REACHING HURTING WOMEN MINISTRIES OFFERS FOUR TOPICS FOR CONTEMPLATION EVERY MONTH OF THE YEAR. EACH TOPIC IS A 12-MONTH STUDY SERIES ASSIGNED TO A SPECIFIC FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH. IN MONTHS WITH FIVE FRIDAYS WE’RE REVIEWING CHRISTIAN MEDIA.
On the fourth Friday of each month in 2022 we’re studying the RHW 2022 Theme: God’s Law, Grace & Freedom.
“Without God’s law and grace there is no opportunity for true freedom!”
While there are multiple empires that influenced, ruled and even oppressed the Israelite people throughout the Old Testament. For the purpose of this article we will focus on the Greek and Roman empires and their influence on Christianity.
As with all Old Testament history, it’s amazing to see how God uses the pagan nations and rulers to complete His plan and purpose. This is seen clearly through studying the Greek and Roman empires and the various revolts and exiles that impacted the Israelites up to and even after the time of Christ.
From Alexander the Great’s Greek Hellenistic culture to Caesar Augustus’ Roman rule, God used their laws to bring about the prophetic timing for the birth of Jesus Christ our Messiah who would ultimately rule from a place of true peace. His kingdom brought amazing grace and true freedom to a lost and dying world!
Be blessed by this beautiful worship song from Bethel Music and Josh Baldwin.
REACHING HURTING WOMEN MINISTRIES OFFERS FOUR TOPICS FOR CONTEMPLATION EVERY MONTH. EACH TOPIC IS A 12-MONTH STUDY ASSIGNED TO A SPECIFIC FRIDAY OF THE MONTH. IN MONTHS WITH FIVE FRIDAYS WE REVIEW INSPIRATIONAL CHRISTIAN MEDIA.
† THE MUSIC REVIEW BELOW WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED MAY 29, 2020. I’M REPUBLISHING THIS POST IN HONOR OF BENI JOHNSON FROM BETHEL CHURCH IN REDDING, CA. SHE WILL BE GREATLY MISSED. TO THE JOHNSON FAMILY AND BETHEL CHURCH MEMBERS YOU ARE ALL IN OUR PRAYERS.
PEACE by Bethel Music
Release Date: April 10, 2020
Album length: 12 tracks: 1 hour 9 minutes
There some artists or producers that you can count on to be consistent in their products. For me, I know if a project comes from Bethel Music it will be a quality production, with music and lyrics anointed by God. If you’re unfamiliar with Bethel Music here is a brief description from their website.
“Bethel Music is a community of worshipers pursuing the presence of God. We exist to gather, inspire, and encourage the global church toward deeper intimacy with the Father. Together, we express who God is and who we are in Him, capturing fresh expressions of worship in every season.”
Released during the COVID-19 world crisis pandemic, this album couldn’t have come at a better time. There are millions of people around the world hurting, lonely and desperate for music that will lift their spirits, inspire their souls, and heal their hearts and minds. This album is specifically created for that.
“Peace. We started this project almost a year and a half ago, not knowing the right time to release it. Over the past few weeks as we’ve watched everything unfold, we knew the time was now. We believe God will use this album to calm your mind, heart and soul during a time of uncertainty — He will silence any fear or anxiety. Peace is a person, and He is near.” ~ Bethel Music 04/10/2020
The orchestration of the music is exquisite. With the tranquil sounds of ocean waves and winds in the background, the soothing pace of the music allows you to drink the songs deeply into your heart and soul.
The artist chosen for each song selection is perfect. The restraint of the vocals simplified down to whisper singing makes PEACE truly a breath of fresh air to worship music today!
The visuals on the lyric videos themselves are incredibly peaceful with the wind blowing gently against the backdrop of a clear blue sky.
PEACE by Bethel Music ministers healing to a disquieted world. In this simple amazing project God brings supernatural healing through the science and technology of music to those seeking relief from anxiety and depression.
