Worship – Nuggets of God's Wisdom

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 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.

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.

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 eaglesnestfoundation2007@gmail.com or visit www.eaglesnestfoundation.org

Andrea’s Song

3679 — *Andrea O’Brien and Elizabeth Fulgaro following 2nd annual Carols At The Capitol – Sacramento, CA 12/13/14*

I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord. (Ps. 118:17 NKJV)

Andrea O’Brien was my close friend and prayer partner for over 15 years. Andrea O’Brien lived large. She wanted everyone to know her reason for living: Jesus Christ as personal Savior and Lord. He was the centermost focus of her life. Oh, she fervently loved her husband, daughters and son with a fiery, unstoppable love, but the center of her life was Jesus.

Following her January 14, 2014 colon cancer diagnosis, she felt as if the Lord Himself (via the Holy Spirit) had highlighted several specific Scripture to hang onto and help bolster her faith to trust God for healing during her illness.

In particular there was Psalm 118:17: “I shall not die, but live and declare the works of the Lord.” She made sure it was prayed over her daily, often by her son.

Andrea knew her God. He was Supreme. He was Creator and Almighty. He conquered every one of the adversary’s schemes. He was eternal Victor. He was also good because He was Love. He could do whatever He wanted. He had raised from the dead. He answered prayer. Ask and the door would be opened. Seek and we would find. Illness was as nothing to Him. He was Divine Restorer and Healer.

Her cancer was not from Him. It did not exist in heaven. It was part of this fallen world in which we live. It was from the pit of hell.

Andrea knew God could do anything. Her focus was to keep living. She had a family she fiercely loved and believed she had work still to do for the Lord. She wasn’t ready to pass from our present into eternal life.

Often she said she could not believe that to die of cancer was God’s best for her. Certainly her Lord could would heal her if she just believed firmly enough and did not doubt. If she had faith in what the doctors said was impossible, the Lord Himself would heal her. Then she would proclaim His works—how the doctors had said she would die, but when she didn’t the world would know God was real because of the miracle He had done for her. It would be glorious!

Helping others learn that God was real, to be believed in, trusted, chosen as Lord and followed was a main objective in her life. She wanted to shout it from rooftops and mountaintops (and tried whenever she could) that if they did not choose to believe, then they would not have eternal life with Him. We needed to not just believe but follow Him—to be activated in our faith and wield the Word of God as the sword of His love and truth to introduce more to live for His kingdom from now through eternity. Andrea was bold in her faith, speaking about the need for Jesus in order to receive the promised life to come, wherever there was opportunity and sometimes creating opportunity where she initially saw none.

But despite strong faith and best efforts, the illness progressed. On Tuesday, June 2, 2015 she succumbed to her illness. Brave, resolute, strong Andrea O’Brien’s physical body failed. She died.

Two days later, on Thursday, June 4th I had the most amazing experience. It was mid-afternoon. I was busy flitting around our Placerville, California home getting ready to head out on a trip, when I unmistakably heard Andrea call my name. No one forgot how her voice sounded when Andrea called a person’s name like this. This was her firm, turn-and-listen, pay-attention-to-me voice.

I thought I was imagining things, yet I deep down I knew I wasn’t. My attention was always turned to listening for the Holy Spirit. I did not give any effort to trying to hear any spiritual voice but God’s. None. I didn’t want to hear anyone or anything besides God! Yes, I understood that after death if we believed in Him we are with Him and more alive than ever, but it was from God alone I sought knowledge, not the souls of those who had gone before.

She called my name a total of three times in the same tone. It was faint, but insistent like a whisper floating on the breeze. It was unmistakable. I busied myself with my tasks. If I was imagining this, my busy-ness would likely overwhelm what my imagination was conjuring. If it was real—if it was Andrea trying to let me know something—then, well, nothing would stop it.

Her message continued. Each phrase stated three times to make sure I heard it before moving to the next.

“The Lord is great. The LORD is great! The LORD is GREAT!

“It is beautiful here. It is beautiful HERE! It is BEAUTIFUL HERE!

“Tell everyone. Tell EVERYONE! TELL EVERYONE!

“I am free. I am FREE! I AM FREE!”

And then it was over.

