I've always been drawn to music (even though I can't sing very well!!!) and when it comes to worship, I can't get enough. I've talked a lot about my love of worship and how closely that ties to my faith, so when I started working on my playlist for labor and delivery, I realized that all the songs I wanted to select were songs of praise to the Lord. I think during that time I will need to draw strength from my faith and rely in His goodness for the power to push through. I wanted to start a new study for the month of August since this will be my last month before Solomon joins our family. I wanted to find something that would help me during the task ahead of birthing him, so I decided to start with my favorite, She Reads Truth. I wasn't sure what I would choose but after seeing the Hymns Series I knew that was the right choice.

I'm really enjoying this study, and I'm only on day 3! Digging deeper in the songs that we sing to Him is so refreshing. The layout of the days are great and easy to complete. The normal bible verses to start, then the written study but then the study ends with the hymn that the day is focused around. You can listen to the song, meditate over it and just be one with the Lord. I love it. I listen to the songs several times and soak it all in, writing my prayers and reading the study. It is also wonderful to find some new songs that I wouldn't normally pick for my labor and delivery playlist, now having a strong connection to the song. 

My prayer is to find God in a deeper level in all of these songs & use that when I need it most. To truly search for Him and sing the praises to Him. My head is constantly being pulled in 50 directions right now, so finding the time to sit and worship Him, and put everything else aside has been amazing!

Have any of you completed these studies?? 
I'd love to hear what you have learned!

In The Word // Job 13:15

Job is not the easiest book to read. Especially when you are sitting on a porch watching those you love play on the beach and then you turn the pages through a very unhappy story. It was hard last week while I was on vacation. There were days when I didn't turn those pages because I had no desire. Now that I am home in my routine I'm back to craving it. I have my NLT study bible and my ESV journaling bible so I'm good to go. But what does that say about my heart?

The book of Job teaches us to obey God and my heart was not obeying His calling to read His word everyday last week. There were days when I made excuses and I didn't make the time, but during all the pages in Job so far there is one verse that hits me like a ton of bricks every time....

I tend to always tie my scripture reading to songs of worship since that is the strongest way I connect with the Lord. If I am having a bad day, I sing a song of praise to the Lord. If I am worried or stressed, I listen to a song that puts God first so that I rely on Him. My days that begin with worship music while I get ready in my room are always better mornings. Music is a type of love language with God for me, so naturally this verse instantly makes me think of that amazing song by Shane & Shane. Though You Slay Me kills me every time, just like that verse that inspired the lyrics. Take a few minutes and enjoy this....

And the words by John Piper are so powerful and true. This is what I need to be thinking of when I want to skip a reading. Or when I think that Job isn't the most exciting book to read. It is His book and I want to yearn for it more everyday.

What is your heart yearning for?

Has the Lord revealed anything to you recently?

Link up with us and share what you have learned!!

 

<br /><a href="http://livingoncloud9ine.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img  src="http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll67/prom08mhs/inthewordbuttonresized.jpg"/></a>

Also, Cassie and I will share the Chronological Study Plan for the month of September next week!

In The Word // Grace

This... this has been my view for the past few days. The AC is broken in part of the house, the part that I am sleeping in. But this is the view and I'm with people I love. 

So I'm going to keep this short and simple so I can go enjoy it with my sweet family. 

When I look out here today and see the ocean I can't help but think of those David Crowder Band lyrics....

If his grace is an ocean, we're all sinking.

I'm so thankful for His grace. & His ocean.

& the vastness of His great love.

Hope you all are having a wonderful week and enjoying His love also.

Link up with us all week long, share what He has put on your heart! 

And pray for that AC of ours... thanks!

 

<br /><a href="http://livingoncloud9ine.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll67/prom08mhs/inthewordbuttonresized.jpg"/></a> 

In The Word // Psalm 46:5

In the midst. I find such peace in this verse for some reason? In the middle of, the center point, that is where you find God. How awesome is it to think of God as a the center of everything. The center of the church, of His people and the world.

The "her" referenced here is the "city of God" but naturally when I read this bible verse, I thought of myself. I  will not be moved because He is in me. The center, heart of myself, He is there. I also instantly thought of the Chronological Study that I started five days ago because the verse says, "God will help her when morning dawns." because that is that is the truth. Yes, it has only been a few days of waking up at 7AM but amazingly, I have only hit the snooze button one time each morning. That is clearly an act of God. I don't mean to be dramatic, it is the truth since I usually snooze 4-5 times on a daily basis! It is a BIG deal that I have climbed out of that comfortable bed of mine so early but I know I can do it because he is pushing me. Literally calling me off my pillow.

