GOD IS WITH US!

Do  you still remember when you first gave your heart to God? Was it after many years of God trying to get your attention? Was it dramatic … perhaps not quite like the Apostle Paul ‘s conversion, but still a move of God’s spirit that you will never forget? Or, was it a quiet submission to Him?

I remember the evening of my conversion still to this day. He had been speaking to me over many years. Looking back, I had confessed to know Him, but realize now that it was more “head than heart”.  You know the story… went to church growing up … took a detour while in college, but later realized how far I had slipped away while still confessing with my lips that I belonged to Him.

Since then, however, I am happy to say that my “head-knowledge” of God is now a “heart-thing” born out of much nurturing, teaching and guiding by His spirit and those within the body of Christ.

John 6:35 (NIV)

Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life.  Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

Revelation 3:20 (NIV)

 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

The following song “All This Time” is a testimony of how Christian artist, Britt Nicole, met Jesus — where she is now, and as she puts it, … and every single moment between. Enjoy this uplifting and upbeat song as you reflect on your relationship with Christ as a new believer, or one who has walked hand-in-hand with Him for many years.

Thanks for visiting AnEncouragedHeart. Signing off…God Bless! Cynthia

FINDING HOPE

Why God? — a question we probably have all asked God in our times of suffering. The answer, however, may never be revealed, or at least comprehensible in our humanness. But, what we do come to realize through our grief is that God sees our broken hearts. In John 14:16, Jesus says —

And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever.  (Amplified)

Please listen to “The Hurt and the Healer “, and the interview with Bart Millard of MercyMe who shares the inspiration behind the song.

Why?

The question that is never far away
The healing doesn’t come from the explained
Jesus please don’t let this go in vain
You’re all I have
All that remains

So here I am
What’s left of me
Where glory meets my suffering

I’m alive
Even though a part of me has died
You take my heart and breathe it back to life
I’ve fallen into Your arms open wide
When the hurt and the healer collide

Breathe
Sometimes I feel it’s all that I can do
Pain so deep that I can hardly move
Just keep my eyes completely fixed on You
Lord take hold and pull me through

So here I am
What’s left of me
Where glory meets my suffering

I’m alive
Even though a part of me has died
You take my heart and breathe it back to life
I’ve fallen into your arms open wide
When the hurt and the healer collide

It’s the moment when humanity
Is overcome by majesty
When grace is ushered in for good
And all the scars are understood
When mercy takes its rightful place
And all these questions fade away
When out of the weakness we must bow
And hear You say “It’s over now”

I’m alive
Even though a part of me has died
You take my heart and breathe it back to life
I’ve fallen into your arms open wide
When The hurt and the healer collide

Jesus come and break my fear
Awake my heart and take my tears
Find Your glory even here
When the hurt and the healer collide [x2]

Jesus come and break my fear
Awake my heart and take my tears
Find Your glory even here

Interview with Bart Millard

Thanks for visiting AnEncouragedHeart. Signing off…God Bless! Cynthia

STIR OUR HEARTS, LORD

        “Lord, awake my soul.

                                   Let Your will be done in me.”

The above lyrics, which I consider to be more of a prayer, appears repeatedly in the worship song “Awakening“.  This “calling out” to God is what we often do, spoken or unspoken. He knows our hearts. This desire for a stirring of our hearts that is truly all-satisfying only comes from one source — God alone.

I had an interesting conversation with someone this week who admitted to an emptiness, a boredom in her life. Trying to be as sensitive as possible, a mutual friend and I told her that her heart was longing for something that would truly give her peace and contentment — another college degree, another “feather in her cap”, just wouldn’t do it. We encouraged her to seek Him — in prayer and in His word.

At times, all of us (myself included) have looked for external pleasures, goals and dreams to give us joy. And yes, there is some joy and contentment. But that joy is always fleeting…especially when those things we chase after draw us farther away from God.

So, you see this conversation not only gave us an opportunity to share our testimony, but also to recount the blessing of having a relationship with Him.

Psalms 42:1 

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you,

my God.

My prayer today is simply that we are in a place where His perfect will, can be done in our lives. Talk to God as you listen to this song.

 “Awakening”  Performed by Chris Tomlin

In our hearts, Lord, in this nation
Awakening
Holy Spirit, we desire
Awakening

For You and You alone Awake my soul, awake my soul and sing
For the world You love
Your will be done, let Your will be done in me

In Your presence, in Your power
Awakening
For this moment, for this hour
Awakening

For You and You alone
Awake my soul, awake my soul and sing
For the world You love
Your will be done, let Your will be done in me

For You and You alone
Awake my soul, awake my soul and sing
For the world You love
Your will be done, let Your will be done in me

Like the rising sun that shines
From the darkness comes a light
I hear Your voice and this is my
Awakening

Like the rising sun that shines
From the darkness comes a light
I hear Your voice and this is my
Awakening

Like the rising sun that shines
Awake my soul, awake my soul and sing
From the darkness comes a light
Awake my soul, awake my soul and sing

Like the rising sun that shines
Awake my soul, awake my soul and sing
Only You can raise a life
Awake my soul, awake my soul and sing

Written by Chris Tomlin, Daniel Carson and Nathan Nockels

Thanks for visiting AnEncouragedHeart. Signing off…God Bless! Cynthia

 

IN CHRIST

Did you remember that this past Thursday was the National Day of Prayer? It seemed as though that day came upon us very quietly this year. I did not hear much talk about this day; much less than in years past. This week, I was drawn to two prayers that are found in Ephesians, which many bible scholars believe are two of the most beautiful prayers in scripture (Ephesians 1:15-23 and 3:14-21).

The apostle Paul while in prison, writes to the saints at Ephesus and other believers about who they are in Christ and how they are to live out their faith.  Paul’s instructions, like his prayers for the saints, illustrate clearly his genuine love for those whom God has entrusted him.  Listen carefully…

Ephesians 3 (ERV)

¹⁴ So I bow in prayer before the Father.

 ¹⁵ Every family in heaven and on earth gets its true name from him.

 ¹⁶ I ask the Father with his great glory to give you the power to be strong in your spirits. He will give you that strength through his Spirit.

¹⁷ I pray that Christ will live in your hearts because of your faith. I pray that your life will be strong in love and be built on love.

 ¹⁸ And I pray that you and all God’s holy people will have the power to understand the greatness of Christ’s love—how wide, how long, how high, and how deep that love is.

 ¹⁹ Christ’s love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love. Then you can be filled with everything God has for you.

²⁰ With God’s power working in us, he can do much, much more than anything we can ask or think of.

²¹ To him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus for all time, forever and ever. Amen.

For you who are reading this blog, I pray that you are also strengthened by the Spirit of God; that you are able to know for yourself the love of Christ and all that He has for you.

…and of course, I leave you with a song that I hope will speak to your heart.

Thanks for visiting AnEncouragedHeart. Signing off…God Bless! Cynthia