Although there were so many gems in Karyne’s sermon on Sunday, one specific part really caught my attention. John 15 and the entire passage about needing to abide in the vine in order to bear fruit has been huge for me over the last couple years and I’m sure that this partnership of Karyne’s message with that passage will continue to challenge me moving forward.
“We put a lot of effort into ensuring that the atmosphere around us is good.
However, the Lord showed me that it’s not about the external atmosphere.
It’s actually the atmosphere inside of us that makes a difference…
whether the Holy Spirit is with us in our internal atmosphere or not,
that’s what can shape how we encounter the world around us.”
Karyne Wee
The way we respond or react to our situations and challenges depends entirely on how connected to the vine we are. And the ways that we respond and/or react, will stem from the atmospheres we are cultivating within our heart, soul, mind and spirit!
At Wildfire we’re talking about the media we’ve been consuming and sharing about how it makes us think and/or feel. And we were all sharing about how powerful music (and all other media too, for that matter) can be in shifting our moods and our mindset!
While there are countless ways for each of us to adjust the inner atmosphere, worshipping God is something that will always begin to bring us back into alignment with the Heart of God.
And so, this morning, I leave you with the lyrics to one of the songs we’ve been singing together at LifeSpring lately, You’re Still God.
My hope and prayer for all of us, is that the words and messages within in this song, will not only encourage us and remind us of who God truly is, but that it will also strengthen our connection to the True Vine, who is Jesus.
You’re Still God
Tony Wood / Matthew Armstrong / Philippa Hanna / Jonny Bird
When all foundations have been shaken
When I’m left standing in the dark
And all I feel is my heart breaking
You still reign and You’re still God
And when it feels all hope has faded
The heavy questions hit so hard
And though my soul may feel forsaken
You still reign and You’re still God
Though I can’t see what’s before me
I know that I can trust Your heart
And this one truth will be my story
You still reign and You’re still God
I will declare that You are with me
Though voices whisper that You’re not
You’ll never leave me nor forsake me
‘Cause You still reign and You’re still God
Though I can’t see what’s before me
I know that I can trust Your heart
And this one truth will be my story
Your truth’s still reign and You’re still God
Though I can’t see what’s before me
I know that I can trust Your heart
And this one truth will be my story
You still reign and You’re still God
And when my enemies surround me
I’ll trust the victory of Your cross
And fix my eyes upon You Jesus
For You are God and I am not
You are good and You are faithful
As You have been from the start
You’re working all things for Your glory
‘Cause You still reign and You’re still God
And though I can’t see what’s before me
I know that I can trust Your heart
And this one truth will be my story, yes it will
That You still reign and You’re still God
Yes, this one truth will be my story
You still reign and You’re still God