February 24, 2025

Sure As The Sun Will Rise

May 13, 2015 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

There is good news
There is good truth
That you could never change
No matter what you do
You are loved
More than you know
More than you could hope for
After everything you’ve done

As sure as the sun will rise
And takes away the night
His mercy will not end
His mercy will not end

There is good news
There’s a promise
That no matter where you go
You will never be alone
In the dark
In the doubting
When you can’t feel anything
Oh, His love remains the same

Even through the night
Silver stars will shine
Hope of glory’s light
That will wake us once again

singer/songwriter – Ellie Holcomb
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The premise of this song is truly something we don’t ever worry about, right?  Oh, we have our worries about other things…I hear you!  But not this—not the rising of the sun.  We just KNOW it will be there when we awaken each and every morning.  And as assuredly as we stake our trust and confidence on God’s faithfulness to His plan for each new day, we should be equally as positive of His mercy and love.  Perhaps when we are ensnared in doubt we could remind ourselves, “See…look! The sun came up this morning! And just like that, God will faithfully provide mercy and lovingkindness today!”

Let us acknowledge the Lord;
let us press on to acknowledge Him.
As surely as the sun rises, He will appear;
He will come to us like the winter rains,
like the spring rains that water the earth.
Hosea 6:3

There is a promise in chapter 3 of the Book of Lamentations that I cling to every day of my life…may I share it with you?

But this I recall and therefore have I hope and expectation:
It is because of the Lord’s mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed,
because His [tender] compassions fail not.
They are new every morning; great and abundant is Your stability and faithfulness.
Verses 21-23

Some days it is difficult, seemingly near-to-impossible sometimes, to be hopeful and have joyful expectations.  The world we live in is full of things that snatch away our dreams and desires; tempting us to feel futile and overwhelmed.  But, Jesus assured His disciples (and us!) of the peace and hope we have been given.  And so we endeavor to hold this Truth firm in our thinking knowing that Jesus spoke it and so it IS the Truth.

“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace.
In this world you will have trouble.
But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33

At times when my heart is needful of being reminded that “as sure as the sun will rise and take away the night…” I confess the following promises made by our faithful, loving, compassionate, merciful Father (recorded in Jeremiah chapter 29).  And I recite it like this…

For I know the thoughts and plans that <You> have for <me>…thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give <me> hope in <the> final outcome.
Then <i> will call upon <You>, and <i> will come and pray to <You>, and <You> will hear and heed <me>.
Then <i> will seek <You>, inquire for, and require <You> and find <You> when <i> search for <You> with all <my> heart.
<You> will be found by <me>….

Jeremiah 29:11-14 AMP (pronouns changed)

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Here are some additional verses from the Scriptures to persistently hang onto. I pray that you will be encouraged by each one of them as You remember Who has made the promises—the same One Who causes the sun to rise each and every morning—Almighty God, our heavenly Father.

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.
Hebrews10:23

I wait for the Lord, I expectantly wait, and in His word do I hope.
Psalm 130:5

God is not human, that He should lie,
not a human being, that He should change His mind.
Does He speak and then not act?
Does He promise and not fulfill?
Numbers 23:19

Be strong and courageous.
Do not be afraid or terrified because of them,
for the Lord your God goes with you;
He will never leave you nor forsake you.
The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you;
He will never leave you nor forsake you.
Do not be afraid; do not  be discouraged.
Deuteronomy 31:6 and 8

Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of His purpose
very clear to the heirs of what was promised,
He confirmed it with an oath.
God did this so that,
by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie,
we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us
may be greatly encouraged.
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul….
Hebrews 6:17-19

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Touch The Sky

May 11, 2015 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

What fortune lies beyond the stars
Those dazzling heights too vast to climb
I got so high to fall so far
But I found Heaven as love swept low

My heart beating, my soul breathing
I found my life when I laid it down
Upward falling, spirit soaring
I touch the sky when my knees hit the ground

What treasure waits within Your scars
This gift of freedom gold can’t buy
I bought the world and sold my heart
You traded Heaven to have me again