I sobbed. Dear beautiful Andrea who had fought death so valiantly and worked so hard to remain in this life. Feisty, adamant, faith-filled Andrea who trusted, even demanded her Lord heal her so she could continue to stay with her husband and children, who didn’t want talk of death around her so she could stay strong in faith (and fired hospice nurses for talking too much about death). Now her good report. She had not wanted to die, yet following this physical death could proclaim the greatness of our God. She was not mad at Him for not healing her. She was proclaiming the wonder and beauty of heaven and the gift of true, real freedom through eternal life with Him. She was joy-filled!

Several months later I had a meeting with one of her daughters regarding carrying on Carols At The Capitol which Andrea had founded in 2013 in obedience to the Lord’s request. We spoke about Andrea’s unexpected message. Alanna looked at me squarely. Well, the verse she prayed has gone into fulfillment, hasn’t it.

“I will not die but live and proclaim the works of the Lord.”

Through this brief, supernatural experience, Andrea had fulfilled the Scripture she had prayed for so many months, but in a manner far more profound than she had ever expected. She had hoped to declare a physical healing which revealed the miraculous power of her God. But every person who experiences a miraculous physical healing will still eventually die. That is, except for those who as followers of Jesus enter into their eternal inheritance of living with Him and the saints who have gone before forever in His presence in the eternal Kingdom of God.

Instead the Lord had Andrea proclaim His victory over death through faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord and following Him.

Andrea was not dead. She lived. And now from heaven she proclaimed His greatest work. There was life after death. The Lord God was faithful to fulfill His promises. There was profound, unspeakable grief for those left behind and there would be reunion. To all who would hear, God was real. Death was not the end. Heaven was real. It was all worth it. Glorious!!!

“All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matt. 11:27-29 NKJV)

God would provide. For Andrea the evangelist, this proclamation of the victory of His gift of life beyond death was her greatest and most lasting message.

A few months later while driving a song with melody and lyrics to convey her message dropped into my mind from the Holy Spirit. In 2016 working with Michael Everett at The Creation Lab, and with the additional talents of Mark Davis and Brandon Davis, it was recorded it and placed on my brand new “My Dwelling Place” worship album. It is entitled, “Andrea’s Song”. It is to tell her story. It is to make sure as many as possible hear her faithful declaration which fulfills the Scripture.

ANDREA’S SONG (The LORD is Great)

“I will not die but live

And proclaim the works of the Lord.”

This is the verse she prayed

So the Lord would heal her

But the illness could not be stopped

The day came she died

Then came her voice as a whisper

She’s alive

CHORUS

The Lord is great. It’s beautiful here

Tell everyone, I am free

The Lord is great. It’s beautiful here

Tell everyone, I am free

BRIDGE

She wanted the world to know her Savior

She wanted the world to choose Him too

She wanted Him to heal, He healed forever

Now she proclaims from heaven she’s alive

CHORUS

Like Andrea, we place our hope on the Lord and His promises until it is our turn to cross over into the fullness of His presence. For now Andrea presence’s here with us during this temporal life is still missed. She is deeply missed by all know knew and loved her. Yet, there will be reunion. The promise is real. Andrea, thank you for reminding us. PRAISE TO YOU, LORD JESUS CHRIST!

(Note: link for Andrea’s Song will be posted here as soon as available.)

The 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, Accredited Financial Counselor and financial coach with a heart for helping people understand their money and steward it God’s way.

For more information on books, worship albums, Bible studies and teachings written by Elizabeth Fulgaro please visit www.elizabethfulgaro.com . Music can be purchased and audio clips heard at http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/ElizabethFulgaro and on itunes.

Elizabeth is the Founder of Eagles Nest Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit 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.

The Deer on the Hill (and Carols At The Capitol)

Lord, we come to adore You, Victor Savior and King. Heavenly host declared Your coming. We gather today to sing. We declare who You are. Every promise is true. We rejoice in what You have said, in who You have been and will always be. Heavenly King, we adore You. Yes, forever.

The date was Saturday, December 14, 2013: the first Carols At The Capitol gathering. I had spent the night at our Placerville home to be closer to the state capitol, Sacramento. The Lord called me out on a walk shortly after dawn. The air was cold, frost covered the little valley like a light blanket of snow. It was spectacular. The path crunched under my feet. Ice decorated the leaves on nearby blackberry vines like lace. I watched as the flock of swans rose from the reservoir on their daily flight around the area, the newly risen sun tinging their wings with cream-colored gold. At the conclusion of the walk just before I went back inside, the Lord prompted me to turn around one last time at the back garden gate. He nudged me to point my camera up the adjacent hill. I thought it was to be positioned to take a photo of the still rising sun through the trees. However, at the moment my camera was in place, a doe came forward on the slope above and into view. Her warm breath condensed into puffs like steam as it came forth from her nostrils. We stood staring at each other.

