November 18, 2024

I Love To Praise

November 21, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Holy One, Father of the Earth
Create in me a pure heart
So I can come in Spirit and in Truth
To worship You that’s what I long to do

I love to praise
I love to lift Your Holy Name
From the rising of the sun
And going down of the same
Your name is great
I will bless You all my days
‘Cause I love to praise

Righteous One, Lover of my soul
Age to age, forever still the same
Your name is like the sweetest melody
Here with You is where I long to be

You are Holy
My lips shall always speak Your praise
You are Worthy
Forever I will always sing Your praise

Singer / Songwriter: Miss Natalie Grant

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Oh, how sweet it is when we choose to look at our lives and the blessings God has given us with praise.  Praise to the One Who is the Provider, the Healer, the Vindicator (and the list goes on).

Life is better when we choose to meditate on and be thankful for the good things in our lives. There is always, always something to be grateful for! I found this excerpt on what a difference being grateful can do for our lives….

“Gratitude has been linked to increased levels of happiness and life satisfaction. Giving thanks is one of the most powerful ways there is to increase your well-being.” (Click here to read a whole list quotes about gratitude.)

Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.”
— William Arthur Ward

When we choose to look at our blessings and praise the One Who blessed us, our whole perspective on life will change. I would much rather be looking at what God is doing instead of the circumstances surrounding me.

Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father
in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ
Ephesians 5:20

We are to give thanks in all things…not that all things that happen in our lives will be good. However God promises to work them for our good. ALL things…not just some thing. It is in the hardest of circumstances that we can grow and learn the most and God is ALWAYS working…

But Jesus replied, “My Father is always working, and so am I.”
John 5:17 NLT

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Heavenly Father, I thank You that You are ALWAYS working and that You never sleep.  Thank You that You work ALL things for good for those who love You…and we do love You, Lord!  It is in the hard things that we become stronger and wiser.  So for this we give thanks for we become a better person because of them.  In Jesus’ name.  AMEN!!!

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Thank You

November 20, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Thank you for the things that I never thanked You for
You’ve given everything I need and still I asked for more
It’s not that I’m ungrateful, I’m just forgetful, Lord
So I thank You for the things that I’ve never thanked You for

There are so many blessings that You have given me
Things I take for granted everyday
The beauty of creation and the promise of my salvation
Lord, help me to remember when I pray

Now when my way grows weary and rest is hard to find
And sometimes I can’t see my way through
And when it seems that I am blinded that’s when I need to be reminded
That the strength I thought was mine…it came from You

  Written by Sonya Isaac and Shelton Feazell ~  Sung by The Isaacs

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I must admit that I can sing the line ‘You’ve given everything I need…and still I asked for more’ right along with the Isaacs’ Family.  Oh, it’s not that I am not thankful—I am SO thankful!  Or that I don’t voice my thanks and praise to my heavenly Father.  I DO…and I am SURE you do, too!   The simple words of this bluegrass ballad speak the truth: we do forget to give God thanks and we do take for granted oh-so-very-many things that God has done for us.  But truly our mouths should be full of thanks and not petitions.

Here is one short passage FILLED with incredible blessings (I’ve counted more than ten!)  to praise and thank Him for.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

1 Peter 1: 3-7

And here’s another:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory.

Ephesians 1:3-12

As we sing along “thank You for the things that I’ve never thanked You for…” have we intentionally thanked God that we are ‘blessed…with every spiritual blessing…in Christ’?  Or purposefully thanked Him that we are ‘predestined according to His purpose…to the end that we…would be to the praise of His glory’?  Or wholeheartedly thanked Him for the truth that ‘He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world that we would be holy and blameless before Him’?

Our giving thanks to God should fill our days!

  • When we get up, we have much to be thankful for—breath, life, new day, new mercies…
  • As we go throughout the day, we have much to be thankful for—protection, guidance, forgiveness, peace, comfort…
  • As we lay our heads down at night, we have much to be thankful for—provision, joy, trials gotten through, loved ones…

May I encourage you to sing {with your whole heart} your praise and gratitude and thanks giving to God truly thanking Him for those things that you have never thanked Him for!  Perhaps some of those blessings listed in the two Scripture passages above will supply some words to your song.