Find me here at Your feet again
Everything I am, reaching out in surrender
Come sweep me up in Your love again
And my soul will dance
On the wings of forever

Hillsong United
Written by Joel Houston, Dylan Thomas, Michael Guy Chislett

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Then I fell on my knees and spread out my hands to Yahweh my God.
Ezra 9:5 HCSB

Let them take hold of My strength and make complete surrender to My protection,
that they may make peace with Me!
Yes, let them make peace with Me!
Isaiah 27:5 AMP

“God said, ‘No, it doesn’t matter who you are,’ and because of that, we don’t have to try and elevate ourselves in order to find God. We find God from a position of surrender.”
– Joel Houston
(Read more here.)

“I got so high to fall so far…
I bought the world and sold my heart.”

Ever wonder why we let it get to this point before we surrender to God’s will?  Why do we insist on trying to do it on our own and then run to God as a last resort?  Why does it take abject failure to bring us to our knees?  As Christians, we know the rewards of turning our lives over to God.  So why do we keep taking it back again?  Our attitudes change and our focus shifts from the wonders of heaven to the realities of this world.  We seek happiness and meaning through earthly desires, instead of falling at the feet of Jesus.  What we need to remember is found in Galatians 2:20 AMP:

I have been crucified with Christ [in Him I have shared His Crucifixion];
it is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me;
and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in
(by adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God,
Who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

Christ loved us enough to die for us so we could live by faith rather than chasing earthly desires and passions.  Galatians 5:24 NLT tells us that “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to His Cross and crucified them there.” True meaning and happiness can only be found in our total surrender to Him.  We can find new life only when we fall at the foot of the cross in complete surrender.

“My heart beating, my soul breathing
I found my life when I laid it down
Upward falling, spirit soaring
I touch the sky when my knees hit the ground
Find me here at Your feet again
Everything I am, reaching out in surrender
Come sweep me up in Your love again
And my soul will dance
On the wings of forever”

This is my favorite part of the song.  When we hit our knees and spread our hands to Yahweh, we find peace and protection in Him. Then we can touch the sky and our souls can dance on the wings of forever.

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Day One

May 10, 2015 by

Well, I wish I had a short-term memory
Wish the only thing my eyes could see
Was the future burning bright right in front of me
But I can’t stop looking back

Yeah, I wish I was a perfect picture of
Somebody who’s never not good enough
I try to measure up but I mess it up
And I wish I wasn’t like that

I wish I wasn’t wishing anymore
Wish I could remember that nobody’s keeping score
I’m tired of throwing pennies in a well
I gotta do something
Here goes nothin’

It’s day one of the rest of my life
It’s day one of the best of my life
I’m marching on to the beat of a brand new drum
Yeah, here I come
The future has begun
Day one

Well, every single day Your grace reminds me
That my best days are not behind me
Wherever my yesterday may find me
Well, I don’t have to stay there

See my hourglass is upside down
My someday soon is here and now
The clock is tickin’
And I’m so sick and tired of missing out

It’s day one
And here comes the sun

Every morning, every morning
Every morning, mercy’s new
Every morning, every morning
Every morning, I will fix my eyes on You
Every morning, every morning
Every morning, mercy’s new
Every morning, every morning
Sun’s coming up, the beginning has begun

Starting over, I’m starting over
Starting over, I’m starting over, starting now
I’m starting over
Starting over, I’m starting over
Starting over
Starting over, starting now
I’m starting over

Matthew West
Written along with Pete Kipley

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There is something to starting over—the past is the past and there is a new day to try again.  Our God is the God of second (and third) chances and so much more.  He has so much grace and mercy to shower on us freely and promises that we can cling to when we are struggling.

On the day that we cross over from death to life, we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Day in and day out we are guided in our words and actions, but there are times that we do not choose to obey those nudges and we make choices that we aren’t happy about.  God forgives always and He asks us not to go back there—the past, that is.  We are to go forward with joy and know that something good will come out of it and that your Father erases them, over and over.

