Galatians 5:7

Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?

Many begin well, but many don’t end well.

The word “hinder” in this verse literally means, “who broke up the road on which you were traveling so well?”

1.  Who are your main influencers?

Who we allow to speak into our lives can make or break us. Who we allow to influence our behavior and our attitudes directly impacts our walk.

Proverbs 11:14 tells us that victory comes in the multitude of counselors.

The advice taken from unwise counsellors can impede our purpose.

Good intentions are often sabotaged by wrong actions. When we surround ourselves with Godly counsel, and apply it, we can see success!

Proverbs 15:22 says, “Without counsel purposes (intentions) are disappointed (lit. broken up, frustrated). But in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

Be intentional about who influences you. Pay attention to those you spend the most time with. You can be a Godly influence on many, but if you digest a steady diet of foolishness, you will see the affects in your own life. It’s much easier to catch sickness then health; foolishness then wisdom.

2.     God Can Restore!

He can begin the road work that is needed in your life to continue the journey that you are on.

Psalm 1 tells us that when we delight in His Word and meditate on it day and night, we are grounded and we will prosper.

The word prosper not only means to be profitable or effective, but it also means to push forward. God’s Word will help us to push forward on our journey.  Don’t give up!

The Word renews our minds. Puts us in the right pattern of thought. God gives us hope every step of the way.

God doesn’t leave us when we’ve failed. He offers us grace in the time we need it. He offers restoration when it seems as everything has been destroyed in our lives. If we will trust Him and take Him at His Word, we will not easily be derailed.

Psalm 119:165

“Great peace have they which love thy law; and nothing shall offend them.”

Offend means tottered, weak, ruin, or waver. God’s Word will keep you at peace and offer strength for your road.

When things come to cause ruin in your life you can be like the 1970′s toy, the Weebles –  They weeble, wobble, but don’t fall down, but better than that you won’t even waver.

So be encouraged today to listen to the right voice and be a right voice in the lives of others.

Sarah DeLane directing Cornerstone's 200+ Choir & Band.

In working with more and more worship leaders I am being asked lots of various questions! One of the questions I want to answer for you is how to find simple solutions for fresh choir music and easy ways to rehearse on a small budget.

Praying for Protection, strength & the power of the Holy Spirit to be strong in them!

In starting this non-profit organization (Sarah DeLane Ministries), God, through you, has performed miracle after miracle.
My last trip was amazingly provided for!  Because of the fluctuating gas prices and the weakening exchange rate for the US Dollar, it was the most expensive missions trip I have been on to date. However, it was one of the most rewarding trips I have been on! To minister to people who have never even heard the name of Jesus and to introduce Him to them for the first time was priceless. (Follow up is being provided by our interpreter who is a local Pastor who came from their tribe.)

4 hr van ride up into the Mtns., 4-whl drive thru rivers, hiking thru 2 rivers to remote village!

The places that God has opened up for me was no easy trek! The tedious, winding roads up the mountains, the border conflict – where the local Army have been known to shoot people across the river  (the river serves as a border), the heat, mosquitoes, giant spiders and snakes have certainly been worth it all! The people I was able to minister to are considered the forgotten, however, we know that God has not forgotten them and they are not forsaken!

God Himself wants to visit with you! You are on visiting terms with the most high God!!! How cool is that?! The one who spoke and the heavens were made, wants and waits to visit with you.

David said in Psalm 17:3 – “Thou has visited me in the night”. As Charles Spurgeon said, “When the Lord visits us, He humbles, He removes all the hardness from our hearts, and leads us to the Savior’s feet”. It is there that we find sweet comfort. It is there YOU WILL BE REFRESHED. (Act 3:19).

Stop and converse with the Lord today. That means, not only making your requests known, but also be quiet and listen to His voice. Remember, 10 minutes with God can save you 10 years of agony down the road. If you long for Him, He much more longs for you!

Jeremiah 29:11

“I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you, plans never to harm you, to give you a hope and a future.”

Have you ever thought, God, do you see what’s going on here? Why am I in this situation? This was not in my plan!!! You are not alone.

The Israelites didn’t know why they had to go to the Red Sea, but God had a plan.

Noah didn’t know exactly why he had to build an Ark in the middle of a draught, but God had a plan.

Joseph didn’t know why he was dropped in a well and sold off by his brothers, but God had a plan.

Joshua didn’t know why they had to march around the walls of Jericho, but God had a plan.

Mary and Martha didn’t know why Jesus had let their brother Lazarus die, but God had a plan.

The 3 Hebrew boys didn’t know if they would survive the fiery furnace, but God had a plan.

