Conflagrant Hearts

My heart is on fire for my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

I can see out across the land, hearts burning – glowing in beautiful illuminating lights.

Christians. Churches. Cathedrals.

It does not matter.  For the Light will continue to shine out into darkness.  Exposing. Disclosing. Divulging. Debunking.

It was sad to see yesterday, the blazing flames of the Notre Dame Cathedral.  But yet, I was reminded of a City on the Hill – shining brightly out into a world – a hurting world – proclaiming Christ Jesus.

While we are here, on earth, there will always be those who have been devoured by EVIL, doing the work of Satan, trying to destroying GOOD.  But no matter how hard these ones try, they will never put out the Conflagrant Hearts – Hearts on Fire for Jesus.

Its Holy Week.  Let your light shine out in love for your Lord and your Savior and the evil ones will be exposed – brought out of darkness and made known.

My Song:  This song touched by heart this morning – let’s light up the world through praise and worship. There has been much division in hearts over these past years.  But what a week to gloriously burn on fire – in love – for the world – that others will see Jesus in all His Glory.

Hearts on Fire

John 3:16 – “FOR this is how much God loved the world – he gave his one and only, Unique Son as a gift. So now everyone who believes in him will never perish but experience everlasting life.”  (TPT)

 

Heart of Worship

Oh what joy to know the heart of worship – of being in God’s Presence.  There is nothing to compare with that.

The Gospel will always bring joy!  And those who receive the Good News will be overjoyed – multiplied in His Presence!

“Lord, you have multiplied the nation and given them overwhelming joy! They are ecstatic in your presence and rejoice like those who bring in a great harvest. . .”

Ecstatic in your presence!  Literally means the heart of worship.  Our hearts are filled with joy in the presence of Adonai!  Oh how the enemy hates when God’s children find freedom in worship.  Chains are broken.  Burdens are lifted.  Unlimited joy is discovered.

My Song:  Oh how appropriate this song is for today!  Matt Redman singing about the heart of worship.  May we never run from the presence of God.  May we never allow the enemy to chain us again and destroy our joy – the unlimited joy of His Presence.

The Heart of Worship

Freedom in Transformation

I am sharing a post from another blog this morning about Freedom – there is nothing more restful or peaceful than experiencing the Presence of the Lord.

May you experience that peace today:

Freedom in the Spirit

Where. The Spirit. Of. The. Lord. Is. There. Is. Freedom.

Freedom in Christ

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. – 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 (ESV)

The Lord never changes.  He remains the same.  Yesterday, Today. And tomorrow.

Where there is freedom, the Spirit of the Lord is – a place where we are being changed daily – transformed into His Likeness.

There is no feeling like that – that being changed into His Likeness.  Being in His Presence.  Being motivated by Him.

And yet – many who have experienced that glorious change go crawling back to Egypt – putting on shackles that the Lord has removed.    Why?  Why would people willingly go back into slavery?  Willingly go back under controlling leadership – manipulating leadership?  A religious spirit?

This is a question that I sit and ponder – ponder a lot.  Why?

Every morning when I arise – I give thanks to the Lord for the freedom in the Spirit.  The freedom of knowing that His Word never changes.  His Love never changes.  His Mercies never change.  His Grace never changes.

Have you experienced the freedom of the Spirit and then willingly gone back into slavery?  It doesn’t have to be that way – you can fly – you can return to His Presence.

Today – what a great day to walk back into His Presence and into His Freedom.  Join me today in celebrating Freedom in Christ.  Freedom in the Spirit.

My Song:  This is a song that we sang a lot in our church when we lived in North Dakota.  So many sang it out with freedom – why?  Because they believed the words that they were singing.  And yet – many have gone back into slavery – into shackles.  Today, sit and ask the Lord to remind you of those precious moments when you experienced His Holy Presence – His Glorious Presence.  Today is a good day to remember.

Where The Spirit of the Lord Is

 

Abiding

When I wander away from Truth, I am not abiding in Christ.

