May 4, 2026

He Touched Me

March 13, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjvShackled by a heavy burden ‘neath a load of guilt and shame
Then the hand of Jesus touched me and now I am no longer the same

He touched me, oh! He touched me
And oh, the joy that floods my soul
Something happened and now I know
He touched me and made me whole

Since I met this blessed Savior
Since He cleansed and made me whole
I will never cease to praise Him
I’ll shout it while eternity rolls

~  Sing this song with me as our prayer and worship today.  ~

)

Performed by Elvis Presley and The Jordanaires
Songwriters: Gaither, Youmans, Rose, Eliscu

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Can you even begin to imagine touching Jesus or being touched by Him?  Even now, my eyes well up with tears at the very thought!  “Oh! the joy…”  But here is the Truth: physically touched by or touching Jesus was never the determining factor of healing in any of the Gospel records.  What was needful was faith.  Listen to this record of faith:

And behold, a woman who had suffered from a flow of blood for twelve years
came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His garment;
For she kept saying to herself, If I only touch His garment, I shall be restored to health.
Jesus turned around and, seeing her, He said, Take courage, daughter!
Your faith has made you well.
And at once the woman was restored to health.
Matthew 9:20-22

This is such an inspiring account recorded in the Gospels. Picture this for a moment—a day or two in the life of our Lord: He had been teaching the crowds over on the other side of the Galilean Sea.  What He shared that day we know as the Sermon on the Mount.  (Great, incredible, life-changing truths He taught them!)  He came down the mountain, “and great crowds followed Him” (chapter 8, verse 1).  Amongst the people Jesus would encounter this day were folks who were waiting for Jesus’ “touch.”  They had faith that He would and could make them whole…physically, and mentally.

  • A leper (verses 2 and 3)

And a leper came to Him and bowed down before Him, and said, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”
Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

  • A centurion (verses 5-13)

A centurion came to Him, imploring Him, and saying, “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, fearfully tormented.” Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.”
But the centurion said, “Lord, I am not worthy for You to come under my roof, but just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.”
Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled and said to those who were following, “Truly I say to you, I have not found such great faith with anyone in Israel. I say to you that many will come from east and west, and recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven; but the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
And Jesus said to the centurion, “Go; it shall be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed that very moment.

  • Peter and his mother-in-law (verses 14 and 15)

And when Jesus entered Peter’s house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever; He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and served Him.

  • His disciples (verses 24-26)

And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being covered with the waves; but Jesus Himself was asleep. And they came to Him and woke Him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing!”
He said to them, “Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it became perfectly calm.

  • A paralytic man and his friends (chapter 9, verses 2-7)

And they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, “Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven.” And some of the scribes said to themselves, “This fellow blasphemes.”
And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, “Why are you thinking evil in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, and walk’?
But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—then He said to the paralytic, “Get up, pick up your bed and go home.” And he got up and went home.

  • A synagogue official (verses 18 and 19)

While He was saying these things to them, a synagogue official came and bowed down before Him, and said, “My daughter has just died; but come and lay Your hand on her, and she will live.” Jesus got up and began to follow him, and so did His disciples.

  • But wait, on their way to the centurion’s home, an ailing woman (verses 20-22)

And behold, a woman who had suffered from a flow of blood for twelve years came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His garment; For she kept saying to herself, If I only touch His garment, I shall be restored to health. Jesus turned around and, seeing her, He said, Take courage, daughter! Your faith has made you well. And at once the woman was restored to health.

  • Back to the official and his daughter…(verses 23-25)

And when Jesus came to the ruler’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd making an uproar and din, He said, Go away; for the girl is not dead but sleeping. And they laughed and jeered at Him. But when the crowd had been ordered to go outside, He went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose.

  • Two blind men (verses 27-30)

As Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed Him, shouting loudly, Have pity and mercy on us, Son of David! When He reached the house and went in, the blind men came to Him, and Jesus said to them, Do you believe that I am able to do this? They said to Him, Yes, Lord.
Then He touched their eyes, saying, According to your faith and trust and reliance [on the power invested in Me] be it done to you; And their eyes were opened.

  • A man unable to speak (verses 32-33)

Behold, a dumb man under the power of a demon was brought to Jesus. And when the demon was driven out, the dumb man spoke;

Each of these people had observed or heard of ‘this Jesus,’ and quite obviously had determined in their minds that they COULD and WOULD receive healing from him.  We know that the woman who suffered from hemorrhages kept encouraging herself by saying, “If I only touch His garment, I shall be restored to health.”  Note that she never voiced this; Jesus never heard her say this. He knew her heart and her need…and He knew her faith.  And when He turned to her, He told her that her “…faith has made you well.”

