May 3, 2024

Great Is Thy Faithfulness (Redux)

January 3, 2015 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Redux means to revisit, bring back, re-release. This last week of 2014, we—the bloggers here at Girlfriends Coffee Hour—are each ‘revisiting’ a blog we wrote earlier this year. We would love to share with you just a bit about how very good God has been to us! He has given us all so much grace and mercy, blessings and provision, protection and guidance! He has led us and taught us through His Holy Spirit so many incredible things! He has molded, and chastised, and encouraged us to be daughters with humble hearts who are dependent upon Him. And He has helped us to be strong, committed, and faithful women who love Him and desire to bring Him much honor and glory and majesty. We pray that our words would encourage you also…and draw You deeper into relationship with the One Who loves you so!  I know you will be encouraged by my dear friend Clella’s words.

❦

When You Pass Through the Waters…

Have you ever walked upstream in a river and felt the current pushing against you, or have you walked into a big wave at the ocean and had it knock you down and try to pull you under?  When I look back on this past twelve months, I recall many events that felt just like that.  Perhaps you have, too?

When you go through deep waters,
I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you.
Isaiah 43:2

These verses assure me/us that we will NOT drown, we will NOT be consumed. The reason is found in the verses which surround verse 2:

But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you.
O Israel, the One who formed you says,
“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.
I have called you by name; you are Mine…
because you are precious to Me.
You are honored, and I love you.
Do not be afraid, for I am with you.
I will gather you and your children from east and west.
I will say to the north and south,
‘Bring My sons and daughters back to Israel
from the distant corners of the earth.
Bring all who claim Me as their God,
for I have made them for My glory.
It was I who created them.’”
Isaiah 43:1, 4-7

In spite of the cancers, the surgeries, the deaths, the financial hardships, and other trials in the lives of my friends, family, and myself, we did NOT drown. These things were hard and tested our faith, but because we know the love and faithfulness of our Creator and Lord, we trusted Him to bring us through each trial and He did.

So when I looked back at the songs I had written about this year, this song, Great is Thy Faithfulness, still stands out as my favorite.  God is faithful every day and in every way.  “There is NO shadow of turning with Thee!”

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee,
Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not,
As Thou hast been, Thou forever wilt be.

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above;
Join with all nature in manifold witness,
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own great Presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today, and bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside.

Written by Thomas O. Chisholm / Music by Rev. William H. Runyan

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Whether I’m in the valley…in dark shadows, or on the mountaintop, this song reminds me that I can ALWAYS trust God.  It is so full of truth, promise, and encouragement.

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10

Every morning that I awake, I can say “Great is Your faithfulness, Your mercies are new, and You will provide all I will ever need.” God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  He doesn’t change, and neither does His compassion.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
His mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23

Even in the moments when I don’t sense His presence, I know He keeps His promises to bless, and give us strength and peace. He is faithful to His Word and loving to His children.

The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace.
Psalm 29:11

Surely You have granted him unending blessings
and made him glad with the joy of Your presence.
Psalm 21:6

God is faithfulness
He is merciful
He does provide
He is full of love
He does forgive
He gives peace
He is ever-present
He is our Strength
He is our Hope
surely His blessings are all mine/are all yours!  
Praise the Lord!

Let everything that has breath, praise the Lord.  Praise the Lord.
Psalm 150:6

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Dear Lord God, we come to You at the end of 2014 and the beginning of 2015, with grateful hearts.  Through all the trials and tribulations of this past year, You have been faithful.  Because Your faithfulness doesn’t change we are assured that You will faithfully be with us when new trials come our way.  You do NOT change, Your compassions do NOT fail.  There is NO shadow of turning with You.  Great is Your FAITHFULNESS to each of us, Your children, morning by morning!  “Thank You” can’t really express the gratitude that wells up in our hearts, but You know our hearts so—“Thank You, Lord, we love You.”  In Jesus’ Precious Name, Amen.

