April 29, 2026

Thank You

November 13, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Just a little while longer I wanna pray
Can’t get You off my mind so I came to say
Thank You, Lord, just for loving me
Many times I do forget
Every need that You have met
Oh thank You, Lord, I know You’re showing me

You are there when I am down and out, You’re holding me
Your love is so amazing, oh it changed me

Here I am with all I have
Raise my hands to worship You
I wanna say thank You, oh thank You
For everything, for who You are
You cover me and touch my heart
I wanna say thank You

I could have died in my sin but You saved me
Didn’t have any hope at all
You gave me peace divine, strength to carry on, alright
I should have been the one to pay
But instead You took my place
Amazing grace, it’s more than just a song

Even though I don’t deserve Your love for me
You look beyond my fault and You showed me mercy

Here I am with all I have
Raise my hands to worship You
I wanna say thank You, oh thank You
For everything, for who You are
You cover me and touch my heart
I wanna say thank You

I wanna say thank You for the sun
Lord, we thank You for the rain

Oh Lord, I love You
Thank You that’s all that I can say
Thank You for the love You gave

 Singer/Songwriters: Joe Katina, John Katina, Sam Katina and Todd Collins

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There is no doubt about God’s love…we are fully aware that there is oh-so-very-much we have received from our Father God for which the only response is a wholehearted ‘thank You!’  Sometimes do you find yourself, like me, saying, “Oh Lord, I love You…thank You…that’s all that I can say!”

All that we have received and will receive from Almighty God is due to His love. Because of His unconditional, faithful, steadfast love

  • we have eternal life

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son,
that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16

  • nothing can separate us from His love

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers,
nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth,
nor anything else in all creation,
will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:37-39

  • we have been saved

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us,
even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ
— by grace you have been saved….
Ephesians 2:4-5

  • Christ died for us

But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8

  • His love brings us peace and quietness

The LORD your God is in your midst, a Mighty One who will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love;
He will exult over you with loud singing.
Zephaniah 3:17

  • He cares for you

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time
He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.
1 Peter 5:6 and 7

  • His love is steadfast and faithful

But You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger,
and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.
Psalm 86:15

  • we have the ability to love because of His love

We love because He first loved us.
1 John 4:19 

Wow!  Quite an array of wonderful blessings are ours simply because God loves us! So, what should be our response to this awesome love? What do we have to give that could even begin to show how the gratitude that fills our hearts and how thankful we are? The Katina brothers offer a good suggestion in the chorus of this song…

Here I am with all I have, Raise my hands to worship You, I wanna say thank You

Yes…worship and offering of thanks by praising God!  Throughout the Scriptures, other men (such as David and Paul) who loved God also expressed their thankfulness for His incredible love through praise.

By Him <Jesus> therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually,
that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name.
Hebrews 13:15

I will praise the LORD according to His righteousness:
and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.
Psalm 7:17

I will give thanks to You, Lord, with all my heart;
I will tell of all Your wonderful deeds.
I will be glad and rejoice in You;
I will sing the praises of Your name, O Most High.
Psalm 9:2

♪ ♬ ♪  Oh Lord, I love You  ♪ ♬ ♪
Thank You that’s all that I can say
♪ ♬ ♪  Thank You for the love You gave  ♪ ♬ ♪

As David prayed and worshipped along with the Israelites thanking Almighty God for His provision, may our prayer of gratitude and praise be the same:

Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty
and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is Yours.
Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; You are exalted as Head over all.
Wealth and honor come from You; You are the Ruler of all things.
In Your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.
Now, our God, we give You thanks, and praise Your glorious name.
2 Chronicles 29:11-13

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

Expressions of Thanks

November 12, 2014 by

seekingHimthanksgivinggraphic
Praise the Lord!
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart,
in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them.
Full of splendor and majesty is His work, and His righteousness endures forever.
He has caused His wondrous works to be remembered;
the Lord is gracious and merciful.
Psalms 111:1-4

Thank:  to express gratitude, appreciation, or acknowledgment

In the Southern culture, we are taught from the crib to say ‘thank you’.  If you did not say thank you growing up you were quickly reminded to say it.  How much more should we say it to our Heavenly Father.  Without Him, we would have nothing.

T-hrone
We are to bring our request to the throne of the One who can grant them.

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

H-eaven
In Heaven, when we call upon the name of Jesus, He will take them to our Father as our Intercessor.

Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is,
because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
Romans 8:27

A-nswered
God will, in His wisdom, answer our prayers. Not always the way we want, but as our Father, Who knows best, does.

Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also;
and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.
And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do,
that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.
John 14:12-14

N-oble
From Scripture our thoughts should always focus on what is good and noble. We are to train our thoughts on what is right and pure. Not dwell in the negatives of our lives. When we search and find the light, we will feel lighter and free!

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble,
whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable
—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Philippians 4:8

K-nowledge
As we begin to train our thoughts …away from the negative and begin to go to the positive… our Father will give us a much greater knowledge of His Word.  We will want to fill our minds and thoughts with His words, His goodness, His mercy, and His ways.

For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness,
Who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge
of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 4:6

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Father, thank You for Your blessings.  Thank You for giving me the opportunity to share my heart with others.  Thank You for being You and for standing with me.  Jesus, thank You for being my Intercessor.  Holy Spirit, thank You for Your touches that bring me back to You.  Continue to give me strength when the way becomes weary.  Help me keep my focus on Your light!  In Jesus’ name, amen.

 

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

Life Of Praise

November 12, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

I will love You, Lord, always
Not just for the things You’ve done for me
And I will praise You all my days
Not just for the change You’ve made in me

I’ll praise you for You are holy, Lord
And I’ll lift my hands, but You are worthy of so much more
For You are awesome, God of the Nations,
Lion of Judah, Rock of the Ages, Alpha, Omega
You’re worthy of all praise
More that these hands I’ll raise
I’ll live a life of praise

I will serve You, Lord, always
For You are my strength
When I am weak
I will never be afraid for You are my rock and You protect me

But I’ll praise You for You are holy, Lord
And I’ll lift my hands, but You are worthy of so much more

 Singer/Songwriter: Mark Hall along with Casting Crowns

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Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song.
For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods.
Psalms 95:2-3

When I am weak and weary, all I need to do is put on a song of praise…it instantly gets my heart and my thoughts on the goodness of Jesus.  I have heard it said that ‘a heart full of gratitude begins when my sense of entitlement ends*’.  Even in the midst of the most difficult of circumstances we have so much to be thankful for!

All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people
may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away,
yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
2 Corinthians 4:15-16

It is in the hard stuff that we are renewed and strengthened day by day. God is our Strength when we are weary.

The LORD is my Strength and my Shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped.
My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song.
Psalm 28:7

When I think of strength and being strengthened I think of a mighty oak tree. May this poem about the mighty oak tree encourage you this day… I know it blessed me!

The Oak Tree
by Johnny Ray Ryder Jr.

A mighty wind blew night and day
It stole the oak tree’s leaves away
Then snapped its boughs and pulled its bark
Until the oak was tired and stark
But still the oak tree held its ground
While other trees fell all around
The weary wind gave up and spoke.
How can you still be standing, Oak?
The oak tree said, I know that you
Can break each branch of mine in two
Carry every leaf away
Shake my limbs, and make me sway
But I have roots stretched in the earth
Growing stronger since my birth
You’ll never touch them, for you see
They are the deepest part of me
Until today, I wasn’t sure
Of just how much I could endure
But now I’ve found, with thanks to you
I’m stronger than I ever knew

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Heavenly Father, I thank You that when we are weak You are strong.  And that no matter what we are enduring we KNOW You are faithful!  In Jesus’ Name!!  Amen!!!

* quote from Steven Furtick

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

Grateful for His Works

November 11, 2014 by

seekingHimthanksgivinggraphic

Great are the works of the Lord, they are pondered by all who delight in them.
Psalm 111:2

This psalm praises the Lord for His physical and spiritual blessing as well as for His providential care over those who love and fear Him.

I am so grateful to the Lord for His works and deeds which no one can fathom. He who delights in them is blessed. God is a wonder and He has done so many wondrous things that you and I are witnesses to today.

I am so grateful that the Lord works wonders that transform people to the point of realizing Who God is, Who Jesus is, and being able to accept Christ as their Lord and Savior. As it says in Exodus 15:11, the Lord is “majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders…” who is like unto Him? No one.

And that is why I am so grateful for being part of His Kingdom because whatever my Lord has I am a partaker and so I lack nothing. He created me in His own image and likeness.  How does a father feel when a child is born and resembles the father? They are always in jovial mood! It is the same way with my God whom I resemble—in His own likeness He created me—I am so grateful.

