I Raise a Hallelujah

I heard the story behind Bethel Music’s anointed song, “I Raise a Hallelujah”. A few days before Christmas, 2-year-old, Jaxon, was airlifted to intensive care and the church began to fight for his life. A symphony of prayer rose up. Two weeks into the fight, Bethel songwriter, Jonathan Helser, received a text from the dad saying they weren’t sure Jaxon was going to make it through the night. As Jonathan read the text, he said, “A giant of unbelief stood up in front of me. All of a sudden, this song came out of my gut and the unbelief began to fall”:
“I raise a hallelujah, in the presence of my enemies.
I raise a hallelujah, louder than the unbelief.
I raise a hallelujah, my weapon is a melody.
I raise a hallelujah, heaven comes to fight for me.
I’m gonna’ sing in the middle of the storm.
Louder and louder, you’re gonna’ hear my praises roar."

Joel Taylor, Jaxon’s father and CEO of Bethel Music, recounts his experience, “God’s timing often doesn’t make sense until you look back to see that mountains were climbed and canyons were crossed on no strength of your own. In the battle for Jaxon’s life, the global church community rose up like a mighty army and joined us in prayer and worship all over the world. Our son was miraculously healed and today is perfectly healthy.”

I have my own “raise a hallelujah” story that began 15-years-ago when a young couple in our church had just given birth to their third child. This couple weren't just casual church attenders. They were all in! They served. They gave. So, when we received the word that little Owen had lung and kidney complications and his situation was very “touch and go”, we felt an urgency to go and encourage them in their faith -- to "raise a hallelujah" with them. After that first night, we continued to go regularly to encourage their faith. After leaving the hospital, Owen continued to have issues with his kidneys and lungs and underwent many surgeries and many hospital stays.

I’ve watched Owen grow in more will and determination than thought possible. We’ve “raised a hallelujah” many times in his life. Now, here’s our miracle “raise a hallelujah” story. This last weekend I went to Tulsa, really on purpose for several reasons. To see my dear mother-in-law, and family, see my niece play soccer, spend time with my best friends, and to see this precious family because it’s birthday month for all four of their children. My godson, Owen's recent medical reports, are at a level of 80% for his one kidney that survived and his lungs, which were only at 40% capacity before, are now at 75% capacity because he took up swimming. He has thrived in his swimming and his team will be going to State for Bishop Kelley High School in just a couple of weeks.

I saw him compete on Friday and Saturday in his regional competition against sophomores, juniors and seniors. He medaled 5th place. He is freshman. His mom showed me this text message between her and him: She texted him “Swim like the shark is chasing you.” He replied “I am the shark!” The will and determination of Owen, his family and all who are "hallelujah raisers" are standing for his complete wholeness. We won't quit. We will continue to “raise a hallelujah” for him as he continues to thrive. BTW – godmother’s little boast: He is also a straight-A honor student – excelling in so many ways.

I “raise a hallelujah” today because these stories aren't isolated incidents. They're the stories of so many who truly “raise a hallelujah” to God in spite of their circumstances. These two boys both faced death, but they both survived and thrive today. Who is “raising a hallelujah” for you today and who are you “raising a hallelujah” for? Let’s sing in the middle of our storms. Louder and louder, may our praises roar!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awkO61T6i0k&vl=en-US

Let’s Sing a Brand New Song

The old familiar Christmas carols are still echoing in my heart, but I know something new is on its way. Psalm 96:1 says “Sing to the Lord a new song.” That new song is made possible by the Incarnation of Jesus. A new song to the One Who became God in the flesh and Who makes all things new. A new song that revels in the Father’s love for us. A new song that makes our hearts leap with joy at the promise of the good news!

A new day -- a new year is almost here! We can start singing a new song and close the door to the old “My Love done me wrong” songs and the "Woe is me" songs. Our LOVE for God and His LOVE for us puts a new song of joy, hope, and peace in our hearts. It's an "Everything's gonna be alright" song!

What if we were given a gift on January 1st and the Giver said – “What you do today – how you love, how you express gratitude and hope and express joy in the middle of your circumstances, will set the tone for 2020. TODAY sets the precedent for a year of singing joy-filled, faith-filled, and overcoming-filled songs – but not just songs – living lives of each day being set for victory,”

I'm already practicing for 2020 today. I'm singing a new song, flowing from the relationship I have with God. You can sing a new song, too! Let’s join the angels in singing “Glory to God in the highest,” because we see signs of His glory everywhere we go (Luke 2:14). Let’s imitate Mary as we sing and magnify the Lord and rejoice in God our Savior. Let’s sing of the joy of knowing we have been redeemed by a loving God. Let’s sing even when we make mistakes because forgiveness and grace awaits us.

