But Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, “Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it.” Then the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we are.” (Numbers 13:30, 31 ESV)

But my servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit and has followed me fully, I will bring into the land into which he went, and his descendants shall possess it. (Numbers 14:24 ESV)

Caleb went and looked at the land of giants and said they were “well able to overcome it”. The others went and looked and saw the same thing and returned saying they were not strong enough. What is the difference? They went and saw the same thing! Caleb saw through his Spiritual eyes what they did not see. They saw giants and became full of fear. Caleb knew His Lord’s promise to them, he knew God was bigger and on their side. When we look at our problems, we need to look at them in the Spiritual, not the natural.

Have faith in God to overcome your land of giants. He is bigger! Don’t listen to the enemy and those who say you are not strong enough. You will be rewarded for your faith; follow Him fully.

This is probably the most personal post I have ever posted but God has been speaking to me and I was hesitant to posting it on my blog, but I want to declare His goodness in our lives.

At the last Catalyst Leadership meeting ?in June, ?Pastor Jim said (my paraphrase) ?Some of you may came here from another church and took a break and now you are just waiting for permission [to use your gifts]. Well, here you go, you have permission.?

That had been my exact thought a few weeks before ? I felt like I needed to be ?released? in New Life Church to use my prophetic giftings and ?I had also taken a ?break? from it since leaving our previous church and not been seeking that out. But God had already been stirring my spirit and I had realized it was time to get focused again. ?I attended the first Infuse Women’s Ministry meeting and told Christine a lot of this afterward. Infuse was exactly what I needed and even though I was hesitant about going, I knew I needed to be there. Then to hear Pastor Jim say those words encouraging us and releasing us into ministry was exactly the confirmation I needed. While I had jumped in with my more natural gifts and skills, I had neglected and not really been striving for using spiritual gifts.

God is so good! I am so overwhelmed? He speaks and moves and is making Himself obvious in our lives and ministry.

So now it has been almost a year since our world as I knew it had fallen apart and I am finally ready for the vision the Holy Spirit implanted in me a year ago? just a different place with different people. Waiting on the Lord and letting Him orchestrate your life can be tough and sometimes painful but it is so worth it. If you had told me one year ago where we would be now, I don?t know if I would have believed it. But God?s hand was definitely upon us. In the midst of our confusion and pain and hurt and sorrow, deep down there was an excitement for the new season into which God was bringing us.

Romans 8:28 ?And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.?

I thought I’d go through my journal and messages I had written in the past and start blogging them. This message was for our youth group July 29, 2009.?

God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. -John 4:24

I am by no means a worship leader like up there on the stage! But God has given me such a passion for it. Even in youth, I loved worship! I just love being able to connect to God in that way. I had always kinda questioned the Lord as to why have this passion for worship but wasn?t blessed with an amazing voice (at all). One time, when I asked Him why and told him, I could be up there with my husband leading worship, I felt like he said to me, ?I want you to do that down here? meaning, He wants me to be a worship leader amidst the worshipers! How many of you know it?s easier to be freer in worship when people around you are really worshiping? We all need to be worship leaders right? I believe if we all really grasp the revelation of worship, and breakthrough in our worship, we can come Sunday morning and really impact our corporate worship! We can be the worship leaders amidst the worshipers!

Why do we worship?

1. Because He is good! He is God and He is worthy, sovereign, and just.

Should we only praise Him if we feel like it? If the music is loud enough or fast enough or entertaining enough? Of course not! ?In the midst of your circumstances, whatever has happened to you during the week, whatever is on your mind, lay that down and worship Him!

It doesn?t matter our situation, if we don?t feel like worshiping, if you?re just in a funk or whatever? because God does not change IN our circumstances. He is always good and always deserves praise! When we?re in trouble, we take refuge in Him. When we focus on Him, not our situation, breakthrough is possible!

