Marked & Sealed For More: Recent Episodes
Lori Booker
Walking alongside you to unlock and live in the promised abundant life. Encouraging you in your faith journey. Cheering you on with biblically based encouragement. Fighting the good fight with you to reset our hearts and minds to what is true. Marked & Sealed For More will share scripture and personal testimony. My prayer is that this podcast will refresh you and remind you that there is more to this life and you are never alone. (because you aren’t!) Believe with me.
“I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven & earth.” (Psalms 121:1-2)
Mountains of change around us and rises and dips within us. At times we might feel desperate.
How do we handle it all?
What if we look past the mountains to “THE HILL”?
What if we cling together to the Lord? If we “lift our eyes”?
Thoughts to grow on. Truth to embrace.
MORE LIFE ON THE BLOG TAKE THE ROAD https://lorifarrarbooker.com/2025/02/19/yellow-brick-road/
We were never promised easy. We were told our journey would be one of ongoing surrender and challenge. We must lay a solid break of devotion every day, for the tides are rising around us and the good Lord, “tells us the truth.”
It will cost us, but in the end, it will be worth it.
TODAY I'M STIRRED BY: Luke 24:28-32
“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and count the cost to see if you have enough to complete it?”
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“The eternal God is your refuge, and His everlasting arms are under you.” (Dut 33:27)
We need One we can depend on & trust completely. One who will never fail, who will keep His Word & bring us out victoriously!
His name is Jesus. Dependable protector. His eye is on us. His heart is for us.
Praying in the truth of His unchanging promises. We can take Him at His Word. He won’t fail to come through.
Depend on Him more & more. Trust Him above all things.
MORE LIFE HERE FOR: "FACING THE GIANTS"
"Someday God will, have a kingdom feast, how happy and privileged will be the ones who get to share in that joy." (Luke 14:15)
Do we have the wrong idea of who’s invited? We do not come to Jesus all put together. Jesus invites the beggars, the poor and the blind, the disabled, hurting and lonely. (Luke 14:16-23)
Do we make excuses? Do we bury our need? Do we understand we are accepted?
Hear the invitation in a whole new way.
Be persuaded to “COME at once” and “GO at once"!!!
“Persuade the beggars on the streets, the outcasts, even the homeless.
Urgently insist that they come in and enjoy the feast SO THAT my house will be full.” (Luke 14:23)
Taste & see that the Lord is good, because He is!
MORE LIFE HERE, ON THE BLOG
Did you know? There’s a green light offered by the Lord, to come before Him desperately honest. To expose every stirring of our hearts. The Psalms usher us into the postures we can take in our desperation, postures that will lead us into triumph.
I’ve practiced them. Desperation, deep cries & deliverance.
Consider Psalm 88 & 89 with me. Apply them. Pray through. Finding rest for our souls together.
MORE LIFE ON BLOG https://lorifarrarbooker.com/unlocking-life-blog/
"You anoint my head with oil in the presence of my enemies."
Have you ever taken this in? This part of Psalm 23. Our heads need oil. Our thoughts need refreshment, and the Lord is faithful to pour it out in abundance.
Do you need oil poured over your head? Your thoughts renewed? The battle is real. His oil protects us from flaming arrows. There is plenty of oil to go around. Consider this piece of Psalm 23 with me & enjoy one of my favorite songs to bring the message heart center. I think you'll love this song, too. Psalm 23 By: Shane & Shane
"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever." (Psalm 23:5-6)
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The Ancient of Days is peering over heaven’s balcony. Run to Jesus for dear life. “He’s our granite cave, our hiding place, our high cliff nest, our only true place of safety.” (Psalms 31:1-2)
With all the traffic in our world, we need to seek shelter in the Most High with the entirety of our beings.
We aren’t to trust in men, only the Almighty. He holds the whole script and all the answers. He’s closer than He’s ever been. Turn off your screens, ask the Lord to inform you.
Call to Him & He will answer you. (Jer 33:3)
MORE LIFE NOW. MORE LIFE TO COME. lbooker.com
The Good Lord is our first responder to our sufferings. He’s our unshakable hope, our ever present help. Others might not get what we’re going through, but He deeply understands.
His goodness doesn’t exit in hard places. “Through” flood & fire, through all the unknowns, KNOW that the Lord is with you & for you. He’s in the fire and the flood and He will bring you out victorious! He keeps His promises.
“For the Lord has not despised my cries of deep despair. He’s my first responder to my sufferings.” Psalm 23:24
MORE LIFE HERE ON THE BLOG
Over and over we need to run to Jesus for open heart surgery, readjustment to His sovereignty and aligning to His undying grace and mercy. We can’t take a day off. It’s continual. Continually we need Him and forever He wants us to come home running.
How’s your soul? The Lord delights in our deep cries and our running to His arms of rescue.
He knows our condition. No need to hide. He understands our frailty, for He walked in our shoes. He’s the only one that can heal our broken hearts, our broken world. We need to undergo revival and renewal. Our hearts need to fully fall into the trustworthy hands of Jesus, our safe refuge now and forever.
Our hearts need a surgeon. Our souls need a friend.
Lord, we live in bodies, where our hearts beat and our lungs breathe. Our bodies hold many bruises and walk through many trials. You are the balm for our souls within. Nothing is hidden from You. You are tender and aware of all, our Coming King. May we not walk to you, but run, again and again. We need You and You want us.
