December 23, 2024

Hold On To The Promises

July 29, 2015 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Sometimes it’s hard to keep believing in what you can’t see
That everything happens for a reason even the worst life brings
If you’re reaching for an answer and you don’t know what to pray
Just open up the pages, let His Word be your strength

Hold on to the promises (hold tight)
Hold on to the promises (all right)
Jesus is alive, so hold tight
Hold on to the promises

And all things work for the good of those who love God
He holds back nothing that will heal you, not even His own Son
His love is everlasting, His faithfulness unending
Oh, if God is for us who can be against us
So, if you feel weak

Neither life nor death could separate us
From the eternal love of our God who saves us

Sanctus Real
Writers: Matt Hammitt, Chris Rohman, Mark Graalman, Pete Provost

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~   ♥   ~   *

But the steadfast love of the Lord
is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him,
and His righteousness to children’s children,
to those who keep His covenant and remember to do His commandments.
Psalms 103:17 and 18

Such a beautiful promise!  Perhaps words like these ‘…to children’s children’  particularly impact women’s hearts.  Does this promise resonate in your heart like mine?  I have one daughter…and by marriage to her…one son!  And through their love for one another—four grandchildren!  So ‘children’s children’ yes, that catches my eye…and my heart.  I pray every day (just like you!) for the Lord’s love and His righteousness and His blessings to be upon my children and grandchildren.  That they would always be under His protection and receiving His provision is very important to me.  So as I read this promise, I pray, ‘Please, Lord!  By Your grace, Lord!’

But whether you have children or not, the promise of His steadfast love is from everlasting to everlasting <FOREVER!> to every one who has the fear of the Lord.  We play a part in these promises coming to pass, y’know.  Many, many, many of God’s promises have a stipulation attached.  God’s people have something to do to receive the promises that He makes to them.  It is kind of like when I promise my grandchildren, “Okay now, when the playroom is cleaned up we are going to the library.”  I have promised…but they have something to do, too.

According to these verses, the steadfast, everlasting love of our Lord is on those who fear Him (so that’s one thing we need to do).  And His righteousness carries over to our children’s children who remember to do His commandments (another thing we have the responsibility to do).

God’s heart to bless and care for His people’s lives is incredible!  He always wants to do good for those who love Him.  And He is faithful!

And we know that God causes all things to work together
for good to those who love God,
to those who are called according to His purpose.
Romans 8:28

Do you remember the message that Moses gave to the Israelites after delivering God’s Ten Commandments  to them?   (Deuteronomy 5 and 6)

These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.
Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home
and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.
Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
Deuteronomy 6:6-9

So we teach all the children in our lives about loving God with their whole heart, soul, mind, and all their strength.  We help them to grow in their understanding of how great our God is, and to have a worshipful fear of His AWEsomeness.  We impress upon them the right way to ‘walk’ with God, and to love everyone around them.  We teach them about Jesus and all that God has made available through Him and how they, too, can make Him Lord of their lives.  And we—they and we—will be blessed with the promises of God!

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~   ♥   ~   *

Dear Lord, oh how much comfort it brings to our hearts to know of Your promises…not only to us but to our loved ones!  You are so very good to us!   We trust and have confidence knowing that You are faithful to do what You say You are going to do; please help us to remember we have our part to do also.  Our desire is to obey You, trust You, have godly fear…and love You.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

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

Continuous Praise

September 20, 2013 by

SeekingHimLogo

The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.
Praise the LORD, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word.
Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will.
Praise the LORD, all his works everywhere in his dominion.
Praise the LORD, O my soul.
Psalm 103:19-22

So, I need to make a run to the grocery store? (Have a wonderful time in the journey.) Close the car door, start the engine, turn the volume up on the radio, fasten seat belt, put car in reverse, and away I go.

The sounds of praise music and words flood my soul with joy as I praise my great God!

So, I need to wash clothes? (First things first though.) Go to the computer, find the Christian radio station, crank up the music, get the laundry basket, fill it with dirty clothes, and head to the washing machine down the hall.

The sounds of praise music and words flood my soul with joy as I praise my great God!

So, I have the honor of holding a precious baby while her mom is in small group during Bible study? (What a beautiful, tiny blessing of God is held in my arms!) Hold her close, step outside where she likes the warmth of the sunshine, and sing praise songs to her while she falls asleep.

