November 22, 2024

10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord)

September 13, 2014 by

SeekingHimLogo

Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And all that is within me, bless His holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget none of His benefits;
Who pardons all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases;
Who redeems your life from the pit,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;
Who satisfies your years with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.
Psalms 103:1-5

The sun comes up; it’s a new day dawning
It’s time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes

Bless the Lord, oh my soul, oh my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before, Oh my soul
I’ll worship Your holy name

You’re rich in love and You’re slow to anger
Your name is great and Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness I will keep on singing
10,000 reasons for my heart to find
Bless the Lord, oh my soul

And on that day when my strength is failing
The end draws near and my time has come
Still my soul will sing Your praise unending
10,000 years and then forever more
Bless the Lord

Songwriters: Matt Redman, Jonas Myrin / Performed by The Rend Collective

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

You Never Let Go

September 1, 2014 by

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

*  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

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.

   *  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

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!

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

10,000 Reasons

July 26, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before, O my soul
I’ll worship Your holy name

The sun comes up, it’s a new day dawning
It’s time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes

You’re rich in love, and You’re slow to anger
Your name is great, and Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find

And on that day when my strength is failing
The end draws near and my time has come
Still my soul will sing Your praise unending
Ten thousand years and then forevermore

Jesus, I’ll worship Your holy name
Lord, I’ll worship Your holy name

 Singer/Songwriter Matt Redman with Jonas Myrin

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear this song?  For me, it’s all the things God has redeemed me from….  God has been so good to me!

Here is what God wants from us in return:

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.
Do all things without murmurings and disputings….
Philippians 2:13-14 (KJV)

We are to do ALL things without murmurings and disputings (or complaining).  I heard Joyce Meyer once say, “Complain and Remain, or Praise and Be Raised.” This reminds me of the Israelites who complained on the 40 year journey that should have only taken them 11 days.

Does this mean that we have to like our current circumstances?  NO!!  In fact I haven’t liked most of my circumstances.  But it does mean that we trust God’s faithfulness so much.  And that we hold onto the joy that is only found in Him. And we choose to remember and be thankful for what He has done for us and then be obedient to what He calls us to do.  Obedience is at the core of receiving this new life of blessings.

He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”
Luke 11:28 NIV

No matter what we are currently walking through…God is worthy to be praised!

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Heavenly Father, I bless Your Holy name and thank You that whatever may pass or whatever lies before me…I will be singing before the evening comes.  Bless the Lord, O my soul!  Lord, I’ll worship Your Holy Name. Amen.

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

Your Grace Finds Me

July 10, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

It’s there in the newborn cry
There in the light of every sunrise
There in the shadows of this life
Your great grace
It’s there on the mountaintop
There in the everyday and the mundane
There in the sorrow and the dancing
Your great grace
Oh such grace

From the creation to the Cross
There from the Cross into eternity
Your grace finds me; yes, Your grace finds me

It’s there on a wedding day
There in the weeping by the grave side
There in the very breath we breathe
Your great grace
The same for the rich and poor
The same for the saint and for the sinner
Enough for this whole wide world
Your great grace
Oh such grace

There in the darkest night of the soul
There in the sweetest songs of victory
Your grace finds me
Yes Your grace finds me
Your great grace
Oh such grace
Your great grace
Oh such grace

So I’m breathing in Your grace
And breathing out Your praise
I’m breathing in Your grace
Forever I’ll be
Your grace finds me
Yes, Your grace finds me

 Singer / Songwriter Matt Redman (with Jonas Myrin)

 *   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   * 

“And the most beautiful thing about the grace of God is that it always finds us where we are.”
Matt Redman

I have an acronym that I use to define God’s grace:

  • G – God’s
  • R – riches
  • A – at
  • C – Christ’s
  • E – expense

Bible dictionaries define God’s grace as His ‘unmerited favor and undeserved mercy’.  But recently I saw a post about grace that completely captured my attention.  It said that grace is like water – it always flows down to the lowest point.  Wow!  So simple but completely true.  As Psalm 145:9 says, “The Lord is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all His creation.”  No matter how high we are or how far we fall—from the peak to the pit—God’s grace will always find us. From creation to eternity, God’s great grace is available to us. Doesn’t that just make you smile?

We all struggle…just with different things at different times. I have a temper. I despise confrontations. I battle with insecurity and my pride is easily wounded. I have a hard time making friends and a harder time keeping them. I don’t do relationships well. I’m sure each of you has a similar laundry list of struggles. But Hebrews 13:9 NLT reminds us “Your strength comes from God’s grace….” And Joshua 1:5 AMP states “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you.” That’s why the bridge of this song is my favorite part.