David is a great example of a worshiper. He wrote 70-80 of the 150 Psalms and if you read them, you start wondering if He?s kinda schizophrenic or bipolar right? He?ll be like, ?God where are you? I?m oppressed and afflicted? and then a few verses later say, ?But God? You are a stronghold, You are gracious, You are good.? (my paraphrase) Like Psalm 31? I love this? The NASB titles it ?A Psalm of Complaint and Praise? See, David knew that: 1) he could be honest with God and 2) that no matter his situation God is God and deserved worship. He GOT it. He worshipped in the midst of trouble and rejoiced in the times of blessing.

2. Because of all He has done for us!

Psalm 98:1 ?Oh sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things!? Are you thankful for what He?s given you? What has God done for you, what has He given you that you can thank Him for?

3. Because of His great love for us!

Matt Redman writes in his book?The Unquenchable Worshiper, ‘Our heavenly Father loves us with an extravagant abandon. Passionate, undignified worship is our only reasonable response.’

He LOVES YOU! I know we always hear, ?Jesus loves you? but seriously? think of that song Oh How He Loves. ?He is jealous for me? Do you know what that means? This confuses a lot of people, but it?s not like Oprah says, ?God is jealous of me?!? NO! God is jealous FOR you!!! He doesn?t want anyone else to have you! He wants you! He loves you!

4. Because He chose you even before the foundations of this world!

Ephesians 1:3-4 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.
Before anything was created, he said, I want you! He knows the number of hairs on your head. He formed you in the womb (Jeremiah 29:11). He chose you before you or anything else existed, then he created you and formed you in the womb. We should worship Him because He chose us and created us. He is our creator, we wouldn?t exist, nothing would exist without Him.

5. Because He saved us!

John 3:16 16″For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Isn?t that worth our energy? If you?re a believer, He has saved you from hell and death and an eternity of darkness and called you into His Marvelous Light and when we come to church or wherever for worship, we just stand there and give him nothing? We need to tell Him how much we love Him and thank Him for how he has saved us!

David worshipped God even when he is pleading with God for help and complaining about his circumstance. He worships because as verse 2&3 says, ?God is a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me! 3For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name?s sake you lead me and guide me? He is our Rock and Stronghold. We worship.
It doesn?t matter our situation, if we don?t feel like worshiping, if you?re just in a funk or whatever? because God does not change in our circumstances. He is always good and always deserves praise!
When we?re in trouble we take refuge in Him. When we focus on Him, not our situation, breakthrough is possible!

In everything we do, we are worshiping. ?Or as John Piper says, ?We are created?worshiping?. ?We are worshipers and if we are not worshiping Him first, then something has taken His place and we?ve created an idol. Psalm 100 calls us to worship. John 4:23&24 says God is spirit, so we worship in spirit.

How do we worship?

We can worship in celebration.

The Psalms tell us to shout, lift up our voice and dance!

We can shout without restraint, shout, dance make a joyful noise.

Let?s go back to David ? our example of a true worshipper.

Let’s look at 2 Samuel 6.?The Ark of the Lord was being brought back into Jerusalem, and King David was pretty excited about it. Actually, King David was so excited that he rushed out into a crowd of people in the middle of the street and danced like a fool in front everyone! Verse 14 ?And David danced before the Lord with all his might. And David was wearing a linen ephod.? ?An ephod is a kind of a robe worn for priestly duties, but his robe was linen, which is what those who were not priests wore. ?So he puts on this linen robe (Matthew Henry?s commentary says because it was light and thin and easy to dance in)? probably has a gap on the sides, exposing himself which just appalled his wife and when she confronted King David about it, he responded with this:?

It was before the LORD, who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the LORD?s people Israel?I will celebrate before the LORD.?I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes. -2 Samuel 6:21-22

At that moment he danced, he put down his purple royal robes and put on his linen ephod so he could dance unashamedly, uninhibitedly, he was not King of Israel at that moment, he was a child of God.

We all have our own silly embarrassing moments but worshiping God should not be one of them. We should not be concerned about what people think of us. If anything, what is concerning is when we are NOT worshiping.

We can worship with intimacy.

John 4:24 says God is Spirit and we worship God in Spirit and Truth.? We connect with God in Spirit. The Holy Spirit allows us to commune with God. Intimate worship allows us to seek Him in such a way that we hear His voice, minister to the Lord and others. ?These are the times when we quiet and still our soul before him, embrace His sweet presence and we?re just in awe of Him.

