November 24, 2024

With Every Act Of Love

December 1, 2014 by

phssChristmasgraphic2014

Sitting at the stoplight
He can’t be bothered by the heart-cry
Written on the cardboard in her hand
But when she looks him in the eye
His heart is broken open wide
And he feels the hand of God reach out through him
As Heaven touches earth

Oh – we bring the Kingdom come
Oh – with every act of love
Jesus, help us carry You
Alive in us, Your light shines through
With every act of love
We bring the Kingdom come

There’s silence at the table
He wants to talk but he’s not able
For all the shame that’s locked him deep inside
But her words are the medicine
When she says they can begin again
And forgiveness will set him free tonight
As Heaven touches earth

God put a million, million doors in the world
For His love to walk through
One of those doors is you
I said, God put a million, million doors in the world
For His love to walk through
One of those doors is you

Singer/Songwriter Jason Gray along with Jason Ingram

*   ♥  ~  ✝  ~  ★    *  

As I was listening to these lyrics, I realized that there is one act of love…in my opinion the greatest act of love…that makes all this possible. The one time that Heaven came to earth—the real reason we celebrate Christmas.

Look at the following verses:

Adam, the first man, was made from the dust of the earth,
while Christ, the second man, came from heaven.
1 Corinthians 15:47 NLT

He Who comes from above (heaven) is [far] above all [others];
he who comes from the earth belongs to the earth,
and talks the language of earth [his words are from an earthly standpoint].
He Who comes from heaven is [far] above all others.
John 3:31 AMP

Christ came from Heaven for us.  No other reason.  He brought His Kingdom to earth so that we might join Him one day in Heaven.  Because He did, we who believe have Christ within us.  We can let His light shine through us.  In fact, 1 Corinthians 15:49 (AMP) states:  “And just as we have borne the image [of the man] of dust, so shall we and so let us also bear the image [of the Man] of heaven.”

In Zechariah 7:9 (HCSB) we are given these instructions:

The Lord of Hosts says this: ‘Make fair decisions.
Show faithful love and compassion to one another.

And 2 Thessalonians 3:5a (AMP) says:

May the Lord direct your hearts into [realizing and showing] the love of God….

When we reach out with Christ’s unconditional love we bring a piece of Heaven to earth. It doesn’t have to be a big production. Simple words of kindness and forgiveness can have a huge impact. A small gesture like a smile or a touch could change a life. It is in the acts that come from the heart that others are able to see Christ’s heart. John 13:35 (HCSB) states: “By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” And, of course, Matthew 25:40 (HCSB) reminds us:

And the King will answer them, ‘I assure you:
Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’

I want to carry Jesus alive in me. I want His light to shine through. I want to be the bridge that allows Heaven to touch earth once again.

*   ♥  ~  ✝  ~  ★    *  

Abba, I am so amazed by Your selfless act of unconditional, unfailing love. Let me carry You alive in me, allowing Your light to shine through me. Remind me that with every act of love, Heaven touches earth. In the precious name of Jesus I pray, Amen – IT IS SO!

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

Say Amen

November 24, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

This life is a journey we walk by faith
And there will always be the mountains in our way
But right here in this moment, may our strength be renewed
As we recall what God has done and how we’ve seen Him move

If there’s anybody here who’s found Him faithful
Anybody here who knows He’s able
Say Amen
And if there’s anybody here who’s seen His power
Anybody here brought through the fire
Say Amen
Anybody here found joy in the middle of sorrow
Just Say AMEN!

Sometimes through the darkness, it’s hard to see
So just be brave and follow where He leads
‘Cause greater is the One who’s in us, than he who’s in the world
So, child of God remember, the battle is the Lord’s

And if there’s anybody here who’s found Him faithful
Anybody here who knows He’s able
Say Amen
And if there’s anybody here who’s seen His power
Anybody here brought through the fire
Say Amen
Anybody here found joy in the middle of sorrow
Peace in the storm, hope for tomorrow
And seen it time and time again
Then just Say AMEN!

Even in the valley of the shadow
When you feel alone in the unknown
Just say Amen, Just say Amen
Even when the storms are raging,
Stand and know you’re not forsaken
Just say Amen, Just say Amen
Is there anybody here,
Tell me is there anybody here
Come on and Say Amen
And if there’s anybody here who’s seen His power
Anybody here brought through the fire
Come on and Say Amen
Anybody here found joy in the middle of sorrow
Peace in the storm, hope for tomorrow
And seen it time and time again
Just say Amen, Just say Amen!

