Finding His Presence ~ Overcomer

by Nan Jones   @NanJonesAuthor

Life comes at us hard sometimes, doesn't it? Difficulties know no age, no color, no gender. Difficulties show no respect for active faith. If anything, the fires of difficulty seem to burn hotter for those of us who implement active faith.

I'm experiencing a personal crisis that has just about done me in...but God. Don't you love that? But God is with me and He is for me and in that alone I find the strength to go on. A friend sent me something from L. B. Cowman's devotional, Streams in the Desert. This passage encouraged me to see purpose in what I was going through - purpose on an eternal scale. I want to share it with you.

"Imagine going to the mountains of Lebanon during the reign of Israel's great king Solomon. Can you see the majestic cedar? It is the pride of all the other trees and has wrestled many years with the cold north winds! The summer sun has loved to smile upon it, while the night has caused its soft leaves to glisten with drops of dew. Birds have built their nests in its branches, and weary travelers and wandering shepherds have rested in its shade from the midday heat or taken shelter from the raging storms. And suddenly we realize that this old inhabitant of the forest has been doomed to fall victim to the woodsman's ax!

"We watch as the ax makes its first gash on the cedar's gnarled trunk. Then we see its noble limbs stripped of their branches as the tree comes crashing to the ground. We cry out against the wanton destruction of this 'Tree of God,' as it is distinctively known, and express our anger over the demolition of this proud pillar in the forest temple of nature...

"We should not be so quick to complain but should follow the gigantic tree as the workmen of 'Hiram, king of Tyre' (2 Chronicles 2:3) take it down the mountainside. From there we should watch it being sailed on rafts along the blue water of the Mediterranean. And finally, we should behold it being placed as a glorious and polished beam in the temple of God. As you contemplate its final destination, seeing it in the Holy of Holies as a jewel in the diadem of the almighty King, can you honestly complain that this 'crown jewel of Lebanon' was cut down, removed from the forest, and placed in such a noble setting? The cedar had once stood majestically in nature's sanctuary, but 'the glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house' (Haggai 2:9)."

Isn't that beautiful? I'm reminded of Revelation 3:12, "He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name."

I want to be an overcomer. I want to be a pillar in His temple - someone who selflessly undergirds the work of the Kingdom from now until forever. I want to dwell in the courts of the Lord, to bask in His Presence, to reflect His glory in the polished wood of my difficulty.

I want you to be an overcomer too. I know you can do it...with Him.

"'Not by might, nor by power, 

but by My Spirit,' saith the Lord of hosts." 

~ Zechariah 4:6

Selah

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Tweetables to Encourage Others

Life comes at us hard sometimes, doesn't it? @NanJonesAuthor offers food for thought. (Click to Tweet)

God is with me & He is for me & in that alone I find the strength to go on. (Click to Tweet)



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If you received Morning Glory via email, please visit the Morning Glory  page to worship with Shawn McDonald as he sings, "Here I Am." If you've never heard this song before, you are in for a blessing. Shawn will bring you to the foot of the cross.

Finding His Presence ~ The Gift of His Song

by Nan Jones   @NanJonesAuthor

I awoke with the dawn. In the blurred haze between twilight and the sun's morning nod, a symphony of songbirds heralded God's faithful light.

The Spirit called to me. I tried to shush Him, but He persisted. With a slight groan I shuffled to the coffeepot and found my way to our porch swing. I curled my legs under me, pulled my robe tighter, and closed my eyes. The melody of the birds was ethereal. Peaceful. My thoughts quieted. My shoulders relaxed. I breathed in God's Presence.

Yes, with desperation, I breathed in God's Presence. His strength. His peace. His comfort.

Several crows swooped in and perched in the top of our century-old Juniper. Like the shrill whistle of a train, mocking caws interrupted my morning symphony. The songbirds perched quietly. Watching. Waiting - waiting for the invading cacophony to end their intrusive noise.

Lord, please send the crows away. I need to hear Your song in my night.

