Author: Elizabeth Fulgaro

I am a God-seeker--a Jesus-worshipper--a Holy Spirit follower. I create songs, devotions, prayers, books and Bible studies to give words with which to get to know God more. For you. Its for one-on-One encounter unto transformed, transcendent living. This is not my vocation. I am not professional. I am a real, ordinary person just looking to do what God put me here to do. (You have a unique purpose too.) So I am called to the work. It is not my income source, but my gift to those who find it blessing. Eagles Nest Foundation sponsors all projects for you. The result: pure, clean spiritual nutrition to feed that deep insatiable spiritual hunger which eventually overtakes each of us and galvanizes you to the life God has for you. This life is purposeful. Exceptional. You--yes, you--are called to something greater and more satisfying in His service. So it is hoped you'll try this spiritually dense nutrition and find it to be a personal blessing. However, the goodness of God-following doesn't stop there. He uses those who seek Him to be His love and care (justice, mercy, advocate, kindness) very tangibly in the lives of those around you. Not by your power but by His. His ideas. God ideas. Not just good ideas. To be part of changing the world, if you will let Him. You learn to just follow where He leads. That if you listen, He will teach you to hear His voice and then when you obey His inner promptings you will become His incredible hands and feet in this hard world. These materials will help! They will help you aim your life towards God in a way you never look back. You will not be the same. He will become the River in your desert spaces and you will become a conduit of this same River of refreshing, replenishing Water of Life to others. Find a prayer. Pick a blog post. Read a book. Be led deeper into the Bible. Select a song which resonates and use it and use it again to go close and ever closer to the God who longs to draw you near. Oh, and don't be tempted to think I'm a crazy over-spiritualized loony...My background is financial planning and counseling. Almost 40 years of it. To choose to believe in God is not to leave practicality and reason behind, but to learn that there is that which goes beyond it and includes it, unto true life fulfillment beyond all your dreams for the one who keeps seeking Him. I am a third generation Californian. I am a person to whom family means everything. The only priority higher is God. The foothills of the Sierra Nevada are my home. It is here the 1849-1856 Gold Rush is still glorified. Easy money? Actually only for the few. Even though I was raised in the Church, it took me ten years of doubting God even existed to realize that without Him, no matter how much of this life's "stuff" is accumulated, I actually have nothing. To come to know that all those who chased after gold are dead and all those who still chase stuff will be dead. That's when I became a God-seeker. Looking for that more. And Eureka! (This is California's state slogan and means I found it.) I found God...or rather, I discovered He was there and had been there waiting for me to look for Him the whole time. May you discover more of Him for you, greater flourishing life and greater flourishing for all in the world as well. God bless you! ~Elizabeth

Worship Song Stories: YOU are Always Singing

In the morning, I will dance to YOU. Twirling spinning declaring my love back to YOU. YOU’re always singing over me…. https://youtu.be/yHneLQ876lg

the story behind: YOU ARE ALWAYS SINGING

It was the night before. Where I didn’t know what was coming yet. The next day would bring an accident with our daughter hit by an SUV while standing on the sidewalk at a street corner waiting for the light to change so she could cross the street. This would be an incident she would sense coming. Not knowing what it would be, but with a deep foreboding it would be something evil. And where the whole afternoon of the day it happened, but before it occurred, the Holy Spirit kept whispering to me interiorly not to be afraid. Repeatedly emphasizing this to my heart even though I had no inkling why.

It was the beautiful rare evening before that which He foreknew would be, where the Lord enabled me to spend treasured time with my friend, Grace. At the piano, Grace released a new progression of chords. A hallmark of our friendship was worshipping God together. Here we were waiting to see if the Spirit birthed a new song to the King of the universe.

A melody came into my mind with lyrics which would go with the flow of the chords. Incomplete but there. “You Are Always Singing” began to take form. She played. I sang. We prayed our united worship would rise up to the spiritual heavens, joining the worship ongoing in heaven. That it would be as honoring, pleasing incense to the One who knew all things and had all power and loved us infinitely before we even know Him.

A year later in February 2018, as prayed about which songs to take to the studio to begin creating the Eternity worship album, the Holy Spirit highlighted this one. As he often did with new song ideas I bought, producer, Michael Everett, had a different idea of how the song should be. It felt right. In the months following the initial tracking, the Lord gave me the final lyrics. I recorded my final vocals and harmonies. With more of life lived in the time inbetween, I also understood more His reason for the song. The place it had gained in my life and may have in yours.

Have you ever been in a place of sadness, disappointment, general malaise or depression where you just needed God to be there, and you remembered that He promised He was? You needed to remind yourself He was providing and all things were in His hands, even when there was nothing you could see. And so you stretched up and out your hands to Him in faith toward that invisible which is greater than the visible. And you knew by that same faith and without doubt exists.

That’s what this song is about. That’s what it is for me. It’s an offering of consecration to God in trust that He is who He is and that He never leaves and never forsakes no matter what is going on. Especailly when I cannot see. So when I am singing this song, I am literally offering to dance for Him because He is. In that trust as I sing the song, and as I remember how He sees me and how He is there for all–in that moment–time stops and troubles fade. And I cry because His way is all so beautiful. Then through this worshipful declaration of what actually is, I am refreshed and strengthened with resolve so that I can continue to persevere in whatever is going on.