Jesus is the same today!  He is the same to us!  He knows our need.  He knows when we have faith.  He touches us with His grace, His blessings, His healing.  He touches us when we had given up hope!  He touched us when we were dead in our trespasses and sins.  He touched us when we were lost and in need of a Shepherd.  He touched us when we thought that we were so far gone that nothing and no one would ever want us!  He touched us…and made us whole!

It is just as the song goes, “He touched me…oh, He touched me! And oh! the joy that floods my soul!  Something happened, and now I know—He touched me and made me whole!”  Let’s shout it now…and, when He returns, we will be able to “shout it while Eternity rolls!”  Amen?

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

Be Like Children

March 12, 2014 by

SeekingHimLogo

We have now entered the season of Lent.  For many Christians, Lent is taken as a time of preparation for the celebration of Easter where God miraculously redeemed mankind by resurrecting His Son from the dead. It is also a time to consider what Jesus said and did; and how we should be living in light of His Words.  ✞ ♥

During this season, here on the Seeking Him devotional blog, we have chosen to focus our devotionals on Jesus’ instructions and admonition communicated in Matthew chapter 6—the Beatitudes.  Jesus said, “Blessed are…” and He went on to give instruction as to how to be “blessed.”  To be ‘blessed’ is to ‘be happy, or to be envied.’  Truly for the Christian, we ARE blessed—oh, how very blessed we are!  Those who observe our lives should clearly be able to tell that we ARE blessed—and that we KNOW it! ✞ ♥

Please consider Jesus’ instructions along with us.  We pray that our words will encourage you and spur you on to be prepare your hearts for the joyous celebration of His Resurrection!  ✞ ♥

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
Matthew 5:3

My daughter is full of spirit.  Nattie is a pistol.  She chases after lights during cosmic bowling.  She jumps on the trampoline.  She jabbers at 90 miles a minute.  I can understand her almost 80% of the time.  She runs around the house like she is running a race.  Plus, she has a temper to match.  Needless to say, at the age of three, my Nattie Grace is a very spirited child.  But, like all children, she still needs me, and she knows how to get my attention.  She grabs my hand and pulls me to where she wants me, or she tells me to stop what I am doing because she wants something.

Yet, remembering that she is only three, I also know that she is poor in spirit because she does not have the ability to understand who Jesus Christ is.  As children of God, we should be like our own children—looking to God like children do their parents.

“Allow the children to come to me,” Jesus said.
“Don’t forbid them, because the Kingdom of Heaven
belongs to people like these children.”
Matthew 19:14

As the children of God, we should also act like children looking for the love and protection of their heavenly Father.  We should humble ourselves before the Lord and seek Him as a child does their parents.  We are instructed to act as children seeking their father.  This is because that is what we were created to do.  We were created to be the children of God and to continually seek His Presence.

If we become like children and constantly seek God, we will be rewarded as the children of God.  We will live in the Kingdom of Heaven with God for eternity.  We must humble ourselves and tear ourselves from earthly desires.  As the children of God, we should constantly be seeking Him, His riches, and His glory.

* ~ ♥ ~ ✞ ~ ♥~ *

Dear Heavenly Father:  As we enter the season of Easter, please help us remember that Jesus died for us so we could be like children and constantly seek You.  Thank You for the sacrifice.  It is with this sacrifice that we can live with hope to see You.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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

A Quick Spring Workout

March 12, 2014 by

82aa43ee802311e2bbe622000a9f1270_7

Spring is right around the corner.  If there is a way I can get in some fresh air and exercise outside before it gets too hot, I can get pretty creative.  Not only that, but who wants to go to the gym once the time changes and it is daylight longer…not to mention all of the extra activities that start when spring comes?  When the weather is pretty and I’m short on time, I like to head out to my street and get in a little cardio and strength training for a quick spring work out that takes 30 minutes.

All you need is a good pair of tennis shoes, an exercise band with a place to support it, and a light set of weights, 3-5 pounds.

WORKOUT
Start off with light jog or fast walk for 5 minutes to warm up.

