The Heavenly Duet...

How thankful I have always been for the Scriptural mandate to make a “joyful noise” to the Lord. As someone not known for a melodious and beautiful voice, the thought that God would actually want to hear my “noises” is quite comforting. And joyful...it is always an attitude of the heart that I am capable of maintaining through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Zephaniah 3:17

For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With His love, He will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.

Psalm 42:8

But each day the Lord pours His unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing His songs, praying to God who gives me life.

When placed side by side, Zeph 3:17 and Ps 42:8 paint the picture of a glorious place where our hearts intersect and connect with God’s. Pausing to wonder on the beauty of a heavenly duet opens our eyes to yet another level of intimacy with God we often overlook. The Creator of the universe, the Savior of the world, our Father and our Friend, desires us to be on His worship team.

Imagine...as you sing your praises to the Lord Most High, He is singing over you! Can you envision the Heavenly beings, those glorious angelic hosts, dancing and laughing at the wonder of the Heavenly duet. For them, it is another mystery into which they long to look. Our intimacy and communion with our God is sacred and beautiful. Angels marvel, and so should we. Today, won’t you be a part of the celebration? God invites you, beckons you, to join the ultimate worship team!

As a Masterpiece you are called to make a joyful “noise”! In Heaven there are no tryouts...just open extended arms inviting us in to the Heavenly duet!

Reflection/Prayer:

Do I spend more time praising or complaining?

Do I see the importance of making a “joyful noise” to the Lord? What is a “joyful noise”?

How does knowing and understanding that God is “singing over me” change or improve my view of God?

Do I long to be a Masterpiece who is a part of the Heavenly duet?

Pause and thank the Lord for the truths He pours over us from His Word. Praise Him for His love and desire to connect with you. Commit today to be a part of the Heavenly Duet!

Hurt w/out Hopelessness

As Sam and I were traveling home the other day, I started crying. I was listening to some fabulous Christian music about the grace and forgiveness of Jesus and the healing power of God. I let my mind drift and began to realize again how my past is effecting me right now and how it really hurts that consequences don't just go away when you become Christian. But then, the Holy Spirit gave me the most soothing words...like a sunbeam landing on my soul....and I said out loud to Sam...

"It feels so good to hurt without feeling hopeless."

He looked at me with great compassion and amazement and said, "Evie, it is so good to hear you talk like that. You used to hurt so much more and not see that there was hope."

I paused...and took a moment to express my thanks to God for the growth in my life. How beautiful it is to live a life where I can believe the truth and not give in to the lies that want to discourage me and keep me from believing that God is such a loving and good God who cares deeply for me.

And so I place this before you..my fellow Masterpieces...do you allow yourself the gift of hurting, while believing that the amazing hope of our God covers and surrounds you?

Look up these verses and let God speak to your heart (if you can do it in the NLT version it would be best). Add verses that you find that might encourage someone else.

Precious and beloved young women of God, we need to know God's Word and share it with each other so that Jesus is lifted up in our lives!!

Psalm 55:16, 22

Psalm 34:17-19

1 Peter 5:7

Psalm 56:8

For further reflection, ask yourself these questions:

What do I learn about God from these verses?

What do these verses teach me about my relationship with God?

How will these verses impact how I view hurt in my life?

Why can I have hope even when I'm hurting?