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Rose of Bethlehem

December 20, 2014 by

phssChristmasgraphic2014

There’s a Rose in Bethlehem
With a beauty quite divine
Perfect in this world of sin
On this silent holy night

There’s a fragrance much like hope
That it sends upon the wind
Reaching out to every soul
From a lowly manger’s crib

Oh, Rose of Bethlehem
How lovely, pure, and sweet
Born to glorify the Father
Born to wear the thorns for me

There’s a Rose in Bethlehem
Colored red like mercy’s blood
‘Tis the flower of our faith
‘Tis the blossom of God’s love

Though it’s bloom is fresh with youth
Surely what will be He knows
For a tear of morning dew
Is rolling down the Rose

There’s a Rose in Bethlehem
With a beauty quite divine
Perfect in this world of sin
On this silent holy night

 Songwriter: Lowell Alexander ~ Performed by Selah

 *    ♥  ~  ✝  ~  ★    *

One of the favorite flowers of most women, and many men, is the rose—especially the red rose.  There’s a special perfect beauty to it and usually a wonderful sweet fragrance.  At Christmastime over 2000 years ago, a “rose” of great beauty and sweet fragrance was given to us in the form of a baby boy.

And she will have a son, and you are to name Him Jesus,
for He will save His people from their sins.
Matthew 1:21

He was born in Bethlehem just as the prophecies of old had said.

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village
among all the people of Judah.
Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past,
will come from you on My behalf.
Micah 5:2

I’m sure you have heard people refer to Jesus as the rose of Sharon, however, there is no such reference in the Bible.  But when speaking of the hope of restoration Isaiah says,

The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad;
the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the rose and the autumn crocus.
It shall blossom abundantly and rejoice even with joy and singing.
The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it,
the excellency of [Mount] Carmel and [the plain] of Sharon.
They shall see the glory of the Lord,
the majesty and splendor and excellency of our God.
Isaiah 35:1-2 AMP

Our hope of restoration (returning to God) is found only in Jesus.  “And His Name will be the hope of all the world” (Matthew 12:21).  Jesus reaches out like a sweet fragrance to every soul.  This hope came at a great price.  Jesus wore the thorns on His head (Matthew 27:29).  In God’s great mercy toward us, Jesus’ blood was poured out for each of us (Matthew 26:28).

Jesus said, “For I have come down from Heaven to do the will of God who sent Me, not to do My own will” (John 6:38).  How lovely, pure, and sweet is that!

Jesus was born, lived, and died so that He might glorify His Father in Heaven.

Now My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say,
‘Father, save Me from this hour’?
But for this purpose I came to this hour. ‘Father, glorify Your name.’
Then a voice came out of heaven:
‘I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.’
John 12:27-28

In Christ Jesus we now see His majestic splendor just as Peter wrote in one of his letters.

We saw His majestic splendor with our own eyes
when He received honor and glory from God the Father.
The voice from the majestic glory of God said to Him,
“This is My dearly loved Son, who brings Me great joy.”
2 Peter 1:16

In this special season, let’s take in the beauty and sweet fragrance of hope that the “Rose of Bethlehem” so willingly sacrificed Himself to give us.

Born to glorify the Father
Born to wear the thorns for me

 *    ♥  ~  ✝  ~  ★    *

Dear Jesus, You are truly like a rose to us in all Your lovely beauty and sweet fragrance.  Thank You for being willing to come as a babe in a lowly manger, and then to walk the road to Golgotha with thorns piercing Your brow.  You did it all to glorify Your Father, and to give each of us eternal hope.  Thank You, Father God, for loving us so much that You willingly “gave Your one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). “Tis the flower of our faith, ‘Tis the blossom of God’s love.”  In Jesus’ lovely Name, Amen.

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Joy in the Night

December 14, 2014 by

gchSHadventjoygraphic

For hundreds of years the Jewish people had prepared for and hoped for the Messiah to come. Finally the time had arrived, but it didn’t come as many had expected—with great fanfare and pomp. (Not that angels lighting perhaps a moonless sky wasn’t pretty fantastic!) But there was no big parade in the middle of the day down the center of town for all to see. Instead it came to a few. Instead it came to the forgotten of society. Instead it came in the darkness of night.