In that moment I realized that though December 14, 2013 was Carols At The Capitol to me, to the Lord’s creation it was just another day—and this was a good thing, it was a God-thing. We place varying degrees of importance and value on different days. To the Lord they are all of equal important—of great importance. Each is to be savored and simply lived trusting Him and thus in His peace.

There was some nervousness which accompanied the first Carols At The Capitol. All we wanted was the Lord’s will and we had worked so hard to create what we hoped He wanted. Would anyone come? Would it be what He had wanted? Had we heard Him correctly?

The deer on the hill. The swans in morning flight. Blackberry leaves frosted with frozen lace. An inner sigh.

There was no pressure in this day. There was to be no pressure in any day. It didn’t matter if anyone else came. It was His will for us to be there. And so we would be. Period. We would make our imperfect, childlike offering of Christmas worship on the steps of the state capitol. To our Lord this would be like any other day. He was simply looking if we would obey.

He had asked for us to simply come and offer Christmas carols as worship—to come seeking Him like the Wise Men. No more. No less. Simply….Simply that. Simply worship. Simply joy. Simply peace. All from Him as we did it for Him.

There was no concern or pressure necessary. It was simply our task for the day. His task. It was to be bliss, not worry in every regard.

If we just came and offered the Christmas carols as worship, as He had seemed to be asking, He would bless it according to His promises. As He had promised my friend (and Founder of Carols At The Capitol), Andrea, if we would worship Him with Christmas carols at the seat of human government, entering the gate into the courts of the highest place in the state, then He would bring us a righteous leader. Was it righteous leader or was it the Righteous One as our Leader?

Recently, in discussion with Andrea’s daughter, Alanna, it has seemed clear He meant if we would simply go seeking Him like the Wise Men and make our offering of Christmas worship, then He would inhabit our land with more of Himself because by our worship we would be welcoming Him (inviting Him to have His way with us no matter who was in government).

Today, we gather again at state capitols to sing Christmas carols as worship to Him with one voice–not only in California, but in other states as well. Andrea worships from heaven, already in the presence of our King. We come seeking this true King, whose Kingdom is not of this world. We come to adore Him, to acknowledge Him as our true Leader, to give Him our hearts and our lives, pledging allegiance to Him by acknowledging what He has done and will do. Christmas carols. Christmas worship. Simply. Our hearts full and overflowing with joy because He came, lived, died, rose and is coming again.

Christmas was the beginning of the fulfillment of all His promises. We begin with Christmas worship to invite Him to be the Righteous Leader over all of us again, and to sovereignly influence the minds of those who govern to rule His way in love, fairness and justice.

All creation is constantly declaring His glory. All the time. Every day. No matter what.

We join creation and sing. Christmas worship. We declare Him with hearts filled with joy. And we thank Him for another day to declare Him and live in His perfect provision and care until our days here are done and He takes us home.

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 or to schedule her to come speak to your group please visit www.elizabethfulgaro.com . Music can be purchased and audio clips heard at www.cdbaby.com/Artist/ElizabethFulgaro and on itunes.

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 elizabeth@eaglesnestfoundation.org or visit www.eaglesnestfoundation.org

Walk on Water Worship

IMG-20121027-01696 — Magnificent God with eyes filled with unfathomable love. You are the all-powerful One, and You see all that is going on in this world. You did not promise life would be easy here. But You promised to be with us. And so we lift up our thoughts so we can see only You, believe in Your Word and step forward knowing You are there and will not let us drown. You are the only One with the power to save now and forever. All things are in Your hands and we choose to rest in You in all the rocky, difficult places. Thank You for Your constant love and care. In Jesus’ name, Amen

When you are in a hard place or having a difficult time, choose to worship God and let Him meet you in that place. By persevering to worship when it doesn’t seem as if one could, we are reminded of who God is, the height, depth, majesty and infiniteness of His nature, the eternal unending expanse of His love, and the glorious manifesting of His care and power which come into our circumstances and are for us and never against us no matter what this temporal world throws at us.

The manner of worship does not have to be weighty, complicated or fancy. God cares nothing for that. He is about the heart. He is always about the heart. Simple worship in difficult and even desperate times is an expression of faith. It is an outworking of trusting in Him with our whole heart and leaning not on our own understanding. It is a commitment to follow Him wherever He leads knowing only He will make our paths straight.

