Xulon Press

  • Destined To Worship

    “When they saw the star, they were overjoyed…and they bowed down and worshipped him.”             Matthew 2:10-11

    Have you ever been listening to the radio and a song just grabs you?  This Christmas I was asked to make a short video introducing a trio in our church singing Kari Jobe’s song “Adore Him”.  In the song, she writes about the story of the Magi who followed the star to find Jesus.  Using the words and tune for the Christmas Carol  “O Come All Ye Faithful” for the chorus, she compels us to join her in worship as she repeats the phrase “Come Let Us Adore Him” with such passion.

    Music profoundly impacts my life.  I am brought to tears more by songs than anything else.  If only I could sing!  Listening to Kari’s song led me to spend a great deal of time thinking and reading about these men who travelled so far searching for a King.  Men who would have given up so much to make this journey, putting their lives at risk by not going back to King Herod after he sent them to find this King of the Jews.  Herod falsely claimed that his motives were to worship the King, but the Magi, they were pursuing their destiny to worship the King.

    Today my iTunes started playing Avalon’s song “Destined” and I was again moved by music.   This song helped me to realize that Romans 14:11 is true and that we all have the same destiny as the Magi.  We’re all Destined To Worship!  So, be like the Magi and seek after Jesus the bright Morning Star!  When you find Him, humble yourself and lavish Him with your praise!

    Prayer:

    Father…I praise you for who you are because, You are good!  Almighty…Always There, and You Know Everything!  I want my life to be an act of worship to you in the words I say and the meditations of my heart.  Help me fulfill my destiny to worship you!  In Jesus name, Amen

    Read More

  • Do you trust God with your Due Date?

     Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
    —1 Peter 5:6

    When I was pregnant with my son Brandon, the doctor made me stop working a month and a half before the due date because I was in danger of preterm labor. The doctor knew Brandon’s best chance at a healthy life lay in prolonging his birth.
    I had to go in for weekly checkups, and every week they warned me about the situation. Days went by. Weeks went by. A month passed. Almost two months passed. By the time Brandon’s due date came and went, I felt like I had been pregnant for two years! All this talk of an early delivery for months on end kept me ready for the birth, but it didn’t happen. After the due date came and went, I wondered if he was ever coming out!
    Finally, it happened. Labor pains began, and a baby was born!

    Waiting for God’s due date often involves a lot of waiting. You hear God’s promise. Others confirm the promise and build your expectation of it. You see signs of it being fulfilled, and even a few false starts get your heart pumping!
    Then it seems like it’s never going to happen. It’s taking too long. Will it ever happen?

    The beginning of Proverbs 13:12 says,
    “Hope deferred makes the heart sick…”

    When we’ve been hoping for something to be birthed for a long time and we don’t see it happening, we get heartsick. We can lose hope and give in to discouragement.

    The ending of Proverbs 13:12 explains that
    “a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.”

    Just as surely as my son had a due date, so does your promise from God! Ecclesiastes 3:11 says, “He has made everything beautiful in its time.”
    Your time will come. Your promise will come. God knows what’s best for you and those around you. He knows what needs to take place so you’ll be ready to take care of your promise.
    Trust God with your due date!
    PRAYER:
    Father, today I humble myself before You. I put my life in Your mighty hand. Help me to trust You and believe that Your timing is best! May I know that You will bring to pass all that You have promised—on the perfect due date! In Jesus’ name, amen.
    DRAWING FROM THE WELL

    • 1 Peter 5:6
    • Proverbs 13:12
    • Ecclesiastes 3:11
    • Galatians 6:9

     
    This devotion is being shared on the SEE HOPE LOVE show website:  March 8, 2017

    Read More

  • Every Time I Think of You…

    “Come face-to-face with God, and give thanks; with loud and joyful voices, praise Him in songs.”
    Psalm 95:2 (The Voice)

    every time i think of ypouDuring this week of thanksgiving our attention is rightly given to God and all the blessings He brings into our lives.  God does so much for us!  With the pace of life we live, we often don’t slow down enough to appreciate all that He has done, so the holiday of Thanksgiving is a great time to slow us down and turn our focus to our great God!