That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep.
Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them,
and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them.
They were terrified, but the angel reassured them.
“Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.
The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born….
Luke 2:8-11

The joyful news of the arrival (the Advent) of the long awaited Savior, the Messiah, came at night. Not only was the world dark with physical night-time. I quote from Reverend Billy Graham,

“It wasn’t night because the sun had gone down. It was night because the world was surrounded in spiritual and moral gloom. People were driven by greed, intolerance, and lust for power. Religion had become a device for the rich in the exploitation of the poor. Men robbed and swindled and profiteered under the cloak of religion; they even fought wars in the name of religion. In every arena of life, it was night when Jesus came.”

excerpted from Arrival, Preparing to Celebrate Christ’s Birth.
(click here for a free download of this devotional)

And all this is still true today. People still live in darkness—the darkness of all kinds of sin and its repercussions. But the joyful news is that Jesus came, and He brought light to all mankind.

The Rock of Israel said to me:
‘The One who rules righteously,
Who rules in the fear of God,
is like the Light of morning at sunrise,
like a morning without clouds,
like the gleaming of the sun
on new grass after rain.’
2 Samuel 23:2-4

Jesus, the Light of morning, came for all people so that none of us would have to walk in darkness.

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world.
Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the Light of life.
John 8:12

Jesus knew that His Light would bring life and joy to all who choose to follow Him. Even in His last major prayer for His disciples He said this:

“Now I am coming to You <His Father.>
I told them many things while I was with them in this world
so they would be filled with My joy.
I have given them Your Word.”
John 17:13-14

If you feel forgotten, if you are mourning, if you are still walking in darkness, then now is the time to allow Jesus, the Light of the world, to step into your world and give you His life and His joy.  Rejoice with great joy!  Jesus Christ, the Messiah, is the Light of the morning!  We don’t have to walk in the darkness of night (sin), because JOY comes in the morning!

Sing to the Lord, all you godly ones!
Praise His holy name.
For His anger lasts only a moment,
but His favor lasts a lifetime!
Weeping may last through the night,
but joy comes with the morning.
You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing.
You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy,
that I might sing praises to You and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give You thanks forever!
Psalms 30:4-5, 11-12

Sing for joy, O heavens! Rejoice, O earth! Burst into song, O mountains!
For the LORD has comforted His people
and will have compassion on them in their suffering.
Isaiah 49:13

*    ♥  ~  ✝  ~  ★    *

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your great compassion.  Thank You for Your joy that comes when we walk out of our “night” and into Your Light.  For those who make that decision during this Christmas season, I pray they will experience Your Light and Joy like they have never experienced anything before.  For those of us who already walk in Your light, we thank You for Your Joy, unspeakable joy!  You are our Light of Life!  All honor and glory belong to You, our Savior and King!  IT IS SO!

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Proclaim Allegiance to His Name

November 25, 2014 by

seekingHimthanksgivinggraphic

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

The New Living Translation says it this way:

Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God,
proclaiming our allegiance to His Name.

The phase “proclaiming our allegiance to His Name” popped out at me. It sounded so different than the other translations that refer to “the fruit of lips that confess His Name.” I just had to do a little research to understand what this verse is really saying.

  • To “confess” God’s Name is to declare, state, acknowledge His Name
  • To “proclaim allegiance” is to announce publicly, or to declare something one considers important with due emphasis, which in this case would be one’s loyalty or commitment of a subordinate to a superior

What sacrifice do I/we offer to God for the sacrifice He made for us by giving His Only Son, Jesus?

What sacrifice do I/we offer to Jesus for Him sacrificing His very lifeblood to cleanse us of our sins?

I thought about missionaries on a foreign field who have sacrificed their house, their car, their homeland, and perhaps even their safety, to proclaim their allegiance to God and to share the Good News of Jesus’ sacrifice. Truly in God’s eyes, that is a continual sacrifice of praise to Him.

I also thought about the pastor of a little struggling country church. He has confessed, proclaimed allegiance to God by faithfully serving for years with little or no salary, so that others would hear of Jesus’ sacrifice for them. Yes, that, too, is a continual sacrifice of praise to God. 1 Peter 2:5 (AMP) says,

[Come] and, like living stones, be yourselves built [into] a spiritual house,
for a holy (dedicated, consecrated) priesthood, to offer up [those] spiritual sacrifices
[that are] acceptable and pleasing to God through Jesus Christ.