“The songs on this album merge worship and cutting edge techniques scientifically proven to help heal the parts of the brain damaged by emotional trauma by engaging both sides of the brain through the gentle panning of peaceful soundscapes known as bilateral music. As you listen, breathe slow and deep, invite the presence of God into your life and watch how He prophecies the truth over you and gives you His perspective.” ~ Bethel Music Heart of the Album Video Description
As a contemplative person I’m drawn to the quiet music that PEACE presents. It’s simple, life-filled, uplifting, inspirational, relaxing, encouraging, healing and above all peaceful. Most of the songs are familiar worship songs that have been reworked with a softer sound. There are also a few new songs that you will want to hear again and again.
A new favorite for me. I highly recommend PEACE by Bethel Music!
Step out of the busy-ness of your day and breathe in the peace of God’s Presence available to you in this beautiful album by Bethel Music. Here is the full PEACE album YouTube playlist. Be blessed!
REACHING HURTING WOMEN MINISTRIES OFFERS FOUR TOPICS FOR CONTEMPLATION EVERY MONTH OF THE YEAR. EACH TOPIC IS A 12-MONTH STUDY SERIES ASSIGNED TO A SPECIFIC FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH. IN MONTHS WITH FIVE FRIDAYS WE’RE REVIEWING CHRISTIAN MEDIA.
On the fourth Friday of each month in 2022 we’re studying the RHW 2022 Theme: God’s Law, Grace & Freedom.
“What sorrow awaits my rebellious children,” says the Lord. “You make plans that are contrary to mine. You make alliances not directed by my Spirit, thus piling up your sins.~ Isaiah 30:1
God’s LAW
The prophets of Israel were tasked to be mediators of God’s covenant to the people and their kings. Because of Israel’s rebellion, the true prophets were constantly trying to warn of the pending disaster that was coming if they continued to break God’s laws.
The Sovereign Lord showed me a vision. I saw him preparing to send a vast swarm of locusts over the land. This was after the king’s share had been harvested from the fields and as the main crop was coming up.In my vision the locusts ate every green plant in sight. Then I said, “O Sovereign Lord, please forgive us or we will not survive, for Israel is so small.” So the Lord relented from this plan. “I will not do it,” He said.~ Amos 7:1-6
God’s GRACE
As an expression of God’s grace, the prophets, who were empowered by the Holy Spirit, would communicate the future hope God would bring after the judgement for their rebellion. Although the prophets weren’t exactly neutral parties, they would also represent the people’s response by way of intercession to God.
Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets.And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe.The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven.~ Hebrews 1:1-3
Our FREEDOM
In the past God used prophets to reveal Himself to the world. Today we have God’s Word bringing us Christ’s message of judgement to those who refuse to repent of their sins. But thankfully, God’s Word also points us to freedom from the burden of sin available to us in Jesus Christ the ultimate prophet and intercessor to our heavenly Father.
“Without God’s law and grace there is no opportunity for true freedom!”
Be blessed by this beautiful worship song by Bethel Music.
FOR MY 2020 REVIEWS I’M CHOOSING CHRISTIAN ALBUM PROJECTS THAT HAVE TOUCHED MY SPIRIT DEEPLY. THIS IS THE SECOND REVIEW IN THE SERIES. Check out my first Music review here.
PEACEby Bethel Music
Release Date: April 10, 2020
Album length: 12 tracks: 1 hour 9 minutes
There some artists or producers that you can count on to be consistent in their products. For me, I know if a project comes from Bethel Music it will be a quality production, with music and lyrics anointed by God. If you’re unfamiliar with Bethel Music here is a brief description from their website.
“Bethel Music is a community of worshipers pursuing the presence of God. We exist to gather, inspire, and encourage the global church toward deeper intimacy with the Father. Together, we express who God is and who we are in Him, capturing fresh expressions of worship in every season.”
Released during the COVID-19 world crisis pandemic, this album couldn’t have come at a better time. There are millions of people around the world hurting, lonely and desperate for music that will lift their spirits, inspire their souls, and heal their hearts and minds. This album is specifically created for that.
