December 26, 2024

Redemption From the World

September 8, 2014 by

SeekingHimLogo

Praise the Lord, my soul;
all my inmost being, praise His holy name.
Praise the Lord, my soul,
and forget not all His benefits—
Who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
Who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
Who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Psalms 103:1-5

I am going to go ahead and admit it.  I have played the lottery—both scratch-offs and picking the numbers.  It’s a temptation that is hard to avoid when I am in certain places—Florida and Georgia.  I am not going to lie.  It’s especially hard when you live right on the Alabama-Georgia border.  Thankfully, due to gas prices, I have a worldly reason to avoid it.

Winning the lottery or winning a prize can make anyone feel elated.  That elation only intensifies when you actually obtain the prize.  Many kids love to go to Chucky Cheese—not for the pizza—but for the games.  Kids play games there to win tickets.  And with those tickets, they can redeem prizes from the prize department.  Lucky are those who get enough tickets to win the oversized prizes like the big stuffed animal or toy (that you can get at a department store for way cheaper than what you paid in money for the games).  Redeeming the prize makes us feel good, but it is only finite.  The elation only lasts for so long.

O Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption.
Psalm 130:7

Yet there is a redemption that we can receive that is even better than redeeming a ticket for a prize—the gift of the Cross.  Jesus died on the Cross for our sins and transgressions.  He gave His own blood to redeem us from the fate of death and burning in the lake of fire at the end of time.  He redeemed us from the world because He loved us.  Jesus was thinking of us when the guards nailed Him to the Cross.  He was thinking of us when He drew His last breath. Jesus was redeeming us when He gave His life to save us from the sentence of death.

We receive this redemption upon welcoming Jesus into our hearts and entering into a relationship with Him.  He not only redeems us from death and sin, but He is our Rock and Foundation.  Jesus never leaves us and He gives His love unconditionally.  He is our Redeemer, Foundation, and so much more.

  *   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the redemption that Your Son gives us upon our acceptance of Him.  Without Him we would surely not be able to escape the sentence of death at the final judgment.  He is our Rock and Foundation.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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

Making It Through the Hard Times

August 31, 2014 by

SeekingHimLogo

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

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

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

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

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

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

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

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

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

Singing to Infinity

August 29, 2014 by

SeekingHimLogo

Sing for joy to God our strength; shout aloud to the God of Jacob!
Psalm 81:1

Disney’s Frozen is one of those hits that just don’t leave your mind a few days after watching it. For kids and toddlers, mainly girls, it has been a huge hit. Try finding an Elsa costume in a Disney store. It’s not happening most days. The music itself is not going away either. This music has stuck around longer than most one-hit wonders. It’s amazing. My daughter is three, and all she has to do is hear the first strains of Let It Go, and she breaks into song. She almost knows the entire song word for word. My parents were amazed at how much she knew.

However, worldly songs and things are only finite.  Our love of them should not interfere with our love and wanting of God.  When things begin to interfere with our relationship with God, they become idols.  Worldly things can grab such a strong hold over people that they lose sight of what is really true in this world—God’s love and a relationship with Him.

Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
Acts 3:19

But yet we can have an infinite love and life.  We cannot let the worldly things get in our way.  If we repent and accept a relationship with God, our sins will be blotted out.  Our lives will be refreshed by the Spirit and love of God.  We shall always be in His Presence.  We are able to rely on the strength of God when we are down, sick, or in need.  He is our Rock and Shield.  All we have to do is have faith.

When our relationship with God is strong and unbroken, we are so much more than we could be without Him—which is weak.  We can sing to the moon and back about His love and saving grace.  We can shout to the Lord about His wonderful and fulfilling love.  With God as our strength, we can fight any fight that we are thrown into.  We can help those who need it, and we can share the joy of loving God.

