March 15, 2026

Help

September 3, 2014 by

SeekingHimLogo

Lord, I seek refuge in You;
let me never be disgraced.
Save me by Your righteousness.
Listen closely to me; rescue me quickly.
Be a rock of refuge for me,
a mountain fortress to save me.
For You are my rock and my fortress;
You lead and guide me
because of Your name.
You will free me from the net
that is secretly set for me,
for You are my refuge.
Into Your hand I entrust my spirit;
You redeem me, Lord, God of truth.
Psalms 31:1-5

In reading this passage I was captivated by David’s personal, confident prayer of faith.  Faith and prayer go together hand-in-glove.  Charles Spurgeon wrote:

“Faith is the foundation of prayer. Faith gives to men on earth the protection of heaven.”

David cries out for help.  He has great faith in God.  In Psalm 18:2 (AMP) he confidently asserts that God alone is His protection.

The Lord is my Rock, my Fortress, and my Deliverer;
my God, my keen and firm Strength in Whom I will trust and take refuge,
my Shield, and the Horn of my salvation, my High Tower.

David was wise to recognize his weaknesses.  As Chuck Smith states: “Wisdom is knowing your weakness.” I would add that wisdom is also knowing where to turn for help.  In Proverbs 30:26 the hyraxes (or conies) are considered wise because they realize they are small and weak then seek shelter in the rocks.  In 2 Samuel 22:2, 7 (HCSB) David cried out to his Rock, his Fortress to be rescued.  He said:

The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer,
I called to the Lord in my distress; I called to my God.
From His temple He heard my voice, and my cry for help reached His ears.

I searched for definitions of “rock”:

  1. noun – shield, defense, fortress, refuge, stronghold
  2. adjective – immovable, impenetrable, secure

I want to be like David—

  • I want to recognize that I am weak and open to attacks from the enemy.
  • I cannot provide shelter or a refuge for myself.
  • I owe my safety entirely to God.
  • I want to take refuge behind the immovable, impenetrable shield of my Rock and my Redeemer.

He has sheltered me before…is defending me even now…and will continue to keep me securely in His grasp.  With faith-filled anticipation, we pray; and in faithfulness, He answers.

“Faith establishes a claim to have it’s anticipations made good”
– Pulpit Commentary

  *   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Lord, we are so very thankful and grateful that we can seek refuge in You, our Rock and our Fortress, knowing we will be protected and secure as we stand behind the rock solid walls of Your promises.  Thank You for hearing our cries for help.  Let us always be mindful to seek shelter in Your stronghold and nowhere else.  In your Mighty and Holy name we pray, Amen – it is so!

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

I Bless Your Name

September 3, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

In prisoners chains, with bleeding stripes
Paul and Silas prayed that night
And in their pain, began to sing
Their chains were loosed and they were free

I bless Your name, I bless Your name
I give You honor, give You praise
You are the Life, the Truth, the Way
I bless Your name, I bless Your name

Some midnight hour, if you should find
You’re in a prison, in your mind
Sing out in praise—defy the chains
And they will fall in Jesus’ name

You are the Life, the Truth, the Way
You are the Life, the Truth, the Way
You are the Life, the Truth, the Way
I bless Your name, I bless Your name

Songwriter – Elizabeth Goodine / Performed by Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir

*  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

This song tells of the Apostle Paul and his brother in Christ, Silas, imprisoned in the city of Philippi.  They had been wrongly accused, held without a proper hearing, beaten and flogged, and then tossed into the innermost prison cell where they were held in stocks and chains.

But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them; and suddenly there came a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison house were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened. Acts 16:25 and 26

Is that not one of the most incredible accounts of deliverance in the Bible?!!?  But wait…that’s not really quite true…the Scriptures are filled with record after record after record telling of God’s provision in miraculous, awesome, ‘but for the grace of God’ ways! Such as,

  • Moses and the children of Israel being delivered out of the hand of their Egyptian oppressors
  • Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego stepping out with not even the scent of smoke on their garments after being in the fiery furnace
  • Daniel climbing out of the lion’s den with not a scratch on him
  • Joshua and the Israelites circling Jericho for six days and then on the seventh day, repeating their journey 7 times in a row…and then shouting…and the walls of Jericho came tumbling down
  • Jonah surviving three days of being in the great fish’s belly
  • Mary finding herself, a yet-to-be-married virgin, pregnant
  • the Resurrection from the dead, after three days, of our Lord Jesus Christ
  • And, of course, there are many, many, many more!