Written and sung by Finding Favour
David Neesmith, Michael Farren, Kenna West, Jason Cox

*  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

Blessed (affectionately and gratefully praised) be the Lord, the God of Israel,
from everlasting to everlasting!
And let all the people say, Amen! Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!)
Psalm 106:48 AMP

This song makes me want to laugh and cry at the same time.  It takes me from the mountaintop to the valley and back up again.  It fills me with such a rush of emotions—despair and joy, desperation and hope, distress and peace.  But most of all it reminds me to be thankful for all He has done.

Reading through the lyrics brought many of my favorite Scriptures to mind:

For we walk by faith, not by sight,
2 Corinthians 5:7 HCSB

You have circled this mountain long enough. Now turn north….
Deuteronomy 2:3

He renews my strength….
Psalm 23:3 NLT

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you,
and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned or scorched,
nor will the flame kindle upon you.
Isaiah 43:2 AMP

For I will turn their mourning into joy
And will comfort them and give them joy for their sorrow
Jeremiah 31:13 NASB

He Who lives in you is greater (mightier) than he who is in the world.
1 John 4:4 AMP

…For the battle is the Lord’s.
1 Samuel 17:47

These Scriptures serve as reminders not only of God’s promises but of all I have seen Him do in my life. Looking back over my past gives me hope for the future. I know He is able and I am so grateful. So, let me ask you—

…Have you walked through the valley of the shadow and made it through to the other side?
…Have you taken refuge under His wings until the storm passed?
…Have you found Him faithful, seen His power?
…Have you been brought through the fire?
…Have you found joy in the middle of sorrow?
…Peace in the storm, hope for tomorrow?

Then testify it is true in your life.
Take time to gratefully praise Him.
‘Say Amen’ and rejoice that it is so.

*  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

Father God, I will never, ever be able to thank You enough for the times You have been faithful in my life. For the times I have seen Your power, the times You brought me through the fire, the times You have given me peace in the storm. Thank You that I can look back and see Your hand upon my life. It gives me hope for tomorrow. In Your name I pray – Amen, it is so!

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

The Fruit of Lips

November 23, 2014 by

seekingHimthanksgivinggraphic

Through Him, therefore, let us constantly and at all times
offer up to God a sacrifice of praise,
which is the fruit of lips
that thankfully acknowledge and confess and glorify His name.
Hebrews 13:15 AMP

I am like a child.  I am constantly asking questions— “What does that mean?” “Why do I need to do that?”  Especially when it comes to Scripture.  It wasn’t any different as I read this passage.  To find answers to my questions, I searched the Scriptures.

‘The fruit of lips’…well, what does that mean? In this verse alone it tells us that the fruit of our lips is

  • praise
  • a thankful acknowledgment
  • a sacrifice to God

Although animal sacrifices are no longer required, we are repeatedly urged to offer another kind of sacrifice.

Offer to God the sacrifice of thanksgiving.…
Psalm 50:14 AMP

Let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving and announce His works with shouts of joy.
Psalm 107:22 HCSB

To You I shall offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and call upon the name of the Lord.
Psalm 116:17 NASB

Ok, so the fruit of our lips is 1) praise, 2) a sacrifice, 3) a way of giving thanks to the Lord.  But why are we compelled (Hebrews 13:15) to do it ‘constantly and at all times’?  Here are just a few of the reasons I found.

It glorifies God and pleases Him

He who brings an offering of praise and thanksgiving honors and glorifies Me;
Psalm 50:23 AMP

I will praise God’s name in song and glorify Him with thanksgiving.
This will please the Lord more than an ox, more than a bull with its horns and hooves.
Psalms 69:30-31 HCSB

(Because of) His enduring love and goodness

Let them praise the Lord for His great love and for the wonderful things He has done for them.
Psalm 107:21 NLT

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! His faithful love endures forever.
Psalm 136:1

Because Jesus did

At that time Jesus said, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth…”.
Matthew 11:25, Luke 10:21-22 HCSB

Our shared inheritance

Giving thanks to the Father, Who has qualified and made us fit to share
the portion which is the inheritance of the saints (God’s holy people) in the Light.
Colossians 1:12 AMP

But, I think my favorite reason for giving thanks is to tell others and remind myself of all He has done in my life.

