February 25, 2025

Hide Myself

May 2, 2015 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjvI’ve heard the thunder before
I’m not a stranger to storms
Even in the flood
I can always run
To where You are

I’ve had to wait in the dark
And hold the Truth in my heart
Even in the night
Still You open wide
Your faithful arms

And I hide myself
Where I find my help
And I hide myself
I find only rest
I find only peace
Beneath Your wings

You are the Refuge that stands
You hold my world in Your hands
The quiet in the noise
The stillness of Your voice
Will be enough

And it’s Your Presence alone
That changes all that I know
‘Til all that I know
Is just Your Presence alone
I’m safe in Your shadow

Even in the flood
I can always run
To where You are

Michael W. Smith
Writer: Mia Fieldes

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We certainly can sense there is turmoil and strife in the world.

They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice.
They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness.
They are gossips….
Romans 1:29

God knew there would be trouble in our lives.  Some because of our choices and some because of the world.  It is how we meet those challenges, lifting His name in all situations, that sets us apart from the world.  He will not always remove the testing, but He will walk with us through it.  If God can be with David all the while, He will surely be with us.

We need to search our hearts to see where we might doubt Him—where our faith is weakest.  We must ask God to help us strengthen it, to help us grow our faith, and to trust more and more.  David sometimes wondered where God was; and even the prophets did, too.

Look at Elijah….  With God, he had just destroyed all of the prophets of Baal but upon hearing that Jezebel was going to kill him, he was afraid. But isn’t that the man in us—our human side? To forget what God had just done…?  (How quickly we forget when our peace is threatened?)  God knew that Elijah was tired and needed rest and reassurance.  After receiving it, Elijah’s faith was restored and God told him what would happen in the future (see 1 Kings 19).

As God was faithful in restoring Elijah,
how much more will He restore us?

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God
so that at the proper time He may exalt you,
casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.
Be sober-minded; be watchful.
Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion,
seeking someone to devour.
Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering
are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace,
Who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ,
will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
To Him be the dominion forever and ever.  Amen.
1 Peter 5:6-11

Let this be our prayer for our nation and our world.

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Give Me Faith

May 1, 2015 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

I wanna feel the strength David felt
With a rag and a rock, knowing that he couldn’t fail
And I wanna trust that would lead me up a hill
To give my only son, if I knew it was Your will
I want a faith like that, God give me faith like that

To speak Your word and mountains move
To reach beyond all I can do
‘Cause You’re doing things I cannot see,
So I’m gonna trust You and believe
You are all I need, give me faith

When my heart’s about to break
Don’t know how much I can take
And my soul is like a ship, overtaken by the waves
I need the courage to walk on the water and be strong
Like Peter in the storm until I fall into Your arms
I want a faith like that, God give me faith like that

I believe You’re strong enough to save
I believe every promise You’ve made
And when I just don’t understand,
You hold my world inside Your hands

I’ll speak Your word and mountains move
I’ll reach beyond all I can do
‘Cause You’re doing things I cannot see,
So I’m gonna trust You and believe
You are all I need, give me faith

Royal Tailor
written by: Tauren Wells, Blake Hubbard, David Cox, Jarrod Ingram

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I play music in my car almost constantly. And while most of my selections create a sense of peace and calm in the mornings with an uplifting beat as we began our journey, there are times when some songs do more than this.

Over the past few months faith has been at the center of my thoughts and prayers.  I have cried to God asking Him to give me strength, asking that He open my eyes to situations that will require me to walk in faith.  I read stories of heroes and heroines of the Bible walking in their faith…and great things happening!  But here I was—I felt faithless, helpless.  I didn’t know how to be like David, or like Peter.  I felt as if I did not have even an ounce of faith to stand on.  It was a scary place filled with what feels like very little hope.

I was talking to my husband and he reminded me that all God asks for is faith the size of a mustard seed.  I went and googled what a mustard seed looked like; and realized that a mustard seed was truly all I had.  I realized that I could be like David and tackle the Goliaths of my own life, and I could walk up the mountains in my life, move them, making the sacrifices necessary, all because I did have faith like that little mustard seed.  And slowly (and not without days of questioning) I realized that God was all I needed.  Some days my faith was shown by simply saying the name of Jesus when I did not know what to do.