I can scale a wall because of Him and I am so grateful. He performs miracles…He displays His power among the peoples…with His mighty arm He redeems His people (including me!) I am so grateful.

You are the God who works wonders;
You have made known Your might among the peoples.
You with Your arm redeemed Your people,
the children of Jacob and Joseph. Selah
Psalms 77:14-15

I am so grateful to my Lord for great are His signs and mighty are His wonders. His kingdom is eternal and His dominion endures from generation to generation.

Sisters, it is the will of God for us to be grateful for what He has done. Each time we should show a grateful heart to the Lord. Do not murmur when you face adversaries; think of His wondrous works and His care for you night and day. In fact we need to be grateful and sing new songs to Him…the songs that will be like a sweet aroma to him. I am sure more blessings will follow you.

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Lord, I am so grateful for what You have done in my life and what You are yet to do in my life and the lives of my friends and relatives. May You continually be praised… and receive all the glory and honor. For Your works and deeds, Lord, we are so grateful. Be praised for everything in my life…in Jesus’ name, I pray.  Amen

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

Now Thank We All Our God

November 11, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Now thank we all our God
With heart and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things has done,
In Whom this world rejoices;
Who from our mothers’ arms
Has blessed us on our way
With countless gifts of love,
And still is ours today.

O may this bounteous God
Through all our life be near us,
With ever-joyful hearts
And blessed peace to cheer us,
To keep us in His grace,
And guide us when perplexed,
And free us from all ills
Of this world and the next.

All praise and thanks to God
The Father now be given,
The Son and Spirit blest,
Who reign in highest heaven
The one eternal God,
Whom heaven and earth adore;
For thus it was, is now,
And shall be evermore.

Written by Martin Rinckart and Johann Cruger
Sung by The Cambridge Singers and the City of London Sinfonia

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What a beautiful old hymn!  Verse 3 gives us a wonderful opportunity to praise our Lord,  All praise and thanks to God, the Father now be given. Can you just hear the angels gathering to sing in three-part harmony to give their utmost praise to Him?  I can feel the peace that would surround me. Come Lord Jesus, Come!  The Son and Spirit blest, who reign in highest heaven.  Such majesty, such glory, surrounds our Lord and King. We pray blessings upon us from Your holy throne as we lift our voices in song to praise Your holy name, the one eternal God, whom heaven and earth adore.  

When the seasons change, do you imagine that God wants to show off His Creation of nature? How much more so that He wants to show us off. For us, He wants us to grow, to pursue Him and let Him become the one to supply all of our needs. We are to tell Him ‘thank You!’ with grateful hearts, not just this month or the next, but forever are we to thank Him. Through the easy times and through the times where it would seem we are just climbing and climbing that mountain of issues and pain. For thus it was, is now, and shall be evermore.

Our God is Ruler of all the earth and the heavens. That we cannot dispute. For those that try, they will come up short and will not know happiness. That is until they embrace the Lord our God. Then He will receive with open arms the new person in Christ and will welcome back those that will repent and turn to God.

Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized
in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins;
and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Acts 2:38

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Father, we thank You for loving us just the way we are. We ask Your Holy Spirit to walk with us and guide us through our lives. All we have to do is ask for the Helper and He will be there to guide us. You have been most gracious with us and we have acted like spoiled children, forgetting to be grateful for Your many gifts and blessings. Help us to cultivate a thankful heart toward You. In Jesus’ name, we ask and pray, Amen.

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

Veggie Fried Rice

November 10, 2014 by

 

2014-11-07 20.47.12

Veggie Fried Rice

OK, I admit it…I do really, really, really love fried rice!  So yummy!  And totally limitless in variety…. You can prepare it with or without chicken or shrimp or ham or tofu! And so many choices of veggies to add: onions, mushrooms, peppers, broccoli, asparagus, green beans,…some folks even toss in a bag of frozen mixed veggies!  You can even vary the type of rice or grain that you choose: plain white, or a scented rice (like jasmine or basmati); brown rice, wild rice…or even quinoa!  The point is you make it to your own liking!  But there is one thing you MUST have—cold rice (preferably a day old).

Really!  Reason being if the rice you use is still warm and ‘fresh’ it will stick together and be clumpy.  Not pretty!  I always try to remember when preparing rice or quinoa to make an extra 1+1/2 cups so that it is sitting in the ‘fridge just waiting to be turned into Fried Rice.

