10/30/2014 0 Comments Rejoice…He Turned It!![]() The Sanctuary will be hosting it's yearly Women's Retreat on next week and from the onset we have been under heavy attack in trying to bring the vision of God's to pass for The Enter The Garden Retreat As we have been going through the attack God has sent signs to us to show us that He is with us. He has sent people to undergird us and I remember one of them saying, "It is going to take some effort and determination, but God is going turn this around and He will get the glory out of this." And I needed to hear this, we all need to hear that sometimes! It isn't too late and the situation will turn around! Maybe you are in a very difficult marriage. I want to tell you, it can turn around! Maybe your finances stink. You need to know it can turn around! Maybe you have made some major mistakes that are hindering your future. It can turn around! Jonah was a man who needed his life turned around. In Jonah chapter 1, God directed Jonah to a mission, but Jonah declined and rejected God's direction. The great difficulty of a violent storm arose in his life as a result of his rejection, and then God rescued the drowning Jonah through the help of a huge fish. The rescue came about when Jonah decided to make a change in his life. God became real as Jonah experienced "a person" behind the truth. Jonah chapter 2 occurs inside the fish. In verse 1, a summarization of how Jonah turned it around is given: "In my distress I called to the LORD and He answered me." In this summary, we have three steps to a turn-around. First of all, Jonah says, "In my distress..." Step 1: Jonah processes his distress. He gives an honest appraisal about the distressful situation that he is in. Distress, of course, is extreme anxiety, sorrow and pain. Part of the fear Jonah is experiencing is a result of "the powerful sea." After Jonah is thrown overboard by the sailors, the waves from the violent storm are breaking over him. He is engulfed by waters that are slowly bringing him down. The grip of seaweed is wrapped around his head. Jonah thought it was all over -- his grave was a watery one. In Jonah 2:1, he says, "From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help." As Jonah is processing his distress, he comes to a startling conclusion; "you hurled me" and "I have been banished from your sight". Jonah is admitting that he has violated the LORD and his way. This is a "self-indictment" as he begins to understand where his sufferings have come from. We need to be careful, because processing our distress can lead us to the blame game. Jonah, however, was led to a point of taking responsibility for what he had done to contribute to his own situation. For a time, trouble can shut out any hope. But faith was revived when, in his distress, Jonah "remembered the Lord." Step 2: Jonah cried out to the LORD. This theme of pleading to the Lord for help is repeated and emphasized several times in the chapter. It is a very personal interaction as, in Jonah 2:1, "From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the LORD his God." Now here is an important question -- does the Lord show up because Jonah prays? Because Jonah finally realizes he needs help? Does God show up as a response to Jonah's good deed of calling out? No, and here is where we learn something foundational about the Lord, and it is this -- the LORD is always there. We just need to turn to him to enjoy the benefits of his compassion and love. In the same way that an inheritance is distributed through the willful acceptance of the treasure, God's love must be received. Jonah cried out to God and received his love. Then Jonah says in Jonah 2:6, "You brought me life from the pit, O Lord my God." Step 3: Jonah waited for and expected God's intervention. God's intervention was the provision of a huge fish to save him from drowning. Maybe not the most glamorous way to be saved, but Jonah articulates in Jonah 2:9, "Salvation comes from the Lord." We may feel banished from God's sight but we are one call away, and therefore, very close to God's rescue. How can you turn it around? Process your distress. What do you own in the existence of challenges in your life? Give an honest appraisal. Then cry out to the Lord. Turn yourself completely to the Lord and his love and truth. Lastly, wait and expect God's intervention. I know that in just a few days I am expecting God to turn it all around and there will surely be glory after this. And I want to encourage you that whatever your situation is, whether you lost your job, lost a loved one, going through a painful divorce or diagnosed with a life threatening disease, do not loose faith! There is always light at the end of the tunnel, just as there is calm after the storm. The God who delivered Jonah is still the same God yesterday, today and forever! You can take comfort knowing that He will never forsake you or leave you! The Bible is full of God's promises, those are His words. Because His words are true and gives life we can use His words to get out of any situation. This lens is about learning how to claim God's promises in the midst of the storm. To pray God's words through a time of crises and coming out victorious! This lens is for all of you who are facing the storms of life to know that must rejoice now because "He Turned It". Enter into The Sanctuary to praise Him for turning your mourning into dancing!
