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Surrounded

Numbers 6:24-26 (AMP) The Lord bless you, and keep you [protect you, sustain you, and guard you]; The Lord make His face shine upon you [with favor], and be gracious to you [surrounding you with lovingkindness]; The Lord lift up His countenance (face) upon you [with divine approval], and give you peace [a tranquil heart and life].’

Yesterday started off pretty rough. I am not going to go into all of the details of it. Just know it was getting my stress level up. Then I had my emotions get in a mess with a statement my husband made. My biggest stressor was getting tickets to see our youngest son play in the game this week.

The tickets for our home games go on sale the week of the game. This week’s game is on Thursday, but the tickets were not going on sale until Tuesday because Monday was a holiday. The tickets were not going to be released until noon. We live in the south, in central Alabama. We do not have professional sports here. We have college sports and high school sports. Football being the biggest fan base. Our youngest has been playing full tackle since he was five and this is his senior year. This game is the biggest rivalry game in our city. It is the 100th game for Opelika verses Auburn. This is usually a sold-out game. Being a stay-at-home mom, you might say, then just get there early and get in line.

Tuesday’s we also have Corporate Prayer. The only time I miss is I am out of town, then I ask someone else to open up the building so it can still happen. I believe the church should not just gather for teaching, but for community and for prayer. Prayer starts at eleven in the morning, and we usually wrap up around noon, giving time for the Word to come forth and not rushing out. It is very important that when we pray, we also listen.

Ephesians 2:22 (AMP) In Him [and in fellowship with one another] you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Before going into prayer, I handled the business side of things, so my mind would be clear. Then I settled things that were going on with my husband. If you have an offense or in strife with someone, settle it. The Bible talks about before you bring an offering to the altar, and you have offense or know of someone with an offense to you, make it right before presenting your offering. We can nurture an offense and hold onto things that will result in interfering with our relationship with God. All of these are from the teaching of Jesus in the first five chapters of Matthew. I just read those chapters this week, and would you know it I would be tested in it.

Matthew 6:33 (AMP) But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.

We had a great time in prayer. We encouraged each other in the Word, then it was time to make my way to buy tickets. I checked the parent football messaging board, and they said the line was around the building. On the way there I am praying, “God, You know that seeing his son play is a big deal to his father. You said that if I put you first that You would take care of everything else. I did not cancel prayer to get in line for tickets, I put You first. I do not know how, but You will give me favor.” I get there at ten minutes after twelve and the sign on the door says, “SOLD OUT.” I am upset and just praying for the one ticket for my husband. I am thinking about putting my plea on the messaging board. I type it out and another message pops up deleting mine before I can send. I am just going to run in and ask for advice. They advised that they reserve some tickets to sell at field on game day at five thirty. I am disappointed, my face shows it. I tell them I have a senior playing. One employee calls me to the side, she has a booklet of tickets in hand, pulls out two. She says, “I see you mama, you can buy two of mine.” Right then it was if God said, “I see your faithfulness.” I gave her my gratitude, but He is getting the praise. He is getting the glory. He is good. He surrounds us with loving kindness. He even cares about the little things like football tickets.

Jehovah, our Father, You are so Wonderful. You are Holy. Thank You for Your Son, the One who brought us into adoptions to be Your sons and daughters. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit, our Teacher and Comforter. Thank You for Your Word, so that we may know You more. We repent for the times we have placed ourselves before You. The god of ‘self’ has to be dethroned. We choose to surrender our thoughts and our ways to You. Thank You for the grace to grow in letting go of offenses and not living in anger. The most precious relationship we have is with You. Thank You for caring about even the little things. You deserve all of the Honor and all of the Praise. In Your Presence is fullness of Joy. We choose forgiveness today. We choose love today. We choose hope today. We choose joy today. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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Lips filled with praise

Mark 14:26 (AMP) After they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

How big is your praise? This is a lesson that Jesus wanted us to learn. He knew exactly what was going on, yet He sang a song of praise and honor to God. What did they sing that night? It was a group of Psalms knows as “the Hallel,” Psalms 113-118. Jesus actually quoted from Psalm 118 earlier in the week, “The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief corner stone (verse 22).”

I want to pay extra close attention to Psalm 118. This is the passage that I have encouraged others to read over and over again this week as we prepare our hearts for service this Sunday. I also encouraged them to read it in different translations to get the fullness of what it is saying. In the Amplified Bible it says that “His lovingkindness endures forever.” In the Modern English Version, “His mercy endures forever (similar to the KJV).” In the Message, “His love never quits.” In the English Standard Version, “His steadfast love endures forever.” This is a psalm of praise. How big was Jesus’ praise that night?

