Starts and Ends

Self-care day! Let’s recline in the Lord together. Find a comfortable place, preferably quiet. Take a couple of deep breaths and turn your affections toward the Lord. Everything starts and ends with Christ.

Let’s read God’s word because the truth always sets us free. Then let’s reflect on the word with 3 questions. Lastly let’s meditate on the goodness of God with the lyrics and music provided (via links).

Read these 3 scriptures, pause and weigh them in your heart:

(Romans 22:13 NIV) I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.

(Colossians 1:16 NIV) For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and For Him.

(Romans 8:38-39 NIV) For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels or demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth nor anything else in all of creation can separate us from the love of God that we have in Christ Jesus our Lord.

1. List 3 truths seen in these scriptures.
2. What are 3 things that stand out to you?
3. Share how these scriptures strengthen your heart.

If you believe that these scriptures are true, how can you use them to rewrite the lies in your life? (ie When guilt, shame, ridicule, negative thoughts, loneliness, despair etc. come to torment or bully you, what scriptures will you use to rewrite the lies with God’s truth?)

Listen to this song and whatever comes to mind either use it to give God thanks or submit to Him anything that burdens your heart.

Your pain, guilt and/or shame is safe with God. He will never use it against you.

VERSE 1
My soul thirsts for things I can’t explain
In my bones a beckoning to pray
If my heart is a battleground
My defences run both ways
The flesh is a beggar and thief
But there is a Spirit-man awakening me

VERSE 2
When real life and peace won’t make amends
When all these starts
Start feeling like these ends
Like the world is unravelling
And I’m bound to come undone
There is a Shepherd a Priest
There is a Comforter who comforts me

REFRAIN 1
And my soul finds rest
Where it makes no sense
There the blood sets me free

REFRAIN 2
All my old regrets
All my brokenness
All my failures redeemed

REFRAIN 3
And it feels like grace
Where I stacked my shame
There the cross stands for me

REFRAIN 4
All the things I’ve done
All the times I’ve run
All my dead ends redeemed

REFRAIN 5
And it looks like hope
Where my heart was broke
And His heart broke for me

BRIDGE
Lay your burden down upon
Down upon Him
Lay your burden down

PRE-CHORUS
Jesus my rest in peace
My reconciler
You’re my every good thing

REFRAIN 6
I surrender all
All I’m living for
You’re my every good thing

REFRAIN 7
You’re my amnesty
You’re my split wide sea
You’re my every good thing

REFRAIN 8
All my days and nights
You’re my death to life
You’re the wonder I breathe

REFRAIN 9
You’re my can’t explain
First and last refrain
You’re my every good thing

Lay your burden down sweet woman & Lived Loved and THRIVE!