All this week I have been seeking direction in finding a song to share in this blog. I wanted something different—something that spoke not only to my own heart but one that would speak to the heart of the women who read these words.  While driving I heard this song but kept missing the title.  Finally I caught it and pulled up the lyrics.  These words mirrored what I have been feeling, what I have been praying about.  They shared my fears, concerns, and shortcomings, but they also gave me hope.  The last nine lines of the song express what I want to and can tell myself daily.  These are truths I am making an intentional choice to stand on.

I believe You’re strong enough to save
I believe every promise You’ve made
And when I just don’t understand,
You hold my world inside Your hands

I’ll speak Your word and mountains move
I’ll reach beyond all I can do
‘Cause You’re doing things I cannot see,
So I’m gonna trust You and believe
You are all I need, give me faith

These words are my mustard seed.

He replied, “Because you have so little faith.
Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed,
you can say to this mountain,
‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move.
Nothing will be impossible for you.”
Matthew 17:20

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Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You that mustard seed!  You can do great things with something so small…this fact amazes me daily.  Forgive myself and others who have allowed our fears, our shortcomings, our life in general to hide the truths in the words of this song.  You are enough, and because You are enough, we are enough.  Because You stand by Your promises, we can move mountains, whatever they may be.  You are all we need Lord!  You and our mustard seeds.  In Jesus Christ’s name we pray.  Amen.

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Greater

April 30, 2015 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Bring your tired
Bring your shame
Bring your guilt
Bring your pain
Don’t you know that’s not your name
You will always be much more to me
Every day I wrestle with the voices
That keep telling me I’m not right
But that’s all right

‘Cause I hear a voice and He calls me redeemed
When others say I’ll never be enough
And greater is the One living inside of me
Than he who is living in the world
In the world
In the world
And greater is the One living inside of me
Than he who is living in the world

Bring your doubts
Bring your fears
Bring your hurt
Bring your tears
There’ll be no condemnation here
You are holy, righteous, and redeemed

Every time I fall
There’ll be those who will call me
A mistake
Well that’s ok

There’ll be days I lose the battle
Grace says that it doesn’t matter
‘Cause the Cross already won the war
He’s Greater
He’s Greater

I am learning to run freely
Understanding just how He sees me
And it makes me love Him more and more
He’s Greater
He’s Greater

MercyMe
written by: Bart Millard, Nathan Cochran, Barry Graul, Mike Scheuchzer, Robby Shaffer, along with David Garcia, Ben Glover

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Will you sing this truth along with me…

“…Greater is the One living inside of me than he who is living in the world!”

Declare it!  Confess it!  Proclaim it!  Believe it!  This truth needs to be deep in our hearts.  It has nothing to do with anything that you or I, my friend, can accomplish…it is ALL because of Jesus.

Little children, you are of God [you belong to Him]
and have [already] defeated and overcome them [the agents of the antichrist],
because He Who lives in you is greater (mightier) than he who is in the world.
1 John 4:4 AMP

 I have been crucified with Christ;
and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me;
and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God,
Who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
Galatians 2:20

There are times (and there will be more times) when we are tempted to deny this truth….  So you lost the battle today; not such a big deal!

“Grace says that it doesn’t matter ’cause the Cross already won the war!”

When we are willing to accept this grace we can be free.  Free to be just exactly who God (in Christ) has made us to be!

