WORSHIP

For Day 5 of GriefShare, the focus is WORSHIP and the following scripture was shared so this song came to me. [The questions are now posted HERE in the comments.]

"Worship is the adoring response of all that the believer is - mind, emotions, will and body - to all that God is and says and does."  Worship is the act of freely giving love to God. I read this for another definition of "worship": "it is the response of the human spirit to a manifestation of the glory of God." The word "worship" comes from an old English word meaning "worth-ship". To worship God is to express His worth. This captures it for me. Chris Tomlin defines worship as "all of me for all of Him". Yes, he is so worthy of ALL of me for all of Him!

I worship in silence, I worship in prayer and song, I worship in a nature walk. I desire to worship in spirit and truth in whatever I do, be it unto God.   

Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker. Psalm 95:6

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XF8sOLXck5I
Michael W. Smith has another beautiful song that defines "worship" in"The Heart of Worship"
Some resources for more on WORSHIP:Worship CentralBible. org - Worship Part 1; examples of true worship in the Bible search.Worship SourceWorship (dot) come - Prominent leader's definition of worshipWorship MattersWorship 360Sharper Iron - What is WorshipKingsway - The Sound of Worship
There may be more to come... but I have an urgency to pause and WORSHIP HIM...wouldn't you like to also? Here's the place that I will go with my King today!!!  This is today's VERSADAY Isn't it beautiful?

Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker. Psalm 95:6

WFW ~ Verse a Day

*You may want to go start the song at the end as you view this and read to save time and inspire you...

Luke 9:23

And he said to them all, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me."

Santorini, Greece 

Lucas 9:23

"Y decía á todos: Si alguno quiere venir en pos de mí, 
niéguese á sí mismo, y tome su cruz cada día, y 
sígame."

I love VERSADAY because they are available for me in English and Spanish daily. The commentaries are brief and the photos are FANTASTIC! You can go to their site and read the one for this verse from Luke. This is part of the commentary by Francis L. Harris:

"...WE WILL DO WHAT WE WANT TO DO; whatever brings pleasure, whatever brings comfort, whatever is gratifying and agreeable to our nature and desires.... There is a CHANGE in our life when we come to Christ... NO CHANGE, NO SALVATION. We are not perfect, but we have a different direction in life." 

The ending is a beautiful conclusion of "yielding to Jesus by faith..." and our hope as we take up our individual cross. There is no greater LOVE that contains a blessed life here and after, an eternity of blessedness and JOY! When I read these words from Francis, I was stirred to grab hold of this JOY and pass it on to YOU!

After all that's what a WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY is all about, to pass on a WORD that speaks to us to others, visually making a difference: writing God's Word and Promises on our hearts and in our minds.  So...
For more WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY, visit Internet Cafe Devotions 

Are you Christ's disciple, His follower or is today the day that you choose to yield to Him and receive Him as your Lord and Savior? What cross are you carrying? What are some pleasures or comforts that you take for granted that maybe God is asking you to lay down  at His Cross?

Let's lay down any burden or obstacle that is holding us back from fully yielding and following Him. Just look at these beautiful views... it'll all be WORTH IT!!!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQVmR0jV52A


(* photo source: Verse a Day)
I have another WFW over at The Power of Your Love on Faith to Move Mountains (skip the video) Let's remember to pray for Greece, with their current unrest.

WHAT'S ON YOUR NIGHTSTAND? ~ June 2011

4th Tues. of every month at 5 Minutes for Books,  Jennifer does "What's On Your Nightstand?" (bookshelf, under your bed, or wherever you keep your treasures) meme. Why not take the time once a month and JOIN them sharing BOOKS. Of course, there's other blessings of 5 Minutes daily. I shared mine for the first time over HERE (just in case many of you don't check out these other PAGES). You need to go to BOOKS to read more about what I'm reading ... I'm off to our Women's Bible Study & whatever door God opens today in MX!

JOURNEY from MOURNING to JOY ~ 4

 ~ JOURNEY from MOURNING to JOY ~

WEEK 4

DAY 1

Freedom from condemnation

In the Bible

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

DAY 2

In the Bible

Then maidens will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness;I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow. Jeremiah 31:13

DAY 3

In the Bible

Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep [die], or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. 1 Thessalonians 4:13

DAY 4

In the Bible

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16–17 NASB

DAY 5

In the Bible

Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker. Psalm 95:6

For the 2 QUESTIONS from "In the Bible" and "In your life" applications, please refer to the "Help for the Journey" study.