    When Nehemiah was rebuilding the city of Jerusalem he reminded the people of how “long ago, in the days of David and Asaph, there had been directors for the musicians and for the songs of praise and thanksgiving to God.” (Nehemiah12:46-47,NIV)  He reinstituted the positions of Worship Leaders because he recognized the power of putting our focus on God and thanking Him for all He has done.  Nehemiah and all the people knew that only God could have rebuilt Jerusalem.  We need to open our eyes and see where God is at work rebuilding our lives!

    Time to Think and Give Thanks

    Psalm 95:2 (The Voice)Many of our churches today are blessed with Worship Directors and teams of gifted leaders who by using their words, worship and talents help us to direct our focus on God and how amazing He is.  Everyone knows someone who by their very life encourages others to see how good God is.  Take the time this week to live out 1 Corinthians 1:4-6 and let your Worship Leaders or others know how their lives direct you to focus on God and thank Him for His goodness and their influence in your life.

    “Every time I think of you…I thank God for your lives of free and open access to God, given by Jesus. There’s no end to what has happened in you—it’s beyond speech, beyond knowledge. The evidence of Christ has been clearly verified in your lives.”

    1 Corinthians 1:4-6 (The Message)

    Prayer

    Father…it is with a grateful heart that I come to you today.  You are such a good and wonderful God.  I thank-you for placing people in my life who, by their very lifestyle, direct me to put my focus on you and all your benefits!  Help me to live my life in a way that inspires others to thank-you! In Jesus name, Amen.

    Soul H2O bookIf you liked the refreshing in this #SoulH2O devotion, you’ll love my latest Soul H2O Devotional book: 40 Thirst Quenching Devotions for Women.

    Read More

  • Laura Story-Blessings

    I was “blessed” to hear Laura Story live in concert at the International Christian Retail Show in Saint Louis this year.  She shared her music and parts of her testimony.  It was amazing to me because her song “Blessings” has a really powerful message that gave me strength after my divorce.  It made sense of all the harship I faced and continued to face as a result.  It has helped me to re-establish my Christian Expectations (as talked about in my last post) to  realistic, Biblically-sound expectations.
    Here is a link to hear her song on youtube Laura Story-Blessings, but you’ll want the CD.  All the songs are amazing!
    laura storey blessings cd cover
    To find out more about Laura Storey, her music, ministry and life…check out her website http://www.LauraStoryMusic.com

    Read More

  • Book Signing-Family Christian Lake Orion, Michigan

    This day started out crazy as the store realized that the books weren’t there.  God is so much bigger than our problems!!!  I met amazing people and made lasting connections with so many!   It’s shocking when you don’t get down over things not turning out right and then God turns them into great things.  It was great to have my mother-in-law with me.  She’s been an encouragement to me for so many years!  Love this lady!
    I’m looking forward to coming back when I do have books and possibly my hubby’s devotional 40 DAYS IN THE MANCAVE beside mine!  Thanks Family Christian Bookstores!IMG_3033IMG_3034IMG_3035IMG_3036
     

    Read More

  • Power & Glory of God Conference

    I was asked to speak at The Power & Glory of God Conference last minute when another author couldn’t make it.  The conference is a part of the Ministry of The Watchmen run by Rev. Barbara Williams out of Warren, Michigan.  It was one of those God ordained moments!  Since the event was held during Braeside Family Camp my cousin Rachelle Fletcher a Christian Recording Artist,  was down visiting from Texas.  She has written a worship song to go along with my book and when I got the call about this event I knew I needed her to come with me.  They were open to having Rachelle sing “You Are Water In My Desert” after I spoke.  The Lord used the song in such a powerful way and there was a sweet sense of His presence as worship sprang forth.  It was an amazing time!

    Read More

  • Power & Glory of God Conference

    I was asked to speak at The Power & Glory of God Conference last minute when another author couldn’t make it.  The conference is a part of the Ministry of The Watchmen run by Rev. Barbara Williams out of Warren, Michigan.  It was one of those God ordained moments!  Since the event was held during Braeside Family Camp my cousin Rachelle Fletcher a Christian Recording Artist,  was down visiting from Texas.  She has written a worship song to go along with my book and when I got the call about this event I knew I needed her to come with me.  They were open to having Rachelle sing “You Are Water In My Desert” after I spoke.  The Lord used the song in such a powerful way and there was a sweet sense of His presence as worship sprang forth.  It was an amazing time!

    Read More