I have found where I belong~

A different sort of peace has gripped my soul lately...just, praise be to God, for making me more and more sensitive to the voice of His Spirit. Getting back into the steady habit of early morning quiet times (those cool of the day moments, but running towards Him with expectation - not backing away in shame). And oh my goodness (rather, HIS goodness), receiving so much encouragement and peace from some rich, intercessory prayer times every week...I am so amazed at the difference between prayer times when I plow in with my own agenda, instead of asking my Father who He would have me supplicate for. (Life is so much sweeter when you're abiding in the His heart!) Praise God...experiencing so much growth right now - He is awesome!

Also, beginning to get a clearer understanding of my word for June...I know that seasons are shifting (which is a good thing!), and I believe I'm supposed to keep my hands open. Ready to receive all that He has to pour down and release what I no longer am meant to hold on to...and by the grace of God's truth, I'll be able to discern between the releasing and receiving. =) ahh, everyday with You is sweeter than the day before! I've found where I belong!
haha! Wow...God is so funny - that's definitely the 2 current songs that I'm stuck on...

Kim Walker's, I Have Found

I have found a peace that ploughs on through the storm
I have found a joy that jumps over sadness
I have found a love that lights up every room
I have found, I've found You!

You are all I want, You are all I need,
Everything my heart could hope for
We are longing for, the Glory of the Lord,
Cause we know there's so MUCH MORE!

I have found a trust that teaches how to rest
I have found a grace that guides me by the hand
I have found a strength that stands like a mountain
And I have found, I've found You!


Cory Asbury's, Where I Belong

Your presence is all I am longing for

Here in the secret place

Your nearness is all I am waiting for

Here in the quiet place,

Here in the secret place

My soul waits for You alone

Like the watchmen wait for dawn

Here I’ve finally found the place

Where we’ll meet, Lord, face to face

Hallelujah...Father, this year is nearly half over, and there hasn't been a step I've taken without you; let me continue to abide in You as You shape me into the woman You desire to me to be - for the Glory of Your Name! Haven't yet taken hold of it, but pressing on towards what lies ahead...

²But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. (Malachi 4)


*another recurring theme: Unity of purpose/focus/intention/spirit/heart...haha, all of the above.

²⁴And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, ²⁵ not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Hebrews 10)

(and)

¹So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, ² complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. ³Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. (Philippians 2)

So convicted to not give up on friends (new & old) that God has placed on my heart to reach out to/pray for. ¹⁵Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. (Ephesians 5) There's just no time left to be selfish and waste our time...Lord, thank you for continued guidance as You open up my eyes to clearly see who You have for me to serve...use me as You choose.

Grace & Peace be yours in abundance...

Glow

You know, it's not only from God liking me or loving me, but from God delighting in me - in every detail of my life?!!!
Everything everything everything flows from Him..."for from Him and through Him and to Him are ALL things, to HIM be the glory forever!"

A few different people commented today how I have a "glow," or "look refreshed like you just came back from vacation"........must be the furnace that God is putting my heart through. hallelujah, GLORY to His Name!

There's just...no doubt in my mind that God IS faithful to fulfill His Word! Yes, He is able (and sometimes that's as far as our faith can stretch, just the knowledge that He's big enough to handle whatever we're going through). But then, He'll bring things to pass that just leave me weeping - He's not just able, He's going to do it. *catcher - He'll do it in HIS timing* A man's steps are from the Lord, how then can anyone understand his own way? (We can't! Isn't that great!) What a blessing that we get to face life one day at a time...

Seen more fruit this week from 'considering the lilies'...ahhhh, how MUCH MORE does He care for us?! Completely humbled right now, in Jesus' Name this is gonna stick with me...keep me low, lift You up.