But let's not sing just because God has made us happy. Let's sing because it makes Him happy too! Sing a song that proclaims the wonders He has done. Sing a song that declares who you know Him to be. Our Father rejoices when we praise Him, not because He craves our attention, but because He knows how praise lifts our spirit, strengthens us against temptation, and fills us with a desire to share His good news.

And if you don’t like to sing, speaking it out is just as good. And here's another way to ensure 2020 looks different from any other year. Start spending time with God, and right now is a good time to start. A new start is in itself a new song.

“Lord, put a new song in my heart today. Stir your Spirit in me, and teach me to sing to you!”

Where Two Shall Agree.....

I’m in my cozy chair all set for my morning devotion and prayer time and I remember the sweetest surprise last weekend. My dear friends, Charles and Sheila Michie, invited several mutual friends over for a pot luck meal. Little did I realize it was a set-up to celebrate my birthday (26th). I was so grateful for this precious time of, literally, breaking bread together.

Christ started that fellowship when He broke bread with His disciples. Coming together to celebrate Him in us and us in Him. Some of my favorite memories involve yummy food and sharing God's love and caring like this. Scripture shows us how important it was to God for us to break bread together. Acts 2:42,46: "They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart."

Like that scripture says "breaking of bread, and in prayers", that's how it played out for us Saturday night. Following our meal, we headed to the Great Room where we sang and praised God that led right into individual prayer for each of us. At one point, I sensed the importance of the prayer of agreement for couples and for any of us who need a prayer of agreement. That kind of prayer is similar to a contract. I know what it means to have a binding contract having been in the real estate business for over 40 years. Contracts are the tool used to legally bind the parties in agreement to the specific terms and acts.

An executed contract is a done deal like Jesus' words in Matthew 18:20 about agreement -- when we take those words to heart and action. “I tell you, if two of you on earth AGREE about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there I am with them.” That, my friends, is a 3-fold agreement contract. A husband, wife AND God the Father. A friend, another friend AND God the Father. Think about this tremendous tool God has given us. So when I hear someone say “I set myself in agreement with your prayer – maybe for a desire for a better job, the well-being of a child or family member, or wisdom coming when making a big decision -- an agreement is taking place. Bottom line – because we’ve initiated a binding contract, we will NOT come out of agreement with them.

It is beautiful when a couple joins hands, prays and agrees together. The answer to that prayer is not up to us. It is up to Jesus’ words that when we agree in prayer, in the presence of God, it will be done by our Father in His perfect timing and His perfect way. Especially, when couples are able to breakout of their stand-off when they are in dis-agreement and come together in solidarity IN agreement, mountains move, waters are parted and heaven touches earth. I assure you….I speak from the many answers to prayer that my husband and I received because of our agreements in prayer.

The enemy desires for us to get into dis-agreements because he comes to kill, steal and destroy (John 10:10). But, Jesus came to give us abundant life and has given us the “how-to” by staying IN-agreement with Him and each other. Imagine the walls coming down in our marriages, our families, our businesses, our finances, and our health as two come together in unity and in agreement. Nothing is impossible with God, when we agree.

Sheltered in the Arms of God

Another thing to know about me....in the 70s, my husband, sister-in-law, a dear friend and I were The Master's 4 Quartet. We traveled the country in a 26' Winnebago (with our two kids pictured here) -- singing/playing Gospel songs in churches, camps, concerts and other venues. Those were great days of many and long road trips, rehearsals, performances and great ministry opportunities where we shared our life experiences and how God never failed to bring us through each one. The song, "Sheltered in the Arms of God" was one we were most often asked to sing. I think it was because it's a song of hope, encouragement and faith, but most of all the words spoke of the certainty of the arms of God that carried us each time we faced the uncertainties of life. If you're there -- faced with those uncertainties today, I encourage you to hold on and remember, you're not alone. So go ahead, praise Him in the storm because you're sheltered in the arms of God.
So let the storm clouds rage high,
The dark clouds rise,
They don't bother me;
For I'm sheltered in the arms of God.
He walks with me,
And naught of earth shall harm me,
For I'm sheltered in the arms of God.