Which are some of the wondrous works of God that cause your heart to sing out in praise as you remember God’s great hand of blessing?  (Please share them with us in the comment section below!)  May I encourage you to read through these records and remind yourself how amazing, awesome, and wonderful our God is—and bless His Name!

He is ELOHIM —the God of power and might.

He is JEHOVAH-JIREH — the Lord Who will provide.

He is EL-ROI — the Strong One Who sees.

He is EL-SHADDAI — God Almighty.

*  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

I will extol You, my God, O King,
And I will bless Your Name forever and ever.
Every day I will bless You,
And I will praise Your name forever and ever.
Great is the Lord, and highly to be praised,
And His greatness is unsearchable.
My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord,
And all flesh will bless His holy name forever and ever.
Psalms 145:1-3, 21

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

Redemption

September 2, 2014 by

SeekingHimLogo

Into your hands I commit my spirit, redeem me O Lord the God of truth.
Psalm 31:5

Redemption is the topic of my devotional this week. We read of redemption in many of the Scriptures, such as,

He provided redemption for His people;
He ordained His covenant forever – holy and awesome is His name.
Psalm 111: 9

O Israel put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love
and with Him is full redemption.
Psalm 130:7

But now, thus says the Lord, your Creator, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel,
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine!”
Isaiah 43:1

Praise be to the Lord the God of Israel because He has come and had redeemed His people.
Luke 1:68

And many, many more Scriptures concerning redemption.  But our question should be “What IS redemption?”

In simple and well-calculated manner it means “ to pay off.”  We are so lucky, my friends! While we were yet sinners, Christ came to die for us.  He paid the highest price and took us to Himself.  We were kind of in an auction—where someone has to bid and then later pays off.  We are the redeemed of Christ and we are rightful to claim anything that our Redeemer has.  Because if you redeem, you are taking a thing to yourself for it now belongs to you.  Let us allow Christ to operate in us fully for He redeemed us.

 *   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Father, we thank You for redeeming us from all bondages in this world—sicknesses, failures, etc.  We pray for more grace in our lives…in Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

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

Faith

September 1, 2014 by

SeekingHimLogo

In you, Lord, I have taken refuge;
    let me never be put to shame;
    deliver me in your righteousness.
Turn your ear to me,
    come quickly to my rescue;
be my rock of refuge,
    a strong fortress to save me.
Since you are my rock and my fortress,
    for the sake of your name lead and guide me.
Keep me free from the trap that is set for me,
    for you are my refuge.
Into your hands I commit my spirit;
    deliver me, Lord, my faithful God.

Psalms 31:1-5

David was fearful for his life. He knew the only way out was to cry out to God for his provision and protection.  David was not weak minded.  He was a great statistician and knew how to outwit his enemies in many situations.  Yet, occasionally, he was in a place where his only hope was to cry out to God.  We do the same.  We look at a situation and know how to get free.  But there are those situations where God has placed us to test our faith.

{ Faith:  confidence or trust in a person or thing }

Besides my faith in God, other ideas that pop into my mind are:

  • faith that my car will start
  • faith in my employment status
  • faith in my spouse
  • faith in  our children to do the right things
  • faith in our pastor to lead us

When do you feel that your faith is true—when you are tested or when a friend is tested?  We are all tested at one time…a time to make us stronger and more dependent on God for our everyday needs.

Think of Noah, when he was first asked to build the Ark….  Can you imagine the conflicting thoughts coursing through his mind?  Out of holy fear and obedience, Noah built the Ark.  Preaching while he built, he did his best to tell people about the end of the world if they did not turn from their wickedness and join him and his family.  The people, ridiculing him and his family, did not understand what a flood was.  They did not perceive that life was going to end.  They did not care. They just knew that they were happy with their life and did not care about serving another god.