And so, God has a plan for you in the middle of your conflict. Regardless of what you are facing, it doesn’t matter if you can explain it, understand it or think you can or can’t handle it. Romans 8:28 tells you that “All things work together for good”. And we know they are working together because whatever the journey or the process, it’s perfecting His plan and purpose in your life. He’s perfecting His plan and purpose in you.

It doesn’t matter if Hell is at your door, we know that Romans 8:31 says, “If God be for you, who can be against you”.

So let us stop asking “why?” and begin asking, “How can I glorify the name of Jesus in this process?” “God perfect your plan in me”.

God is on your side, He has a plan for you, trust Him and see! He has your hope and future!

Psalm 147:15b,18a

“…His Word runneth very swiftly.” “…He sendeth out His Word…”

II Chronicles 16:9a
“For the eyes of the Lord Run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong (to fasten upon, strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify) in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect (blameless, complete) toward Him.”

Even though we do have an enemy, we don’t need to fear. For greater is He who is in me! The devil comes as a roaring lion – he’s a poser. He’s not even a real lion! He walks about, but God’s Word, the living, two-edged sword, Runs, God’s eyes Run! I also am strengthened, as I wait on God, to Run and I won’t get weary!

In Daniel 7:25 it tells us that the enemy will “wear out” the saints. But Isaiah 40:31 says that the Lord shall renew my strength! Also in II Corinthians 4:16 it tells me, “…But though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. And Col. 3:10 tells me that I am renewed in knowledge after the image of God. And in Acts 3:19, that times of refreshing come from the presence of the Lord!

Therefore, according to I Peter 4:12 we aren’t to be shocked or surprised when we encounter hard testing that is like walking through fire. Rejoice! It shows that God’s glorious spirit is in you!

Yes we have a real enemy, but we have a real God who is looking for opportunities to show Himself strong on your behalf! His Spirit rests, rules and abides in you. Allow Him to increase and you to decrease today. Stay disciplined in your thoughts, emotions and attitude. Ask God to create in you a clean heart and to renew a right spirit within you. For He is your Master, your owner, you’ve been bought with a price, He’s your Savior, the joy and the strength of your life!

My prayer for you today is that you would walk in the strength that He has given you today and do not live in fear.

photo © 2009 sara ellis ware | more info (via: Wylio)

I’m sure that Jesus has looked at each of us and with great excitement He tells our stories. “See that one, she was in darkness, but now she belongs to me. I bought her, not with silver or gold, but I bought her with my very own blood. In fact, I was born to bring her back to the Father, and now she’s mine.

2 Corinthians 1:22 TLB
He has put His brand upon us – His mark of ownership – and given us His Holy Spirit in our hearts as guarantee that we belong to Him…”

Ephesians 2:7 TLB
And now God can always point to us as examples of how very, very rich His kindness is, as shown in all He has done for us through Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 2:12b,13 TLB
You were lost, without God, without hope. But now you belong to Christ Jesus, and though you were once were far away from God, now you have been brought very near to Him because of what Jesus Christ has done for you with His blood.

photo © 2008 Joe Flintham | more info (via: Wylio)

Blur-itis:

To lose clear vision. Common condition displayed in humans who don’t slow down in life to clearly focus on the big picture. Becoming overwhelmed. Results when too much happens at a too fast of pace.
Itis; to become inflamed.

Of course, I cleverly put these words together to make up my very own word. (I use the word cleverly loosely.) However, losing focus of the very things God wants to produce in you can be a tragic thing. Especially during the holidays, so many of us have a sense of being overwhelmed by the various events life brings, it’s easy to come down with a common case of blur-itis.

Symptoms:

Living life at top speed, exhausted from stress, hospital visits, a death of someone you care about, a sudden new responsibility or an added change in your daily schedule can all contribute to this condition of blurriness. Becoming inflamed (itis) when even the smallest obstacle causes great frustration.

Treatment Information:

STOP! Even if it’s just, what I call, a 5 minute vacation…stop. Put the phone down, turn away from the computer, close the door and take a few deep breaths!  Know that God has equipped you with everything you need that He has called you to do. (2 Peter 1:1-8) Stop what you are doing, rest and reflect on the Word of God.

MEDITATE: Don’t let your heart continue to be troubled! Say the scriptures out loud, so your own ears can hear. (Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God) Find scriptures that speak to your situation. Read what God has to say about you!  Allow the Word to locate you, to discover your condition (Hebrews 4:12) and to bring you healing. My favorite scripture is always the one that I need right now. Be familiar with God’s Word and meditate on it. The Word will renew you!

