In The Waiting Part III: At His Feet

If you could have a major in high school, mine was music. In middle school I moved from metro city to small agriculture town kicking and screaming. What my family was surprised to discover was a gem of a town who esteemed fine arts and home to a legendary choral program. I relish the music we created, friendships formed , and memories created within those vaulted ceiling, white cinder block walls. The angst of beating hearts on sight reading and solo days and late night backstage rehearsals for our annual musical will be forever etched in our hearts and minds. Music was what my high school years were built around. Although God has me using my other gifts currently, music is still very near and dear to my heart. Music has been so instrumental in my comfort and healing in this season of grief.

I should not be surprised that He repeatedly is using music to teach and impart what he keeps speaking to my soul the last two weeks: waiting; finding redemption in the waiting; finding true freedom in complete surrender in the waiting. Continually reminding me to bare it all and lay everything at His feet. (I lose count of how many times a day I try and pick up the burdens back up again. )That's my God, that's how he works and his fingerprints emerge in our lives. He is whispering to me, "I see you, I'm here, I haven't forsaken you,". Matthew 6 continues to surface again and again:

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life....What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.

 “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.

 Beloved, know you can "never fall too far" away from the Father's arms. Complete surrender is found when we "lift our life up". Claiming redemption, surrender, and peace in your waiting!

Who You Are by Unspoken
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_N6sn1LLX8

Lift My Life Up by Unspoken:
Behind the song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZT0Z9MzpbZI

Song and lyrics:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wj05-J9z4TY&list=PL8305D3447CD97386

In the Waiting Part II: Come to the Well

In seasons of waiting self condemnation may abound. The other falsehood the enemy would have to believe is that God is actually holding out on you; withholding a blessing. If we buy into the lie, self pity will give you a one way ticket into the darkness of hopelessness which breads discontentment.

When we feel sorry for ourselves and fall into hopelessness what we are chasing and seeking becomes an idol and we are following in our Israelites ancestors foot steps. Hoisting up a golden calf and declaring, "If you really loved me you would give me this one thing I so desperately want: the marriage , the healing , the pregnancy , the job ...." Putting the idol on a pedestal  and forgetting the miracles God performed to free and provide for his people. When in truth the "Father in heaven gives good gifts to those who ask him!" (Matthew 7:11 NIV)

The word does NOT say chase after our heart's desires. What HE does say is seek first the kingdom...

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life...seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow...(Matthew 6:25-32 NIV) What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. (Matthew 6:30-32 MSG)

My child there is only one way to discover the kingdom and remedy the emptiness that lingers within. You have to go to THE well, the well of living water. At the well, surrender your burdens at the Master's feet, quench your will with His. He is the only one who can give you rest, fill you up with love beyond measure. In  surrendering your desire and your timing for God's yields joy and contentment in the waiting.

Music:

Come To The Well: Casting Crowns
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bW5unzXXC0k

You Are My Shepherd: Tricia Brock
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAQuJNHwLLE


All I Need: Bethany Dillon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J20gwHbJDCY

In the Waiting: Receive Redemption

God has spoken so clearly two profound truths this week. Both in regards to the voices that creep in during times of waiting. One voice we hear profoundly in the waiting is condemnation. The enemy delights in feeding us an endless, persistent diet of reminders of the past. Nothing can so easily plunge a believer into the darkness as hearing the whispers declare that our past dictates the future; there is no redemption; no grace for our mistakes and sin. In this darkness, hope for the future cannot dwell and seeing the light appears impossible. We must practice in the dark what we have learned in the light.

My son, do not forget my teaching,
but let your heart keep my commandments...
    and peace they will add to you.

 Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you;
    bind them around your neck;
    write them on the tablet of your heart.

 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
    and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
    and he will make straight your paths.
Be not wise in your own eyes;fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
It will be healing to your flesh    and refreshment to your bones.

(Proverbs 3:3-8)

Knowing God's word and having scripture imprinted on our hearts and minds helps us turn away from the evil dialogue and will bring peace, healing and refreshment! Child of God fix your eyes on the unseen and know that there is no place the grace of God cannot cover! Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1) if you have  declared "with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” (Romans 10:9-11) and take heart your transgressions have been removed as far as the east is from the west.
 
Casting Crowns: East from the West
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyoVJfADlwo

Press on and fight the good fight! It's just the dark before the morning! Hold on to the truth that God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. (Ephesians 3:20 MSG)

Josh Wilson: Before the Morning
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=New8i_eX3x8
In order to receive his grace and peace we have to unpack all the burdens we have carried for far too long and lay them all out on the alter at the Father's feet. Then and only then can he heal, restore, refresh, and renew our hope for the future.

Casting Crowns: At Your Feet
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yT6lFcM-Fv8

My beloved, I proclaim redemption, freedom, and peace in your waiting!

Blessings,
Jasmine

Waiting? He's Already There

So many times in life we are waiting to "see how all our fears and questions are going to play out". (Casting Crowns "Already There") The crib to be filled, the new job to materialize, the wayward child to come home, the marriage to be restored, the soul mate to be found, the illness to be healed, the emotional pain to cease. In the waiting God can seem silent. In the silence, our minds can fall prey the endless dialogue of lies the enemy will feed us to derail our faith. "God's forgotten about me!", "I must not be lovable.", "Where did I go wrong in my parenting?"

The truth of the matter is God is an on time God. God works in us even in his delay.
"Don’t overlook the obvious here, friends. With God, one day is as good as a thousand years, a thousand years as a day. God isn’t late with his promise as some measure lateness. He is restraining himself on account of you, holding back the End because he doesn’t want anyone lost. He’s giving everyone space and time to change." 2 Peter 3:9 MSG

My prayer for you is to seek transformation over comfort. Lay your idol at His feet. May you find peace and contentment in the waiting knowing we are called to run the race for His glory with passion, purpose, and perseverance! May these resources be as much of an encouragement to you as they have been to me!


John Waller: "While I'm Waiting"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6X71sXagUY

Already There Testimony: Casting Crowns
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W99gAQ_FRzY&noredirect=1