I hope this song will do the same for you! If you are in such a place and need a way to offer your love to Him in faith and abandon while letting Him remind you of where He is in this (and all things), listen to this song. Then listen again. Let it wash over you. Let the lyrics go deep. Listen and offer it to Him with me until He has etched these lyrics into your mind and onto your heart. Until you own the words as part of what you know with certainty down deep and you can offer them yet again. For in this place, which may well be a place of pain, hardship or perplexity, He will meet you. His Spirit will minister to you (which means serve you). He will refresh and replenish your heart. Its like putting your feet deep into the cool runnings of a stream. Its an encounter with the Holy Spirit who is known as the Living Water and water of life. You keep using the song (often repeatedly) to gaze at God in truth and at one moment the Holy Spirit is there touching you deep within and giving you just what you need.

Listen. Use it to become your own expression of worship.Come to rest in the song. Look for His encounter there beyond what you could hope or imagine. No matter the difficulties. No matter the day. May we worship His majesty together now and forever.

In the morning, I will dance for You. Twirling, spinning, declaring my love back to You. You’re always singing over me. Your love pours forth infinitely. In the evening I will dance for You. Praising, praying, declaring my love back to You. You’re always singing over me. Your love pours forth infinitely. Your song goes forth. Heaven resounds. All creation vibrates with His sound. There’s no place I’ve rather be than immersed in Your melody!

http://www.elizabethfulgaro.com

Growth Happens in the Waiting

**Wait** for the Lord; be strong and take heart and **wait** for the Lord. (Ps. 27:14 NIV)

Spring is so wonderful! Blossoms! Flowers! Bright greens in grasses and leaves in those unmistakeable hues which indicate newness! Hope seems to rise up in these new beginnings! And it should because in spring is the hope of fruit to come at harvest. That with which to be fed, but moreso with which God can feed others with Himself. The true Food, which heals us from the inside out and genuinely satisfies and accompanies us, leading us from here to eternity.
But spring is not to be mistaken as harvest. It is the promise of what could be, but is not realized yet. First there must be that spark of life which converts the potential of the blossom into the start of that which could become fruit. There must then be growth and conditions which maximize it.

This is how God works in us at all times and in all seasons. He wants us to benefit from a harvest of His healing as He nurtures and grows His priceless, eternal fruit within our souls. He wants to produce the fruit of His Spirit in us so that His love (the fruit-the evidence and proof of who He is) can flow through us His way to touch others with the reality He is. Tangible, practical acts of love and support. Spiritual encounter when His Spirit rolls through our obedience to Him (often in ways we do not realize) to help hearts know Him more on a yet deeper level.

Thus where we are impatient and just want to get on with it or where we just want Him to put His pow-er into making what we want happen immediately, in God’s magnificent and true way, waiting is never just waiting. Indeed, sometimes waiting is like winter, where storms seem to only destroy and growth is hidden away underneath where it cannot be seen. Sometimes growth is disguised by severe and painful pruning which life in the fallen realm dishes out. Sometimes being made smaller first is what enables that eventual productive harvest. God knows… Sometimes we get so excited about the signs and the start of what God seems to be planning or we believe is promised that we forget blossoms are not the ultimate, but the beginning. To be celebrated with childlike joy and wonder. But we must not stop there.

The world needs fruit. His. That must be grown in us. Usually this happens hidden under leaves close to the branches and of a color that the emerging fruit cannot be easily seen. This is by the Master’s design. The fruit is sour and cannot provide His sustenance as it was meant to if it is mistakenly plucked before His time.

Growth doesn’t just happen. It must be perserved through. This is not necessarily easy. Sometimes growth happens in spite of conditions and circumstances. When we are weak (and we will sometimes be weak) growth is happening because of God, but in spite of ourselves.

Growth must continue through challenges like pests and heavy summer heat. Or too much cool and dampness. Through climates which are less than would be ideal. Always dependent upon care and watering from the Master Gardener. And He is Faithful.

But as long as life remains, growth is always there. It must. No matter our age or period of life, in God’s eyes we are always His children and we remain in a constant stage of becoming. It is His way. Thus it is blessed.
In the waiting, whatever you are waiting for, God is using it to grow you to be more like Him to be His even more fruitful fruit to the world. Whether or not you are aware.

This can be hard. This is bliss!

Lord, have Your way with us!

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NUGGETS OF GOD’s WISDOM

God’s Wisdom is more precious than gold.This blog by Elizabeth Fulgaro helps readers discover God’s way versus the world’s one “nugget” at a time. http://www.ascendinworship.wordpress.com

Elizabeth Fulgaro is a wife, mother, writer, inspirational speaker, worship leader, composer, singer & recording artist. She is also a Certified Financial Planner, Accredited Financial Counselor and Financial Coach (FFC) with a heart for helping people know and encounter God more.

For more information on books, worship albums, Bible studies and teachings written by Elizabeth Fulgaro please visit www.elizabethfulgaro.com . Her book called: Truth-Spiritual Manual for Battle now available on amazon.com. Music can be purchased and audio clips heard at www.cdbaby.com/Artist/ElizabethFulgaro and on itunes and Spotify.