This is the night that He washed the disciples feet, that He ate the Passover meal with them, then He tells them about the sacraments of the bread and the wine. He sings a song, and then heads to the Mt. of Olives, where He then tells them that they are going to scatter once He is handed over for death. Yet, He takes time to praise. In the midst of the craziness of life, will you take time to praise?

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (AMP) Rejoice always and delight in your faith; be unceasing and persistent in prayer; in every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.

Use the words that I showed you from Psalms 118, “His love never quits” and “His love endures forever.” They are really easy to say and eventually will start to roll off our tongues when we commit to meditate on them throughout the day. Do you know how grounded Jesus was in the Father’s love? This is what He wants for you too.

Psalm 118:28-29 (AMP) You are my God, and I give thanks to You; [You are] my God, I extol You.
O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; For His lovingkindness endures forever.

Our God is still good. Even in the moments right now, His lovingkindness endures. I have to remember that when Moses asked to see God’s glory, God responded in showing Moses His mercy and lovingkindness (Exodus 33:19). As I write these words my heart leaps with joy and my eyes fill with tears. The wonders of this everlasting love. How deep, wide and high is that love. This is the importance of praise, otherwise we try to look at God at our level and the reverence for Him slowly fades.

Hebrews 13:15 (AMP) Through Him, therefore, let us at all times offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, which is the fruit of lips that thankfully acknowledge and confess and glorify His name. 

Psalms 63:3 (AMP) Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise You.

Praise should never depart from our lips. In this there is a need for our hearts to be in line with our lips. Do not just parrot these words and they have no meaning to you. He is not asking for lip service, as the nation of Israel did (Isaiah 29:13). Our reverence for Him does not need to become a tradition, completely empty of meaning. Glorify His name in your praise. A heart filled with reverence will have a mouth filled with praise.

Instead of writing out a prayer of my own words today, I want to lead you in taking a deeper look at Psalm 118. Sing it, pray it, meditate on it. Align your heart this week.

O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness endures forever.
Oh let Israel say,
“His lovingkindness endures forever.”
Oh let the house of Aaron say,
“His lovingkindness endures forever.”
Oh let those who [reverently] fear the Lord, say,
“His lovingkindness endures forever.”
Out of my distress I called on the Lord;
The Lord answered me and set me free.
The Lord is on my side; I will not fear.
What can [mere] man do to me?
The Lord is on my side, He is among those who help me;
Therefore I will look [in triumph] on those who hate me.
It is better to take refuge in the Lord
Than to trust in man.
It is better to take refuge in the Lord
Than to trust in princes.
All nations encompassed me;
In the name of the Lord I will surely cut them off.
They encompassed me, yes, they surrounded me [on every side];
In the name of the Lord I will cut them off.
They swarmed around me like bees;
They flare up and are extinguished like a fire of thorns;
In the name of the Lord I will surely cut them off.
You [my enemy] pushed me violently so that I was falling,
But the Lord helped me.
The Lord is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation.
The sound of joyful shouting and salvation is in the tents of the righteous:
The right hand of the Lord does valiantly.
The right hand of the Lord is exalted;
The right hand of the Lord does valiantly.
I will not die, but live,
And declare the works and recount the illustrious acts of the Lord.
The Lord has disciplined me severely,
But He has not given me over to death.
Open to me the [temple] gates of righteousness;
I shall enter through them, I shall give thanks to the Lord.
This is the gate of the Lord;
The righteous will enter through it.
I will give thanks to You, for You have heard and answered me;
And You have become my salvation [my Rescuer, my Savior].
The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the [a]chief corner stone.
This is from the Lord and is His doing;
It is marvelous in our eyes.
This [day in which God has saved me] is the day which the Lord has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
O Lord, save now, we beseech You;
O Lord, we beseech You, send now prosperity and give us success!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord;
We have blessed you from the house of the Lord [you who come into His sanctuary under His guardianship].
The Lord is God, and He has given us light [illuminating us with His grace and freedom and joy].
Bind the festival sacrifices with [b]cords to the horns of the altar.
You are my God, and I give thanks to You;
[You are] my God, I extol You.
O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness endures forever. AMP
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30 Days of Thanksgiving

Colossians 2:6-7 (AMP)  Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in [union with] Him [reflecting His character in the things you do and say—living lives that lead others away from sin], having been deeply rooted [in Him] and now being continually built up in Him and [becoming increasingly more] established in your faith, just as you were taught, and overflowing in it with gratitude.

Every November I start each morning posting what I am thankful for. A heart of thanksgiving will overflow with gratitude. It is the fruit of us being deeply rooted in Jesus. It is proof of our faith. It helps build our faith because we choose to overflow in it with gratitude.

