Music Monday: {Hello, My Name Is} by Matthew West

Hello friends, and Happy Monday to you!  It's officially Summer, and I hope that you're enjoying yours!  Things are well here, and Summer is in full swing with Bible study, swimming lessons, sleepovers, baseball games, reading, relaxing, and movie watching.  Oh, and I almost forget, I joined the gym two weeks ago!  I've been watching calories, eating healthier, and exercising more than I ever have.  It feels great to be making healthy choices!

Anyway, let's get back to Music Monday.  I don't know where you're at right now, but if you're like me, perhaps the enemy has been whispering (or shouting) lies into your ears.  As a matter of fact, just this morning I found myself actually believing those lies.  I was beginning to feel like my old self again, and I asked myself, "Who am I?"  Well, I'm certainly not the lies that I was listening to, and I wasn't about to listen to it for one more minute.  That's when I stopped dead in my tracks, and said out loud . . . NO, I'm not listening to this anymore!  I am a child of God!

The words of Matthew West's song popped into my head, and it felt amazing to get the devil off of my back!  He was weighing me down, and I have no time for that, because I am . . .

SAVED.  CHANGED.  SET FREE.  A CHILD OF THE ONE TRUE KING.  Can I get an amen?   No more living in defeat.  We have victory through His perfect sacrifice and His amazing grace.  Remember His word, and speak it out loud to the enemy.

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.  Hebrews 4:12 NKJV

I pray that this song would speak mightily into your heart if you're living in a place of defeat and believing the lies.  If you'd like a list of verses that tells each and every one of us who we are in Christ, I've found a great list on Joyce Meyer's website.  Be sure to click here for this fantastic resource. 

You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.  1 John 4:4 NKJV

Devotional and Song by Kari Jobe - "What Love is This"

This was such a blessing to me this morning, I thought I'd share it here.  I pray that it blesses you as well, my friends.  You can listen to the song below.

“What Love is This” (March 2, 2012 GodTube.com Devotional)
Written by: Kari Jobe

“Jesus, I want a deeper revelation of You. Thank you for the price you paid so I can have grace and freedom.”

All the things around me can change, but I love the fact that He does not change. He is consistent. He can handle every detail of our lives. When we don’t feel that we have the strength, we can rely on His strength.

Life would be so different if Jesus would never have come to earth; if He would have never died for our sins. I sometimes sit and think about the very day that He was crucified. The day that He gave Himself as a living sacrifice for our sin; for our freedom. We have been given a gift because of Jesus. He thought of us the entire time of His crucifixion. His arms were stretched out on a cross, and He was reaching out to us to receive salvation from Him. An incredible exchange, our sin for His forgiveness. He loves us and wants a relationship with us. That’s so amazing. I want to write from that place of love, a love song back to Him; to Jesus for all that He did on that day. “What Love is This” is that love song.

 Ephesians 3:17-19 “…that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love may be able to comprehend the width, length, depth and height. To know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled.”

Think of a few times you have felt Christ’s love reach to you.

Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence by Sarah Young - Don't be so hard on yourself.

Yesterday's devotional (May 9) from Jesus Calling by Sarah Young, really hit close to home for me.  Lately I often have the feeling of, "I've messed up again.  I'm never going to get this right.  Another failure in living a life that is supposed to look like Christ."  Oh, how I beat myself up sometimes!  The following devotional gave me that gentle reminder that I needed, that I don't have to be so hard on myself.  God doesn't expect perfection from me.

Sarah Young writes this from the perspective of Jesus . . .

"Don't be so hard on yourself.  I can bring good even out of your mistakes.  Your finite mind tends to look backward, longing to undo decisions you have come to regret.  This is a waste of time and energy, leading only to frustration.  Instead of floundering in the past, release your mistakes to Me.  Look to Me in trust, anticipating that My infinite creativity can weave both good choices and bad into a lovely design.

Because you are human, you will continue to make mistakes.  Thinking that you should live an error-free life is symptomatic of pride.  Your failures can be a source of blessing, humbling you and giving you empathy for other people in their weaknesses.  Best of all, failure highlights your dependence on Me.  I am able to bring beauty out of the morass of your mistakes.  Trust Me, and watch to see what I will do."  See Romans 8:28 and Micah 7:7

I highly recommend using this devotional book by Sarah Young in your quiet time.  It's really been a blessing to me.

 
About the Book

Uniquely inspired treasures from heaven for every day of the year by missionary Sarah Young.
Jesus Calling is a devotional filled with uniquely inspired treasures from heaven for every day of the year.  After many years of writing in her prayer journal, missionary Sarah Young decided to listen to God with pen in hand, writing down whatever she believed He was saying to her.  It was awkward at first, but gradually her journaling changed from monologue to dialogue.  She knew her writings were not inspired as Scripture is, but journaling helped her grow closer to God.  Others were blessed as she shared her writings, until people all over the world were using her messages.  They are written from Jesus' point of view, thus the title Jesus Calling.  It is Sarah's fervent prayer that our Savior may bless readers with His presence and His peace in ever deeper measure.

About the Author

SARAH YOUNG is quietly leading thousands of women worldwide on a journey of intimacy with Christ. Sarah has a philosophy degree from Wellesley College, a counseling degree from Georgia State University, a Master’s degree from Tufts University, and studied with Francis Schaeffer’s L’Abri Fellowship. Sarah and her husband have traveled around the world planting churches and counseling, and they currently reside in Australia.