God is calling each of us through Jesus Christ to sacrifice ourselves, to be dedicated and consecrated, to the position (priesthood) of pleasing God with our proclamation of allegiance. We don’t have to be a missionary or a country pastor to please God. What pleases God is our private and our public continual sacrifice of praise and declaration of Him and His salvation through Jesus Christ.

Bring your confessions, and return to the Lord.
Say to Him,
Forgive all our sins and graciously receive us,
so that we may offer You our praises.
Hosea 14:2

Our sacrifices are to be in the manner of adoration, worship, prayer, thanksgiving, allegiance, confession, and dedication. God is great and greatly to be praised. Our genuine praise will have no end.

Great is the LORD!
He is most worthy of praise!
No one can measure His greatness.
Psalm 145:3

*  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

Dear Lord God, we come to You today with our sacrifices of praise on our lips.  You are worthy beyond words to receive all of our praise, and not just those of thanksgiving but also those of public confession and allegiance.  Holy Spirit, please help us to be strong and brave as we express publicly our thankfulness and our allegiance to God.  May our sacrifice of praise show others the way to You through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.  In Jesus’ Name we ask these things, Amen.

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Count Your Blessings

November 22, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv
When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
*Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.
[*And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.]

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing as the days go by.

When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings—*money cannot buy [*wealth can never buy]
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.

So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.
*Alternate text

Written by Johnson Oatman, Jr ~ Music by Edwin O. Excell ~ Sung by Ann Williamson

  *  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

Written over a hundred years ago (1897), this hymn is still sung today and is still reminding us that we have much 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

When I sing the first verse, I think of the disciples out on the stormy sea.  Actually, there are two accounts I want to share.

Matthew 8:23-27, tells the story of Jesus and His disciples in the boat when a fierce storm came up.  The water was swamping the boat, and the disciples were panicked! Jesus was calmly sleeping because the storm wasn’t bothering Him.  In the midst of the storm, Jesus was right there with them.  Instead of seeing Him as their example to stay calm and trust God to protect them, they cried out to Jesus for Him to use His faith to save them.  Thankfully He was there, He did intercede for them, and commanded the wind and the waves to be calm.  The disciples were amazed at Jesus’ power, and were counting it a blessing that He was with them.

In the next account (recorded in Matthew 14:22-33), Jesus sent the disciples out in the boat without Him.  Night came, and a storm developed.  The disciples were fighting the strong winds and heavy waves, but to no avail.  They hadn’t even thought to call out to God, evidenced by the fact that when Jesus came to them walking on the water, they didn’t even recognize Him.  But He came, because He loved them, and never had planned on leaving them helpless.  Peter even walked on the water—until he took his eyes off of Jesus.  When Jesus and Peter got back in the boat, the storm died and the waters calmed.  The disciples (maybe especially Peter!) were surprised and blessed that Jesus came to them and saved them.

In our lives there are times when we are ‘tempest-tossed,’ and we do become very ‘discouraged, thinking all is lost.’  As believers, we can count on Jesus to be there for us.  He’s in the boat with us.  He is our example of trust.  And even in the times when we are trying to carry our heavy cross alone, He’s walking on the water toward us.  He just wants us to call out…even to walk out to Him…and He will lift us up. What a blessing!

Proverbs 10:6, tells us that “The godly are showered with blessings.”  Do you count your land, your home, your money as blessings?  Yes, they are, but they are just to help us get by here on earth.  God has so much more for you/us. Do you count your salvation, the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life, God’s love for you, your family’s love, your reward in Heaven, and other spiritual gifts as blessings?  Money can not buy any of those because they are priceless blessings from God.

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
It is by His great mercy that we have been born again,
because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead.
Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance
—an inheritance that is kept in Heaven for you, pure and undefiled,
beyond the reach of change and decay.
And through your faith, God is protecting you by His power
until you receive this salvation,
which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see.”
1Peter 1:3-5

“So amid the conflict whether great or small, do not be discouraged, (remind yourself) God is over all. Count your many blessings.” It will lift you up, and it just may surprise you to see what the Lord has done!