We are not worshiping in Spirit if your mind is here on the flesh and you?re concerned about what other people are thinking. AND it?s NOT in truth if you?re worried about what others are thinking? you?re more like ?I worship you in secret? or ?I pretend to not worship you? ? If you?re not worshipping how you really feel and you?re letting things stop you, that?s not honest.

It?s not just about singing songs. We are able to have intimacy with our Heavenly Father, our Maker, our Savior! That?s really awesome! Intimate worship sometimes requires you to still your soul, lift your hands, lay or kneel in His presence.

We all love when the Lord graciously pours out His Spirit in such a tangible way during worship, right? Well, what about the times, you just can?t ?get into it?? We?ve all been there right? You look around and notice everyone around you is really not the worship but you?re just not ?feeling it?? When I find myself in that position, I know I have to really press in because I don?t want to miss the Lord?s presence!
I so urge you not to just let worship go by? don?t miss Him!

So, how can we push past our flesh and worship in spirit?

? Stop just singing! If you find yourself just singing the words on the wall, stop singing and start really mediating on them in your heart. Focus on the Lord. Sometimes it?s ok not to sing.
? Sing the words as a declaration, pray them into your life
? Speak? OUT LOUD! Pray the words of the song to the Lord. Again, sometimes it?s ok not to sing! Stop and pray. ?yes Lord, you are holy,? or ?There is no sweeter name than Your name, Lord?. Praying aloud helps me to focus on Him and keep my mind from wandering.
? Ask Him if there is something in your life keeping you from entering that place of worship. You may have to repent to break through.
? Lift your hands, be free to dance, jump, shout, whatever. It bothers me sometimes, although I appreciate and understand where they are coming from, when people say ?worship how you are comfortable? because sometimes the Holy Spirit likes to get us out of our comfort zone. That?s how we grow. Eventually that comfort zone grows too!
? Go to the Word. Open your Bible and go to the Psalms and pray the Word.

Just like in our relationships, we have to take the time to connect with one another. If I?m not giving time to worship and prayer, earnestly seeking Him and listening to His voice, then there is a lack of intimacy. Not spending time within my week to hear Him and then coming to church and expecting to have this amazing worship time, receive word sand revelation is not only very difficult, on my part it?s kind of foolish. Expecting God to speak to me and grace me with His presence when I can?t give Him my time, that?s not right. It?s very hard to try press into His presence when that path hasn?t been cleared in a while? it?s like I?m going to come here and try to squeeze within the 2 hours of worship everything that I should have been dealing with the week before, repent and get that out of the way, break down all the walls that were built up over the week so I can finally get to that place to hear Him. That?s very hard and doesn?t really work.

We need to diligently seek Him during our week so that we are ready to worship and be the worship leaders among the worshippers!

For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw? each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. (1 Corinthians 3:11-13 ESV)

Paul is talking about our work as servants in expanding the Kingdom. We build foundations in people (planting seed, watering it). It is important that we build the right foundation in them – Jesus Christ. Believers need to have a solid foundation, which is only Jesus because when we are tested with life’s trials and “going through the fire” our foundation is laid bare.

What will our foundation be when revealed? Will it be something other than Jesus or will we be clinging to Him as our foundation and salvation? Like Job, when all other things are stripped away, will we continue to love Him despite the circumstances?
That is when our foundation is God.

In Exodus 36, we see that God gave specific people skill and intelligence to know how to do any work in constructing the sanctuary. Moses called every craftsman who God gave skill, everyone whose heart stirred him to come do the work.

²And Moses called Bezalel and Oholiab and every craftsman in whose mind the LORD had put skill, everyone?whose heart stirred him up to come to do the work.?³And they received from Moses all the?contribution that the people of Israel had brought for doing the work on the sanctuary. They still kept bringing him?freewill offerings every morning,⁴so that all the craftsmen who were doing every sort of task on the sanctuary came, each from the task that he was doing,?⁵and said to Moses,?”The people bring much more than enough for doing the work that the LORD has commanded us to do.”

Back up a chapter and we also see that God moved on people to bring all the supplies (and more). Those whose hearts were stirred brought materials.