O give thanks to the Lord, call on His name; make known His doings among the peoples!
1 Chronicles 16:8 AMP

O give thanks unto the Lord, call upon His name,
make known His doings among the peoples!
Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; meditate on
and talk of all His marvelous deeds and devoutly praise them.
Psalms 105:1-2 AMP

Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to the abundance of His greatness!
Psalm 150:2

Praise causes me to focus on the times I have seen God’s hand at work.  It keeps the memories fresh in my mind so I can reflect on His blessings in times of struggle.  It reminds me how thankful I am to be a child of The King of Kings.

*  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

Oh Lord, Oh Lord!  How majestic is Your name in all the earth.  I am blessed beyond measure by Your faithful love and graciousness.  May I constantly and at all times offer a sacrifice of praise to You, for You are more than worthy.  In Your Holy name I pray, Amen – it is so!

Filed Under: Seeking Him Daily Devotional Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Should’ve Been Me

November 17, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

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

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~   ♥   ~   *

“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”

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~   ♥   ~   *

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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Rejoice, Pray, Give Thanks, Repeat

November 16, 2014 by

seekingHimthanksgivinggraphic

Rejoice always!
Pray constantly.
Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 HCSB

You know that feeling you get when you look at a Scripture passage and think “I already know this stuff!” and then God gives you a head slap and says ”Oh, yeah? Check this out!”…?

Yep, just happened to me.

This passage is one of the staples of Christian life.  We learn it at a young age.  It gets used in the hard times.  We offer it to others in times of distress.  It becomes a platitude and we cease to think about what it really means.

I have always looked at this passage as three separate verses— three different directives.  But today God showed me these are a cycle…meant be used together as stepping-stones.

Rejoice always

How on earth are we supposed to always have joy?  There are so many things to worry about or deal with.  Philippians 4:6 (NLT) gives us a clue:

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.
Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.

Only through prayer are we able to rejoice always. As Charles Spurgeon puts it “The more praying, the more rejoicing.”  Joy is not based on our circumstances or emotions.  Circumstances and emotions change as quickly as the weather.  But God doesn’t!

Pray constantly

And just how are we supposed to do that?  Praying doesn’t mean we have to use our voice, be on our knees, or bow our heads.  Anytime is the right time for prayer.  Think of prayer as having an ongoing conversation with your best friend.  Prayer can change our perspective.  Things we see as trials or struggles may actually be bigger blessings in disguise.  Prayer gives God the opportunity to help us see life from His perspective. Colossians 4:2 (NASB) tells us:

Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving.

Prayer helps us to have an ‘attitude of gratitude.‘

 Give thanks in everything

Notice it doesn’t say FOR everything or in SOME things.  We don’t get to pick and choose what suits us.  We are to be thankful in everything.  I love this quote by Charles Spurgeon: “When joy and prayer are married, their firstborn child is gratitude.”

You may be thinking, “Well, this just takes the cake! How am I supposed to do all this?” Hebrews 13:15 (AMP) holds the key:

Through Him, therefore, let us constantly and at all times
offer up to God a sacrifice of praise,
which is the fruit of lips
that thankfully acknowledge and confess and glorify His name.

Through Jesus we are able to do this. It is not we MUST do it because it is God’s will for us; it is we CAN do it because it is God’s will for us. That one little shift in perspective changes everything. It is cycle…a circle of behavior…that never ends.

Prayer changes our perspective and helps us find joy.  ➛
➛ Joy causes us to rejoice . ➛
➛ Rejoicing makes us thankful. ➛
➛ When we are thankful we offer up prayer and praise.  ➛
➛ Praying reveals and restores our joy…and round and round we go!

Now that is one endless circle I don’t mind being a part of!

  *   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~   ♥   ~   *

Lord, thank You for revealing this passage to me in a new light.  Thank You helping me to see each part is a stepping-stone pointing the way to the next step.  I rejoice in You, for You have made me glad.  In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen – it is so!

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The Power of Public Praise

November 13, 2014 by

seekingHimthanksgivinggraphic

Hallelujah! I will praise the Lord with all my heart
in the assembly of the upright and in the congregation.
The Lord’s works are great, studied by all who delight in them.
All that He does is splendid and majestic;
His righteousness endures forever.
He has caused His wonderful works to be remembered.
The Lord is gracious and compassionate.
Psalms 111:1-4

This is the time of year we begin to focus on all we are thankful for.  We offer our praises and thanks to God.  Why?  Because it brings us great pleasure and comfort to remember all He has done for us.  Our praises delight us but most of all, it delights God and brings Him glory and honor.

But as I reread the first verse (in the above passage) I wondered why it is so important to praise Him publicly.  Being a bit of an introvert, the words ‘assembly’ and ‘congregation’ are disconcerting to me.