Complete the following workout 2-3x depending on your fitness level

  • 15 walking lunges down driveway    

If you are new to lunges, forget the walking lunges and stay in a stable position and lunge up and down to complete 15 on each side

**keep toes forward and knee over your heel at all times to avoid injury to your knee

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  • 15 Chest presses with exercise band

(With band wrapped around a stable object), face opposite direction, place handles under your arms on each side and press out at chest level

**keep elbows soft at all times and avoid locking them out

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  • 15 Back presses with exercise band 

Now turn around and walk back, extend arms on each side and pull back squeezing your elbows back together

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  • 15 squats
  • Run or walk 3-5 minutes
  • 15 bicep curls with band

While standing, place band under feet that are shoulder width apart and curl handles up to shoulders

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  • 12 shoulder raises with weights

With weights to your side and palms down, lift them up together  to shoulder level

** keep a slight bend in elbow and do not raise weights about shoulders

  • Repeat 15 walking lunges down driveway (or standing lunges) 
  • Run or walk 3-5 minutes

Consult with your doctor before beginning any new program.  Remember this is what works for me.   Modify exercises according to your location.   Be creative and you can have your own quick spring workout.

In Good Health,

Crystal

For more customized workouts for your needs and personal schedule, contact me at Crystal@yourfitnessdesigner.com to learn how you can get started.

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

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

March 12, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

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.

~  Sing this song with me as our prayer and worship today.  ~

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

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Other than “Jesus Loves Me” this is surely my favorite song.  I have sung it since my earliest memory, and I never get tired of it.  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

I love all of nature (yes, even this crazy cold winter) so I join with all nature in praise to God’s great faithfulness.

For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing,
and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
Isaiah 55:12

I have been pardoned from sin and have His peace.  I sense His presence, strength, and hope.

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

God’s blessings are mine—are yours—because He is faithful to His Word and loving to His children.

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

God is faithful, 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

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

Poor In Spirit

March 11, 2014 by

SeekingHimLogo

We have now entered the season of Lent.  For many Christians, Lent is taken as a time of preparation for the celebration of Easter where God miraculously redeemed mankind by resurrecting His Son from the dead. It is also a time to consider what Jesus said and did; and how we should be living in light of His Words.  ✞ ♥

During this season, here on the Seeking Him devotional blog, we have chosen to focus our devotionals on Jesus’ instructions and admonition communicated in Matthew chapter 6—the Beatitudes.  Jesus said, “Blessed are…” and He went on to give instruction as to how to be “blessed.”  To be ‘blessed’ is to ‘be happy, or to be envied.’  Truly for the Christian, we ARE blessed—oh, how very blessed we are!  Those who observe our lives should clearly be able to tell that we ARE blessed—and that we KNOW it! ✞ ♥

Please consider Jesus’ instructions along with us.  We pray that our words will encourage you and spur you on to be prepare your hearts for the joyous celebration of His Resurrection!  ✞ ♥

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
Matthew 5:3

Jesus was teaching the lost on the side of a hill.  As He was speaking all kinds of people surrounded Him—rich, poor, healthy, sick, loved, hated.  His teaching was for all who would seek Him and His Father.

In researching and thinking about what “poor in spirit” is, I came acoss a study which stated,

“Being ‘poor in Spirit’ is to have a humble and broken/contrite heart
that constantly seeks help and forgiveness
from God for their very existence.”
(Biblesco: Free Inductive Bible Study Lessons)

From the beginning of time, God has wanted a unique relationship with His people. When the people of Israel kept refusing to follow God’s leading, He would bring punishments upon them.  Sometimes these were very painful and then He would show mercy.  The people would repent and turn back to Him for a period of time but would fall back into the old familiar patterns of behavior.

Then God decided it was right for His Son Jesus to come and live among us for a period of time.  The life Jesus lived among us was fantastic.  He obeyed His earthly parents, His Heavenly Father, and learned at the feet of His local teachers.  When it was time for Jesus to begin His ministry, He sought to give it to the Jewish people.  The Pharisees and Saducees had hardened hearts and rejected God’s truth, but Jesus did not stop sharing.  They were more about revenge and keeping rules than in showing grace and mercy toward others.  These people had long since forgotten what it was like to have a ‘humble, contrite heart’.

* ~ ♥ ~ ✞ ~ ♥~ *

As we prepare our hearts for the Easter season let us try to remember the sacrifice He made for us.  Let us remember to be humble and obedient to God’s word and leading of the Holy Spirit.  He will honor us when we honor Him and His Son.