Prayer to the Lord my Rock

“My heart rejoices in the Lord; in the Lord my horn is lifted high. My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance. There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.” 1 Samuel 2:1-2 NIV

PRAYER Lord, sometimes there are echoes of praises resounding in my soul which are extoling You even as I long to extol You more. But as I seek to bring these forth instead of wordy, they are wordless. There. Awe. Confident trust. Majesty. Your essence and nature and being of Love. The Source of all confidence in what is because of what will be.

So I guess for the moment I will just enjoy You. You know all on my mind and heart. I know what You have asked of me and what You have promised. I have counted off the list of people and situations to You that matter so much to me and then laid them before You. Laid them there and let go obediently so I can be before You emptied. With empty hands and a mind no longer buzzing with thoughts which tend towards worry because You have impressed upon me that Your order for my day is praise. In this place. Because of who You are and how You love and that You are with every single one which I might be tempted to pick up and carry – because You made me to love, too.

You see. You know. And You are working through it all (it all!) -especially when I cannot see – for the consoling and healing of untold hearts and greater activation of Your exquisite, unfathomable plan of forever. (Jesus is is the season of Your cross!! And resurrection!! I see how and who You are!! And I cannot worry in Your presence!!)

In this moment, thank You that You are here, ready and looking to lead each one through what is and what is next unto life with You as You always intended forever.

You reign. Here my humble offering in response. Awe. Gratitude. Wordless petitions which are so deep and core they don’t even reach lips. And You are already addressing these. Sacrifice of praise (!) in the midst of whatever is and will be. Choice, choosing and choosing again to trust because You are. Humble bowed-down thanks. Yes, You reign. And in every storm, this makes You the Rock. The only One upon whom I can lean and rely. Richest blessing!! In Your mighty, wonderful Name amen.

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NUGGETS OF GOD’s WISDOM

God’s Wisdom is more precious than gold.This blog by Elizabeth Fulgaro helps readers discover God’s way versus the world’s one “nugget” at a time. http://www.ascendinworship.wordpress.com

Elizabeth also posts brief devotions and prayers on Facebook on her page: Spiritual Armor and Ammo where you will find more posts of God’s truth and His way to help you stand strong against the battles of this life in which we all find ourselves.

Elizabeth is the Founder of Eagles Nest Foundation which provides spiritual support & encouragement to military and military families as well as those in physical and emotional battles (such as cancer, long-term illness) as well as those grieving a loss. For information email heyeaglesnest@gmail.com or visit www.eaglesnestfoundation.org

In the Storm

Storms are natural. They are part of the seasons. An aspect of this mortal human existence on this planet. Storms tend to wake us up out of our complacency and re-awaken us to our own vulnerability. Which was always there, but we like to find ways to pretend is not. When we have faith in God, He promises to be there with us through every storm. However, He does not promise to eliminate the storm. And He does not promise no consequences from it. He tells us not to worry, because we can rely on Him, but at the same time….reminds us that each day will, will, will have troubles of its own…(Matt. 6:34)

What are we supposed to do with this? He calls us to pray, yet not worry. This may be a different type of prayer than that to which we are accustomed. We pray in an awareness of many aspects, including these four: God is in control; there is a supernatural battle swirling around us at all times (and God is greater); God calls us to partner with Him in prayer for release of His power for His will in all circumstances; in this world we will have many troubles (and God is with us unto eternity through them).
Thus how to reconcile these. Perhaps it is to both pray forward what the Lord lays on our hearts–to partner with Him to pray for His move in those things which He lays most on our hearts–AND simultaneously to release all expectations. To lay it all at His feet. Put it into His hands. Release everything to Him for Him to move according to His will. Sometimes it will seem as if evil is winning. Sometimes evil does win a battle. But never the war.

Consider the cross. There is no way the murder of Jesus Christ could be seen as a win for God in the moment. To all present and all those who had fled into hiding–to each one who had known, believed and loved Him–the murder of Jesus had to have seemed like the end. Yet, yet, yet what the adversary does use for evil, God works through to bring His eternally-minded good. Eternally-minded. Even though sometimes the current events are horrible…

Our eyes are so focused on here and now. We grieve. We weep! We fear. We are like little children thrilled with what is less and even as the Lord delights in us, He knows He is leading us through it all to more.

There is nothing wrong with appreciating the beauty of here and now and valuing the relationships. He made us for one another! He gives us gifts in the midst! He expects us to love and to grieve and to mourn when there is loss. He made us in His image. He made us to love! If we love, then we will also mourn.

If we lift our eyes to Him and let Him continually feed us with His eternal view where there will be messes and yuck and horror and hardship (where this life is never mistaken for heaven), then He can strengthen us through this storm. He can help you to stand firm in the midst with His armor on, while it rages around you. Hands emptied of expectations and heads bowed in united prayer, even as you then take the courage to raise those hands in abandoned worship. Trusting Him through the worst to bring His ultimate best not just for your life but for each one. (Yes, because He loves each one equally.) He will answer our prayers. The storm will end. In the meantime–

Lord, our times are in Your hands. Our trust is in You. Even in this storm because You are, we dare to rejoice. And give You thanks. Especially for Your action and presence and care because of love in the places where we cannot see. We trust in You. Lord, please let this storm pass at Your earliest moment. For now, please continue the work of healing bodies and hearts and of protecting those who so need it in this hour. Thank You. In Your mighty, wonderful, precious Name, Amen.