Grief Share

HELP FOR THE JOURNEY

(main resource for this 6 wk. study)

along with the Bible and my personal experience

BE SURE TO CHECK THE COMMENTS THROUGHOUT THE WEEK

SOAKING ON SONDAY (S.O.S.)

"WAITING HERE FOR YOU"

Earlier this week, as I prepared for my FRIDAY FEATURE on God's Promises,  
I read from Brenda Craig's Journal of the Heart:

"Have you seen pictures of surfers scanning the ocean looking for the exact wave capable of carrying them to the shore with perfect precision? Have you seen them surfing in the tube of the wave close enough to brush their hands against the wall of water behind them as the crest of the wave moves over them with great power? Have you marveled as some ride the crest of the wave and move with its energy?   

"Beloved, My promises are like mighty waves waiting to carry you to the shore of fulfillment with power and accuracy. Each one are “yes” and “amen” ... (2 Corinthians 1:20). My promises, like a mighty wave, have energy and vitality capable of taking you to the very shore of manifestation, to the place where My desires for you take on physical form within the natural world. Don’t be afraid to believe all I have said about your life. Be willing to put the dreams of your heart into action. Daily abide in Me and profess all I have told you, and like a wave they will build and build till you are transported onto the shore of promises manifest... TO CONTINUE READING MORE, please follow to Brenda's blog... but finish here first, listen to Christy Nockels sing..."WAITING...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3OEGnH5x8gChristy Nockels(lyrics)

"Go on waiting calmly, my brothers, till the coming of the Lord, like the farmer waiting for the good fruit of the earth till the early and late rains have come."

"Be as calm in your waiting; let your hearts be strong: because the coming of the Lord is near."

"Say no hard things against one another, brothers, so that you will not be judged; see, the judge is waiting at the doors." James 5:7-9
PREVIOUSLY KNOWN AS

NOW KNOWN AS

SOAKING On SON DAY
JOIN US

by

  sharing a 

scene, song or scripture  

(or any combination)

 just keep it simple! 

* posts Sat. at 6pm to allow you to link and then rest and soak on Sonday, visiting the other blogs during the week.

BREAKING THROUGH

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCtKOsA_FK8
I am a blind man trying to find the way
A deaf man with my ear to the ground
Just listening for what You say

I've got no voice to sing the songs
Written by the prophets on the subway walls
The kingdom is a golden table and we are beggars all

Are these just some words that I say aloud?
Is this just the sun breaking through the clouds?
Oh, I know it's more and I know somehow that
Heaven is breaking through
And it's You, it's You, it's You, it's You, You

I've wandered deserts looking for a sign
A wild flower in a valley low
Just reaching for the light

I have no place to lay my head, no sanctuary of my own
The kingdom waits with open arms
For pilgrims headed home

Are these just some words that I say aloud?
Is this just the sun breaking through the clouds?
Oh, I know it's more and I know somehow that
Heaven is breaking through
And it's You, it's You, it's You, it's You, it's You

(I am a blind man trying to find the way)
I'm looking for
(I am a blind man trying to find the way)
Heaven is breaking, heaven is breaking
(I am a blind man trying to find the way)Heaven is breaking through



Heaven is breaking, heaven is breaking
(I am a blind man trying to find the way)
Heaven is breaking through
Oh, heaven is breaking, heaven is breaking
(I am a blind man trying to find the way)
Heaven is breaking through

Heaven is breaking, heaven is breaking
(I am a blind man trying to find the way)
Heaven is breaking through
And it's You, it's You, it's You, it's You, yeah
It's You, it's You, it's You, You

I am a blind man trying to find the way

Credits :
songwriters: altman, marshall n; assad, audrey
© razor and tie music publishing;river oaks music company;songs of the galt line

FRIDAY FEATURE

Here I am again, hoping to capture something special on Friday's. I love Sharon's Fan the Flame and also Susanne's Friday's Fave Fives.   

As you may know, I pray regularly each Fearless Friday and offer up some Sweet P's. I've even tried my own Freedom Friday. Nothing seems to work so far for me. 

I want a special post on Friday to FOCUS and build our FAITH on something FIRM to prepare us for the weekend and like another Friday Feature I did, to say "Today God is First" (TGIF), but of course, HE is every day! 

So for now, my Friday Feature will be similar to the series I shared from the Father's Love Letter (FLL). I recently came across a new site that FLL created and I've added it to my page VERSES but I want to FOCUS on God's Promises. I've decided that each week, I will summarize the Promises that were shared and FEATURE one.  Any ideas for a name?

