because He has done so much for me' is not what the Heavenly Father accepts. Even the 'love' motive may be good; even high, but it is not adequate! It is not the motivation put forth in His word. The taint of the flesh is about it. I must go beyond the seemingly honorable 'love' motive, to the 'life' motive. My surrender, my yielding to Him in consecration will never be acceptable unless it is His life lived through me. "Not I, but Christ".

"Our consecration, surrender or commitment (our service) will never hold up if it is our responding to Him from any other motivation  than the response of His life in us. Yielding to Him on any different basis will simply amount to our 'trying' to live for Him in the self-life. And even if that were possible, He could never accept it, since in that realm there dwells no good thing (Rom 7:18) plus He has taken the old life to the cross and crucified it (Rom 6:6, Gal 2:20) M.J.S.

It isn't really about what we are doing, how successful we are, how great the crowds or how impressive our work but the real question is "by what power are we doing it?" This question speaks to my heart in Jesus words... "If anyone serves Me, he must follow me.."Jn 12:26 This connects with "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. Our flesh forever seeks to bypass the death sentence. To serve Him only, is to follow Him only and to follow is to deny my flesh and take up my cross. To take up my cross is to appropriate the Truth 'counting myself to have died' with Him and risen with Him. My cross cannot be separated from His Cross; nor His from mine. Anytime i side step the Cross, i am on my own and I can do nothing that will matter in eternity.


 I want to be a disciple... Disciple: One who receives instruction from another; a scholar; a learner; especially, a follower who has learned to believe in the truth of the doctrine of his teacher.

How easily i slide into doing things in the flesh. The flesh is easily at home, thriving in any situation, fooling many. What fuels this absurd effort is blatant, willful pride. Do i really believe my flesh is as bad as God's Word states? No. He must take me through trials that reveal my utter sinfulness. The only eternal thing i have to offer my precious Lord Jesus is what He has given me or done through me; as i am delivered unto death for Jesus sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in my mortal body. II Cor 4:11 It is as His death works in us that His life works through us to touch others. That makes me want to dance!

The Christian life is nothing short of the life of the Lord Jesus (Col 3:4). It is His life reproduced in us. The common conception of sanctification is that every area of the life should be holy; but that is not holiness, it is the fruit of holiness; holiness is the Lord Jesus Christ. M.J.S. 

When the Lord convicts me of pride I am inclined to think humility is the answer but it is not. The answer to pride is the Lord Jesus as He is the answer to every need i have and i am needy. I must not expect the Father to give me humility, patience, or love as separate gifts of His grace; He has given me the Lord Jesus and if I would simply trust Him, receiving moment by moment His life being lived through me, He will be patient and all else i need. A leader may have a zeal in serving God and influence others for good but weighed in His divine balances be found sadly wanting in love and humility. You may never hear sharp words or see their impatience. Their critical spirit toward others my be deftly hidden so too a need to be in 'control', it would but prove how little the Holy Spirit of Jesus has mastery over their life.

All-knowing One, You who know a word before it is on my tongue, You who see my hidden sins that i am in denial over, i run to You, knowing i am carefully and lovingly handled by You. You do not reveal my sin to shame me but to cause me to run to Jesus. You gently lead me to Yourself. so i run. i am needy. i want to love You perfectly but all i can do right now is cry out, "grow me Lord". Yet, i am overwhelmed by the Truth of being loved by You it continually sets my feet to dancing. i pray for my sisters and desire for each one to grow in You, getting beyond the birth truths onto the growth truths. Give them undivided hearts and a hunger that only You can satisfy in Jesus. Encourage the down hearted, be Strength to those in need and a Refuge for those who need a sanctuary. i pray they will bathe daily in Your word for we can only be Your disciples as we continue in Your word. Whisper Your love to each heart and leave them in awe of You Jesus. In this precious, priceless name I pray. amen

To serve is to follow + to follow is to + take up my cross= worship

az

Though He Slay Me....