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Bless The Lord (10,000 Reasons)

November 19, 2014 by

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The sun comes up, it’s a new day dawning
It’s time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes

Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before, O my soul
I’ll worship Your holy name

You’re rich in love, and You’re slow to anger
Your name is great, and Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find

And on that day when my strength is failing
The end draws near and my time has come
Still my soul will sing Your praise unending
Ten thousand years and then forevermore

God, I’ll worship Your holy name
I’ll worship Your holy name

 Written by Matt Redman and Jonas Myrin ~ Performed by Yancy

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Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me bless His holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.
Psalms 103:1 and 2

Now that is what I want to do!  How about you?  Of course…it comes so easily to the heart of one of God’s children! Oh…how we love to praise and declare His goodness!

I will [earnestly] recall the deeds of the Lord;
yes, I will [earnestly] remember the wonders of old.
I will meditate also upon all Your works and consider all Your [mighty] deeds.
Psalms 77:11 and 12

Haven’t we all had times when you have palpably experienced the goodness and faithfulness of God so intensely that you wanted to leap in the air and shout and say, “How could I ever doubt You, my God, after this?  How could I ever again despair of Your help?”  And we go along remembering His goodness and blessing Him.   …And then…some short time later…we falter.  We find ourselves doing just that—being discouraged, and doubting, forgetting our confidence in the goodness and greatness of God.  Why does this happen?  Perhaps because we so easily forget the evidences of God’s goodness which we ourselves have experienced; not to mention the vast number of records in Scriptures which tell us of God’s faithfulness and His goodness.

What are some of His ‘mighty deeds’…the ‘wonders of old’ spoken of in Psalm 77? Think about it; I am sure you won’t need to think but a moment to recall God’s awesome works!  Now, these are not quite 10,000 reasons…but here are a few that immediately came to mind—and these are all from the very first book in the Bible:

  • God spoke into existence His Creation (chapter 1:3-31)
  • God gave Noah His plan for saving a remnant of mankind, the animals and birds (chapters 13-21)
  • God protected mankind from making too much of themselves (chapter 11:3-9)
  • God promised (chapter 18:10-15) AND then made a way for a 100 year old man and a 90 year old woman to conceive a child (chapter 21:1-7)
  • God provided in an incredible way as Abraham obeyed to the uttermost (chapter 22:1-14)

That God is GREAT <in every way that greatness could possibly be!> should be obvious to everyone.  Paul reminds us,

Ever since the creation of the world, His invisible nature, namely,
His eternal power and deity, has been clearly perceived in the things that have been made.
So men are without excuse for, although they knew God,
they did not glorify Him as God or give Him thanks.
Romans 1:20 and 21

We ARE without excuse…if we are not continually voicing our gratitude and our thanks!  Our great God, the Great I AM, has done many and mighty works throughout time!  And His lovingkindness and goodness continue…His faithfulness to each of us is incredible!  We each have numerous stories to share praising God for His incredible blessings in our lives.  Every day in a variety of ways we should be expressing our thanks.

I will praise the name of God with a song.  I will magnify him with thanksgiving.
Psalm 69:30

Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God,
that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.
Hebrews 13:15

Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving and pay your vows to the Most High;
Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me.
He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me;
And to him who orders his way aright I shall show the salvation of God.
Psalms 50:14 and 15, 23

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This is my prayer…for you and me.  Let us bless the Lord with all that is within us!

O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.
My soul will make its boast in the Lord; the humble will hear it and rejoice.
O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.
Psalms 34:1-3

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Forever (His Love Endures Forever)

November 18, 2014 by

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Give thanks to the Lord our God and King
His love endures forever
For He is good, He is above all things
His love endures forever
Sing praise, sing praise

With a mighty hand and outstretched arm
His love endures forever
For the life that’s been reborn
His love endures forever
Sing praise, sing praise

Forever God is faithful
Forever God is with us
Forever

From the rising to the setting sun
His love endures forever
By the grace of God we will carry on
His love endures forever
Sing praise, sing praise

Written by Chris Tomlin  ~  Performed by Robin Mark

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Don’t you just love to sing this praise anthem?!!?  The words just give our hearts such an awesome way to acknowledge God’s goodness and praise Him for His enduring love!