²¹And they came,?everyone whose heart stirred him, and everyone whose spirit moved him,?and brought the LORD?s contribution to be used for the tent of meeting, and for all its service, and for the holy garments…²⁹ All the men and women, the people of Israel, whose heart moved them to bring anything for the work that the LORD had commanded by Moses to be done brought it as a freewill offering to the LORD.

God calls everyone to do something for His Kingdom, and yes, even for the local church. Just as He did with the craftsman in Exodus, He has put a skill into you — a passion for something and it is meant to glorify Him, grow His Kingdom and equip His Church.

Romans 12:4-6

⁴For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, ⁵so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. ⁶ Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them…

Paul explains in Romans that we are all part of the Body of Christ and we all function in different areas. 1 Corinthians 12 also tells us that God arranged the members of the body each as He chose (verse 18). You have a gift that He has to chosen especially for you!

In 1 Corinthians 12:4-10, Paul gives a (non-comprehensive) list of spiritual gifts:

⁴Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; ⁵and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; ⁶and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. ⁷ To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. ⁸For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, ⁹to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, ¹⁰to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.

1 Corinthians 12:11, Paul explains that all these are empowered by His Spirit and He apportioned to each one individually as He wills.
He gives spiritual gifts as well as ‘natural’ gifts. He also gives ‘natural’ skills and intelligence, just like the craftsman in Exodus, who he put knowledge into.

Psalm 37:4

⁴ Delight yourself in the LORD,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Exodus repetitively states that hearts were stirred to give — those who God moved on. Our hearts are stirred when the Spirit of God moves on us. When you delight yourself in Him, He gives you the desires of your heart; He is the One who moved on you and put those desires in your heart.

My example
I am graphic and web designer, that is something I have a passion and skill to do. I believe God has given me that and I know it is not just for me to use in my business. That is why I make it a priority to serve His Kingdom and my local church with my gifts. This is what I would consider more of a “natural” gift. Spiritually speaking, I have always had a desire and passion for the prophetic and the Lord uses me in that area.

Spiritual gifts are “harder” in my opinion because they really are empowered by His Spirit (1 Cor 12:11) and I have to stay tuned in to Him. When I am in a season of complacency and not seeking Him as often or deeply as I should, then I’m not walking in the Holy Spirit’s power, so it is harder to hear His voice. Obviously, we should have a close relationship with the Lord, but sometimes life happens and we get “too busy.” (It happens to all of us!) We have to strive to seek Him, not just for His gifts and blessings, but to know Him more and we will be able to recognize His voice. Spirit-empowered gifts can’t function without His Spirit.

For what is your heart stirred?

Are you serving your church in that area yet?

Continuing on with the remainder of James chapter 1… you can find part 1 here.

James 1 is talking about trials and testing of our faith. I will pick up where we left off at verse 13,

13 When tempted, no one should say, ?God is tempting me.? For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.?James 1:13

So, this time we have:
Trials > Temptation > Desire > Sin > Death

Compare that with Verse 2:
Trials > Joy > Testing of Faith > Steadfastness > Perfect & Complete

Our trials can lead us to either sin or life. When you face a trial, whether it is a hardship or a struggle or whatever you’re going through, you have a choice, to
fall prey to the temptation the trial brings or declare God’s goodness and remain joyful and steadfast. Each will lead you to a different path of life.

The word tempt is peiraz? meaning:

to try; make trial; test faith, virtue, character; entice to sin, solicit

The same word is used when referring to Satan, the tempter.

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted (peiraz?) by the devil. Matthew 4:1

And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted (peiraz?) by Satan. Mark 1:9

The Pharisees also attempted to test Jesus…

And Pharisees came up to him and tested (peiraz?) him by asking… Matthew 19:3

So looking at all of these scriptures that refer to tempting/testing of faith ((peiraz?)), we learn that Satan is the tempter, He is the one who tempts us to sin.

Satan tempts because of our lack of self-control (1 Corinthians 7:5). The key to getting through trials and temptations is to have self-control. We encounter a trial, Satan brings temptation, we need to have self-control (along with all the other fruit of the spirit) to get through it without giving into Satan.

