God is so good! I am crying with joy right now, just, because...I can feel His presence.
It is such an amazing feeling to know that He is with you!
To know that He is here...right now...at this very moment!
There are times when I feel like I could just burst with joy.
You know the feeling where you want to just start singing "for no reason". Ahh, but we do have a reason. We always have a reason to feel joyful! We have His love, His peace, His hope...and His joy inside of us!
I feel like I could just go dancing around, but I'm sure the people below us {I live in an apartment} would prefer I did not...
There is nothing that compares to the overwhelming sense of joy and peace as when you've just come out of a trying time spiritually.
I realized a couple days ago, that my life had been sorely lacking in prayer... I started feeling moody, and dare I say...purposeless. Ahh, but He is so faithful. Even through that, I knew He didn't leave me. No, He carried me! He ministered to me in ways that only He can.
It is so wonderful to know that we have freedom in Him! Freedom that lifts us above the chains of this world and lets us soar above.
Freedom that give us the ability to run to His arms whenever we feel weary.
That was my problem. I was feeling weary and instead of running to Him, I tried to be a "big girl" and take care of myself. I know better...you'd think I'd learn my lesson... Maybe one of these days I will.
But that is the past. And the present is me running full speed ahead, toward {not away from} my Abba Father's outstretched arms.
There I will stay, surrendered, tucked under His wing, in the palm of His hand. Resting, trusting, listening, praying...in His embrace.
Au Revoir...Until next time.
Many Blessings! =)
Tiffani
Everything in this post is Copyright Tiffani-Joi. Please email me at TiffaniJoi143@gmail.com to ask permission before using any part of this post or any pictures. Merci! =)
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me."
~ Psalm 23:4
Wrapped in Your Embrace
My heart cries out to be heard
My heart cries out for mercy
My heart cries out, in need of a Savior
You wrap me in Your embrace
Let my lips not speak idle words
But give You all praise and glory
My heart cries out, in need of a Savior
And You wrap me in Your embrace
I am undeserving
Yet You are so willing
Your love for me is amazing
You wrap me in Your embrace
You are faithful
You are Light
You hold me in the palm of Your hand
And You wrap me in Your embrace
My days have been numbered my You
You are the Holy God, my Father
You are my Provider
You wrap me in Your embrace
I am fallible
You are unchangeable
You still my heart and quiet my soul
And You wrap me in Your embrace
You are my comfort
I am Your daughter
You are my Rock and my Foundation and my Fortress
My Abba Father
You wrap me in Your embrace
Au Revoir...Until next time.
Many Blessings! =)
Tiffani
Everything in this post is Copyright Tiffani-Joi. Please email me at TiffaniJoi143@gmail.com to ask permission before using any part of this post or any pictures. Merci! =)
Tee hee...I'm laughing at how silly my thoughts are at the moment. I'm nervous about writing my first post for 2012... =P That's why I've been putting it off.
My Abba Father has been showing me so much in these past few months, weeks, days, hours even.
I'm beginning to fully realize...realize even more that our God is always ready and willing to show us new things about Him. He's always ready to wrap us in His warm and comforting embrace. He's always ready to listen and interrupt us if necessary. He's always there to wipe away the tears that we let escape.
I'm the one holding everything back. I'm a girl, standing in front of a bridge--a narrow bridge. There's no way to 'go around it.' Jesus one step ahead of me, reaching out His hand, encouraging me, beckoning, calling out to me to join Him, follow Him step by step. I've followed Him this far on our journey and this is just another bridge I need to cross. But it's not "just another bridge." This bridge, just like all those in the past, will be a new experience for me. I will grow in and through Him. I will learn more about Him and myself. And I'm standing there...waiting for Him to do something... To "give me a sign" to move in a certain direction...
He is always ready to speak to me.
All I have to do is ask.
Why don't I ask more often??? Why don't I listen more often???