This praise-filled phrase—He is good; His love endures forever—is recorded in many places throughout the Old Testament.  One of the most outstanding records, in my opinion, is found in the 2nd Book of Chronicles, specifically chapters 5-7.

We see (in 2 Chronicles 5) King Solomon calling the elders of Israel, the leaders, the heads of the tribes (along with all the people of Israel) to accompany the Ark of the Covenant to its long-awaited proper home in the Temple.  (It had been his father, David, to whom God gave the vision for the building of the Temple, which was never accomplished in David’s lifetime.)  The priests brought the Ark to its proper, anointed place in the Holy of Holies.  Surrounding the altar were the Levites and the priests ready to praise in unison with all their instruments and their voices.

The trumpeters and singers joined together to praise and thank the LORD with one voice.
They raised their voices, accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and musical instruments,
in praise to the LORD: For He is good; His faithful love endures forever.
The temple, the LORD’s temple, was filled with a cloud.
And because of the cloud, the priests were not able to continue ministering,
for the glory of the LORD filled God’s temple.
Verses 13 and 14

The record of the dedication of the Temple continues (chapters 6 and 7) as Solomon prays and blesses the people.

As soon as Solomon finished his prayer, fire came down from heaven
and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices,
and the glory of the LORD filled the temple.
2 Chronicles 7:1

The peoples response?

When all the Israelites saw the fire coming down
and the glory of the LORD above the temple,
they knelt on the pavement with their faces to the ground,
and they worshiped and gave thanks to the LORD, saying,
“He is good; His love endures forever.”
Verse 3

And throughout the continued sacrifices and the ceremony of dedicating the Temple, continual praise “His love endures forever” was offered to God by the priests and the people along with the sacrifices of animals.

And, as such, this <without the animal sacrifice!> should be our continual praise.  We are oh-so-very blessed!  The provision and supply that our great God brings to our lives deserves our continual exclamation, “He is good! His love endures forever!”

Just as the psalmist communicates in every single verse of Psalm 136, perhaps our own conversation and communication about our great God—as well as our prayers— should always include this praise.

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His (steadfast) love endures forever.
Verse 1

As we thank God for His goodness our hearts should overflow with words of gratitude and praise confessing that truly, “His love endures forever!” … Perhaps this year during your celebration of Thanksgiving with your friends and loved ones, you could share a time of praise and worship, and use these same words that David, and Solomon, and the Israelites used to declare God’s goodness.  Because no matter what the age, the situation, the circumstance, the season, the time, the day, or the hour… ‘He is good! His love endures forever!’

Here are a few different ways this glorious praise is written in different translations:

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good…

His love endures forever (NIV)
His faithful love endures forever (NLT)
His lovingkindness is everlasting (NASB)
His mercy endureth for ever (KJV)
His steadfast love endures forever (ESV)
His love is eternal (HCSB)
His loyal love endures (NET)
His mercy and lovingkindness are everlasting (AMP)

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Should’ve Been Me

November 17, 2014 by

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I’ve read the story
I’ve seen the movie
I give to charity
And tithe my ten percent
These I remember
But I so easily forget
All these years never heard it like this

It should’ve been me
It should’ve been us
Should’ve been there hanging on a cross
All of this shame
All of these scars
Should’ve been stains that were never washed
Why do I hide
Why do You try
Over and over and over again
I guess it just leaves me saying thank God
It leaves me saying thank God, thank God
For the should’ve been

I live a good life
I love a great wife
Our kids are beautiful
We got friends down the street
If I’m so thankful
Why do I easily forget
That You died for all of this

For this heart You changed
This soul You raised
My God for taking my place

 Written by Ben Calhoun  ~ Performed by  Citizens Way

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“If I’m so thankful, why do I easily forget?’”