“So I’m breathing in Your grace
And breathing out Your praise
I’m breathing in Your grace
Forever I’ll be”

When my temper is ready to flare…when harsh, hurtful words are on the tip of my tongue…when I wonder why I am not enough, not good enough—I can breathe in His grace and breathe out His praise. My focus shifts to Him and I hopefully avoid doing something I truly would have regretted. Hiding in His favor and mercy, forever I’ll be.

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   * 

Abba, thank You so much for the amazing gift of grace that always finds me wherever I am, be it sunlight or shadows. Thank You for the strength I find in Your grace. Allow me to see Your grace in everyday life. To notice it, appreciate it and praise You for such great grace. In Your Holy Name I pray, Amen—so be it.

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

Never Once

April 30, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Standing on this mountain top
Looking just how far we’ve come
Knowing that for every step
You were with us
Kneeling on this battleground
Seeing just how much You’ve done
Knowing every victory
Was Your power in us

Scars and struggles on the way
But with joy our hearts can say
Yes, our hearts can say

Never once did we ever walk alone
Never once did You leave us on our own
You are faithful, God, You are faithful
You are faithful, God, You are faithful

Standing on this mountain top
Looking just how far we’ve come
Knowing that for every step
You were with us

Scars and struggles on the way
But with joy our hearts can say
Yes, our hearts can say

Never once did we ever walk alone
Never once did You leave us on our own
You are faithful, God, You are faithful
Every step we are breathing in Your grace
Evermore we’ll be breathing out Your praise
You are faithful, God, You are faithful
It’s true, You are faithful, God You are faithful

Scars and struggles on the way
But with joy our hearts can say
Never once did we ever walk alone
Carried by Your constant grace
Held within Your perfect peace
Never once, no, we never walk alone

We know, You are faithful, God, You are faithful

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

Songwriters: Jonas Myrin, Jason Ingram, Matt Redman
Performed by Matt Redman

* ~ ♥ ~ ✞ ~ ♥ ~ *

Do you realize that you have never been alone? Yes, that is right. Oh, I know that you may feel that way sometimes, or maybe a lot. But how awesome is it that your God has never left you! We may feel so far away, and it is usually because we have moved away in some way or another. Maybe there is a sin in your life that has become so big that it is controlling you. It started out fun but now it has turned on you. Sin is only fun  for a short period of time. The awesome thing is—all you have to do is repent. Tell God what you have done and ask His forgiveness. He already knows, He just wants to hear you are sorry. You can start over!

Maybe you are on the other side of a huge struggle, maybe you are dealing with financial issues, job loss, economy issues. Maybe it hasn’t been a pretty journey and yes there are “scars and struggles” along the way, but you can look back now and see where God’s hand has been—maybe the miracles He has performed, or just the peace He gave you while you were in the valley. Never once did you ever walk alone, never once did He leave you on your own. He is and always will be faithful to you and I. What joy does that bring to you today?

Maybe you are in the middle of a storm and you are wondering where God is at the moment. Walls are crumbling around you and you feel you just can’t do this anymore. There is hope! He is right there with you and He is strongest in our weakness. Just cry out His name, tell Him what you need.  Yes, He already knows but He wants to know that you know what you need and want, and He will carry you through this. When I hear these words, I think back to a time not too long ago when we had pennies to our name and no job offer in sight, and butter and crackers were a meal. I didn’t think I could do it one more day…But God! He was my Strength and my Comfort, He was my Rock and my only Hope. I prayed and thanked Him for what He would do for us—that job I knew He had picked out but we had not gotten yet. I thanked Him for His timing and how perfect it was. And then, one day, we were walking uphill and we saw the light at the end of the tunnel! He made good on His promise that He would never leave us in one place too long and He would never leave us or forsake us.

This past Sunday, my precious 21 year old daughter sang this song. I stood there in complete awe of my God. Now that we are on the mountaintop, I can see that every victory was Him, every answer was Him, and looking back on how far we have come, I can honestly say,”Never once did we ever walk alone” and watching my sweet husband with hands up in worship was my miracle that I prayed for so earnestly. He still performs miracles!