  • We are set free from bondage and slavery to sin

It was for freedom that Christ set us free;
thereforekeep standing firm
and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.
Galatians 5:1

  • We are free from condemnation

Therefore there is now no condemnation
for those who are in Christ Jesus.
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus
has set you free from the law of sin and of death.
For what the Law could not do…God did: sending His own Son
in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin….
Romans 8:1-3

  • We are alive to God and dead to sin

  Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him,
knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead,
is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him.
For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all;
but the life that He lives, He lives to God.
Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin,
but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
Romans 6:8-11

  • We are seated with Him now…and for eternity

And you were dead in your trespasses and sins,
in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world,
according to the prince of the power of the air,
of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.
Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh,
indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind,
and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.
But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,
even when we were dead in our transgressions,
made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
and raised us up with Him,
and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
so that in the ages to come He might show
the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 2:1-7

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Heavenly Father, how good and kind You are to us!  For all You have provided for us through Your Son, our Lord, we are so thankful!  Truly we are free indeed ’cause “greater is the One Who is living in us than he who is living in the world”!   We do get distracted and tempted to forget this Truth…please help us to remember!  Thank You for Your mercy and love and grace which has made us alive in Christ!  May we keep this Truth in our hearts and on our lips so that we can share it with others!  We pray thanking You and praising You…in Jesus’ name, amen.

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I Can’t Stop Singing

April 29, 2015 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Your grace for me will always be
More than enough
More than enough
The power of Jesus Christ in me
Is more than enough
More than enough

Because my heart is full
And my soul is free
In my weakness You
Had a plan for me

And I can’t stop singing about Your love
No, I can’t stop singing about Your love
Jesus, forever You will be more than enough
No, I can’t stop, I can’t stop

You will provide, You will supply
More than enough, more than enough
Open Heaven, open wide
More than enough, more than enough

Let the redeemed of the Lord say so
I can’t stop shouting
Can’t stop shouting

Because my heart is full
And my soul is free
In my weakness You
Had a plan for me
Now I sing the song
Angels cannot sing
I have been reborn
I have been redeemed

Covenant Worship
Songwriters: Joshua Dufrene, David Binion, Israel Houghton

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‘Let the redeemed of the Lord say so!
I can’t stop shouting…because my heart is full and my soul is free!’

{ And all God’s people said, AMEN ! }

Psalm 107 is full of what ‘the redeemed of the Lord’ should say.  (Click here to read Psalm 107.)  The psalmist writes, in verse after verse after verse, of the awesome deeds and wonders of the Almighty, and repeatedly proclaims that the redeemed should say so in this manner:

Let them give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness,
And for His wonders to the sons of men!
(verses 8, 15, 21, 31)

Oh, don’t we have so MUCH to give thanks for!?!  And truly, we sometimes just can’t stop singing about God’s love!!  Without God’s love, each of us would still be dead in our trespasses and sins…bound as slaves because of Adam’s sin.  But because God loves us, we are redeemed by His Son and given new life.

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.
John 3:16

By this the love of God was manifested in us,
that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world
so that we might live through Him.
In this is love, not that we loved God,
but that He loved us
and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
1 John 4:9 and 10

I love the ‘more than enoughs’ in this song!  Just think…we have been given not just enough but more than enough!

  • Your grace for me will always be more than enough
  • The power of Jesus Christ in me is more than enough

And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you,
for power is perfected in weakness.”
Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses,
so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
2 Corinthians 12:9

  • You will provide…You will supply more than enough
  • Open heaven, open wide more than enough

Bring all the tithes (the whole tenth of your income) into the storehouse,
that there may be food in My house, and prove Me now by it,
says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven 
for you and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
Malachi 3:10

  • Jesus, forever You will be more than enough

Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.  For His sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and may share His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.  Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.  Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own.  But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:8-14

Just like the writers of this song and the psalmist may we—the redeemed of the Lord—also say so!

Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things;
let them consider the steadfast love of the Lord.
Verse 43

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Oh, Lord, Your grace, Your love, Your mercy, Your goodness, Your provision are all more than enough!  How awesome to know that Your sufficiency doesn’t mean “just enough” or “barely enough,” but way more than enough for whatever we face, whatever our need.  Help us to rest fully in Your grace as we seek to live for You today.  Thank You for Your love…we love and adore You!  And we pray acknowledging these things in Jesus’ name, amen.