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love.  Thank You for Your grace.  Without You, we would be weak.  You give us strength to get through these troubling days.  You love us like no one else.  You are our Rock and Strength.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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

Angels

August 28, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

“Take this man to prison,” the man heard Herod say
And then four squads of soldiers came and carried him away
Chained up between two watchmen, Peter tried to sleep
But beyond the walls an endless prayer was lifting for his keep
Then a light cut through the darkness of a lonely prison cell
And the chains that bound the man of God just opened up and fell
And running to his people before the break of day
There was only one thing on his mind, only one thing to say

Angels watching over me, every move I make
Angels watching over me
Angels watching over me, every step I take
Angels watching over me

God only knows the times my life was threatened just today
A reckless car ran out of gas before it ran my way
Near misses all around me, accidents unknown
Though I never see with human eyes the hands that lead me home
But I know they’re all around me all day and through the night
When the enemy is closing in, I know sometimes they fight
To keep my feet from falling, I’ll never turn away
If you’re asking what’s protecting me then you’re gonna hear me say

Got his angels watching over me, every move I make
Angels watching over me
Angels watching over me, every step I take
Angels watching over me

Singer/Songwriter Amy Grant
along with  E. Brown Bannister,  Gary Chapman, Michael W.  Smith
*  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  * 

God only knows how many accidents…in the car or just walking…I have come near to being in. I have also seen other people have some near-misses. Every day is full of near-misses . Yet God is protecting us. We may not understand how, but God is there and knows when we really need Him. Life is hard. Without God, we would not be able to survive every day.

My God hath sent His angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me:
forasmuch as before Him innocency was found in me;
and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.
Daniel 6:22

In today’s world we are being persecuted left and right by those who do not believe in God or those who religiously believe in something else.  We are thrown into the proverbial ‘lion’s den’ every day.  Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den because the king had been misled about Daniel.  However, Daniel knew that he would be safe.  He testified to the king the next morning that an angel of the Lord had come and shut the lion’s mouth through the night.  The king, having seen and heard of Daniel’s survival, decreed that the kingdom would follow Daniel’s God.

God’s angels are always looking out for us.  We may not be able to see them, but we know that He sends His angels to look after us.  We can think of all the near-misses we have had and realize that God was looking out for us.  God and His angels are always there fighting for us.  They are protecting us from the forces that are always out there trying to make us fall.

*  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for guarding us and protecting us. Thank You for sending Your angels to give us protection from the many things that are trying to make us fall and take us away from You. Without You, we would certainly fall and not be able to get up. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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

We Believe

August 23, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

In this time of desperation
When all we know is doubt and fear
There is only one foundation
We believe, we believe!

In this broken generation
When all is dark, You help us see
There is only one salvation
We believe, we believe!

We believe in God the Father
We believe in Jesus Christ
We believe in the Holy Spirit
And He’s given us new life
We believe in the crucifixion
We believe that He conquered death
We believe in the resurrection
And He’s comin’ back again, we believe

So, let our faith be more than anthems
Greater than the songs we sing
And in our weakness and temptations
We believe, we believe!

Let the lost be found and the dead be raised
In the here and now, let love invade
Let the church live love our God will save
We believe, we believe

And the gates of hell will not prevail
For the power of God has torn the veil
Now we know Your love will never fail
We believe, we believe!

 Songwriters: Travis Ryan, Richie Fike, Matt Hooper / Performed by Newsboys

*  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

I often feel like I am living in a puzzle that will never get solved. I am a puzzle piece that somehow connects to another piece on the table. I know I connect, and I believe that I will connect. Christians are being persecuted. A radical group in the Middle East is heck-bent on taking over the world. I just feel like I am a piece of a puzzle that will not get put together as things go from bad to worse.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God…
Ephesians 2:8

We see the faces of those being oppressed every day when we watch the news on television or read about it on the Internet. I believe, however, that this is all part of God’s master plan for the world and time. Times are getting desperate. People are getting desperate. The earth is getting desperate. The number of extreme storms and earthquakes are increasing. The birth pangs look to have begun. For Christians, these may be a few of the signs that Christ’s Return is getting nearer—nearer than ever before.

Believers know that Jesus died for us, and that He rose from the grave. As believers, we know that He will return one day to take us home. Jesus gives us new life when we believe with faith that He died for us on the Cross. We are released from the desperation of being human when we accept Jesus as our Savior. We believe with faith that Jesus defeated death and sin when He left the tomb. A mere human could not do that. Only Jesus could do that.

Our faith in God is what gets us through the rough times. Our faith in God is what keeps us going when we feel like we have nowhere else to go. Our faith is what allows us to know that Jesus died on the Cross, but He defeated evil when He rose from the dead. He showed Himself to the disciples who then relayed the good news that He would return again.

God’s love is what saves, but only if we accept it. We must believe with our whole hearts that Jesus died on the Cross for us. Then, we must share this same faith with those who are lost. By doing this, we spread the word of God’s love. We show our faith in God when we show His love to others.