That question goes straight through my heart.  Oh, around Easter—I don’t forget. But the rest of the year…it can be hit or miss.  How could I ever forget it should have been me?  That my sins nailed Christ to the cross?  How could I possibly take that for granted?

This song is my reminder. It reminds me —

  • He was handed over to die because of our <MY> sins, and He was raised to life to make us <ME> right with God.  Romans 4:25 NLT
  • God proves His own love for us <ME> in that while we <I> were still sinners, Christ died for us <ME>!  Romans 5:8 HCSB
  • For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our <MY> sin, so that we <I> could be made right with God through Christ.  2 Corinthians 5:21 NLT
  • And He Himself bore our <MY> sins in His body on the cross, so that we <I> might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you <I> were healed.  1 Peter 2:24 NASB

Take a minute and read back through those Scriptures substituting your name for the <pronouns>.   Makes it much more real and personal when you do that, doesn’t it?

As I was typing this, I kept thinking about the first two verses of the “Roman Road” I learned growing up….

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
Romans 3:23 HCSB

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23 HCSB

It really should have been me.  It REALLY should have been me!  The shame, the scars, the stains should have been mine.  How could I forget to thank God for the ‘should have been’?  Instead of being forgetful, let me make this my refrain:

“For this heart You changed
This soul You raised
My God for taking my place
It leaves me saying thank God
For the should’ve been”

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Lord, thank You for Your never-ending mercy and grace.  Thank You for trying over and over again, especially when I become forgetful.  Most of all thank You for taking my place.  It should have been me. In Your precious name I pray – Amen, it is so!

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Nothing Compares

November 16, 2014 by

I’ve heard all the stories
I’ve seen all the signs
Witnessed all the glory
Tasted all that’s fine

Nothing compares to the greatness of knowing You, Lord
Nothing compares to the greatness of knowing You, Lord

I see all the people
Wasting all their time
Building up their riches
For a life that’s fine

I find myself just living for today
‘Cause I don’t know what
Tomorrow’s gonna bring
So no matter if I rise or fall
I’ll never be alone, oh no

Singer/Songwriters:   Johnny Mac Powell, Bradley B. C. Avery, Mark D. Lee, David Carr, Samuel Tai Anderson  ~ Third Day

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As I listen to this song, I’m taken into His Word, in the Book of Psalms, chapter 40, verse 5:

Many, Lord my God, are the wonders You have done,
the things You planned for us. None can compare with You;
were I to speak and tell of Your deeds, they would be too many to declare.

Have you ever sat and just thought about all the Lord has done for you?  From the day you were born, and really before, He made plans for your life.  Full of blessings and hope for great things.  And look in the Bible, way before our time, how many times He saved His people from destruction.  And then there’s the most amazing gift that He gave us—Jesus.  And so many blessings in between.  I encourage you to read the Old Testament and just see all the ways He loved and all the ways He cared.

As the song says, I, too, have heard all the stories. I have witnessed miracle after miracle in my own life and the lives of others.  I have been blessed with food to eat,  shelter, clothing and so much more.  But without Him…none of those things matter. Knowing God and having a relationship with Him is all that is important.

We are on this earth such a short time in comparison with how long we will live with Him in eternity.  This is our temporary home.  Let me ask you a question: When you go on a trip to the beach or the mountains and you have rented a condo, do you unpack your stuff and maybe put them in the drawers (depending on how long you are planning on staying.)?  Do you use their plates and cups, and you sleep on the beds that are provided?  Even if the decor isn’t what you would have picked, you accept it. You don’t go to target and get new curtains and towels that match your taste, do you? You don’t take down the drapes and replace them with something more ‘you’, do you?  and you definitely don’t go out and buy new paint colors.  Why?  Because it is temporary!  You won’t live there permanently.

Friends, we won’t live here permanently either. Your real home is in Heaven with Jesus.  So yes, we do live in this world, but our focus should be on the things of Heaven—leading others to Him, giving to the needy, nurturing the children, and guiding them in the ways of  Jesus.

