Atmosphere of Heaven

The Holy Spirit brings with Him the atmosphere of Heaven. I want to live in the atmosphere of Heaven. So, what is the atmosphere of Heaven? Heaven is full of:

• Joy
• Peace - Jesus said, "My peace I leave with you...not as the world gives..."
• Love - the core of God is love and so is the core of every creature He has created. He is creating us into His image
• Hope - every creature in heaven is full of hope and lives in hope
• Faith - "faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Faith doesn't just hope, though it is hopeful, it believes God to be all He is
• Light - The Lord is the light the citizens of heaven enjoy
• Music- jubilant celebrations, worshipful songs that exalt the Lord and His mighty acts
• Fragrant
• Humility - the 24 elders throw down their crowns before the Throne of God, bow down, giving praise to Jesus
• Fear and awe of God
• Praise and worship - active, participants, no performances, no spectators.
• God and His glory, Jesus the Lamb of God, the Holy Spirit

May we be filled with your Glory, Lord, and experience Heaven's atmosphere!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XZarrFpjg8

Marrow of the Soul

The Holy Spirit asked me as I woke up this morning at 4:30 am "What is the marrow of the soul?"

We know the marrow of the body rejuvenates the whole body by reproducing healthy red blood cells that replace the old and dying ones, thereby bringing health and life to the whole body: bones, cells, organs, skin, blood, tissues, etc. This rejuvenation to the body makes it much more alive, building up vital defenses from diseases. If the marrow is not functioning properly or is weakened by disease, it will kill the body eventually. That's why when someone is very ill, say with cancer, they undergo blood transfusions with the hope that the new blood will generate life in the cells to overcome cancer which is bringing death to the cells and body through the disease. Some people even go through the more radical procedure of a bone marrow transplant, insuring the best possible opportunity for survival.

The Holy Spirit answered the question He asked me: "The Word of God is the marrow of the soul, for it is the Living Word."

God's Word is life and health to our whole person from the inside out. It is the Living Waters we drink in; His Word is life-giving. When we saturate ourselves with Him and His Word and allow it to take root - go deep - we are doing an infusion, bringing life and health to our soul which affects our whole being.

Listen to this song "Word of God Speak" by MercyMe, and read His Word today.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JK_6osCH74

Spirit-Filled Walk

I have been praying to learn the ways of the Holy Spirit. It has been interesting to consider those who walked with the power of the Holy Spirit. Below is what a person looks like who walks in the anointing and power of the Holy Spirit. This person. . .

1. Fears God and walks in awe of Him, and not man.

2. Loves God with all his heart, soul, mind, and strength.

3. Walks in holiness: the Holy Spirit will not tolerate any positions that move this person backwards. They will live consecrated as a holy habitation of His Spirit mind, body and soul with no compromise.

4. Guards his tongue: speaks what the Father tells him; full of praises to God; does not speak about God's children negatively.

5. Radical in obedience: Obeys the leading of the Holy Spirit without hesitation or delay.

6. Loves God's people passionately: Seeks what God wants to do in them; functions as an intercessor on behalf of God's people as one who lives close to the heart of the Lord.

7. Disciplines his body: His body is subject to him now, and not a slave. The body is consecrated for holy purposes as the Temple of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, this person will not seek that which defiles the body or mind with intemperance.

8. Walks in and manifests the fruits of the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Holy Spirit: The power and anointing of God is strong on this person through their ministry gifts.

9. Is not rich with possessions, but is rich and possesses all things. God is his inheritance; the Holy Spirit his greatest treasure (i.e., Moses had no earthly possessions or land to speak of, nor Paul or Jesus, etc).

10. Kingdom-Focused: "Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven," is the way this person lives. He is full time in kingdom business, pursuing the leading of the Holy Spirit.

11. Lives in the perpetual environment and atmosphere of heaven: Lives with the fruits of the Spirit evident in his life.

12. Is marked by humility

13. Is a friend of God: The Holy Spirit confides in this person ("God confided in Samuel...1Sam. 9:15). Through words of knowledge, prophecy, dreams, visions, and God tells the secrets of His heart about the purposes for the world, kings, men that He has determined (i.e., Daniel). The Holy Spirit leads us then in intercession for wisdom on how to disseminate the message of God.