Hear the invitation. Run home. No need to wait. Lay it all down. Amen & Alleluia. Run To the Father By: Cody Carnes
Jesus is the surgeon, Jesus is the friend, the healer and lover of our souls.MORE LIFE HERE ON THE BLOG
“For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long, yet, they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!” (2 Cor 4:17)
Our circumstances can leave us overwhelmed, but they have the power to lead us into God’s glory, for hard trials stir in us more desperation for help. It’s here that we can choose to relinquish our understanding and trust in God’s sovereignty more.
Sovereignty speaks to the view that God has over all things. Think on how His view revealed His glory through Calvary. It didn’t look good, nor did it come easy, but it ended triumphant.
I’ve been so desperate, but I’ve seen His glory in the valleys shine the brightest. Are you desperate? The world will try to tell you He’s absent and not good in the canyons and chaos, but He is forever good.
He is never absent.
Cling to the words, “It is written.”
Remember that God knows the beginning from the end and everything in between. His love is consistent, never changing. Go long, search deep, don’t give up. There's always a sliver of light under the door of your dark place ready to burst forth.
Will you trust more in His sovereignty?
Lord, may we delight ourselves in you and see your glory hovering over everything in the world, and in our worlds. Produce more living hope and expectation in us.
Be overwhelmed by how vast God’s love is, in and over every detail. Overwhelmed By: Big Daddy WeaveMORE LIFE HERE ON BLOG
Make room for Jesus. Let Him invade all the space of your soul, the room of your mind. Surrender wrong thinking. Survey your thoughts. Cast off lies, doubt and defeat. His ways are better. His thoughts are higher. Let Him inform your inmost being.
Even in suffering and in all the chaos of our world, His promises hold true and He holds us fast. Let Him sweep your thoughts clean and walk in victory as you let go of all that doesn’t belong and chase after our ever-present help. Let Him rule your every thought.
“You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and His rule.” (Matthew 5:3)
Make Room By: The Church Will Sing
MORE LIFE ON THE BLOG: Freedom of “Dependence”
We wrestle in this life. I’ve found that I wrestle most with wanting my own way, but the Lord invites me, us, into His ways that are higher and better.
Of all the thoughts that stir in us, there’s a holy calling that continually intrudes. It’s easy to follow the flesh and dodge it, for we are quick to lean on ourselves. Yet, the life that Jesus offers requires this action, daily dying.
The Lord imparts new vision and purpose as we walk this way. May we not resist His touch, but rest soft in His hands. Freedom is found here, by letting the stronghold of independence break and by fully trusting His shaping through all things. “We are God’s handiwork. We become His poetry, a re-created people as we are joined to Him and shaped by Him." (Ephesians 2:10, paraphrase)
We are quick to question the Potter. Let's instead decide to trust Him more. The Potter works with purpose. May there be more of Him and less of us day by day. Daily die and rise to new life.
Honestly. I recorded it months back, yet today, I listened again and the truth welled up. There’s no other way to find life and be free. Consider these thoughts and receive His holy call.
"As for me, I will always have hope; for I will praise you more and more." (Psalm 71:14-15)
I love the song Paul & Silas sang. It's so moving, for they sang despite their circumstance. Inflicted by many blows & placed in prison, their feet were fastened into shackles, YET they broke into song in the midnight hour, praying & singing hymns. What a witness! An invitation?
We can all find ourselves “in the midnight hour,” imprisoned by fear, doubt, hopelessness (or you name it). Singing often goes against what we feel in our flesh, but the result is that we break free & find peace when we choose to still sing. I've witnessed the power of praise. Praise when it doesn't make sense, for the Lord sees us in our shackles of struggle and instructs us to “extol His name." (Psalm 68:4)
When we sing, prison doors shake, bonds break, and living hope is restored. We aren’t signing a dead song, but a song verified by Christ’s resurrection.
Don’t wait to sing. Let’s fasten ourselves to God’s unchanging song of salvation, no matter our affliction or inflictions. Let’s be more like Paul and Silas. Not only will this free us, but it might help free others. Praise Him more and more, anywhere and everywhere....He is forever faithful! He's got you!
How can you sing today?
A song to usher you in. Praise You Anywhere By: Brandon Lake
MORE LIFE HERE ON THE BLOG
"As for me, I will always have hope; for I will praise you more and more." (Psalm 71:14-15)
I love the song Paul & Silas sang. It's so moving, for they sang despite their circumstance. Inflicted by many blows & placed in prison, their feet were fastened into shackles, YET they broke into song in the midnight hour, praying & singing hymns. What a witness! An invitation?
We can all find ourselves “in the midnight hour,” imprisoned by fear, doubt, hopelessness (or you name it). Singing often goes against what we feel in our flesh, but the result is that we break free & find peace when we choose to still sing. I've witnessed the power of praise. Praise when it doesn't make sense, for the Lord sees us in our shackles of struggle and instructs us to “extol His name." (Psalm 68:4)
When we sing, prison doors shake, bonds break, and living hope is restored. We aren’t signing a dead song, but a song verified by Christ’s resurrection.
Don’t wait to sing. Let’s fasten ourselves to God’s unchanging song of salvation, no matter our affliction or inflictions. Let’s be more like Paul and Silas. Not only will this free us, but it might help free others. Praise Him more and more, anywhere and everywhere....He is forever faithful! He's got you!
How can you sing today?
MORE LIFE HERE ON THE BLOG
We simply come humbly, holding the pieces of our broken lives. We then dip into the cup of His Perfect sacrifice.