Eighteen years ago, I had such a hunger to know Jesus Christ – I desired to go deeper for I kept sinking deeper into religion.  I just wanted to know Him.

So I started searching.  I started reading books by Charles Spurgeon and Andrew Murray.  As I read, it was hard to comprehend all that I was reading – but I was like a sponge – soaking up anything that would help me to know Him.

Recently I was challenged to read 31 books and the first one is Abide In Christ – by Andrew Murray.  Just reading through the first pages brought a flood of tears to my eyes for I realized that I had been receiving manna – treasures over these past 20 years.  I knew I had treasure chests, but as I read these words again, I knew that I had started reaching my goal of knowing Him.

In some ways, I knew that, but when I read the words again, I knew I had found Him – yes – found Him.

Rest for your soul – were the first words that I found myself reading.  Yes, I truly am understanding what that rest means.  The very moment that you come unto him – you will find rest for your soul:

“Come unto me, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; and ye shall find rest to your souls – Matthew 11:28-29

I have discovered that this rest is deep – peaceful – joyful – wrapped in a love that you can find nowhere else.  A rest that is soul-deep.

A rest that is deep and abiding comes forth from a closer fellowship with Jesus.  Come and learn from Him and trust in Him and you will discover this deep and abiding rest.

I can remember years past, swimming in the ocean.  How my earthly father had taught me how to turn over on my back when I was tired, and rest for awhile.  I can remember how peaceful it was to just float out in the middle of the ocean – waves gently moving me about and looking up at the sky and just feeling peace. Resting.

That is how it feels to me when I am resting in Jesus – just like it was when I was younger – out on the ocean – getting tired – and then floating for awhile.

Sometimes that is just what we need in the midst of our day – just to rest.  So many have forgotten what it means to rest – physically or spiritually.  We are even made to feel less of a person if we say that we need to rest – and yet the Lord said that is exactly what we need.

Seek Him.  He is easy to find if you just seek Him.  Then believe in Him and He will give you rest – rest for your soul.

My Song:  I would encourage you to find a quiet moment and listen to this song by Kari Jobe – let His peaceful rest flood your soul.  You will never regret taking that time.

Be Still My Soul

 

 

Transformed

Today I am sharing an old post from last year – 2017. It was posted on my new Blog – Butterfly Dreams and Visions:

The Old Has Gone

Changed. Transformed. New.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Today, I start down a new journey.  A new path.

Fly! My Little Butterfly!

It amazes me how God ends something and then reveals something new.  

Bit by Bit – Loving God Back

What does it look like to love God back?

It looks like making brave, God-honoring life choices in response to His love.

Bit. By. Bit.

Use your passions to love Him back.  Songs.  Writing. Painting. Playing sports.

Bit. By. Bit.

– Based upon Day nine from 100 Days to Brave – Downs, A.

My Little Butterfly

Change.  Transformation.  New.  

2 Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” (ESV)

Romans 12:2 – “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (ESV)

On April 12th, in my quiet moments alone with my Heavenly Father, I lingered a little longer than usual.  I have learned to treasure these moments alone with Him.  I was sitting in my favorite place – His Lap – and He whispered to me, “Rest for your soul is coming to an end.  It has served the purpose of our many chats – words written.”

What a beautiful moment – lingering there – resting there in His arms – in His lap.

Then I was prompted to turn to Psalm 57:1 in my Bible – I wasn’t sure that I wanted it to come to an end – but He gently nudged me and said, “Look.  Listen.  Then Obey.”

Psalm 57:1 – “Show me favor, God, show me favor; for in you I have taken refuge.  Yes, I will find refuge in the shadow of your wings until the storms have passed. (CJB)

The storm has passed.  I have come to realize that it is within the “storms” that I grow more in the Lord.  That I have learned to trust in Him more.

Then before I left that restful quiet moment with Him, God spoke words to me that He has never spoken before:

“Arise my little butterfly and fly but remember to always find refuge in the shadows of my wings.”