Glow - Hillsong United

Lost and stranded empty handed
Broken down and all alone
Your mercy it entered into darkness
And enfolded us in love

We give You all we are for the glory of Your name
We give all we are for Your praise


Just a glimmer of Your glory
And the Earth falls to its knees
You level the mountains with a whisper
And You calm the raging seas


Let the Earth come to life
In the light of Heaven's glow
And the streets sound with joy
As the shackles lose their hold
You laid down Your life for one and all
So we give all we are to You alone


This means freedom for the captive
And good news for those in need
You message is justice and compassion
God of Love and Prince of Peace


With one voice we sing Hallelujah
All the Earth cry out Hallelujah
With the angels sing Hallelujah
Jesus Christ is King

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ahhh, that's where the GLOW is coming from!! God's Love Overwhelming (me) Wholly...
Also, verse I'm expecting to keep seeing played out this week:
(Proverbs 17:3, ESV)
The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold,
and the LORD tests hearts.

(also like how NLT phrases it)
Fire tests the purity of silver and gold,
but the Lord tests the heart.

hm, purity...
"the condition or quality of being pure; freedom from anything that debases, contaminates, pollutes, etc....freedom from foreign or inappropriate elements; careful correctness"

And in His great mercy, God even tells us how to hang onto this purity!

(Psalm 119)
⁹How can a young man keep his way pure?
By guarding it according to your word.
¹⁰ With my whole heart I seek you;
let me not wander from your commandments!
¹¹I have stored up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.
¹²Blessed are you, O LORD;
teach me your statutes!
¹³With my lips I declare
all the rules of your mouth.
¹⁴In the way of your testimonies I delight
as much as in all riches.
¹⁵I will meditate on your precepts
and fix my eyes on your ways.
¹⁶I will delight in your statutes;
I will not forget your word.


Ah, be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!!!
He knows, He knows, He knows our deepest (& even shallowest!) needs/desires.
Please just dare to trust Him....He is always worth it, He is always working things together for good. (in. His. timing.) Get in His Word and stay there...let go and give Him everything, for without Him we are nothing, have nothing...grab His hand every day and experience His abundance!!! Our King is surely sovereign!

Plans (postponed)

*Disclaimer: So, I pulled all of this together two weeks ago and decided not to share it. Well this week, I've run into the recurring theme of OBEDIENCE, acting when God tells you to..."delayed obedience is still disobedience." (ouch. thanks, God.) I was going to share a post with all of these amazing insights and connections, then God just goes, "Or you could share what I already gave you...?"
Oh, how He shoves us...

Psalm 20:4
May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.


Psalm 33:11
But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.

Proverbs 15:22
Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.


Proverbs 16:3
Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.


Proverbs 16:9
In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.


Proverbs 19:21
Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.


Proverbs 20:18
Make plans by seeking advice; if you wage war, obtain guidance.


Proverbs 21:5
The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.

I believe God's Word. I know He is true and His promises never fail. Where I get caught up, is allowing other people's opinions/ideas/plans to hold my thoughts captive...I begin to compare human opinions, rather than holding it all up to the light of God's Word and discerning what is of Him and what is not.

My friend asked me the other week, "What are your dreams?" I'm so grateful it was brought up, because this question has come up (in various contexts/forms) over the past several days...and I know I kept getting hung up because I kept trying to define it by what I plan to do, rather than who I'm going to be.

What are my dreams?

....For God to be glorified in absolutely everything I do. To embrace every single moment as an opportunity to love/serve someone else. For me to decrease and God to increase. To sincerely count it ALL joy (only by His grace). To be active in sharing my faith, that I may gain a full understanding of everything I have in Christ.

I guess that's why I'm not uber concerned about what I'll ultimately be doing vocationally, because the Word applies to every season and every facet of my life...I mean, I believe that goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I WILL dwell in the house of my Lord forever! I have a broad vision for my life over the next several years (nothing entirely grandiose or specific), but God is also faithful to give me fresh rhema every day, that is soaked in love and confirmation. And lately,

"I can't imagine a life without You, without You 'Cause it's all for You Yeah it's all for You God"
~You Deserve

hm, now I'm reminded that just last Saturday, He admonished me to "cease striving and know that He is God..." What the heck? Howww do I forget so quickly? But it's not even forgetting, it's choosing to get wrapped up in my self-created stress. Lord, thank you for being endlessly patient and gracious with us...keep my spirit quiet and humble before You...