“Peace. We started this project almost a year and a half ago, not knowing the right time to release it. Over the past few weeks as we’ve watched everything unfold, we knew the time was now. We believe God will use this album to calm your mind, heart and soul during a time of uncertainty — He will silence any fear or anxiety. Peace is a person, and He is near.” ~ Bethel Music 04/10/2020
The orchestration of the music is exquisite. With the tranquil sounds of ocean waves and winds in the background, the soothing pace of the music allows you to drink the songs deeply into your heart and soul.
The artist chosen for each song selection is perfect. The restraint of the vocals simplified down to whisper singing makes PEACE truly a breath of fresh air to worship music today!
The visuals on the lyric videos themselves are incredibly peaceful with the wind blowing gently against the backdrop of a clear blue sky.
PEACE by Bethel Music ministers healing to a disquieted world. In this simple amazing project God brings supernatural healing through the science and technology of music to those seeking relief from anxiety and depression.
“The songs on this album merge worship and cutting edge techniques scientifically proven to help heal the parts of the brain damaged by emotional trauma by engaging both sides of the brain through the gentle panning of peaceful soundscapes known as bilateral music. As you listen, breathe slow and deep, invite the presence of God into your life and watch how He prophecies the truth over you and gives you His perspective.” ~ Bethel Music Heart of the Album Video Description
As a contemplative person I’m drawn to the quiet music that PEACE presents. It’s simple, life-filled, uplifting, inspirational, relaxing, encouraging, healing and above all peaceful. Most of the songs are familiar worship songs that have been reworked with a softer sound. There are also a few new songs that you will want to hear again and again.
A new favorite for me. I highly recommend PEACE by Bethel Music!
Step out of the busy-ness of your day and breathe in the peace of God’s Presence available to you in this beautiful album by Bethel Music. Below is the full PEACE album YouTube playlist. Be blessed!
AT RHW WE PUBLISH A NEW COLUMN EACH FRIDAY. WE’RE GOING THROUGH FOUR SPECIFIC STUDIES WITH EACH SERIES BEING PUBLISHED ON A DESIGNATED friday OF THE MONTH.
In THE RED SEA RULES series we’re using the wonderful book by Robert J. Morgan as our guideline for a deep study of Exodus 14. Join me on the fourth Friday of each month in 2020 as we apply Morgan’s “10 God-Given Strategies for Difficult Times” to our lives today.
RED SEA RULE 3: Acknowledge your enemy, but keep your eyes on the Lord.
Now it was told the king of Egypt that the people had fled, and the heart of Pharaoh and his servants was turned against the people; and they said, “Why have we done this, that we have let Israel go from serving us?” So he made ready his chariot and took his people with him. Also, he took six hundred choice chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt with captains over every one of them. . . . So the Egyptians pursued them. ~ Exodus 14:5-9
Satan Pursues Us
Like Pharaoh’s army pursued the Israelites, Scripture tells us we too have an enemy ceaselessly pursuing us. We mustn’t take this lightly because Satan certainly doesn’t. He is like a roaring lion seeking whomever he can devour. And like a lion in the jungle, the easy prey are the weak or those who let down their guard.
“Satan doesn’t surrender his prey without a fight. He comes racing after the converted soul, chariot wheels churning the dust, seeking to discourage, you to defeat you. He pursues you with the intensity of Pharaoh. . . Acknowledge Satan’s activity, but don’t be intimidated by him. You can resist him in the power God and by the blood of Jesus Christ. . . When we resist his wiles, when we shake off discouragement, Satan falls from heaven faster than lightning. He is drowned in the Red Sea of the blood of Jesus Christ.” ~ Robert J. Morgan
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.Come near to God and he will come near to you. . . Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” ~ James 4:7-8, 10
Don’t Be Easy Prey
We can’t foolishly live as easy prey for Satan. We must be aware and always on our guard. To prevent ourselves from succumbing to the enemy’s attacks we must humbly submit and draw near to God.
