March 16, 2026

Breaking Free of Burdens

June 25, 2014 by

SeekingHimLogo

I cry to you, Lord;  I say, “You are my Refuge,
my Portion in the land of the living.”
Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need;
rescue me from those who pursue me,
for they are too strong for me.
Set me free from my prison,
that I may praise Your name.
Then the righteous will gather about me
because of Your goodness to me.
Psalms 142:5-7

Everyday people are burdened with many troubles.  I admit that I can claim to belong to this group.  It may be money troubles…it may be stress… it may a little bit of everything.  Yet we all have our burdens.  Sometimes these burdens stretch out for a long period of time, and other times they are very short-lived.  Either way burdens can leave us stressed out and exhausted.  They can leave us feeling miserable.  It can feel like we are trapped in a prison that we can’t escape.

Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you;
He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.
Psalm 55:22

As children of God we should never have to worry about our burdens or let them trap us in an emotional prison.  This just makes us miserable and lets the devil walk all over us.  It lets the temptation to sin gain traction, and then our walk with God will suffer.  If we put our faith in God, we should not let our worries and burdens stress us.  We should be relieved that Jesus is there to take some of the weight off our shoulders.  God already knows how our situations are going to turn out.  He is not going to give us more than He thinks we can handle.

Jesus sets us free from the prison that our burdens make for us when we put our faith in Him.  He loves us, and He is always there to help us when we need it.  He is our Comforter and our Strength.  We should not be afraid to let Him help us handle what is in front of us.


 *   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for breaking us free from the weight of our burdens.  If not for You, these burdens would crush us.  We praise You for helping us and loving us.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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

Not For A Moment

June 25, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

You were reaching through the storm
Walking on the water
Even when I could not see
In the middle of it all
When I thought You were a thousand miles away
Not for a moment did You forsake me
Not for a moment did You forsake me

After all You are constant
After all You are only good
After all You are sovereign
Not for a moment will You forsake me
Not for a moment will You forsake me

You were singing in the dark
Whispering Your promise
Even when I could not hear
I was held in Your arms
Carried for a thousand miles to show
Not for a moment did You forsake me

And every step every breath You are there
Every tear every cry every prayer
In my heart at my worst
When my world falls down
Not for a moment will You forsake me
Even in the dark
Even when it’s hard
You will never leave me
After all

Not for a moment will You forsake me

Songwriters: Meredith Andrews, Jacob Sooter, Mia Fieldes
Performed by Meredith Andrews and Vertical Church Band

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

God promises us that He will never leave us or forsake us.  As you listen to this song, I hope you can let this promise enter into every area of your life.  This week was hard.  My husband and I, along with our precious second daughter, piled in the car at 6 am and headed to Freshman Orientation.  My baby is going to college in August, God willing.  And as the parents were asked to leave and form a separate group, I spilled.  I tried to hide the tears but to no avail.  Emotions hit and I realized that change is coming, like it or not.  But God will never change and He will never leave me in this alone.

The words to this song I sing over and over: “You were reaching through the storm, walking on the water, even when I could not see” (through the “what if’s” and the “no way I can do this”).  And  “in the middle of it all” (the doubting that I can do this financially, the deep sadness of a chapter that flew by and now she is growing up) “not for a moment, did You forsake me”—and You never will!

Then we are reminded of all He is!  After all, He is constant, only good, and sovereign.  All these things He is and it doesn’t matter where we are.  He meets us there.  Even when we aren’t listening or life is busy and so loud that we cannot hear His voice, He is still a constant and He is walking right beside us. He is there—every step, every breath, every tear, every cry, every prayer… in your heart, at your worst, when your world falls down, in the dark, when it’s hard…He is there with you.  He will NEVER leave. Not for a moment will He forsake you.

If this is a trying time for you and you are feeling really alone, this song is for you today.  God wants to remind you that He is always with you and He loves you!  He knows what is going on in your life and He isn’t surprised by any of it.  Please cling to Him and these words.  Write them on a note card and place them in the most seen places.  Remember always: you are loved and you are cherished and you are never alone.