This dish is also an excellent way to use up bits and pieces of fresh veggies, like half of an onion or a piece of red or yellow bell pepper.  Even some leftover cooked veggies from last night’s supper can be added in at the last minute!

Trying a new recipe that includes an ingredient or two not usually found in your pantry or ‘fridge is a great way to add those ingredients!  Our Dana Kim has been an inspiration to me as she has introduced me, through her wonderful recipes, to some items I didn’t have on hand.  (Use the ‘Search’ bar on our home page for Dana’s recipes!)  One item I always keep in my ‘fridge is sesame oil.  It has such a distinctive flavor and a teaspoon or two added to a stir fry dish or a marinade or Fried Rice is just delicious!  You can find it at any grocery store, I would imagine, right in the ethnic foods aisle.  It almost always comes packaged in a glass bottle and the oil itself is very dark.  Try it!

Here is my basic recipe…I would love to hear how you made it your own!  Enjoy!

2014-11-07 20.47.23

ingredients:
1 large egg, beaten lightly
2-3 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons sesame oil
1 small onion, chopped fine
2 tablespoons finely chopped garlic (I used jarred)
1 cup (or more) finely sliced cabbage (napa is especially nice)
1 small red bell pepper, finely chopped
1/2 cup frozen tiny peas, defrosted
2-3 cups COLD cooked rice
1/2 cup finely chopped pineapple, drained WELL (I use crushed from a can)
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1-2 tablespoons your favorite stirfry sauce (optional)

salt and pepper (optional)
1 tablespoon sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)
½ cup green onion slices, for garnish (optional)

directions:

  • add a few drops of olive oil to a large nonstick skillet and warm over medium heat
  • pour the beaten egg into the middle of the pan. allow to cook, undisturbed just ‘til cooked through (will only take 1 minute or so). remove the egg ‘pancake,’ set aside and chop into bits
  • pour in an additional 1 tablespoon of olive oil; when the oil is hot, add the onion, saute for about 5 minutes
  • stir in the bell pepper along with any other raw veggies; continue to cook for 5-6 minutes ’til the peppers start to soften
  • add the chopped garlic and any leftover (cooked) veggies; stir constantly for about 1 minute ‘til garlic is fragrant
  • add in the rice and peas; mix with a wooden spoon to break up any lumps. (if necessary, add a bit more olive oil.)  saute the rice veggie mixture, stirring just once or twice, allowing the rice to just begin to lightly brown (about 5-6 minutes)
  • add in the crushed pineapple; stir to incorporate
  • pour the sesame oil and the soy sauce (and stirfry sauce) into the mixture
  • reduce heat to medium-low and cook ‘til everything is heated through
  • toss the chopped cooked egg over top

♥    ♥    ♥    ♥    ♥

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

♥  coleen

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

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

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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!

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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!

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

Little Bundles of Thanks

November 9, 2014 by

seekingHimthanksgivinggraphic

Praise the Lord!
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart,
in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them.
Full of honor and majesty is His work, and His righteousness endures forever.
He has gained renown by His wonderful deeds; the Lord is gracious and merciful.
Psalms 111:1-4

In this season of the holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years), we often forget that this is a time to thank God for all we have.  The Lord had a plan when He did His great works.  God made everything for His glory.  As a group of believers, we should give thanks to God when we are together and when we are not.  The Lord is present at all times, and He hears our prayers of thanks.

On Mother’s Day, many churches hold baby dedications to thank God for the birth of new little ones.  When our son was born, we were going to a Methodist church, so we had a christening.  We had already decided to do his christening the Sunday before Thanksgiving.  We had the same plan for our daughter.  When our daughter was born, we had already moved to a Baptist church.  Baby dedications are done there in May.  I was able to talk to our Pastor and the Children’s Director about doing a dedication service the Sunday before Thanksgiving for both children.  The reason for doing all this at Thanksgiving was that I had miscarried our first pregnancy.  When we got pregnant with our son, it was in November.  We wanted to give thanks to the Lord for getting us through the miscarriage and sending us our son to us.   We wanted to do the same with our daughter.  I don’t know about my husband, but I wanted to honor and thank God for our blessings—especially during such a special time of year.

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:18

Going through rough times can teach anyone to be thankful.  Losing a child can make one thankful for the little ones we do have.  I know I have a very soft spot for my son because I took a hard hit when we lost our first.  I still think about that one to this day.