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

Freedom Song

March 11, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Freedom Song
Performed by Mandisa

Praise to the Lord, our chains are gone
Can’t help but sing our freedom song
Praise to the Lord, our chains are gone
Can’t help but sing our freedom….

I am a child from a broken home
Where true love was torn apart
But then I met a Heavenly Father
Who made a home inside my heart

I am a man with the chains of addiction
Dragging me down for way too long
But I came face to face with redemption
And now those chains are gone

Can anybody hear me?
Does anybody know what I’m talking about?
When you’ve been delivered like that
You’ve got to shout it out

Lift your hands up in the air; shout Hallelujah
Lift your hands up in the air…I have been set free

I am a sixteen year old daughter
Lost in the mirror, no self esteem
But God made me in His image
And that makes me a beauty queen

I am a wife and the mother of three
Trading my dreams for a busy life
Searching for my lost identity
And I’m happy to announce that I found it in Christ

Praise to the Lord, my chains are gone
Can’t help but sing our freedom song
Praise to the Lord, my chains are gone
Can’t help but sing our freedom song

 ~  Listen while you read, please!  ~

What does it mean to walk in freedom?  The definition of freedom is: ‘the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint.’  Another definition is ‘the quality or state of being free.’

Because of Jesus work on the Cross we can now walk in freedom without hinderance or restraint…because of Jesus my chains are gone; praise God!!!

Because of Jesus you have been set of free of the bondage of your past that ensnared you…what an AWE-inspiring Truth and something for which I am thankful each and every day.  If God never did another thing for me, the fact that I have been saved from a dark past and that I won’t be going be going to Hell is enough for me….  I will never begin to understand the love of the Father and the sacrifice that He made for Me and for YOU!

John 8:36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed

Galations 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

I Love Ephesians 3:12 In Him and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. (Because of Jesus we can approach God with freedom and confidence… Hallelujah!!!!)

Psalm 118:5 In my anguish I cried to the LORD, and He answered by setting me free.

Sisters, will you receive the freedom that you have available to you this day?  And choose to walk in the freedom and confidence of who you are in Him?

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Heavenly Father, I can never begin to understand the sacrifice, pain, and suffering that Jesus went through so that I may walk in freedom today.  A simple ‘Thank You’ can never begin to express my thankfulness!  Without Jesus there would be no hope for someone like me.  Thank You that in my anguish I cried out to You and You have set me free!!!  In Jesus name, AMEN!!!

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

Garlicky Shrimp and Veggies with Red Quinoa

March 10, 2014 by

Here we are…getting closer and closer to Spring every day!  Today’s recipe continues to celebrate the return of Spring veggies!  In this veggie-licious dish, we have the first of the season (at least here in NY) sweet onions (I like to use the Vidalias).  Along with asparagus, carrots, tiny tomatoes, and sweet bell peppers.  This is a healthy but-oh-so-yummy dish to serve either on a weeknight (comes together rather quickly!) or to serve to guests.

Garlicky Shrimp and Spring Veggies with Red Quinoa

2014-03-09 19.19.19

Ingredients:
1/2 cup quinoa
1 cup chicken broth
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 small sweet onion (Vidalia), halved and sliced 2014-03-09 18.43.48
1/2 red (or yellow or orange) Bell pepper, sliced
1/2 cup shredded carrot
1 pound asparagus, woody ends removed
1 cup grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 pound uncooked shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 tablespoons minced garlic (I use jarred)
1+1/2 tablespoons freshly ground lemon pepper mix
1-2 tablespoons sea salt
1/4 cup dry white wine
1 small lemon, juiced
4 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan

Directions:

  • In a small saucepan, stir chicken broth and quinoa. Over medium heat, bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; cover. Let simmer ‘til broth is absorbed about 20 minutes. When done, remove from heat; leave in pan ‘til ready to serve.
  • In a large saute pan, heat olive oil and add sliced onions and peppers. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • In the meantime, cut tips off asparagus; set aside. Cut remainder of asparagus stems into 1″ pieces.
  • Then add shredded carrots and cut-up asparagus stems (not tips) into saute pan. Continue to cook for 7-8 minutes ‘til crisp tender.
  • Remove to a bowl, season with salt and pepper to taste and set aside.
  • Place tomatoes in saute pan (adding a small amount of olive oil IF needed), cut side down. Let cook for 3-4 minutes to soften.
  • Add in shrimp and asparagus tips. Cook for 4-5 minutes ‘til shrimp are beginning to turn pink. Flip over to cook on other side. Add chopped garlic and cook for just one more minute, stirring gently. Remove just the shrimp to a bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Pour white wine and lemon juice into saute pan and simmer for about 3-4 minutes. Stir well. Remove from heat.
  • Add back in sauteed shrimp and cooked veggies. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons grated Parm.