You can’t take your boats and planes and not even your savings account to Heaven. I’m not saying those things are wrong.  And, of course, you need money to live, but take your focus off of worldly possessions and look to Him to fulfill you.  He is all you need.  Things come and go.  Houses get foreclosed on and cars break down.  But God loves you…and He is forever!

Friends, we are only guaranteed this moment.  We have no idea what tomorrow holds.  So please, I encourage you to put Him first!  If you have strayed, run home to Him. He is waiting and will never turn you away!  And remember, in Him, you will never be alone!

The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the Word of our God endures forever.
Isaiah 40:8

And the Lord will be King over all the earth.
On that day there will be one Lord—His name alone will be worshipped.
Zechariah 14:9

Oh!  What a day that will be!  But until then, seek Him, praise Him, give Him thanks for all He has done and will do in your lives and spread His love to the world.  Nothing will ever bring you more joy!

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Let us pray…

Dear Lord, You are awesome and amazing.  You love us so much, even when we don’t love ourselves.  Even when we continue to place other things above You, You are patient and continue to bless us.  Open our eyes to those around us that need You.   Give us the courage to step out in Your name, and to lay up our treasure in Heaven with You.  Oh Lord, You are all that matters, You alone fulfill our every need.  Help us to live in today and to have our affairs in order, so that, when You do come and the trumpet sounds, we will be ready!  Thank You for being FOR us.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

 

 

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Psalm Of Gratitude

November 15, 2014 by

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Psalm of Gratitude
Psalm 138

I give You thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart;
before the gods I sing Your praise;
I bow down toward Your holy temple
and give thanks to Your name for Your steadfast love and Your faithfulness,
for You have exalted above all things
Your Name and Your Word.
On the day I called, You answered me;
my strength of soul You increased.
All the kings of the earth shall give You thanks, O Lord,
for they have heard the words of Your mouth,
and they shall sing of the ways of the Lord,
for great is the glory of the Lord.
For though the Lord is high, He regards the lowly,
but the haughty He knows from afar.
Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
You preserve my life;
You stretch out Your hand against the wrath of my enemies,
and Your right hand delivers me.
The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me;
Your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.
Do not forsake the work of Your hands.

 Composed by Esther Mui  ~  Scripture, NKJV

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What do you think of when someone mentions that it is November already … Christmas, snow, shopping, Black Friday…?  I dare say that many times our minds jump right over the National Holiday of Thanksgiving (at least until we think of the big family dinner we have to prepare!)  We have much to be thankful for—now and all year ‘round.

Perhaps you’ll agree with me as I say that I need to slow down from the busyness of this time of year, and take time to sing and meditate on this psalm.  God deserves our thanks from our WHOLE heart:

  • He gave us His WHOLE heart, His steadfast love and His faithfulness, when He gave His only Son to save us. (John 3:16)
  • Not only that, but everyday when we call out to God, He answers us. His Holy Spirit dwells with us to increase our strength. God preserves our life, and His right hand delivers us. (Psalms 23:3-4)
  • God has a purpose for each of us, and He promises to fulfill it in us. (Jeremiah 29:11-13)
  • God’s love is so solid that He promises to NEVER forsake the work (you and me) of His hands! (Jeremiah 32:38-41)

There are over 130 verses in the Bible that use some form of the word “thank” in it.  As I have been thinking of Thanksgiving, many of these verses keep coming to mind.  Here are just a very few that you might incorporate into your personal worship time or at your Thanksgiving table:

Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song.  For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods.
Psalms 95:2-3

Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever.
1 Chronicles 16:34

I will give thanks to the LORD because of His righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.
Psalm 7:17

The LORD is my Strength and my Shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song.
Psalm 28:7

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Colossians 3:17

Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:18

All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
2 Corinthians 4:15

You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
2 Corinthians 9:11

I always thank God for you because of His grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in Him you have been enriched in every way—in all your speaking and in all your knowledge.
1 Corinthians 1:4-5

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Will you join me, today and throughout the rest of this month, in giving thanks to our God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?  He deserves our all.

