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Fill us Lord
Posted by Tiffany Ann Lewis,
June 17th, 2013 
“That they all may be on, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You’ that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent me.” (The Master at John 17:21)
There is no glory for the God who is love, the God who called His children to love, if they are divided amongst themselves. There is no glory for the God when His children, who are representing Him to the world, are unloving, irritable, backbiting, resentful, jealous, boastful, and living selfish lives.
God gets glory when His children are full of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and loyalty. Holy Spirit, fill us with Your fruit so that we may bring glory to Your great Name to the sphere of influence that is around us. Amen and Amen.
Matt 18:19 From a Pianist’s Perspective
Posted by Tiffany Ann Lewis,
June 13th, 2013 
“Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.” (Matthew 18:19)
We have been learning about the power of unity this month and learned the other day that the Greek word in our key text for “agree” is sumphoneo (Strong’s #4856). Sumphoneo is where we get the word “symophony” from and it means: to sound together, be in accord, be in harmony. It is used primarily of musical instruments however, as we see in our key text, the New Testament uses the word metaphorically to speak of agreeing together in prayer.
In order to make “harmony” there MUST be different sounds. It wouldn’t be “harmony” without it – the musical term would be “unison”. If all the instruments played the same note the song wouldn’t be very interesting. It is true that the sound of the notes would be slightly different according to the instrument playing the note. For example a trombone playing a middle c and a flute playing a middle c are distinctive. Nevertheless, if they all play middle c you’re going to have a bunch of instruments playing together in “unison” not “harmony” which is…well…boring in my musical opinion anyway (smile).
Now, of course, there is a discipline required to play music that is pleasing to the ear. You can’t just hit any ol’ notes on the piano and expect them to sound good together. Similarly, it takes discipline for the disciples of Jesus to utter the tones God has created us for.
All this speaks to me of the diversity within the body of Christ. Just as there are many instruments playing different notes (harmony) to make the one song in a great symphony, we too need to play our part (pun intended) just as God created us to do and obedience to His will.
It may take sacrifice and discipline but it will be worth it when we create a symphony. It also may sound different than the other notes…but it’s supposed to. That’s the only way we will create a “harmony” on earth, the symphony that heaven is listening to and will bring God’s commanded blessing. Amen and Amen.
The Sound of Unity
Posted by Tiffany Ann Lewis,
June 11th, 2013
“Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.” (Matthew 18:19)
I don’t know how things work in your household, but in mine it’s hard to get two people to agree on what TV show to watch! Seriously… How then will we ever achieve this level of unity that when we as anything it will done by our heavenly Father? As I mentioned in this month’s manna, The Power of Unity, it starts with sacrifice. Sacrifice is never an easy thing however it will make a pleasing sound to God. Let me explain.
The Greek work for “agree” here in our key text is sumphoneo (Strong’s #4856) which is where we get the “symophony”. Sumphoneo comes from two words and means: to sound together, be in accord, be in harmony. It is used primarily of musical instruments however, as we see in our key text, the New Testament uses the word metaphorically regarding agreeing together in prayer.
Through this, we can see that when we are in full agreement, first with God and then with each other, we are releasing a harmonious sound under the guidance of our conductor…the Holy Spirit.
Yes, it starts with us choosing the Father’s will over our own however it ends with a glorious sound that God promises will produce His commanded blessing in Psalm 133.
May we endeavor to do what Ephesians 4:3 teaches us and strive to “…keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” today. Amen and Amen
Will You Be the Answer?
Posted by Tiffany Ann Lewis,
June 5th, 2013 
You can be the answer to Jesus’ great prayer for unity found in John 17:20-22.
How you may ask? The answer is found in Ephesians 4:1-3; “I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
Will you be the answer to His prayer today?
The Power of Unity
Posted by Tiffany Ann Lewis,
June 3rd, 2013 
I don’t know about you, but I am completely blown away that the One who put death in its place by rising from the grave, reversed the curse through His atonement, is ever living to make intercession for the saints, and is praying for unity amongst His people! Wow, talking about praying “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” We don’t have to guess what God’s will is on this matter because Jesus spells it out for us. However, I believe it’s going to take more than just prayer. Let me explain in this month’s manna, “The Power of Unity.”