All is accepted at the foot of the cross.
Lord, Your blood is all-sufficient for every sin. You’ve got ALL covered. You just ask us to admit we need You and to receive You. Hosanna, we praise Your most Holy name. ALL of our “ashes are made into beauty” as we surrender ALL to You, Jesus.
Pause in His presence and "Surrender All" to our blessed Savior.
"I Surrender All" By: Selah
MORE LIFE ON THE BLOG HERE XO
Let your heart be filled. Pause in His presence. Stay for the song.
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, nor the heart of a man imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.” (1 Cor 2:9)
While it exceeds our imagination, it’s good to ponder & anticipate it. For there’s a day coming when it will be a reality. Sing alleluia.
No longer will there be anything accursed, tears & struggle will cease & the throne of God & the Lamb will reign. His beloved will finally reach the shores of eternity & worship Him forever. (Rev 22:1-5) I Can Only Imagine By: Mercy MeMORE LIFE HERE ON BLOG: "A New OCD"
The Lord “makes” us lie down. He invites us to rest. He knows how much we need it! He offers us green pastures of quietness, all in an effort to restore our souls.
When we “lie down,” it signals that we trust Him. It signals we believe He’s in control.
Will you “lie down” & rest? HE’S GOT YOU (& ME)!
“He makes me lie down and green pastures, He restores my soul.” (Psalm 23:2-3)
MORE LIFE HERE: “KEEP KEEPIN’ ON”
Even when life’s circumstances become paralyzing & all around us gives way, God’s faithfulness remains.
“The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.” (Exodus 34:6)
Listen. Let your soul settle. Let your heart be held. Choose to trust. He’s trustworthy.
MORE LIFE HERE: “Urgent Care”
“Your mission is to live as children flooded with His revelation light.” (Ephesians 5:8)
Happy New Year! We all have goals set, yet I found the “mission” marked out for us all that promises to deliver us into triumph. Stay on this mission day by day, come what may. We can count on the Lord, Immanuel, God with us. Amen & Alleluia.
Take 5. Let this truth settle into your soul & pray with me. God bless you, abundantly!
DIG DEEPER: John 15:4, 2 Cor 2:14, Matthew 14:26, Psalm 119:105
MORE LIFE ON THE BLOG: "More Like Mary"
We can always have hope, but is comes with a choice……Pause in God’s presence. Reset your soul. Let hope arise.
“Put your hope in God. For I will YET praise Him, my Savior & my God.” (Psalm 42:11)
“As for me, I will always have hope, I will praise you more and more.” (Psalm 71:14)
MORE LIFE HERE: WORTH 1,000 WORDS
"Your hand "will" guide me, Your strength "will" support me." (Psalm 139:10)
I can cling to all the wrong things. I can be gripped & tugged in the wrong direction, falling into the wrong mindset. You too? The Good Shepherd longs to guide us into fountains of peace. He longs for us to cling to Him. Let’s hold tight. Let’s picture it together & let’s hear His Voice of Truth. His hand is trustworthy. Stay for the song. Be gripped.
"With passion I pursue and cling to You. Because I feel Your grip on my life, I keep my soul close to Your heart." (Psalm 63:8) “Where else would we go? You Lord, hold the words of eternal life.” (John 6:68) God evermore, You are our one True Hope, with us & for us. Amen & Alleluia. God Evermore By: Aaron Shust
MORE LIFE HERE: New Book Release: "Come To The Table" (Be Seated by the Savior)
Every day offers another chance to return to our First Love. To tell ourselves what’s true. To set our hearts and minds that are prone to wander. To rejoice that we are held fast. Get quiet. Deep breath: Rest, reflect and pray with me.
“With every fiber of my being I will shout, “Eternal One, there is none like You!” You save the poor from those who try to overpower them. You rescue the weak and needy from the strong and heartless who oppress them.” Psalm 35:10
God bless you abundantly! He is able. He is at your side. His every word to us is yes & amen. Alleluia.
MORE LIFE HERE ON THE BLOG: CHANGING TIDES
Age to age He stands and time is in His hands. Beginning and the end. In His hands is our safest place. By His hands we are secured for eternity. Today and every day, He wants us to rest in His greatness and bow our hearts to His unfailing love, mercy and grace.
Bow your heart now. Pause in His presence for reflection and song.
How Great is Our God By: Chris Tomlin
“At the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11)
MORE LIFE HERE: “LET THE SON SET”
TODAY’S PODCAST: God sees us as “holy and blameless”? But wait, I’m not, are you? While we were breaking the heart of God, He was accomplishing for us a newfound hope, a restored relationship, a new status. We are blessed in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 1) It’s a PURE gift.
**Receiving every spiritual blessing in Christ starts with admitting we are friends with Paul.
Rest in outrageous love Who calls us “holy and blameless.”**
TODAY’S VERSE: “For He chose us before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will—” (Ephesians 1:4-5)
MORE LIFE HERE
There is no other love that can meet our soul's deepest longings. We need to let everyone else off the hook. We must set our souls and minds on what's true. What's true is that Perfect Love surrounds us and keeps a firm grip on our lives. Let's continually hear His Voice of Truth. Amen & Alleluia.
Lord, You outshine all others. Teach us more about You, how You work and how You love, SO THAT we can walk onward in Your truth, until everything brings honor to Your name.