Maybe you ask the same questions... All I can say is that I can't change what I haven't done in the past, but I can change whatI will do in the future. It's a New Year's Resolution, so to speak... =)
So no matter how many "forks" in the road there are, no matter how I look at it, there is only one direction to take... The one that my Savior is standing in front of. And it's my fault for being the one who's closed her eyes, expecting to 'stumble' onto the right path or eventually find it on my own.
So to be honest...I don't exactly know where that path is going to lead me...and when those "forks" come along, I most likely won't know which one leads where. But whichever path He is in front of, is where I want to go.
I just got a flash on the animated Disney Peter Pan movie. When all the "Lost Boy's" are following John (with his top hat and umbrella) singing "We're following the leader, the leader, the leader. We're following the leader wherever he may go." Along the way they go through tall grass (the tops of heads and that umbrella bobbing up and down), over a hippopotamus (I think)... *giggle* *sigh*
That's how I want to be, following Jesus (not oblivious to my surroundings =P). Joyful, worshipping, willing, determined, without any doubts or reservations.
I long to see my Shepard face to face... To feel His touch... To hear His encouragement... To sing His praises... To dance in the warmth of His light... To be still in Him...
My dad just said something the other day... He didn't make it up...and I'm not who the first person to say it was...
If there were no problems, there could be no miracles.
Feel free to read that a couple times...I did =)
I pray for there to be an abundance of blessings in your life! I also pray that through those trials that you're facing, that our Abba Father would perform miracles for you. That you will grow in and strengthen your relationship with Him.
"Praise the LORD! Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever." ~ Psalm 106:1
Au Revoir...Until next time!
Many Blessings =)
Tiffani
Everything in this post is Copyright Tiffani-Joi. Pleas email me at TiffaniJoi143@gmail.com to ask permission before using any part of post or any pictures.
{This is one of my favorite songs! It always makes me cry as I remember the extreme sacrifice Jesus made for me. I made this video especially for this version of the song.}
Touch of the Master's Hand ~ Danny Gans Album: Brand New Dream
One of my favorite things to say about God is that He orchestrates things. {As a side note, I am NOT trying to start a debate over pre-destination and free will}
When I hear orchestrate, I think of a compose and conductor of an orchestra. He's written the symphony out and He knows exactly how the notes should be played, what the tempo is, and what key signature the piece should be played in. He's up front, and as long as the musicians look to Him, He is guiding them as they play. The musicians are His 'tools', and He is able to use them to create something beautiful.
During rehearsals, those musicians might make terrible mistakes, over and over and over...and over again. Then throw in those cumbersome and tedious arpeggios or the big dramatic crescendos. BUT He is patient, because He knows what the end result will be, and He is willing to wait for us...I mean the musicians of course. ;)
Some of the musicians are able to help each other get better, but ultimately they look to the composer. He's the One who keeps them on the rhythm, motivated and encouraged. He's listens to the the complaints and the whining, about sore fingers, aching backs and parched lips. He understands, because He's gone through the exact same thing.
They also learn to work together as one. They learn that the piano alone is beautiful, but when played with the harp it sounds so much better. Then add in the violins and the flutes. Only with all the instruments playing together can the make an orchestra. And have you ever heard of an orchestra without a conductor, let alone a composer?
Then on that glorious performance day, we will all be perfect and everybody will applaud and praise the conductor for His great work.
They Lord has been showing me daily that He is in control, and I definitely am not. I can rely on Him alone, and He never fails!
He forgives my mistakes, complaints, and my eagerness to hog the spotlight. He promises to finish the good work that He has started in me. And that can't be easy. But I guess...I know that since He created me, and knows me better than I even know myself, He will be faithful like He always is.
Dear Precious Heavenly Father,
Please search my heart and root out any sin and fleshly behavior that is still trying to hang on to me. Please Father, show me when I'm feeling discontent or too comfortable, because there is always something I should be working on in my spiritual life.
God, I pray for those who are reading this post right now. That they would be blessed and You would use Your Words to give them peace and comfort for whatever struggles they are facing at this very moment.