As we humble ourselves before God He will lift us up. Even in times of confusion, when we feel blocked by a seemly dead end, God will protect us. He provide an escape just in time!
“We all experience times of testing, which is normal for every human being. But God will be faithful to you. He will screen and filter the severity, nature, and timing of every test or trial you face so that you can bear it. And each test is an opportunity to trust him more, for along with every trial God has provided for you a way of escape that will bring you out of it victoriously.” ~ 1 Corinthians 10:13 (TPT)
At RHW we publish a new column each Friday. We’re going through four specific studies with each series being published on a designated week of the month.
In THE NEW LIFE series we’re studying one of my favorite chapters in the Bible: Colossians 3:1-17. As you will see in the coming months, this is a rich chapter full of valuable life transforming lessons. Join me on the third Friday of each month in 2020 for this in-depth Bible study with real world application.
Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. ~ Colossians 1:1 (NLT)
Since you have been raised to new life with Christ,…
In our first verse Paul is encouraging believers to realize that Jesus wasn’t the only one who was raised from the dead. As believers in Jesus Christ we’ve all been raised to a new life with Christ. From God’s perspective every believer– past, present or future –is considered raised with Christ. Because we’ve been resurrected out of our walking-dead state we can live new lives of freedom with God in Christ.
…set your sights on the realities of heaven,…
Paul goes on to tell us that because we’ve been raised from the dead with Christ our focus should not be on earthly things. Setting our hearts and minds on the realities of heaven we’ll strive to walk out these priorities in daily life. As we begin to see life from heaven’s point of view we’ll naturally pursue a deeper knowledge of Christ and everything that’s involved in living for Him and with Him.
“Fix your thoughts on what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.” ~ Philippians 4:8-9 (NLT)
…where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.
One of the most important heavenly realities we must see, truly foundational to our new life, is that we must recognize that Jesus Christ is seated next to His Father in heaven. In this place of honor and authority Jesus makes intercession for us to the Father. Unless we recognize the truth of Christ’s authority in heaven and on earth, He won’t have a place of authority in our lives either.
To develop our new life and actively pursue heaven’s priorities requires discipline. Here are some key disciplines to apply to your life:
* Discipline your heart by memorizing Scripture.
* Discipline your mind by rejecting anything not from God.
* Discipline your relationships with healthy fellowship.
What does this new life look like? How are we supposed to live? Check back on the third Friday next month as we continue our study of Colossians 3 and The New Life.
The third Friday of each month in 2019 we’ve been studying my favorite life verses:2 Corinthians 4:15-18. For many challenging years this section of Scripture continues to be a consistent source of faith and comfort for me.
For the final column in this series I’ve broken from my traditional format by inserting several instrumental music videos to accent the message and to help us contemplate the eternal things of God. The videos are from Bethel Music’s most recent instrumental album: Genesis. These songs beautifully represent God’s creation in a musical video art form. I hope you enjoy it! Blessings…
“All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.”
Everything we experience in life benefits us in some way in the eternal scheme of things. As we keep a grateful attitude our life becomes a light to show others God’s grace and love. When those around us see the goodness of God, thanksgiving and praise will bring God the glory He deserves.
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.”
Even though our outer body slowly decays in this earthly atmosphere with age or sickness we can trust that our inner spirit is growing stronger and stronger each day to God’s glory.
“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”
The troubles of this present moment are fleeting but they serve a purpose. They are preparing us for the glory which is to come in Heaven with God.
“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” ~ 2 Corinthians 4:15-18
As we press through our challenges, trials or sickness, we must be determined to keep our eyes not on the things of this world, but rather on the unseen eternal things of God. That is where our Living Hope comes from…
The third Friday of each month in 2019 we’re studying my favorite life verses:2 Corinthians 4:15-18. This section of Scripture has proven a solid source of faith for me through many challenges over the past fifteen years. As we work our way through this passage you’ll see it build on the previous phrases all the way to the end.
” All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen.
For what is seen is temporary…”
~ 2 Corinthians 4:15-18b
We have a tendency to get attached to people, places, andthings. Often we hold on too tightly.