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Our God (Is Greater)

April 27, 2015 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Water You turned into wine
Opened the eyes of the blind
There’s no one like You, none like You
Into the darkness You shine
Out of the ashes we rise
There’s no one like You, none like You

Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God You are higher than any other
Our God is Healer, awesome in power
Our God, Our God

And if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us
And if our God is with us, then what could stand against
And if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us
And if our God is with us, then what could stand against.
What could stand against

Chris Tomlin
written along with Jonas Myrin, Matt Redman, Jesse Reeves

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Little children, you are of God [you belong to Him]
and have [already] defeated and overcome them [the agents of the antichrist],
because He Who lives in you is greater (mightier) than he who is in the world.
1 John 4:4 AMP

I was writing a devotional blog on 1 John 4:4 and this song got stuck in my head.  Such a great reminder that we have nothing to fear.  Our God IS greater than the enemy and anything he can throw at us.  The Scriptures repeat this over and over again:

Now I know that Yahweh is greater than all gods,
because He did wonders when the Egyptians acted arrogantly against Israel.
Exodus 18:11 HCSB

David became greater and greater, for the Lord God of hosts was with him.
2 Samuel 5:10/1 Chronicles 11:9 NASB

And the temple which I build will be great, for our God is greater than all gods.
2 Chronicles 2:5 NKJV

Be strong and courageous.
Be not afraid or dismayed before the king of Assyria and all the horde that is with him,
for there is Another with us greater than [all those] with him.
2 Chronicles 32:7 AMP

Look, God is greater than we can understand.
Job 36:26 NLT

Greater than the roar of many waters—the mighty breakers of the sea—the Lord on high is majestic.
Psalm 93:4 HCSB

For I know that Yahweh is great; our Lord is greater than all gods.
Psalm 135:5 HCSB

On and on it goes—our God is Greater.

  • Greater than any human being.
  • Greater than all of our enemies.
  • Greater than any obstacles or circumstances in our life.
  • Greater than any of our mistakes, our failures, our flaws.

To quote MercyMe:

“There’ll be days I lose the battle
Grace says that it doesn’t matter
‘Cause the Cross already won the war
And greater is the One living inside of me
Than he who is living in the world.”

Our God is greater, stronger, higher than anyone or anything else.  Period.  His power is beyond our understanding.  Since God is for us, who or what could ever stop us?  Since God is with us, then what could ever stand against us?

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Thank You, Lord!  You are greater than any other and Your power far exceeds anything we could imagine. Thank You for lifting us out of the ashes and shining Your light on us.  In Your precious name I pray, Amen – It is so!

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I Will Lift My Eyes

April 26, 2015 by

I will lift my eyes
God, my God, I cry out
Your beloved needs You now
God, be near, calm my fear
And take my doubt

Your kindness is what pulls me up
Your love is all that draws me in

I will lift my eyes to the Maker
Of the mountains I can’t climb
I will lift my eyes to the Calmer
Of the oceans raging wild

I will lift my eyes to the Healer
Of the hurt I hold inside
I will lift my eyes, lift my eyes
To You

God, my God, let mercy sing
A melody over me
And God, right here, all I bring
Is all of me

‘Cause You are and You were and You will be forever
The loving I need to save me
‘Cause You fashioned the earth and You hold it together God
So hold me now

I will lift my eyes to the Maker
Of the mountains I can’t climb
I will lift my eyes to the calmer
Of the oceans raging wild

I will lift my eyes to the Healer
Of the hurt I hold inside
I will lift my eyes, lift my eyes
To You
I will lift my eyes, lift my eyes
To You

God, my God, I cry out
Your beloved needs You now

Bebo Norman
written by Jason Ingram, Jeffrey Norman

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Close your eyes and listen to the words; make them your prayer today.

What is it that you need God to be today for you?  He is your Creator and the Lover of your soul.  He created you with a purpose and He longs to spend time with you because He loves you.

I will lift up my eyes to the mountains;
From where shall my help come?
Psalm 121:1

When the sea is raging all around you, and the storms of life are so loud and strong, He is your Calmer.  Lift up your eyes and see His heart for you.  When you are hurting or sick, either spiritually or physically, He is your Healer.  This world is full of so much hurt and He is truly the only One Who can take it all away.  You are His beloved!