(Until all our thoughts are settled and aligned to You and we are held in Perfect Love)
(Psalm 86:8, 10-11)
FEEL HIS GRIP ON YOUR LIFE. HE'S GOT YOU!
MORE LIFE HERE "Come To The Table" (be seated beside the Savior)
New Booker Release
Are you crushed over shameful regrets? Pause now in God’s presence and listen to the truth. Jesus was crushed for us. He bore our shame. His scars cover all of our scars.
No one is exempt from shame and regret. We all fall short of God’s glory. We could never obtain any of His riches without His sacrifice.
He was crushed for our iniquities, for all our wrongdoing. He was wounded for our transgressions. The punishment required for our well-being fell on Him. By His stripes we are healed. By His wounds, we are redeemed and accepted. (Isaiah 53:5)
Rest your soul, beloved. Sing praise. Be thankful for the scars. Yours and His. Stay awake to the wonder of His love. Stay for the song. Scars By: I Am TheyMORE LIFE HERE ON THE BLOG
Father’s Day has come and gone, but I haven’t forgotten about what was on my heart. I thought of the heart of the one whose earthly father didn’t hear them and didn’t hold them. I thought of the huge risk of letting that butt in on one’s perception of the perfect love of God the Father.
Have you heard His tender whisper? His love is the answer to your heart’s deepest longings. Listen. Be gripped by the arms of perfect love. Good Good Father By: Chris Tomlin
MORE LIFE HERE on the blog
Our hearts might feel shattered and undone, but the Lord confirms His love is unfailing. He calls us to rest and be still in the truth that He will make all things right. His plans will ultimately end in triumph. He holds all things. Be still. KNOW that He is God. It’s gonna be ok. It “IS” okay.
Though all around us and within us might give way, we can trust, we can rest in the Almighty. God’s every promise will come to fruition.
Proclaim it. “God, you are my refuge and strength. My ever-present and proven help in time of trouble—Therefore, I will not fear even if every structure of support were to crumble away. Though the earth shakes, moving mountains and casting them into the sea. Though raging roars of stormy winds and crashing waves surround me, my faith will not erode.” (for you are with me and You promise to keep me and deliver me) (Psalm 46:1-3)
Pause in His presence. BE STILL & KNOW THAT HE IS GOD. Into The Sea (Gonna Be Okay) By: Tasha Layton
LISTEN. God can’t be anything else but good. If you start to doubt it, if your valley tries to steal this unchanging truth, start to sing until your confidence is restored. Sing until the truth rises. Tell Him. “You can only be good.” He is trustworthy, His heart is for us. His love endures, His goodness is written into every chapter, even the mysterious ones. His script in our lives has purpose. May we choose to trust Him more and more and our souls be set free to believe in increasing measure.
His goodness follows us “all” the days of our lives. (Psalm 23:6)
There’s purpose; More of Him. Less of us. Choose to trust. Amen & Alleluia.
Let this reflection and song wash over you. Push replay if needed. Lock the chorus into your soul.
Good (Can’t Be Anything Else) By: Cody Carnes
The Lord desires to release total well-being into our lives. Yet, we need to be delivered in our thought life to truly claim it. The battle lies here. Wouldn't you agree? We get so messed up in our minds.
Admit it. You want a new mind. Receive it. The Lord wants to impart it.Lord, “claim the whole territory” of our minds. You are able. We desire to be free in our thinking. Thinking Your thoughts. Resting in Your safe embrace. Amen & Alleluia. Lord, thank you, this is on Your heart for us. Make us one with You.
TODAY'S VERSE: “May God himself, the Heavenly Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, release grace over you and impart total well being into your lives.” (Ephesians 1:2)
Don't you dare give up! We all can get so weary sometimes in this race called "life" & want to turn in our running shoes. Let's be real. BUT, we WILL make it if we fix our gaze on Jesus at the finish. Asking for His help to throw off the things that entangle us, placing more hope in Him, in His living word, in every promise. Together, let’s cheer for each other & hear Jesus cheer for us!
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
Do you get like me? Do you know the things that trip you up? Do you see Jesus at the finish? Lean in. More & more. Keep going. Never quit.
TODAY'S VERSE: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of faith. " (Hebrews 12:1-2)
In the waves that roar, in the trials and undertows that mark our lives and threaten to pull us under, Our Savior remains faithful from the beginning to the end. He will carry us to completion.In the mysteries, God‘s voice of love is calling us to remember that He's faithful and unchanging. We can trust Him.
Maybe you need this song too? Do you need your faith to rise and your fear to flee?Listen. Sing. Believe with me. Sovereign By: Chris Tomlin God bless you, Friend.
“The Lord will be the Savior of all who love Him. Even in their time of trouble, God will live in them as strength. Because of their faith in Him, their daily portion will be a Father’s help and deliverance. This is true for all who turn to hide themselves in Him!”(Psalm 37:39-40)
Each lash He received, we deserved. The cross He carried was ours to bare. Yet, Jesus went with resolute determination to win our hearts and restore us, to accomplish our redemption. To bridge the great divide. Redeemed by His blood. He poured out His love before we loved Him.
He’s still determined to conquer our souls that no one will perish and that we might say and believe: (2 Peter 3:9)
My hand held a hammer, my lips uttered the words “crucify," but the lips of Jesus still pleaded my case. He still bore my sin and shame. He won the war. Prison doors are now opened. Shame has fled. Forgiveness has risen. Light has blasted into my darkest darkness and hope victorious now lives inside. Now all praise, glory and honor comes off my lips to the one who took my place.