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Let us pray:  Dearest Lord, thank You for walking with us through this hard and sometimes lonely world.  You said that there would be trials and hard times; and to thank You for these times because we get to SEE Your hand in all of this.  We get to feel You carry us and witness Your miraculous ways.  Lord, we love You and we praise Your Name.  You are a Light in the darkness, You dry every tear, and You hear every prayer.  Help us to glorify You in these times and to share Your love with those who don’t know You.  Keep our eyes on You.  In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

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

God Our Refuge

June 24, 2014 by

SeekingHimLogo

Bring my soul out of prison, so that I may give thanks to Your name;
The righteous will surround me, for You will deal bountifully with me.
Psalm 142:7

According to the title, this psalm was written by David while “in a cave”—probably when he was on the run from King Saul.  If you recall, Saul and his men pursued David with the intention of killing him (for the whole story, see 1 Samuel 18 ff). T his was clearly a very difficult time in David’s life, as one can tell from this psalm.  He is greatly troubled, and it seems had no friends, nowhere to run, and his life was in danger at every moment.  His enemies laid traps for him; he was overwhelmed and desperate.  And yet he knew the Lord was on his side, and it was to the Lord he turned with his supplications, crying out his troubles to Him.  He recognized that the Lord is his “Refuge” (verse 4) and his “Portion” (verse 5).  He asked the Lord to heed his cry, and to deliver him from his persecutors.  Notice that David doesn’t suggest to God any particular method of rescue, or way of dealing with those who threaten his life.  He just wants God to deliver him.

In verse 7 (or verse 8 in the Hebrew text), David gives the reason or purpose behind his desire for deliverance: “…so that I may give thanks to Your name”—for the purpose of exalting the name of the Lord.  David didn’t want glory for himself.  He didn’t want revenge on his enemies, nor did he want to prove a point to his persecutors.  All he wanted was deliverance—a mighty act of God that would chase away his fear, raise his spirits, and cause his heart to well up with praise and thanks to the Lord.

In the second part of the verse, David expresses his confidence that God’s overwhelming provision for him will be shown by his being surrounded by the righteous.  I want us to pause at the first part of verse 7, though, and take note of the motive behind David’s request for deliverance.  How many times when we’re feeling oppressed or wronged do we seek vindication for its own sake?  We want those who wrong us to be shown their error, and we want the satisfaction of seeing them grovel for our forgiveness, or being humbled in some way.  How often do we ask for deliverance simply that we might have yet another reason to praise and give thanks to God?

Too often, in situations like this, we don’t seek the glory of God, rather we seek our own glory. We want to be elevated above our situation, and above those who brought the situation about. We want to overcome at the expense of others…not so that God’s name will be praised. May David’s example be a reminder to us to lead God-centered lives, where we are truly seeking after Him, His honor, and His glory, in all that we do and ask for.

 *   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Lord, we pray for Your guidance as we are making the decision to seek after You where You are always found. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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

I Want To Live Like That

June 24, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Sometimes I think
What will people say of me
When I’m only just a memory
When I’m home where my soul belongs
Was I love
When no one else would show up
Was I Jesus to the least of us
Was my worship more than just a song

I want to live like that
And give it all I have
So that everything I say and do
Points to You
If love is who I am
Then this is where I’ll stand
Recklessly abandoned
Never holding back
I want to live like that
I want to live like that

Am I proof
That You are who you say You are
That grace can really change our heart
Do I live like Your love is true
People pass
And even if they don’t know my name
Is there evidence that I’ve been changed
When they see me, do they see You

I want to live like that
And give it all I have
So that everything I say and do
Points to You
If love is who I am
Then this is where I’ll stand
Recklessly abandoned
Never holding back
I want to live like that
I want to live like that

I want to show the world the love You gave for me
I’m longing for the world to know the glory of the King

Singer/Songwriters: David Frey, Ben MacDonald, Ben Glover, along with the rest of the band, Sidewalk Prophets

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

This is the legacy I want to leave!
Is my life proof of Who God says He is?

Let’s explore Who God says He is:

For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God?
It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.
He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights.
2 Samuel 22:32-34 NIV

For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor;
No good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless.
O LORD Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in You.
Psalms 84:11-12 NIV

And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: “Abraham believed God,
and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.”
He was even called the friend of God.
James 2:23 NIV

Don’t you just love these verses?  They tell us that

  • it is God Who arms me with strength
  • He enables me to stand on new heights
  • He is a Sun and a Shield
  • He bestows honor and favor
  • and no good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless
  • blessed is the man who trusts in Him

Because of Jesus our walk and our life can be blameless.  Now THAT is something worth celebrating!

God gave me a second chance at life after I messed it up the first time.  My heart’s desire after being born again is to do this life well and honor God in all that I do. My legacy and my life reflect that to be so.  We must be doers of the word and not hearers only.  A life lived out in the Truth is what makes the difference. Authenticity…because people are watching.  May we reflect the Father and His love to those around us.