His Word is so full of hope and promises to claim. Here are a few:

The faithful love of the Lord never ends!
His mercies never cease.
Great is His faithfulness;
His mercies begin afresh each morning.
Lamentations 3:22-23 NLT

For His anger is but for a moment,
His favor is for life;
Weeping may endure for a night,
But joy comes in the morning.
Psalm 30:5 NKJV

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Let us pray: Dear God, You are our joy and treasure.  Your love is neverending and Your promises always come true.  You give us fresh starts over and over and You never turn us away.  Oh Lord, thank You for Your mercy and grace.  Thank You for wiping our tears and giving us a new hope for the future.  Give us strength and courage to keep walking in faith and to never lose hope.  We love You.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Drops In The Ocean

May 9, 2015 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

I want you as you are, not as you ought to be
Won’t you lay down your guard and come to Me
The shame that grips you now is crippling
It breaks My heart to see you suffering

‘Cause I am for you
I’m not against you

If you want to know
How far my love can go
Just how deep, just how wide
If want to see
How much you mean to Me
Look at My hands, look at My side
If you could count the times I say you are forgiven
It’s more than the drops in the ocean

Don’t think you need to settle for a substitute
When I’m the only love that changes you

And I am for you
I’m not against you
And I am for you
I’m not against you

I am for you,
I’m not against you

Hawk Nelson
Writers: Jon Steingard; Jason Ingram; Matt Bronleewe

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Do you hear God speaking to you through this song?  God says, “I want you as you are … come to Me … it breaks My heart to see you suffering.”

Then Jesus said,
“Come to Me,
all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens,
and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28

‘Cause I am for you
I’m not against you

Be strong and courageous.
Do not be afraid or terrified because of them,
for the LORD your God goes with you;
He will never leave you nor forsake you.
Deuteronomy 31:6

For the LORD will not reject His people;
He will never forsake His inheritance.
Psalm 94:14

If you want to know
How far my love can go
Just how deep, just how wide

Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him.
Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.
And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should,
how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is.
May you experience the love of Christ,
though it is too great to understand fully.
Then you will be made complete
with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
Ephesians 3:17-19

The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love Me.
I will protect those who trust in My name.
When they call on Me, I will answer;
I will be with them in trouble.
I will rescue and honor them.
I will reward them with a long life
and give them My salvation.”
Psalms 91:14-17

If you want to see
How much you mean to me
Look at my hands, look at my side
If you could count the times I say you are forgiven
It’s more than the drops in the ocean

But the Lord our God is merciful and forgiving,
even though we have rebelled against Him.
Daniel 9:9

He has removed our sins as far from us
as the east is from the west.
Psalm 103:12

Once again You will have compassion on us.
You will trample our sins under Your feet
and throw them into the depths of the ocean!
Micah 7:19

Don’t think you need to settle for a substitute
When I’m the only love that changes you

He is so rich in kindness and grace
that He purchased our freedom with the blood of His Son
and forgave our sins.
Ephesians 1:7

Open your heart,
It’s time that we start again

But if we confess our sins to Him,
He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins
and to cleanse us from all wickedness.
1 John 1:9

They found grace out in the desert,
…out looking for a place to rest,
[they] met God out looking for them!
God told them, “I’ve never quit loving you and never will.
Expect love, love, and more love!
And so now I’ll start over with you and build you up again…
Jeremiah 31:2-4 MSG

Do you see, my sisters, how much God loves you?!  In all these Scriptures and so many more, God tells us “I LOVE YOU!” There is no substitute for God’s love expressed in Jesus’ willingness to come and die for us. What love! He is always for us. He’s never against us. He always wants to forgive us. When shame grips us, when we are suffering, Jesus says, “Open your heart, it’s time we start again.”

YOU ARE FORGIVEN!  YOU ARE LOVED!

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Lord, thank You for expressing over and over again “how wide, how long, how high, and how deep” Your love is for each of us.  You are so rich in kindness and grace, that You forgive us more times than there are “drops in the ocean.”  Help us to always accept Your love and forgiveness.  Help us share this good news with others.  In Jesus’ precious Name, Amen.