  *  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

Dear Lord, in this season of Thanksgiving we come to You with our hearts bursting with thanksgiving.  We, as Your children, have so many blessings to count!  Truly, “From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised” (Psalm 113:3).  All day and all night, in every season, we count our many blessings and our voices lift up praises to You, the Giver of all good gifts!  Praise the Lord!  It Is So!

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Psalm Of Gratitude

November 15, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

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

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~   ♥   ~   *

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

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~   ♥   ~   *

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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Trust In The Lord

October 11, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
Lean not on your own understanding
In all of your ways acknowledge Him
And He will make your paths straight

Don’t worry about tomorrow
He’s got it under control
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And He will carry you through

Lord, sometimes it gets so tough
To keep my eyes on You
When things are going rough
But when I turn my eyes up to the sky
And I hear Your voice, it says to me

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
Lean not on your own understanding
In all your ways acknowledge Him
And He will make your paths straight

Don’t worry about tomorrow
He’s got it under control
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And He will carry you through

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And He will carry you through

Sung by Rob and Heidi Paoletti

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
lean not on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
and He will direct your path.
Proverbs 3:5-6

I love this Scripture!  You might say it is my life verse.  Whether I know what the day is going to hold, or not, my desire is to trust my Creator God with every moment of it.

Here are just two of many reasons I desire to trust Him:

  • Since He is the Beginning and the End, He also knows about everything in-between.  As believers, this fact should give us a comfort that He’s got it under control.

“I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End,”
says the Lord God. “I am the One Who is, Who always was,
and Who is still to come—the Almighty One.”
Revelation 1:8

  • He already has a good plan for me!  Jeremiah 29:11 reassures us with this quote from God Himself,

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord,
“plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future.”

It’s very true that life gets rough and tough, and that makes it hard to keep our focus on God sometimes.  In those times, oh, how we need to keep listening for His Holy Spirit’s sweet guiding voice, and keep our eyes on Jesus, our Savior and our example.  Men and women, like Ruth, Esther, Peter, and Paul, are prime examples of those who went through rough times, and yet they followed the leading of God’s Spirit, accomplished God’s plan for their lives, and blessed others along the way.

I have a friend who, for me, has been an example of this verse.  As a young adult she trusted the Lord, and He prompted her to get her nursing degree.  She listened, and she watched for doors to be opened and closed according to what God wanted for her life.  As a single woman she went into dangerous foreign mission fields, because that’s where God led her, and she trusted Him.  Through the years He also blessed her with a godly husband, and together they continued to go where God “made their paths straight.”  They served Him together on several more mission fields before they retired.  It sounds glamorous, but there were many rough and tough spots along her/their path. If they hadn’t trusted the Lord—if they hadn’t kept their eyes on Him, and their ears open to the Holy Spirit’s leading—many people would have never heard about Jesus and His love.

My friend is widowed now.  She has had to make some tough decisions about her future.  Instead of “leaning on her own understanding,” she is trusting the Lord to direct her path.  She is anticipating that He has more ministry for her to do, and He will carry her through.

In the rough and tough times, I have a tendency to want to control things.  Since listening to this song and meditating on this Scripture, I must question myself…

Am I really trusting the Lord with all my heart?
Am I really acknowledging His sovereignty
and allowing Him to direct my path?

If I can answer ‘yes’ to those questions, then God will make my path straight, and I will have opportunities to share Jesus and His love with others.  How will you answer these questions?

Trust Him.  He will direct your path.

