Misty Edwards: Take My Heart

I am planning on going to "onething" this year at IHOP (International House of Prayer) in Kansas City. This will be my first time. The reason that I've decided to go (besides sensing from the Lord that I should) is that God is doing some pretty amazing things there right now! If you've interested in watching the Student Awakenings webcast or past videos & testimonies go here.

Over these past few weeks, the desire to see the Kingdom of God break in power in this world has been steadily increasing. I want to see King Jesus setting people free from bondage and lives healed and transformed by His perfect Love. "Come Lord Jesus! Come!"

For a long time, I have waited for You
You have won my heart, and I am following
For a long time, I’ve been crying out for You
Tears make my heart soft
And I am ready for the return of the Lover

Fashioned from the very fabric of God
At the start of time, set free to decide
I will love You, ’cause You’re the One who loved me first
Just one look from Your eyes
I’m captivated by the eyes of the Lover

Take my heart, my mind and strength too
I was made for loving You
I will wait, and I’ll be faithful
I was made for loving You

Bowing low in the presence of the One
At the end of time, I’ll hear the bells chime for our wedding
It will wait no longer now
Oh how I love You
I’ll finally fall into the arms of the Lover

With all my heart, with all my soul
With all my strength and all I know

What does love look like?
Is the question I’ve been pondering…

This song was originally written by John Janzen © 1998 Howling Praire Music (Admin. Winipeg Centre Vineyard) off his album "Think Again."

Hillsong United: Soon

Written by Brooke Ligertwood (formerly Fraser)
© 2009 Hillsong Publishing (admin. Integrity Music, Inc.)
I long to be with Jesus, to be able to touch, hug and hold my Savior King.
He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! (Revelation 22:20 ESV).

New Life Worship: Everlasting God

Everlasting God by Glenn Packiam (performed by New Life Worship)

One thing I know that I have found
Through all the troubles that surround
You are the Rock that never fails, You never fail

One thing I know that I believe
Through every blessing I receive
You are the only One that stays, You always stay

Chorus:
You never change, You're still the same
You are the Everlasting God
You will remain after the day is gone and the things of earth have passed
Everlasting God

One thing I know that I have found
Through all the troubles that surround
You are the Rock that never fails, You never fail

© 2006 Vertical Worship Songs (admin. by Integrity Music, Inc.)

schism

This video intrigues me because in many ways it shows the transition a believer needs to make in their journey with Jesus. Let me explain, the Scriptures talk about being a new creation in Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17) where a person is to take off their old self and its practices and put on the new self, which is being renewed as we learn more about our Creator, becoming more and more like Him (Colossians 3:9, 10). Simply put, when a person gives their life to Jesus, God begins to transform them from the inside out through His Word and Holy Spirit.

But, what I've found out from personal experience is that walking this out is much easier said than done because living as my old self is what I know, it's what I'm comfortable with. So, like in the video, I'm walking around trying to live as my new self, but find myself stumbling about because I'm still trying to live according to my old life and its practices. Maybe this is a bit of a stretch with the video, but what I've come to realize is that living as my new self in Christ demands a persepctive change: It demands a new way of seeing myself, others, and the world.

Unlike in the video, instead of trying to figure it all out and trying to take matters into my own hands, I need to continue to live by faith and trust that God is not done with me yet (Philippians 1:6) and that He will help me to transition into this new life that He has for me in Jesus which for all intensive purpose means I need to become more comfortable with my new self and let my old self fade away. It means embracing the future God has for me and doing all I can in not fighting this transition from old to new.