He is mighty to save. Ponder His Word, fulfilled in perfection, written in red. Rest in this heart song. Rest in Our Rescue, His goodness. Our Living Hope. Savior and Coming King. There's "a cross" to bridge the great divide. A way was made to reach the other side. Amen & Alleluia. Red Letters By: Crowder
"He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5)
Matthew 22:37. It’s a tall order, to "Love the Lord with all our hearts, souls, minds and strength." Yet, He calls us to it for our good. He knows our hearts are prone to wander, our souls to get weary, and minds to run on untruths and our strength to come up empty. He knows by leaning into Him this much, He can bring us abundant life. Oh, He loves us so well. He will help us to love Him back!!! Will you consider how to run on full with me? Will you pause and pray with me for a check on your heart, soul and mind?
There's a way to rest in this life. Day by day. Ends up that this tall order is set up just right by our Great God who is set on settling us soul deep to triumph. With every passion of His being, He accomplished everything necessary to complete us in the present and for eternity.
**Amen & Alleluia.
"Love the Lord your God with every passion of your heart, with all the energy of your being, and with every thought that is within you.’ (Matthew 22:37)**
LISTEN. Pause In Perfect Love. The postures of life. The faithfulness of Immanuel.
We come crawling. Jesus welcomes us with open arms. He teaches us to walk. We fall down over and over. We travel with tears and struggle, pain and heartache, but cry out and He lifts us to our feet once more. We find Him faithful and dance for joy over His constancy and ongoing deliverance. This is how we journey this life. He’s in our midst, every posture, every chapter. Finally, we will fly to our eternal destination. LISTEN. Rest in His arms. Untitled Hymn By: Chris Rice
Alleluia. Love broke through. Heaven opened. Jesus lives that we might live through Him and make it home!
“Come to Me, all who are weary (all who are wounded and searching). I will give you rest.(I will put a song in your heart that never ends!) (Matthew 11:28-30)
Craving more life underneath the surface? It's signals our design and can lead us to the well that never runs dry.
LISTEN. It’s always time to crave closer. To crave for closer to the heart of God. Do you have time now?
Lord, quiet us down to pay attention to the dry places that point to our greatest need, You. Let Your living water pour into the crevasses of our souls. Take this sacred nugget of time with me in Psalm 63 to rest, restore, to express and pray. Closing with song. "Closer" By: Maverick City & Brandon Lake
“Come close to God and God will come closer to you.” (James 4:8)
Admit you thirst and let Him fill you up as only He can. Amen & Alleluia.
“O God of my life, I’m lovesick for you in this weary wilderness. I thirst with the deepest longings to love you more, with cravings in my heart that can’t be described.” (Psalms 63:1)
LISTEN. Have you ever listened to the cooing of a mourning dove? They have a distinct song, a unique cry. I can’t help but think of doves, God’s sign of His Holy Spirit. I wonder if He made doves to mourn like this? Do you think it’s a sign of the heart of God that mourns for more souls to be filled with His Spirit? The “mourning” dove, looking for a place to settle. Do you ever think about things like this?
All creation points to God. Even the rocks will cry out. This morning, it’s a mourning dove that’s crying out and speaking truth. That’s what I’m hearing.
How does God speak to you through creation? What do you hear? Enter the outdoor air and ask Him to speak, then listen intently. Rest in His voice today. Even now. Rest in this song and let Him come in for a landing. Amen & Alleluia.
I’m Listening By: Chris McClarney, Hollyn
God can never be silenced. Creation screams of His presence.
CAN I MAKE YOU A PINKY PROMISE and we share some time?
We will "never arrive" until we see Jesus face to face. Until then, we are works in progress held in His trustworthy hands. Let's be honest. We are marred. Let's be soft and shapable. Jesus is at work. He knows best and our best life is in the making when we entrust ourselves to Him. Soften up and stand firm on the Rock.
We are "Marked & Sealed for More." More Hope. More Peace. More Life.
"I went down to the potter's house, and I saw him working at the wheel. But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him." (Jeremiah 18:4)
MORE LIFE HERE
LISTEN. Don't you dare give up! Hold tight, Friend. Let's grasp hands, fix our gaze and cling tight to all that the Lord has told us. We don't deny it's hard. We cling harder. We're gonna make it through the fire and through the storms. Hold tight. Stay for the song. Don't Lose Heart By: Steven Curtis Chapman"Cling tightly to what you have, so that no one will seize your crown of victory.
Hold tight to what you have until I come." (Revelation 3:11, 2:25)
Lord, we experience every kind of pressure here. It can get overwhelming. We are hard pressed on every side by pain, sorrow, struggle and disappointment. Yet, You promise You are still at work, that we won't be crushed, but life will be released. (2 Cor 4:8-12) Strengthen us to keep pressing on, to keep gripping to Your every promise through it all. Amen & Alleluia.
MORE LIFE HERE
"Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song." (Psalm 95:1-2) Just do it. Let it out.
LISTEN. PAUSE WITH ME. PRAY WITH ME.
Come let us rise up with living hope as we speak God's truth aloud and stake our lives on His every Word. Come let us stand on the Solid Rock who keeps us firm and holds our lives, our every breath. Come let us shout for it brings life, it awakes our souls to what's true. Come let us adore Him with thanksgivings unending for all He has done and is going to do. Come let us do it, despite our circumstances, remembering that Christ has secured our eternal future. "In this world we will have trouble, but Jesus has overcome the world." (John 16:33)
Lord, help us not remain quiet, but to unbutton our lips and live in the song of Your salvation, upheld in the joy of Your strength in us that never fails and will carry us in our hard chapters and to the finish. Amen & Alleluia.