I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine,
He who pastures his flock among the lilies.
Song Of Solomon 6:3

From the beginning of time God has longed to walk with us, His children.  And we were created with a void that can only be filled by Him.  So when the longing in your heart is too much, it is not the world that you are wanting—it is Him.  He truly does hold it all together in His very capable hands.  There isn’t much that stays the same and time brings so many changes that sometimes are hard.  But God is the always the same…He never changes.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Hebrews 13:8

Friend, your life may not be what you are wishing, but God is all you need.  Lift up your eyes today and find your hope in Him!

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Let us pray: Dear Lord, You are our Maker, our Healer and our Calmer.  You are the same today and everyday; You never change. You love us so very much.  Thank You for sending Jesus to take care of all the sins we will ever do and for erasing all the pain and replacing it with joy.  All we have to do is read Your promises and know that You will always come through.  We love You and we worship You today.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

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I Can Just Be Me

April 23, 2015 by

Many of you have gone on Spring Break or are anticipating taking a vacation this summer.  It is a time to refresh spirit, soul, and body.  Over the next couple of weeks, our faithful bloggers will be taking a ‘spring break’ from writing so that they can come back to us refreshed and freshly anointed.
However, Girlfriends’ Coffee Hour website won’t ‘go black’!  We will be revisiting some of our favorite blogs and daily devotions which have blessed us in the past.  We pray that each of you, our faithful friends and readers, will continue to start your day meditating on the devotionals and songblogs, and be encouraged and blessed.

Let’s give each of our bloggers a big round of applause, a hug,
and the rest they so deserve.  God bless you, ladies!

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

I’ve been doing all that I can
To hold it all together, piece by piece
I’ve been feeling like a failure
Trying to be braver
Than I could ever be
…It’s just not me

So be my Healer, be my Comfort
Be my Peace
‘Cause I can be broken
I can be needy, Lord, I need You now
To be, be my God
…So I can just be me

I’ve been living like an orphan
Trying to belong here
But it’s just not my home
I’ve been holding on so tightly
To all the things that I think
That satisfy my soul
…But I’m letting go

So be my Father, my mighty Warrior
Be my King
‘Cause I can be scattered, frail and shattered
Lord, I need You now
To be, be my God
…So I can just be me

‘Cause I was lost
In this dark world
‘Til I was finally found in You
So now I’m needy, desperately pleading
Oh Lord, be all to me

So be my Savior, be my Lifeline
Won’t You be my everything?
‘Cause I’m so tired
Of trying to be someone
I was never meant to be

Be my God, please be my God
Be my God so I can just be me
So I can just be me
…I can just be me

Laura Story
written with Jason Ingram

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Can’t you just imagine leafing through your Bible and coming upon words like these…they are so similar to one of David’s songs, don’t you think?  This song sings just like one (no, like MANY) of the psalms.  Perhaps these words are very similar to a song in your own heart?  I’ll tell you…they are close to my own, at times.

Oh, but at times I can whine…and complain!  Despite the great measure of grace and blessing that my God has poured into my life, at times I seem to forget.  I can become overwhelmed with the situations and circumstances.  And then  attempt to wrestle with these ugly things rather than resting and relying on my God.

Silly me!  I try to take things into my own <incapable> hands instead of seeking the only One Who IS capable—my Lord, Jesus the Christ, the One to Whom all “all authority (all power of rule) in heaven and on earth has been given…” (Matthew 28:18).

I (and you also, my friends!) we are not alone in struggling with matters such as this!  We’ve already recognized that David called out to God in his struggles. But we also have the examples and godly encouragement of other men throughout the pages of the Bible.  The Apostle Paul and his disciple, Timothy, are two who I thought of immediately!  Paul wrote in his letters to encourage the believers in the first century Church <and us, too!!!> to rely on all that Christ had made available.