Here is a great song of dedication for more of the Lord in our lives. May we all seek the fire of the Holy Spirit upon our lives.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cg2kCAiB1Kw

Yearning

Last night, I had the overwhelming sense of God yearning for us. So, I looked up the word "yearn" and wanted to share a few of the meanings:

• To have an intense desire or longing for someone not present; to want strongly
• To languish as with love or desire; to desire strongly or persistently
• To have affection for, feel tenderness for

Here are a few words that fit in context of this entry:

• longing
• desire
• pant
• pine
• hunger
• ache
• crave
• languish

As I considered God's everlasting love towards me, and as He put others that He loves as deeply in front of me in that moment, I wrote this down in nearly one continuous flow. It is spoken to those He loves passionately, but because they are living in a distant, faraway land (for whatever reason), away from the nearness of His presence, they cannot know how He feels about them.

Hear the Lord speak to your heart.

Every moment
Of every day
And all through the night
While you sleep
Jesus yearns for you
He never tires or grows weary
He does not rest
He never gets discouraged in the quest
His Holy Spirit
Is striving
To ignite your heart
And set it ablaze
With passionate love
For Him...
Making you exclusively His
Wholly devoted
Completely in love with
And lost in devotion
To Him,
To His purposes,
For His people,
Ever yearning for eternal
Pleasures found
In Jesus
Alone.

"The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously." (James 4:5)

May I yearn for Jesus more and more everyday and never settle for what I had yesterday. Let's burn for passion for Him. Let's come to Him today, like these little children...



Below is a song I just found called "Yearn." Hear these two young men pour out their hearts as a prayer unto God. May we do the same.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ho5JU53DRJc

Beautiful Praise

We have learned that sounds travels. . .it never disappears, in fact. It goes out into space and then who knows where it goes? Considering music, this is particularly interesting to me. The book of Job gives a hint as to the sounds of created heavenly bodies, described below as God questions him about creation:

"Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements? Surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? To what were its foundations fastened? Or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? (Job 38:4-7)

The response of heaven to God's creation was song! I love that. Then I ran across this article that suggests more music in the heavens.

Sun's Atmosphere Makes Heavenly Music
By Jeanna Bryner
Staff Writer for Space.com

Astronomers have recorded heavenly music bellowed out by the sun’s atmosphere. Snagging orchestra seats for this solar symphony would be fruitless, however, as the frequency of the sound waves is below the human hearing threshold. While humans can make out sounds between 20 and 20,000 hertz, the solar sound waves are on the order of milli-hertz — a thousandth of a hertz.

The study, presented this week at the Royal Astronomical Society's National Astronomy Meeting in Lancashire, England, reveals that the looping magnetic fields along the sun’s outer regions, called the corona, carry magnetic sound waves in a similar manner to musical instruments such as guitars or pipe organs.

Robertus von Fay-Siebenburgen of the Solar Physics and Space Plasma Research Center at the University of Sheffield and his colleagues combined information gleaned from sun-orbiting satellites with theoretical models of solar processes, such as coronal mass ejections. They found that explosive events at the sun’s surface appear to trigger acoustic waves that bounce back and forth between both ends of the loops, a phenomenon known as a standing wave.

“These magnetic loops are analogous to a simple guitar string,” von Fay-Siebenburgen explained. “If you pluck a guitar string, you will hear the music.”

In the cosmic equivalent of a guitar pick, so-called microflares at the base of loops could be plucking the magnetic loops and setting the sound waves in motion, the researchers speculate. While solar flares are the largest explosions in the solar system, microflares are a million times smaller but much more frequent; both phenomena are now thought to funnel heat into the sun’s outer atmosphere.

The acoustic waves can be extremely energetic, reaching heights of tens of miles, and can travel at rapid speeds of 45,000 to 90,000 miles per hour. “These [explosions] release energy equivalent to millions of hydrogen bombs,” von Fay-Siebenburgen said.

“These energies are plucking these magnetic strings or standing pipes, which set up standing waves—exactly the same waves you see on a guitar string,” von Fay-Siebenburgen told SPACE.com. The “sound booms” decay to silence in less than an hour, dissipating in the hot solar corona.

