With Everything – Hillsong
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A few weekends ago I was blessed to travel down to Reality Carpinteria (in Santa Barbara county) for a ministry conference. It was by a landslide the most amazing “conference.” I don’t even wanna call it a conference because it was not your typical conference. It was a gathering of saints, an intimate fellowship time with our “mother-ship” (haha) Reality Carp, our sister church plants – Reality LA and coming soon San Francisco, London and Ventura families. Most importantly we came together as one body and were poured into by our sweet pastor – JESUS. The Lord spoke, encouraged and blessed us through His vessels from the different churches. It was a much needed time of refilling. The focus was our Saviour and HIS ministry.
Jesus in His goodness did some revealing in mine and Jeff’s heart, and I can’t express in words my heart’s overwhelming joy and awe in my Lord. Seriously I’m still more amazed and the closer I draw to Him and He to me, I’m in more awe. His direction for our life and our family has never been so clear. Everything is starting to fall into place. I know it’s because we have been seeking Him and not the plan, as Josh would say! It’s so awesome to be in a place of total reliance. You know, people think you’re crazy sometimes when you step out in faith or live radically for Him, but when you know Jesus has your back, and He has given you the direction there’s nothing out there that can stop His work in you. That doesn’t mean the enemy isn’t going to TRY to sabotage but if you are fixed on Him and your heart seeks to persevere by His strength, Jesus won’t fail you. He’s more faithful than we can ever imagine! And our response should be faith-FULL in Him.
An amazing sense of belonging, aside from our unmerited salvation and adoption into the royal family of God, is knowing that you are exactly where God wants you to be, here on earth. That’s the overwhelming feeling I have in my heart. It’s more than your basic gratefulness or praise. You know just a “Thanks God!” – My every part of my being is just in awestruck joy. I can’t express just how excited I am to know the desires of the Lords heart for my life, and my family’s. Every detail has not been revealed, but He daily gives more insight, instruction and direction.
Jeremiah 33:3 states, “Call into me and I will show you great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”
Amen! And when He does show us, how can we not praise Him?! I believe I am exactly where God wants me to be, for this season, in the context of ministry. I’m so blessed to be where I am. I’m so grateful to have the privilege of raising up my “quiver” and aiming all five of them at Jesus (thank you Pastor G!) Oh, what a blessing and my first ministry- to God be the glory!! Jeff and I pray that they will grow up to walk closely with their Jesus and live solely for Him. That they would realize that Jesus wants to carry them and pour into them. That they will understand the love of their Saviour for them. That in turn they will have a great love for people. We pray that as we live life, dependent on none but Jesus, they too will take joy in living because of God, their one and true provision!
In addition to my beautiful family, my heart cries for the people of my city, fellow saints who struggle, and other specific cities the Lord brings to mind. I have always been a “people person,” and love being able to share my heart and hear theirs. Have you ever felt such a burden for something or someone, that you can’t do anything but cry out? I mean, not in a pathetic sort of way, but really cry out to God. Step in the gap and battle in prayer for the souls of men & women you know, and some are strangers. Sometimes I’ll be just passing by a person and I get a little tug on my heart. It seems silly to just keep going, but isn’t that what we do? We ignore the tug and continue on our walks of life and never stop to respond to what the Lord would have us do. It’s in those times that the Lord has opened up my heart even more for the people of this city, and in other cities we’ve visited. He is a God of restoration. I don’t know the person, and I don’t know if they are saints or not. I can see the pain and hurt, the burdens they carry around day after day and yet until recently, my heart had been tugged countless times, but I always was quick to ignore them…
Jesus saved my soul. Without Him, I am nothing. He has called me to minister first and foremost to my family. But, I also have a calling outside my home. I live in the world, and the Lord seeks to use me outside of it, as well as within it. There has to be a balance, and I praise Him that only He can give that balance. I encourage you fellow saints to allow the Lord to balance you. It’s not just about raising kids, and that be the end of life. Yes, I have a calling as a Mommy. I LOVE it. But I also have a call to clothe, feed and give life (Jesus) to the lost. I am called to uplift my fellow saints. I must live as an example to my children I am raising. How will they know how to live in the world, if they are sheltered from it?
Now, some people don’t agree with college, let alone a mother of 5 going back to school for Fashion, which to most people is a lame excuse for education. I get funny looks from people a lot, mostly disapproving ones haha. But, let me just say this… My calling, my faith in knowing God’s will has nothing to do with man’s opinion, or their words. It does not depend on man at all. I stand in Jesus’ hands, steadfast and seek His wisdom for my life.