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Heavenly Father, I thank You for the gift of redemption.  May I be love when no one else will show up!  May my worship be more than just a song!  My heart’s desire is to live like that…and give it all I have…so that everything I say and do…points to You!  In Jesus’ name AMEN!!!

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

Lemon-y Shrimp Pasta Salad

June 23, 2014 by

Here in the NorthEast we are still waiting for the hot days of summer to arrive (not that I am complaining one tiny little bit!).  But this is surely the season for one dish salads that will be a complete meal.  It could be a pasta salad, like this recipe, or a nice full dinner salad!  Eating lighter meals on hot days certainly seems a more welcome choice…as well as meals that don’t require turning on the oven!

We love pasta salads!  But since we’ve made the choice to eat gluten free, I have found that pasta that holds up well when it is refrigerated and coated with a dressing has been difficult to find.  However, recently I purchased some Ronzoni brand gluten free pasta that is excellent!  (Here is a link AND a coupon!)  It is made with a multi-grain blend of white rice, brown rice, corn, and quinoa—nice texture (both hot AND cold), good taste, and holds up well as leftovers.  If you have eaten gluten free pasta before, you know that these three qualities are NOT always a given!  I have served this pasta to friends and family who couldn’t tell that it was a gluten free product.  Happy me!  Perhaps you might want to give it a try!  Enjoy!

Lemon-y Shrimp Pasta Salad (makes 4-5 generous servings)

2014-06-18 12.05.42

ingredients:
3 lemons, juiced plus 1 more for serving
2 teaspoons honey
1 cup fresh dill, chopped (dried ok, too)
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4-1/3 cup mayonnaise (optional)
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper (I use this lemon-pepper seasoning)
1 box (1#) rotini pasta (I used gluten free)
1 # frozen cooked tiny shrimp, defrosted
2 cups grape tomatoes, halved
1 large seedless cucumber, diced

directions:

  • in a large bowl, whisk together the juice of the lemons, the honey and chopped dill. slowly whisk in the olive oil until the dressing is emulsified (or use your blender or food processor). season well with salt and pepper
  • add the shrimp to the vinaigrette, toss to coat well and set aside to marinate
  • cook pasta according to package directions; rinse and cool
  • add the mayonnaise (if using), the cooked pasta, grape tomatoes, and cucumbers to the bowl with the shrimp and toss to combine
  • season well (don’t forget to taste!) with salt and pepper
  • refrigerate ’til ready to serve

♥   ♥   ♥   ♥   ♥

God loves you!  ♥  (Don’t ever forget that!)

♥  coleen

 

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

Don’t Stand Alone

June 23, 2014 by

SeekingHimLogo

I look for someone to come and help me, but no one gives me a passing thought!
No one will help me; no one cares a bit what happens to me.
Then I pray to you, O Lord. I say, “You are my place of refuge.
You are all I really want in life.
Psalms 142:4-5

In this world we live in, though filled with many people, we are sometimes faced with the lonely task of standing alone.  When we’ve made shameful mistakes and feel no one will understand, or when we celebrate glorious victories that others envy.  Sometimes, we must stand alone.  Now when I say alone, I mean, of course, without other people…not without God.  God is always willing to stand with us!

Given, we can choose to not accept the comfort of God, but this would be an unwise choice.  God can shed light on a situation in ways the human mind could not begin to fathom.

I have come as a Light to shine in this dark world,
so that all who put their trust in Me will no longer remain in the dark.
John 12:46

At times our troubles may seem many, and our hearts may feel heavy, and we feel oh-so-alone in this big, big world.  We need to always  remember that, where there may be no one else, there is God.  There is always God!

But joyful are those who have the God of Israel as their Helper,
whose hope is in the Lord their God.
He made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them.
He keeps every promise forever.
Psalms 146:5-6

Why try to face the world alone when you have an ever-faithful, unconditionally loving, providing endless mercies God you serve?!

 *   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Lord, this life can get tough. This life can get lonely.  But You are always by our side, an ever-present aid!  Thank You for lifting us up and walking with us until we finish our days and join You in the heavens.  Amen.