Hebrews 2:12 (AMP) states we are to “…declare Your [the Father’s] name to My brethren; in the midst of the [worshiping] congregation I will sing hymns of praise to You.”  And 1 Peter 2:9b (NLT) shows us our praise “…can show others the goodness of God, for He called you out of the darkness into His wonderful light.”  Praise reveals God’s wonderful works, His mercy and grace, to others.  Our praise reveals His works in our life.  Those works give others insight into the very character of God.

  • God’s works are magnificent – just like Him
  • God’s works are awe-inspiring – just like Him
  • God’s works are glorious & honorable – JUST LIKE HIM

Ok, you get the picture.  Just look at the list of characteristics given in this passage – great, splendid, righteous, wonderful, gracious, compassionate, glorious, majestic.  Those describe God.  Think about it this way:  Where would we be if David and the other authors of the Bible had not shared their praise with us?  Our knowledge of God would be severely limited.  What if friends or family that had seen God work in their lives—deliver them from trouble and despair—hadn’t shared their praise with us?  Our knowledge of His faithfulness would not be as deep.  If we do not share our praise publicly, we risk limiting someone else’s knowledge of God.

1 Corinthians 14:16 asks the following question:

Otherwise, if you bless and render thanks with [your] spirit
[thoroughly aroused by the Holy Spirit],
how can anyone in the position of an outsider
or he who is not gifted with [interpreting of unknown] tongues,
say the Amen to your thanksgiving,
since he does not know what you are saying?

This made me ask myself, ‘If I am thanking and praising God in private how will anyone else understand much less remember the wonderful works He has done in my life?’

2 Corinthians 9:13 (HCSB) sums it up this way:

They will glorify God for your obedience to the confession of the gospel of Christ,
and for your generosity in sharing with them and with others
through the proof provided by this service.

Others will glorify God when we share our praise with them.  Our public praise helps others see and understand the wonderful works of our faithful God.  That is why our public praise is important; because that’s really what it is all about, isn’t it?

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~   ♥   ~   *

Father God, thank You for the wonderful works in my life.  Thank You for the times I have seen Your hand at work in my circumstances.  Please help me to be willing to share my praise with others so the can catch a glimpse of Your glory.  In Jesus’ name I ask this – Amen, it is so!

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King Of My Heart

November 10, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

I’m in a war every minute
I know for sure I’ll never win it
I am David up against Goliath
And it’s a fight for my attention
I’m being pulled every direction
This world tells me trust what I can see
Lord, won’t You help me
Believe what I believe

‘Cause You are
Bigger than any battle I’m facing
You are
Better than anything I’ve been chasing
Savior and Royalty
The only Hope for me
Jesus, You are, You are
The King of my heart, heart
The King of my heart, heart

All by myself I fall to pieces
But You are strong when I am weakest
I feel Your Kingdom come alive in me
My feet are bruised but they’ll follow
Where You lead

Your love is deeper than the ocean
You wash away my brokenness
Your arms are always open
Come and rule in me
Come and be my King

You’re the King of my heart, heart
The King of my heart, heart
You’re the King of my heart, heart

Singer/Songwriters: Jodi King and Chris Rademaker ~ Love & The Outcome

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~   ♥   ~   *

I can so relate to this song!  Distractions. They are everywhere; this world is full of them.  Sometimes I feel like Dory in “Finding Nemo.”  My focus flits from one shiny thing to another.  Then BOOM! …Not only am I in a battle to keep my focus on God but now I am caught up in a battle I never saw coming.  One I have no hope of winning on my own.  Classic David and Goliath.  But 1 Samuel 17:47 reminds me “This battle is the Lord’s.”  Exodus 14:14 (HCSB) tells me “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”  I love the passage in 2 Chronicles 20, specifically verses 12,15 & 17 (HCSB & AMP):

…For we are powerless before this vast number that comes to fight against us.
We do not know what to do, but we look to You
…the Lord says: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast number,
for the battle is not yours, but God’s…You shall not need to fight in this battle;
take your positions, stand still, and see the deliverance of the Lord [Who is] with you…
Do not be afraid or discouraged.

I am powerless in these battles.  By myself I fall to pieces.  Yet, all I really need to do is be still because as Deuteronomy 31:8 (HCSB) states:

The Lord is the One who will go before you.
He will be with you;
He will not leave you or forsake you.
Do not be afraid or discouraged.

