A joyful noise.

This song has been in my head over and over and over.  I think because I understand what the artist is saying...where he came from, what he's come through.  And my heart just soars at the joyful noise He is making inside of me.  I've gotta say...since Monday night Fuel, and the ladies praying over me, for me...just...WOOOOW.  I know so much has changed.  It's like...how to describe this...the temptations aren't temptations any longer.  The desire for love is no longer awakened, but instead, went back to sleep until it is time to awaken love. (Does that make sense?)

It's been quite lovely this week.  And even despite my grumpiness, it's been a good week.

I do have to say this...I was ecstatic last night when I turned my eyes and ears away from something on TV and changed the channel.  It was a Dr. Phil episode that was on, and he was talking about sleeping disorders.  1 lady on there was talking about her horrendous nightmares, and describing them while the show produced images to that effect...and I heard the Holy Spirit to turn it off, change the channel...that it wasn't something I needed to hear or see.  So I did.  YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY Jesus! :)

So, one small victory in the battle.
Keep moving forward!
Share what's in my heart
Knowing I'm an overcomer.
Jesus who lives inside me,
The enemy He shall defeat.
Thank You my Living God
You love me so deep.

Joyful Noise, by Flame feat Lecrae

You know what it is

I love it

Let's talk about it

[VERSE]

Your boy's been a Christian, quite a few years

Victory and faith, but I failed in my fears

I heard a lot of words that have tickled many ears

That's why I praise God for the Word that we adhere

The Word became flesh, lived for thirty years

Died at 33, but after days reappeared

Jesus Christ anointed one ascended in the air

Or you can say the air where the Father made Him heir

Of all things the throne know it's more than a chair

But after our redemption yes He did take a chair

Greater than the angels name superior to theirs

This is Hebrews Chapter 1 if you cared

I'm leaning to the right

The light is where I'm running

I thought I wanted life, drunk, sexed out and blunted

But all I really wanted was the One who really won it

Fought death, beat it gave His life to the public

I love it!

Lyrics provided by http://www.kovideo.net/

Source - http://www.kovideo.net/joyful-noise-lyrics-flame-344034.html

[HOOK]

Angels surrounding His throne and

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain

The whole earth is full of His glory

All nations bow to His name

His majesty fills the Heavens

Our hearts give thunderous praise

Declare the Lord is forever

Make a joyful noise in this place

[VERSE]

Man I'm trying to lift Him high

Higher than the stars

I am not of this world like I'm from the planet mars

I love to preach Jesus you can read it in my bars

I'm pretty straight forward when I'm speaking bout my Lord

He paid the sin price being beat by Roman guards

But when He resurrected gave us life free of charge

Now me and my boys need to be in a psych ward

Cause we went crazy for God our lives was scared

Now in the Book of Life, our names have been written down

We're casting our crowns before His feet on the ground

It's such a holy melody and a heavenly sound

Hearing holy holy holy coming out of the mouth

Of the four living creatures by His throne all around

Can you picture the scene this this is how it's going down

You just need a little faith and a new set of eyes and a telescopic lens to look in and see God

I love it!

[HOOK]

Angels surrounding His throne and

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain

The whole earth is full of His glory

All nations bow to His name

His majesty fills the Heavens

Our hearts give thunderous praise

Declare the Lord is forever

Make a joyful noise in this place

[VERSE]

One day we gon' be out man, like three strikes

And home son like a homerun CHRIST

IS - KING - LION - LAMB - GOD - MAN - SIN CONQUEROR - GRAVE CONQUEROR - SATAN CONQURERED

Can take a sinner, atheist sinner to God conscience

Can take nothing

Make creation and God's honor

The same God that came through a fetus as Jesus

Limited to breathing

Got believers singing

[HOOK]

Angels surrounding His throne and

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain

The whole earth is full of His glory

All nations bow to His name

His majesty fills the Heavens

Our hearts give thunderous praise

Declare the Lord is forever

Make a joyful noise in this place

How to be P.U.R.E.

Today was a battle.  Yes, I'm admitting this out loud on cyber space.  Why?  Because if someone doesn't, then it stays hidden in the dark, allowing the enemy to win & fester in this area of our walk.  So, I'm choosing, today, to be brave.  And to say...

These past several days have been a battle to remain pure.  To watch what I read, what I see.  And some battles were lost.  Some were won.  And some tears have yet to be shed, pouring my heart out to the One who knows me best, and knows all of my heart's longings and desires.

So, what did I do?  I started looking up a church I kept passing by on the way to the house I'm at for a few more weeks.  The church is right around the corner, so I was curious about it.
And I found his message on Vanishing Virtues, and part 2 was on purity.

I thought I'd share that with my little world.  Why?  Because so many people have asked me what it means to guard your heart.  So many people have asked me how to stay pure, and why.  And why wait.  Why not give in to the temptations, the desires, the longings?

And sometimes, though we know the right answers, it doesn't make it any easier.  Sometimes the battle just becomes more rough, making us feel like we've been drug through the trenches, crawling just to see some type of light at the end of this temptation tunnel.

All that to say...is here are some of the notes that I took.
I hope that by sharing this, others will realize that it's not just them that struggles w/ this issue.  And it's not just a man/male issue.  But that, instead, we ALL struggle and deal with this in one form or another.

So, dear hearts, take heart.  There is a sister who is battling in the trenches w/ you.  And there is a sister praying that He gives her strength to overcome the temptation.  There is a sister praying for each of you dear hearts reading this.  And there is a sister who, one day, will say that by HIS strength, the battle was won!

How to be PURE

Protect your heart above all else (Prov 4:23 NLT)

Unload the past (no matter when you stopped, make it a priority to abandon impurity and take up purity; I John 1:9 NLT; confessing is agreeing w/ Him…confess it’s sin, give it up & begin to walk away from impurity)

Run from sexual sin (pastor believed that Joseph ran b/c he knew if he stayed, he would regret it…RUN!!! Get out of dodge when there is a possibility of sexual sin; 2 Tim 2:22 NLT)

Embrace God’s plan for sex (accept His plan, for He does have one!  It is meant to be a gift that’s enjoyed & cherished.  Matt 19:4-6 NLT. )

His plan for sex is through marriage, not for someone you think you might end up marrying some day.  From images you see to words that you read, it is intended for marriage.  It is an exclusive offer from God that we can’t afford to keep messing this up.  We need to value purity the way God desires us to.  Purity diffuses the landmines targeting our family, our faith and our future.  Lust is the most cunning, dangerous and effective landmine.  So let’s choose to live a life of purity!

Take a position that says, “Lord, I’m ready to live a life of purity.”  Let today be a day that you tell Him you’ll take on this battle, w/ His strength, and are ready to be victorious!