4/1/2020

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NUGGETS OF GOD’s WISDOM

God’s Wisdom is more precious than gold.This blog by Elizabeth Fulgaro helps readers discover God’s way versus the world’s one “nugget” at a time. http://www.ascendinworship.wordpress.com

If Today…

If today were to be my last day, let it be filled with Your love. Not the lesser, faulty, assumed-to-be-always-warm-fuzzy-and-fluffy human love, but Yours. Always honest. Always forthright. Always true. Not pushy or forceful, but there lived before all. In words and deed. Led by You. Not me. Merciful Compassionate. With loving-kindness towards all which sometimes is warmth well received and sometimes requires an edginess or that which is uncomfortable for the listener but needs to be spoken anyway. Rarely in anger and not ever to create fear or shaming. Never in hate. Always in love. Truth, which at its essence is equal love for all presenting itself. Visible. Though perhaps misconstrued or misunderstood. Or perhaps the one who hears not yet at a place where what is spoken can be heard. Perhaps imperfectly communicated. Perhaps some interference in the way (which can be on both sides)—spiritual, emotional, from past experience and birthed perspectives. Or perhaps an outright spiritual enemy assault.

Love must however remain if it is true in Christ even if at the moment it is misunderstood.

The Holy Spirit knowing the how of this because though there are basic principles—each situation is different. He knows. We don’t. For love we listen (to Him for His instructions). For love we seek to discern. For love of Him to obey no matter the personal risk or cost.

For such a time as this.

In the years to come they will look back and see the path we were on which our steps connected to make, often at this moment. The overview will be out of our view for now. Worship, pray, listen, obey is the God-given life rhythm. Worship, pray, listen and then obey unto love, unto loving. By the Holy Spirit. Working through our obedient submission, openness and readiness. In what we think is big, but most often in that which to our childlike minds seems small. For love. His. Always.

If this were to be my last day, let it be filled with the love of the Lord our God. Not mine. But His flowing through because I am emptied and being emptied more. (The process hurts!) This because I am adamant, I am a mere branch and must remain one, which is attached to my beloved Vine, Jesus, in my dailiness and in the exceptions. And all along the way, in most every season the Master Gardener (who is My Father) prunes me.

This is also love unto loving more. His love. Growing on the branch. Because of deep and deeper attachment to the Vine. Because of His vibrancy, life and truth (which is true love) flowing through. Producing. More of His fruit to supply a starving world. Never with my love, but His.

Lord, if this were my last day, and even if it is not—how would You have me spend this moment so the vibration it sends forth into a famished universe is love for You and love for them, which is perfected by You through Christ for Your glory, because it is for the salvation of the world? For love. For the sake of each one. In this place. In this moment. You are here. And You know the way for this moment. For today. Thank You, Lord.

1 Corinthians 13:1-8 (AMPCE)

1 If I [can] speak in the tongues of men and [even] of angels, but have not love (that reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion such as is inspired by God’s love for and in us), I am only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

²And if I have prophetic powers (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), and understand all the secret truths and mysteries and possess all knowledge, and if I have [sufficient] faith so that I can remove mountains, but have not love (God’s love in me) I am nothing (a useless nobody).

³Even if I dole out all that I have [to the poor in providing] food, and if I surrender my body to be burned or in order that I may glory, but have not love (God’s love in me), I gain nothing.

⁴Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily.

⁵It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].

⁶It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail.

⁷Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening].

⁸Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end].

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NUGGETS OF GOD’s WISDOM

God’s Wisdom is more precious than gold.

This blog by Elizabeth Fulgaro helps readers discover God’s way versus the world’s one “nugget” at a time.

http://www.ascendinworship.wordpress.com

PRAYER for the World 03/22/2020

20191004_133829 — photo taken of Sacred Heart of Jesus at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Los Angeles, CA on Oct 4, 2019

PRAYER for the World 03/22/2020
There is but one God, and You are He. We have but one hope and it is You. You ask us to come to You. You beckon and insist we bring our requests. This is because since You made us, You have designed to partner with us and through us to bring forth Your plans.

Holy One, how often we come to You with childlike delight asking for this or that which we think we want. And You delight to listen and then to answer. Your answers are sometimes inscrutable and we know this is because You are God. We are not.

But You say if we pray for what You will, then You will do it. You ask us to pray to Father and this prayer includes thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as in heaven. Hallelujah!! For this is our hope. And in You is our trust. Lord God, You love all. You love each and every one all around this planet You have created. Holy One, You are love. It is Your essence and this core attribute spills out in an unending stream of never-stopping, infinite, unfathomable mercy. We consider Your cross! The suffering You willingly, patiently, agonizingly endured for all of us!! This mercy is what we call on now. As Your children.

Evil is part of this world and thus suffering. But though You may accomplish eternal work through it, this suffering is not from You. Lord, there is an illness threatening the people You made and love on this planet. You know how to stop it.

We bow in confidence before You and not fear, for we know death is not our end, but we do humbly implore You, calling on Your grace, to stop this plague. Work through medical amd pharmaceutical professionals, work through nation partnering with nation. Do it in a way which surprises and astounds and causes people to recognize You as God, but help us Lord. In praying this we believe we are praying Your heart and that we are in Your will. In fact Your way demands that we pray for ome another. And so here we are.