* ~ ♥ ~ ✞ ~ ♥ ~ *

Let us pray: Oh God, how thankful we are that You have never once left us. From the day we are born and all throughout our lives, You desire a relationship with us. And though trials and struggles come and this world is getting harder, You remain the same. Yesterday, today, and forever, You are God, and You are on the throne! Thank You for the scars for they are reminders of when we fell and You picked us up. Some of us are still waiting on that miracle, or some are in the valley today…may this be hope to them that never once did You leave us on our own and You never will. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

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

Trusting in the Lord

February 25, 2014 by

SeekingHimLogo

Psalms 84:8-12
O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; Give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah.
Behold our shield, O God, And look upon the face of Your anointed.
For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand outside.
I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God
Than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord gives grace and glory;
No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.
O Lord of hosts, How blessed is the man who trusts in You!


~  Better is One Day written by Matt Redman ~
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
How many of us have had one of those days that will not end.  You know, where things keep happening that are just mind boggling, that we are at a loss for words? What do you do when that happens to you?  Is your first response to pray, or to complain?

As we walk through our life, God offers us opportunities to walk out our faith or to stray from it.  There are people who watch every move we make.  These are Christians and non-Christians, new believers and old believers.  God knows what our choice will be.  He knows if we are going to search for Him and His leading or whether we choose to walk out our own.  As we mature and are not afraid to choose Him, we build such a faith and trust that God will not let us down.  But we have to trust that God will do the best for us.  It will not line up with the world view.

As you start your week, think on the things of God.  He will honor our willingness to serve Him.  It is not our works that please Him, it is our love and friendship.  Just as God loves His people, He loves us the same.  When He brought out His people from Egypt, He did not take them the short route—He took them the long way.  He knew that His people would not be able to go to war against the other nations from the beginning of the journey.  He knew He would have to help them to develop their trust in Him.

Only…who wants to wander in the desert for forty years only to die because of unbelief?  Once those who had not believed they could go into the Promised Land died, God then promoted Joshua; and Joshua took the people on the journey to begin taking the land that God had promised the Hebrew nation many hundreds of years before.  I want to be like Joshua, I want to profess that my God is more than able to protect and sustain me no matter where I am.  How about you?

Joshua was able to defeat the enemies and lead God’s people for many years.  He loved the Lord and obeyed the God throughout his life.  Joshua never aged, grew weak, or lost his eyesight.  Because he followed God without question, he lived a very long life before he died and went to be with God and Moses.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Father, thank You for the men and women we find in the Holy Bible that teach us what it looks like to follow, believe, and trust in You with all of their hearts.  We want to come into Your presence on that great day and worship You with all that we have!  You are awesome and mighty to be praised.  Please bless the women who are seeking You and investing in Your word each and every day.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

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

Bless the Lord, o my Soul

November 25, 2013 by

thanksgivweekblogpic

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me bless his holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.
Psalms 103:1 and 2

Now that is what I want to do! How about you? Of course…it comes so easily to the heart of one of God’s children! Oh, how we love to praise and declare His goodness!

I will [earnestly] recall the deeds of the Lord;
yes, I will [earnestly] remember the wonders of old.
I will meditate also upon all Your works and consider all Your [mighty] deeds.
Psalms 77:11 and 12

Haven’t we all had times when you have so palpably experienced the goodness and faithfulness of God so intensely that you want to leap in the air and shout and say, “How could I ever doubt You, my God, after this? How could I ever again despair of your help?” And we go along remembering His goodness and blessing…and then…some short time later…we falter. We find ourselves doing just that—being discouraged, and doubting, forgetting our confidence in the goodness and greatness of God. Why does this happen? Perhaps because we so easily forget the evidences of God’s goodness which we ourselves have experienced; not to mention the vast number of records in Scriptures which tell us of God’s faithfulness and His goodness.

What are some of His ‘mighty deeds’…the ‘wonders of old’ spoken of in Psalm 77? Think about it; I am sure you won’t need to think but a moment to recall God’s awesome works! Here’s a few that immediately came to mind—and these are all from the very first book in the Bible:

  • God spoke into existence His Creation (Genesis 1:3-31)
  • God gave Noah His plan for saving a remnant of mankind, along with the animals and the birds (Genesis 6:13-21)
  • God protected mankind from making too much of themselves (Genesis 11:3-9)
  • God promised (Genesis 18:10-15) AND then made a way for a 100 year old man and a 90 year old woman to conceive a child (Genesis 21:1-7)
  • God provided in an incredible way as Abraham intended to sacrifice to God his precious boy…obeying to the uttermost (Genesis 22:1-14)

That God is GREAT in every imaginable way that greatness could possibly be described should be obvious to everyone. Paul reminds us,

Ever since the creation of the world, His invisible nature, namely, His eternal power and deity, has been clearly perceived in the things that have been made. So men are without excuse for, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God or give him thanks.
Romans 1:20 and 21

We ARE without excuse if we are not continually voicing our gratitude and our thanks! Our great God, the Great I AM, has done many and mighty works throughout time! And His lovingkindness and goodness continue…His faithfulness to each of us is incredible! We each have numerous stories to share praising God for His incredible blessings in our lives. Every day in a variety of ways we should be expressing our thanks.