Your Word tells us that those who believe in You and have received Your Son's gift of salvation are like a body. We must all work together and that none of us are more worthy or important than any other. Please Father, remind me of that whenever I start to become prideful or try to judge anyone else.
I pray that You would use me in Your symphony and that I will daily become more and more like You and my Savior.
And I ask all this in Your Son Jesus' name.
Amen!
Au Revoir...Until next time!
Many Blessings! =)
Tiffani
Everything in this post is Copyright Tiffani-Joi. Please email TiffaniJoi143@gmail.com to ask permission before you use any part of this post or any pictures.
(Jehovah Jireh is Hebrew. Translated it literally means The Lord Who Sees or The Lord Who Sees To It. It means He is our Provider.)
My parents & I just recently watched the movie Evan Almighty. (Please note: I am not trying to make a recommendation. It is always best to review a movie before watching it, especially when younger siblings are around. I will say that it is one of the very few movies that is not labeled as "Christian" & that has come out into the theaters; scripture is quoted & not misused, God is portrayed as Someone who can call us to certain actions, we can speak with & have a personal relationship with, is there for us, & sees the 'bigger picture'.)
And one of the dialogues that really hit me was the following:
God: Let me ask you something. If someone prays for patience, do you think God gives them patience? Or does He give them the opportunity to be patient? If he prayed for courage, does God give him courage? Or does He give him opportunities to be courageous? If someone prayed for the family to be closer, do you think God zaps them with warm fuzzy feelings? Or does He give them opportunities to love each other?
That really got me thinking... God knows exactly what we need & what is best for us. It makes sense that when we pray for patience, it just seems like more situations pop up when we need patience.
"And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." ~ Philippians 4:19
Sure it would be a lot easier if God just 'zapped' us with whatever qualities we asked Him to grow us in... But we wouldn't learn anything. We wouldn't learn patience or perseverance, self-control, faith, trust etc...
"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls." ~ Hebrews 12:1-3
I pray that we are all abundantly blessed this week, with opportunities of all kinds. Those to practice our Fruit of the Spirit. And also time to spend at His feet. Talking with & worshiping Him who loves us enough to be our Jehovah Jireh; our Provider.
Au Revoir...Until next time.
Many Blessings! =)
Tiffani
I'm not sure if you remember my post about my wanting to do a 'series' of sorts based on Nichole Nordeman's song You Are My All In All. It was a while ago...so here's the link in case you forgot or never saw it.
I haven't even thinking about the series lately, but a couple days ago my something happened to me (well, quite a few events happened) and when I started praying this song popped into my head again, and I began to understand the first verse even more.
So...last week was really busy for me.
Trust me!
It was busy, stressful, & most of the activities kept me from studying what I needed to for my next CollegePlus! coaching call.
I won't bore you with my entire schedule. I will get to the point. =)
My point is that the only time I felt tired was the end of the last day, when I knew that was finished with certain commitments. And knew that the next day I would be able to devote entirely to my studies.
I literally drove home from work on Friday (I had stopped at In N'
Out on the way home, because I felt like I deserved it after my hard week =P), took one step inside the house and felt like I could've collapsed if I had been next to something soft. It was the first time I had felt the slightest bit fatigued since those commitments came up.
I kicked off my shoes, grabbed a plate and went up to my room after saying hello to my parents. They were on a date (yes, at home =) ) so they had no problem with me shutting myself in my room.
I ended up asleep by 9PM that night...which is early for me, because by the time I get in bed, pray, then finally fall asleep, its usually around 11, 11:30PM.
During that prayer time, (which I'm ashamed to say was probably cut short because I fell asleep,) was when Nichole Nordeman's song popped into my head.
I realized that my merciful Abba Father had given me the strength, energy, endurance & motivation to get me through the week. And now He was graciously allowing me to be so tired that I would be sure to catch up on the rest that I'm sure I jipped myself of.
What really hit me was the thought that He had given me enough energy to drive home safely (even though it would've made sense for me to feel relaxed knowing that my hard week was over) & walk up the rather large step to the door into the house before the feeling of fatigue overtook me.