When our child grows up and leaves home our hearts are broken.
When a life change comes and we have to move, maybe even across the country, we have to leave the home we’ve made so cozy. We leave a church family we’ve been part of for many years, close friends and loved ones are now left behind.
In that process we may have had to downsize drastically; selling or giving away some of our treasured possessions.
How can you know when you are too attached to something?
When being without it truly hurts.
I write about this with first hand experience. In fact, due to job changes and other challenges my husband and I moved 12 times between 2006 and 2017. The last few called for drastic downsizing taking us from a 5000 square feet house down to a small condo with 600 square feet. Now that hurt! Yes our life has been simplified and our load lightened. But still the process was very painful.
At the beginning of our life transitions in 2006 I read about a missionary when reminding himself to not get too attached and that life changes quickly would post notes around his home that read:
“THIS IS TEMPORARY”
Everything we can see and touch is temporary. This earth is not our permanent home. And because this world is not our permanent home we’re supposed to keep our hearts, minds and spirits focused on things above.
” Since you became alive again, so to speak, when Christ arose from the dead, now set your sights on the rich treasures and joys of heaven where he sits beside God in the place of honor and power. Let heaven fill your thoughts; don’t spend your time worrying about things down here. You should have as little desire for this world as a dead person does. Your real life is in heaven with Christ and God. ” ~ Colossians 3:1-3 (Living Bible)
We must hold on to things, people and places loosely or not at all. We’re much better off putting them in The Hands of our Heavenly Father, Who knows best how to care for them and us.As we do our life will be more peaceful for ourselves, more pleasant for those around us and more pleasing to God.
With all the beautiful, yet temporary, things of this world that we can see today, God promises us there is so much more to come… beyond what we can ever think or imagine!
Let’s take a few minutes to meditate on the joys of Heaven and things above with this beautiful song byBethel Music.
In The Serenity Prayer column, published the first Friday of each month in 2019, we’re studying this well-known prayer phrase by phrase and applying it to our lives today.
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time, accepting hardship as a pathway to peace.
Taking as Christ did this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it. Trusting that He will make all things right…
Attitude matters.
Whether we trust that God will make all things right really doesn’t change what God is going to do. What God does is always right whether we trust Him or not. The lesson here is more about how we live in the process while we’re waiting.
Time passes the same.
When waiting for an answered prayer, a new job, a life season to change… we can either be stressed, angry and sick or peaceful, happy and healthy. Either way, the same amount of time will pass from the beginning of the wait to the completion. How I walk it out is up to me.
Simple but not easy.
This principle of trusting God seems so simple. We hear it a lot in Christian circles. But little is taught about how to actually live out this trusting time. The season I’ve been in for the last three years has been one of the hardest in my adult life. It’s been all about waiting for God to make something right out of something that was very wrong. I’ve struggled often with a poor attitude while watching my sweet husband be so positive. Different things are easier for different people.
How to trust.
When I think of trusting, I think of the childhood game where we would fall back into the arms of a trusted friend who would catch us. We knew our friend wouldn’t drop us or let us fall because we believed they cared for us. If we can believe that our girlfriend can love us so much to catch us, why can’t we believe that our God, our Heavenly Father, who loves us even more, will not only catch us when we fall, He will make the circumstances into which we fall be perfect for us! And hose circumstances will then help us rise higher.
Trust in the Lord completely, and do not rely on your own opinions. With all your heart rely on him to guide you, and he will lead you in every decision you make. Become intimate with him in whatever you do, and he will lead you wherever you go.Don’t think for a moment that you know it all,for wisdom comes when you adore him with undivided devotionand avoid everything that’s wrong.Then you will find the healing refreshmentyour body and spirit long for. ~ Proverbs 3:5-8 (TPT)
Let’s not be shaken or disturbed about where we’re going, how we’ll get there or when we’ll arrive.
Fall back.
Trust God.
He has a perfect plan.
He is with us all the way.
Contemplate trusting God with this beautiful song by Bethel Music.
