~ from Your Workplace Story: Exceeding the Norm (part 1)
I want to talk about flourishing in society. I want to stir up hopeful inspiration for the majority of believers who spend most of their day outside of the church walls and outside of the prayer room. It’s where most believers spend their time—with family, friends, or co-workers.
Unique worship—honoring and loving God—will shine among sons and daughters who function as righteous “kings” in busin...
Set Me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm… Song of Solomon 8:6a
The Captain of the Hosts, the Creator of the Universe, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, asks that you allow Him to tightly bind Himself to you as a seal. His passionate desire for you has culminated in a request to be eternally bound together, guaranteeing His universal protection against any tampering with this bond. None are able to loose this seal. The author...
Who is this coming up from the wilderness, leaning upon her Beloved? Song of Solomon 8:5
In the dark cave of the wilderness the enemy speaks to you. He takes advantage of your weakness in the dry places. In your personal desert he delights in making you his prey. This one who roams about, seeking whom he might devour, claws at you with temptation and doubt.
The burning love of devotion for your Beloved is tested. While the enemy roars, Holy Spirit’s sti
I am my Beloved’s and His desire is toward me. Song of Solomon 7:10
In John 15:9 Jesus tells me that His affections towards me are the same as His affections towards His Father. Yet, it takes the persevering love of the Bridegroom, speaking His truths to me over and over again, before I believe and continually walk in His affections. What creative authority there is in the wondrous workings of the Living Word! Only because He spoke His powerfulwords of tr
I went down to the garden of nuts… my soul had made me as the chariots of my noble people. Song of Solomon 6:11,12
My heart begins to sing over the works of my Lord, over His Church. Because He possesses my heart, my heart bears His good fruits. Welling deep within me is a desire to visit the garden of His fruits, to help Him care for the garden of His Church. My love for Him becomes a love for the Bride.
I now know this: to love Him is to love His Brid
Turn your eyes away from me, for they have overcome me. Song of Solomon 6:5
When I look into the eyes of my Jesus, it seems as if I could never look away. His beauty captures my heart. As I gaze upon Him, I drink of His Presence. A hungry desire to be closer to Him grows within me. At times, in this earthly vessel, I cannot drink in enough of Him.
“Your heart pleases Me,” He rejoices. “You have allowed Me to possess it as My very own. This gift of you
He is chief among ten thousand… He is altogether lovely… Song of Solomon 5:10,16
For those with discerning eyes and fiery hearts, the Greatest One effortlessly distinguishes Himself in the crowd. When He enters the room it becomes transformed. All are touched, whether they realize it or not. His Presence is far too magnificent to escape.
My stunning, dazzling Bridegroom, my God, never weakens in His dedication toward me. With eyes always upon me, His
Awake, north wind, and come, south wind! Blow upon my garden… Song of Solomon 4:16
The Gardener of my soul plants His ways and wisdom in the middle of my heart. His ways are both gentle and strong. The trials and tribulations of life are necessary for the fiery passion of God to burn within my heart. When He releases burning judgment against all that hinders love, the chaff is blown away and the alloy is removed.
Without the refreshing breezes of His
(excerpt from “Closer Today Than Yesterday,” by Sharon Gonzales)
I will go my way to the mountain of myrrh and to the hill of frankincense. Song of Solomon 4:6
As I round the corner my eyes turn to the snowy mountain range before me. Encouraged by Him, I imagine that I am ready to lunge forward into the next part of the journey. Suddenly, dark clouds blow in and I pull back. I want to follow Him, but my feet resist.
Hindering mountains in life block
Your neck is like the tower of David, built for an armory, on which hang a thousand bucklers, all shields of mighty men (Song of Solomon 4:4).
Great is His power toward us! In the power of His resurrection life, I am changed. This Mighty One proclaims the beauty of my neck, which speaks of my will. He alone has strengthened my will, to be ever turned towards to Him. He has strengthened me in steadfast, voluntary love. Freely I choose righteousness.
Deep