I recently reviewed Sheila Walsh's book, "The Shelter of God's Promises" and she inspired me to FOCUS on knowing God's Promises. When I finished Sheila's book, I started another great book by Cherie Hill, "Be Still (Let Jesus Calm Your Storms)". Cherie has an excellent blog that communicates God speaking through Scripture Now. In "Be Still...", Cherie reinforced this by encouraging us to FUEL our FAITH and FACE our storms of life through FOCUSing on God's Promises. And this was confirmed once more on Father's Day when I discovered FLL's new site. 



Without further ado, I present ...

FRIDAY'S FEATURE

Since the month of June is more than half over I am summarizing via this fatherheart 6 mi video 

From all these SCRIPTURES shared in June of God's Promises ...Psalm 100:5; Psalm 36:6; Isaiah 55:10-11; Psalm 145:16; Psalm 103:13; 1 Samuel 12:22; Psalm 63:3; Hebrews 10:10; Psalm 103:12; Galatians 5:1; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22;  James 1:17; Matthew 17:19-20; Jeremiah 33:3; Psalm 25:14; Ephesians 3:20; Isaiah 43:2; Isaiah 54:17; Isaiah 61:3; 1 Peter 4:14; Romans 2:4; Matthew 5:9; Jeremiah 49:11; Psalm 103:6; Proverbs 18:10; 2 Corinthians 5:8; 1 John 2:17; 2 Timothy 4:18; 2 Timothy 4:8; Hebrews 10:36.
... I have chosen PROMISE #164 to FEATURE, which is from Matthew 17:19-20

NOTHING WILL BE IMPOSSIBLE FOR THOSE WHO HAVE EVEN A LITTLE FAITH.
Barry Adams wrote a beautiful devotion about these VERSES here to accompany this photo by Steve Taylor. 
There were many photos that I really loved but I found this one to be the perfect choice to initiate this new feature on building my FAITH. As Barry pointed out, we all have mountains we face in our lives daily. These mountains are not necessarily the physical ones but may be figurative ones. Mine are both! I fear driving across the "mountains" here in Mexico but I do not mind the view from a  safe distance.
What are the mountains in your life where you need a miracle?
The image that Jesus uses for our faith is a mustard seed; do you realize how small a mustard seed is, but the potential it has to grow and how big it grows:

"You don't have enough faith," Jesus told them. "I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it would move. Nothing would be impossible."

Jesus' point is that “it is not the amount of faith that is in question, but rather the focus of faith.” (Zondervan Illustrated Bible Background Commentary, Vol. 1). Even if the smallest amount of faith is placed in Our Lord, the impossible can happen. Nothing is impossible!
Remember... while you may not always believe in yourself, God always believes in you!

“... and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing."

 Fan your flame as you reflect on FAITH

How would you describe faith?  as a noun or a verb? How do you understand faith and how do you live it out?

Let's build our FAITH and FOCUS on God's Promises, helping us stand FIRM in our FAITH and
PRAY God's Word...

Heavenly Father, Thank You for mustard seeds and mountains that move from here to there because of our FAITH in the power of the Holy Spirit and the teachings of Jesus Christ. You said to Your children, "If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all (Isaiah 7:9) Please teach me to stand firm. *Lord Jesus,  You spoke boldly to Your disciples with the promise, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." Lord, develop in me the kind of faith that moves mountains in the power of Your holy Spirit. *Christ Jesus, before You rebuked the winds and the waves, You asked Your disciples, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" (Matthew 8:26) Help me to fully embrace that the One whom the winds and waves obey is the same One who watches over me. *Lord, You do not do many miracles where You see a lack of faith, (Matthew 13:58). Help me not to hinder Your works on my behalf over a lack of faith.  *Lord, I want to be like the one to whom You said, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted." (Matthew 15:28) Flourish this kind of faith in me, God! *Lord, You asked in Your Word, “When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8) You search the world over for people with faith. Make me one of them, Lord. Find faith in me.

*taken from Beth Moore,(2009). Praying God's Word. 

"Chapter 2 Overcoming Unbelief". B&H Publishing.  

The PROMISES of GOD for this week were Promises #170-#175 (Sat. will be #176)Isaiah 61:3; 1 Peter 4:14; Romans 2:4; Matthew 5:9; Jeremiah 49:11; Psalm 103:6; Proverbs 18:10. I receive these in daily emails and so can you.

