“Your love, GOD, is my song, and I’ll sing it! I’m forever telling everyone how faithful you are. I’ll never quit telling the story of your love -” Psalm 89:1 (MSG)
Does this phrase describe the attitude and climate of your life? Does it put into words all that your heart is screaming? It surely does mine. Though life definitely comes with its ups and downs, whooptie-dos and dives, I can’t help but speak out passionately about the faithfulness and love of my Savior, Jesus.
It seems that not a day goes by that I don’t tell someone at least one amazing thing God aligned or taught me that day...He’s just that kind of God – a show off Creator, and I am one of His little megaphones. I can’t keep it in!
“From the bottom of my heart I thank you, dear Lord; I’ve never kept secret what you’re up to. You’ve always been great toward me – what love!” Psalm 86:13-14 (MSG)
Almighty God knew what He was doing when He created us with the ability to speak. He wanted a world filled with megaphones proclaiming His story of love and redemption.
All throughout the Bible there are commissions and even examples of how we should never stop proclaiming and sharing God’s goodness with this world. It’s clear that God wants the credit for His awesome works and He loves to hear about the details of all He has done.
Do you live a life that speaks out about this majestic God Man? Are you a megaphone for Jesus or do you keep quiet to blend in with the crowd who lives every day just to “get by?” I hope you are the first and not the latter of these two groups. And if you are just going with the flow, I pray you’ll quickly jump that ship and hop onto the megaphone bandwagon. God has much more in store for you...
You see, our God is adventurous; He’s a brilliant, dangerous God, and all He does is worthy of admiration and lavish praise! He works hard to prove Himself faithful, true, compassionate, loving, and accessible. All we are called to do is stand strong, trust in Him, and praise Him all along the way.
That’s it – quite simple, but not always easy. It is hard to stand strong when our knees are buckling with uncontrollable fear, and it’s difficult to trust when we can’t see an inch in front of our noses! It’s not always easy to praise when there are tears streaming down our faces and when nothing seems to make sense in life. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned, no matter what I see or how things appear, God is always working hard behind the scene to turn EVERYTHING around for our ultimate good (Romans 8:28).
So what must we do? What turns situations around faster than anything? You guessed it...praise. Praise and speaking out about the awesomeness of God catches the ear of the One who is able to change circumstances into possibilities and drab clouds into vibrant rainbows. Praise unlocks the keys to our radiant futures...
“Blessed are the people who know the passwords of praise, who shout on parade in the bright presence of God. Delighted, they dance all day long; they know who you are, what you do – they can’t keep it quiet!” Psalm 89:17 (MSG)
What awesome things has God done for you? Declare them with thanksgiving! What close-calls has He spared you from lately? Tell somebody so they can praise God, too! In what situations has He come to your rescue? Shout about them with joy! How has Your Father provided for you recently? Share those miracles with someone else! How has He answered specific prayers you recognize only He knew about? Never stop thanking Him...
Let the answers to these questions be the catalyst to amplify your megaphone and help project His fame to this world. Out of the deepest parts of your heart, release new levels of fiery zeal to proclaim all He has done for you and just how wonderful He is.
There is simply no one who compares to our God. Nothing on earth, above or below, that holds a candle to our King of Kings. Doesn’t that just get you excited? How incredible to know that this is the exact same God who has chosen to live in each of our hearts and dwell in the midst of His beloved children.
“Search high and low, scan skies and land, you’ll find nothing and no one quite like God...God-of-the-Angel-Armies, who is like you, powerful and faithful from every angle?” Psalm 89:6, 8 (MSG)
My brothers and sisters in Christ, let us join together as radiant megaphones for God. May we cause people to become captivated...not because of our eloquent words or our outward appearances, but because of the brilliance and splendor of the God who lives within us, the loving Savior who shines through us. May He speak through us in words, intentions, actions, and everyday lives.
“Your vibrant beauty has gotten inside us – you’ve been so good to us! We’re walking on air! All we are and have we owe to GOD, Holy God of Israel, our King!” Psalm 89:17-18 (MSG)
Our God is awesome and more than worthy of all our praise. Amplify the name of Jesus today and with each breath that you breathe, live more and more to make the God of the Universe famous among men...
From the Top of My Megaphone Lungs,
Katie Marie
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
"I LOVE YOU..."
“I love you...” These three words have been tossed around more flippantly than a frisbee on a carefree Saturday afternoon. They have been spoken countless times with little or no mind, emotion, or meaning behind them. In fact, bouquets of roses, bowed knees of proposal, even shouting matches and fits of rage have accompanied these words. Since the beginning of time careless, thoughtless people have dispensed "I love you’s” like cheap candy or dime store trinkets.
Yet on the flip side, “I love you,” has passed through millions of mouths with such truth, feeling, and sincerity, they have moved grown men to tears. Obviously, these words were meant to hold much more meaning than they often do today.
How could three small words mean so much to some people and absolutely nothing to many, many more? What was this phrase originally intended to convey? Were the exact same words meant to express our intense adoration for a spouse or child and our love of pizza? And what makes the difference in the delivery of these simple, yet poignant words?
Clearly, it’s the heart and intention hidden behind this common phrase that determines the weight of its understanding. “I love you,” was meant to be delivered with deep purpose, utter transparency, and intensity. But why?
More than any other reason, I believe the words “I love you” were created so we humans could fully express and receive (to the fullness of our abilities) the intense love of our Creator and Savior God. These words were intended to be the verbal conduits traveling from our mouths to the Lord’s heart, and back down from His voice to our ears. They were made to kiss the ears of our gracious and merciful God...our Abba Father.