And isn’t this what our Lord asks of us? When we choose to trust our invisible, almighty, all-knowing, all-good God in spite of contrary thoughts running rampant in our minds, when we choose to rely on God by determined self-will when all seems wrong and nothing seems right, we are demonstrating we have the “fear of the Lord”, which He requests from us in order to be in right relationship with Him.

Choosing to worship in the storm means we are choosing to believe He is who He says and will do what He has promised when there is as yet no visible, tangible evidence. It shows we know He is most powerful and still in control when everything seems to be falling apart. Worship when the waves are high and it seems certain we will go under and never rise again is a sacrifice of praise the Lord meets with the kiss of His power released in ways beyond anything we could anticipate into the circumstances which have been weighing us down. And by it, He will cause us to walk on top of the waves because by worship our eyes are kept necessarily on Him (unlike Peter who looked down).

You may not be able to tell how great His power is within you enabling and sustaining until the crisis has passed, but He is there–ever faithful–to help those who look to Him to get through the difficulties in this hard life which will be.

What do I mean by “worship”? Contemplate His majesty. Bring to mind the many names by which He is called for in each one is a beautiful aspect of who He is. Extol Him for His promises such as that He will meet our needs. Thank Him for what He has done–remembering and listing it out–and expressing our gratitude now before the prayer we have uttered is answered for what we know He will do because He has promised He will get us through until that day when He personally calls us out of this hard life and takes us home.

Until then we worship on earth as in heaven, worshiping in song when we can, for angels, elders, living creatures and those who have gone before are singing forth their adoration of our Lord ongoing in heaven, just as our Lord sings over us. But in the absence of song, the singing of our hearts adoring Him in thought, word and deed honors Him as well.

When we make this difficult choice to worship in the hard places, our Lord is honored and glorified more than almost any other way, for it takes a conscious choice to believe He is who He says in order to do this. It is “Walk On Water” worship for our choice to have faith and trust in what we can neither see nor prove causes our eyes to stay on Him and He blesses us by ensuring we do not drown. We do not pretend we understand. But we acknowledge that through it all, He remains unchanging God. As a result of our choice to let Him be who He is, He draws near and answers, strengthens us and uses all, all, all, all, all things for good in light of His eternal, all-good, rescuing plan.

Selah! (Pause and calmly think of that!)

Below are lyrics to several worship songs I have recorded which are for use when you are trying to keep your eyes on Him in life’s storms so indeed He by your worship He can enable you to walk on water.

Walk on Water

1 The way, the Truth and the Life the only Light in a darkened world. Word made flesh and crucified. Yes, that is who You are.

2 Redeemer, Savior, Lamb of God, the only perfect Sacrifice. Merciful Father, Spirit of Truth. Yes, that is who You are.

Chorus: Walk on water, straight into You arms, You will keep me safe no matter what the storm. Walk on water, eyes on Your gaze. I will trust in You for who You are.

3 Peace, peace, when waves come, when storms roar, when mountains fall down. Peace, peace, you reign in my heart, in I AM I rest secure.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea. (Ps. 46:1-2)

Lion and Lamb

1 Lamb of God, You have won. Lion of Judah, You reign. All You have said, You have done. We rejoice.

Chorus: Lion of Judah, Lion of Judah. Lamb of God, Lamb of God. King of heaven, our Redeemer. You reign; You reign.

2 Lion of Judah on the throne. Lamb of God, You were slain. Every battle You have won. We rejoice.

Sing for joy, O heavens, for the LORD has done this; shout aloud, O earth beneath. Burst into song, you mountains, you forests and all your trees, for the LORD has redeemed Jacob. He displays his glory in Israel. (Isa. 44:23)

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

Contributions for Eagles Nest Foundation , Inc.

www.eaglesnestfoundation.org

For books, worship cds, Bible studies and teachings written by Elizabeth Fulgaro or to schedule her to come speak to your group please visit www.holyspiritpress.org Worship music audio clips can be found at www.cdbaby.com/Artist/ElizabethFulgaro and on itunes.

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 elizabeth@eaglesnestfoundation.org or visit www.eaglesnestfoundation.org

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea. (Ps. 46:1-2)

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

Contributions for Eagles Nest Foundation , Inc.

www.eaglesnestfoundation.org

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 elizabeth@eaglesnestfoundation.org or visit www.eaglesnestfoundation.org