But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you,
for My power is made perfect in weakness.”
Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses,
so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses,
insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities.
For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:9, 10 ESV

In Paul’s letters to Timothy, as he taught him regarding leadership, Paul faithfully reminded Timothy that God is the One Who is to be trusted and relied upon.  For example, He said:

That is why I am suffering as I am.
Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know Whom I have believed,
and am convinced that He is able to guard
what I have entrusted to Him until that day.
2 Timothy 1:12 NIV

All throughout the Scriptures, God’s people are instructed over and over and over again of the simplicity of the commands He has for us.

He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you
but to do justly,
and to love kindness and mercy,
and to humble yourself and walk humbly with your God?
Micah 6:8

We need to remember.  And to trust and obey.  It is SO much simpler to do things God’s way!  And then ‘I can just be me!’   Amen?

 * ~ ♥ ~ ✞ ~ ♥ ~ *

Oh, how we praise You, dear Lord!  What joy we have in our hearts knowing that You ARE our Healer, Comfort, Peace… our Father, Mighty Warrior, King… our Savior, Lifeline… truly our everything!  How gracious, kind, and compassionate You are towards our human nature which, at times, is weak and needy and tired!  Thank You for how patient and longsuffering You are with us…never leaving us nor forsaking us even when we are whiny and complaining.  Thank You for Your grace and mercy, Your lovingkindness, Your forgiveness, Your love!  Thank You for always being there when turn our little hearts around and acknowledge that You have not changed…and never will.  Thank You for forming and making us—to ‘just be me!’  We love and adore You, Faithful Father!  And pray in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

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

Come And Worship

April 21, 2015 by

Many of you have gone on Spring Break or are anticipating taking a vacation this summer.  It is a time to refresh spirit, soul, and body.  Over the next couple of weeks, our faithful bloggers will be taking a ‘spring break’ from writing so that they can come back to us refreshed and freshly anointed.
However, Girlfriends’ Coffee Hour website won’t ‘go black’!  We will be revisiting some of our favorite blogs and daily devotions which have blessed us in the past.  We pray that each of you, our faithful friends and readers, will continue to start your day meditating on the devotionals and songblogs, and be encouraged and blessed.

Let’s give each of our bloggers a big round of applause,
a hug, and the rest they so deserve.  God bless you, ladies!

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Angels from the realms of glory
Wing your flight o’er the earth
Ye who sang creations story
Now proclaim Messiah’s birth

Come and worship
Come and worship
Come and worship
Worship Christ the newborn King

Shepherds in the fields abiding
Watching o’er your flocks by night
God with man is now residing
Under shines the Infant light

Saints before the altar, bending
Watching, longing, hope and fear
Suddenly the Lord descending
In His temple shall appear

 Bebo Norman
Written by James Montgomery

*   ♥  ~  ✝  ~  ★    *

Oh, to be first-time parents!  Remember the fears, the concerns of not knowing if you were going to know how to care for the child?  What if they did this, or if they had that, is this normal, should I call a doctor?  Everything had to be perfect—new clothes, new crib, new bottles, new car seat, new everything.  But then, imagine, Mary and Joseph. They were not home, they were in a stable behind a hotel.  There were no more rooms or homes for them to visit.  No friends they could stay with.  At least Joseph was able to find a place warm, dry, and slightly comfortable for Mary and his soon-to-be-born stepson.

Then, once Mary had Jesus, everything changed.  Having cleaned out a manger in which to lay Jesus, after wrapping Him in swaddling clothes, they began to have visitors.  Shepherds came to see the wonder of the promised Messiah…the one the Angel told them would be in a stable.  Both Mary and Joseph were tired, but excited to see Jesus, and to welcome these strangers with news of the angelic host proclaiming the birth.

*   ♥  ~  ✝  ~  ★    *

As we celebrate the birth of our Savior, let us Come and Worship the love our Father in heaven has for us His people.  Without God desiring a relationship with all of us, Jesus would not have been born.

Thank You, God, for loving us so much that You would send
Your Son, Jesus, to earth to live among us!