*  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your wonderful gift.  Thank You for defeating death.  We believe that You died for us, and that You will return soon to take us home.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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

Modern Idols

August 19, 2014 by

SeekingHimLogo

But their idols are silver and gold,
made by human hands.
They have mouths, but cannot speak,
eyes, but cannot see.
They have ears, but cannot hear,
noses, but cannot smell.
They have hands, but cannot feel,
feet, but cannot walk,
nor can they utter a sound with their throats.
Psalms 115:4-7

When I was growing up, I always thought that idols were statues.  That was how they had always been portrayed as being in the movies and my own imagination. However, when I reached my teens and young adult years, I learned that idols are more than just statues that are worshipped as gods.

One dictionary definition of idol is any person or thing regarded with blind admiration, adoration, or devotion.

The Bible definition of idol is an image of a deity other than God.

In my opinion, an idol is anything that turns your attention away from God.  With so many things to grab our attention, it is easy to allow something or someone to grab all our attention. Cell phones, TV, work, family activities, etc., can keep us from doing what we really should be doing. When it comes to God, these can also affect our relationship with Him.

Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. “It is written,” He said to them, “My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers.” The blind and the lame came to Him at the temple, and he healed them. But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things He did and the children shouting in the temple courts, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David,’ they were indignant.

Matthew 21:12-15

The merchants of Jesus’ time had made His temple a place of idolatry.  The merchants and the priests were more worried about money and the power they had then of having a true relationship with God.  When Jesus took their idols away, they became indignant.  If you were to try to do that to someone or a group of people today, it would become total chaos.  Rights are taken away, and the rights of the people who are seeking to do the right thing are taken away.
However, one day Jesus will return, and He will turn the tables on the idols of the world again.  Until then we should strive to keep the idols out of our view.  We should focus our lives upon God.  We should work and live for the glory of God.

 *   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Dear Heavenly Father, I strive to put my focus on You.  You have saved me from the clutches of sin.  Idols have no place in my life.  I love You and work to glorify You.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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

God, Parents, and Children

August 10, 2014 by

SeekingHimLogo

He is the Maker of heaven and earth,
the sea, and everything in them—
He remains faithful forever.
He upholds the cause of the oppressed
and gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets prisoners free,
the Lord gives sight to the blind,
the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down,
the Lord loves the righteous.
The Lord watches over the foreigner
and sustains the fatherless and the widow,
but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.
Psalms 146:6-9

For those who have children, you can probably relate to the verses above if you think about it.  We help to create, or make, our children in the way we hope that God has in mind.  We uphold them and make them feel better when they are bullied or treated unfairly.  We watch over them to keep them safe and healthy.

My daughter and I bought a mother/daughter combo necklace that we found on sale after Mother’s Day.  I wear the ‘mother’ heart, and she wears the ‘daughter’ heart.  She wore her necklace to daycare the other day.  Because one child at daycare is not allowed to wear necklaces because she turns it into a toy, her mother threw a fit when she saw my daughter wearing her heart necklace.  To keep things fair, the teacher took my daughter’s necklace up.  (I got the necklace back later on.)  My daughter didn’t fuss, but I am pretty sure she did not understand what was going on.  I felt for her, and I felt bad because I was not there to watch over her during the injustice.  But, I am proud that she didn’t fuss when her teacher took the necklace.  Most three-year olds would throw a fit.

Just as we help to create, or make, the person our child becomes so does God. God created the earth and everything in it. He created each one of us as a unique individual. He watches over each one of us, and He guides just like parents guide their children. We lift them up when they are down and we lift them up when they have success.  God does the same for us.  Just as we are faithful to our families, God is faithful to us.

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Dear Heavenly Father: Thank You for Your wonderful creation.  Thank You for freeing us and helping us guide our own children and families as You guide us. You sustain us, and You lift us up when we most need it.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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

The Shepherd and His Sheep

August 4, 2014 by

SeekingHimLogo

Know that the Lord is God.
It is He who made us, and we are His;
we are His people, the sheep of His pasture.
Psalm 100:3

Have you ever noticed that you are put in other people’s lives for a reason?  My mother always believed that God put her with my father because she has vision problems and he can see (and now I that I am married can see her point).  My father was put with her because he has hearing loss, and she can hear.  In September they will have been married for 36 years.  Now that is a long time by today’s standards!   As for me and my husband, he lays something down, and I can usually tell him right where it is.  The same goes when I lay something down. My husband knows my moods, and I know his.  We have only been married for a few years, but we are still learning about each other.