“I believe You’re working all things for my good.” (Romans 8:28) What if we could really say it? “I believe.” If we could say these words with honesty at the deepest level? That they’d reign despite our circumstance, despite our lot in life. Even when things crash in.
These words rise up when we hear the Lord say, “It’s gonna be alright.” We hear Him when we catch His majesty in creation that never shifts that points to His never changing love toward us. When we take our questions, throw them at His feet and bow in the middle of the mystery and sing.
Been hurting? Been waiting? Been in a storm? Me too. BUT GOD never leaves. We can trust Him. He will help us to. His best work is complete. Let faith arise. “We know” He is Forever Faithful. LISTEN. Gonna Be Alright By: Ryan Ellis"We are confident that God is able to orchestrate everything to work toward something good and beautiful when we love Him and accept His invitation to live according to His plan." (Romans 8:28)
Jesus, born for you and me. His destination the cross. His pursuit was our hearts.
The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. (John 1:14) Perfect love came down to lift us up. By His outstretched arms He has brought us near. Be held.
Rejoice in Christ the King! May His peace wash over you and His redeeming love trump your heart, assuring you of your eternal future, sealed by His blood. Draw near to him and He will draw near to you. (James 4:8) He lives that we might live!
This song has always touched my heart. Pause in His presence. Welcome Him in. LISTEN. Welcome To Our World By: Chris Rice ~Merry Christmas, Friend!
You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call on You. Your grace-fountain keeps overflowing, drenching us.” (Keeping us until You come again!) (Psalm 86:5)
“Rob our sin and make us holy, Perfect Son of God, welcome to our world.”
Jesus came with purpose. He knows our everything. He extended His arms to bring us in and is still extending His arms to hold us close.
I almost wish it would snow, forcing a quiet day. You too? I’m not sure if it calls for snow, but Jesus is calling for us to silence our souls. What do you find in the quiet? I find tears traced by grace. I find questions without answers, but His tender mercy still. I found an old song I sung in high school that still sings. It called me home, into His embrace. Maybe it’ll do the same for you. Trace God’s grace in your life. Be held by the Savior. Arms of Love By: Amy GrantIt’s safe inside His arms of love.MORE LIFE HERE
Abundant life is available. (John 10:10) BUT are we living in it? We need to go after it, grab the keys, unlock it and live in it! Let’s be set on this together. Let’s be set on not settling. Grab a copy of my upcoming book, “Unlocking Life at 51,” releasing this Saturday, November 19th. Let’s make the trek into unshakable hope. Let’s claim what is ours in Christ Jesus. Amen & Alleluia. And let's dance to this song! "Everlasting Love" By: Natalie Cole
“I have come, that you may have life, life to the full. Everything, more than you expect. Life in all its fullness.” (John 10:10)
“I have loved you with an everlasting love.” (Jeremiah 31:3)
MORE HERE
I've been thinking about what it means to be "free in Christ." I am learning that this freedom resides right in the center of our thoughts. These lyrics belong to us. These lyrics are meant to breathe into our every day. "It is for freedom that Christ set us free." (Galatians 5:1) Free to believe we are who He says we are. We need to receive it. Say it. Sing it. "I am His beloved child kept for heaven. Chosen, not forsaken. The Savior is for me!"
Lord, help us to believe. Believe with me for MORE. Amen & Alleluia. Rest in this song. Who You Say I Am By: Hillsong WorshipMORE LIFE HERE
It’s not just raining, it’s pouring. Every day the forecast is rain. It’s forever pouring down grace and mercy from the throne room of heaven! God’s Word is like the rain. It soaks our souls and brings a crop. The riches of His grace and mercy fall down to cover us in all chapters of life. BE DRENCHED. Stay under the rain. Trust more in His outpouring. The forecast is forever rain. Alleluia! *Grace Like Rain By: Aaron Keyes
"*As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so is my word that goes out from my mouth." (Isaiah 55:10-11)
"The limited riches of His grace and kindness have been showered upon us in Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 2:7)
MORE LIFE HERE
In high school I’d sway back and forth with my besties. We’d sing this song with all our hearts. These lyrics took on a whole new meaning when I turned my eyes toward Jesus. They’ve come to life through all my chapters. Reflect with me a minute. Think about Jesus. First get a glimpse of His open arms. Then, go ahead. sing! These lyrics stand firm. In all seasons, “all you gotta do is call.” He’ll come runnin’. Hear this song in a whole new way! You’ve Got A Friend By: James Taylor
"While his son was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him." (Luke 15:20)
On the day I needed You, I called, and You responded and infused my soul with strength. (Psalm 138:3) (You held me and told me that everything is okay.)
MORE LIFE HERE
In all, Immanuel, God is with us. There’s no place He is not. As close as the breeze on our cheeks, as sure as the sun rises and sets. In all chapters, He holds us fast. We can’t escape His loving pursuit. His Light and His love remains always. No matter where we are, He calls us into His loving embrace. HELD FAST. Alleluia.