And 1 Corinthians 1:25 (NIV) reassures me: “For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.”  In my weakness, His strength shines:  “But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness’” 2 Corinthians 12:9a (HCSB).

All I really need to do is remember Jesus is:

  • Bigger than any battle I am facing
  • Better than anything I’ve been chasing
  • The only hope for me
  • He is King of my heart!

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~   ♥   ~   *

Jesus, Thank You so much for being the King of my heart!  I rejoice in You.  Thank You for going before me and fighting my battles.  Remind me that I do not have to fight them on my own…I only need to return my focus to You and be still.  In Your precious and Holy name I pray – Amen, IT IS SO!

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He Has Made Me Glad

November 3, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

I will enter His gates with thanksgiving in my heart
I will enter His courts with praise
I will say this is the day that the Lord has made
I will rejoice for He has made me glad

He has made me glad
He has made me glad
I will rejoice for He has made me glad
He has made me glad
He has made me glad
I will rejoice for He has made me glad

Songwriter:  Gwen R. Shaw / Performed on iWorship volume A

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~   ♥   ~   *

How many of y’all have seen one of the TRANSFORMER movies?  Often I feel like Bumblebee (he is the one that communicates in sound bites).  God drops little “sound bites” into my thoughts.  (Though, sometimes I’m a little slow to catch on.)  While reading this morning, He popped this song into my head.

As I was thinking about this song, I realized that many times when we wake up in the morning, we don’t feel like we have a reason to be glad.  We are still consumed by yesterday’s trials or focusing on the problems the new day might bring.  But Psalm 118:24 (NASB) says

This is the day which the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

And Psalm 145:2 (AMP) states

Every day [with its new reasons] will I bless You [affectionately and gratefully praise You];
yes, I will praise Your name forever and ever.

We may not think, or feel like, we have cause to be glad.  Yet Scripture tells us otherwise.  His Word gives us these reasons:

  • Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning
    Lamentations 3:23 NLT
  • Each day proclaims the good news that He saves
    1 Chronicles 16:23b NLT/ Psalm 96:2
  • But each day the Lord pours His unfailing love upon me,
    Psalm 42:8a NLT
  • Blessed be the Lord, Who bears our burdens and carries us day-by-day
    Psalm 68:19a AMP
  • Be our strength every morning and our salvation in time of trouble
    Isaiah 33:2b HCSB
  • At daybreak, Lord, You hear my voice
    Psalm 5:3a HCSB
  • Satisfy us in the morning with Your faithful [unfailing] love
    Psalm 90:14a HCSB

His mercies are new each morning and His love is unfailing.  He hears us, bears our burdens, carries us. He is our Strength and our Salvation.  What more could we ask for?  Just one of those should be more than enough to make us glad and cause us to rejoice.  It is when we fix our eyes on this world we forget why He has made us glad. Psalm 143:8a (AMP) offers another reason to be glad:

Cause me to hear Your loving-kindness in the morning,
for on You do I lean and in You do I trust.

Today, as we recognize His faithfulness and place our complete trust in Him, let’s meditate on His goodness and…
♪ ♬ ♪ enter His gates with thanksgiving in [our] heart ♪ ♬ ♪  enter His courts with praise!  ♪ ♬ ♪

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The Humble

November 2, 2014 by

SeekingHimLogo

He leads the humble in what is right and teaches them His way.
Psalm 25:9 AMP

As I read this passage, my eye kept returning to the word humble.  Being humble is something I have struggled with.  Not necessarily that I think I am better than anyone, but that I know what is best for them or the best way to handle a situation.

The world’s view of humble and the Biblical view of humble are vastly different.  The world tends to view humility as a weakness, being a wimp. The biblical Greek translation of humble is “a lowliness of mind.”  That doesn’t mean putting yourself down or talking bad about yourself.  As the Pulpit Commentary defines it, being humble means you are “submissive, meek, contrite, teachable.”

Humility is an absence of self. It is a heart attitude…not an act we put on.  A humble person willingly submits themselves to God.  Humility is giving up our desires for the good of another—a willingness to step aside so another can shine.  Being humble means giving up my right to be right in order to do what is right.  It takes a strong person to put oneself aside.

Since God chose you to be the holy people He loves,
you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy,
kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
Colossians 3:12

Now finally, all of you should be like-minded and sympathetic,
should love believers, and be compassionate and humble…
1 Peter 3:8 HCSB

But, why should we be humble?  1 Peter 5:5 (AMP) offers the best reason I can think of:

Clothe (apron) yourselves, all of you, with humility [as the garb of a servant, so that its covering cannot possibly be stripped from you, with freedom from pride and arrogance] toward one another. For God sets Himself against the proud (the insolent, the overbearing, the disdainful, the presumptuous, the boastful)—[and He opposes, frustrates, and defeats them], but gives grace (favor, blessing) to the humble.

