A New Way

 A New Way

Have you lost sight of who Jesus is, and his purpose?

A new year always comes with new expectations. “Out with the old and in with the new.”  When I was younger it was making resolutions to change and having new goals. I would make a list of all the things I wanted to accomplish checking all the things off that never really mattered in the first place to find myself by mid January in the same place of trying harder to end up all discouraged once again. I know the enemy loved all that mindset of trying harder. The enemy of our minds will lock in on what everyone else is looking for, doing, and accomplishing to have us look in the mirror and say to ourselves, “If they have that, why can’t I?” Measuring ourselves up against things we were never intended to do always leaves us empty and unsatisfied. The reality isn’t what we see on Social Media just a fake view into what looks to satisfy. 

What if God had something so much better awaiting us? What is 2026 is a year to grow deeper in love with God?

“For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile everything to himself, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through the blood shed on the cross.” Colossians 1: 19-20

Christmas was just the beginning of what God was going to do for all humanity. The same Jesus that walked along the earth would one day take on all of the sin of humanity to provide a gateway to the Father. The fullness of God dwelling in us. Reconciling everything and the Peace of Jesus dwelling within man. Christmas came and went as fast as the preparations, celebrating, and gift giving. But the celebration doesn’t have to end and the gifts he gave are ones that are lasting in the life of Christ. The gift of His Son meant we don’t ever have to measure up to the world standards. That the redemptive work was done on the cross and the only one we follow is Jesus Christ not everything I see before my eyes.  Christ is the hope and glory for this world. Peace made known to us. A new way made known. 

So how can that Peace be made known? 

Sit with God. Tell Him what is on your heart. 

Father,

It is so easy to get consumed by all the worries of this world. It is so easy to look towards others' lives and think that is what we need. You know the longing of our hearts. So help us be real with you. You meet us in places of insecurity. You fill us with your Peace and understanding. Help us not lean on our understanding but in all of our ways acknowledge you knowing you will direct our paths King Jesus.

Amen

God Came Down

 God Came Down

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8

The disciples went from following Jesus to being supernatural witnesses of Jesus Christ. The end of Luke tells them what was to come and what the Father promised that they would be empowered by the Holy Spirit. 

“The role of the Holy Spirit moves from promise to presence and from occasional intervention to permanent indwelling and directing. Where Jesus once taught and directed the activity of the disciples, now the Holy Spirit gives their movement and gives them movement and gives them power in their ministry.” (From Gospels to Glory) 

Once and awhile I will feel the drawback to looking at old journals. And learning more about how the Old Testament teaches us about life with God works and the New Testament was the Bible Jesus read. It causes me to look back on my life. God always told them to remember and He does the same with us so I took out a book I  journaled in from going on a mission trip to El Savador in 2018. The span from the entries went from 2018 to 2021.  I could see what I was learning through God’s word starting to click in areas. One little entry from 2018 said,  “Lord, Thank you for this opportunity to come here. Help us to continue to love as you love. I pray these people will begin a relationship with you.” Because that is where it begins. We have to make that decision if we want to live for Jesus. We have to be tired of our ways and be ready for something new. Even back in 2018 as I was continuing to watch how God worked I would go many more years without the realization that the Holy Spirit was the one who would work and not me. A partnership learning what my role is and His is. I can glance further into that journal and read sermons I took notes on, “We don’t want to get sassy and lazy.” This must have been something that was very important because as it was bolded and in a rectangle.  Who knows what was going on around then but I was never going to stop that from happening on my own. I was getting a little of what part the Holy Spirit played but not the whole message. Yes, no one needs to get sassy and lazy but my job isn’t to work toward that on my own in my own strength  it is asking God, “Father show me where I am becoming lazy and sassy and reveal where I need to remove what is preventing me from giving you whole hearted obedience.” Some of those notes I didn’t even recognize that heart, only the handwriting let me know that was coming from me. I share this because I was getting the knowledge but I wasn’t getting to know God. That was the turning point. As I grew deeper in my relationship with God I could see how the journal entries became more of allowing the Holy Spirit to work within me to change my heart and make know His heart. 

There was a big shift in those entries. Learning His Word and getting it deep down into my core it became Living and Active. It was around that time I was learning about how eternally He was building into me fruit that began to show outwardly. That one day as I was doing my bible study. I was learning about worrying that week. The question, “Is it harder to have internal fruit or external?” When we stay connected to the vine Jesus produces the fruit. I thought definitely internal and that is when I looked up at the tree and it looked “off.” And looking back that was when my brain was going into flare mode and that was the moment it all changed. That was my complete takeover when I lost all control and God moved me to a place to reveal His heart for me. 