Everywhere His hand holds us fast. (Psalm 139:8-12)
MORE LIFE HERE
Two words that change everything. In failures we might begin to doubt ourselves, to even doubt God's love for us, but don't lose heart. Our flesh and hearts DO fail, BUT God will continually lift us up again. He is our strength and portion all our days. Listen to love. Get up again. Keep going. God Bless You, Friend. Amen.
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
(Psalms 73:26)
“Let the name of the Lord be praised both NOWand forevermore.” (Psalm 113:2)
LOOK. There’s no time like the present. NOW, not later, Praise Him! There’s no need to wait. There’s every reason to do it NOW! Praise the name of the Lord. He will lift you up! Forever He is faithful.
HOW CAN YOU PRAISE HIM MORE TODAY? NOW?
MORE LIFE: www.lbooker.com
Not some, but all our days were ordained by the Lord. Every chapter. His favorite is the day we entrust Him to all our days & receive His saving grace & mercy!
"Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your heart.” Hebrews 3:15
"All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be."
Psalm 139:16
MORE: I’D LOVE TO SEE YOU (visit v-log) there's more to this life
It’s always a good time for a “pep talk,” to speak truth to our souls. In a world forever changing, we need to rest in One who never does, in the One who calls us into His rest & hope that goes beyond circumstance. It’s an intentional grounding. Jesus declares, “I never change.” (Hebrews 13:8) We must declare His promises, that they will rise to life in our valleys and on our mountaintops. I am preaching to the choir. Offer a sacrifice of praise. Awake with me!
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
Do you practice pep talks? How can you speak to your soul & stay awake to what’s true? Jesus loves you yesterday, today & forever. This is solid ground.
MORE: Do songs settle your soul? Choose one HERE. Read Psalm 42. Read Tuesday’s blog.
"Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, My Savior and My God." (Psalm 42:5)
We should never grow tired of remembering the free gift given to us: salvation in Christ Jesus. It cost Him everything. This brings abundant life. Seeing He triumphed over death on our behalf. He didn’t dodge the cross. We shouldn’t dodge this truth. Admitting our need. Discovering what this all means so that it can bring us living joy & hope, then clinging to it. Abundant life lives here.
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
I’m not sure where you are on this, but Jesus knows. He is the real deal. What can you say to Him? He’s open to whatever question you have. He loves it when we ask & He loves it when we rejoice in His salvation! Wherever you are, receive & believe!
Our thoughts set our feet to action. "Think" about it. It's true. Our thoughts need to be unentangled. It’s an ongoing process. We need to tune ourselves to hear the cheers of Jesus. We need to drink in the living water of His Word to endure. It's His voice of truth that will keep us going. That will carry us. Keep going. More. More hope. More truth. More life. We are marked and sealed for more. Lean into His cheers!
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
Where are you today? Are you hearing good cheers or hearing give up? It’s a fight. This race is not a sprint. We have a constant source, the Savior himself. How can you hear Him more? I am in this with you. I am cheering for you. Yet, Jesus is cheering the loudest. Let’s not miss His voice!
Let’s throw off everything that entangles and run this race with perseverance . Let’s fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author & Perfecter of our faith. Let’s tune our hearing to His voice. (Hebrews 12:1-2)
MORE: NEED A SONG? "IT'S ALL TRUE"...TRUST HIM MORE
It feels hard. It looks hard. It is hard—BUT, with the Lord we will make it. The answer is certain. Nothing is too hard for Him. He’s proven it. Tell Him. Carry this truth with you in every obstacle, every trial, every doubt. Jesus is greater. Amen & Alleluia.
WHERE ARE YOU?
Will you claim this truth & grab His hand? Don’t hide your hard, ask Him to be your strength.
Your outstretched arm reaches to me, nothing is too hard for you.
(Jeremiah 32:17, 27)
4 God Wants Us Now. What are we waiting for? We put things off in life. We wait & we wait. The sweetness of this story is a reminder that we don't need to put off the most important thing. God wants us as we are, right now. No need to put off coming into the arms of love. Hear this story of truth & let it stir you (& me) into "now."
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
Are you waiting? Do you think it will squash your fun? Let go of this lie. Life awaits. Don't wait! Hear this song I share below & be held!
MORE HERE: A SONG ~ OPEN ARMS OF LOVE
3 NOW is the time, NOW is the secret! This personal story taught me so much. Y’all, we can’t get time back. NOW is the time to come to Jesus, so later we can say, “I did” & have no regrets.
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
Do you hesitate? Do you call it strange? Are you distracted? Listen to love deep down. Let’s say “I did” — Put this on your bucket list! This is the invitation into abundant life!
MORE HERE: A SONG~ AN INVITATION TO THE TABLE
MORE: FIND US ON YOUTUBE
2 God Wants Us (just as we are!) There’s no need to worry, just come as you are to the One we all need. The void inside can only be filled by Him. It’s no secret, He’s always waiting with open arms!
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
Do you feel the void inside? Do you crave a love that receives you this way? Come, now & again & again & again.
MORE: A SONG FOR YOU, "SEARCH OVER"
MORE: FIND US ON YOUTUBE
It’s good to remember all the key secrets no matter where we are on the journey, they give access to the abundant life we’re seeking.
1: We are God’s most prized possession. It’s true! The Almighty longs to open our eyes to His perfect love that our hearts are designed for. That we’d claim our identity, His beloved. That we’d claim our place, His everlasting arms.
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
Do you know He loves you this much? Have you received His love that never changes? Have you forgotten how much He loves you? Listen again. He means it!