There was no way I could've made it through that week on my own. There were times when I wanted to cry (and come to think of it, actually did), scream with frustration, just walk away, but He kept reminding me that He was with me. That there were other people right at that very second who would much rather be in my shoes, than in their own trials.
That the sacrifices I was forced to make regarding my studies was still nothing compared to the greatest sacrifice that my Savior made for me.
I got a very real experience of His strength last week. Because I realized that He not only has the power to give me strength, He also has the power to allow weakness & fatigue to come over me, when it is necessary for me to rest.
I will probably dig deeper with a word study on "Strength." I just really felt the need to share this (in my mind) amazing example of His hand in my life.
It always amazes me when He reveals Himself to me like this. It always feels like the first time...He is unchangeable, but never predictable!
I pray that He reveals Himself to you greatly in some way this week! In a way that makes you stop & marvel at His amazing power.
Au Revoir...Until next time.
Many Blessings! =)
Tiffani
Everything in this post is Copyright Tiffani-Joi. You must ask permission before you use any part of this post or any pictures.
You're the defender of the weak, You comfort those in need
You lift us up on wings like eagles
Everlasting God ~ Christ Tomlin
Everlasting: enduring through all time; perpetual; lasting til the end of time.
Above is the Webster's dictionary definition of Everlasting. Those are all true of God. And yet, He is even more than, just everlasting. Because He was here before time even began! And He will still BE, after time has ended.
Everlasting: Alpha & Omega; ever was; ever is; ever is to come; infinity; no ending
The above is the definition I thought of while think about our everlasting God.
Have you ever tried to think about God's existence? How He created time? And that there will be a time where there is no time? I guess that last one doesn't really make sense.... There a will be a "no time" when there is no time anymore.
We will not be bound to seconds, hours, days, years. We will be with God forever.
That is so beyond my comprehension... My mind keeps trying to compare "forever" with something that I do comprehend. I've been alive for 16 years.... So 16 years times...times what? Times...infinity! Which is yet another word I cannot even begin to comprehend.
At first its a bit frustrating... But then these thoughts comfort me...
It gives me joy that my God understands the things that I don't!
It gives me joy that I'm not the one "in charge"!
It gives me joy that I don't have to understand everything!
It gives me joy that my God is merciful enough to allow me to live in 'time' that I do "understand"!
It gives me joy that my God is so complex!
It gives me joy that even though He is so complex, He loves me!
It gives me joy that even though He is so complex, He invites me into His embrace!
Our God is so good. I know that even though I pray for wisdom, He won't reveal knowledge to me that I can't handle. He understands, because He created. And that...gives me joy!
Au Revoir...Until next time.
Many Blessings! =)
Tiffani
Everything in this post is Copyright Tiffani-Joi. You must ask permission before you use any part of this post or any pictures.
Am I in a rut? Am I just going through the motions? Do I take for granted that I'm saved through the grace of God & the sacrifice of my Savior Jesus alone?
Every so often these thoughts fly through my head... And I have to dwell on the question for a little while... I have to pray, ponder....and then what? How many times do I think about these things, but then just move on with my day...promising myself & God..."Oh, I'll pray about that later when I have more time..." God, You mean you don't have time for ME? "Oh, no Father," I weakly protest, "that's not what I mean at all..." Silence. "Well, I know that's the way is sounds, but You know my heart...You know there's nothing I would rather do than just spend time worshipping You all day long...but I can't". Silence. "Really, I can't..." You can do nothing apart from ME. I AM the One who gave you today, & you don't have time to pray about something very important I've placed on your heart? "Well, when You put it that way..." I reply getting weaker... Silence. I am broken...I know that the Lord is right...as always! And broken is what wants... He wants me to completely surrender to Him, so that He can mold me & show me & lead me, exactly where I need to go...