How many of us, as we walk through life, have replaced God with idols?  How many of us pursue that name-brand purse, name-brand clothes, ‘name- brand’ whatever?   Should we dwell on those things or should be pursue our family, our children, and our friends with the same kind of enthusiasm?  We are to be about Kingdom business.  We are to have the faith that when we step out to share God’s love, He will reward us for wanting to spread the Good News.

For that is our purpose—to share God’s love with others. And to share with others the good things, as well as our trials and our future in God.

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying,
All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them
in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:
and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Matthew 28: 18-20

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Father, Thank you for loving us enough to share your son Jesus with us.  Forgive us when we forget to share our faith or when we become afraid to share our faith with others.  Give us the courage we need to become evangelist and disciple makers for you!  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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

You Never Let Go

September 1, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
Your perfect love is casting out fear
And even when I’m caught in the middle of the storms of this life
I won’t turn back
I know You are near

And I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?

Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me

And I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
A glorious light beyond all compare
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
We’ll live to know You here on the earth

Yes, I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
Still I will praise You, still I will praise You 

Singer/Songwriter Matt Redman with Mrs. Beth Redman

*  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

This song held me together during a very dark time in my life.  It offered hope where I could see none.  It reminded me God was holding me close as my world was falling apart.  The song is based on Psalm 23:4 (AMP).

Yes, though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me.

I truly felt like I was walking through the deepest, darkest valley known to man – the valley of death.  My only strength, my only comfort was in Him.  He was my light at the end of the tunnel if only my heart could hold on.  Proverbs 4:4 (HCSB) reminds us “Your heart must hold on to My words” and that is what I did…I sought solace in His Word.

As I was thinking back on that time and writing this, I began to wonder where the phrase “Oh no, You never let go” came from.  As I searched, I did not find the exact phrase but I found so many wonderful promises filled with hope I had to share them!

He guards the steps of His faithful ones
1 Samuel 2:9a HCSB

It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.
2 Samuel 22:33, Psalm 18:32 NIV

No weapon that is formed against you will prosper
Isaiah 54:17a NASB

My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all.
No one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.
John 10:29 HCSB

What then shall we say to [all] this?
If God is for us, who [can be] against us? [Who can be our foe, if God is on our side?]
Romans 8:31 AMP

…for God’s Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot touch them.
1 John 5:18b NLT

I am writing to all who have been called by God the Father,
Who loves you and keeps you safe in the care of Jesus Christ.
Jude 1:1 NLT

These verses have one thing in common – they prove He never lets go!   We have nothing to fear.   And because of that I will continue to praise Him.

   *  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

Lord, thank You for never letting go.  No matter what we are going through, You are right there with us, holding us tightly in Your mighty right hand.  Remind us we have nothing to fear as long as we cling to You.  Even if we let go of Your hand, You are never too far away to reach us.  You are our Comfort and our Hope.  We are grateful that we can stand on Your promises and know You are faithful.  In Jesus’ name, Amen – it is so!

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

Making It Through the Hard Times

August 31, 2014 by

SeekingHimLogo

In you, Lord, I have taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame;
deliver me in your righteousness.
Turn your ear to me,
come quickly to my rescue;
Be my rock of refuge,
a strong fortress to save me.
Since you are my rock and my fortress,
for the sake of your name lead and guide me.
Keep me free from the trap that is set for me,
for you are my refuge.
Into your hands I commit my spirit;
deliver me, Lord, my faithful God.
Psalms 31:1-5

Everyone experiences rough patches in their lives.  Sometimes it may seem like we go through more roughness than we think we deserve.  Right now in the Middle East, Jews and Christians are being persecuted at an alarming rate.  They are being forced from their homes or even brutally murdered—men, women, and children—for worshipping Christ.  We are being warned that the same is coming all around the world.

