Dawn returns, but without Thy light within, no outward light can profit;Give me the saving lamp of Thy Spirit that I may see Thee, the God of my salvation, the delight of my soul, rejoicing over me in love.I commend my heart to Thy watchful care, for I know its treachery and power;Guard its every portal from the wily enemy, give me quick discernment of his deadly arts,help me to recognize his bold disguise as an angel of light, and bid him begone.May my words and works allure other to the highest walks of faith and love!May loiterers be quickened to greater diligence by my example!May worldlings be won to delight in acquaintance with Thee!May the timid and irresolute be warned of coming doom by my zeal for Jesus!Cause me to be a mirror of Thy grace, to show others the joy of Thy service.May my lips be well-tuned cymbals sounding Thy praise.Let a halo of heavenly-mindedness sparkle around me and a lamp of kindness sunbeam my path.Teach me the happy art of attending to things temporal with a mind intent on things eternal.Send me forth to have compassion on the ignorant and miserable.Help me to walk as Jesus walked, my only Saviour and perfect model, His mind my inward guest, His meekness my covering garb.Let my happy place be amongst the poor in spirit, my delight the gentle ranks of the meek.Let me always estem others better than myself, and find in true humilityan heirdom to two worlds.
*prayer from: The Valley of Vision; The Banner of Truth Trust; 2009
**lamp photo from: http://classicinteriorlighting.com/old-fashioned-oil-lamps-for-a-new-home-fragrance/\
***stairway to Heaven photo: http://www.amightywind.com/heaven.html
I first encountered Jamie Grace at the 2011 Revolve Tour (teen girl conference – highly recommend it!). She was one of the speakers and shared with us a glimpse of her music. At age 11, Jamie Grace was diagnosed with Tourette syndrome and greatly struggled with the disease. Music became her outlet. She and her older sister, Morgan, wrote songs together.
“Music allowed me to write about how I feel, and it was a way to connect with other people. My parents bought me a drum kit for my 14th birthday, and we thought ‘We still have songs, we still have hope and we are going to be in a rock band!’” – Jamie Grace
Her wake up call came through hearing Tammy Trent’s testimony when attending Revolve Tour as a girl. God used Tammy’s words to bring Jamie Grace to a conclusion: “I heard [Tammy] speak and I thought, ‘I’ve cried enough. It’s time to accept my joy.’ It was just the long process of finally realizing that, even with Tourette’s, I still have something to do with my life. I love to sing. I have a story, and I’ve got to share it.”
After about 3 years of posting videos on youtube, TobyMac signed her and helped her produce her first single: Hold Me. Because of Jamie Grace’s journey, her music is infused with heart.
“These songs are my heart songs,” she says, “straight off the pages of my diary. Very simple, very chill, but very fun. It’s what I think about, and what gets me through.” – Jamie Grace
Through her music, she communicates a contagious joy that is beautiful to listen to and incredible to see in person! Her songs are an enormous encouragement to me regardless of what I’m going through.
In addition to her music, she started Teens with Tourette Syndrome (teensWts), reaching out to other teens going through the same challenges and struggles that she’s encountered. God has used her in may fantastic ways!
A while back, I posted a prayer called the Valley of Vision. For my 18th birthday, I received a book of Puritan prayers from my Auntie Cathy and what a gift it has been! As I continue to work my way through it, I’ll probably be posting a prayer every now and then, because they are truly treasures and have been a wonderful encouragement to me. I hope they will encourage you as well!
While waiting for an appointment this morning, I slipped it out of my bag and began reading it (I often take it with me places 🙂 ). This particular prayer stood out to me, especially as I’m in a transition time in my life with heading to college in the fall and determining what my life will look like outside of home. What a beautiful picture this prayer gives of what I want my life to look like!
Jesus My Glory
O Lord God,
Thou has commanded me to believe in Jesus;
and I would flee to no other refuge,
wash in no other fountain,
build on no other foundation,
receive from no other fulness,
rest in no other relief.
His water and blood were not
severed in their flow at the cross,
may they never be separated in
my creed and experiences;
May I be equally convinced of the guilt and pollution of sin,
feel my need of a prince and saviour,
implore of Him repentance as well as forgiveness,
love holiness, and be pure in heart,
have the mind of Jesus, and tread in His steps.
Let me not be at my own disposal,
but rejoice that I am under the care of one who is too wise to err,
too kind to injure,
too tender to crush.
May I scandalize none by my temper and conduct,
but recommend and endear Christ to all around,
bestow good on every one as circumstances permit,
and decline no opportunity of usefulness.
Grant that I may value my substance,
not as the medium of pride and luxury,
but as the means of my support and stewardship.
Help me to guide my affections with discretion,
to owe no man anything,
to be able to give to him that needeth,
to feel it my duty and pleasure to be merciful and forgiving,
to show to the world the likeness of Jesus.
~ A Puritan prayer
*prayer taken from: The Valley of Vision; The Banner of Truth Trust; 2009
**photo taken from: http://jobingodschild.blogspot.com/2010/11/pilgrim-and-apostate-christian.html
This morning, I spent my quiet time in Hosea. Many of you have probably heard of this prophet’s story found just past the middle of your Bible, but unfortunately it is one that is often missed.
Here’s a little background on Hosea (courtesy of my MacArthur Study Bible)
Very little is known about him – mainly what can be found in the book of Hosea
He was probably from the northern Kingdom of Israel, although he addresses both Israel and Judah
His period of ministry was about 755-710 B.C.
