Do you remember these contemporary gospel groups: Men of Standard and Commissioned? I sure do love their ministries. I'm Standing In Your Will is the song that just seems to hang on in my spirit! Visit Youtube and have a personal praise fest! Rock and praise God with the gospel musical explosion of these balladeers. Several of them have ventured out and made solo careers for themselves. It's evident their sure foundation remains in Jesus Christ. Their lyrics still continue to encourage my heart!
Oh my, there were many early morning prayer and worship opportunities when I lived in Buffalo that I’d beat a path to Calvary Church now Elim and partake in a spiritual revival. This was before I reported to work at 8am! The revival was in the form of an early morning corporate devotional opportunity to engage in spirit filled prayer, praise and worship – invariably a song by Commissioned would be sung. And my friends it was all over but the shout!
You had to be there to experience it! Powerful! Yes, theses were powerful celebratory appointments with God!
This morning I am crisscrossing back down memory lane in my midmorning praise and worship thanks to Youtube, my holy scripture, a heartfelt prayer crafted with affirmations of scripture. And wouldn't you know it, some sweet memories of home would result. It's a warm 90 plus degrees outdoors now. No fret about warming up my car because of the frigid weather with icy and snowy roads to navigate. Yep, no beloved friends to squeeze into packed pews with, and no anointed psalmist to usher us into that inner sanctum. But, worship still occurs!
Thanks be to God, I am not alone as I sit in my kitchen reflecting and realizing that God dwells with me. There's revelation that I have the Holy Spirit. You too? This is a new level of praise and worship, quite intimate, it's a phenomenal gift. It's my opportune time to draw closer to Jesus. It’s some years later since Elim, and instead of congregating with others, I now find myself carving out me time daily with Jesus-reading my morning devotionals of The Blessedness of Believing, A Devotional Journey of Life's Lessons and God’s Promises by none other-me, Linda Mose Meadows (His Power At Work Within Us pg. 220) which celebrates our reliance on God and God’s divine power and love within us. The reference scripture:
Ephesians 3:16-21
New International Version (NIV)
16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
and Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. Young’s particular reading is written in the first person as though God were speaking and God encourages in this devotional to “Let me prepare you for the day that stretches before you…” The reference scriptures are:
Exodus 33:14
New International Version (NIV)
14 The LORD replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
14 The LORD replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
John 15:4-7 John 15:4-7
New International Version (NIV)
4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
Commissioned - King of Glory + Let Me Tell It
I once again realize that in this new leg of my journey, that the Paraclete (Holy Spirit) abides, remains, revives, restores and renews my/our weary beings. Yes, we have a beautiful companion, a loving protector! We are not alone and can hold dear in our hearts those former days of biblical teachings and worship experiences which were designed to prepare us for these complex present days and moments ahead. Today’s readings are love notes that strengthen my soul. My spirit utters, "I'm going to make it! I'll survive this!" The Holy Spirit whispers through prayer and scripture that I am connected to the vine, my branches will not wither, droop and die in the heat of the day because of the divine commission and the blessed pronouncement that God’s presence is with me and you my friends!
You also can grab hold of this intimacy! Come on and be revived, tuck the scriptures in your heart! Dance in your prayer closets, your living rooms, close the doors to your office and breathe in this new numa, this restorative breath of life! Thank you Heavenly Father! Lord, we have a new level of love and appreciation for you! Thank you Jesus we are equipped stand ready for your arrival!
Commissioned - Will You Be Ready
Thanksgiving for a New Season!
Linda Mose Meadows, Urban Views Weekly & Empower Magazine Columnist and Inspirational Author of: The Blessedness of Believing A Devotional Journey of Life’s Lessons and God’s Promises and Co-publisher of Eyes of Faith Magazine
http://blessednessofbelieving.blogspot.com/
