Saturday

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Come & listen, all you who fear God and I will tell you what he did for me.
For I cried out to Him for help, praising him as I spoke.
If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.
But God did listen!!!
He paid attention to my prayer.
Praise God, who did not ignore my prayer or withdraw his unfailing love from me.

Psalm 66:16-20

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Friday

Heartfelt Transitions


Some time ago this guy from Jesus Culture came and spoke at my church about transition.  I did not think that I was in transition like so many of my other friends because I'm not moving, my job is stable, etc. It wasn't until now that I realize the transition that is taking place for me is in my heart. I have friends that are leaving, some leaving to go to another place and some that are just leaving my heart. I've been battling some time about a few particular friends and wondering if the relationship is something worth fighting for. I've decided it's not, not if I'm the only one fighting for it. I'm not angry about that, the truth is that as we grow it is completely natural for people to drift apart/grow apart. Some people are really supposed to be in your life for a season, and that season ends you move on. Can you imagine if it were summer ALL the time?! I live in Houston and although summer has its benefits I look forward to knowing the cooler months are right after it. Likewise, although some relationships with people are fun and I thoroughly enjoy them when things begin to dissolve it's time to embrace the end & the beginning of the new things along the horizon.

God's been doing a crazy intense, interesting, uncomfortable work in my heart these past few months. I never realized how wounded it was. I never thought that I had it all together, but man, I am a mess right now! haha Even in knowing how much of a mess I am right now I have soo much peace about it. I can't help but thank God for EVERYTHING! The good, the bad & the ugly. Recently I found myself feeling overwhelmed with frustration & anger, and you know what I did? I turned off my phone, put my computer away, and I turned my heart to God. I gave it all away; all the hurt, the pain, the rejection, the anger, the malice, I surrendered it all to God. He said I could lay all my burdens at His feet, so with all the gunk inside I opened my hands and said, "God, here is my heart you can have it all", and never, NEVER have those words resounded so clearly in my heart before! He really does make all things work together for my good. If circumstances had not arose then these issues would not have surfaced and I would be unaware of this war ragging in my soul.

 I recognize who I am, and who I was created to be and I tell Him those things too! I declare my identity over myself instead of wallowing in  whatever funk the enemy throws my way.  I thank God for whatever the unfortunate circumstance that caused the ill feelings to arise because if "it" had not happened, I would not know what was buried in my heart & I would not have the opportunity to praise God in spite of.

It is a war. I feel like when I'm in the storm that is is a constant battle. I imagine the enemy to be like a dragon breathing fiery breath upon me to see if I will break. Then I make the decision, within my own heart, to focus on God and not my circumstance. The truth is, our praise is a weapon and I find myself with a heart filled with thanksgiving.
 
I find myself thanking God so much now, now just in good times & not just in bad times, but ALL the time. 


                          He is GOOD. Amen.



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I dont listen to a lot of gospel music, but this song has been stuck in my head! <3 i="" nbsp="">

My Praise is a Weapon

My Praise Is a Weapon
Yes it's a declaration
My God is King
He can do anything

My Praise is a Weapon
Yes it's a revelation
If God be for me
Tell me who can be against me

No weapon formed against me by the enemy shall prosper
But I've got a weapon that will always have power
My weapon is praise, for the rest of my days
I'm stomping on the devil as I lift Jesus name

Alpha, Omega, Jehovah, Messiah
Healer, Deliverer, My Victory from the enemy
I praise You, I lift You up