SAY “NO”! Accepting too many responsibilities will burn you out, blur your focus, and zap your “big picture” seeing abilities. Exhaustion is a robber of unfulfilled goals and clarity of vision. You cannot clearly hear or see when you are exhausted with unnecessary responsibilities. There is an enemy whose job is to wear you out. (2 Corinthians 10:3) Don’t let him do it!

CHANGE YOUR VIEW. Take a walk. Get out and play. I had a friend who was fighting depression, she made herself get out, even if it meant getting dressed up to go get a cup of coffee at McDonalds, get out and do something other than what you SHOULD be doing. Studies show that most creative, innovative thinkers are not slaves to the desk. They add variety to their lives and keep their minds sharp by enjoying life.

REACH. After having done the above, make sure you reach out to someone else. (Galatians 5:13 & 14)Do not be so consumed with the world of your own blurriness that you refuse to do the “focus work” in seeing those around you, outside your own world.  As you do this last step of reaching, your vision will become clearer, more focused and no longer blurry.

RE-FOCUS. 2 Corinthians 4:7-15 reminds us that our struggles develop us even when progress is not visible. We have to set our eyes on the invisible and the eternal value of any trial always exceeds the temporary hardship. Focus on the big picture! If it doesn’t matter in the light of eternity…it doesn’t matter. Re-focus on the plan that God has for you! He wants to do for you exceeding, abundantly, above all you could ask or think, according to the power that is at work within you! How exciting!!! 2 Corinthians 2:14 reminds you that HE always leads you to triumph in Christ! Let Him cure you of blur-itis!

Don Moen setting the tone for the night

Don Moen set the tone of the night with great worship! During the week it was interesting to see the veterans who were comfortable with the audience and some of the new-comers who were struggling to find that connection point. All through the night though, there wasn’t any struggle.

Each artist brought their own style to the table, but you sensed a great support from each artist for the other, which is always very cool.

Don & Chris

Don Moen and Chris Tomlin had a playful banter on stage regarding Chris’ key selection for congregational singing. Chis did a great job by bringing the audience deep into worship through “How Great Thou Art” a cappella, and slipping off the piano, unnoticed and the next artist rode the “wave of worship” in.

The next artist was Lincoln Brester. I am now a new fan of this artist. He was able to connect with his audience in a matter of seconds. We will be singing his song, “Today Is the Day” at our church soon!

Deep in worship with Gateway

 Kathryn Scott, from Ireland, had a pure voice that just provoked you to worship. Taking a closer look at her band, I noticed Paul Boloche backing her up on vocals and guitar. Again, great artist support!

One of my favorites of the night was Gateway Worship. We have done Gateway/CFNI’s, “Revelation” and “So Beautiful” for months now at our church and it has had a great impact on our worship. I could sense the spirit of God in that place, it was great!

Author, Gordon MacDonald

Some of my readers, (you know who you are, ha, ha!) have asked the continued blog that failed to publish from the National Worship Leaders Conference in Austin, Texas, so here it goes.

WORDS FROM THE WISE…

The General session speaker for Wednesday afternoon was Gordon MacDonald.

“When we lead people into the presence of God, we better know what we are doing. We better know where we are taking them and how will they leave.”

Great statements, sobering statements. This gentleman was a great communicator.

Gordon MacDonald

He focused on Psalm 73, consider the wicked and how they prosper. It wasn’t until David entered into the Sanctuary that his perspective changed from the “world’s way of thinking” to a Godly perspective. It was when he entered into the Sanctuary that he became “centered”. So many of the people who we are called to lead are coming from the realities of this world, we must ask ourselves; is our Sanctuary a place where they find their “center”?

Pay attention. How well do you know your audience?

MacDonald painted a great picture of an all too typical church; the ladies in the choir pointing and commenting, under hushed tones, to one who is dressed inappropriately for their church, the couple behind them relishing in the latest church gossip and a preacher who’s preaching is so out of touch with his church that you conclude; you could have found more peace by sitting on the deck, listening to Mozart and reading the Wall Street Journal.

NEVER let them leave without giving them hope.

He went through each generation with general questions, but relevant questions that they may be asking themselves. 20′s are asking if they are chosing the right carreer. 30 somethings are asking questions relating to their young family. The 40′s and 50′s are beginning to ask what they are going to do when the children leave. The 60′s generation, who are facing retirement, are asking who am I? What I do no longer defines me. The 70 year olds are asking another set of questions, “Do you know who I was”.

We have so many different people to lead into God’s presence, it is imortant that we are led by the Spirit of God in our song selection as well as our delivery and most importantly our preparation; to be sensitive to His leading.

I thought of all the situations and generations that sit in my church. That is the brilliance of the Living Word. The Holy Spirit speaks to every generation, every situation through His life giving, hope restoring Word!