This entry was written the night I went into the ER with stroke-like symptoms. It was still during the Covid era when beds weren’t always available. So I spent a night in the ER. This is the entry shortly after returning home I left the scattered thoughts in it because that too shows where I was at the time.

August 9, 2021

“That night I experienced the peace of all understanding. I remember thinking I know you are with me in this ER and I am scared but I will just start praying for everyone in here. I remember thinking, “Ok Lord internal fruit when I heard that lady cry out I prayed, “Lord help her.” I remember thinking why can’t I snap out of this? I laid there that night knowing prayers were covering me. No one came to check on me. I remember thinking something is happening. That nurse looked in the window and gave me a thumbs up and I remember thinking, “I am not ok” but he just moved on. That next morning a nurse came in and quickly took action. She cared for me. I had NOT been forgotten. That morning a slew of doctors started coming in. They wanted to run more tests and one of the nurses said MS. Everyone was in the room and I remember her saying MS and shaking my head. The MS nurse pushed to do more testing and explained that the second MRI with dye would light up the “white matter” it would reveal if I had MS and it did. They had found “white matter” on my brain and spinal cord. I went to the first MRI and was thankful I was out of it but that second MRI four hours later I remember being much harder. They asked me what music to play and I requested worship music but even in that I laid there praying knowing everything was about to change. I told the Lord. I was ok and do whatever it was. From there I was moved to the ER to the fifth floor and I was surrounded by angels. I remember that first bag of steroids that calmed the inflammation and brought me back to life. Eric was so thankful to see that. He got to leave that night knowing I was ok. From there they continued to run more tests and treat me with steroids. My release day was Friday and I begged the doctors, nurses, whoever would listen to me to make it earlier. I wanted to be out in time to go to worship team practice. I was on the team that Sunday. I am sure they thought I was crazy. But God moved. The nurse that prayed it would happen shared she had just gone back to church for the first time and her husband came. God moved the neurologist to the doctors who knew I needed to get to a “church function” so I was able to get out by one on Thursday. God was ALL over that place. And never once did He leave me. And He knows when we give praise to Him He releases our burdens, our fears, and ALL the unknowns. He goes before us and he is always with us. He prepares the way. So at fourty-five it does look different today. The oldest is going off to college and our lives are changing in ways we never thought. But God knew. He knew at fourty-five my life would change. He placed us where He placed did for such a time as this. He knows our struggles down the road and that this will not be easy. But we can choose to glorify Him through it all. We can choose to say, “It is well.” We can choose to praise Him in these storms. I think that is why leading worship is salve to my soul. To be able to say with all of me that you are God and sit on that throne. You will accomplish whatever that is.” 

Then this verse. “So if you have been raised with Christ, see the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things, For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you will appear with him in glory.” Colossians 3:1-4

Looking back at that frantic handwriting I could see how those little nuggets started planting something so deep down that began to take root. After that diagnosis God was showing me that the Holy Spirit was with me at all times. Every single moment. He is always with us.

We all have our stories. The Holy Spirit in us draws us closer and closer as we are being made more like Jesus. Allowing His Spirit that full access to our hearts gives permission to let those other things die in us. That is what He was showing me and still does. Fear, anxiety, and doubt is something I don’t have to wear. I can go to Him as a child and tell Him, “Father I am scared but your word tells me not to fear.” Father, I feel alone but you tell me you are my Shepherd and never leave me.” Our lives start looking more like Jesus and exactly what the Lord was planning since the beginning of time. Peace. Security. Rest. Because the more we invite the Holy Spirit the more He comes in. Together.

See that is the most exciting part. We all have a part to play in His story. No one else can tell His story. 

That was God’s plan all along. We can all look back at our lives and see God’s Hand all over it. The more time we spend getting to know the heart of God the deeper we fall in love with Him. That is the only thing that has happened through this writing. His Holy Spirit in me and working to accomplish what He wanted through a girl who never wrote who was diagnosed with MS to tell the story of His faithfulness through others. To release control of myself every single day so He can continue to tell my story. I was never in control and never will be but I know the One who is..