Article found: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18206920/

Praise in the Heavenlies
Our praise to God has a powerful effect in the heavenlies. It changes the atmosphere wherever we are, and it also changes our hearts, though it may not change our circumstances. The effect of praise is doubled when it is lifted to God and offered as a sacrifice in the height of pain and affliction. I would dare say that praise offered to God in such extreme conditions of physical, mental, and emotional pain is the kind that touches the heart of God more often. This must be the prayers of the saints that have gone all the way up to God Himself that he is reserving for the day when they will be released upon the earth:

"Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. And he was given much incense that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel's hand. Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth. And there were noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake.” (Revelation 8:3-5)

Songs of Praise Arising
Last night as I was worshiping the Lord, I “saw” my praises join thousands of others who were also before the, offering their song of praise. As we surrounded the Throne of God, it appeared to me to be multi-faceted, as the surface of a diamond, only on a much grander scale. Each worshiper faced the Lord and was immersed in a shaft of light emanating from the facet of the character of God He was revealing to that particular worshiper.

For me, the Lord’s righteous judgments were illuminated and that was the facet of His character I was beholding. The song of my heart reflected was I saw in Him ̶ all righteousness, His perfect judgments.

As we were gathered there, a song in heaven was already in progress. . .”Arise, church, arise!” and I added a underlying melodic tune-- ̶

"Holy, Holy is the Lord of Hosts, righteous are all His judgments. Holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts, righteous are all His judgments.”

No sooner had I finished the repeat of my melody, than I heard another worshiper join with His song, his song on a different tone than mine but harmonic--

"Who is like the Lord? Strong and Mighty. . .There is none greater than our God, our God...”

Immediately following was another, and another, and another, each defining the character of God, in perfect harmony, higher or lower tones of the song, with varying tempos ̶ all in complete sync with the master song. I was caught up in this song and its beauty.

Suddenly I could see this song as each portion of its melodic tunes took shape, winding around and around as if to build a structure of some kind, like a building. It was being directed by someone unseen, an orchestrated piece of unimaginable beauty. I never wanted it to stop!

It is beautiful to consider our praise having such beauty before the Lord and His Throne. May the prayer of your heart today be one of praise worthy of such eternal beauty!

Tell the Lord what He means to you as you join the praises around the throne of God and sing this song by Jason Upton “In Your Presence.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vatfnKrFzyI

The Music of Heaven

As a worshiper and worship leader, I have often thought about the songs of Heaven - what they are like, what is their content, form, style, etc. There have been times in my own worship of the Lord that I have sensed I have joined the worship of Heaven. Those are indeed special times.

I have read a number of books through the years that touched on this theme. It is amazing to consider that during times of church revivals, the music in praise and worship becomes the response of the people to the Spirit of the Lord moving in their midst. Many testimonials from revivals express that the music seemed to be birthed in heaven itself as it inspired the worshipers into a deeper response to the Lord.

A number of years ago I had quite an experience with the Lord where His presence was so near to me, that I felt I was before His Throne for several days. It was a holy time of rededication of my own heart and life to the Lord, and the Spirit of God seemed almost heavy upon me, weighty even. The praise that erupted from the depths of my being was passionate, and at times seemed overwhelming, bursting forth in joyful expression to God. At the same time, I felt as if I was joining in an ongoing season of an eternal worship session that began long long ago and is still ongoing. I had, in fact, joined with the hosts of Heaven. During that period I experienced a revelation of the worship of Heaven and could almost "hear" the music and songs offered to God in His praise. It was as if the praise and prayers from my own heart were orchestrated into heavenly music, matched perfectly with harmonic voices, choreographed in praise dance, and sent heavenward as incense to God.


The sounds of this kind of praise could only come from the largest orchestra and choir imaginable, with scales and harmonies yet unheard here on earth. As I considered and experienced heavenly worship in those days, it took my breath away.

Recently I read the book 90 Minutes in Heaven where the author Don Piper describes his own experience of heaven.



In chapter three, the author shares his experience of the music of heaven:

"A...sound remains, even today, the single, most vivid memory I have of my entire heavenly experience. I call it music, but it differed from anything I had ever heard or ever expect to hear on the earth. The melodies of praise filled the atmosphere. The nonstop intensity and endless variety overwhelmed me.

"The praise was unending, but the most remarkable thing to me was that hundreds of songs were being sung at the same time--all of them worshiping God. As I approached the large, magnificient gate, I heard them from every direction and realized that each voice praised God. I write voice, but it was more than that. Some sounded instrumental, but I wasn't sure--and I wasn't concerned. Praise was everywhere, and all of it was musical, yet comprised of melodies and tones I'd never experienced before...My heart filled with the deepest joy I've ever experienced...Every sound blended, and each voice or instrument enhanced the others.