In our little corner of the world, we are fighting those that want to take prayer out of public life.  We are fighting those who want to make religion a private relationship maintained behind the closed front door at home.  We are fighting those that are wanting to take our voice away and not wanting us to voice the good news of Jesus Christ because they either do not believe it themselves or worship some other idol.

Yea, and all that will live Godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
2 Timothy 3:12

We have been explicitly warned that we will be persecuted if we ‘live Godly’ lives and choose to worship Jesus.  Jesus already knew that it was going to happen before He was crucified.  Yet we know who wins in the end.  God will rescue us in the time of great need.  He will be the Rock that we lean on when the world gets to be too much.  He is our Refuge.  He is the guiding Spirit that keeps us from trouble.  He comes to our rescue in ways that we cannot ever imagine.  He is our Fortress.  God is our guiding Light.

God is our Savior.  He is our Shield of faith.  He is our rescuer.  Through our relationship with Him, God guides us through a turbulent world that is only going to get more turbulent. God will be our Refuge no matter when or where we call on Him.  We deliver our spirits to Him because He is faithful and will keep us safe.

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Dear Heavenly Father: Thank You for Your refuge and love. Without Your greatness, we would not have anywhere to turn when times get rough. You rescued me from death and now You lead and guide me through life and keep me from wandering into the trap that the devil sets everyday. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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

Shout To The Lord

August 30, 2014 by

SeekingHimLogo

Sing for joy to God our strength;
Shout joyfully to the God of Jacob.

Psalm 81:1

My Jesus, my Savior
Lord, there is none like You
All of my days I want to praise
the wonders of your mighty love 

My comfort, my shelter
Tower of refuge and strength
Let every breath…all that I am
Never cease to worship You

Shout to the Lord
All the earth, let us sing
Power and majesty praise to the King
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar
At the sound of Your name

I sing for joy at the work of Your hand
Forever I’ll love you, forever I’ll stand
Nothing compares to the promise I have in you….

Songwriter: Darlene Zschech/ Performed by American Idol Top 8, Season 7
 

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

A Living Prayer

August 30, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

In this world I walk alone
With no place to call my home
But there’s one who holds my hand
Through rugged roads, through barren lands

The way is dark, the road is steep
But He’s become my eyes to see
The strength to climb, my griefs to bear
The Savior lives inside me there

In Your love I find release
A haven from my unbelief
Take my life and let me be
A living prayer, my God, to Thee

In these trials of life I find
Another voice inside my mind
He comforts me and bids me live
Inside the love the Father gives

Take my life and let me be a living prayer, my God, to Thee

Performed by Alison Krauss and Union Station; written by Ron Block

  *  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

This beautiful bluegrass ballad is an affirmation, a declaration, a commitment. It is the heart-cry of the songwriter to his God. I love that he wrote, ‘take my life and let me be a living prayer…’ He recognized that, even though he had so much in his heart he wanted to commit to God Almighty, he still needed God’s involvement. He knew he needed God.

The writers of the Psalms often communicated very similar thoughts.

Give ear to my words, O Lord; consider my groaning.
Give attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to You do I pray.
O Lord, in the morning You hear my voice;
in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for You and watch.
But let all who take refuge in You rejoice; let them ever sing for joy,
And spread your protection over them, that those who love Your name may exult in You.
For You bless the righteous, O Lord; You cover him with favor as with a shield.
Psalms 25:1-3, 11 and 12 ESV

Listen to my words, O Lord, give heed to my sighing and groaning.
Hear the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to You do I pray.
In the morning You hear my voice, O Lord; in the morning I prepare [a prayer, a sacrifice] for You and watch and wait [for You to speak to my heart].
Psalms 5:1-3 AMP

And as such it is with us, too. We cry out to our heavenly Father with our own words of commitment and declaration. Voicing the affirmation of our faith in Him…our trust and belief that He is Faithful…our acknowledgment of our great need for our El Shaddai.

Take my life and let me be a living prayer, my God, to Thee!

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

Tarragon Green Bean Salad

August 29, 2014 by

Tarragon Green Bean Salad resize

Green beans – get ’em while they’re hot!  Or cold.  They’re in season now, so green beans are cheap and plentiful.  My husband likes them best splashed with olive oil and roasted in the oven, but sometimes you don’t want to heat up the house.  For a yummy, summery green bean dish that’s delicious warm or cold, try this Tarragon Green Bean Salad!