There's no beating-around-the-bush with God, there's no playing phone tag...there's no voicemail... If we don't answer when God calls us the first time, He will keep calling...and calling...AND calling... Until finally we "find the time" to answer... Sometimes if we wait too long, the Holy Spirit will stop us in our tracks (in our rut, while we're going through the motions) & put that theoretical "phone" right in our face...so that we can't ignore, not hear, or walk by it again...
But I can avoid all of this if I would take action when the Lord shows me something I need to work on in my life! If I just surrender to Him daily it would make my life a lot easier... If I would pray about those fleshly tendencies when they are first shown to me. If I didn't try to make excuses for myself...
That's why out of all the songs I could've chose for this topic, I chose Give Me Your Eyes.
Because that's the example that's being set in the song. There is a problem that is made aware...and there is a prayer... A prayer first & foremost asking for forgiveness...then immediately afterwards is the a prayer of longing... A prayer of wanting to be more Christ like, than we are.
And I know that being completely honest with myself, that's not always going to happen. The Enemy is very good at dangling "little emergency's" in front of us. Those that are just important enough for us get distracted at least temporarily from the One who truly matters.
Dear Precious Heavenly Father,
I come broken before your throne of grace. Broken with shame that I so often put You aside. Make You wait. And I praise Your name & thank you from every crevice of my soul that You are a God of forgiveness. A God of patience. A God of mercy.
Lord, please mold me, make my heart more mindful of when You have something to tell me! Teach me to go through my days totally on fire for You alone! Where the only thoughts that fly around in my mind are pleasing in Your sight. The only words I speak point back to You.
Thank you Abba Father for loving me even though I will never be able to deserve it!!
I ask this all in Your precious Son Jesus' name.
Amen!
I pray that the Lord blesses you abundantly today & that you will feel His embrace forever!
Chorus: Children of God, sing your song and rejoice
For the love that He has given us all
Children of God, by the blood of His Son
We have been redeemed and we can be called
Children of God
Children of God
Bridge: We are the saints
We are the children
We've been redeemed
We've been forgiven
We are the sons and daughters of our God
Third Day ~ Children of God
Album: Move
Why is it that we as humans are so focused on ourselves all the time. Maybe not all the time...but most of the time... I find myself thinking about me, so often. My problems, my dreams, my life....
NO!!! It's NOT about me.... I live solely, because of my God, my Savior Christ Jesus, & my Helper who lives within me. I called Him, mine, just now.... But that's is not how it is.... I live for Him, I am His alone, He is all that matters. No matter how "big" my "problems" are, they are NOTHING compared to what the biggest problem is...my sin. No matter how "big" I think my "sacrifices"are, they are NOTHING compared to the greatest sacrifice of all. No matter how "important" I think my opportunities are...NOTHING is more important than living for my Savior.
But why is it that we as humans are so forgetful of those facts? Sin. Our flesh.
It makes me sad to realize that sometimes I need such a large wake-up call to realize when I'm starting to think about me too much. I know I'm never going to be perfect, but I want to be. I want to live like Jesus lived. I strive to be like Him. And when I fall short...I'm disappointed in myself. Until I realize why I fell short.... I thought I could do things on my own. Not consciously, but the result is still the same...
Yet, the Lord is merciful. He has given us the Helper. He gives us subtle & not so subtle reminders about Who is really important. He gives us second chances again & again & again. Sometimes I wonder, Why in the world does my Abba Father love me so much?
But then I receive an answer. Amazing & miraculous as it is! Because I am His child first...& then He is my Abba Father...my Daddy. The BEST Daddy! (John 1:12) With unconditional love that cannot even be described. Mercy that abounds & follows me all the days of my life. Love...God loves me! He loves you! He encourages us, He's our biggest cheerleader!
Psalm 95:6-7, "Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. 7 For He is our God, And we are the people of His pasture, And the sheep of His hand."
