Butterflies

The Holy Spirit is moving, and why am I surprised? I'm surprised because I forget that the perfect, all-powerful God who is able to exceedingly more than anything I could ever ask or imagine lives within me! I forget that my humanity and imperfections don't stop His perfection. We pray believing that God will move mountains. We seek His face. We want more of Him. Forgive us, Lord, for our forgetfulness; forgive us Lord for our busyness. We desire to sit at Your feet, Lord, and worship you. 


152 people gathered together to passionately worship our Creator. The room was filled with open hearts. We revived our hearts once again through worship, released our requests to the Lord interceding on behalf of others, and we shared communion together remembering and reflecting upon the sacrifice of God's son, Jesus, on the cross and His resurrection that has provided us eternal life and relationship with Him. 


Butterflies filled my stomach as I returned to my First Love. Life has gotten in the way of my clear view of my Savior. For that, I hurt. I want to walk daily aware of His presence within me. I have all of Jesus that I need. I know there are others who desire the same thing. I woke this morning still filled with His Spirit sensing the joy of last night. It is the feeling of tears welling up within me and emotions just about to flow over the brim of my heart. One person accepted CHRIST! Several worshiped. The words of one song that we sang just took my breath away.  I wanted to jump up and down and dance around the stage as I sang it to the Lord. The feeling is similar to that of falling in love all over again. butterflies. Enjoy and worship as you read the lyrics of this song: 


"Your Love Never Fails"

Nothing can separate
Even if I ran away
Your love never fails

I know I still make mistakes
But You have new mercies for me everyday
Your love never fails

Chorus:
You stay the same through the ages
Your love never changes
There may be pain in the night but joy comes in the morning

And when the oceans rage
I don't have to be afraid
Because I know that You love me
Your love never fails

Verse 2:
The wind is strong and the water's deep
But I'm not alone in these open seas
Cause Your love never fails

The chasm is far too wide
I never thought I'd reach the other side
But Your love never fails

Bridge:
You make all things work together for my good


Pastor Pete brought a timely and true word about love. Love that is real is so different than love that we see depicted in movies and media. Real love, love that comes from Christ, is this: 


I Corinthians 13: 1-8
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not LOVE, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. 
Love is patient,
love is kind,
it does not envy,
it does not boast,
it is not proud,
it is not rude, 
it is not self-seeking, 
it is not easily angered, 
it keeps no record of wrongs, 
love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 


It always protects, 
always trusts, 
always hopes, 
always perseveres


LOVE NEVER FAILS
LOVE NEVER EVER FAILS
LOVE NEVER FAILS


Do we believe this? This love lives within us. Do we believe this? Why do we keep from sharing THIS LOVE with everyone everywhere? Why do  we hold back? Love never fails. Let us not restrict this love to our romantic relationships; let us love the world with this love. 


John 13:34-35
A new command I give to you: Love one another. As I have Loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know you are my disciples, if you love one another. 


I leave you with this declaration written below that my father gave to me; proclaim it boldly and out loud over your life. 


JESUS YOU ARE WELCOME HERE!
THE ENTIRE CHRISTIAN LIFE I WILL EVER LIVE ALREADY ABIDES IN ME
FOR ME TO LIVE IS CHRIST
IT IS NO LONGER I WHO LIVES
BUT CHRIST LIVES IN ME
CHRIST IS ALL AND IS IN ALL


LET ME LOVE OTHERS AS YOU HAVE LOVED ME.