May 11, 2025

How Sweet The Sound-Citizens Way

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Yea though I walk through the valley
I know that You are always right beside me
And I will fear no evil
You’re my Rock
And my Strength
You comfort me

Amazing grace how sweet the sound
I hear You singing over me
I once was lost but now I’m found
And it’s beautiful
Amazing grace how sweet the sound
It covers every part of me
My soul is silent
I am found
And it’s a beautiful sound

You carry me through the waters
Where Your peace clears away all my sorrow
And nothing can separate us from Your love
Oh, Your love it will always be

You were healing in the pain
You were shelter in the storm
Hallelujah You restore my soul

Songwriters: Josh Calhoun, Ben Calhoun
Performed by Citizens Way

 *   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

I have walked through the valley and right now it seems like I’ll be here for a while.  There is an empty parking space in the driveway and a room that has been cleaned out.  I moved my oldest baby girl to another state to start the journey that God has for her.  But, as a mom, I have mixed emotions yet He sustains me and walks with me.  The 23rd Psalm is one of His greatest promises and one that I cling to during this hard time of change. “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4).

I love how the songwriters put the Scriptures and the hymn “Amazing Grace” together and share such hope with us as listeners.  Can’t you just picture God singing over you?  ‘Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, I hear You singing over me. I once was lost but now I’m found…’ and it is a beautiful sound.  He does carry us through the waters and gives us peace that passes all understanding. And no matter what we go through or what we have done, nothing can separate us from God’s love and His grace.  There is healing in the pain, through Him and there is shelter from the storms, in Him.  Isaiah 43:2 NIV says,

When you go through the waters, I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.

I pray today, as you listen to this song, that you feel the hope and the love and His amazing grace washing over you.  You are His and He cherishes you and wants to be with you. He is able to carry you through anything and will keep you from harm.  Just trust Him and thank Him for the miracles and blessings that are yours…you just have to ask.

 *   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Let us pray: Dearest Heavenly Father, we praise You and thank You for always walking beside us and protecting us from so much. Thank You for carrying us when we are too weak or sad to really walk through it alone, and thank You that we never have to be alone. You sing over us and love us so much. Your Word is our rock and full of promises that we can hold on to when this world is coming at us. Thank You for the healing and for the shelter and for being our strength. We love You! In Jesus’ name, amen!

 

Be Exalted

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

I stand in awe of who You are
You have overwhelmed my heart
once again
My all in all, my everything
With abandon I have come
to meet You here

Be exalted
Be exalted
In my life above all else
Be lifted up

My eyes have seen
Your majesty
Filled with wonder
Now my soul must sing

There is only one true God
Who is holy
You are holy 

 

 Singer / Songwriter: Ben Cantelon (along with Mia Fieldes, Jason Ingram)

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Throughout the Bible, there are many, many, many records of those who truly exalted God in their hearts and with their words of praise and through their actions!

A few who quickly come to my mind are,

  • Jesus
  • David
  • Esther
  • Moses
  • Job
  • Paul

But one example that I just love is Mary, the mother of our Lord.  Oh, what a heart she had!  She is a great standard for having the right type of heart and life. Mary was so very humble!  (Check out Luke 1:38.)  Her pure and praise-filled heart for her God is shown in many ways.  One illustration is found recorded in Luke chapter 1.  Upon hearing her cousin Elizabeth confirm what the Angel Gabriel had told to Mary, she was filled with praise! Listen to these words of hers…

And Mary said: “My soul exalts the Lord,
And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave;
For behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed.
For the Mighty One has done great things for me;
And holy is His name.
And His mercy is upon generation after generation
Toward those who fear Him.
He has done mighty deeds with His arm;
Luke 1:46-50

And she continues in her praise to exalt her God, the Almighty One.  But what does it mean to ‘exalt’ God?  One reference I checked, defines exalt as

EXALT‘, v.t. egzolt’. Low L. exalto; ex and altus, high.

  1. To raise high; to elevate.
  2. To elevate in power, wealth, rank or dignity; as, to exalt one to a throne, to the chief magistracy, to a bishopric.
  3. To elevate with joy or confidence; as, to be exalted with success or victory. We now use elate.
  4. To raise with pride; to make undue pretensions to power, rank or estimation; to elevate too high or above others.
  5. To elevate in estimation and praise; to magnify; to praise; to extol.

We can see through these definitions and practical usages of the word exalt that clearly it is to ‘raise…elevate…magnify…praise…extol.’  And it is easy to see how and why our God is THE One to be exalted!  As Ben Cantelon sings, ‘You alone and no one else, be lifted up!’

The following psalm suggests another important perspective to exalt that includes our own bowing down.