I have been praying for this. Praying before I fall asleep at night, praying every morning after my reading, praying for a thirst for His word. Hoping that I crave Him more than sleep and so far it has been wonderful! I continue to pray for the week ahead, praying that I can make it five days in a row. Pick my head up off my pillow and make my way downstairs to sit at my corner desk and open His word. That is my prayer.

I can't help but think about one of my all time favorite songs....

This morning my alarm went off

Earlier than I’d ever want
And in this small obedience, Lord
Help my heart stay bowed down

Father, You've given Jesus
All those He will raise up
And all eyes, including mine, will see
You are the only God
{Bethany Dillon // Deliver Me}

He is in the midst of me. He is in the midst of this life.
The midst of my mornings. All Him, all around.

 What is He calling out in you?

Are you reading along with us for this Chronological Study??

Share what He has placed on your heart this week,
the link up below will be opened all week long so join us!

 

<br /><a href="http://livingoncloud9ine.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img  src="http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll67/prom08mhs/inthewordbuttonresized.jpg"/></a>

----------

Also, hop over to Sage to see my guest post while Cassie is away on her Honeymoon!

In The Word // Exodus 15:3

Just a Reminder // Cassie and I decided to change this link up a little so everyone can have more flexibility to write and share their hearts here with us. Instead of this being a Tuesday only link up we wanted to make sure everyone knew that you can add your link to your blog post for a full week. You can even link up old posts if you'd like. We just want to hear your hearts and grow together as Sisters in Christ! We decided to change the button also to make sure there wasn't any confusion.
Okay now on to the normal routine... what God has placed on my heart recently.

At church on Sunday morning I heard this during the teaching:
"Having a warrior God, means we are at war."

Wow, right? When I heard those words it was like all of the little pieces clicked together for me. We are at war.

War within ourselves. War with other sinners. War with other believers. War with the lost.

But, war doesn't have to be ugly. It certainly can be, and sadly most of the time, it is. Just like all things in this life, we should mirror ourselves and our actions after a perfect King.
Fighting with pure reasons and fighting for His kingdom. Learning how to fight with grace and forgiveness.

Yahweh. King of all Kings. The Lord. I'm so happy to have such a mighty Warrior on our side. Aren't you? I'm glad that we have a King that will fight for us and love us fiercely!

After the service on Sunday we sang these words.... 

Greater is the one who's in us

Greater is the one who calls our name

He will never fail

Stronger is the one within us

Stronger is the one who fights for us

He will never fail

You will never fail

For Your love endures forever

Oh Your love endures forever

Open up our eyes, surround us with Your light

Your love endures forever

Mighty is the one who's for us

Mighty is the one who's strong to save

He will make a way

You will make a way

For Your love endures forever

Oh Your love endures forever

Open up our eyes, surround us with Your light

Your love endures forever

Our God is fighting for us always

Our God is fighting for us all

Our God is fighting for us always

We are not alone, we are not alone

- Elevation Church 

He is fighting for us & we are not alone.

Amen! 

Use the new button below and link up with us on Instagram and Twitter! 

#InTheWordLinkUp

 

<br /><a href="http://livingoncloud9ine.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll67/prom08mhs/inthewordbuttonresized.jpg"/></a> 

In The Word // John 4:24

Worship. One of my favorite things about praising God. I recently saw something on the wonderful world of Pinterest that said, "let your worship be your witness" and I believe that is so true. We all go through highs and lows in life but when you can turn your energy toward worshiping HIM then we find true happiness. 

We can witness in so many ways but how we worship on a daily basis is such a strong display of our love. The happiness we carry inside and share with others (even when it is hard!) is a way to worship the King of kindness. Sharing His love in every way.

There are always moments when I want to be lazy in a situation. Not show His love, just be Cassie, and sometimes I listen to my own heart. I gossip, I stay angry, I listen to the enemy. But those times when I shut him out and listen to my true heart, the one that belongs to my Savior, I overflow with grace and kindness. Even in the hard moments when I think I will be weak and sin, He guides me to be strong. Worshiping His beautiful love.

It is all in Spirit & Truth. All because of Him. 

What ways do you worship our Maker every day?

Join us in sharing what God is doing in your heart!

Grab the button and share your link below. There are no rules or guidelines,

we just want to share His love and we welcome you to share it with us. 

The other Cassie & I love to read what you all have on your heart!

 

<br /><a href="http://livingoncloud9ine.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll67/prom08mhs/bible-page-1.png"/></a>