"As strange as it may seem, I could clearly distinguish each song. It sounded as if each hymn of praise was meant for me to hear as I moved inside the gates.

"Many of the old hymns and choruses I had sung at various times in my life were part of the music--along with hundreds of songs I had never heard before. Hymns of praise, modern-sounding choruses, and ancient chants filled my ears and brought not only a deep peace but the greatest feeling of joy I've ever experienced...None of the hymns were about Jesus' sacrifice or death. I heard no sad songs and instinctively knew that there were no sad songs in heaven. Why would there be? All were praises about Christ's reign as King of Kings and our joyful worship for all he has done for us and how wonderful he is.

"The celestial tunes surpassed any I had ever heard. I couldn't calculate the number of songs--perhaps thousands--offered up simultaneously, and yet there was no chaos, because I had the capcity to hear each one and discern the lyrics and melody.

"I marveled at the glorious music...above everything else, I cherish those sounds...I want to experience everything heaven offers, but most of all, I want to hear those never-ending songs again...the continuous sounds of praise."

As I read the author's description of heavenly music, the revelation the Lord had given me years ago came back with even more clarity. We know that worship is ongoing in heaven, and we on earth do, in fact, join the worshipers of heaven. Someday, I will finally be able to give full expression of praise before God's throne...

I read another book recently called Glimpses of Heaven by Trudy Harris, a hospice nurse.



In her book, the author carefully recounts the stories of her elderly patients as she experienced right along with them--until the time the Lord took them to be with Him. I have heard of those who many times hear the music of Heaven before the time that God takes them. These testimonies, experiences, along with God's Word, fills us with hope and great joy, especially as we presently endure our problems, pain of disease, suffering, sickness and terminal illnesses, financial hardships, relational difficulties. In times like these, we can only imagine from our earthly perspective all that God has planned for us--joyful ecstacies of His loving and safe presence forevermore.

May our hearts be filled with praise and worship this day as we join the hosts of Heaven's music and declare the matchless worth of our God! Let's worship Him..."...day and night, never taking a break: Holy, Holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come (Revelation 4:7-8)!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FObjd5wrgZ8

Shavuot (Pentecost) - Honor the Holy Spirit

Shavuot (Pentecost) is traditionally when Moses received the Torah from God on the stone tablets. It is also when the Holy Spirit was given to the Disciples of Yeshua as they had gathered, waiting upon the Lord at His instruction. It is a significant time and is also a pilgrimage festival when the Jewish worshipers are required to come up to Jerusalem. And to this day, they do come, by the tens of thousands, and gather at the Western Wall at dawn after praying all night.

The Lord impressed me about the Presence of God is the Holy Spirit dwelling among us. It is not some ethereal feeling we get, but rather, the living breathing breath of God who speaks to us, moves us to act in His name to impart life to others by words or laying hands upon them upon them for healing. The saturation of His Presence - the Holy Spirit - empowers us to fulfill the call of God upon our lives, acting as His representatives in the earth, moving about as Jesus would have done.

The Holy Spirit is the Counselor and Nurturer sent by God the Father, revealing the Person of Jesus, Three-in-One, Triune God. The Holy Spirit as nurturer broods over us, not unlike the Holy Spirit hovered over the chaos of the earth when it was first formed. He acts as a Mother who loves, guides, and directs her children until maturity is formed in them, and even continues into adulthood as their primary intercessor during their lifetime. In the same way the Holy Spirit broods over us and Mother's us until Jesus' image is formed in us and we can be presented spotless, clean, holy as a Bride prepared for her bridegroom.

A few years ago in Jerusalem, around the time of the biblical Feast of Shavuot (Pentecost), I considered the ministry of the Holy Spirit. I remember sitting at my piano with such gratefulness in my heart for the intimacy of the Holy Spirit and asked him for a song to express what was in my heart. Below is the link to the song the Lord gave me. With the song, we added clips filmed by my husband Ron during the priestly Aaronic Benediction of Shavuot at the Western Wall at dawn.

May the Lord inspire your heart with this prayer "Spirit, Holy One."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wi2ouVx2U3g