As a group of believers when we dedicate our children to the Lord we are thanking Him for sending us this little bundle of joy that brings love, pain, heartache, and everything else that goes along with it.  In the company of other believers, we thank God for this little person and pledge to teach him/her the Judeo-Christian values for which our country was founded and to teach the child to be a person who loves and honors God through worship and service.

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Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for our children and the children of our friends and family.  You send us a great gift when you send new little ones to the church.  We pledge to teach them Your ways and to honor You through service.  We thank You for Jesus and the sacrifice You made as a father.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

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

You Make Me Brave

November 9, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

The greatness of Your renown
I have heard of the majesty and wonder of You
King of Heaven in humility, I bow

As Your love
In wave after wave
Crashes over me, crashes over me
For You are for us
You are not against us
Champion of Heaven
You’ve made a way
For all to enter in

I have heard You call my name
I have heard the song of love that You sing
So, I will let You draw me out beyond the shore
Into Your grace, Your grace

You make me brave
You make me brave
You called me out beyond the shore
Into the waves

You make me brave
You make me brave
No fear can hinder now
The love that made a way

Singer/Songwriter: Amanda Cook along with Bethel Music

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Fear…the four letter word that hinders us from being and doing all the great things that God has planned for us.

In this world, there is nothing more important than spreading the love of Jesus to a lost and dying world.  To feed the hungry and shelter the poor and clothe the less fortunate.  A teenager is lying on a mattress right outside of a charity food pantry.  A man gives him all he has in his pocket.  The man notices that the boy is hiding something—his little 6 year old sister.  He is protecting her from the cold (and who knows what else).  That is no place for them to be.  We are the church which means we are Jesus’ hands and feet. Our first prayer when our eyes open should be this: “Empty me of me, fill me with You, and guide me to whoever needs You today.  Give me divine appointments.”  He will!

And what keeps us from praying this?  Fear. ‘ What will this person think if I offer them something?’  How many times have I not obeyed the nudges. God asks us to be brave. Just like in this song, we are asking, begging, Him to make us brave and call us out above all that is going on in our world.  For God is for us!

What, then, shall we say in response to these things?
If God is for us, who can be against us?
Romans 8:31

When Jesus left this world to ascend into Heaven, He said to His disciples that it was gong to be better for them if He would leave and the Holy Spirit would come (John 16).  Wow!  The Holy Spirit is available to all of us even at the same time!  He is there when someone asks a hard question about faith, and to answer when we need wisdom.  He is there when you can’t decide whether to take a certain  step or go a certain way in your life.  We are given all the power that Jesus had through the Spirit of God.  We just have to step out and have courage and be brave.

You can trust Him and His heart for you is full of love. His promises are always fulfilled.   He has made a way in this hard world for us to walk through with confidence, knowing that He has already been there and it is safe.

What is He calling you to do?  This week, be aware of the nudges that He gives you. Maybe it is to tell someone in the grocery store that Jesus loves them and He hasn’t forgotten them.  Or maybe you will be called on to pray for, or with, someone this week.  And when one of His children turns to Him and accepts Him into their life, all Heaven rejoices.  It is  a joyous occasion.

You may not be Beth Moore or Joyce Meyer, but you DO have a calling on your life.  Ask for the strength you will need.  Ask to be brave.

Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.
1 Corinthians 16:13

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Dear God, You are awesome and so good.  You are worthy to be praised and be worshipped.  Thank You for Your love that washes over us and the grace that comes before the Truth that You will speak in our lives.  Lord, You have called us to be Your church and to give to those in need.  Lord, show us where we are to go in Your name. Give us divine appointments along with the wisdom and discernment to know the words to say or the prayer to pray.  Thank You for what You will do in our lives when we step out in bravery in Your name.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

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

Show Me Your Ways

November 8, 2014 by

SeekingHimLogo

Good and upright is the Lord;
therefore He instructs sinners in His ways.
He guides the humble in what is right
and teaches them His way.
Psalms 25:8 and 9 NIV

Show me Your ways
Teach me Your paths
Lead me in Your truth, O Lord
On You I will wait

You are upright
Teaching sinners the way
The humble You guide in justice
The humble You teach Your ways

All Your paths O Lord are mercy and truth
And Your secret is for those who fear You

You will teach me the way I should go
You will guide me in the fear of the Lord
In Your presence, You will give me rest

You will show me the path of life
In Your presence is fullness of joy
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore

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