Sure, God is unfathomably complicated and His ways are clearly high above ours, yet this mysterious God is strangely similar to us. He wants to be loved, desired, sought after, and understood. The Almighty longs to be pursued by those who make it their eternal mission to run after His heart and the things that mean the most to Him.
After all, our Creator formed us out of the intense love that makes up His very being (1 John 4:16). Majestic God simply wants to be loved by someone who intentionally chooses to love Him for who He is, not just the miraculous wonders He pulls off for His Beloveds.
Doesn’t that sound familiar? Isn’t that how you and I dream of being loved and spoken to? Don’t we long to hear the words, “I love you,” pouring out of lips that really mean them? Don’t we desire to be pursued by those who long to know us for the true “us” deep inside?
“Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn't love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.” Ephesians 5:1 (MSG)
But what can we, who are broken and flawed, really offer this perfect God? Simply put, we can present our love and life’s devotion. We can send forth our voices. God is yearning to hear us shout, declare, cry out, and even whisper three unadorned words, “I love you...” He doesn’t want them shot out as a result of our daily checklist, religious duties, or any other loaded intentions. Our Father longs to hear those words brought to Him the same way we humans desire them to be – spoken with true meaning and devotion.
With those thoughts now in mind, don’t the words, “I love you,” suddenly take on a whole new depth? Their weight and authenticity can be detected from quite a great distance. Listen closely...
“I love you, GOD— you make me strong. GOD is bedrock under my feet, the castle in which I live, my rescuing knight.” Psalm 18:1-2 (MSG)
“I love you, LORD; you are my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.” Psalm 18:1-2 (NLT)
These phrases of profound truth and authenticity are perfect examples of how “I love you,” was meant to be spoken.
Today’s commission is simple. In your own unique words and ways, express to God how much you love Him; demonstrate how much He means to you. Lavish your adoration upon the God of the Universe, and let Him bask in your offerings of praise.
During this time of conversation with God, I challenge you ~ don’t ask a single request of Him, simply allow the Lord to sit and absorb your sweet, tender expressions. And don’t forget to take the liberty of sending along that matchless phrase that most readily melts the heart of your Creator, Savior and Friend. Those three simple words, “I love you...”
“So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately. You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush. Live a lover's life...a life Jesus will be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God.” Philippians 1:9 (MSG)
Loving Him Lavishly,
Katie Marie :)
Yet on the flip side, “I love you,” has passed through millions of mouths with such truth, feeling, and sincerity, they have moved grown men to tears. Obviously, these words were meant to hold much more meaning than they often do today.
How could three small words mean so much to some people and absolutely nothing to many, many more? What was this phrase originally intended to convey? Were the exact same words meant to express our intense adoration for a spouse or child and our love of pizza? And what makes the difference in the delivery of these simple, yet poignant words?
Clearly, it’s the heart and intention hidden behind this common phrase that determines the weight of its understanding. “I love you,” was meant to be delivered with deep purpose, utter transparency, and intensity. But why?
More than any other reason, I believe the words “I love you” were created so we humans could fully express and receive (to the fullness of our abilities) the intense love of our Creator and Savior God. These words were intended to be the verbal conduits traveling from our mouths to the Lord’s heart, and back down from His voice to our ears. They were made to kiss the ears of our gracious and merciful God...our Abba Father.
Sure, God is unfathomably complicated and His ways are clearly high above ours, yet this mysterious God is strangely similar to us. He wants to be loved, desired, sought after, and understood. The Almighty longs to be pursued by those who make it their eternal mission to run after His heart and the things that mean the most to Him.
After all, our Creator formed us out of the intense love that makes up His very being (1 John 4:16). Majestic God simply wants to be loved by someone who intentionally chooses to love Him for who He is, not just the miraculous wonders He pulls off for His Beloveds.
Doesn’t that sound familiar? Isn’t that how you and I dream of being loved and spoken to? Don’t we long to hear the words, “I love you,” pouring out of lips that really mean them? Don’t we desire to be pursued by those who long to know us for the true “us” deep inside?
“Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn't love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.” Ephesians 5:1 (MSG)
But what can we, who are broken and flawed, really offer this perfect God? Simply put, we can present our love and life’s devotion. We can send forth our voices. God is yearning to hear us shout, declare, cry out, and even whisper three unadorned words, “I love you...” He doesn’t want them shot out as a result of our daily checklist, religious duties, or any other loaded intentions. Our Father longs to hear those words brought to Him the same way we humans desire them to be – spoken with true meaning and devotion.
With those thoughts now in mind, don’t the words, “I love you,” suddenly take on a whole new depth? Their weight and authenticity can be detected from quite a great distance. Listen closely...
“I love you, GOD— you make me strong. GOD is bedrock under my feet, the castle in which I live, my rescuing knight.” Psalm 18:1-2 (MSG)
“I love you, LORD; you are my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.” Psalm 18:1-2 (NLT)
These phrases of profound truth and authenticity are perfect examples of how “I love you,” was meant to be spoken.
Today’s commission is simple. In your own unique words and ways, express to God how much you love Him; demonstrate how much He means to you. Lavish your adoration upon the God of the Universe, and let Him bask in your offerings of praise.
During this time of conversation with God, I challenge you ~ don’t ask a single request of Him, simply allow the Lord to sit and absorb your sweet, tender expressions. And don’t forget to take the liberty of sending along that matchless phrase that most readily melts the heart of your Creator, Savior and Friend. Those three simple words, “I love you...”
“So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately. You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush. Live a lover's life...a life Jesus will be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God.” Philippians 1:9 (MSG)
Loving Him Lavishly,
Katie Marie :)
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