The Lord is king!
Let the nations tremble!
He sits on His throne between the cherubim.
Let the whole earth quake!
The Lord sits in majesty in Jerusalem,
exalted above all the nations.
Let them praise Your great and awesome name.
Your name is holy!
Mighty King, lover of justice,
You have established fairness.
You have acted with justice
and righteousness throughout Israel.
Exalt the Lord our God!
Bow low before His feet, for He is holy!
Psalms 99:1-5

Notice in verse 5 the difference between the two exclamations made: “Exalt the LORD our God!” is given in comparison to “Bow low before His feet.”  In studying this verse and looking at the Hebrew words used, I read that the word translated as “bow low” is one of the basic Hebrew words for worship.  Literally it means “to bow low” or “to prostrate” oneself before and worshipping a sovereign, a king.

Wouldn’t you say this could apply to how we can exalt God, figuratively, by not only by raising our voices in praise to Him, but also by humbly bowing low before Him in worship.  Truly,  at times, we are literally bowing before God as a response to His incredible and awesome greatness!  This physical act can help our hearts to humbly bow before Him.  But whether we kneel or are prostrate on our faces before God or not, we can exalt Him within our hearts as we recognize and praise, “Be exalted…in my life above all else, be lifted up!”

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

May our prayer and our praise be to always exalt Almighty God whether we be standing with arms raised in praise, or singing joyfully out our praises, or kneeling humble before Him, or flat out before Him in submission to Him!

I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My life makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble and afflicted hear and be glad.
O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.
Psalms 34:1-3

From The Inside Out

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv
A thousand times I’ve failed
Still Your mercy remains
And should I stumble again
Still I’m caught in Your grace

Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame

Your will above all else, my purpose remains
The art of losing myself in bringing You praise

My heart and my soul, I give You control
Consume me from the inside out, Lord
Let justice and praise, become my embrace
To love You from the inside out

From the inside out, O my soul cries out
And the cry of my heart is to bring You praise
From the inside out, O my soul cries out
From the inside out, O my soul cries out
From the inside out, O my soul cries out

Singer-Songwriter: Joel Houston  /  Performed by Hillsong United

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

My Bible study lesson today was “Inside Out” by Beth Moore from Children of the Day.  At first I didn’t relate the title to this song.  The lesson is based on 1 Thessalonians 4:9 AMP:

But concerning brotherly love [for all other Christians],
you have no need to have anyone write you,
for you yourselves have been [personally] taught by God to love one another.

Did you catch that last phrase, “…personally taught by God…”? The Thessalonians didn’t need anyone to instruct them on how to love other Christians for they had been PERSONALLY TAUGHT BY GOD!  This thought blew my mind.  It totally captivated my attention.  The Thessalonians had learned to love FROM THE INSIDE OUT!  They learned it straight from God.

And you know what?  We can too!  When we made our decision to surrender to Jesus and follow Him, we literally received the Holy Spirit into our beings.  Look at John 14:26 HCSB:

But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit—the Father will send Him in My name—
will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you.

The Spirit of God resides in us and will teach us all things!  Our learning does not have to be from the outside in. Beth Moore puts it this way:

“God’s Spirit bypasses all formal routes of the learning curve and the lesson comes straight from Him.”

(If that doesn’t excite you, I’m not sure anything will.)

Then this song came to mind and I looked at it in a whole new light.  What if we truly gave God control—complete control?  What if we allowed Him to teach us, to “consume us from the inside out” instead of being stuck in our preconceived ideas?  What if we truly learned to love as the Thessalonians did…”from the inside out?”

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Father God, Thank You so very much for placing Your Spirit within us.  Open us to His teachings.  Teach us, O God, for we cannot learn as much on our own.  My soul cries out to You in praise.  Teach me, O God, from the inside out.  In Your Holy name, we pray, Amen – so be it!

Show Me Your Glory

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

I see the cloud, I step in
I want to see Your glory as Moses did
Flashes of light and rolls of thunder
I’m not afraid
I’m not afraid
Show me Your glory, show me Your glory, my God…
Show me Your glory, show me Your glory
I’m marked by Your beauty, lost in Your eyes
I want to walk in Your presence like Jesus did
Your glory surrounds me and I’m overwhelmed
I’m not afraid
I’m not afraid
Show me Your glory, show me Your glory, my God…
Show me Your glory, show me Your glory, yeah!
I long to look on the face of the One that I love
Long to stay in Your presence, it’s where I belong
Oh how we love You, oh how we love You
Oh how we love You, Jesus

 Performed by Jesus Culture Music

Songwriters: Kathy Frizzell, Nate Ward II and Kim Walker-Smith

 *   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Yes, Father! ‘I want to see Your glory as Moses did….”  I so love that and it is my hearts’ desire to see God’s glory.