MORE HERE: FIND US ON YOUTUBE
There’s no other way to come into abundant life than with a limp & the need to see. Let’s admit it together. Let’s admit Jesus can open our eyes & help us limp through life with living hope in Him.
Tell Him with me — “ I believe.”
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
Can you see it? That we can’t see without Jesus. Even walking around blindfolded would be hard. Has Jesus untied your blindfold? It’s ok that we are crippled by fear & doubt. Let it lead you & me to the cross. Blind & crippled we come! Believe it! He receives us.
"The blind & the crippled came into the temple courts & Jesus healed them all." (Matthew 21:14)
MORE: A SONG FOR YOU: "COME TO THE TABLE"
We get burned in life by things, even people. What is weighing heavy on you? We are invited to bring all our burdens to be burned in the fire. Jesus sees where we are being burned & wants to instill hope & forgiveness, right there. The cross is the place to come. He is able. He is able. Don’t forget it!
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
Did you write something on your paper? Remember, it’s ok if it keeps coming up. Jesus doesn’t give up on us. He wants to hold our hand & set us free day by day. Trust Him in the process. (I’m in it with you!)
"Jesus drove away all the things in the temple that didn't belong." (Matthew 21:12)
MORE: A SONG FOR YOUR HEART ~ "GOD SEES YOU"
“Jesus drove out all that didn’t belong in the temple.” (Matthew 21:12) He is clear that the temple is His dwelling place. WE are the temple & He wants to turn over things that don’t belong. It’s out of love He does this.
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
Are you up for it? Sometimes it’s tough to let Him. To turn over ourselves to Him, cause we’ve been sold out to the wrong things for so long. Tell Him. Ask Him to help turn over your thoughts & your heart so He dwells there in the center. He’ll be sure to help!
They waved palm branches & shouted Hosanna, "Glory to God in the highest, God Saves," as Jesus came into Jerusalem on a donkey in peace. He got off His donkey & went directly to the temple where He cleared out the temple of things that did not belong."(Matthew 21:9,12-13)
MORE: "AT THE CROSS" (did you catch this song?)
We have a guarantee that’s sealed. Yes. we are marked with struggles and aches, but in them we walk with “more” through Christ Jesus. Not just through our wastelands but into our future inheritance. This is a slam dunk guarantee y’all, sealed by Christ. There’s more to come. Walk with more today.
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
What about today? How can we guard this deposit and let it speak living hope into today and all our tomorrow’s? What if in the current struggles we set our hope here? I believe more is now. Do you? I believe this is how we receive it.
Guard the good deposit!
Are you marked & sealed?
“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1:13-14)
MORE - A SONG HERE FOR MORE VISION
We are the prodigal son & we’re invited to come home to our inheritance empty handed.
Shame wants to tell us we are shut out. Don’t fall for it! Let’s set our minds to the truth. In our shame & regrets, we can come home to Jesus and be restored & held. No matter what kind of wastelands we’ve wallowed in. Come home & stay. Let’s not waste the inheritance that’s ours now and forever.
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
Do you find yourself in a tough spot right now? Or with a tough record that leaves you thinking you can’t come home? It’s a tender tap, do you feel it? Behind it is the loving heart of the Savior saying, “Just come home.”
MORE: SOAK IN THIS SONG
“He came to his senses & decided to head home to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him embraced him and kissed him.” (Luke 15:20)
To say “I am found,” is to admit where we are found. In our wastelands is where we find our true love and receive the life He offers us. Let’s not trip over religion, let’s embrace relationship and cry out to Jesus. He receives us this way. He’s with us in the wastelands to carry us, with us to bring us out into the joy of our salvation.
WHERE ARE YOU?
Name it on paper or out loud. Don’t hold back. HOWL. His heart breaks that we’d hide our wastelands from Him. Be found.
“In a desert land He found him, (He finds us) in a barren and howling waste. He shielded him and cared for him; He guarded him as the apple of His eye. (Deuteronomy 32:10)
MORE HERE: SONGS FOR YOUR HEART
We are to never grow up. There’s never a time we don’t need a hand to hold. It’s the Lord’s hand outstretched to us that we need to grab to on the journey. Dang it’s bumpy and twisty. More handholding is the answer. Cling to Him and know He is clinging to you. We are children forever. Stay dependent to stay in abundant life!
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
Can you relate to my comment of coming up short on the journey? Do you like the feel of someone’s hand in yours? Do you like the sound of being a child forever? Picture reaching out your hand to the Lord’s strong hand that will keep you. Do it on the inside today & more & more as the days go by.
“Because You are my help, I sing in the shadow of Your wings. My soul clings to You, Your right hand upholds me.“(Isaiah 64:7)
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Welcome to Marked & Sealed For MORE!
Oh my heart is so full to think that we can walk this way together. I don’t want to settle for ordinary life if I’m promised abundant life, do you? (John 10:10) We shouldn’t! We should claim every promise, sealed in Christ Jesus. Claim our ongoing need and proclaim HE is able. We don’t claim we have it all together but that we need His help and deliverance on the journey. He will be sure to answer. Let's anticipate.
Tell us the truth Lord that we might live in the promised abundant life. Renew our thoughts continually and set us free to know that You are for us and with us through it all and until the end. Amen!
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
How’s life for you right now? Be honest. Do you believe Jesus means what He says? Do you desire MORE life deep down? No matter where life finds you & me, let’s ask Him for more faith to believe Him. Let's take Jesus up on the promised abundant life!!