Once again as I break and rest I want to thank you for all your continued prayers, encouragement along the way. You each have played a part in what God continues to do in and through me and together we get to be encouraged in our stories.  Never underestimate the power of words with one another. Merry Christmas celebrate the gift of His Son that came down so we could live with one another knowing that the best is yet to come. See that is the greatest part that we get to anchor our Joy in the coming King Jesus! 

See you guys back in a bit. 

Love,

Angela

Tell Them

 Tell Them

“In the region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over the flock. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all people.” Luke 2:8-10

The shepherds were the lowly ones and yet God specifically placed them exactly where they were to have them receive the greatest news ever. The Bible says, “Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord.” Can you imagine being one of those shepherds? Standing watch and then all of sudden something appears before you that causes you to be terrified but that news would be the greatest thing they could ever receive. The Messiah, the promised deliverer, came for everyone.

The Great Inviter came down. I heard that title today from someone and it caused me to stop. God has always invited people into a relationship with Him. But Jesus made it possible to fully understand how His Spirit can be invited into everything. God’s love through man. His love for all made through us. 

“The difference between the person who grows in holiness and the one who doesn’t is not the matter of personality, upbringing, or gifting. The difference is what each has planted into the soil of his heart and soul, so holiness isn’t a mysterious spiritual state that only an elite few can reach. It’s more than an emotion or a resolution or an event. Holiness is a harvest.” Tim Chester

It has always been about the heart. Inviting Him in to show us how to love others is how we were meant to live our lives. Seeing others through the eyes of compassion and moving towards what God wants us to do. “Father, you have shown me this, how can I be your hands today?” Keeping others on the front of our minds and hearts.  The enemy wants us focused within ourselves but God wants us to bear His heart. The world looks outward but God looks in the deepest parts of us to transform us to become more like Jesus. That is His heart and that was the reason He came down on Christmas Day.  As a friend said, “We can fully celebrate in the good news, that Jesus was born out of love for us. The kindness and compassion of God knowing we need to be saved. It is a celebration of a loving Father not giving up but finding a way to forgiveness, following His ways, and showing His love for us. That is the best news ever.” And that was made possible because of Jesus. And that is made possible for ALL people. 

What if I told you just like those shepherds you are the perfect person to tell your story? Your before and after. Your new life made new because of Jesus. What if we lived our lives wrapped in Love and Mercy? What would this world look like? 

A harvest of people that when we go we plant seeds of holiness everywhere we go. Open handed and scattering those seeds into our homes, neighborhoods, work places, anywhere we went. Planting something in others around us that they too could start experiencing the flowing over of His Goodness and Faithfulness in their lives. 

Go Tell Them.

Wrapped in Love

 Wrapped In Love

”He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will have no end.” Luke 1:32-33

Christmas is so much more than we give it credit for. The commercialized version that is. The one that you can’t turn away from the ads and the list keeps running through our mind of what to buy and how much to spend. I know the enemy loves this time of year because we get so distracted. But what a great time to distract us. We know how it ends and we are living in the here and now knowing that Jesus is still making all things new. Even as we go about and sometimes can’t say, “Merry Christmas” for offending some, it won't change that His kingdom will never end. That is you and me living as the hands and feet as Jesus in a world that needs to know the love of God.

Last December I got to participate in a Christmas event for a prison ministry. It was for the residents that had family and they wrapped gifts, ate food, and just gathered with their families celebrating Christmas together. I recently heard from another woman who got to serve at a prison doing this same thing this year. She commented about how when she was there that some residents didn’t have family that showed up. But as she watched the other residents moved in to invite them to participate with their families. I thought that was sad but at the same time they got an opportunity to experience the love of God in a way that was an extension of others. She talked about how serving at “Christmas Miracle” , the name given to the event, had changed her heart. Because that is what happens. Going into places that people feel forgotten or that they have gone too far has an unexplainable draw. I told the lady that shared her recent prison experience it is like something that you can’t shake off. Going places that people don’t know God and being around them leaves something on you. “You can’t shake it off” is what I told her. She said, that is probably because we are not supposed to. 

“Therefore,  as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another if anyone has a grievance against another, Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive.” Colossians 3:12-13

When we clothe ourselves with the mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience of Christ it is Him who is on display. That is what is contagious and spreads and makes other people want to know Christ. 

What would happen if we were wrapped in His Compassion, Kindness, Humility, Gentleness, and Patience when we walked around our homes, workplaces, stores, everywhere we went? What does that leave behind? 

Maybe it would leave something they couldn’t shake off. Something that would draw them to want more. Something they couldn’t dismiss. Something they couldn’t explain only that they needed to know more.