The sounds of praise music and words flood my soul with joy as I praise my great God!

So, I just walked into the sanctuary at church? (This is a favorite time of the week.) I find a seat, the music begins, and we rise to our feet as we sing with the worship leader as words of praise flash on the screen and the instruments fill the room with beautiful sounds.

The sounds of praise music and words flood my soul with joy as I praise my great God!

Four different situations in my life presented as opportunities to praise God in my soul.  David called several different groups of beings to praise God toward the end of Psalm 103 as if he is building a gathering that continues to increase in number and intensity.  By the end of the chapter in verse 22, he calls on all of God’s works everywhere to praise God.

I am going to spend an eternity praising Jesus! I enjoy this life being “a dress rehearsal” for then.

On the days I can’t sing, I need to stop and search my heart to see what’s wrong.  It’s then that I really need to pray.  For praise should always be able to spill forth from my lips.  I have often found that the more I pray, the more I can praise.  The one who prays often will be able to praise often!

* * * * *

Dear Lord, let us praise You here, there, and everywhere.  Let it not be a designated moment in time, but instead a continuous state of our hearts turned toward You.  Each time we hear praise music or belt it out ourselves, let our hearts overflow with thankfulness that we can hear it, sing it, and praise You in this life and in the one to come!  In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.

 

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

His Steadfast Love — A Promise

September 19, 2013 by

SeekingHimLogo

But the steadfast love of the Lord
is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him,
and His righteousness to children’s children,
to those who keep His covenant
and remember to do His commandments.
Psalms 103:17 and 18

Such a beautiful promise!  Perhaps words like these ‘…to children’s children’  particularly impact women’s hearts.  Does this promise resonate in your heart like mine?  I have one daughter…and by marriage to her…one son!  And through their love for one another—four grandchildren!  So ‘children’s children’ yes, that catches my eye…and my heart.  I pray every day (just like you!) for the Lord’s love and His righteousness and His blessings to be upon my children and grandchildren.  That they would always be under His protection and receiving His provision is very important to me.  So as I read this promise, I pray, ‘Please, Lord!  By Your grace, Lord!’

But whether you have children or not, the promise of His steadfast love is from everlasting to everlasting <FOREVER!> to every one who has the fear of the Lord.  We play a part in these promises coming to pass, y’know.  Many, many, many of God’s promises have a stipulation attached.  God’s people have something to do to receive the promises that He makes to them.  It is kind of like when I promise my grandchildren, “Okay now, when the playroom is cleaned up we are going to the library.”  I have promised…but they have something to do, too.

According to these verses, the steadfast, everlasting love of our Lord is on those who fear Him (so that’s one thing we need to do).  And His righteousness carries over to our children’s children who obey His commandments (another thing we have the responsibility to do).

God’s heart to bless and care for His people’s lives is incredible!  He always wants to do good for those who love Him.  And He is faithful!

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
Romans 8:28

Do you remember the message that Moses gave to the Israelites after delivering God’s Ten Commandments  to them?   (Deuteronomy 5 and 6)

These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.
Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home
and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.
Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
Deuteronomy 6:6-9

So we teach all the children in our lives about loving God with their whole heart, soul, mind, and all their strength.  We help them to grow in their understanding of how great our God is, and to have a worshipful fear of His AWEsomeness.  We impress upon them the right way to ‘walk’ with God, and to love everyone around them.  We teach them about Jesus and all that God has made available through Him and how they, too, can make Him Lord of their lives.  And we—they and we—will be blessed with the promises of God!

* * * * *

Dear Lord, oh how much comfort it brings to our hearts to know of Your promises…not only to us but to our loved ones!  You are so very good to us!   We trust and have confidence knowing that You are faithful to do what You say You are going to do; please help us to remember we have our part to do also.  Our desire is to obey You, trust You, have godly fear…and love You.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

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

God’s Mercy

September 18, 2013 by

SeekingHimLogo

Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.
For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
Psalms 103:13 and 14

God shows mercy to those who truly fear Him.  The fear of the Lord is a redeeming fear that motivates us to turn away from evil, to keep God’s precepts, and to seek the Lord’s nearness and grace.

The blessings God gives to those who fear Him are His Mercy, Love and Forgiveness.