I Corinthians 2:5 “That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.”
How quick we are to judge other people and what the Lord has for them to do in life. You’d be surprised, YES, there are hurting people at Delta College. How will they know or get a glimpse of the love Christ has for them, if no one is sent there to bring light into the darkness? I have been sent and It’s been such a neat experience for me, and the Lord continues to open doors as I go to school, to glorify His name. I praise Him that it’s something I enjoy, and I am just following His plan for my life. I made the mistake of dropping last semester, I allowed the enemy in with condemnation, but my faithful God didn’t throw the towel in with me. He never does. He graciously opened the door for me once again to go back, and I am so glad that I did. I am where He wants me to be.
Once I realized just the awesomeness of Christ, I was utterly lost in a sea of expression, but it’s indescribable. It’s so excited to be lost in His ocean of Grace, and I sometimes wonder why some are content to stand on the shore of it. You have to dive in to experience it. Dipping your toes into the ocean isn’t the same as being overwhelmed by it! When you truly pray and ask the Lord to reveal His heart to you, be ready to be in awe. Seriously. I can’t even type right now what my heart is feeling.
Just like the song, With Everything, I literally just want to shout how amazing He is. I just want to praise His name. I see Jesus in so many things that I never did before. I mean how many people actually praise the Lord for an empty gas tank 
or that your tires are so bald you’ll probably bust them on the way to school. I’m a fool for Jesus. 
I see things now that I can praise Him for. Everything in my life passes through Him, and He allows it. He’s all knowing. He’s omnipotent. He’s all powerful. He spoke the earth into existence. He took my place on that rugged cross. He gave me His righteousness. He set me free. I can never repay that. Nothing I can ever or will ever do will compare. All I can do is praise. Even prayer now is different. It’s not an “act” of giving to get. It’s just me and my Jesus, talking, having intimate fellowship. It’s praise. With everything I have, I live to praise Him.
There is nothing too big or too small to praise Him for. I have all that I need in my Saviour. I may not have my own house. I praise Him. I have one car. I praise Him. My car door is broken. I praise Him. Internet doesn’t work. Praise the Lord! Even better, I have a beautiful family. I am blessed by a sweet church family. I am a daughter of the Most High King, who saw fit to save me from myself. AMEN! It’s in praise that my heart continues to get lifted and His assurance is so much more real. I don’t know, it’s not a cliche thing to say you are great when someone asks. I used to laugh when people would always say, “I’m great!” because you can usually tell when people are being fake. But honestly, when you have truly experience the Grace of God, WOW. Life is great. The hard times come, but God definitely outweighs them. The problem becomes nonexistent and then you just keep praising. It’s a beautiful dance. And if you know me… I love to get my dance on! I just totally feel the pleasure of the Lord when I’m in worship. I never doubt that He is pleased with me, but I was born to worship. I was created for that purpose, and so when I’m in that place, me and God, it’s beautiful, amazing and I get a workout too Hey David was a man after God’s own heart, and I know he danced!
So basically, there is a point to this blog. Haha. I believe part of His ministry for each of us is to praise Him, in whatever we do. In our homes, at school, work, wherever. Whatever city He has called you to, be bold and confident in His promises. Let praise be continually on your lips. Seek to praise Him, and be open to allowing His ocean of Grace to envelope you. I have to say, it’s the best overwhelming feeling in the world. To be in a place where you know you are supposed to be is a blessing. Allow the Lord to show you. Be ready to surrender your own desires and will, and accept His purpose for your being here. You’d be surprised at how much easier and joyful life is when you are in His will. Don’t step ahead of yourself, let Him unfold the details in His timing. Just trust Him. It’s ok to let go of the reigns and let Him guide you. He’s the Victor, and He has imparted His victory to you. He knows us better than we know ourselves. He wants what’s best for us. Josh shared that the greatest judgement God could give man, is to let us have our own way. Isn’t that so true? It’s not until we come to the end of ourselves, do we truly find the beauty in our Saviour’s Grace. Jesus Christ is our Grace. Seek His face. Let Him overwhelm you in His love. And in response to that, you won’t be able to do anything but praise Him, with everything.
Another video, same song, but an awesome time of worship and praise. Yes, He’s that good…AND more