...join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God...  according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity...  for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day. II Timothy 1:8-9,12 My Dearest sisters, whose names are engraved on the palm of His hand, you, who have been in His heart from eternity past, greetings in His most precious Name, Has anyone ever said to you, ‘Grow up!’? I resented this as a teen.  God’s word says: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro... (eph 4:14) That says to me: 'Grow up!' i still find at times i live in the arena of ‘feelings’ and wonder when I will choose to stop my childish behavior. Immaturity which insists God explain Himself; 'why' He has allowed a difficult situation to make itself at home in my life that is as unwelcome as a party-crashing, bull-elephant, without an invitation, it is now residing beneath my roof. I long to live the Truth of this quote found long ago in the journal of Arnot of Central Africa “I am learning never to be disappointed, but to praise “  Amy C. states this:.. it is a word of  peace. I think it must hurt the tender love of our Father when we press for reasons for His dealings with us, as though He were not  Love... as though what He chose to allow could be less than the very best and dearest that Love Eternal had to give.  Until i grow beyond this childish realm of ‘sight and feelings’ how can i go forward? I may thrash sideways or stress up and down, but not forward. I felt God ask me this week, “Arlene,when you do not see my hand or sense my Presence, will you trust me and endure as beholding Him who is invisible? (Heb 11:27) i wanted to shout.. “Am I Moses?” But I knew this quiet question was telling. My Father desires me to trust Him relentlessly, even if He steps back, with-drawing any sense of His Presence. Even when darkness is so great i cannot sense His Love and Grace enfolding me.      “There is no grace in delighting in the Presence and favor of the Father when they are resting consciously and continuously upon us; for this rejoicing comes from sight and feelings. But there is precious grace in the delight which is not dependent upon His favors, nor upon our enjoyment of them; but wich is wholly dependent and has its source in the Father’s explicit Word, and His eternal faithfulness.”CHM This is true but I wouldn't choose it.  When life hurts and grace feels far away and the hope, love and joy, are almost extinguished in my heart, when circumstances are overwhelming and fierce the temptations, and faith seems nonexistent and words to prayer refuse to come...  i must 'choose' to stand and fight by rehearsing the goodness of God. I must choose to verbalize aloud the Truth of His faithfulness and power and must also choose to rest in ‘Who’ He is. I must choose to honor Him and speak words of praise (even if void of emotion) for Truth is power and by speaking scripture i can put the enemy to flight.  Such as Job 13:15: ‘Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him’.  Speak this Truth to Him: "Though You slay me yet will I trust You, Abba!"  Thank Him for praying for you. (John 17) Sing (by faith) regardless of how you feel! I bow before You Abba, You who are always Love, always Good, You who daily plan good for me. Give me an undivided heart that I might not just endure but endure with joy. That I might not just sing, but sing with all my being, to You who are worthy beyond understanding. Touch my sisters with Your Truth as only You can. Encourage and strengthen those who are weary and deliver those in bondage of fear... Guard them and give them laughter to day. I pray they will choose to behold You with a heart that chooses to be thankful over and again. Take them to a place near You, where they will rejoice in their suffering and fill their heart with faith to trust You, now, today for whatever they face. You alone are Strength and Hope and Wisdom and Love. You alone are good..... Lord thank You for letting me love You. I pray because You have provided this gift of kneeling before Your throne.  I love You.  az

Not I, but Christ

If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. John 14:15

(Jesus command) Whoever serves me must follow me.. John 12:26 

My dearest Sisters who love the Lord,

Those who desire to serve Christ walk straight into the crucible. At the foundry we melt bronze in the crucible at about 1500*. The bronze casting process truly replicates life. We cut, hammer, drill, grind, weld, power-wash and apply smelly chemical patinas to achieve likeness and beauty.  God works in our life to create the likeness and beauty of Christ in us we receive  blows and cutting and grinding away of all that is unlike Him. We are pounded with struggle and poured out to accomplish His will and purposes for us. It costs to serve. And Jesus states clearly that if we are to serve, we must follow and if we are to follow we must deny ourselves and take up our cross daily. The 'daily' part is so hard. I think how wonderful it would be to have it all accomplished in one day lasting until I am home with Him! 


Our life is "not I, but Christ'. (Galatians 2:20) How often i have quoted aloud these four words! The Lord does not ask me to work for him. He intends to work through me! There is a huge difference (ponder this). In one instance I am striving to work worthily for Him, feeling I never measure up... busy, busy, busy and feeling barren. This is why a most important factor in our walk is the Holy Spirit's revelation of the self-life to us. First we learn: 'not I' then 'but Christ'. EX: a kernel of corn falls into the ground, dies down in the dark, dank earth and because it dies new life springs out of its death bringing forth much fruit. The stalk, then ears, then kernels.


We are to called to die to the flesh and out of death His resurrection life might flow through us for His glory. All resurrection life flows out of death or it would not be resurrection life.



For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death works in us, but life in you. II Cor 4:11-12

Do you see the amazing promise here? When death is at work in us, it is Christ Himself who touches others through us... Paul said when death worked in him, Christ's life worked in those he was serving. Their is a cost to follow the Lamb; death to self; just as it cost His life for us, whom He served. It costs to let Christ's love flow through you... death. We all have someone in our lives we struggle to love, but if Christ's love is flowing through us it will not fall short. When we struggle, as Paul describes in Romans 7, that is a healthy sign though it doesn't feel right. How else will we learn to detest the flesh and look to Christ for our need. 


 All through life God must show us our utter sinfulness and need before He is able to lead us on into realms of grace, in which we glimpse His glory. Self revelation precedes divine revelation. MJS


The Christian who is wrestling in life with failure is right where God can work in her life. Self will never cast out self. Only by God's Holy Spirit and His mercy leading us into total failure do we experience the great need to seek Christ and His strength and perfection. In the end we will know success and growth as God has planned. Whatever crumbles in the process is only that which needed to be removed from our lives. People and circumstances are not really the reason for our failure are they? The problem is 'our' reaction to them. My failure to be patient or to love or forgive others.... is the failure that causes me to cast myself on Jesus and cry out " Lord, change me"!