You ask us to acknowledge You singularly as God and One who has the power. So here we are.

You ask us to trust You and not to fear. And so moment by moment we are laying this fear at Your feet and with emptied hands lifted in homage and praise, we say here we are.

We say where two or more are gathered there You are with us to answer our prayers. Here we are, choosing virtually to be together united, praying in Your name as Your allegiant workers ready to do whatever You ask.

We are not perfect, Lord. This is a key reason we rejoice in Jesus and His gift!! We need Your ongoing mercy and forgiveness. Especially for forgetting You and Your place. Yet we also know who You are. We do not want to be like this and ask Your Spirit to help to change us day by day from the inside out! Yet yet yet, Merciful One, in this moment, even as we ask You to clean us up, we bid You help us because mercy is Who You are.

Stop this disease. Do it in an usual or unusual way. Show us each what to do and not to do and when. Comfort the dying. Take those souls who have passed unto Yourself. Hold tightly the grieving in a way they can feel. Console the workers and keep giving them supernatural strength. There are many of them, Lord, in many fields. Guard their minds, hearts, spirit and bodies from the ravages of the disease, emotional toll and workload.

Help those of us who are well and know You to pick up the shield of faith to beat back the arrows of fear slung by the evil one. Show us pockets of opened time together with those now so closely around us or in our aloneness to be in Your Word, so that this sword of Truth is sharpened so we can fight back against negative thought attacks. Not with false hope but in confident trust given the reality of who You are.

You were pierced for our transgressions. You bled to death for love. This love poured out in Blood by Your Sacred Heart cannot be thwarted! You do not fail! Where the enemy comes against us like a flood there You are there bringing Your answer in unusual ways.

Lord, in this moment for such a time as this, we call on the power released as Your Blood fell drop by drop as You were tortured, condemned, carried Your cross and were crucified. At the first Passover, the Angel of Death passed over those homes which had the blood of a spotless lamb smeared over the doorpost. Those within were spared and given more time to live. Though we will all someday die, we ask You, Lord, for more time for the many. By Your Spirit and in the authority You give us, You are THE SPOTLESS LAMB of GOD and we apply Your Blood and its ongoing power unto belonging and life onto the doorposts of our hearts and petition You to enable this for each one in the world. Lord, save Your people for now. Give them more time. For their hearts being drawn further unto You and for Your glory. (That all would know You are God.)

We are asking and will keep asking until we see Your gracioua response. And we will worship You in the waiting. For in every moment and through everything, You remain God, Savior and Lord. Father, Jesus and Holy Spirit we pray all this is Your Name and adore You. Amen

#unitedprayertoendCOVID19 #Godisourhelp #prayer #trustGod #faithnessofGod #praytogether #unitedwestand #prayerfortheworld #covid19 #ocomeletusadorehim

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NUGGETS OF GOD’s WISDOM

God’s Wisdom is more precious than gold.

This blog by Elizabeth Fulgaro helps readers discover God’s way versus the world’s one “nugget” at a time.

http://www.ascendinworship.wordpress.com

PRAYER in the midst

20200313_183806

Lord, today we are aware that we do not know. At this moment we know we cannot see accurately. We understand that we are not in control. We never were in control. But today we are reminded. It is put before us that life will not always follow the path which we have come to expect as normal. And it is okay. The certainty we thought was there was always a myth anyway.

Today, we give thanks for the unknowing and the reminder that it is only upon You that we can rely. What gift! And how easily forgotten and set aside. Today, we pick it up again. This trust which must rely on You for alll things. And it is good.

This is not a blind trust that squeezes eyes tightly shut and hopes and hopes nothing bad happens. Things that we consider hard and horrible, painful and which cause deep mourning will happen. But You are with us through it.

Thank You for the reminder that this is not heaven and never will be. Thank You for the heads up that every moment in this wilderness we sometimes cling to too much, we are simply travelers on assignment as ambassadors on the way through. Until You bring us home. To where we have always belonged. In Your perfect moment.

All around us there is fear. When we belong to You and seek to follow You, there is nothing to fear. The worst which can happen is death and we know what lies beyond that (and it is good).

Thus, in this place where we would rather not be, we can lift our hands in prayer and praise, but we need not panic. Spirit, You remain there to guide us.

Lord, in Your love You see every need and have put each of us in places wehre if we will listen and obey, You will flow through us to bring Your kindness and comfort to the circles into which You have allowed us to be during what is a difficult and scary time for many all over the world. Thank You also for the change of pace, which causes us to look up from how we generally rush around in our own thoughts. Now there is a moment to pause. Thank You. And consider. This is generally unwanted, yet there is a gift in it.

Lord, in this time and place, we ask You to forgive us for being afraid. You are not angry at our anxiousness. We are Your beloved children and the thunder and lightning of the news can be scary. You are there to hold us tightly and carry every burden if You will let us. And so we are here looking to You. Looking at You. Majesty. Wonder. Awe. Remembrance of who You are and Your promises in every age. And Your comfort comes like a blanket for You are and remain. We are safe in You.