 

My Little Butterfly

 

I have pondered these words for a couple of days – what will my next path look like?  Will I find other butterflies along this path?  What have I been chosen to do?

I will wait – wait upon the Lord and cherish the coming months up ahead.

This is my official last post on my blog – Rest for Your Soul.  It has been fun walking with him and then having the opportunity to share my times that I have spent alone with him – with many from all over the world.

My last song I leave with you is appropriate for this last post:

Under His Wings

 

Silencing the Praise Of Christ

Stones of Silence

Today begins the journey of remembrance for Holy Week.  That week that our Lord and our Savior started His journey into Jerusalem for the preparation of offering His body as a sacrifice for us.  

Me.  You.  Everyone.

Luke 19:40 – He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”
(ESV)

Have you ever been asked to remain silent?  To not lift up your voice in praise of Jesus?  To not openly worship Him?

I have.

I have been told at times to not show my affection for my Lord and my Savior.  To remain as a stone – silent.

So this morning as I read my Scripture for the day, I realized that it was the beginning of the story of Jesus Christ coming into Jerusalem on that glorious day – the day that we call Palm Sunday.  That first day that Jesus was honored as He prepared to offer Himself as a sacrifice for you – for me – for everyone.  For anyone who would call upon His Name as Their Lord and Savior.

Take time today and read from Luke 19.  It is Holy Week.

Remember the words that Jesus spoke to the Pharisees that day – when He was asked to rebuke His disciples and tell them to be quiet.

For many churches today, children will be taught about that glorious entrance into Jerusalem on a donkey and how people put out the palm leaves on the road to honor Him as He descended into Jerusalem.  The children will be encouraged to praise Him.

BUT somewhere along the way – on that journey of remembrance – someone will silence the children.  May I never be found guilty of silencing anyone in praise of their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

For me, I can no longer remain silent when it comes to my Lord and my Savior.  I will sing.  I will lift my hands.  And if the Holy Spirit stirs within me to dance – I will dance.

Give praise – give glory – give shouts of hallelujah to Our King!

My song for the beginning of this glorious week ahead of me – that journey of remembrance is:

Let Everyone Who Has Breath

 

 

Shadow Christian

Follow. At. A. Distance.  Lurking.  In.  The.  Darkness.

In my quiet time this afternoon these words jumped out at my heart and I trembled.  Have I ever be a Shadow Christian?

Hidden in the Shadows

 

Peter was a Shadow Christian.  Once.

Matthew 26:58 – “And Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and going inside he sat with the guards to see the end.  (ESV)

Oh Father, have your children hidden themselves away in the shadows of darkness – watching – waiting – wondering – afraid to let others know that we belonged to You?

Have we been silent when we should have spoken up and said, “Yes, I belong to Him?”

Have we been guilty of standing back – and not listening to Your Holy Spirit?

Father, forgive us.  Forgive us for holding back in the shadows.  It is time for us to come out of the shadows and claim that we belong to You.

Like Peter, we have failed You along the way.  Thank you, Father, that we can come forward and ask forgiveness for holding back from You.

1 Peter 3:14-16 – But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. (ESV)

We are the Children of God. We meet Him in private; may we meet Him in public.  Openly worshipping Him.  Growing closer to Him.

Song for Today: I’m Forever Yours

 

Rejoice

Day 9 – Tiny Daily Treasures

Rejoice.  Hope.  Patient.  Tribulation.  Constant.  Prayer

As I travel further down the path of God, I realize that each season of my life is a preparation – a path to the next journey.

I have learned to rejoice in hope.

I rejoice in the fullness of joy that comes with each new journey.

I have learned patience in the eye of the storm.  I have remained constant in prayer.

When I travel with God I am safe and secure in His Love.

Romans 12:12 – Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. (ESV)

Rejoice.  Rejoice that you know Him.

Let Him lead.

The song I share today is one I play on my way to work each day – it’s fun and it’s alive.  Enjoy:  The River