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What Are You Afraid Of?

May 8, 2015 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Being compared to the girl who has everything
Not living up when the whole world’s watching
Being the last to get there and the last to know

You scream at the top of your lungs
When no one’s listening
Being a basket case over anything
Giving your whole world for love
And the boy says no

So what are you afraid of
Show ’em what you’re made of
The shadows that you’re scared of
Are usually your own
They’re not the great unknown
You don’t have to wonder
You’re not going under
Grace has got you covered
God is in control
Go on and let it go
What are you afraid of

Right on the brink of a breakthrough but you’re frozen
Hurting somebody you love in that moment
No, it’s not living if you’re always thinking of
The worst that could happen

Whenever it’s the darkest
Whenever it’s the hardest
Don’t you stop before you started
If you’re gonna dream
Dream it all the way

Kerrie Roberts
Written along with Paula Winger and Stephanie Lewis

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For the past few weeks God has been placing a name on my heart on an almost daily basis—Gideon.  I heard his name on a TV program and wanted to learn more.  Then the owner of the company I work for came to me asking me to lead a Bible study on Gideon (deer in the headlights response).  And then our pastor taught about him last week at church.  I’ve heard of him before, heard his story, but I didn’t know the details, I didn’t know the lesson behind the name.

There have been several changes taking place in my life and decisions that need to be made.  ‘Afraid’ is a word I would use to describe my initial reaction to these changes.  In the past, I have been the “what if?” person—‘what if I fail’, ‘what if I’m not enough’, ‘what if…’ ‘what if…’.  Gideon had his doubts also.  He was scared, and he questioned what he was called to do.

But the LORD said to him, “Peace! Do not be afraid. You are not going to die.”
Judges 6:23

No, in almost all cases, the thing(s) we are afraid of will not lead to death.  But there is a mile-long list of what could go wrong, a list we are skilled at creating.  But…what if we looked at another list?  What if we looked at the list of what could go right?  Consider our outlook on our circumstances and situations in this case.  What if we truly asked ourselves ‘What are you afraid of?’

Listen to the words of this song…. Is it our own self we are afraid of? Is it failure? Is it success? Is it the opinions of others maybe? There may be times we truly don’t know what it is, but the fear is still there. Whatever the source of fear, we can overcome it. God’s grace trumps our fear every time. Next time fear threatens to take over read Judges 6-8 and listen to the words of this song.

Kerrie Roberts says it best,

God’s got this.

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Dear Heavenly Father,
Fear is a crippling reaction to life’s events that only Your love and reassurance can overcome.  You are in control, and Your grace covers our lives.  You told Gideon, “Peace. Do not be afraid…”.  And this can be applied to our own life and our daily walk.  Thank You for this peace.  In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

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The Warrior Is A Child

May 7, 2015 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Lately I’ve been winning battles left and right
But even winners can get wounded in the fight
People say that I’m amazing
Strong beyond my years
But they don’t see inside of me
I’m hiding all the tears

They don’t know that I go running home when I fall down
They don’t know Who picks me up when no one is around
I drop my sword and cry for just a while
‘Cause deep inside this armor
The warrior is a child

Unafraid because His armor is the best
But even soldiers need a quiet place to rest
People say that I’m amazing
Never face retreat
But they don’t see the enemies

‘Cause deep inside this armor
Deep inside this armor
Deep inside this armor
The warrior is a child

Twila Paris
written along with Gary Valenciano

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Today, here in the United States, Christians nation-wide come together in unity without any concern for denomination to stand heart-to-heart before our God and intercede on our nation’s behalf.  Now, more than ever, we must daily put on the armor that God has provided.

This is why you must take up the full armor of God,
so that you may be able to resist in the evil day,
and having prepared everything, to take your stand.
Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist,
righteousness like armor on your chest,
and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace.
In every situation take the shield of faith,
and with it you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is God’s word.
Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request,
and stay alert in this with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.

