May 2, 2026

Can He, Could He, Would He, Did He….

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Can He (can He save me), could He (could He love me)
Would He (would He take me), did He (did He really)
Can He, could He, would He, yes, He can, He could, He would, and He did
Can He (can He save me), could He (could He love me)
Would He (would He take me), did He (did He really)
Can He, could He, would He, yes, He can, He could, He would, and He did

From the moment I heard about the Lord and His Word
Well, it seemed to be too good to be true
Major questions and doubts I tried to figure it out
But the best that I could do
Was to wander around in the love that I found
Until my questions started answering themselves, singing
Can He, could He, would He, yes, He can, He could, He would, and He did.

You can say you don’t know it’s necessarily so
Like somebody said it once in a song
You can think what you choose, but, let me tell you the news
The Lord has loved you all along
So if you’re asking again will the doubts never end,
Simply trust Him and you’ll see for yourself, singing
Can He, could He, would He, yes, He can, He could, He would, and He did
Can He, could He, would He, yes, He can, He could, He would, and He did

Songwriters: Dwight Liles, John Chisum / Performed by The Vocal Union
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Cute song, yes?  But really these {Can He save me?  Could He love me? Would He take me?  Did He really?} are deep, vital questions!  And we each need to know—that we know—that we know the answers!  Oh, we might be able to say we do…but…are we convinced in our hearts?  The Scriptures give us the Truth to hold onto and treasure in our hearts for those times we may falter.

Can He save me?  Yes, He can…and He did!

This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
Who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
1 Timothy 2:3

For by grace are ye saved through faith;
and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Ephesians 2:8 and 9

And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven
that has been given among men by which we must be saved.
Acts 4:12

Could He love me?  Yes, He could…and He does!

For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world
that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son,
so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.
John 3:16 AMP

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

This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us
and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
1 John 4:10

Would He take me?  Yes, He would…and He’ll never leave you!

The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness.
He will not always strive with us, nor will He keep His anger forever.
He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him.
As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
Just as a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.
For He Himself knows our frame;
He is mindful that we are but dust.
Psalms 103:8-14

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities,
nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height,
nor depth, nor any other created thing,
will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38 and 39

Then Peter opened his mouth and said: Most certainly and thoroughly I now perceive
and understand that God shows no partiality and is no respecter of persons,
But in every nation he who venerates and has a reverential fear for God,
treating Him with worshipful obedience and living uprightly,
is acceptable to Him and sure of being received and welcomed by Him.
Acts 10:34 and 35

Did He really (do ALL that)?  Yes, He did…and much, much more…and none of that will ever change!

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Can He?   Could He?   Would He?  YES, He can!  He could…He would…and He did!

Oh. Yes. He. Did. (Don’t ever forget that!)   ♥

A Simple Healthy Meal at Home

Oven Fried Chicken

One of the biggest challenges for busy women today is finding the time and knowing how to cook a meal at home. It can seem impossible, but I truly believe that every woman whether preparing for one, two or four, can discover a plan for having a meal at home at least most nights of the week. (We don’t have to try and be perfect 100% of the time!)

Why Am I So Intent on Meals At Home?

  • Its Healthier:  A study posted by the Medical Express revealed that “those who cooked were more likely” to live longer. The possibility of other factors, besides cooking, was also extensively investigated, but the cooking at home still remained an important factor.
  • It Gives You More Control:  When you prepare your meals at home, you can choose how much butter, oil, sauce, sodium, etc. there will be in your food as well as your portion size. According to a study with the Economic Research Service, each meal or snack eaten away from home adds an average of 134 calories, compared with the same meal or snacks prepared at home. If eating out every day, that alone could contribute to over 1/2 pound of weight gain a week, if you did not do anything to counter-balance the additional calories.
  • It Saves Money:  There is no doubt that eating home does not just save you calories, but it will save you money. Let’s take for example, fast food, not even a nice sit down restaurant. For a family of four, you are going to spend, on average, $25 for one meal. Last week, I was able to feed my family, oven fried chicken with two vegetables along with homemade macaroni and cheese for $15. That went a long way considering there were leftover’s for lunch the next day.  Another savings!

How to Do It

  • Plan according to your schedule

What is the easiest method and time of the day for you to put your meal together? Take a few minutes at the beginning of the week to get a plan. Remember your plan may vary from time-to-time or season in your life.

  • Be realistic

Notice I did not say, “attempt to cook 7 days a week.”  Pick the number of days that will work for you and be realistic with what you cook and how you will prepare your meals.

Try This!

Oven Fried Chicken (adapted from Calorie King)

Ingredients:
• 1 cup corn flakes, crushed
• 1/3 cup flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper
• 2 egg whites, slightly beaten
• 1/4 cup skim milk
• 2 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into even strips

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400ºF.  Spray cookie sheet with butter-flavored cooking spray.
Mix all dry ingredients in large bowl. Mix egg whites and milk in small bowl. Dip chicken into egg mixture and then coat with corn flake mixture. Place on cookie sheet, and spray with more cooking spray.  Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes, then flip pieces and spray with more cooking spray. Continue baking for 10 to 15 minutes or until golden brown.
Calories -156
Fat -1 gram
Protein – 14 grams
With the right motivation and a little preparation, you can save calories, save money, and have more quality time with your family with a simple, healthy meal made at home.

In Good Health,
Crystal

Help

SeekingHimLogo

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I searched for definitions of “rock”:

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

I want to be like David—

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

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

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

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

I Bless Your Name

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

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

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

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

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

Songwriter – Elizabeth Goodine / Performed by Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir

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

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

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

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

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

He is ELOHIM —the God of power and might.

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

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

He is EL-SHADDAI — God Almighty.

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

Redemption

SeekingHimLogo

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Faith

SeekingHimLogo

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

Psalms 31:1-5

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

You Never Let Go

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

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

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

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

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

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

Singer/Songwriter Matt Redman with Mrs. Beth Redman

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Making It Through the Hard Times

SeekingHimLogo

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Shout To The Lord

SeekingHimLogo

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

Psalm 81:1

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

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

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

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

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

A Living Prayer

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The writers of the Psalms often communicated very similar thoughts.

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

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

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

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