I am His sheep, & He is my Shepard. I am to follow Him, for He knows the Way. (John 14:6)
Daddy, I wish there was a better word than 'thank you'!! Thank you doesn't come close to being enough. Even if I praised You constantly, 24/7 for the rest of my life, You would still be worthy of infinity times more!! Please, Father, help me to daily surrender to You! To let You lead me, without any "help" from me. Please make it exceedingly clear when I'm speaking too much or not listening enough! Help me to always trust You, especially when the road gets rocky & I can't see the 'big picture'. Father I pray for those who are reading this right now. That You will bless them abundantly!! That You will fill them with Your overwhelming peace, joy, & love. Father, You know our hearts...You know how much we long to serve You faithfully. Continue, please to teach us Your ways & how to better serve You & Your children. I ask this all in Your Son, Jesus' name. Amen!
You've just had a peek inside my mind. My thoughts are all over the place. And they move so fast... I'm a girl...so that explains it. =)
I really do hope you are blessed by this. The Lord has had this "topic" pressing on my heart for a while, & I think tonight...or rather this morning....He has let it all pour right out.
One last thing before I go. I love 1 John 3:1-3, "Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure."
Au Revoir...Until next time.
Many Blessings! =)
Tiffani
Ok, so this song is just too beautiful to break up. The main part that I want to talk about though is the first two lines of the song. So simple, but if you think about it...so true. If I had control, (not just the illusion of control), control every single thing that happened in my life, & I was able to redo things that went wrong in my life...would I?
Honestly, there are probably some things I would want to change. I would probably make sure I kept my balance, & didn't fall into the big fountain we had in our front yard; the one that gave me a big, ugly fat lip & black & blue eye so swollen I could hardly open it. Yes, I think I'd like to change that...
BUT, now that I think of it...I was so blessed by my friends during that time, who (even though we were young...& I probably looked pretty weird) showed me such kindness, by telling me I looked beautiful, still asking me over to their houses for "play-dates", didn't stare, but didn't keep their distance. That might not sound it should be a big deal...friends should do that anyway. But for me it was a big deal. I was about 8 years old, & I wasn't a pretty sight...honestly I wouldn't have blamed my friends if they wanted to keep their distance until I was better. But instead, I was extremely blessed, & can now truly sympathize with people who have something deform their face (whether temporarily like mine, or permanently.)
Ok, so...I'd probably still let that happen to me...
But those times where I said or did something to hurt one of my friends. I'd change those times! BUT, if I did, I wouldn't be able to feel the forgiveness I received after apologizing... Forgiveness that reminded me of what my Savior did for me. Reminding me that I'm not going to be perfect, but that I can't use that as an excuse for sinning.
Ok, so...I'd probably keep those times as well...
I guess I'd say the same thing for the times that I wasn't respectful to my parents. I've learned from those mistakes I made...& am getting better & better at keeping my frustration from getting the upper-hand. I also know the importance of parenting, & am storing all this knowledge for when I become a mommy.
So...my list of "Things In My Past I'd Like To Change If I Could"...is getting smaller by the second as I think about it...
The only thing, I still think I'd change was...feeling way under the weather on my 16th birthday...that's just wrong...isn't it? BUT...(you knew this was coming =) ) I guess that did show me that it doesn't matter about growing with age...what really matters is how you grow in the Spirit. Instead of depending on worldly things to give me joy, I should be looking to Him to give me joy. And reminding me not to take for granted the health & especially the life that I have, because there are some children who are sick on almost all their birthdays, with cancers, & tumors. Some children don't even reach their 16th birthday. I really have nothing to complain about, because I have the only thing that matters! A personal relationship with my Abba Father.
I'm not sure how many of you've read that book Pollyanna by Eleanor Porter. But this sound very much like the "Glad Game". Looking for the good out of not-so-good situations...
I know that I won't always see the big picture. But my prayer is that when I do feel discouraged, that I lean on Him who gives me strength. He who does see the big picture & knows exactly whats best for me. I pray that we all trust Him druing these times. Because He will allow us to go through struggles, but--as I've realized--even though we might not be able to see them at first...later we can see the amazing joys & blessings that came from those trials.
I LOVE hearing stories of how the Lord worked something that you thought couldn't get any worse, turn into something great. If you have any stories like this...about yourself or others please share!!