"Let not yours be the [merely] external adorning with [elaborate] interweaving and knotting of the hair, the wearing of jewelry, or changes of clothes;

But let it be the inward adorning and beauty of the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible and unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit, which [is not anxious or wrought up, but] is very precious in the sight of God."
~1 Peter 3:3-4, AMP

Also (because God likes to tell me the same thing in 3 different ways, hallelujah)~

"A quiet spirit is of inestimable value in carrying on outward activities; and nothing so hinders the working of the hidden spiritual forces, upon which, after all, our success in everything really depends, as a spirit of unrest and anxiety.

"There is immense power in stillness. A great saint once said, "All things come to him who knows how to trust and be silent." The words are pregnant with meaning. A knowledge of this fact would immensely change our ways of working. Instead of restless struggles, we would "sit down" inwardly before the Lord, and would let the Divine forces of His Spirit work out in silence the ends to which we aspire. You may not see or feel the operations of this silent force, but be assured it is always working mightily, and will work for you, if you only get your spirit still enough to be carried along by the currents of its power." --Hannah Whitall Smith
~April 28th, Streams in the Desert

“I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.”
~Job 19:25

Speak.

*NOTE - started this on Saturday night, fell asleep, wrapping up on Sunday morning =)

I feel weird, like I could cry again for no reason...must be completely overtired, because I was laughing hysterically just an hour ago. =] must have been something in the pizza...

SUCH a beautiful day! Really did not expect to enjoy "Smoke on the Lake" so much, but it turns out that I really enjoy being lakeside! (who knew?!) Absolutely beautiful, consistent breeze/fierce wind all seven hours I was there...and the only sunburn is on the back of my knees? Odd, but lovely! (the happy, random music & free food was a nice touch, as well ;)

Then, I knew that church was going to be good this evening, mostly because I was totally exhausted and God's voice is just amplified whenever I'm feeling weary. And for as much as I was expecting Him to do something, I had no idea that He would bring up what He did...but He did, so good.

First, my friend Michelle stops me and asks, "Hey! How's your health?" (referring to MS stuff) I paused, think I said something like, 'oh it's good, keeps getting better,' then we got distracted by other people in the hallway, so I didn't get a chance to elaborate (with Michelle, at least). But I kept walking/pondering her question, knowing exactly where my body isn't responding like I want it to - I still haven't been able to really jump in about a year, and it's been a point of frustration for me lately. I've been debating whether or not I should fast for it, go to bed earlier...I don't know, something. (I'm pretty sure God just told me to trust...) I know that God "makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights," so doesn't that mean that I should be jumping by now?

Second, I walk into the sanctuary, intercession had just started, and everyone was walking around in the sanctuary praying. I gladly joined in and came across another friend, Ms. Lori, who gave me a wonderful, knowing hug (you ever hug someone while you're both praying in the Spirit?? Such a neat feeling, and I almost get the sense that they now know everything that's going on in my life, good or bad..). But it also reminded me of the card and plaque she gave me last year, like the week after I received my Word of healing. The plaque has Matthew 19:26, "with God all things are possible." I remember the card, short, sweet and to the point - "Emily, truly ALL things are possible with God! Your healing is yours, says the Lord." (finally started crying at this point, through the duration of worship. Awesome!)

Third, the elders that open service start with Ezekiel 37 (The Valley of Dry Bones - a piece Refuge did 2 years ago/holds a deep, familiar place in me).
⁴ Then he said to me, "Prophesy to these bones and say to them, 'Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! ⁵ This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. ⁶ I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD.'

⁷ So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. ⁸ I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them.

⁹ Then he said to me, "Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe into these slain, that they may live.' " ¹⁰ So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army.

Then, to follow up that passage with a word exhorting us to speak to the dead things in our lives - in the Name of the Lord - and see the difference that it makes. (am I scared to prophesy as He has commanded?)