Click here to read this month’s manna, “The Power of Unity.”
Cause it Lord
Posted by Tiffany Ann Lewis,
May 29th, 2013 
“Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, For in You do I trust; Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, For I lift up my soul to You.” (Ps 143:8)
In this verse both phrases; “cause me to hear” and “cause me to know” are in an active – causative (hiphil) form in Hebrew. Once again, David was in a situation in his life that was critical, therefore, he was asking God to use His supernatural power, to rend the heavens so to speak, and cause him to hear His lovingkindness. He was asking God to cause him to know, to perceive, to find out and discern the paths that He had opened to him at this moment in his life, assumedly, so that he could walk in the ways of the Lord.
Because David knows all that is possible with His God, he is asking God to act on his behalf. Now that’s a prayer I can give a hearty “Amen” to. How about you?
You see, David had something deep in his soul…he had trust in God. However, this trust was forged through the hardships in his life. The New Covenant says it this way, “…we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Romans 5:3-5)
I heard a pastor once say, “Instead of trying to find out how to get out of your problem try to find out what you can get out of your problem.” I believe this can happen as God causes us to hear His lovingkindness and causes us to know His ways in the midst of the trial.
It’s not always pleasant but God is always present. Cause it Lord. Amen and Amen.
We Honor You
Posted by Tiffany Ann Lewis,
May 27th, 2013 Sending a sincere thank you too all the men and women that have sacrificed so much for our great country. We honor you today and everyday!!
We Honor You from Tiffany Ann Lewis on Vimeo.
Protection and Provision
Posted by Tiffany Ann Lewis,
May 24th, 2013 
“Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” (John 10:7-9)
In the natural, the pasture provides protection for the sheep from predators in the form of some sort of fence. It also provides provision for them through the grass. What they feed on sustains their physical health.
Jesus, the good Shepherd, is the door to the Lord’s pasture. He is the Shepherd of our soul that loves us with an everlasting love. As we walk through it we will receive protection and provision 24 hours a day. Thank You Lord
Chesed
Posted by Tiffany Ann Lewis,
May 21st, 2013 
The Hebrew word translated as “lovingkindness” is: chesed (Strong’s # 2617). Chesed is the Old Testament’s highest expression for love. It is a love that remains constant regardless of the circumstances.
Chesed is spelled with the three Hebrew letters: chet – samech – dalet.
ד The dalet is a picture of a door or a pathway, a porthole you might say. Because the dalet is the last letter in the word for lovingkindness (chesed) we can picture ourselves walking through that door and into the next word. In John 10:7 Jesus releases one of His 7 “I Am” proclamations and says; “…Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.”
Therefore, spiritually speaking, the dalet of God’s chesed is a porthole, a door way opening to the attribute of God that our soul is so thirsty for found in Christ Jesus. Just as a dry and thirst land takes in the water in, soaking each drop of this precious fluid up, we also take in the precious qualities of God has the Holy Spirit is poured on us. “Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Romans 5:5)
Still in the Storm
Posted by Tiffany Ann Lewis,
May 18th, 2013 
“Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10) Sometimes it’s hard to be still when it feels like the sky is falling all around. Ironically we are created to do whatever it takes to survive yet everything that it takes to survive is knowing God.
O’ how desperately we need to know God’s personality in the midst of trials. Moses desperately needed to know too. He begged God, “Show me Your Face!” The Lord did something better though, He showed Moses His Personality. He revealed who He was at the core of His being, His heart.
“And the Lord passed before him [Moses] and proclaimed, “The lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth.” (Exodus 34:6)
What is the one thing you know about God that can keep you still in the storm? For me, the one thing I know about God that quiets my soul is that He loved the world so much that He gave His only begotten Son so that we won’t perish but have everlasting life.
Jesus loves me is the greatest theological truth about God that I know. There is so much of His personality still to be discovered, however, I can be still in the storm because I have heard the sound of God’s lovingkindness.
Jesus loves me this I know
For the bible tells me so
Little ones to Him belong
They are weak but He is strong.
Yes Jesus loves me
Yes Jesus loves me
Yes Jesus loves me
The bible tells me so.
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