I am the good Shepherd. I know My own and My own know Me,
just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.
John 10:14-15

The Lord is our Shepherd.  He created us.  God knew who we were and where we were going before we were even born.  He knows us better than we do ourselves. That is why our prayers are answered the way that they are when we pray.  We may pray for something, but God may not think that an affirmative answer would be beneficial to us.  God then tells us ‘No.’ for our own good because He knows us.

When we accept Christ into our hearts, we begin to know our heavenly Father.  He knew us before we even turned from our sin and returned to Him.  When Christ went to the Cross, He already knew who He was dying for that day.  He knew us before we were even twinkles in our parents’ eyes. God knows who His sheep are even before they walk this Earth.  God had plans for all of eternity even before He created Adam and Eve.  He already knew who we would be.  It is part of our responsibility to know Him better.

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Dear Heavenly Father, You knew us before You wove us together in our mothers’ wombs.  We are Your children, and You know us like parents know their children. Thank You for giving us the gift of eternal life through the gift of Your Holy Son.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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

The Power of Prayer

July 29, 2014 by

SeekingHimLogo

My heart, O God, is steadfast,
my heart is steadfast;
I will sing and make music.
Awake, my soul!
Awake, harp and lyre!
I will awaken the dawn.
I will praise You, Lord, among the nations;
I will sing of You among the peoples.
For great is Your love, reaching to the heavens;
Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
let Your glory be over all the earth.
Psalms 57:7-11

When times are tough, who do you turn to?  Do you cry on someone’s shoulder?  Do you go looking for your own solution?  All of us should have someone who will stand with us when we need them to.  With today’s world crumbling around us, we all are going to need someone to lean our heads on sooner or later.

We have had some health and other issues come up in our home and in our family.  We also have friends who are suffering from health issues, and other issues, as well.  But the first thing we do when these issues appear is to pray and to ask for prayers.  There is power in prayer—healing, reassurance, love, answers, and much much more.  Through prayer, we can offer our brothers and sisters in Christ a shoulder to lean on and the knowledge to know that they are not alone.

Through this power of prayer and love, our hearts are steadfast in God.  We have a solid foundation in which to get up from our struggles and move forward.  Our souls awaken when we talk to God or pray for others.  Through prayer, we praise God and reach out to those who need Him most.  When people know you are praying for them, it makes them feel loved and helps to strengthen their walk their God.

God’s love is for everyone.  He is with us all no matter what we believe.  It is through this love that we will spend eternity with Him.  We will praise and worship Him when we live with Him in Heaven.  What a wonderful promise to exalt and praise through song.

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Dear Heavenly Father:  Thank You for listening to us and being our Rock.  Thank You for Your wonderful love.  We share this love through praise, prayer, and service to others.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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

From the Mouth of a Child

July 25, 2014 by

SeekingHimLogo

O Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is Your name in all the earth!
You have set Your glory above the heavens.
Out of the mouth of babies and infants,
You have established strength because of Your foes,
to still the enemy and the avenger.
Psalms 8:1-2

Last week my children were preparing to go to their Nana’s house for the last weeks of summer break.  (Our son goes back to school on August 5.)  One morning as my son was rolling around in the bed, I asked him if he was ready to go to Nana’s house for a while.  He answered, “We have to go to Nana’s now because Jesus will come to get us next year.  Mommy, when is Jesus coming back to get everybody?”  Let’s just say, my eyes went wide and my heart jumped for joy!

No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven,
nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah,
so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.
Matthew 24:36

All I could tell my son was that no one knows the day or hour that Jesus will return.  No one knows.  However, out of the mouth of a child comes the yearning for Christ.  It is amazing.  The kid has been listening even though it sometimes looks like he hasn’t.  That right there is enough to make a mother happy!

God is glorious and majestic, even in the eyes of a child.  My son will be six in a few weeks, but he already knows that Jesus is coming back.  Most people don’t learn this until they are in the upper elementary school or in middle school.  Out of the mouths of babes comes part of the story of Christ: He will return!  Children soak up much in their young lives, and I am glad that mine are soaking up the story of Christ.  Just like children soak in the story, so should we.  Just as my son wants to see Jesus, so do I!!!

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Dear Heavenly Father:  Please give us the heart of child so we can soak up Your promise to return.  We run to You just as the little children do.  We bask in Your glory and look to Your heavens with hope.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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