Ephesians 6:14-18

We are encouraged, in this passage, to put the Armor of God on each day.  We are reminded that the pieces of God’s armor are TRUTH, RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE, FAITH, and SALVATION—a strong foundation on which to take our stand.  And we see that, clothed with this Armor of God, we are equipped and enabled to stand, resisting all the tactics and wiles of the enemy.

Now, consider this…. We garb ourselves in this protective suit of armor.  We gather up our shield of faith.  We put on the helmet of salvation.  We take up the sword of the Spirit.  One would think that we are ready to go, right?  But then we are told to “pray at all times.”  Truly prayer is the final piece of the Armor of God—the item that links all the pieces together.  It reminds me of a football player…outfitted with all those pieces of his uniform (pads, helmet, cleats, etc.) that are designed to protect him…ready to head out of the locker room to battle his ‘enemy’—the other team.  And the coach says, ‘Take a knee.’

This final piece—prayer—is not a half-hearted whisper.  Rather, prayer is spoken with passion, with faith, with ‘strong purpose and perseverance.’  Prayer is uttered with humility and wholeheartedness to the One Who hears our prayers and answers our prayers.

So often when the Scriptures communicate to us on the matter of prayer, the words used are compelling.  As you read these next few verses see which words jump out at you.

Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything,
but in every circumstance and in everything,
by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving,
continue to make your wants known to God.
Philippians 4:6

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
Colossians 4:2

Rejoice and exult in hope;
be steadfast and patient in suffering and tribulation;
be constant in prayer.
Romans 12:12

Which words did you find grabbed your attention?  Were they words like, ‘every circumstance’ ‘steadfast’ ‘constant’ ‘everything’  and ‘watchful?’

So as you put on your armor, my sisters, never forget that the last piece—the prayer piece—is not put ON but rather put IN—into your heart!  Prayer is a truly important part of the equipping of a Jesus girl who desires to be a hero…a warrior.

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My prayer for you is that as you draw near to Your heavenly Father, seeking His guidance and direction, His help and protection, you would recognize how tenderly He looks on you…His daughter, His child, His warrior, His hero.  He loves you with an everlasting love, and He never EVER will leave you…You are His!

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(Patsy’s Lullaby) Cradle Me

May 6, 2015 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Cradle me in midnight mercies
Fill me with Your day starlight
Adorn me with thanksgiving
Strengthen me with might
Guide me with Your holy kindness
Into yet another day
Lead me on to glory, Jesus
In Your everlasting way

Through valleys, through darkest night
You guard me, speed my enemy to flight
Be the lifter of my head in sorrow
Mend my broken heart today
and heal up my tomorrow

Pillow me with Your Presence
Comfort me in Your holy rest
Surround me with your angels’ songs
Sleep safe in Your shelter of my Father’s arms

 Mandisa
written along with Patsy Clairmont and Ron Rawls

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Have you listened to this beautiful lullaby yet?  If not, please do.  Go right ahead…we’ll be waiting right here for you.

So beautiful…so calming…just as a lullaby should do!  A lullaby, by definition, is a song which quiets; and in particular, quiets babies.  This song does just that for me!  And why?  For one, the tune—the melody—is written in such a way that it evokes peaceful feelings.  And the instruments that were chosen to play this peaceful tune…the cello, the piano, violins…all communicate to our sense of hearing in a gentle way.  Along with the instrument of Mandisa’s beautiful voice!  All of a God-inspired design. But mostly I think it is the words that are sung that communicate Truth that calms and settles our minds and hearts.  These are encouraging words, for sure, but not in a compelling or powerful manner.  Rather, they encourage in a comforting way that causes one to feel safe and sheltered.

These words bring reminders to me of some of the phrases about sleep and peace that are written in the Book of Psalms.