He was a contemporary of Isaiah and Micah, who both prophesied in the southern Kingdom of Judah
At the heart of Hosea lies the theme of God’s love for faithless Israel. It’s the story of a man who was not only called to be a prophet, but who was called to marry a woman, knowing ahead of time that she would commit adultery with numerous other men. Aware of the heartache and pain that would befall him, Hosea took Gomer as his wife and had three children with her, two sons and a daughter. All three children were named in reference to God’s judgement on Israel for their idolatry: Jezreel, meaning “God will scatter;” Lo-ruhamah, meaning “Not pitied;” and Lo-ammi, meaning “Not My people.”
Gomer is unfaithful to Hosea, and God gives him words to speak to the nation of Israel about her own adultery:
“For their mother has played the harlot; she who conceived them has acted shamefully. For she said, ‘I will go after my lovers, who give me my bread and my water, my wool and my flax, my oil and my drink.'” (Hosea 2:5)
Hosea speaks of the dissatisfaction that comes with unfaithfulness, both in regard to Gomer and the people of Israel:
“She will pursue her lovers, but she will not overtake them; and she will seek them, but will not find them. Then she will say, ‘I will go back to my first husband, for it was better for me then than now!’ For she does not know that it was I who gave her the grain, the new wine and the oil, and lavished on her silver and gold, which they used for Baal [their primary idol].” (Hosea 2:7-8)
Over and over again, Hosea speaks to the people of God’s judgement that will come down on them for their idolatry. Do they listen? It takes a really long time. However, God repeatedly promises restoration to those who will turn back to Him.
“I will betroth you to Me forever; yes I will betroth you to Me in righteousness and in justice, in lovingkindness and in compassion, and I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness. Then you will know the Lord.” (Hosea 2:19-20)
Continually, the people are called to return to God and are told the delights of the Lord.
“Sow with a view to righteousness, reap in accordance with kindness; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord until He comes to rain righteousness on you.” (Hosea 10:12)“For I delight in loyalty rather than sacrifice, and in the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.” (Hosea 6:6)
As a demonstration of God’s faithfulness to His people, He commands Hosea to take Gomer as his wife once again, even after her adultery, and to love her.
“Then the Lord said to me, ‘Go again, love a women who is loved by her husband, yet an adulteress, even as the Lord loves the sons of Israel, though they turn to other gods…’ ” (Hosea 3:1)
In a beautiful conclusion, God promises Israel’s blessing to come if they return to to Him.
“Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God,…Say to Him, ‘Take away all iniquity and receive us graciously…nor will we say again, ‘Our god,’ to the work of our hands; for in You the orphan finds mercy.’ (Hosea 14:1-3)
God’s response to this change of heart:
” ‘I will heal their apostasy, I will love them freely, for My anger has turned away from them…Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them. For the ways of the Lord are right, and the righteous will walk in them, but transgressors will stumble in them.’ ” (Hosea 14: 4, 9)
Hosea is truly one of my favorite books in the Bible. The unbelievable love that God demonstrates toward His people is astounding and the painful assignment that one man chose to accept is inspiring. In closing, I ask that you examine your own heart as I have been examining mine. Where in your life are you pursuing other lovers instead of Christ? Where are you placing other things above Him? How are you acting as the adulterous bride? In the words of Hosea, “Say to Him, ‘Take away all my iniquity and receive me graciously…for in You, I find mercy.’ ” (Hosea 14:2-3)
I know this post was lengthy, but I found myself convicted in my relationship with Christ and greatly comforted by God’s faithful love, even when I am unfaithful to Him. I wanted to share those things with you.
About me in 75 words or less: I delight in tea, coffee, chai, and almost any other hot drink. I love my Swedish, Irish, and English heritage. My addiction: books. Favorite kinds of days: cool and brisk in the morning, warm and sunny in the afternoon. Most important thing about me - I love Jesus; I am His. I'd love for you to join me in my little adventure called life. :)
If you'd like to see what this blog's all about, feel free to check out my first post: http://justbreatheblog.com/category/introductory/
Give me the saving lamp of Thy Spirit that I may see
Thee, the God of my salvation, the delight of my soul,
rejoicing over me in love.
I commend my heart to Thy watchful care,
for I know its treachery and power;
Guard its every portal from the wily enemy,
give me quick discernment of his deadly arts,
help me to recognize his bold disguise as an angel of light,
and bid him begone.
May my words and works allure other to the
highest walks of faith and love!
May loiterers be quickened to greater diligence
by my example!
May worldlings be won to delight in acquaintance
with Thee!
May the timid and irresolute be warned
of coming doom by my zeal for Jesus!
Cause me to be a mirror of Thy grace,
to show others the joy of Thy service.
May my lips be well-tuned cymbals
sounding Thy praise.
Let a halo of heavenly-mindedness sparkle around me
and a lamp of kindness sunbeam my path.
Teach me the happy art of attending to things temporal
with a mind intent on things eternal.
Send me forth to have compassion on the ignorant and miserable.
Help me to walk as Jesus walked,
my only Saviour and perfect model,
His mind my inward guest,
His meekness my covering garb.
Let my happy place be amongst the poor in spirit,
my delight the gentle ranks of the meek.
Let me always estem others better than myself,
and find in true humility
an heirdom to two worlds.
*prayer from: The Valley of Vision; The Banner of Truth Trust; 2009
**lamp photo from: http://classicinteriorlighting.com/old-fashioned-oil-lamps-for-a-new-home-fragrance/\
***stairway to Heaven photo: http://www.amightywind.com/heaven.html
Just Breathe 