God bless all who have worked and are working to provide for their families and provide much needed service for others! Rest from your labors and renew your strength!!
Christian
Taste and See!
It is not by accident that the word taste is first and the word see is second in this Scripture!
When we taste something, we must put it in our mouths and chew on it. Most of the time we swallow it and it begins to work within us – giving us nutrition, health, and strength. (If we are eating those things that are good for our bodies.)
It is like that with our spiritual lives. When we study Scripture…when we meditate (chew) on it and let it become a part of us…it gives us strength and enables us to grow.
As we TASTE the Word and as we speak the Word — we begin to get a deeper revelation of the Lord — we begin to SEE that He is good!
We can talk about food — but we must actually taste it to know if that food is good.
We can talk about God — but it is not until we actually engage with God that we are able to understand and SEE that God is good. We engage with Him through Bible Study, Prayer, Worship, and Ministry.
As we TASTE and allow the Lord to fill us more and more — we will SEE that He is good! He is faithful! He is loving!! He is everything we need!!
TASTE AND SEE THAT THE LORD IS GOOD!!
It’s a Good Day!
Lord, may we not waste the time we have been given on meaningless pursuits. May we fill the 24 hours of TODAY with love of You and love of others. Through our words and our actions, may we make a difference in someone’s life! They are waiting to feel a touch from You, Lord. Use US to be Your vessel and reach out in Your Name. We glorify and honor You THIS day, Lord! And in ALL our days that follow!
ENTHUSIASM!
“Enthusiasm is contagious – and so is the lack of it.” (John Wesley)
The definition of enthusiasm is “a feeling of excitement.”
I don’t go to sports events (although I did when my children were young). And when parents are cheering for their children, there is much enthusiasm to be seen and heard.
We witness the same thing at adult football games, baseball games, basketball games, and other competitive events.
Sports and entertainment elicits much enthusiasm! Laughing/crying, shouting, clapping, and jumping up and down is not uncommon.
There are many things in life to get excited about – to show much enthusiasm over – births, weddings, graduations, and other milestones.
It is hard to show enthusiasm without an outward expression of excitement! Stillness and silence simply do not go along with enthusiasm.
I am talking about all of this to lead up to our behavior in church. There absolutely are times to be quiet and worshipful. But, there are also times to show enthusiasm!!
Why is it so easy to show enthusiasm at sporting events but not show enthusiasm in church? There are times during praise and worship when I want to SHOUT! What God has done for us; is doing for us; and will do for us is as exciting as someone catching a football!!!! I would say more so!
There are times during the Pastor’s message when I must shout out an “AMEN!” I get EXCITED over God’s promises and faithfulness!
During a lively praise song, I have been known to jump up and down and yes – even dance a little. 😃 (even though I am 66 years old!). There is no age limit on getting excited over the LORD!!
I want to show ENTHUSIASM for my God and for all He is!! I would rather be found guilty of too much enthusiasm than not enough. How about you?
If enthusiasm is contagious, I want to be a carrier and make everybody catch it!
STORM PREPARATIONS
I kept getting notifications on my phone that significant storms/weather were coming to my area. I could see the flashes of lightning and hear the rumbling of the thunder in the distance. As I was listening, the thunder got louder as it moved closer.
Past experience has taught me that during storms my electricity has a good chance of going out. With darkness coming, I began to make my preparations in the event this happened.
As I began my preparations, I heard the Lord speaking:
A SPIRITUAL STORM IS SWIRLING IN THE ATMOSPHERE! ARE YOU MAKING PREPARATIONS?
I AM CALLING MY WATCHMEN! I HAVE GIVEN YOU EYES TO SEE AND EARS TO HEAR WHAT’S COMING. STAY ALERT! SOUND THE ALARM WHEN THE ENEMY IS DRAWING NEAR TO THE GATES. CALL FORTH THE ARMY!
I AM CALLING MY WORSHIPPERS! GO BEFORE THE ARMY WITH SINGING AND DANCING. SING A NEW SONG! DANCE A NEW DANCE! A NEW SOUND IS GOING FORTH THAT WILL BREAK STRONGHOLDS AND BIRTH DESTINIES! RELEASE THE SOUND!
I AM CALLING MY PROPHETS! LAY ASIDE YOUR OWN AGENDAS AND TAKE UP MINE. SEE WHAT I SEE AND HEAR MY VOICE. I AM RELEASING MY PRESENCE IN A GREATER WAY. SEEK ME…DRAW NEAR TO ME…FEEL MY HEART. SPEAK FROM THIS HEART CONNECTION YOU HAVE WITH ME.
I AM CALLING MY PEOPLE! DO NOT REACT TO CIRCUMSTANCES GOING ON AROUND YOU WITH FEAR, ANGER, HATE, AND DIVISIVENESS. DON’T LET EARTHLY CIRCUMSTANCES DRAG YOU DOWN, BUT LET ME RAISE YOU UP! RISE UP LIKE ON THE WINGS OF EAGLES AND SPEAK MY WORD OVER EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE. SPEAK LIFE! SPEAK PEACE! SPEAK RECONCILIATION! SPEAK RESTORATION!
A SPIRITUAL STORM IS COMING! ARE YOU MAKING PREPARATIONS? DRAW NEAR TO ME, BELOVED. TAKE MY HAND AND LET US FACE THE STORM TOGETHER. MAY WE SPEAK TO THE STORM IN ONE VOICE!
STAND UP! HEAD UP! EYES FORWARD! MY BANNER OVER YOU IS LOVE! ONWARD & UPWARD, MIGHTY WARRIORS OF LOVE!
Reflection of Glory! 