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Dear Lord God, we know that You love us just as much as You loved Ruth, Esther, Peter, and Paul.  You love us just as much as You love my friend.  You have a good plan for each of us, and You know the beginning, the end, and all the in-between of our lives.  Please help us, Lord, to trust You with our whole heart, to acknowledge Your sovereignty, and allow You to direct our path.  We love You, and want to live wholly for You.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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You Reign Alone

September 13, 2014 by

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There is no one greater than You
All our praise belongs to You
Holy in power
Faithful and true
There is none like You

There is no one stronger than You
Sin forever conquered by You
Fearless in life
Faithful in death
There is none like You

Lord, You reign
You reign alone
Exalted over all the earth enthroned
The majesty and greatness of Your name
Let all creation say ‘Lord, You reign’

There is none more loving than You
Near to all who call out to You
Your mercies anew
You’re faithful and true
There is none like You

No One is higher than
The King above all nations
No one is like You God
The name of Jesus is
Higher than any other
No one is like You God

Written by Wade Joye and London Gatch / Elevation Worship

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I love singing Scripture and this song is full of Scripture!   The writers used Psalm 96 as their inspiration, and here are just a few other verses that declare the character and greatness of God.

There is none like You, O LORD; You are great, and great is Your name in might.
Jeremiah 10:6

Your way, O God, is holy; What god is great like our God?
Psalm 77:3

The LORD’S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23

For the LORD Most High is awesome. He is the great King of all the earth.
Psalm 47:2

“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”
For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power.
But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:55-57

Jesus came and told His disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.
Matthew 28:18

They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them
because He is Lord of lords and King of kings—
and with Him will be His called, chosen and faithful followers.
Revelation 17:14

As I sang this song and meditated on it, I kept coming back to the words “You reign alone.” As a verb, ‘reign’ refers to holding a royal office, to be sovereign, to rule.  As a noun, ‘reign’ refers to the period of time during which a sovereign rules.

The Lord reigns; He is robed in majesty;
the Lord is robed; He has put on strength as His belt.
Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved.
Your throne is established from of old;
You are from everlasting.
Psalms 93:1-2

In this Scripture (one of many), it is confirmed both that our Lord is reigning now, He is sovereign, AND His reign is forever.  For me (and I hope for you) that establishes an assurance in my heart that I am safe, cared for, and secure.  In a home where neither parent assumes responsibility to be head of the household, the children feel insecure and even unloved.  For us, as children of God, we never have to feel that way.  God reigns, He has always reigned, and He has taken responsibility to make sure that we are secure and loved through the sacrifice of His one and only Son, Jesus, for our salvation. Ladies, we don’t need to look to anyone else or anything else for this security and love.

For You are great and do wondrous things; You alone are God.
Psalm 86:10

Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this:
‘Listen, O Israel! The LORD our God is the one and only LORD.
Mark 12:29

God alone (Who needs no help from anyone or anything else) rules and reigns.  He is quite capable of and wanting very much to take care of us.  Our God is faithful and true, loving and merciful, holy and just, strong and majestic!  This great God, Who reigns alone in all the universe, loves you and me.  There is definitely no one like our God.  Please join me today in singing to and worshiping our Sovereign Lord and King!

And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea.
They sang: “Blessing and honor and glory and power belong
to the One sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever.”
Revelation 5:13

AMEN!

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I Need Thee Every Hour

August 16, 2014 by

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I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord
No tender voice like Thine can peace afford

I need Thee, oh, I need Thee
Every hour I need Thee
Oh, bless me now, my Savior
I come to Thee

I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby
Temptations lose their pow’r when Thou art nigh

I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain
Come quickly and abide, or life is vain

I need Thee every hour; teach me Thy will
And Thy rich promises in me fulfill

I need Thee every hour, most Holy One
Oh, make me Thine indeed, Thou blessed son

 

Words: Annie S. Hawks / Music: Robert Lowry / Sung by Fernando Ortega

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As I was interceding for some friends and family the other night, this hymn came to my mind.  I have several friends going through the battle with cancer and the treatments, and they are suffering.  I have friends in difficult relationships, and they are weary.  I have family whose teen is rebelling, and there doesn’t seem that there will be a happy ending.

What are you going through today…this week…this month…this year?  Do you need Jesus Christ to be with you and to bring you His peace, His wisdom, His patience?  Have you asked Him?  God wants us to come to Him with our needs.  He wants to answer our requests.