The verse in James I want to focus on is verse 13… Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God” for God cannot be tempted with evil and He Himself tempts no one. This clearly says God does not tempt us or cause us to sin (peiraz?).

It’s important to note, though, that this word translated “tempt” (peiraz?) is also “testing of our faith, virtue, character and this chapter of James is talking about trials and testing of our faith. We get that God doesn’t try to make us sin but we often say “God is testing our faith”. Verse 13 says, “Let no one say…”I am being tempted (tested) by God”. Think about it, our trials and times we are being tested are times the enemy is soliciting us to sin. He is the tempter. He is tempting us to sin. James says God does not tempt us with evil.

Remember Job? The ultimate story of a man’s faith being tested. Who was it that tested Him? Satan! God allowed it because He knew Job’s faith would lead to steadfastness (James 1:2). God did not bring evil or temptation to Job; however, He did allow Satan to tempt him.

We are reminded in 1 Corinthians 10:13:

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted (peiraz?) beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

“He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability”… notice it does not say, “He will not tempt you beyond your ability”. He allows it to happen because it will develop our faith and lead to steadfastness. During our trials we need to rebuke the tempter and look to Jesus with unwavering faith.

This also reminds us that God is in control. Even in our trials we know that God is sovereign! There is nothing Satan can do to us that God will not provide a way out. That is comforting to know that God is all-powerful and higher than the enemy who brings attacks. When you’re facing a struggle, trial or attack, remember it’s the enemy and God is providing an escape. He knows what is going on and He is wanting you to seek Him; His gifts are good and perfect (James 1:16)

Lately, I’ve been studying James (my favorite book). If you have read James at all, you know that it is a hard one. It challenges us and brings wisdom and correction in the places we need it most but don’t want to go. I will share from my personal study, much like I did on the book of Joel.

What I find interesting as I read and study James, is that there are many verses we all have memorized and can quote but I think we forget what’s in between these often quoted verses.

James is first bringing up trials and testing of our faith.

² Count it all joy, my brothers,?when you meet trials?of various kinds,?³for you know that?the testing of your faith?produces steadfastness.?⁴And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be?perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2

So we have: ?Trials > Joy > Testing of Faith > Steadfastness > Perfect & Complete

This means we have hope during our trials because we know it is good for us, that good will come out of it. We may not be jumping up and down and celebrating because of our trials and I don’t think that is what he is saying. But what is your usual response to trials? We might get upset, frustrated, worried; rather, we are to be joyful aka have hope because God is taking us through something that is eventually leading us into perfection and completion.

⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom,?let him ask God,?who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.?⁶But?let him ask in faith,?with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like?a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.?⁷For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;?⁸ he is a double-minded man,?unstable in all his ways. Verses 5-8

Another set of verses we know well. Remember that we are still talking about trials here. So, in your trial, ask God for wisdom. He gives generously! We are warned about asking in faith without doubting. When we doubt, it shows our heart. We know God is faithful, we know He provides, we know He is good and sovereign, so when we doubt, what are we putting our trust and faith in? If you are doubting, then you are double minded and supposing you will not receive what you ask. This isn’t about having enough faith to get something you want… it doesn’t depend on our amount of faith. But God knows our heart. Are we trusting in Him? If you say to God, “Please help me get through this situation,” and then you don’t put your trust and faith in Him to do that, you are double-minded, having faith and then not having faith. That is why James keeps telling us to “remain steadfast” in our trials.

Webster defined steadfast as:

1. Fast fixed; firm; firmly fixed or established; as the stedfast globe of earth.
2. Constant; firm; resolute; not fickle or wavering.

Fix your eyes on Him, remain constant, do not be fickle but keep your feet firmly planted in His Word and trust Him!

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Verse 12

There is a reward at the end of your trial. God promises the crown of life to those who love Him. That would be referring to eternity, right? So, yes, our whole life is a trial but if you remain steadfast…back to verse 2…you will be “perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

Need some encouragement? Do you know who are you? Do you know what God thinks of you?
This comes from Unka Glen on Tumbler.. We all need this reminder!