Serve on a large platter; pour out the quinoa and top with the shrimp/veggie mixture. Sprinkle with the rest of the Parm. Enjoy!

♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥

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

♥  coleen

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

Learning To Be The Light – Newworldson

March 10, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

~  Listen while you read, please!  ~

When the stars came crashing down
In tiny pieces to the ground
I was all alone down here
Trapped beneath the atmosphere
Then I, thought somebody called my name,
I spun around and caught a flame
I gave into a God I didn’t know
And now everything is falling into place
A brand new life is calling and I owe it all to grace

It’s so much brighter living in Your world
Savior, what You did for me
You gave me something I want everyone to see
When we struggle and it all goes wrong
Only You can make it right
So I say, Oh oh oh oh oh
I’m learning to be the light
Whoa, whoa
I’m learning to be the light
Whoa, whoa

When a heart is cold as ice
You can’t melt it with advice
No one wants to listen to
A list of things they shouldn’t do
So I build a city on a hill
And I light a candle on a sill
Knowing You’ll be always knocking at the door
Oh God I just want to love on everyone
All I have is Yours to give so let the people come

The light that makes the shadows hide
The light that breaks the curse of pride
The light that takes the weary in its arms

When it all came crashing down
There was only darkness all around
But in the distance I could see
A flame

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

We each have been commissioned to share the Gospel of Christ to every tribe and nation.  We should have such a light shining that draws others to us as a moth is drawn to an open flame.  We get so bogged down with our day-to-day routines and feel that there is no way out sometimes.  We wonder if there is a way to break our boring routines.  But there is!  All we have to do is find joy in our every day.

One way to go about that would be to praise God that we have bills to pay, that we have a spouse that works, healthy children, good healthcare, great friends!  Whatever your situation, there is an opportunity to sing praises to God and give Him the glory for the ‘everyday.’  We are a truly blessed nation and we take for granted what privileges we have given to us.

As you go through your day, look at what you do with new eyes.  Look at what you have as though you are a person from a Third World country.   A place like Peru or the area around the Amazon in South America.  We have such abundance and they often have nothing.  They have no running water and yet they are content.  They do not have a grocery store and yet a 5 year old boy goes out in the river fishing for his family’s breakfast in a flat boat.  We would never dream of sending our kids out in a dangerous river like that.

As we enter the Easter season, take time to pray.  Get by yourself, if that is not your routine and meditate on a song or Scripture.  Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you what He would have for you today.  Just for today.  Wait for Him and He will be faithful to answer.

* ~ ♥ ~  ✞  ~ ♥ ~ *

Father, forgive us for being a spoiled nation.  Lord, help us come back to You. Help us to not become desensitized to those things that grieve Your Holy Spirit.  Help us not to seek out things that would harden our hearts towards You and Your kingdom.  Thank You for Your provisions.  Let us have a healthy filter for what would please You, Lord.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

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

God’s Help Is Needed

March 10, 2014 by

SeekingHimLogo

We have now entered the season of Lent.  For many Christians, Lent is taken as a time of preparation for the celebration of Easter where God miraculously redeemed mankind by resurrecting His Son from the dead. It is also a time to consider what Jesus said and did; and how we should be living in light of His Words.  ✞ ♥

During this season, here on the Seeking Him devotional blog, we have chosen to focus our devotionals on Jesus’ instructions and admonition communicated in Matthew chapter 6—the Beatitudes.  Jesus said, “Blessed are…” and He went on to give instruction as to how to be “blessed.”  To be ‘blessed’ is to ‘be happy, or to be envied.’  Truly for the Christian, we ARE blessed—oh, how very blessed we are!  Those who observe our lives should clearly be able to tell that we ARE blessed—and that we KNOW it! ✞ ♥

Please consider Jesus’ instructions along with us.  We pray that our words will encourage you and spur you on to be prepare your hearts for the joyous celebration of His Resurrection!  ✞ ♥

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
Matthew 5:3

Have you ever gotten to where you knew that only God could help you?  If you haven’t, you should.  Even when you are dealing with a tragedy or crisis, realizing your need for God’s help is a good thing!  For you know that nothing or no one else can step in and save the day—no one, that is, except Jesus!  Many tears have fallen when pride has had to be broken.  Then, the help that God brings shines brightly amidst the dark clouds of despair that have wanted to hover in life’s most difficult seasons.  God’s help always matters and always makes a difference!  Do you realize you can’t do life well without Him?  Life is always better with Jesus!  Not only will you have the wonderful Presence of God walking with you daily in whatever you may encounter, but He will bless you and promises you the Kingdom of Heaven, if you are “poor in spirit” (recognizing your need for God’s help).