They sang,
“Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom
and thanksgiving and honor
and power and strength belong to our God
forever and ever! Amen.”
Revelation 7:12

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Made Me Glad

November 14, 2014 by

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I will bless the Lord forever
And I will trust Him at all times
He has delivered me from all fear
And He has set my feet upon a rock

I will not be moved, and I’ll say of the Lord
You are my Shield, my Strength, my Portion
Deliverer, my Shelter, Strong Tower
My very present Help in time of need

Whom have I in Heaven but You
There’s none I desire beside You

Songwriter ~ Miriam Webster / Performed by Darlene Zschech and Hillsong United

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Do you practice blessing the Lord on a daily basis…or only when things are going well in your life?  God calls us to count our blessings on a daily basis.  There is ALWAYS something to be thankful for!

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT

This does not mean that we are happy all the time or would choose our current circumstances.  When you are in the fire and walking through extremely difficult circumstances, it can be harder to look for the things in which to be thankful. However, God is always faithful in our circumstances when we choose to be thankful and look to Him and what He is doing in our lives.

When I focus on the yuck in my life, it doesn’t help me.  But when I focus on God and the blessings that are there in disguise, my perspective changes and I begin to see the things that He is doing.  I would much rather focus on what God is doing in my life than what the enemy is doing.  Then I can watch this promise unfold in my life.…

And we know that all things work together for good
to those who love God
to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Romans 8:28 KJV

I love the wording in this Scripture!  The first part, ‘And we know…,’ means we must know and believe that God will work whatever we are walking through for ‘good’. The next part that speaks to me is that God says He uses ‘ALL things’ (not just some things) but ALL things for good.  Keep looking for the ‘good’ in whatever you are going through.  He Who has promised is faithful.

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess,
for He Who promised is faithful.
Hebrews 10:23

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Heavenly Father, we thank You that You are our Shield, our Strength and our Portion.  May we believe and receive it in Jesus name.  AMEN!!!

Filed Under: Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Thank You

November 13, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Just a little while longer I wanna pray
Can’t get You off my mind so I came to say
Thank You, Lord, just for loving me
Many times I do forget
Every need that You have met
Oh thank You, Lord, I know You’re showing me

You are there when I am down and out, You’re holding me
Your love is so amazing, oh it changed me

Here I am with all I have
Raise my hands to worship You
I wanna say thank You, oh thank You
For everything, for who You are
You cover me and touch my heart
I wanna say thank You

I could have died in my sin but You saved me
Didn’t have any hope at all
You gave me peace divine, strength to carry on, alright
I should have been the one to pay
But instead You took my place
Amazing grace, it’s more than just a song

Even though I don’t deserve Your love for me
You look beyond my fault and You showed me mercy

Here I am with all I have
Raise my hands to worship You
I wanna say thank You, oh thank You
For everything, for who You are
You cover me and touch my heart
I wanna say thank You

I wanna say thank You for the sun
Lord, we thank You for the rain

Oh Lord, I love You
Thank You that’s all that I can say
Thank You for the love You gave

 Singer/Songwriters: Joe Katina, John Katina, Sam Katina and Todd Collins

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There is no doubt about God’s love…we are fully aware that there is oh-so-very-much we have received from our Father God for which the only response is a wholehearted ‘thank You!’  Sometimes do you find yourself, like me, saying, “Oh Lord, I love You…thank You…that’s all that I can say!”