Rocking quietly, I leaned into the back of the swing thinking about God's faithfulness, recognizing the enemy's intrusion into His song - my song.

"Crows, leave in Jesus' Name, " I spoke into the growing light of dawn, aiming my authority at the audacity of the crows to interrupt my gift from heaven. The caws ceased. Black silhouettes lifted into the dawn and flew away. 

Like the gentle swell of an ocean's wave, my symphony continued and peace resumed.

"Therefore submit to God. 

Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." 

~ James 4:7,8a

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Tweetables to Encourage Others

Are you desperate for God's Presence? @NanJonesAuthor shares her experience.(Click to Tweet)

Lord, I need to hear Your song in my night. (Click to Tweet)



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If you received Morning Glory via email, please visit the Morning Glory  page to be wowed by an incredible video. A flock of birds sitting on wires were imagined as musical notes and a beautiful melody was born. If you've never seen this before you are going to be awestruck. Just sayin'...

Where Is God? Sunday Glimpses

by Nan Jones  @NanJonesAuthor

I need You, Lord. I need the warmth of Your embrace, the shelter of Your Presence. I offer a sacrifice of praise to You in the midst of my storm, for You alone are worthy of our praise. You are Wonderful. Counselor. Mighty God, and the Prince of Peace. You are my God, my Redeemer, and my Friend. Hold me close enough to hear Your beating heart, close enough to feel the rise and fall of Your breath. I can't do this alone, Lord. You are my strength, my shelter, my sure place. I love You Lord. Many of my friends are overwhelmed also. Open their ears that they might hear Your sweet whisper calling to them out of the darkness. Give them strength. Hope. Affirmation that they are worthy of Your love. Help them, as You have me, to live in the moment knowing that You are in the moment with us. Thank You Lord. I would be lost without You. Thank You for loving me. Blessed be Your holy Name.

Tweetables to Encourage Others

Do you think God abandoned you? @NanJonesAuthor shares hope in WHERE IS GOD? SUNDAY GLIMPSES (Click to Tweet)

I can't do this alone, Lord. You are my strength, my shelter, my sure place.  (Click to Tweet)
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Please don't carry your burdens alone. I would be honored to pray for you. You may contact me directly at nan@jubilantlight.com.

Finding His Presence ~ One Solitary Rose

by Nan Jones   @NanJonesAuthor

The rosebush grew neglected in a thicket of underbrush. Chaos wrapped around its base while vines climbed and choked its branches with invasive tendrils. Devouring evidence of passing Japanese beetles pierced its tender leaves.

The rosebush was neglected. Broken. Choked by invading vines, and yet it bloomed.

One solitary rose.

The bloom stemmed from its base, near the roots where life was sustained. Petals of pink velvet peeked out from the chaos and declared who she is.

I want to be like that. No matter what destruction comes my way, what heartbreak, or utter chaos, I want to stretch out from my roots - my strong foundation - and show forth the glory of God.

I want to declare who I am - a daughter of the Most High God.

"I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness, 

and will hold your hand; 

I will keep you and give you as a covenant to the people, 

as a light to the Gentiles, to open blind eyes, 

to bring out prisoners from the prison, 

those who sit in darkness from the prison house. 

I am the Lord, that is My name; 

And my glory I will not give to another..." 

~Isaiah 42:6-8

 

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A Tweetable to Encourage Others

How can I find God's Presence when I hurt so bad? @NanJonesAuthor offers insight. (Click to Tweet)

 

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If you received Morning Glory via email, please visit the Morning Glory  page to be encouraged in the Lord as Aaron Keyes sings, "Psalm 62."

Finding His Presence ~ When Day is Dimming

by Nan Jones   @NanJonesAuthor

For those of you who are finding themselves in a difficult place - an unexpected crumbling of your world, a heartbreak beyond description, terminal illness...whatever it may be - know this: Our God is faithful. He is the sure place in an ever-changing world. He loves you with magnificent love. He surrounds and protects you with mighty power.

This I know.