In Exodus 33:17-19, Moses asks God to see His glory.

The LORD said to Moses, “I will also do this thing of which you have spoken; for you have found favor in My sight and I have known you by name.” Then Moses said, “I pray You, show me Your glory!” And He said, “I Myself will make all My goodness pass before you, and will proclaim the name of the LORD before you; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show compassion on whom I will show compassion.”…

There is so much of God to experience here and now on earth before we get to heaven. I want to experience ALL that God has for me here before I get there. What about you??

“Scripture makes clear that it’s possible for every true follower of Jesus to see and understand the glory of God. Indeed, our Lord reveals His glory to all who ask and seek for it diligently. Moreover, I believe the revelation of God’s glory will equip His people for the perilous days ahead. Paul states that this revelation “…is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified” (Acts 20:32). God allowed Moses to see His glory so that he might be changed by the sight of it! And the same is true for us today. God reveals His glory to us so that, by seeing it, we might be changed into His very own image! ”

a  quote from David Wilkerson, Time Square Church

It is so important in today’s day and age to stay in relationship with God and communication with Him so we are prepared for what is to come.

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness;
and all these things shall be added unto you.
Matthew 6:33 KJV

 *   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Heavenly Father, show me Your glory. I want to be lost in Your eyes and walk in the very presence of You…just like Jesus did!  ‘I long to look on the face of the One that I love…long to stay in Your presence, it’s where I belong.’ In Jesus’ Name.  AMEN!!!

Fix My Eyes On You

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Hit rewind, click delete
Stand face to face with the younger me
All of the mistakes
All of the heartbreak
Here’s what I’d do differently,

I’d…Love like I’m not scared
Give when it’s not fair
Live life for another
Take time for a brother
Fight for the weak ones
Speak out for freedom
Find faith in the battle
Stand tall but above it all
Fix my eyes on You
On You

I learned the lines and talked the talk
(Everybody knows it, everybody knows it)
But the road less traveled is hard to walk
(Everybody knows it, everybody knows)
It takes a soldier
Who knows his orders
To walk the walk I’m supposed to walk, and

The things of earth are dimming
In the light of Your glory and grace
I’ll set my sights upon Heaven
I’m fixing my eyes on You, on You
I’m fixing my eyes on You, on You
I’m fixing my eyes

I’ll fix my eyes on You, on You
I’ll fix my eyes on You, on You

Performed by For King & Country
Songwriters: Luke Smallbone, Joel Smallbone, Seth Mosley

 *   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

What would you do differently if you could talk to a younger you?  I would tell myself to rest in Him and know that all is going to be okay.  We serve an amazing God and He is good and all He gives is good.  I would tell the younger me to really search and learn His Word.  There is truly a verse for all things that you encounter—the happy and the sad.  And I would tell myself to fix my eyes on only Him and let the things of this earth fade away.

I would tell myself that God encounters are so much more important and meaningful than earthly consumption.  And that gratitude always comes before the miracle.  God has an answer to everything.  Sometimes it’s ‘yes’ and sometimes it’s ‘wait’ and sometimes it’s ‘no.’  I would tell myself to trust that even though I don’t like ‘no,’ that it is for my own good; and that if I could see the big picture, I would be so glad that He knew what was best for me.  I would tell myself to enjoy God and to look for the beauty in everything.

I would tell myself to love like He does and to live intentionally for His purpose.  To look for ways to really get in the game and get dirty sometimes.  All that really is going to matter when Jesus comes for us is just this: did we love like we weren’t scared…forgive when it hurt…take time to see the ones hurting…remember that He loves us and dances over us with singing.

So, today, if you would, leave a comment below on what you would tell a younger you!  Just one phrase will do!  And do remember to enjoy Him and all He is.

Need some verses to hold onto today?

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 NLT

No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, Who loves us.
Romans 8:37 NLT

Then I pray to You, o Lord.
I say, “You are my place of refuge.
You are all I really want in life.”
Psalm 142:5 NLT

God, You did everything You promised, and I’m thanking You with all my heart.
You pulled me from the brink of death, my feet from the cliff edge of doom.
Now I stroll at leisure with God in the sunlight fields of life.
Psalm 56:12 MSG

 *   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Let us pray: Dear Lord, thank You for Your grace that gives us chance after chance to get it right.  You are the Lover of our souls and You want to walk with us daily.  Help us to remember to rest in You and that You will do all You promised in Your Word and when we are lost, guide us back to Your promises.  You never change.  Your love never changes.  And victory is ours through Christ Who died for us and loves us unconditionally.  We love You!  In Jesus’ name, amen.