All that we have received and will receive from Almighty God is due to His love. Because of His unconditional, faithful, steadfast love

  • we have eternal life

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son,
that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16

  • nothing can separate us from His love

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers,
nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth,
nor anything else in all creation,
will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:37-39

  • we have been saved

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us,
even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ
— by grace you have been saved….
Ephesians 2:4-5

  • Christ died for us

But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8

  • His love brings us peace and quietness

The LORD your God is in your midst, a Mighty One who will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love;
He will exult over you with loud singing.
Zephaniah 3:17

  • He cares for you

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time
He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.
1 Peter 5:6 and 7

  • His love is steadfast and faithful

But You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger,
and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.
Psalm 86:15

  • we have the ability to love because of His love

We love because He first loved us.
1 John 4:19 

Wow!  Quite an array of wonderful blessings are ours simply because God loves us! So, what should be our response to this awesome love? What do we have to give that could even begin to show how the gratitude that fills our hearts and how thankful we are? The Katina brothers offer a good suggestion in the chorus of this song…

Here I am with all I have, Raise my hands to worship You, I wanna say thank You

Yes…worship and offering of thanks by praising God!  Throughout the Scriptures, other men (such as David and Paul) who loved God also expressed their thankfulness for His incredible love through praise.

By Him <Jesus> therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually,
that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name.
Hebrews 13:15

I will praise the LORD according to His righteousness:
and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.
Psalm 7:17

I will give thanks to You, Lord, with all my heart;
I will tell of all Your wonderful deeds.
I will be glad and rejoice in You;
I will sing the praises of Your name, O Most High.
Psalm 9:2

♪ ♬ ♪  Oh Lord, I love You  ♪ ♬ ♪
Thank You that’s all that I can say
♪ ♬ ♪  Thank You for the love You gave  ♪ ♬ ♪

As David prayed and worshipped along with the Israelites thanking Almighty God for His provision, may our prayer of gratitude and praise be the same:

Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty
and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is Yours.
Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; You are exalted as Head over all.
Wealth and honor come from You; You are the Ruler of all things.
In Your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.
Now, our God, we give You thanks, and praise Your glorious name.
2 Chronicles 29:11-13

Filed Under: Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Life Of Praise

November 12, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

I will love You, Lord, always
Not just for the things You’ve done for me
And I will praise You all my days
Not just for the change You’ve made in me

I’ll praise you for You are holy, Lord
And I’ll lift my hands, but You are worthy of so much more
For You are awesome, God of the Nations,
Lion of Judah, Rock of the Ages, Alpha, Omega
You’re worthy of all praise
More that these hands I’ll raise
I’ll live a life of praise

I will serve You, Lord, always
For You are my strength
When I am weak
I will never be afraid for You are my rock and You protect me

But I’ll praise You for You are holy, Lord
And I’ll lift my hands, but You are worthy of so much more

 Singer/Songwriter: Mark Hall along with Casting Crowns

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Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song.
For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods.
Psalms 95:2-3

When I am weak and weary, all I need to do is put on a song of praise…it instantly gets my heart and my thoughts on the goodness of Jesus.  I have heard it said that ‘a heart full of gratitude begins when my sense of entitlement ends*’.  Even in the midst of the most difficult of circumstances we have so much to be thankful for!

All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people
may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away,
yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
2 Corinthians 4:15-16

It is in the hard stuff that we are renewed and strengthened day by day. God is our Strength when we are weary.

The LORD is my Strength and my Shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped.
My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song.
Psalm 28:7

When I think of strength and being strengthened I think of a mighty oak tree. May this poem about the mighty oak tree encourage you this day… I know it blessed me!

The Oak Tree
by Johnny Ray Ryder Jr.

A mighty wind blew night and day
It stole the oak tree’s leaves away
Then snapped its boughs and pulled its bark
Until the oak was tired and stark
But still the oak tree held its ground
While other trees fell all around
The weary wind gave up and spoke.
How can you still be standing, Oak?
The oak tree said, I know that you
Can break each branch of mine in two
Carry every leaf away
Shake my limbs, and make me sway
But I have roots stretched in the earth
Growing stronger since my birth
You’ll never touch them, for you see
They are the deepest part of me
Until today, I wasn’t sure
Of just how much I could endure
But now I’ve found, with thanks to you
I’m stronger than I ever knew

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Heavenly Father, I thank You that when we are weak You are strong.  And that no matter what we are enduring we KNOW You are faithful!  In Jesus’ Name!!  Amen!!!

* quote from Steven Furtick

Filed Under: Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,
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