Still, My Soul, Be Still
by Keith and Kristyn Getty

Still, my soul be still,
And do not fear
Though winds of change may rage tomorrow.
God is at your side,
No longer dread
The fires of unexpected sorrow.

God, You are my God!
And I will trust in You and not be shaken.
Lord of peace renew
A steadfast spirit within me
To rest in You alone.

Still, my soul be still.
Do not be moved
By lesser lights and fleeting shadows.
Hold onto His ways
With shield of faith
Against temptations flaming arrows.

God, You are my God!
And I will trust in You and not be shaken.
Lord of peace renew 
A steadfast spirit within me
To rest in You alone.

Still, my soul be still.
Do not forsake
The Truth you learned in the beginning.
Wait upon the Lord
And hope will rise
As stars appear when day is dimming.

God, You are my God!
And I will trust in You and not be shaken.
Lord of peace renew
A steadfast spirit within me
To rest in You alone...

I'll rest in You alone. 

Tweetables to Encourage Others
Is there an unexpected crumbling of your world? @NanJonesAuthor offers strength. (Click to Tweet)

Know this: Our God is faithful. (Click to Tweet)



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If you received Morning Glory via email, please visit the Morning Glory  page to experience Keith and Kristyn Getty sing "Still, My Soul, Be Still" - the words which are featured in today's post. This song ministers so very much to me. I pray that it does the same for you.

Where Is God? Sunday Glimpses

by Nan Jones   @NanJonesAuthor

Lord, I am comforted by Your Presence. I know that Your Spirit is within me because of Jesus, but it comforts and strengthens me to realize that You are also with me, surrounding me with Your love. That is an amazing thought. That is how I can run to You in my time of need and Your power is not limited or contained within my frailties. Thank You for teaching me this truth. Thank You for teaching me that it is in You that we live and move and have our being. Amazing. Simply amazing. I pray for my friends who feel alone in their struggles. I ask that You open their eyes to see You there with them. Stir within them the reality that we can, indeed, run to You and be held in Your comforting embrace. Calm their restless spirits. According to Your covenant, I ask that You exchange their fears for Your perfect peace, Your joy for their immense sorrows. Make a way for them where there seems to be no way. Thank You for Your faithfulness, Lord. Thank You for Your mercy and love. You are the Mighty God, Maker of heaven and earth, and yet You know us by Name. Hold my friends close, Lord and remind them that they belong to an awesome God. Thank You Lord. We love You and we give You praise.

Tweetables to Encourage Others

Where is God when we hurt? @NanJonesAuthor offers a glimpse. (Click to Tweet)

Lord, Your power is not limited by my frail understanding. (Click to Tweet)

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If you would like for me to pray for you, you may contact me directly at nan@jubilantlight.com.

Finding His Presence ~ Stepping Through the Heavens

by Nan Jones  @NanJonesAuthor

I stood in the cool of the evening, in the shadows of the setting sun. It felt good just to breathe. To be still. To remember that He is God.

My shoulders relaxed as I tilted my head back and looked toward the heavens. A river of coral flowed through the sky. The clouds punctuated the dusk like staccato notes in a beautiful melody. But the clouds weren't scattered about. Though punctuated, they flowed in the shape of a winding path.

I was clearly reminded of the scripture in Nahum* that describes the clouds as the dust of the Lord's feet. I could picture Him stepping through the heavens along the winding coral path. I could picture Him coming to me in my time of need.

I cried out to the Lord my God,

"Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! 

For my soul trusts in You; 

And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, 

until these calamities have passed by." 

~ Psalm 57:1

And there on the edge of our bank I felt Him draw near. His Presence surrounded me. Comforted me. 

Gave me peace.

*Nahum 1:3

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Tweetables to Encourage Others

Is it hard to trust God? @NanJonesAuthor offers insight. (Click to Tweet)

It felt good just to breathe. To be still. To remember that He is God. (Click to Tweet)



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If you received Morning Glory via email, please visit the Morning Glory  page for a few moments of worship to the Lord. I'm featuring Aaron Shust singing "No One Higher." I think you'll love it's beautiful message.