Last week my church finished up a six week small group plan following Get Out of Your Head, a study in Philippians, by Jennie Allen. The final chapter talks about anxiety. Could we be focused on fear of a real or, often really the case, perceived threat? Can we trust God, even if?

Philippians 4:8 (AMP) Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart].

Philippians 4:8 is one of my go to verses that I often meditate on. Why? My mind wants to spiral into some crazy thoughts. Often we think of all the things that can go wrong when presented with a challenge. In reality the more success we have is when we focus on all the things that can go right. The same is with our relationships. If I cannot think of our brothers and sisters in Christ this way, I have a deep issue that has not been rooted in His love. If I cannot bring our minds to think on things that is worthy of praise, if I cannot implant His Word in my heart, I have a deep rooted issue centered on not trusting God.

A couple of years ago a church that we had a semi relationship with (our youth groups would get together) hurt me pretty bad. They had started using some of my youth leaders to do various helps in their church, without us knowing. These leaders eventually left ours to join in with their leadership team because of the relationship they developed. My heart hurt and we cut ties with that other church. Even though what they did was wrong, I became so consumed to what they did and what they are doing that bitterness and eventually depression set it. I had allowed it to do that to happen a year ago. I still had friendships in that church, but I cut off all communication with the pastors. I stayed away from my friends because I did not want to spew my hurt onto them. I do honor the office of a pastor and we should not use the reason of hurt to talk bad about them (James 4:11). When I did come together again, with my friend, I did tell them why, but I did tell the I her I was working through my hurt. I always encourage her to honor her pastors, to join in and help with the vision of the church. I have also started to pray for the church, not to see their errors, but to fulfill the vision that God put inside of them. I am not ready to see them again. I will continue to pray. I focus my mind on what is worthy of praise. They are called by God with a purpose. They are bringing people into the Kingdom.

You do not have to wait to feel good to start having a time of thanksgiving. Joy will start to come out of your praise. Praise even when you are hurting, that is the way out of it. Start with just one. You might say, I cannot come up with thirty things. Just think and be thankful one day at a time. Before you know it, you will have filled the whole month with thanksgiving. Here are a couple of ideas if you need help:

Father, I thank you for challenging us to see the best in others. My hearts desire is to grow close in your presence, because in your presence is fullness of joy. I repent for speaking words or having thoughts that slander my brothers and sisters in Christ. I choose today to think on things that pure, lovely, virtuous, and to not take an account of a suffered wrong. I speak blessings on those that hurt me. May they be successful and favored in every place they go. May they minister the gospel and set people free by pointing them to your Son. I am thankful for the forgiveness you have given me so that I may freely give it to others. Thank you for leading me. Thank you for the friendships that I have. I thank you that we point each other back to Christ. I thank you for surrounding me and rooting me in your love. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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Presence over Perfect

Hebrews 13:15 AMP Through Him, therefore, let us at all times offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, which is the fruit of lips that thankfully acknowledge and confess and glorify His name.

While reading the Word, before service yesterday, I came across a section titled “God-pleasing Sacrifices” in Hebrews. When does praise become a sacrifice to us? When we do not feel like it. Are there times that we do not “feel” like doing things? I think we do quite often. This time of year you either make the choice to dread the family gatherings or you can make the choice to go with an attitude of “it is one day that they get to see me, who am I going to let them see…Jesus?”

Joshua 24:15a AMP  If it is unacceptable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve

Better said than done, Amanda! You do not know how dysfunctional my family is? You are right, I do not. Then go where you can give of yourself to glorify God.

I understand that this week starts the holiday craze. Please do not go chasing happy with spending so much money that by Christmas you have buyers remorse. Believe me, we have done it! There was one Christmas that we got the boys so much stuff that I did not even think about where I was going to put it all. Then they did not even play with half of it. We started taking trips for Christmas after than. Memories last longer than toys. Giving of gifts is a love language, but so is quality time.

Psalms 27:13-14 AMP I would have despaired had I not believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for and confidently expect the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for and confidently expect the Lord.

Whatever you are experiencing or expecting this week know that the goodness of the Lord is still there. Offer up a sacrifice of praise if you have to! Read more of those God pleasing sacrifices in Hebrews 13:16-19, but start here. It is said that a merry heart does a person good. It is true. Turn off the news, put away the social media and offer a sacrifice of praise. In my house we have already started decorating for Christmas. My tree has been up all week. I am looking forward to going through a devotion for Advent. I am not stressing about the perfect gift. My love is not found in the perfect, it is found in the Presence.

If you need prayer or encouragement send me a message at amanda@desiringformore.org

A little silly for you today: Stretchy Pants