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace,
that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:16

Pray without ceasing.
1 Thessalonians 5:17

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you.
He will not rebuke you for asking.
James 1:5

I do need Christ every hour. He is my peace (even in troubled times.)

“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me.
Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.
But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33

I am so thankful that He is near me always (even in the times when I don’t sense Him.)

“And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:20

I’m very grateful that temptations don’t have power over me when I allow His Holy Spirit to guide me.

God is faithful.
He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand.
When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you can endure.
1 Corinthians 10:13

I am most grateful that whether I am living through the pains of life or the joys of life, Jesus is with me and every hour with Him is worth it all.

The truth of these refrains ring true for me.  Does it for you?  The Lord is gracious, and He wants each of us to recognize our need for Him so that we will come to Him and He can bless us.  Are you calling out to Him today? He’s listening.

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Lord, we need You today, every hour we need You!  Please forgive us when we forget to come to You.  Please, Lord, teach us Your Will, and remind us of Your rich promises.  We desire to be Your’s always; and to hear Your tender voice guiding us, strengthening us, comforting us, and loving us every moment of every day.  Thank You that You are with us every step of our way.  In Jesus’ Loving Name, all God’s daughters say, Amen!

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Ancient Of Days

July 12, 2014 by

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Blessing and honor, glory and power
Be unto the Ancient of Days
From every nation, all of creation
Bow before the Ancient of Days

Every tongue in heaven and earth shall declare your glory
Every knee shall bow at your throne in worship
You will be exalted oh God and your kingdom
Shall not pass away, oh Ancient of Days

Your kingdom shall reign over all the earth
Sing to the Ancient of Days
For none can compare to your matchless worth
Sing to the Ancient of Days

Every tongue in heaven and earth shall declare your glory
Every knee shall bow at your throne in worship
You will be exalted oh God and your kingdom
Shall not pass away, oh Ancient of Days

Oh Ancient of Days
Oh Ancient of Days
Oh Ancient of Days
Oh Ancient of Days

Your kingdom shall reign over all the earth
Sing to the Ancient of Days
For none can compare to your matchless worth
Sing to the Ancient of Days

Composed by Ron Kenoly

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As I looked, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took His seat.
His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of His head was white like wool.
His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze.
Daniel 7:9

There are only three verses in the entire Bible that use the title, ‘Ancient of Days’: Daniel 7:9, 13, and 22. Verses 9 and 13, refer to God the Father on the Throne, and verse 22 speaks of Jesus Christ coming as Judge in the end-times.

Throughout the Bible there are many more verses that refer to God’s eternalness and His justice. The Ancient of Days deserves our reverence and worship.   Here’s just a few:

Isaiah 43:13

  • God refers to Himself from ancient days (eternity to eternity,) meaning that He existed before time was created (Genesis 1.)

Psalm 90:2

  • He is from everlasting to everlasting.

Isaiah 44:6

  • God is the First and the Last.

Revelation 1:8

  • Jesus says of Himself,

“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending…
which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.”

Revelation 4:8-11

Each of the four living creatures … Day and night they never stop saying:
‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, Who was, and is, and is to come.’

Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne and Who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him and worship Him who lives for ever and ever.  They lay their crowns before the throne and say: ‘You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they were created and have their being’” (Revelation 4:11).

Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and Your dominion endures through all generations.
The Lord is trustworthy in all He promises and faithful in all He does.
Psalm 145:13

What an awesome God! I am humbled that this mighty and eternal God is merciful in His judgment and trustworthy in His promises, and yet calls me (and you) to Himself.

Before Me every knee will bow; by Me every tongue will swear.
They will say of Me, ‘In the Lord alone are deliverance and strength.’
Isaiah 45:22-23

That’s where I want to be—on my knees confessing Jesus as my Lord!

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Dear Lord Almighty, the Ancient of Days, You are from everlasting to everlasting!  You, and You alone, are worthy of all glory, honor, and praise.  You are our merciful Lord, Savior, and Judge.  Thank You for keeping all of Your promises.  We look forward to spending now and eternity worshipping and serving You.  In the Precious name of Jesus, Amen.

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Click here for a wonderful article giving further understanding of the term ‘Ancient of Days’.

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