Whom Shall I Fear

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

You hear me when I call
You are my morning song
Though darkness fills the night
It cannot hide the light
Whom shall I fear

You crush the enemy
Underneath my feet
You are my Sword and Shield
Though troubles linger still
Whom shall I fear

I know Who goes before me
I know Who stands behind
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side

The One Who reigns forever
He is a Friend of mine
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side

My strength is in Your name
For You alone can save
You will deliver me
Yours is the victory
Whom shall I fear
Whom shall I fear

And nothing formed against me shall stand
You hold the whole world in Your hands
I’m holding on to Your promises
You are faithful
You are faithful

Singer/Songwriter: Chris Tomlin with Ed Cash and Scott Cash

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Fear.  It is one of the biggest things the enemy uses against us to keep us from the purpose and plans that God has for us.

Fear is…

False
Evidence
Appearing
Real

You cannot have fear and faith at the same time. You will either have one or the other. With God by our side we, as Believers, have nothing to fear.  As Jeremiah 29:11 says,

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD,
“plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future.

God’s plans for us are for our good.  And with the God of angel armies by my side…I have NOTHING to fear!

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Romans 8:31

We must trust and have faith in the One Who reigns forever.  That—no matter what—in ALL things, they will work together for our good.  Just as Romans 8:28 says,  “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.”  That is a promise we can hold onto!

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Heavenly Father, I thank You that You hear us when we call…in Jesus’ Name, AMEN!!!

Though darkness fills the night we cannot hide the light
So whom shall we fear
You crush the enemy underneath my feet
You are my Sword and Shield, the One who reigns forever
The God of angel armies is always by my side

Hope In Front Of Me

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

I’ve been running through rain that I thought would never end
Trying to make it on faith in a struggle against the wind
I’ve seen the dark and the broken places
But I know in my soul no matter how bad it gets, I’ll be alright

There’s hope in front of me
There’s a light I still see it
There’s a hand still holding me
Even when I don’t believe it
I might be down but I’m not dead
There’s better days still up ahead
Even after all I’ve seen, there’s hope in front of me

There’s a place at the end of the storm you’ll finally find
Where the hurt and the tears and the pain all fall behind
You open up your eyes and up ahead there’s a big sun shining
Right then and there you realize, you’ll be alright

There’s a hope still burning
I can feel it rising through the night
And my world’s still turning
I can feel Your love here by my side

You’re my hope
You’re the light I still see it
Your hands are holding me
Even when I don’t believe
Oh, I’ve got to believe, I‘ve got to believe

I still have hope
You are my hope

 Singer/Songwriter: Danny Gokey (with Bernie Herms and Brett James Cornelius)

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Danny Gokey performed on American Idol, Season Eight and finished in third place. Growing up in church, he did not want to go into Christian music…he wanted to do country.  After signing with his first record label and producing an album, he decided to change record labels and move to Christian music.

Gokey married his high school sweetheart who died just before he auditioned for American Idol. She had encouraged him to participate and, four weeks before the auditions, she died from complications after having surgery for a congenital heart condition. After completing the series, he began dating Leyicet Peralta, whom he married in 2012. 

Danny wrote and released Hope In Front Of Me in 2014.  He is inspiring those with his song to know that God is real. God loves no matter what.  When we are angry and shake our fists at Him, God is there.  He is ready to love us and see us through our difficult times.

I pray this song blesses you!

Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Come, Thou Fount of ev’ry blessing, tune my heart to sing thy grace.
Streams of mercy, never ceasing, call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet sung by flaming tongues above;
Praise the mount, I’m fixed upon it, mount of Thy redeeming love.

Here I raise my Ebenezer, hither by Thy help I come,
And I hope by Thy good pleasure safely to arrive at home.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the God I love.
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it, seal it for Thy courts above.

Jesus sought me when a stranger wandering from the fold of God.
He, to rescue me from danger, interposed His precious blood.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the God I love.
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it, seal it for Thy courts above.

O to grace, how great a debtor, daily I’m constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness like a fetter bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the God I love.
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it, seal it for Thy courts above.
Seal it for Thy courts above.

Lyrics: Robert Robinson / Tune: ’Nettleton’ Asahel Nettleton,
This arrangement by Mack Wilberg

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Recently I have been struggling with a situation. I keep turning it over and over in my mind, unable to see how it can be resolved. One day last week, while pondering this issue once again, God placed this song in my heart. I kept coming back to the phrase “…tune my heart to sing Thy grace…”.