Lord, help us to come to rest in You right now (which is that to which You invite). All of this is not a surprise to You. How do You want us to utilize each moment of these different days? What would You like to teach us? How would You like to use us? What do You have to say to us which will help us be even better and more emptied-out, peace-filed, overflowing with Your love vessels for You no matter what is going on around us. Peace in every storm. Your peace, Lord. And at Your perfect moment You will tell this storm, too, to be still. And it will. Meanwhile, You are stilll here and still at work as Comforter, Teacher and gentle, loving Guide. Thank You, that when there is nothing else, You remain. Truly all we want and all we need. The rest will unfold with the passage of days and still You will remain. You are our forever. In the mighty, precious, magnificent Name of Father, Jesus and Holy Spirit, Amen

Northern California, March 17, 2020

#nofear #COVD19 #faithfilledlife #antidoteisJesus

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NUGGETS OF GOD’s WISDOM

God’s Wisdom is more precious than gold.

This blog by Elizabeth Fulgaro helps readers discover God’s way versus the world’s one “nugget” at a time.

http://www.ascendinworship.wordpress.com

For more information on books, worship albums, Bible studies and teachings written by Elizabeth Fulgaro please visit www.elizabethfulgaro.com . Newly published is a book called: Truth-Spiritual Manual for Battle now available on amazon.com. Music can be purchased and audio clips heard at www.cdbaby.com/Artist/ElizabethFulgaro and on itunes.

The Choice to Exert Worry-Bashing Trust in the LORD

20191203_192200 — Lord, we praise You for Your heart is singularly for us and not against us and You see and know all things.

photo and text by Elizabeth Burgard Fulgaro copyright 2020

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

It is a time of unusual tension in the air. Sometimes we are tempted to think we know how life will go. We never do. But often many of us in USA culture are blessed to live in the myth of stability. Now as news escalates our emotions with potentially scary “what-if’s” is a good time to reflect on the wisdom of God for us. (If He’s God and revealed in His Word, the Bible, then as GOD He is going to know better than we do! So we seek to see what He has to say about this.)

Over and over the Lord repeats that we are not to fear what we can see or imagine. We are not to worry or be anxious. Instead we are to trust Him.

²⁵“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. .. ²⁷Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? … ³³But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matt. 6:25,27,33-34)

The idea is fairly simple. Its execution is often harder. In USA culture, the subconscious message seems to be that we are supposed to worry. In fact, it’s almost as if worry is proof that we love someone–like if we aren’t worry, then we must not love. Yet, yet yet…God says not to and on a very practical level: what productive good does worry accomplish? Does it change the circumstances of the one we are worried about? Does it help us live more in God’s peace and joy? (Does it help us better hear His voice so we can follow where He is leading???)

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise. (Psalm 111:10)

God’s way is different. (Thank goodness!—I mean: THANKS BE TO GOD!) He tells us that to “fear” Him is the beginning of wisdom. This means we are more concerned about God than any other power. Any. Because His power is greater–GREATEST–for He is Almighty and Eternal and above all.) It means we know ultimately He is in control and that anything else is less. So we look to Him…

But what to do with the worry which bubbles up unwanted, attacks and can cripple the mind? You can begin by taking your thoughts captive to Christ.

You have probably heard some of these Scripture verses:

³For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. ⁴The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. ⁵We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (2 Cor. 10:3-5)

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. (Romans 12:2a)

To combat worry, we need to be aware of the thoughts which dribble in and then run loose through our minds (thereby impacting the condition of our hearts–our spiritual center).

Stop. Consider. Before you let a thought take hold like a thorn which embeds itself and festers until it is ultimately removed, evaluate it. What is this thought and what is its source? Is it worry? Is the root fear of what you don’t know? Of what is negatively anticipated as a possibility (but is not yet fact)?

We do not wage war as the world does. The weapons with whcih we fight are not the weapons of the world, though this is where we live for now. We need to demolish every thought that sets itself up against the knowledge of God. We need to be ever vigilant that our battle is not (is never!) against other people but against the principalities and powers in the heavenly places.

Let us say it PLAINLY. There is a spiritual realm, which is supernatural in nature and existed before any of us did. It is out of this spiritual realm that the physical realm was created. There are powers that are greater than we are in this spiritual realm which are seeking to affect our lives at all times.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Eph. 6:12)

Read that again–but do not be afraid. There are powers (SUPER-natural–beyond what we know to be normal) which are operating around us at all times in this spiritual realm which exists concurrently with the physical realm to which we pay almost exclusive attention. And…as the angels said to the shepherds watching their flocks by night when they encountered these supernatural spirits: do not be afraid!

Just be aware. GOD is greater. JESUS already, already, already brought the victory, but do not be naive. Spinning thoughts are not from God. They are from the other side and meant to cripple you. So….take your thoughts captive to Christ. Evaluate every thought in light of who you know God to be.

What is the source of a given thought? Is it fear? It is guilt? Is it shame? Is it self-hatred? What is it? Now consider–that thought which popped into your mind and is affecting your mood. Is this how God speaks to us based on who He promises to be?

God’s thoughts would not beat you up from the inside out or send you spinning. Jesus is the one who speaks Father’s heart when into the storms He says, “Peace! Be still!”

There will be storms. But we can rest in God during them.

Take your thoughts captive. Don’t let them run around freely and indiscriminately where the wrong ones (those not from God) can do a sneak attack on your mind and take you down into a pit. Pause to evaluate which are from God and worth attending too and which need to be kicked out by reminding yourself who God is and what He promises.