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

A Love So Amazing

June 23, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjvA Love so amazing
Has come to save me
And this love changes everything
Father, You found me
Your goodness surrounds me
I’m Yours for eternity

And You will always be
The King on the throne
Now Your praise will always
Be on my tongue
No one else could do the things
That You’ve done in my life

Your ways are faithful
Your works are beautiful
Your word sets the captives free
Your hand upon me
Heals and restores me
Your grace fills my every need

And You will always be
The King on the throne
Now Your praise will always
Be on my tongue
No one else could do the things
That You’ve done in my life
There’s no greater love
That’s ever been shown
And Your song in me
Just has to be sung
No one else could do the things
That You’ve done in my life

You said, if I follow You
I’ll know the truth
And do the things You do
Yours is the kingdom and the power
Forever, Lord
You’ll always be my God

Singer / Songwriter: Paul Oakley

*  ~  *   ~   *  ~  *

No matter what comes our way, God is always true to us.  We may not understand at the moment, or until the day we stand before our Father, but we can know that He does not give us more that we can handle.  If we are honest and look back at our lives, we might just be amazed at the miracles we have lived through.

I remember the birth of my son, as I am sure most of us can our children’s births. I remember the moment I said, ‘I have to push!’ to the moment the doctor said ‘Push!’  In about two pushes, he was out. He was quiet and purple. I was afraid and so was unconcerned about what was happening to me; I cared more about what was going on with him.  The expert nurses worked on him while I was watching from my bed. They were able to get him to cry—what a beautiful sound!  His color came to him and he was truly beautiful to me.  His dad was the first to hold him and I was able to later on after I had gotten back to a room.  That first hold is when reality hit: “I am a mom, this life is my responsibility. God has gifted me this opportunity to make him a man, to grow him in God’s image, to grow to be like Jesus.”

Today, he is a wonderful young man.  People tell me of how well we (parents and stepparents) did in rearing him.  Only with the grace and goodness of God has he made it.  I had such great friends, men and women, who have poured prayers into his life and continue to do so.  I wish to be that passionate about the other children that come into our lives today through our ministry with the children of our local church. Each child that comes through the doors need to understand that the Bible is Spirit-breathed, the inspired Words of our Father.

*  ~  *   ~   *  ~  *

Father, thank You for Your Word!  Thank You for the ability to learn and show us Your love and mercy in so many ways…ways that we can not even begin to fathom.  We know in part now, then we will know in detail.  Help us seek You  with all of our heart.  Create in me the desire to reach the unreachable, to teach those whom others cast off.  Thank You, Lord, in Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

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

Praising His Name Together

June 22, 2014 by

SeekingHimLogo

Set me free from my prison,
that I may praise Your name.
Then the righteous will gather about me
because of Your goodness to me.
Psalm 142:7 NIV

Here is David…once again…on the run for his life from Saul, hiding in a cave, acknowledging the need for his God’s deliverance and protection.  And don’t you just love his motivation?

“…that I may praise Your name, then the righteous will gather about me because of Your goodness to me.”

Yes, he definitely needed to be rescued from the cave. Yes, he surely needed to be delivered from this situation. Yes, he absolutely was in dire straits fearing for his life. But, even more than rescuing, delivering, and saving, he wanted to praise his Deliverer, his Redeemer, his Savior and tell others about God’s goodness.

And this was always the recurring theme of David’s heart—to praise God!  Even now, thousands of years later, you and I are so often brought to the place of praise through the beautiful, praise-filled words of David’s psalms, yes?  Here are a few of my oh-so-very favorites:

But I have trusted in Your lovingkindness;
My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.
I will sing to the Lord,
Because He has dealt bountifully with me.
Psalms 13:5-6

My mouth shall tell of Your righteous acts
and of Your deeds of salvation all the day,
for their number is more than I know.
Psalm 71:15

Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders which You have done,
And Your thoughts toward us;
There is none to compare with You.
Psalm 40:5

In Psalm 142, we hear of David’s desire to not only praise God for rescuing him but that other’s, also, would praise God for this.  How about me (and you)?  When we cry out to our God for His deliverance in our situations and circumstances, is it only for relief for ourselves? Or is our prayer that out of our being delivered our God would receive honor and glory and majesty and praise…? Oh, for sure, we need God’s deliverance! Daily each of us need God’s provision and protection and blessing. But we should always be sure to tell others about the wonderful and mighty and awesome things that He does as He cares for us.

So, tell us, would you…how has God set you free lately? We would love to praise His name because of His goodness to you!