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

Rise Again

April 20, 2015 by

Many of you have gone on Spring Break or are anticipating taking a vacation this summer. It is a time to refresh spirit, soul, and body. Over the next couple of weeks, our faithful bloggers will be taking a ‘spring break’ from writing so that they can come back to us refreshed and freshly anointed.
However, Girlfriends’ Coffee Hour website won’t ‘go black’! We will be revisiting some of our favorite blogs and daily devotions which have blessed us in the past. We pray that each of you, our faithful friends and readers, will continue to start your day meditating on the devotionals and songblogs, and be encouraged and blessed.

Let’s give each of our bloggers a big round of applause,
a hug, and the rest they so deserve. God bless you, ladies!

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Go ahead, drive the nails in My hands
Laugh at me where you stand
Go ahead, and say it isn’t Me
The day will come when you will see

‘Cause I’ll rise again
Ain’t no power on earth can tie me down
Yes, I’ll rise again
Death can’t keep Me in the ground

Go ahead, mock My name
My love for you is still the same
Go ahead, and bury Me
But very soon, I will be free

Go ahead and say I’m dead and gone
But you will see that you were wrong
Go ahead, try to hide the Son
But all will see that I’m the One!

‘Cause I’ll come again!
Ain’t no power on earth can keep Me back!
Yes, I’ll come again
Come to take My people back

Dallas Holm

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Last week a couple of  friends and myself felt like the enemy was taking target practice at our marriages.  It wasn’t the first time…and I am quite certain it won’t be the last.  A recent sermon I heard, entitled Called to Be Free, came to mind and I thought about being free from satan’s attacks.  I know we won’t be completely free until we reach Heaven but Jesus has set us free from the chains of this world.  That includes satan and anything he tries to ensnare us in.  The enemy only has what power we give him.

Luke 10:19 (HCSB) puts it this way:

Look, I have given you the authority to trample on snakes and scorpions
and over all the power of the enemy; nothing will ever harm you.

We have all authority over the power of the enemy.  But sometimes we forget to use that power. And even when we do, sometimes we still get knocked for a loop.  It is difficult to keep getting back up when you get knocked down repeatedly.  I read a Scripture that totally changed my whole perspective on this.  Take a look at 2 Corinthians 4:10-11 (AMP):

Always carrying about in the body the liability and exposure
to the same putting to death that the Lord Jesus suffered,
so that the [resurrection] life of Jesus also may be shown forth by and in our bodies.
For we who live are constantly [experiencing] being handed over to death
for Jesus’ sake, that the [resurrection] life of Jesus
also may be evidenced through our flesh which is liable to death.

I read this and had a “light bulb” moment.  Because we are believers and followers of Christ, we carry Jesus’ death and Resurrection within us!  The attacks we incur, the battles we fight are where we share in the death of Jesus.  If satan knocks me down, he may have won that battle but Jesus has already won the war.  Every time we rise up from defeat—whether it is perceived or real—we share in the Resurrection and ultimate victory of Jesus.  We can rise again because Jesus has already done it and we carry Him within ourselves.

As I was mediating on all of this, the song “Rise Again” came to mind.  But I was hearing it and singing it in a whole new light.  Since I have a personal relationship with Christ, it doesn’t matter if people laugh at me or mock me. It doesn’t matter if I get knocked down or thrown for a loop. “I will be free….” “…no power on earth can tie me down.”

For me, this revelation was earth-shattering and life-changing.  The storms will be easier to bear, and the attacks easier to survive because I know Jesus has already been there.  He has paved my way in victory and His victory is manifested in me.  Hallelujah!!!!

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

Just As I Am

April 19, 2015 by

Many of you have gone on Spring Break or are anticipating taking a vacation this summer.  It is a time to refresh spirit, soul, and body.  Over the next couple of weeks, our faithful bloggers will be taking a ‘spring break’ from writing so that they can come back to us refreshed and freshly anointed.
However, Girlfriends’ Coffee Hour website won’t ‘go black’!  We will be revisiting some of our favorite blogs and daily devotions which have blessed us in the past.  We pray that each of you, our faithful friends and readers, will continue to start your day meditating on the devotionals and songblogs, and be encouraged and blessed.