Those who have known me awhile also know that I am a big proponent of each of us seeking to live a lifestyle of worshiping God. Since 2006, the Lord has called me to record and make available on albums over 150 original worship songs to help give words with which to re-orient your thoughts toward Him.

This is one of the secret strategies to taking your thoughts captive and living in a state of more of His peace (and joy!) throughout all of life’s circumstances. This is one of the ways you overcome worry so that you can be more in Him, receive His gifts and are more available for Him to use in His mission to touch the world. When you choose to worship Him–when you exert that energy to choose to trust Him and extol Him and force yourself to gaze at Him when the thoughts rise to push you down into the worry pit–then He comes with more of Himself and etches His truth on your heart so that you are strengthened for the moment and the next time you don’t plummet so far and so fast.

Worship is not a particular song–though worshiping Him musically is powerful. (He created music! He sings over us and in heaven the saints and angels sing to Him. So music is a “thing” with God–a good, great, wonderful “thing!) Worship is an attitude of heart which keeps reflecting on the Truth instead of what we fear.

Choose trust. It is an exercise like going to the gym. It has to be repeated. It is so worth it.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.

Hallelujh! Yay, God! Thanks be to You, Lord! You…set…us…free!

END

NUGGETS OF GOD’s WISDOM

God’s Wisdom is more precious than gold.

This blog by Elizabeth Fulgaro helps readers discover God’s way versus the world’s one “nugget” at a time.

http://www.ascendinworship.wordpress.com

Elizabeth is the Founder of Eagles Nest Foundation which provides spiritual support & encouragement to military and military families as well as those in physical and emotional battles (such as cancer, long-term illness) as well as those grieving a loss. For information email eaglesnestfoundation2007@gmail.com or visit www.eaglesnestfoundation.org

He is the Lord & He is Not Done

It has been a theme before in previous posts. To see and recognize God in our storms–not just for us but especially for those we love. For those we hold so closely in our hearts, where what happpens to them affects us because we love. It is a theme which bears repeating because as a result of our love we also hurt and God wants to remind us that He is ever there, never leaving or forsaking either them or us.

So here we go. Another look at our God who not only is in the storm, but still it. He alone. From here to eternity. Always. Forever. He is our anchor for the soul. Ever firm and secure. Hebrews 6:19 reminds us.

There are those moments when we know that that in which we find ourselves enmeshed is so beyond our power. We always know we have no power, but in these times, we know it fiercely. We know it will take God’s hand to shift what seems to be. We know we are not equipped for that which we face.

We should feel aware like this at all times. But we do not. We should always be celebrating what we cannot do, but He can.

Despair comes when we have pinned our hopes on anything different or less than God’s plans. When we are desperate for Him to do what our hearts seek.

It is not wrong to have hopes, dreams and desires for ourselves and those we love and care about. But it is bondage when our hopes and dreams hold us captive to worry, anxiety, despair and fear in the waiting. We are called to a joyful hope. For confident trust in affliction. To peace in the storm.

Just as with the disciples who forgot Jesus continued to be aware and have a plan even when He was very much asleep in the boat in the midst of the storm, we need to remember God neither slumbers or sleep, really. And when we think He has not heard or seen, He very much has. He continues to reign and work through all of it. In the ones we love and in the circumstances we have ongoing around and beyond us.

We are told to let go. To give them to God. Perhaps in the midst of this, we would do well to simultaneously grab God’s hand and hold tightly to it. Perhaps our hope is found in being His child. This is His call to us. This is that to which He invites.

He is not only our Gift to eternal life. He is our Gift now. He is the One to whom we cling. He is the One into whom we lean. He is our blessed support. He is the Lifter of our heads. He is the breath of peace which relieves that which presses down on us. We look to HIm. We are reminded who He is. The One who is Love and never fails us. Ever.

All the ones to whom we hold so tightly in the hope, in the hope, in the hope for all which the world tells us is required to have a “great” life are known by God and our concerns completely understood. It is not that He does not care. Nor is He slow to answer. But honestly His focus is not on these things. His principle focus is on the recapture of our hearts fully for Him. Both the ones we love and ours.

He is looking. He is longing. He is working. He sees today. Yet it is eternity which consumes His attention because of His longing. Because as love He wants us. Ever one with Him. forever. Starting now and drawing closer without end.

There is also the grand paradox of how God works in this self-seeking fallen realm. He is the God who seeks us and has been seeking us. In fact, He never stops and will not. He also does not fail.

Yes, the grand paradox where He, He, He and He alone takes everything the adversary means for evil and uses it toward eternal good. He uses it like a seed which dies–like He Himself who died. Out of the most horrible situations. He already has the plan in place to bring life from this. Greater than we can imagine. Out of what seems like dust. The seed which is technically already dead, falls seemingly finished into the soil. There put away forgotten and in the dark, the water comes into the soil. Suddenly the nutrients which were always there around it are absorbable. The water softens the outer shell which accompanied the seed in its death. Then the miracle occurs. It is God! Only God! In a way unanticipated! By the touch of the water in a way which cannot be ultimately discerned a new life begins. It comes unstoppably forth out of that which appeared to be finished and had disappeared from view. By God’s power! By God’s miraculous, ever-seeking, ever-loving power. (Which is life.)