So, what are you waiting for?  He is waiting for you.  Simply ask for His help.  I cannot understand why anyone would not.  If pride is standing in your way, ask God to help you trample on it!

Within every heart there should be a sense of needing God’s help.  I look at my own life. My every day should be in His Hands to guide me.  Without God’s Presence and help, my days would not have meaning for this life or the life to come.  I have no problem admitting that I need God’s help daily.  And each day I seek Him in prayer.  That is where I verbally express my dependency on Him and where my relationship with Him grows.  The Bible, God’s written Word, should not be far from my reach at some point on any given day either.  From His Word, I receive His help through reading: His commands, His promises, and of stories of how others lived life with God reigning and about those who lived without Him as Lord and did not call out to God for help.  The problem is always the same: everyone needed God’s help!  The difference is that some chose it and some did not.  The choice is easy for me: I need God’s help!  I will tell the whole world in hopes that they will see that they need His help, too, and that they need a Savior!

* ~ ♥ ~ ✞ ~ ♥~ *

Dear Lord, I praise You for being the wonderful loving and caring God that You are.  I don’t know what everyone who reads this prayer is presently going through…but You do.  Please let them see that You can help them with their trials and the circumstances that come their way.  If they don’t already know You as Savior, please let that be the most important decision they make before they go any further.  I hope they ask for forgiveness of sins and, then make You Savior, King, and Lord by allowing You to transform their lives as they live their lives focused on You and desire to bring You glory.  In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

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

Thy Word

March 9, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv
~  Listen while you read, please!  ~

Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path

When I feel afraid, and think I’ve lost my way
Still, You’re there right beside me
Nothing will I fear as long as You are near
Please be near me to the end

I will not forget Your love for me, and yet,
My heart forever is wandering
Jesus by my guide, and hold me to Your side,
And I will love You to the end

Nothing will I fear
As long as you are near
Please be near me to the end.

Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path
…You’re the light unto my path

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Recently I have been going through a season of circumstances and situations which have been very stressful…which leads to temptation to worry and be anxious.  Truly God’s Word(s) have been a lamp and a light for me. Sometimes, we just are not sure what to do next (TRUE?).  We pray for wisdom and we ask for guidance.  God promises to give wisdom to those who ask (James 1:3) and we know that the Holy Spirit will lead and guide (John 16:13)…but, at times, we must wait.  And this is where the light of God’s Word has shone bright for me.

[What, what would have become of me] had I not believed
that I would see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living!
Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave
and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring.
Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord.
Psalms 27:13-14

And as I wait, I know that I must be diligent to seek God and His Word!  By spending time reading the Scriptures and considering and meditating on them, I am keeping myself ‘in the light.’  For me, it is very much like the dreary, cloudy days of winter…it is wearying.  But then we are blessed with a bright, sunshine-y day! And I find myself drawn to the window, numerous times during the day, just standing there…face lifted into that gorgous life-giving sunlight…simply soaking it in!

The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes
More to be desired are they than gold…yes, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey or the honeycomb
Psalms 19:8 and 10

God’s Word is a lamp for our feet and a light for our path. To walk in the light, we must know the Scriptures, we must understand the Word, and we must do the Will of God. Then we must walk out in the light and refrain from walking where there is no light.

For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching is light;
And reproofs for discipline are the way of life
Proverbs 6:23

If we say we have fellowship with Him while we walk in darkness,
we lie and do not live according to the truth; but if we walk in the light,
as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another,
and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.
1 John 1:6,7

And so, just like on those few and precious sunny days of winter, we move toward and step into the light. God’s Word is a lamp for our feet so that we don’t fall and can see the truth of the situations we are in. It dispels the darkness and it lights our path.  We then can follow along that path that He has prepared for us!  Going along step by step…knowing that He has promised and will supply!

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