Abundance and Abasement

Sometimes God calls us to go through deserts and trials to grow, but don't think that you won't one day reap with shouts of joy what you sowed in tears-and I don't mean only in Heaven-this is why King David clearly says he would "see the Goodness of the Lord in the Land of the Living."

Through trials and tribulations we enter the Kingdom (Acts 14:22) and grow in Christ, but don't think they are the only thing that are necessary for your growth in Christ.  He is all that is necessary, whether in trial or abundance.  He is INFINITE in love, and standing faultless before Christ in Heaven one day we will STILL be growing in that love without borders throughout all of eternity each and every day we are there.  So under perfect circumstances and in abundance of life we are also able to grow in love.  Zeal for God is not lessoned by standing in His Presence, but increased.  It's about Him, not the trial.  You can discover Him in abundance and abasement (Phil 4:12).  The trial is not essential; so don't own your pain, make it your friend and don't abide in it any longer than is necessary to endure for discipline's sake (Hebrews 12:11) and seek the release and promise of Christ over your life.  

If we are loved in the abundant seasons and receive what He has for us that is so far beyond what we can believe or stand or comprehend, what do we do then?  Who but God is up to the task of expanding our hearts to widely receive with matching capacities the boundless love He lavishes upon us?   And this is not too much for us to abide in as Christians.  To even receive Christ in the first place we had to be willing to have the love of God lavished on us, that we might be called the sons of God (1 John 3:1).  So just continue as you started in that love that exceeds perfection.  Say "yes" to His outpoured love over your life.  Come into alignment with the outrageous ways He's trying to love on you.  Dare to allow yourself to be loved, and where you falter, pray for strength to agree with God's thoughts over you.  Reject "rejection" as the Word being spoken over you now is complete acceptance in Christ through His outpoured Blood which qualifies you to stand unwavering in His Eternal Presence starting right now (Ephesians 1:3).

Wide Awake-Burn for You

Just wanted to share this.  Below is a little video that I made really just for fun (and as a way to hopefully honor my friends) with video generators and titles in Final Cut Pro X.  The song is an original by an awesome band called Wide Awake.  

It has been a great privilege of mine to do ministry alongside these folks for the past several years.  

P.S. This song was written when the lead singer was just 14 years old, and at the time of this performance she was just 16.  The average age of those performing in this recording is just 17 1/2!