I will praise the name of God with a song. I will magnify him with thanksgiving.
Psalm 69:30

Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God,
that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.
Hebrews 13:15

Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving and pay your vows to the Most High;
Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me.
He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me;
And to him who orders his way aright I shall show the salvation of God.
Psalms 50:14 and 15, 23

* * * * * * *

My prayer…for you and me; let us bless the Lord with all that is within us:
O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.
My soul will make its boast in the Lord; the humble will hear it and rejoice.
O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.
Psalms 34:1-3

Filed Under: Women's Ministry Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

GCH:decaf — Meet Robin!

January 10, 2013 by

Hello Decaf!!!

I am so LOVING getting to know all of you! Amazing…this week, we have had the opportunity to meet Amber and Diamond, Michaela, so far, and now I have the privilege and honor of introducing to you all a very awesome young lady ; ) My kiddos and I enjoyed meeting and having lunch with her last month. She was with her mom and dad, and the young ladies (their parents) that she enjoys playing soccer with, in the tournaments that she competes in all over the U.S.! Is that amazing or what?!!! I think she has the coolest Mom ever 😉 She is pretty cool herself!! Have you guessed who my person is yet????

The young lady that I have the honor of introducing to you is none other than….Robin Bolme!

Robin is 17 years old and she lives in Smyrna, Tennessee…I’m going to get to visit there one day really soon.  😉

Robin in the sun

Robin’s favorite musician is Matt Redman and 10,000 Reasons is her favorite song. I am going to have to check him out for myself! Courageous is her favorite movie of all time! Castle is her favorite TV show and ANY sport on ESPN is what she loves to watch. On Saturday mornings, she also loves playing soccer, soccer, soccer…did I say soccer?!!! My kids and I tried to catch her in action at one of her tournaments, here in Memphis, but it was raining so hard on that day, that we decided to wait until the next time to go see her!

Robin’s favorite style to wear is Jeans, T-shirts, and flip flops (Toms occasionally). She likes to EAT and be active! The eating part reminds me of her visit here to Memphis! We met her parents, her and her teammates and their families at Hueys restaurant! We had never been there before, but I will tell you that everyone had a GREAT time!!! Adults and all!! When you are finished eating, you can take your toothpicks that they place in your sandwiches and you can place the toothpick in your straw and you can blow them up out of the straw at the ceiling. The ceiling is made of this special material that will hold the toothpicks, and I was told by Mama T that at the end of the year, they have a contest to see who can guess how many toothpicks are there and whoever guesses the closest, wins; and the money raised is then given to the charity that was chosen earlier that year. How amazing is that?!! Can I say that Robin was the Queen for that day!!! My Justin tried to keep up, but he was no competition for Robin…he came close….NOT!!! LOL!! Just by spending that time with her, I could tell that she LOVES a good competition  : )

Sole Mio, an Authentic Italian restaurant, is her favorite place to eat. I will have to say that I will have to find that restaurant as well, and check it out. We definitely have that in common…just love me some Italian food!!!! Yum, Yum, Yum!!!

Robin stated that the one thing that changed her life was “God blessing her with the ability to play soccer well. (I have to agree) She said that it has shaped what her life looks like and who she is.”

I have to share something with you girls about Robin that I found out through the grapevine ; ) Robin has the wonderful opportunity to play soccer on a US National team in Austria this summer!! How AWESOME is that!! This kid Rocks!!! A small select number of students are chosen each year to play, and Robin was chosen to be the Goalie!!!! She loves to travel, but she is a little nervous about traveling abroad, and not knowing anyone. I could understand that. Let’s send up prayers for Robin, that she goes and meets lots and lots of new friends!!! What an AWESOME opportunity that God has Blessed her with!!!

Congrats Robin from ALL of us here at GCH: Decaf!!! May God continue to take you higher and higher, in the name of Jesus!

 

Tonya

If you are interested in joining us in our GCH:decaf Teen Girls Ministry, please email GCH_Decaf@girlfriendscoffeehour.com for more information.

We’ll be starting our next online Bible study soon! So be sure to keep checking back for sign-up details to be posted soon!

If you are interested in sending Tonya a private message in regards to this blog, please email her at: TonyaElliott@girlfriendscoffeehour.com.

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