Father,

Forgive us of when we want to judge. Judgemental hearts keep us from seeing things through your eyes that love those that don’t know you. Your Son was so that we would know how to love others and extend your love to this world. We are your Chosen and Beloved. You wrapped yourself in Power in humanity when you came at the birth of Christ. Thank you isn’t enough let our lives be one refrain giving it all to you Jesus. You are the Christmas Miracle.

Amen

                 

 

The Manger to the Throne

 The Manger to the Throne

How did Jesus go from the manger to the throne? 

“O Lord and God, you are worthy to receive glory and power, because you have created all things; and by your will they exist and were created.” Revelation 4:11

God’s perfect plan didn’t make sense. It still doesn’t. How else can you explain the Savior of the world born in a manger? He could have entered into the world many different ways and to come as a child wasn’t what they were expecting. And how can we explain the way to being free from ourselves is not bought but freely given? Keeping Jesus on the throne of our hearts will mean stepping off our thrones daily. 

Have you looked around lately? Seeing others through the lens of God’s heart can cause us to awaken to what is happening around us. The enemy of our minds wants us to believe that nothing will change. Just turn on the news or any social media feed and you will hear the same message on repeat. “We will never see change.” We are always trying to make ourselves gods and worshiping the things we were never meant to worship. 

“This will be a sign for you; you will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:12

All throughout the Bible God would give His people signs and wonders. But this baby wrapped tightly would be the sign they had been patiently waiting for more years then they could count. Some of them forgot and lost focus but some of them kept waiting, praying, and believing. Some were worshipping while they waited. 

“Hurry and love are incompatible. To restate: love, joy, and peace are at the heart of all Jesus is trying to grow in the soil of your life. And all three are incompatible with hurry.” John Mark Comer

God’s plans take time. It takes time because in it He is building us into being more like His Son Jesus. As the enemy wants to tug at us and get us to forget and be distracted our job is to continue walking knowing that though the walk is hard and confusing we are walking with the One who holds all things in His hands. 

“He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever; and his kingdom will have no end.” Luke 1:32

His kingdom will have no end! Forever. That is a crazy word in this world of all the temporary pleasures we can see in a minute. Forever speaks of a neverending reign. Forever a kingdom that will have no end.. King Jesus laid in that manger to be the King of my heart because he chose to take on all my life. My life forever lived in devotion to Jesus. Never ending. 

That is how we were meant to live. If we lived in devotion to Jesus others would experience the devotion to my King.  Our stories can speak of the faithfulness of God to a world that needs to know the love of our Savior. 

It takes time. Plant those seeds. Tell your story. Show Grace to those who don’t deserve it. Make Jesus your highest priority everyday you wake up. Putting him on the throne of everything you do and say..

Look around. Where could you be the one God is asking you to speak of His faithfulness? Is it your workplace? Your home? Your neighborhood? 

He became our King so he could reign in all hearts. What would happen if in those places that God calls you He could do the same to those who don’t know him?  Ask Him.

God With Us

 God With Us

“Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name him Immamuel, which is translated “God is with us.” Matthew 1:22-23

The birth of the Messiah. The long awaited promise 700 years before it came to be. “Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: See, the virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14 In a time where it seemed hopeless God spoke through this prophet about what was to come. God spoke and it happened. 

What does that mean God is with us?

We are invited into God’s story. When we make that decision to stop living for ourselves and live our lives following Jesus he begins to lead us and direct our ways. It was always about us being in relationship with God and Jesus is the one way to the Father. 

I remember my life before living for Jesus. Do you? We don’ t have to have a dramatic story of redemption but we all have stories of how that “light bulb” moment when we started realizing it isn’t about us. It never was. I used to think living my life on my own was my prerogative and no one was meant to tell me what to do. And God is His Mercy kept putting those people in my life that kept pointing me back to Jesus. “Thank you Jesus for those people who kept praying.” 

I think about my life before knowing the love of God. Feelings of shame, regret, and things I wished would just fall away to do the same thing over and over. To carry around lies and guilt and wear them like they owned me. When I began to live for Jesus I could take those lies and give them to him knowing he would meet me in that. Getting to know the love of my Father and His heart for me. Do you know how much God loves you?  

Not just now in this moment but in the future moments where you will forget and start to go on your own. The ones when you will get all sidetracked and start slipping into those old ways and want to put those things back on that have already been removed as far as the east is to the west. “I pray that he may grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with power in your inner being through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. I pray that you, being rooted firmly established in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love, and to know Christ’s love that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:16-19 Slow down and read that verse again. His promise was made to us. 