I would much rather bask in God’s grace than have God oppose me; wouldn’t you? Psalm 25:9 states that if we are willing to be humble, God Himself will teach us His ways.  I couldn’t ask for a better teacher!  Plus there are so many benefits to being humble:

  • If My people who are called by My name humble themselves, pray and seek My face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.
    2 Chronicles 7:14 HCSB
  • I will look favorably on this kind of person: one who is humble, submissive in spirit, and trembles at My word.
    Isaiah 66:2 HCSB
  • Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their hearts. You will listen carefully
    Psalm 10:17
  • The humble will eat and be satisfied.
    Psalm 22:26a HCSB
  • But the humble will inherit the land And will delight themselves in abundant prosperity.
    Psalm 37:11 NASB
  • The humble will see their God at work and be glad.
    Psalm 69:32a NLT
  • …a humble spirit will obtain honor.
    Proverbs 29:23b NASB
  • Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.
    James 4:10 NASB

The world may try to convince us humility is a weakness, but all it offers in return is self-satisfaction.  It cannot offer anything that compares to what God offers the humble.  And there is not one of these benefits I am willing to give up.

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Father God, we thank You for Your grace.  We thank You for the blessings You are waiting to bestow upon us if we are willing to humbly submit ourselves to You.  What the world has to offer pales in comparison.  Gently remind us when our attitude shifts away from humility.  Continue to help us as we struggle to become humble and teach us Your ways.  In Your Holy name I pray, Amen – It is so!

Filed Under: Seeking Him Daily Devotional Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Perfect Prayers

October 30, 2014 by

SeekingHimLogo

Answer me when I call to You, O God who declares me innocent.
Free me from my troubles.
Have mercy on me [be gracious to me] and hear my prayer.
Psalm 4:1 NLT

I like the simplicity of David’s prayer.  Reminds me of a Max Lucado devotional entitled, Prayer’s Aren’t Graded:

“Jesus downplayed the importance of words in prayers. We tend to do the opposite. The more words the better! We emphasize the appropriate prayer language, the latest prayer trend, the holiest prayer terminology. Against all this emphasis on syllables and rituals, Jesus says in Matthew 6:7: ‘Don’t ramble like heathens who talk a lot.’  There’s no panel of angelic judges with numbered cards.”

I love the line “There’s no panel of angelic judges with numbered cards.” Sometimes we pray like we think there is. God doesn’t count our words or measure our syntax. He doesn’t edit our grammar. God looks at our heart.  As the Scriptures tell us:

Man does not see what the Lord sees, for man sees what is visible,
but the Lord sees the heart.
1 Samuel 16:7b (HCSB)

For You look deep within the mind and heart, O righteous God.
Psalm 7:9b (NLT)

In this verse David used only a few words, but he prayed with passion.  David’s prayer came from deep within his heart.  Take a look at James 5:16b (AMP):

The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man
makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].

It doesn’t say the ‘perfect’ prayer.  It doesn’t say the prayer of 100 words or more.  It says the “earnest (heartfelt, continued)” prayer.  God already knows what is on your heart.  He just wants you to share it with Him.  It doesn’t really matter how you share it, as long as you do share it with Him.  Even if you can’t put it into words or express it verbally.  Romans 8:26 (AMP) states:

So too the [Holy] Spirit comes to our aid and bears us up in our weakness;
for we do not know what prayer to offer nor how to offer it worthily as we ought,
but the Spirit Himself goes to meet our supplication and pleads in our behalf
with unspeakable yearnings and groanings too deep for utterance.

Prayer doesn’t have to be fancy.  It doesn’t have to be perfect.  It just needs to be heartfelt.  It needs to be uttered with passion.  Even if it is only to call His name – Jesus!  God honors fervent prayers by being merciful and gracious to us.

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Holy Father, I am so thankful my prayers do not have to be perfect to be heard. You know what is in my heart and You long for me to share it with You.  Thank You for the intimacy prayer brings.  Thank You for the mercy and grace you extend to me, undeserving as I am.  May I lift up my requests to You with heartfelt passion.  In Your Holy name I pray, Amen – It Is So!

Filed Under: Seeking Him Daily Devotional Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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