¹⁴ I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the LORD have spoken, and I have done it, declares the LORD.' "

*Sunday morning wrap up =)

Yes, after God has done x, y, and z we'll really know that He has done it, but we first have to walk out (in obedience!) what He has told us to do/say. Which makes it NO coincidence that a verse I was led to this morning was Colossians 4:5-6~
Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
I had ample opportunity yesterday to have some grace-filled conversation, and I think I missed a lot of it, by choosing to keep my mouth shut. (Which is not always a bad thing...Proverbs says that even a fool looks wise if he doesn't speak.) But I realized, how can my words be seasoned with salt IF I DON'T SAY ANYTHING? .........

Fourth (almost there, I promise!), the summation point of tonight's (incredible!) sermon was two questions: 1), what is the Lord saying about my mouth/actions and 2), what do I need to change/do different?
You know, if we're in His Word and getting daily filled with His Spirit - shouldn't my words/responses be HIS words/responses?
do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say. (Luke 12:11b-12)

ahhh, God be glorified. Plenty to praise Him for, plenty of areas to grow in, plenty of life-giving words to speak! =D

Much much much love to all 5 of you that are reading this! (hahahahaha!)

About those flowers....

hm, just pondering how quickly the Lord will bring up the Word He has given us and challenge us to stand upon it! (my Gadget (el carro) was put in the shop yesterday, for the 4th time in the past 2 months...haha, is it worth it anymore?!)
But I've gotta say - His peace was/is just there. No toiling, no spinning, just the confidence that God is able to do all that He said He would. Such a liberating place to be, praise the Lord.
Now, believing and choosing for this to be more than a feeling, but a perspective that sticks with me, as I choose to rely on His strength. (Still learning this balance of simultaneously trusting yet pursuing ...going back to WALKING by faith, not simply SITTING by faith.) Because, I believe that we can still be moving without the toiling/spinning going on...there's a greater, underlying purpose that brings stability, calm and focus.

haha, I love how this is all stuff that God ALREADY told me before the year began: active and abide. THAT'S the balance of trusting while pursuing...omg, and that's how you bear the fruit! (May flowers!) Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. (John 15:4)
=) God is so very good. so timely. so Holy.

I realize that we're barely a week into May, but it's still so neat how I could see the value of choosing to rest in Him and not freak out - His peace is quick to buffer our thought process! ah, God cares for us...He knows what's going on. He knows!
Ah! Sweet connection/fulfillment - I found myself a step closer in His arms, and resting in the quiet places of His heart! =) wow. Praise the Lord!

Then, today was quite productive (despite missing my favorite co-workers most of the day!). And I honestly believe that my stability this week is due largely in part to my prayer time...finally attended several corporate, intercessory prayer times this week - so rich and worth the hour every time! Gotta love that undivided, uninterrupted time with Him. Oh snappp - now THIS ties into something I came to at the end of intercession this evening! (thanks, God, You're so thorough..)

Job 22:28 (New American Standard Bible)

²⁸"You will also decree a thing, and it will be established for you;
And light will shine on your ways.

At one point, God really convicted me of praying in a panic, frantically (not purposefully, just in 'freak out' mode). Something I'm learning/having clarified right now through Dutch Sheets' book, Intercessory Prayer, is that God's intercessory work is already done - our job is to release it (on earth as it is in heaven!). No need to toil and spin within our prayers, either...just be relaxed, seek His face, listen to His Spirit. Plus, I was reminded that by "decreeing" something, we're refusing to be double minded, we're committed to the plan...we decree and He agrees!
mm, prayers make a DIFFERENCE!

AND, little sister and I reached Luke 18 today, and God just goes right there!

v1-And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.

v7-And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them?

I'm so thankful for how God gets in all up in my business and DRIVES a point home...because another friend shared how this passage was brought to his attention as well! ah, so grateful for how confirmation and encouragement is weaved throughout every single day...

ps - I made a new mix today! A compilation of new songs that have been introduced to me, and several that I already had. Not quite clear on what the theme for this mix is, other than intercession...because that's definitely where my inspiration came from. Glory! Prayerfully, it's inspired enough that it touches whoever (whomever? oh, grammar..) listens to it. hehe, let me know if you're interested, and I'll totally hook you up.