Mercy
Psalm 23:6  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Luke 7:12-14  Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.  And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.

Love
John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

Song of Solomon 2:4  He has brought me to his banquet hall, And his banner over me is love.

Forgiveness
Isaiah 1:18  Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

God has compassion on His children because He knows their weaknesses and infirmities. Even the best of His followers stand in need of His compassion. As a father has deep compassion for his children when they fail, suffer or are mistreated, so also our heavenly Father hurts when His own are hurting.  Hence the Bible says “I will bless those who bless you and will curse those who curse you” (Genesis 12:3) all because of His compassion on His very own.  The Bible even talks of fighting with those that fight us.  We are His children.

In the midst of trouble, failure, and struggle we must not think that God is aloof  or uncaring, rather we must remember that His eyes look on us with compassion and He will help us according to our need.  He promised that when we call unto Him He will answer us and show us great and mighty things we know not (Jeremiah 33:3).

He is so wonderful that we can rely and believe in His word which is true.

* * * * *

Heavenly Father, we worship You today!  You are worthy of our praise!  You alone are holy and mighty; and great are You, Lord!  Thank You for Your mercy, love, and forgiveness.  We adore You, Lord!  In Jesus name we have prayed.

Amen!

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Who? What? When? Where? Why? and How?

September 17, 2013 by

SeekingHimLogo

Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases,
Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies,
Psalm 103:3-4

Remember learning in school the six following pronouns/questions:

Who? What? When? Where? Why? and How?

Have you ever stopped to wonder about these six questions when it comes to your relationship with Christ?  The questions are relatively simple to answer:

  • Who: Jesus Christ
  • What: Ultimate Sacrifice
  • When: Over 2000 years ago
  • Where: Calvary, Galgotha….the place has many names
  • Why: To redeem God’s children…to bring reconcilation between God and His children
  • How: Nailed to the Cross

But, Christ does more for us than to reconcile us to God.  As Psalms 103:3-4 has told us, we already know the answers.  Jesus heals us of our iniquities.  He heals us of our diseases.  He has redeemed our lives from destruction.  He loves us no matter what we do.

As we go through our lives, we deal with many trials and tribulations on a daily basis.  At least the thought of WHO forgives us, heals us, redeems us, and loves us is a comfort in this turbulent world we live in.

For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him:
As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
Psalms 103:11-12

The Lord shows great mercy to those who love and fear Him. For those of us who have personal relationships with Christ, we can be comforted in knowing that He loves us and forgives us no matter where we are at.  Once we accept Jesus’ gift of love and eternal life, we are forgiven forever.  We no longer have to worry about our past.  We have a new lease on life.  We are going to live forever with our Healer and Redeemer.

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

* * * * *

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your healing, Your forgiveness, and our redemption. Without You, we would be nothing. We would have nothing.  Thank You for Your comfort and the many blessings You give us on a daily basis.  In Jesus ‘ name,

Amen.

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Remembrance

September 16, 2013 by

SeekingHimLogoSome days I am disappointed with the present state of my life.  Left unchecked this emotion runs rampant through my mind and affects my interactions with others.  Negative is the word I would use to describe the veil that clouds my mind when I am disappointed.

When I am disappointed I always have two choices: to continue on the downward spiral or get refocused.  It’s important that I don’t dismiss this emotion, thinking it’ll just go away, because disappointment leads to discouragement and discouragement stops me dead in my tracks.

Let all that I am praise the Lord,
may I never forget the good things He does for me.
Psalm 103:2

What better way to refocus than with remembrance?!

The Lord has brought me through so many ill circumstances, working them in my favor and came to my defense more times than I can count.  The Lord has given me plenty to remember.  Plenty to hold on to.  I simply have to choose to remember…to praise His goodness.  Once I do this, I can easily remember that God has a plan for me!  He’s always had a plan.  What I see may be a mess, but given to God he can turn it into something magnificent.  And I pray I never forget this.

* * * * *

Father, thank You for reminding me that any disappointment I face in this life—whether it be a specific event, an area of my life, or just life as a whole—that Your grace and goodness can drown out this emotion.  Thank You that if I will allow You, You can make sense of and redeem my circumstances.  You are the mighty Redeemer.  Help me to remember all of Your goodness when I am tempted to grab hold of disappointment and self-pity.  In Jesus’ name.

Amen.

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