How infinite are the forms in which self appears. Some are occupied with good self. They pride themselves on their excellencies. Others are just as much occupied with bad self. They are forever groaning over their imperfections, and struggling with the flesh as if they hoped in time to improve it. When shall we be convinced it is so utterly bad that it is beyond all recovery? Is it, 'Reckon yourself to be weak in reference to sin? No, it is lower than that. Is It, 'Reckon yourself to be dying?' No, lower still. 'Reckon yourself to be dead' (Rom 6:11) indeed unto sin.' E.H.


Some think they are very 'weak' but this means they have some strength. A dead man has no strength. We are to live the 'fact' we are dead to sin and alive to Christ. It is not true because we live it, but we live it because it is true.


Namer of the stars, You who have engraved my name on the palm of Your hand, You who've known me by name from eternity past and have written my name in the Lamb's book of life; to whom will i compare you? Who is your equal? By the greatness of Your power You sustain life! I bow in awe of You. Who am i that You should love me? care for me? carry me? bless me? Who am i that You allow me to draw near? to know You? enjoy You? i rest in You Keeper of my heart.  As i die, You live through me. I lift up my sisters asking You to guide their steps in Your Truth. Hold them and teach them to apply this dying to self (Romans 6) and rest in Who You are. Keep them from discouragement as You reveal their sinful nature to them. I pray they will keep their focus on You and not the trial. So many voices call to us give us ears to hear only You. Remind them again of Your love and that the battle is the Lord's! 
In Your majestic name o Lamb of God i pray.


Not i, but Christ....
az

Better than a Hallelujah?

Revelation 19:1
[ The Fourfold Hallelujah ] After these things I heard something like a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, " Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God.....


My dearest Sisters,
Years ago I heard this: 'It takes a lot of Truth to float a little lie'.  There is a very popular song with a catchy melody that quickly assimilates into one's brain but disturbs me deeply. I realize there are songs which are not actually scriptural in every aspect, but do not thwart doctrine.  Please carefully ponder with me the definition of the word 'hallelujah'.
hallelujah |?hal??lo?y?| (also alleluia) exclamation

God be praised (uttered in worship or as an expression of rejoicing) : He is risen! Alleluia!

noun

an utterance of the word “hallelujah” as an expression of worship or rejoicing.

 (from the 16th century) directly from Hebrew hall?l?y?h ‘praise ye the Lord.’

This word is the same in every language around the world! I believe it is to be reserved for worship of Christ Jesus alone, our precious Lord and Savior. He is the only One worthy of such adoration.  The song (I've heard too many times) is one touching the emotions of the heart and at first hearing seem good, but what are the words proclaiming? Consider phrases such as 'the honest cries of breaking hearts are better than a hallelujah'. Is this true? Honest cries are good but earthly. Truth: there is nothing better than a hallelujah! How can a mother's tears at night be better than a Hallelujah? They may be dear to the Savior's ear and He may share her tears and answer her plea but is it better than a hallelujah?  God hear the cries of a breaking heart (true) but is it better than praise and worship of the Holy One? 

You may not agree with me, but I find the song's statement  alarming; fitting into the category of 'having my ears tickled!'  See: II Timothy 4:2-4 nas. My heart has refused to resonate with lyrics which make the Christian life about us. I find it leaves me unsettled. For me it spiritually dethrones my Lord and seriously diminishes the meaning of the word Hallelujah; moving it to the mundane it reflects where the church is today. God says we will give an account (I will give an account) of every idol word I speak or for carelessly misusing His Holy Name or attributing to earthy things that which reserved for exalting Him alone.

Definition of mundane:  of this earthly world rather than a heavenly or spiritual one.

It is always the spiritual that matters most, and so the assault on the spirit is always fiercer than on the body. ac

We have the opportunity of proving our God True and worshiping Him! Did you ever stop to think how humbling and amazing it is that we are allowed such a privilege? I know that when Christ Jesus is on the throne of my life, there can never be anything better than a hallelujah! Hallelujah for who He is and what He has done for me. There is nothing this earth offers that compares to what is mine in Christ and what awaits me eternally. I hope you are caused to sing... "Hallelujah, what a Savior".  Our glorious Lord deserves nothing less than grateful singing hearts.

Exalted One, Holy beyond comprehension, it is You i adore. Were i to suddenly be in Your Presence I would be flat out on my face before Your glory; daring not to raise my head to glimpse the Holiness and Power and beauty emanating from Your throne. I pray for my sisters, Your beloveds, the ones You think about and love immeasurably! Give them discernment and wisdom and let them find their satisfaction and joy in You today. Remind them Your loving kindness enfolds them even now. Remind them of your  greatness and that You alone are worthy of every Hallelujah we would ever utter!  Give them a song in the night, give them a song in the day, give them a song of thanksgiving and praise to You. I pray in the Name of the only One worthy of receiving our 'Hallelujah's', Yeshua Jesus, Lamb of God.

Hallelujah to the Lamb,

az