You are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26,27)
You are God?s treasured possession (Deuteronomy 14:2)
You are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14)
You are a child of God. (John 1:12)
You are a branch of the true vine. (John 15:1-5)
You are a friend of Jesus. (John 15:15)
You have been justified and redeemed. (Romans 3:23-24; Romans 6:6)
You will not be condemned by God (Romans 8:1-2)
You have been set free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:1-2)
You are a child of God, you are a fellow heir with Christ. (Romans 8:17)
You have been accepted by Christ. (Romans 15:7)
You have been called to be a saint (1 Corinthians 1:2)
Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 6:19)
God leads you in the triumph and knowledge of Christ. (2 Corinthians 2:14)
The hardening of your mind has been removed in Christ. (2 Corinthians 3:14)
You have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in Heaven (Ephesians 1:3)
You are redeemed and forgiven by the grace of Christ. (Ephesians 1:7)
You have been chosen by God to obtain an inheritance. (Ephesians 1:9-11)
You have been sealed with the Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 1:13)
You have been made alive with Christ. (Ephesians 2:4-5)
You are God?s workmanship created to produce good works. (Ephesians 2:10)
You have bold and confident access to God (Ephesians 3:12)
God supplies all your needs. (Philippians 4:19)
The peace of God guards your heart and mind. (Philippians 4:7)
You were bought at a price (1 Corinthians 7:23)
The Son of God gave His life to ransom you. (Mark 10:45)
You have been brought near to God by the blood of Christ. (Ephesians 2:13)
You are no longer a slave but a child and an heir. (Galatians 4:7)
You are joined to the Lord and are one in spirit with him. (1 Corinthians 6:17)
You are a new creature in Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
You have been made one with all who are in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:28)
You are a member of Christ?s body (Ephesians 3:6; Ephesians 5:30)
You are a partaker of His promise. (Ephesians 3:6; Ephesians 5:30)
You are like a living stone, built into God?s house (1 Peter 2:5)
You are a member of a chosen people (1 Peter 2:9)
You are a member of a royal priesthood, and a holy nation (1 Peter 2:9)
You will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. (1 Peter 5:4)
You are a citizen of heaven. (Philippians 3:20)
You are seated in the heavenly places with Christ. (Ephesians 2:6)
You are chosen, holy, and blameless before God. (Ephesians 1:4)
You have been set free in Christ. (Galatians 5:1)
You have been made complete in Christ. (Colossians 2:9-10)
You have been raised up with Christ. (Colossians 3:1)
You have been chosen of God, and you are holy and beloved. (Colossians 3:12)
Christ is your life, and you will be revealed with him in glory. (Colossians 3:4)
?And you will resemble Christ when He returns (1 John 3:1-2)

?We must accept that this creative pulse within us is God?s creative pulse itself.??Joseph Chilton Pearce

God has really been opening doors for us with Shekinah Arts and proving His faithfulness and I might even say we are walking in His favor right now in our little business, and I intend to honor God with what He has given us. I never want to forget why this business exists, who it exists for and even, how it exists. It is ALL for His Glory and His Kingdom! We are helping to build the Kingdom by equipping churches and ministries in their media, (and even social media marketing) and we will be His Light in the darkness.

Creative Matters

I ran across this through?Collide Magazine and of course, immediately, went to download it. (Did I see “free”? and “creative”? That’s definitely for me!)

Oh. My. Goodness.

I recommend this book to anyone creative or not. Actually, I believe everyone is creative whether they realize it or not; maybe we have different levels of creativity or different areas of creativity, but

God is a creative God and we were created to be creative!

So, I downloaded this book and really, I haven’t read it yet. I confess. But I skimmed through the first few pages to see what it was about and WOW!

In their preface they describe what the book is about and why it was written. They end with this:

We reject Copy and Paste. We reject settling. We reject excuses. We reject creative atrophy. You were created for more. You were created to create. You matter. Your work matters. Creative Matters.

WOW! Again!

So go download the Creative Matters e-book (pdf) by Clark for FREE and enjoy!

OK, So I’m going to be reading this and keeping it accessible for sure! Loading it onto my iPhone so I can read in bed