In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for You, Lord,
alone make me dwell in safety and confident trust.
Psalm 4:8

By day the Lord commands His steadfast love,
and at night his song is with me,
a prayer to the God of my life.
Psalm 42:8

In the Scriptures we are told, time after time, of the ways in which God guards and protects and blesses us. I love the promises given to us in Psalm 91.  Here are just three of them:

Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place
—the Most High, who is my Refuge—no evil
shall be allowed to befall you {#1},
no plague come near your tent {#2}.
For He will command His angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways {#3}.
Psalms 91:9-11

God’s heart is to care for us now…while we still live in this ever-changing world, on this earth that is diminishing and daily being destroyed by the ways of man.  And He accomplishes this in ways that show us how perfectly He will care for us throughout eternity!  He wants us to be assured that He can be trusted to provide all we need…and that we, ourselves, cannot do this successfully on our own.

It is vain for you to rise up early, to retire late,
To eat the bread of painful labors;
for He gives to His beloved <blessings> even in his sleep.
Psalm 127:2

So learn of His promises, fill your heart and mind with the Truth , and meditate on God and His faithfulness to provide. Praise Him and thank Him and bless Him!

Because Your loving-kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You.
So will I bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name.
My whole being shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness;
and my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips
When I remember You upon my bed and meditate on You in the night watches.
For You have been my help, and in the shadow of Your wings will I rejoice.
Psalms 63:3-7

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Perhaps tonight when you lay your head down, you will remember the words of this beautiful song, and will sing “pillow me with Your Presence…comfort me in Your holy rest.”  May you “sleep safe in the shelter of your Father’s arms.”

God bless you and keep you…and give you peace (Numbers 6:24-25).

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Word Of God Speak

May 5, 2015 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

I’m finding myself at a loss for words
And the funny thing is it’s okay
The last thing I need is to be heard
But to hear what You would say
Word of God speak
Would You pour down like rain
Washing my eyes to see
Your majesty
To be still and know
That You’re in this place
Please let me stay and rest
In Your holiness
Word of God speak

I’m finding myself in the midst of You
Beyond the music, beyond the noise
All that I need is to be with You
And in the quiet, hear Your voice

I’m finding myself at a loss for words
And the funny thing is it’s okay

MercyMe
written along with Peter Kipley
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The Lord God is waiting to show how kind He is
and to have pity on you.
The Lord always does right;
He blesses those who trust Him.
Isaiah 30:18
God so wants to bless us!  All we have to do is call upon His name and He will bend His ear to hear our cry.  For we have been grafted into His family through Jesus Christ, His on.  Without the people of Israel—the Jewish people—we would not have the Bible and we would not know the person of Jesus.  We are a blessed people!
As we go through this week, let’s focus our thoughts on the nation of Israel, finding ways to bless them by praying for them daily and lifting up their nation. Asking for their protection, we are bringing on a blessings to us…for we are to bless God’s people.
Filed Under: Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Who I Am

May 4, 2015 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Another voice, another choice
To listen to words somebody said
Another day, I replay
One too many doubts inside my head

Am I strong…beautiful
Am I good enough
Do I belong
After all that I’ve said and done
Is it real when I feel
I don’t measure up
Am I loved

I’m running to the One who knows me
Who made every part of me in His hands
I’m holding to the One who holds me
‘Cause I know whose I am, I know who I am
I am sure I am Yours

Turning down, tuning out
Every single word
That caused me pain
Unashamed, and unafraid
‘Cause I believe You mean it when You say

I am strong…beautiful
I am good enough
I belong
After all
‘Cause of what You’ve done
This is real what I feel
No one made it up
I am loved

I am sure I am Yours
I know who I am
I am sure I am Yours

Fearfully, wonderfully, perfectly
You have made me

I’m running to the One who knows me
I’m holding to the One who holds me

  Blanca
Written by Blanca Callahan / Seth Mosley / Mia Fieldes

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For it was You who created my inward parts;
You knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I will praise You because I have been remarkably and wonderfully made.
Your works are wonderful, and I know this very well.
Psalms 139:13-14 HCSB

“Another voice, another choice
To listen to words somebody said
Another day, I replay
One too many doubts inside my head

Am I strong…beautiful
Am I good enough
Do I belong
After all that I’ve said and done
Is it real
When I feel I don’t measure up
Am I loved?”