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10/23/2014 0 Comments Just BE…Free!One of things that I have been very humbled by lately is the space we have in our relationship with God to just…be. There is something liberating in knowing that I don’t have to be in fear of exposing my true self with God because, not only does He already know EXACTLY who I am, but He knows who He created me to be. He is not in a relationship with the sum of my experiences, heartbreaks, wins, losses, triumphs or failures. He is in a relationship with the me He created me to be. He has a will and perfect plan for my life and He gave His only Son so that I may walk in His will for my life. James 8:38 says, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” God loves us on the days we are afraid to walk through the gate, though it has been flung wide open for us and the chains have been broken. He loves us on the days we walk through the gate gingerly and with trepidation. He loves us on the days that we can’t even see the gate and He reminds us that it is there and that we are free. In God’s presence we are free. Free to worship, to love, to cry, to dance, to sing, to hurt, to heal…to just be. Isn’t that a wonderful feeling? For someone to know EVERYTHING there is to know about you and love you anyway? I mean really love every fiber of your being? Love every hair on your head? Even on the days when you don’t love yourself (1 John 3:1)! My God! That is God! That is love and God is love. I have been in praise and worship to God during a significant storm and I just really know in this moment, in this place, being near Him, that being in relationship with God is not a burden, it is not a tempered walk in condemnation, as some would have us think (Galatians 5:1). It is the most freeing experience I have ever had and I am so humbled and honored to be in His presence and to feel free. Oh how I love this place of worship! Contributed by ~Veronica F. "Covered & Kept Life" Enter into Worship10/15/2014 0 Comments For Your Good!![]() The Bible says, "We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28) But many of us can say that all things are not good. It would be mockery to say that they are. The death of a child is not good. Cancer is not good, drug addiction is not good, betrayal is not good, rejection is not good. However, in the chemistry of the cross God takes things that we considered are bad, and He puts them together, much as a chemist might take chemicals that may be deleterious and mixes them to make a medicine that brings healing. Many of us have some salt with our meals. Table salt is made up of both sodium and chloride. By itself, sodium is a deadly poison, and so is chloride. Put them together, and you have table salt. Salt flavors food, and a certain amount of salt is necessary for health and life. We cannot live without some salt in our systems. God can take things that are bad and put them in the crucible of His wisdom and love. He works all things together for good, and He gives us the glorious, wonderful promise that He will do so. Now do not take this one short phrase "all things work together for good" out of context. It does not include everyone, only those who love God, and it is only true in relation to God's purpose in making us more like Jesus. And that does not happen because of bad things, but only when we love God and trust Him even when bad things happen. What, then, is the good? It is defined for us, initially at least, in v. 29, one of the forgotten verses of scripture: “because those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters”. The good is not our comfort, wealth, or health. It is conformity to Christ! This good is then fully defined in the next verse: “And those he predestined, he also called; and those he called, he also justified; and those he justified, he also glorified”. Ultimately, all things work together to bring each Christian into conformity to Christ, to bring each Christian to glory. The plan of God is that we become like Jesus and those bad things give us an opportunity to overcome, to walk in love, and to grow into more Christ-likeness. But bad things do not make us more like Christ. It is only when we turn to the Lord (even in the midst of trouble) and allow Him to work in us, that we are transformed into being more like Him. So those challenges that you are faced with, those circumstances that have you weary from worry, those relationships that you've been betrayed in, that job situation that has caused you major pains, those children that have you beyond stressed…. Is all good because it's for your good and God gets all the glory! Atmosphere is important and your faith can create an atmosphere. In the atmosphere of faith miracles can and will take place. An atmosphere is a surrounding influence with a dominate effect or appeal. How is this "atmosphere of faith" created? Can we or are we to have a part in creating this atmosphere in which God can operate? Anyone who wants to achieve something in life therefore must be concerned about the atmosphere he creates and permits around him. The biblical definition of real faith is found in the book of Hebrews. The Scriptures plainly state that “faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not [yet] seen” (Hebrews 11:1). Substance means assurance, realization, something like a title or deed to a house or piece of property. Evidence entails proof. One of the biggest reasons for the lack of faith today is that doubt and skepticism permeates our culture. You must understand have the power to create the faith atmosphere around you. The believer must establish to be single minded in promoting an atmosphere of faith around them all the time, whether at home, work, around friends, church etc. We must be people that are faith inclined in everything that we do and go through. Unfortunately, many believers are negative and doubt inclined, thus they are always in an atmosphere that is full of negativity and doubt which can brush of on those that surround them. When Jesus was walking on this earth he carried an atmosphere of faith with him, wherever he went doubt and negative attitudes had to disappear. You remember the time when Jairus’ daughter in Mark 5:39-40 had died and Jesus arrives at Jairus house and all the