I STAND ON YOUR WORD

Anointed Jonathan Butler singing: I Stand On Your Word

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:37-39

The visual and spiritual message is captivating. As a viewer, I was swiftly moved into a worshipful space. This was unexpected peace, a serene infilling during my viewing of a youtube video: I Stand On Your Word! Peace found at my dining room table on an early Saturday morning.  Our friend, Bop would pronounce it as being, “caught-up!” I encourage you to also watch it. With the psalmist, we’re now seated in a sacred space, the illuminated sanctuary with the stellar artist and without reservation lift our hands in surrender. Surrendering all of life’s issues with a spirit of immediacy and instead our focus isn’t self preservation with heart rates rapidly racing.  Instead we are enamored with the music, the lyrics and our spirits are overtaken with the loving presence of the Holy Ghost. And our surroundings are fading fast- these images have slowed down to a stand still! Our breathing is now easy and not labored; our spirits understand that “No matter what, you’ve got to stand on the word.” That’s just what Jonathan Butler echos!  

Stellar vocalist, lyricist, accomplished musician and brother: Jonathan Butler clearly declares, that standing on God’s word is the answer.  As the music envelopes us, his beautiful video captures and expresses that the power of God’s word is our blessed assurance. We understand that God’s word will and can reach places, stations not only in the earthly realm, but the heavenly realm as well. Our intellect can’t fathom, our reach can’t touch, our minds can’t envision nor contemplate the impact, nor the benefits of trusting and leaning on God’s word.  It’s a take my word for it guarantee!  As faith creatures there are promises to be had if we simply believe! Come on blessed friends experience-feel the power, majesty and glory of Jesus Christ our Lord and comfortably know what it is to be______________:

RESCUED

That he would grant to us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, 

Luke 1:74

DELIVERED

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. 

Isaiah 53:5

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,

I Corinthians 15:3

SAVED

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Ephesians 2:8-9

PROTECTED

I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, [and set me] in a large place.

Psalms 118:5

COVERED AND COMFORTED

And they shall dwell safely therein, and shall build houses, and plant vineyards; yes, they shall dwell with confidence...

Ezekiel 28:26

LOVED

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved—

 Ephesians 2:4-5

In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

1 John 4:9-11

KEPT

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

1 Peter 5:6-7  

PEACEFUL

"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.

John 16:33

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

JOYFUL

A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Proverbs 17:22

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Romans 15:13

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

Romans 12:12

CREATED BY THE HAND OF GOD

Thus said the LORD, your redeemer, and he that formed you from the womb, I am the LORD that makes all things...

Isaiah 44:24-26

Brother Jonathan Butler, Sister Lauryn Hill it’s Saturday morning and we are singing with you, hearts filled with thanksgiving: “Joyful, joyful we adore the, God of glory, Lord of love! Thank you for your visual creations and your stunningly anointed lyrics which encourage us deeply! We are faithfully holding on to His promises! Yes, we are standing, moving and dancing in faith on God’s Holy word!

Shared in Love, Linda Mose Meadows; Blogger, Motivational Speaker and Inspirational Author of: Destined To Receive: Reflections and Devotionals Celebrating The Love of God (Createspace, 2013) and Blessedness of Believing A Devotional Journey of Life's Lessons and God's Promises (Tate Publishing, 2007) 

 http://blessednessofbelieving.blogspot.com/

 http://blessedauthorlm.wordpress.com/

 http://eyesoffaithmagazine.blogspot.com/

ALL THINGS OLD ARE NEW AGAIN!

My friend Erica, her daughter is the photographer 

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: 

^[a] The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)

Don’t you just love this expressive artwork? Well I sure do! My friend Erica and her 11 year old daughter (the photographer) have really captured the vintage feel in this upbeat piece of 21st century iphone photography. It’s my idea of Nuevo art photography in black and white. It's perfect for Pinterest board!

I absolutely giggle when I see this photo. Although it’s 2013 we seemed to be instantly transported in time. The polka dots, the cap sleeves, perfectly styled hairdo, not a strand out of place and possibly the eye wear, 1960’s all over.

Erica has done it again and inspired me to explore some bygone days and beautifully triggered some fond childhood memories which causes me to reminisce and say,"Oh yeah I remember when_____________!"

“Oh yeah I remember that time when penny candy was plentiful and a dime’s worth of peach stones or red hot dollars was enough to share with half the kids on our (neighborhood) “fruit belt” block.”

How I recall my Grand Mama Rita pressing (hot combing) and curling my hair and my dreading when comb was placed on the edges! Dixie Peach or Royal Crown hair grease were the reliable products to help straighten our hair. And as if we were seated at the kitchen table sharing a piece of cake, I blurt out, “Oh yeah do you remember our Aunt’s and mother’s being dressed to the “nines” in their couture Butterick and McCall creations? And if they had no pattern on hand, that did not halt their creative juices. Many of them created and designed their own tailored patterns from brown paper bags. They got busy transforming that favorite piece of fabric on their overworked Singer sewing machines. Before long they’d emerge in a fine creation, knowing full well that their outfit was a one of a kind!!