Let’s give each of our bloggers a big round of applause,
a hug, and the rest they so deserve.  God bless you, ladies!

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Just as I am – without one plea, but that Thy blood was shed for me
And that Thou bidst me come to Thee – O Lamb of God, I come

Just as I am – and waiting not to rid my soul of one dark blot
To Thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot – O Lamb of God, I come

Just as I am – though toss’d about with many a conflict, many a doubt
Fightings and fears within, without – O Lamb of God, I come

Just as I am – poor, wretched, blind; sight, riches, healing of the mind
Yea, all I need, in Thee to find – O Lamb of God, I come

Just as I am – Thou wilt receive, wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve
Because Thy promise I believe – O Lamb of God, I come

Just as I am – Thy love unknown has broken every barrier down
Now to be Thine, yea, Thine alone – O Lamb of God, I come

Just as I am – of that free love; the breadth, length, depth, and height to prove
Here for a season, then above – O Lamb of God, I come

Michael Neale
written by Charlotte Elliott

* ~ * ~   ♥  ~ * ~ *

May 15, 1975, in Jackson, Mississippi, at a Billy Graham Crusade, I took my Daddy’s hand and walked down flights and flights of stairs to the stage where Mr. Graham was preaching and made my public profession of faith.  The Holy spirit moved in me during this hymn—and my life was forever changed.  As I sit here, with my sweet daddy’s brown Bible open to where he wrote all about that day, I am so grateful. I have Jesus as my Savior and I will never be the same. Never underestimate the power of music, sweet friends!

“Just As I Am” was written by Charlotte Elliot.  Her life was a testimony of patience and endurance in suffering—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. She was ill in her 40’s with pain that was often debilitating.  She felt useless to God until,  one night before a bazaar to benefit a school, she began to question everything.  She started thinking that maybe God was just an illusion of emotions… that maybe that’s what spirituality is.  The next day, she felt her life questions must be met and conquered in the grace of God.  So there, she took a pen and paper and wrote for her own comfort, “the formula of her faith.”  She then had it published in “The Invalid’s Hymn Book.”

For years now, “Just As I Am” has been sung as a hymn of invitation in church gatherings all over the U.S. and beyond.  But to me it is personal—it’s my salvation—and it is where my relationship with my Lord began.  And so I wrote my own words of commitment:

~Just as I am – not having to say or do anything, You died and shed Your blood for me, and that You would have us come to You, – O Lamb of God, yes, we come!

~Just as I am – right now, rid my soul of this darkness and sin, even one. Your blood can cleanse it all – O Lamb of God, yes, we come!

~Just as I am – though I am trudging through mud and trials. I have so many conflicts and sometimes I doubt You. I choose fear over faith sometimes – but You call and I come!

~Just as I am – poor, wretched, blind. Yet You give sight, riches, blessings, and healing, both physically and spiritually and emotionally. Yet, all I need is You, in You I find complete healing, when I seek You, I find You – O Jesus, I come!

~Just as I am – right where I am, You accept me, You receive me with open arms. I am welcomed, pardoned, cleansed and relieved!!! Because all Your promises are true and You always come through – O Lamb of God, I come!

~Just as I am – Your love unknown has broken down every barrier, every one! Now to be Yours, yes Yours alone – O God, I come!

~Just as I am – Your love is free. It stretches to the Heavens and there is no end to it, here for a season, then above – O Lamb of God, I come!!!

We come, on our knees, to Him and He receive us with open arms, always!  Where are you today? God knows and He cares;  and He loves you so much!  Run to Him and rest.  He is waiting.

* ~ * ~ ♥  ~ * ~ *

Let us pray:  Dear God, this hymn in itself is our prayer.  Just as we are, without one plea, we thank You for shedding Your blood for us, so that we are free to live with You forever.  Thank You for breaking down the barriers for us. Thank You for Your endless love that is freely given.  You forgive and forgive again; and You accept each of just as we are.  Lamb of God, we come.   In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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