* if you think you'd like to make FRIDAY FEATURE a meme that we could share, this is what I would like us to DO! Choose any ONE of the PROMISES of GOD for that week and share it
however you would like. (Suggestions: You can write on the SCRIPTURE or share it with a photo (like WFW) or in a song; any way that you would like to FEATURE that PROMISE of God, perhaps you may like to write how this verse stirs your faith into action or simple write a prayer from that Bible Verse). So the verses for this week could be any of these:Isaiah 61:3; 1 Peter 4:14; Romans 2:4; Matthew 5:9; Jeremiah 49:11; Psalm 103:6; Proverbs 18:10. Which of these PROMISES speak to you and build your faith firmly this week?

Let me know, if you're interested, or we can leave links in the comments until I see if there is any interest. May these PROMISES from GOD build your FAITH!

THE SHELTER OF GOD'S PROMISES by Sheila Walsh

LORD
YOU ARE MY SHELTER

Hebrews 6:18

"So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie...

In the "Shelter of God's Promises" by Sheila Walsh, she shares a key verse in each chapter of one of God's Promises in the Bible for Provision, Peace, Confidence, Love, Grace, Hope, Strength, and MORE plus Home!  I have known Sheila Walsh, mostly as a singer or speaker with Women of Faith, so I was anxious to sit down and walk with her through this beautiful teaching of God's Shelter in His Promises. Sheila interweaves Biblical truths with her real life experiences of testimony of God meeting her or others in times and places of need of shelter. She is just as inspirational as an author as I find her to be as a singer and speaker, truly she is a woman of faith and lives it. I received this book from Book Sneeze, just at the time that I needed God's Shelter and through each chapter, God revealed through Sheila's words and His, encouragement and inspiration to seek whatever God promises. Whatever you may be searching for, I highly recommend Shelia's book to build your faith, bring you comfort, and show you how to find "Shelter" in God's Promises.  The highlight for me, is that you can use this individually or with a small group because of the addition of a wonderful study guide in the back of the book, that challenges you through each chapter with 4 categories to Discover, Believe, Live and Memorize. Either way, you can enjoy this book to strengthen and motivate you to live believing that God cannot lie and His promises are REAL!

...Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us." Hebrews 6:18

Disclosure of material connection: I received this book free from the publisher Thomas P. Nelson through the BookSneeze.com book review blogger's program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

THOMAS NELSON PRODUCT PAGEBOOK DESCRIPTION "In a world of uncertainty, pain, and struggle, where do you find solid assurance and unshakeable truth?..."
Have you read this book? Please share one highlight if you haveand if you have not, in which Bible verse (in the WFW) do you find SHELTER today?
Philippians 4:19John 14:27Romans 8:28Romans 8:38-392 Corinthians 12:9Hebrews 13:5-6John 16:33Matthew 7:7-8John 14:2
PSALM 91 is my chosen scripture for this blog and for me this year 2011 with my WORD as JOY. I find my SHELTER in Psalm 91!

The images “shelter” and “the shadow” suggest a secure hiding place from the storms of life, much like the use of the umbrella from the rain or as here in Mexico, from the strong sun rays. We have a secure refuge in His hiding place. We have safety in the presence of the LORD.

The all-powerful God is our eternal refuge. The Almighty God is our protection. How often we go looking for security and safety in that which offers only a false security. The LORD God removes our false securities one by one until we trust in Him alone. Is He your hiding place? Have you learned how to find refuge in trusting in the abiding presence of the most powerful God? 
I pray that if you need Him in any of the areas that Sheila's book covers, that you will get a copy of this book and allow God to be your Shelter and Refuge. Seek and see that God does nor can He lie... He is TRUE to His Promises...
"Whatever God says, we can stake our lives on."~ Sheila Walsh~The Shelter of God's Promises
For more WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY, visit Internet Cafe Devotions 

JOURNEY from MOURNING to JOY ~ 3

 ~ JOURNEY from MOURNING to JOY ~

WEEK 3

DAY 1

Do not lose heart

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16–18

Day 2

Jesus understands suffering

See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. Hebrews 12:15

Day 3

Held in His love

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35–39

Day 4

The Lord is my shepherd

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:1–4

Day 5

You can trust God’s faithfulness

Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” Lamentations 3:22–24

For the 2 QUESTIONS from "In the Bible" and "In your life" applications, please refer to the "Help for the Journey" study.

Grief Share

HELP FOR THE JOURNEY

(main resource for this 6 wk. study)

along with the Bible and my personal experience

* source for the Bible Verse image (Trevor Bowers) Christian Images and 365 Promises

BE SURE TO CHECK COMMENTS for more.