Surely I am not the only one that can relate to these words!  Thoughts and questions just like these have played over and over in my head at least a thousand times (sometimes in just one day) but as I was listening to this song on the radio, the light bulb went on!  I have to know WHOSE I am before I will really understand WHO I am. Duh!  {Mental head slap here}

As I looked through the many lists of Scriptures about ‘who I am’, I began to see ‘Whose I am’:

For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 3:26 NLT

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood,
a holy nation, His own special people…
1 Peter 2:9 NKJV

…For our citizenship is in heaven…
Philippians 3:20a HCSB

So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved…
Colossians 3:12a NASB

Little children, you are of God [you belong to Him]
1 John 4:4a AMP

I am a child of God!
I am His!
He chose me.
He created me.
And He holds me close.

John 10:28b-29 states:

…No one will snatch them out of My hand.
My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all;
and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.

Since I belong to Christ, that means:

For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night.
1 Thessalonians 5:5 NLT

Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit
Who lives within you, Whom you have received [as a Gift] from God?
1 Corinthians 6:19 AMP/(1 Corinthians 3:16)

Now you are the body of Christ and individual members of it.
1 Corinthians 12:27 HCSB

…But I have called you friends…
John 15:15

For we are God’s masterpiece.
Ephesians 2:10a NLT

Did you get that?  We are God’s masterpiece!

A masterpiece is beautiful.  It is lovely.  It is treasured.  It is of immeasurable worth!  So that means God sees us as beautiful, lovely, treasured, and of immeasurable worth!

Knowing Whose I am gives me a sense of identity, of self confidence.

We are strong, we are good enough, we are loved!
{And I really need to remember that!}

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

Lift Me Up-The Afters

May 3, 2015 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

You lift me up with Your love
You lift me up with Your love
You lift me up with Your love
You lift me up

Waiting for the sunrise
Waiting for the day
Waiting for a sign that I’m
Where You want me to be

You know my heart is heavy
And the hurt is deep
But when I feel like giving up
You’re reminding me

That we all fall down sometimes
When I hit the ground

You lift me up when I am weak
Your arms wrap around me
Your love catches me so I’m letting go

You lift me up when I can’t see
Your heart’s all that I need
Your love carries me so I’m letting go

I know I’m not perfect
I know I make mistakes
I know that I have let You down
But You love me the same

And when I’m surrounded
And when I lose my way
And when I’m crying out and fallen down

I can see the dawn is breaking
I am feeling overtaken
With Your love, with Your love
I don’t know what I can offer
In this moment I surrender
To Your love, to Your love

The Afters
Matt Fuqua, Josh Havens, Jordan Mohilowski, Daniel Ostebo

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How many times do you question if you are where God wants you to be?  The hurt and heartache are too much.   And you think that if this was His will, it would be so much easier.  That’s so not the truth!  Nowhere in God’s letters to us in His Word does He say that we are to be happy.  Rather we are to have joy and the peace that passes all understanding.  And that the storms are never too strong that He can’t still quiet them.

We are so blessed to have a Father Who is there to pick us up when we are tired and Who lifts us above the circumstance so that we can see the way.  The path may seem dark but His light shines so bright in those times and He meets you right where you are.  You don’t have to be good enough or smart enough, you just have to be willing to follow Him through it all.

And when God’s loving arms wrap around you tightly, it is time for you to let go and let Him take over.  He is capable and so willing to take your burdens.

It is the Lord who goes before you.
He will be with you;
He will not fail you or forsake you.
Do not fear or be dismayed.
Deuteronomy 31:8

I have set the LORD continually before me;
Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Psalm 16:8

Peace I leave with you;
My peace I give you.
I do not give to you as the world gives.
Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 14:2

 Why not let this song be your prayer today?

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Let us pray:  Dear God, You are so amazing!  You love us so much and You truly care about each problem we have, big or small, and You want to lift it from us.  Lord, help us to be able to let go of the things that are keeping us from moving forward and let Your capable hands take over.  And, today, give those who really need to feel Your Presence an extra special moment that can only come from You.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

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