“Oh yeah I remember our eating Jiffy Popcorn (popped on the stove top, being careful not burn it) and watching comedy television shows like: I Love Lucy, Red Skelton, and Flip Wilson which were regular family friendly moments. We’d huddled together, watch television intently,laughing at the many hilarious antics. No it was not high definition but reliable black and white television.”

“Oh yeah I remember that time when home baked birthday cakes, delicious varieties of sugar cookies and creamy ice cream were regular treats.” My Mama baked the buttery cookies and  biscuits, Sarah baked the divine “scratch” three layer cakes and we churned the strawberry ice cream.

“Oh yeah I remember that after my chores were completed, running down the flight of stairs to play outside, staying away from home for hours of fun, always with the expectation of “checking in” and being on the downstairs porch when the street lights came on. And my brothers and I better had stuck with the plan.”

But like, Fred Hammond has written all things new arise!

  

All Things New 

Performed by- Fred Hammond

Album- Speak Those Things:POL Chapter 3

You spoke and made the sunrise, to light up the very first day 
You breathed across the water, and started the very first wave 
It was You 
You introduced Your glory, to every living creature on earth 
And they started singing, the first song to ever be heard 
They sang for You 
You make all things new 
You make all things new 
Then the world was broken, fallen and battered and scarred 
You took the hopeless, the life, wasted, ruined and marred 
And made it new 
You make all things new 
You make all things new 
You redeem and You transform 
You renew and You restore 
You make all things new 
You make all things new 
And forever we will watch and worship You 
You turn winter into spring 
You take every living thing 
And You breathe Your breath of life into it over and over again 
You make the sunrise, day after day after day 
But there's a morning coming, when old things will all pass away 
And everyone will see 
You make all things new 
You make all things new 
Come redeem and come transform 
Come renew and come restore 
You make all things new 
You make all things new 
And forever we will watch and worship You 
Now and forever You are making all things new 
You're making all things new 
Hallelujah...

Album- Speak Those Things:POL Chapter 3

http://www.music-lyrics-gospel.com/gospel_music_lyrics/all_things_new_19071.asp

This eloquent lyricist was not referencing how convenient foods replace home baked goodies, or running for blocks to inform our mothers of our whereabouts and now instead of that exercise attaching the cell phone with tracking systems to keep up with loved ones is the way. And instead of transforming fabric on sewing machines into articles of fine clothing, is now bypassed with a quick trip to the outlet mall for trendy purchases. And the way we now view our favorite shows is not only on televisions with three channels but on all kinds of electronic computerized devices (i.e. iphones, notebooks, and laptops). I am sure you’d agree that there are so many more conveniences for fast paced living that I haven't mentioned. But that’s not the "new", I am confident that the Holy Ghost desires we focus on. Instead our "new" is referencing the sacred-eternal things which have lasting promise!

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. (NIV) Isaiah 43:19

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. (NLT) Isaiah 43:19

It’s as though the Holy Ghost has partnered with Erica and her, daughter, used their clever creativity to remind and help us to understand that all things old are new again because the things we treasure dearly have returned. Our focus has returned to a renaissance, a yearning for getting back to basics. What is that you wonder?  I believe it’s an  appreciation for “good living”, a simpler lifestyle reinforcing our need for God, promoting a nourished spirit, embracing our purpose, intentionally living with hope and promise, loving and celebrating our family and friends, incorporating a prayerful/peaceful existence, and acknowledging our reverence for a living triune God that keeps us, heals us and provides for us in an ever turbulent world. It’s a divine drawing inward, that dare not rely on outward-temporal things of this life. It’s a hope reborn reinforced by the word of God and love of Jesus!

Friends, it’s what our ancestor referred to when they spoke about seeing the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living!  Getting back to our true selves you wonder? Yes! I contend it’s as fresh and sassy as Erica’s “Nuevo” style and artwork! Why it’s the Nuema, the breathe and spirit of God that is the wind beneath our wings!

²⁸ Do you not know?
    Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
    and his understanding no one can fathom.
²⁹ He gives strength to the weary
    and increases the power of the weak.
³⁰ Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall;
³¹ but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:28-31

This is the real deal, the truth that we hold dear, the life sustaining word of God! The word-old, new, tried and true!

Shared in Love, Linda Mose Meadows; Blogger, Motivational Speaker and Inspirational Author of: Destined To Receive: Reflections and Devotionals Celebrating The Love of God (Createspace, 2013) and Blessedness of Believing A Devotional Journey of Life's Lessons and God's Promises (Tate Publishing, 2007) 

 http://blessednessofbelieving.blogspot.com/

 http://blessedauthorlm.wordpress.com/

 http://eyesoffaithmagazine.blogspot.com/