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

I Place My Hope

June 22, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

The troubles of my heart
They’re tearing me apart
How I need Your saving hand
To grant me a new start
Lonely and afraid
I call upon Your name
Save me from my enemies
And cover all my shame

I will lift my eyes
From this fragile life
For You will rescue me
You are my Prince of Peace
And I lift up my soul
To You who makes things whole
Oh, mercy-love of old
In You I place my hope
I place my hope

So guide me in Your truth
Be my strong refuge
Oh, forgive my doubting heart
And lead me back to You
Help me to believe
Your love is all I need
Even when the storm is strong
You will provide for me

Even in my darkest place
There’s a promise I will claim
Those whose hope is in Your grace
They will never be ashamed

Singer/Songwriter: Ellie Holcomb (with Ben Bannister)
*  ~  *   ~   *  ~  * 
This song gives me such a joyful conviction to sing out my profession of HOPE and TRUST in God’s promises. My favorite part is the bridge where Ellie Holcomb sings “…there’s a promise I will claim—those whose hope is in Your grace, they will never be ashamed.” I, too, do claim that promise!  How about you?

We have this HOPE…we do rejoice in this HOPE…we are not ashamed by this HOPE.

Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us,
for God’s love has been poured out in our hearts
through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us.
Romans 5:5 AMP

Listen to what Paul writes (in verses 1-4) leading us to this promise:

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through Him we have also obtained access by faith
into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings,
knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character,
and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame….

I trust (and pray) that these words inspire and strengthen your hearts (as they do my own)! Truly it is not in our own ability to figure it out but rather to recognize this grace and hope…and believe and trust. Our part is to ‘hold…firm’ and to “stand” and to “grasp and hold fast.” Jesus did the hard part! And God has made His promise and oath!

So when trials come (and we know they do!), and we are suffering (as does happen at times), we only need to grab hold of the sure and steadfast anchor of our soul—our HOPE.

For me, memorizing Scripture is the only sure and reliable way to hold these truths from the Bible in my mind.  ‘Cause I can’t always sit down at the computer, and log into some Bible software, and pull up a verse or two!  Or I don’t always have my Scripture memory book or memorization cards right at my fingertips. But (for better or worse!) I do always have my mind with me…and can reach into this treasure of memorized Scripture passages to be encouraged and made strong.  Here are some additional verses you might memorize (or write down on little cards to carry along with you!).

Sustain me according to Your word, that I may live; and do not let me be ashamed of my hope.
Psalm 119:116

For we share in Christ, if only we hold our first confidence firm to the end,
Hebrews 3:14 RSV

This was so that, by two unchangeable things [His promise and His oath] in which it is impossible for God ever to prove false or deceive us, we who have fled [to Him] for refuge might have mighty indwelling strength and strong encouragement to grasp and hold fast the hope appointed for us and set before [us].
[Now] we have this [hope] as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul [it cannot slip and it cannot break down under whoever steps out upon it—a hope] that reaches farther and enters into [the very certainty of the Presence] within the veil,
Where Jesus has entered in for us….

Hebrews 6:18-20 AMP

I encourage you, friends, to sing along with Ellie; be strong in your conviction that “...there’s a promise I will claim—those whose hope is in Your grace, they will never be ashamed.”  Praying for you (myself, too!) that we will remember that we HAVE this HOPE and that we will cling to the anchor of our soul!  God always keeps His promises!

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

Who Is Like The Lord

June 21, 2014 by

SeekingHimLogo

1 Praise the Lord!  (Hallelujah!)  Praise, O servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord!

2 Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and forever

3 From the rising of the sun to the going down of it and from east to west, the name of the Lord is to be praised!

4 The Lord is high above all nations, and His glory above the heavens!

5 Who is like the Lord our God, Who has His seat on high,

6 Who humbles Himself to regard the heavens and the earth!

7 [The Lord] raises the poor out of the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap andthe dung hill,

8 That He may seat them with princes, even with the princes of His people.

9 He makes the barren woman to be a homemaker and a joyful mother of [spiritual] children.  Praise the Lord!  (Hallelujah!)

Psalm 113

 *   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

You’re all that I ever wanted
You’re all that I ever need
And though I wasn’t looking
You were after me
For Your love for me is eternal
And this I know is true
I could never repay
The debt of love I owe to You

For who is like the Lord my God
Compassionate and full of mercy
Who compares to Your great love
There’s none in all the earth
I will sing of Your love and grace
That covers all my guilt and shame
In all the earth who is like the Lord

Filed Under: Seeking Him Daily Devotional Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,
« Previous Page
Next Page »