*Emerse Intercession*
-Holy (Matt Gilman)
-A Mighty Fortress (Christy Nockels)
-He is the Love (DC*B)
-The More I Seek You (Kari Jobe)
-Came to the Rescue (Hillsong United)
-Fling Wide (Misty Edwards)
-Awakening (Chris Tomlin)
-Till I See You (Hillsong United)
-Made for You (Matt Gilman)
-Psalm 145 (Shane & Shane)
-You are For Me (Kari Jobe)
-Rend (Misty Edwards)
-Healing is in Your Hands (Christy Nockels)

(ah! I just love looking at all of the titles!)
*I also recommend Misty Edward's Fling Wide album, if you don't already have it...an abundance of powerful songs!*


snippets of ones that especially spoke to me...


Arms Wide Open

If anybody’s looking for love in all the wrong places
If you’ve been searching for love, come to Me, come to Me
Take up your cross, deny yourself
Forget your father’s house and run, run with Me
You were made for abandonment, wholeheartedness
You were made for someone greater, someone bigger, so follow Me
And You’ll come alive when you learn to die

Soul Cry

Blessed are the hungry, blessed are the thirsty
You said it, I believe it; I believe it, I believe it
Hunger is the escort into the deeper things of You
Deep is calling out to deep is calling out to deep

Yesterday’s depth is feeling really shallow
I’ve gotta go deeper, deeper, deeper still
And all Your waves and all Your billows crash over me
Pulling me deep, deep, deeper
From glory to glory, from strength to strength
From depth to depth, I want to fellowship with You

=) feeling overwhelmed by all that He's doing right now...not just in my life, but the lives of many....let's go deeper!

...May flowers

=)
You guys...God is good.

Had an absolutely packed weekend matched with some absolutely rich quiet times. ha, and it was so refreshing to accidentally oversleep on Saturday, only to pop open Jesus Calling before I rushed out the door and read,

"You are on the path of My choosing. There is no randomness about your life.....As you give yourself more and more to a life of constant communication with Me, you will find that you simply have no time for worry."

What a comforting truth to walk in every day...and what a sweet realization, that I've been occupied with His incomprehensible peace. I was flipping my way back towards Psalm 29, but ran into Psalm 43 on my way...

Send out Your light and Your truth;
let them lead me;
let them bring me to Your holy hill
and to Your dwelling!
Then I will go to the altar of God,
to God my exceeding joy,
and I will praise You with the lyre,
O God, my God!

Again with with the Light and the Truth...I love how inescapable it is! We can only be the light of the world, if we're indeed led by the light of the world!

Also, completely excited to see that some of my iris buds had finally opened up!!

(*note--totally planted this when I was like 10 years old...it's so resilient, and I never do anything to it!) But it reminded me of 'well duh, April showers bring May flowers!' Finally took the time to dig into that saying this morning, because God brought the April showers of blessing, so of course He has something to say about flowers.
First brought me to
"Like a lily among thorns is my darling among the maidens." (SOS 2:2)
=) He so treasures us!
Yes, flowers come and then wither away, yet He still says to "Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these." (Luke 12:27) Completely reverberates the command to not be anxious...and that's how the lilies grow! If we're resisting the inclination to labor and spin, that doesn't mean we're complacent - we're choosing the higher path!
With school finals happening for so many friends, there are countless statements like, 'well once I've reached THIS day' or 'as soon as I'm done with THIS test, THEN I can relax/have peace/sleep/etc.' I totally understand, because I've been there countless times myself...but why can't we choose to receive His peace now? Why can't I start thanking Him now? Why sit in the thorns when He has called us higher?

hm...praying that we all receive the grace it takes to consider the lilies this month...


This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. ~1 John 5:14-15

=)