It is an invitation to allow him to be my Shepherd. The shepherds were watching and waiting that night for the promised Messiah. They were waiting for the sign that they had been told about and had heard about. The good news and great joy would be seen that night Jesus was born. But the story doesn’t stop there. Love was born that night. God with us. 

Jesus,

You are with us. Wrap your word of truth around our hearts and minds. You deserve all the praise Jesus. Remind us to keep our eyes on you Jesus. You are the Author and Perfecter of our faith King Jesus and we are your Beloved.

Amen

Joy to the World

 Note: Pictured is my small group. We met last night and took this picture and this writing talks about joy in the middle so I asked them to use it. Even more this group of us that are so unlike one another share something so much deeper when we continue to meet, pray, and encourage one another. So thankful for them!

  Joy to the World

Where does your joy come from? Or what robs you from experiencing joy? 

“But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord.” Luke 2:10

Can you have joy in the middle of chaos?

In my years of having MS God has shown me different things about how I handle stress. I have learned to recognize signs that can get me overwhelmed but other times I can find myself in situations where I will need to remove myself. I decided to go black Friday shopping with my family recently. Some of the things that I have learned with MS is the ability to stay in crowds and not lose focus can be challenging. If I could explain it, it is kind of like an oversensitized experience with the crowds, noise, lights, and before I know it neurologically I can’t handle it. And before I knew it the crowded stores and all the people became too much and I had to leave. That required me listening to my body and removing myself away from the distractions. Because I have found when I stay and try and wait it out that is when I can get into more neurological trouble and that is never a fun place. So stepping out and resetting myself can resettle my mind. The things I experience have drawn me closer to God.

Life can get really overwhelming. Things we weren't expecting can crash in and cause us to feel like there isn’t a way out. Things can come at us and then we forget where to put our focus. Suddenly our circumstances become bigger than our God.

God isn’t concerned about changing our circumstances. His main concern is that we become who He says we already are. Read that again. 

 Paul was the unlikely candidate that was chosen by God for His Kingdom purpose. And Paul went through more suffering following Jesus than we will ever know. And his heart response, “More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of him I have suffered loss of all things and consider them as dung, so that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having righteousness of my own from the law, but one that is through faith in Christ- the righteousness from God based on faith.” Philippians 3:8-9

We don’t have to know and understand everything the Lord is doing in the middle of our circumstances. The enemy really wants us to get hung up on that one. Why did this happen? Paul who was following so closely to Jesus had the worst things happen to him and it turned his heart more toward Jesus and those people that he was called to love. It was because Jesus became the one loving through Paul. Nothing Paul was learning apart from Jesus but because Paul kept learning how to cultivate a deep relationship with Jesus. Paul was God sufficient. We can be the same.

Joy is deep. When we build our life on Jesus alone he can become our Joy. Not anything that comes against us can stop that. Not sickness, not broken relationships, not the brokenness of this world. Setting our mind on the things above can cause our hearts to remember..

Joy to the world because Jesus came. And Joy lives in the world because it lives in us. 

Lamb of God

Lamb of God

“He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth. Yet he did not open his mouth. Like a lamb led to the slaughter and like a sheep silent before her shearers, he did not open his mouth.”Isaiah 53:7 CSB

Jesus came as the Prince of Peace. It wasn’t what they were expecting but he came lowly and humbly. A prophecy that was foretold 700 years before the birth of Christ. 

You might be sitting here reading this and think none of this makes sense. Why would a Holy and Righteous God decide to come down here on earth and live among people who would constantly reject Him? Why would the Creator who spoke everything into creation choose to sacrifice His only Son? And I can remember sitting where you are and thinking this whole Bible reading and trinity is something I can’t grasp. And I can tell you that it is a good place to be. Anytime we are moving toward trying to make sense of things is when God is moving us toward knowing Him more. It is when we continue to reject everything and everyone that God puts in our path that we need to ask ourselves. Why don’t I have peace? 

Peace can’t be purchased. Peace can’t be earned. Peace can’t be reproduced. Because no matter what we are going to have things that happen in our lives where we will either turn toward Peace or turn away from it. I have experienced both. Living a lifestyle that was fun until I couldn’t look myself in the mirror. Telling myself I knew I was going to stop but never being able to do that on my own. Still wrestling with things everyday trying to make sense of them to realize once again I am attempting to solve it on my own. It will never work when I am trying to muster up something on my own only allowing Jesus to be my peace will settle me. 