people were crying and mourning, What did Jesus do? He put them out of the house and began to introduce an atmosphere of faith that would get the job done. Thus, the little girl was raised from the dead and a great miracle happened on that glorious day. Jesus transformed the atmosphere from doubt to faith, from negative to positive, from sadness to joy. You and I can do the same thing. Know this, the people that surround you create your atmosphere.The things they say to you help to form your thoughts and opinions, and these create the atmosphere around you. The music you listen to and the programs you watch create your atmosphere. Music leaves an impression on your mind which affects everything around you. The thoughts you think (your mental disposition) create your atmosphere. Faith is important. Hebrews 11:6 has made it clear that without faith, it is impossible to please God. So, today enter into worship to create a conducive atmosphere for faith to thrive and produce the miraculous results. 10/2/2014 0 Comments I Need You!The righteous cry, and the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. ~Psalm 34:17 ![]() One of the most difficult things we can face in life is loss, and in the aftermath of a tragedy, the pain of loss can be very difficult to cope with. At times, it may even seem unbearable. Because God made us with feelings, there are many other difficult emotions we may experience when grieving or facing tough circumstances. We can feel hopeless, helpless, confused, fearful, anxious, and even angry. Recognizing these emotions, and releasing them in healthy ways, is extremely important in the journey toward healing and wellness. Ignoring or suppressing them can be very destructive, crippling to say the least. What emotions do you feel in your heart? Heartache and pain are undoubtedly among them. You're probably hurting so badly that all you really want to do is cry. And that's okay! Even the Lord Jesus Christ wept when faced with the tragedy and sorrow of death (see John 11:35). He was so deeply moved within because of the sorrow resulting from Lazarus' death that He began to weep. Sure, it's good to be strong in the midst of difficult circumstances, but it is also important to acknowledge the emotions that pain, suffering, and loss can bring. Think about it. How can your heart truly heal, if you don't acknowledge that you're hurting? So take the first step. Get alone with God, and tell Him honestly how badly you are hurting. Cry if you want to. Cry out to Him, "God, I need You!" You will find that as you pour out your heart to the Lord, you'll begin to feel the burdens of your soul roll away. How comforting it is to know that wherever we go God is there with us. Sometimes we find ourselves in situations and we wonder if God is paying attention. We may feel so alone and even depressed. We can't feel God's presence, and we need His guidance and help. Sometimes friends, spouses, and parents don't really understand what we are going through. But God does and He cares. God told Joshua to be strong and to have courage. Then He told him a wonderful truth: "The Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." We don't have to feel all alone. God is with us. He is working out the problems, and we don't even realize it. But now...the Lord who created you says: "Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.... From eternity to eternity I am God. No one can oppose what I do. No one can reverse my actions. ~ Isaiah 43:1-3, 13, NLT God is with us, leading us, guiding us, loving us, providing for us -- all with His unlimited resources. What do we need? Do we need strength, peace, love, joy, or hope? He has it all. He is longing to pour out His favor and blessing upon us. We need to be open to Him and to trust Him. We need, by faith, to receive what He has for us. It is essential that we realize how much He loves us and that He has a good purpose and plan for us. You can trust God. No matter what is going on in your life, He is there! So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord, no matter what happens. He is just waiting for you to tell Him how deeply, "You need Thee". Enter in to Worship |
What is Worship?
The Apostle Paul described true worship perfectly in Romans 12:1:
“I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God which is your spiritual service of worship." Worship is first of all an experience. It may express itself through certain forms, but it is not primarily a form. It is an experience. It is a consciousness of the presence of God and a response to that consciousness. Worship expresses itself as an outreach of the deepest emotions of the soul in adoration, reverence, homage, exaltation, and praise to the Almighty. We hope that our Worship Wednesday creates a deeper more meaningful worship experience for you. Visit our other inspirational blog
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CategoriesAll Are For Your Good! Are You Living In The Spiritual? Are You Operating In Your Gift? Ascribe To His Beauty Atmosphere Of Faith Blessed Assurance Come Clean And Break Free! Flow Giving Is Worship Greater Is Here Great Is Thy Faithfulness Hallelujah! Praise Him In The Hallway! Have Thine Way He Is Faithful! He Is Mine He Takes Our Ashes And Gives Us With Beauty! His Name Makes Things Happen I Need Thee! I Need You…Please Don't Pass Me By It Is Well With My Soul… Just Listen Living For His Glory Look Where He Brought You From Minister To Him Like Anna My Everything Overwhelmed? Cling To The Rock. Pouring Out Praise Quench Your Thirst Saturate Me Singing And Dancing In The Rain And Walking On Water Something Happen Something Out Of Nothing Speak Life Thank You Is The Heart Of Worship Thank You Lord For Everything! The Miracle Of Grace The Name Above All Names The Smile Of God Is The Goal Of Life This Is My Song This Is My Story True Bread ThatLasts! Want To Put A Smile On His Face? When Others Say Where He Is Wholly Surrendered Who Needs A Super Here When He Is There! Will You Worship In The Midst Of The Storm? Withholding Nothing Withhold Nothing Worship Brings A Word In Your Season Worship In Barrenness Worship Into Your Season Worship While I Wait Your Gift Will Look Good On You. Unwrap It. |
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