Finally it clicked.  The light bulb went on.  My responsibility is not to resolve this situation.  My responsibility is to fix my heart on God and praise Him.  He will deal with the rest.  Look at the following verses:

Rejoice in the Lord, O you [uncompromisingly] righteous
[you upright in right standing with God];
for praise is becoming and appropriate for those who are upright [in heart].
Psalm 33:1 AMP

The righteous one rejoices in the Lord and takes refuge in Him;
all those who are upright in heart will offer praise.
Psalm 64:10 HCSB

So that we who first hoped in Christ [who first put our confidence in Him
have been destined and appointed to] live for the praise of His glory!
so that we who had already put our hope in the Messiah might bring praise to His glory.
Ephesians 1:12 AMP & HCSB

Not once in any of these verses does it say it is up to me to resolve my issues.  Not once!  But it does reiterate over and over again that my purpose is to praise and rejoice in the Lord.  Sounds so simple, doesn’t it?  Yet we all struggle with this, don’t we?  I am prone to wander and to take the burden on myself.  I don’t know about y’all, but I am a “fixer.”  Maybe that stems from being a wife and mother.  But nowhere in the above verses does it say it is my responsibility to fix things. In fact, the following verses indicate that it is not my place to fix anything on my own.

Cast your burden on the Lord [releasing the weight of it] and He will sustain you;
Give your burdens to the Lord, and He will take care of you.
Psalm 55:22a AMP & NLT

Blessed be the Lord, Who bears our burdens and carries us day by day,
even the God Who is our salvation!
Psalm 68:19

Doesn’t that lift your spirits and make your heart smile?  God bears our burdens. He is in control.  All we need to do is fix our wandering hearts on Him and sing His praises.  He will handle the rest.

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Sing this verse with me as we make it our heartfelt prayer:

“O to grace, how great a debtor, daily I’m constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness like a fetter bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the God I love.
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it, seal it for Thy courts above.
Seal it for Thy courts above.”

10,000 Reasons

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

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

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

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

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

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

 Singer/Songwriter Matt Redman with Jonas Myrin

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

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

Here is what God wants from us in return:

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

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

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

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

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

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

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

Glorious Unfolding

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Lay your head down tonight
Take a rest from the fight
Don’t try to figure it out
Just listen to what I’m whispering to your heart
‘Cause I know this is not
Anything like you thought
The story of your life was gonna be
And it feels like the end has started closing in on you
But it’s just not true
There’s so much of the story that’s still yet to unfold

And this is going to be a glorious unfolding
Just you wait and SEE and you will be amazed
You’ve just got to believe the story is so far from over
So hold on to every promise God has made to us
And watch this glorious unfolding

God’s plan from the start
For this world and your heart
Has been to show His glory and His grace
Forever revealing the depth and the beauty of
His unfailing Love
And the story has only begun

We were made to run through fields of forever
Singing songs to our Savior and King
So let us remember this life we’re living
Is just the beginning of the beginning

Of this glorious unfolding
We will watch and SEE and we will be amazed
If we just keep on believing the story is so far from over
And hold on to every promise God has made to us
We’ll SEE the glorious unfolding

Just watch and SEE (unfolding)
This is just the beginning of the beginning (unfolding)

Singer/Songwriter – Steven Curtis Chapman

 *   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

I need a rest tonight for sure and all the things going on in my life that I wish I could just skip.  Anyone with me?  As Christians and children of God, we aren’t immune from hard things.  But the neat thing is that God is in the middle of it all and His plan is perfect.  We just have to walk through with faith, knowing that it is all for His glory and all for our good.  The difference in the valleys now is I know He is with me and His grace is sufficient for everything in my life.  I’m at peace.

Steven Curtis Chapman wrote this song about life and how hard it can be.  But to have faith through it all that God is in control.  Sometimes we have an idea of what we think our life is going to be like, and sometimes it does feel like it is closing in on you but really it’s just the beginning.  God is writing your story and it is perfect.  We have to believe that what God has promised in His Word will come true and we will SEE one day that it was just the beginning.  And we will be amazed, I believe it and I believe in Him.

We were made for so much more than this world.  We are made to praise Him, and sing songs to Him, and just talk to Him. Isn’t it amazing that we don’t have to worry and stress about what will happen next because He already knows and He has got this under control.  And don’t forget that He loves you so much.  Just hang on for the “Glorious Unfolding.”

Let us pray: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for being constant and in control. Help us to rest in You and have faith that, no matter what we are going through right now, You are still writing our story.  And when we have doubts, lead us to Your Word for encouragement and truth.  We love You and we praise You for planning our lives before we were ever born.  One day we will see all this was for something, and for Your glory.  In Jesus’ name, amen.