There in the hiddenness still new life begins to grow. Roots first plunging down into the soil so that it can continue to take up what it needs via the nutrient dense water to grow and ultimately there will be a harvest. Many, many, many seeds from this one.

This is God’s way. He is never finished. Working through every storm. And so we hold tight to the anchor He is. Eyes on Him. Being the child. Letting Him lead. Steady. Leaning in. Not tottering. Today. Tomorrow. Blessed.

Rejoice in the Lord always! I say it again, Rejoice!

END

NUGGETS OF GOD’s WISDOM

God’s Wisdom is more precious than gold.

This blog by Elizabeth Fulgaro helps readers discover God’s way versus the world’s one “nugget” at a time.

http://www.ascendinworship.wordpress.com

Elizabeth Fulgaro is a wife, mother, writer, inspirational speaker, worship leader, composer, singer & recording artist. She is also a Certified Financial Planner and Accredited Financial Counselor with a heart for helping Christians understand and steward their finances God’s way.

Elizabeth is the Founder of Eagles Nest Foundation which provides spiritual support & encouragement to military and military families as well as those in physical and emotional battles (such as cancer, long-term illness) as well as those grieving a loss. For information email eaglesnestfoundation2007@gmail.com or visit www.eaglesnestfoundation.org

Morning Prayer of Awe, Thanksgiving and Consecration

Holy Lord, to begin the day with praise for You is sweetest joy. To revel in Your sovereignty and bow down to Your majesty. In You all riches are found and life’s only abundance. There is no other true or lasting joy. Your love spirals out unceasingly in Your unstoppable all-good plan. There is no other flourishing except through life in You.

What the adversary means for evil, You use for good even unto Your magnificent sacrifice of Yourself on the cross. The cross was a plan born in evil, twisted, power-hungry, self-righteous minds. But God, You knew. And You were not done. In Your dominion where no one and nothing is ever above You (You cannot be out-witted), You took the enemy’s most heinous moments, plotted and executed against You as King of kings, to usher in Your plan to restore eternal life to all of us. To me. Death encroaching could not have its way. For through the death, resurrection life gushed forth. Like new life bursts forth from seeds as winter moves into spring and gives birth to a voluminous harvest far beyond itself, thus by this ultimately failed plot, countless now through innumerous generations can receive this same resurrection life. You gave Your life for each and every one… For me…

Though it appeared all was lost, You used the enemy’s own design in Your greater, omnipotent, omniscient design of immense, transcendant, transforming good. You remained Conqueror. You are always Victor. You do not fail. Evil remains, but it is passing away. Because of You, this is certain.

Gentle Shepherd, You lead as a Guide through all of it to bring Your sheep (every single one) into fullness of life in You and with You now and forever.

What the enemy means for evil You use for good. What the enemy means for evil, You use for good!

Evil is real. Hearts ache. Injustice is.

Yet there You are with us–with me–having sweat Your own drops of blood and stretched out Your arms to receive the unjust, humiliating, excruciating nails in Your hands. There You were and remain as Comforter, wrapping Your great, supernatural, spiritual arms around each of us, often through the arms of others and sometimes via angels who come alongside. You weep with me as I weep and oh-so-graciously moment by moment, You get me through.

You made me to love and so there are times tears fall, but I am never alone. You are not done. Your redemption unto eternity and sweet, forever reunions lie ahead.

Your ways are inscrutable. You remain unknown even as You allow Yourself to be partially known. You came down to allow encounter with You. You came down to allow Yourself to be seen. (JESUS!) You came down so that You can be in me (Spirit) and I can live in You.

My refuge. My hiding place. My high tower and sanctuary. My dwelling place…Every moment Every day. No matter what. You are!

And in this moment even now there is a waterfall of Your grace pouring out to give me strength to carry on, especially when the path for the day’s journey is arduous. When I cry out because I stumble and get so weary, You take the rocky roads before me and You make level paths. Then in those moments when despite all my attempts at ardent faith and best intentions, it just becomes too much for me, You carry me through.

Held close to Your chest, You let me encounter the heartbeat of Your love. Sometimes this is subconscious and sometimes this is conscious. You enable me to survive. To keep going. Even when there can be moments I’m not sure I want to. Holy, mighty, loving, kind, gracious God.

Your love reigns. Your love supercedes. Your love wins. Eternity in reach because You are and nothing can stop You.

Pain will end. At Your appointed time. Grief will dissipate because You care and You came down. Sorrow, disillusionment and horror at the moment are never lasting because You created me to be ever living with You, who have always been everlasting.

You and only You are my life, my love and my hope. Because of who You are. No human words adequate to tell You. Yet and yet with childlike wonder, abject reverence and unspeakable gratitude I say, thank You that You are.

I am Yours. Lead on. I will go rejoicing because all, all, all trust is in You. Gentle Shepherd, Holy One, I love you.

END

NUGGETS OF GOD’s WISDOM

God’s Wisdom is more precious than gold.

This blog by Elizabeth Fulgaro helps readers discover God’s way versus the world’s one “nugget” at a time.

http://www.ascendinworship.wordpress.com

Elizabeth is the Founder of Eagles Nest Foundation which provides spiritual support & encouragement to military and military families as well as those in physical and emotional battles (such as cancer, long-term illness) as well as those grieving a loss. For information email eaglesnestfoundation2007@gmail.com or visit www.eaglesnestfoundation.org