It's an invitation. All throughout Jesus’s life he walked around and told people to follow him. “Come and you’ll see.” The invitation is there but it is up to us to receive it. 

He prepares the way. He was pursuing me all those years I chose to live apart from Him. I can remember those nights waking up and that feeling of being sick of just “another time” I was walking away carrying all that I had taken part of the night before. No peace. And just the other day was that restlessness within my mind and heart and once again the realization that I was once again thinking I had control. The One who counsels my heart will always have words that encourage me and point me back to my Father. The enemy will always have words that condemn, ridicule, and shame me. 

So what would it look like for you to have peace? 

“Now may the God of Peace, who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the everlasting covenant, equip you with everything good to do his will, working in us what is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to him be glory forever and ever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:20-21

My Shepherd leads me beside the quiet waters. Stills my soul. Calms my anxieties. He quiets the enemy in my mind. He reassures me that he is with me. 

Even in the dark valleys. Even when the pressing feels like I can’t go on, it is an everlasting covenant that he will continue to guide me and lead me and renew me..

The choice is ours. When I wander off I will forget. But staying so close to my Shepherd I can abide in His Presence. The relationship I have with Jesus will teach me more and more the heart of God. 

The Lamb of God was sent for the world. To take away everything that stood in the way of us having a relationship with a Holy God. The Living God who stepped down to show us what it means to love. To live in ways that would bring us closer to our Shepherd. To know his voice. To know His Peace.

 

King of our Hearts

Note: This picture was taken by my high school leader that I now serve with in the student ministry. I share it with you because I no longer lead worship from a stage but do it in from a different place. And I share in this writing how I put singing above God so this picture reflects how good God is when we lay it down before Him. 

King of Our Hearts

“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, wise men from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star at its rising and have come to worship him.” Matthew 2:1-2

What caused them to follow to come and worship Jesus?

I have been studying the gospels lately. I find it so fascinating how the stories are similar but told in different ways.  I have always heard the differences come from the different people who tell them but knowing God inspired each of those people to write them they take on new revelation. Matthew is told in a way that shows how Jesus was born to be a king. Not just any king but the King of all Kings. The genealogy in the beginning shows how when we look back we can track all the names and the prophecy told to reveal as the Bible says, “ And Jacob fathered Joseph the husband of Mary, who gave birth to Jesus who is called the Christ.” Matthew 1:16

This makes sense to those of us who believe the word of God but what about those people that have never heard this? Or those people that don’t believe that the Bible is all true? 

What causes a heart to worship Jesus? You can’t see him. 

I used to worship other things. In my younger years it was being liked, fitting in, going with the crowd. And that led me to choosing the wrong friends, making really bad choices, and lots of regret. I was never meant to worship those things. They will never fulfill. They might have that temporary fix but eventually lead to more and more longing for fulfillment. And even after my relationship with God I put singing on a throne. We can take good things and put them before God. 

That is exactly what happened all throughout the Bible. Time after time they continued to put other things above God. And I still do that same thing today, that is what salvation is about. Because trying to fix something on my own before Jesus just left my soul scrambling to “try better next time” but my life after living for Jesus gives him permission to meet me in all of it. 

“The Cross and Crown are essential to the work of the Messiah”. I read that today in a book called, “From Gospels to Glory.” The writer says, “As the Messiah, Jesus did not come simply to restore Israel’s political kingdom; He came to establish the promised messianic kingdom that involved a heart relationship with God, that is entrance into the spiritual Kingdom.” The Kingdom we as believers entered into by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

So what would happen if we started giving Jesus authority over our hearts and minds? Everyday we just said, “My life belongs to you King Jesus so lead me in your ways.” 

 “When they saw the star they were overwhelmed with joy. Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother and falling to their knees, they worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” Matthew 2:9-11

They followed the star because they knew to follow and it led them to the King of all Kings. They didn’t just look at the star they set out and followed it.

Setting our minds on Jesus can make him the Shepherd of our hearts. He desires that we would follow but the choice is ours. It is an every day posture of stepping down off the throne so Jesus can take his rightful place in our hearts and minds. It is allowing his saving grace to meet us with new mercies every single morning. “Father, show me where I am putting things before you and turn me back towards what you want.” 

Where is he leading you to make him King of your heart? Tell Him.