Fresh herbs are a joy, and this recipe uses parsley, tarragon, and green onions.  Technically this may be a green goddess salad dressing, and it IS wonderful on a salad with fresh tomatoes.  You will have enough dressing left over to do just that!  Make the dressing while the beans are cooking and this recipe is ready in a snap.  Let’s go!

Tarragon Green Bean Salad

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound fresh green beans
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1-inch squeeze of anchovy paste or one small anchovy fillet (you can sub soy sauce if you must)
  • 1 fist full of parsley
  • 1 fist full of tarragon leaves
  • 2 green onions
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons yogurt (or sub sour cream)
  • juice of 1 lemon (or sub tarragon vinegar, if you’re fancy!)

Directions:

  1. Prep the green beans:  cut off tops and tails and cut the beans into 1-inch pieces.  Put the beans in a covered dish with some water and cover.  Microwave for about six minutes.  You want the beans tender-crisp.
  2. While the beans are steaming, make the dressing:  Blend all the rest of the ingredients in a food processor.  It doesn’t have to be homogeneously smooth, but you don’t want to bite down on a big chunk of garlic!
  3. To serve:  Toss the beans in half of the dressing.  Serve warm, or refrigerate until ready to serve.  It’s great cold too, especially with grilled meats.  Serve the leftover dressing with salad and tomatoes, or use it as a dip for carrots and peppers.

Explore, experiment, enjoy! — Dana

To view even more of Dana’s unique recipe, you can visit her at Frugal Girlmet!

Filed Under: At Home w/ GCH Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Where Is God?

August 29, 2014 by

encouragementbloggraphicromans15

You keep track of all my sorrows.
You have collected all my tears in your bottle.
You have recorded each one in your book.
Psalm 56:8

There has been so much heartache this past week. I have heard many question where God has been lately and has He taken a vacation? And He reminds us in His Word that He is sovereign and He is to be trusted in all things. “He gives and takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21).

In my little hometown of Jackson, Mississippi, a precious young athletic football player lost his battle and passed away.  One minute he is running down the field, the next in a hospital, and his parents and friends are devastated.  No one expected it, but His Creator knew.  In the town of Birmingham, Alabama another precious young woman is visiting home, doing laundry, and eating one last meal with her family before she heads back to school.  Her parents say it was a joyful occasion and full of laughter.  In a blink of an eye, she is with Jesus.

In Jackson young people from rival schools are coming together to pray. Across town, a young person plans a prayer vigil at a public school. The kids come voluntarily at 6 a.m. to pray for this family that they do not know.  In Birmingham, the girl’s father says that we will not call her accident a tragedy but a triumph because she is with Jesus now.

And when the question is asked, “Where is God?” the answer will be—He is exactly where He was when His own Son died on the Cross.  He is watching His children hurt; and the Holy Spirit is moving and comforting all those who lost someone and all those who don’t understand.  God is in the young people who are gathering for prayer vigils.  He is with the parents who are devastated and He will carry them when they can’t put one foot in front of the other.  He is with the family of that young woman who was taken too soon…yet…right on time. He was there when the young man’s parents donated his organs and a 14 year old got a heart.  And He is with us now.

Yay though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.
Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Amen.

Psalms 23:4 and 6

As His Word proclaims, He really does bottle up our tears.  The Creator of the universe keeps track of all our sorrows.  That’s how much you matter to Him.

 *   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   * 

Do you know this Lord, the Creator of the universe?  Do you have His hope to cling to?  If the answer is no, then I ask you to pray a prayer with me and ask Him to be Lord of your life.

Let us pray: Dear Lord, I know that I am a sinner and I need a Savior.  I believe that Jesus is Your Son.  I believe that He died on the Cross to save me from my sin.  I ask You today to come into my heart and walk with me daily.  In Jesus name I pray, amen.

Filed Under: encouragement Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,
« Previous Page
Next Page »