May 12, 2025

Love Stepped In

July 22, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

He was preachin’ down off 3rd and Main as I was passin’ by
He was walking talking kinda crazy warnin’ us all ’bout the end of time
So out from the crowd, I just asked him how could God love a mess like me
He said, “Son, I’m a preacher now but that ain’t who I used to be”
He said

You’ll never know, you’ll never know
Just how far Love has brought me
You’ll never know who I used to be
Cause I’ve been around and I’ve been down
To the bottom of hell and back again
I was almost out, I was at my end
But then Love stepped in

She works downtown at the halfway house almost every day
All the love she has she just gives away
So I asked her why she spends so much time on the broken and the poor
And she just smiled at me and said “I’m not who I was before”
She said

You’ll never know, you’ll never know
Just how far love has brought me
You’ll never know who I used to be
Cause I’ve been around and I’ve been down
To the bottom of hell and back again
I was almost out, I was at my end
But then Love stepped in
Love stepped in

I look back sometimes over where I’ve been and just how far I’ve come
Since the day that preacher told me about His amazing love
I was lost and alone, then the lights came on and hope set my heart free
In the darkest hour grace got a hold of me, yeah

You’ll never know, you’ll never know
Just how far love has brought me
You’ll never know who I used to be, oh oh
Cause I’ve been around and I’ve been down
To the bottom of hell and back again
I was almost out, I was at my end
But then Love stepped in
Love stepped in

Written and Performed by ‘Finding Favour”
— along with Carl Cartee, Aaron Tomberlin, Nathan Tomberlin

 *   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   * 

I have a question on my heart to ask: Are you one of the ‘church’ people (religious) or do you love unconditionally just like Jesus did?

Love is very patient and kind, never jealous or envious,
never boastful or proud, never haughty or selfish or rude.
Love does not demand its own way.
It is not irritable or touchy.
It does not hold grudges and will hardly even notice when others do it wrong.
It is never glad about injustice, but rejoices whenever truth wins out.
If you love someone you will be loyal to him no matter what the cost. You will always believe in him, always expect the best of him,
and always stand your ground in defending him.
All the special gifts and powers from God will someday come to an end,
but love goes on forever…
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 TLB

There is no such thing as conditional love. Love is either unconditional or it’s no love. You might like someone conditionally based on their personality or behavior or circumstances. But love accepts no boundaries. So never say ‘I love you just because’, for love has no cause, love comes from God.
Let us be those who love unconditionally and not those who love with conditions….

Excerpt from Campus Crusade for Christ.org.
Here is a  link  to the entire article.

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Heavenly Father, help us to love others as You have loved us with a life-changing love that sees no conditions.  Help us to love others with only the authentic pure love that You have so freely given to us.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen!!

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

Be Still My Soul (I Rest In You)

July 20, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Be still, my soul; the Lord is on thy side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul; thy best, thy heavenly, Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul; thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence, let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul; the waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.

in You i rest
in You i found my hope
in You i trust You never let me go
i place my life within Your hands alone
be still my soul

Be still, my soul; the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul; when change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

Lyrics by Katharina von Schlegel, translated by Jane Borthwick
Set to the tune, Finlandia, by Jean Julius Sibelius
Additional Chorus by Kari Jobe & Jason Ingram

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<sigh!>  How many times have I encouraged…commanded even…my own heart to simply ‘be still.’  (Or perhaps more honestly: “BE STILL!!!!!”)  How about you?  I know that some of you are going through difficult times. There is doubt and uncertainty in your hearts.  There is turmoil and strife in your homes.  There is worry and fear.  There is unrest in the politics of this world.  There are many, many unanswered questions.

Here are a few passages that I call to mind (and heart!) when the struggle to be still is most difficult.  They help me to renew my mind and come back into His Presence.

Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.
Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.
For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.
Matthew 11:28-30

Rest in God alone, my soul, for my hope comes from Him.
He alone is my Rock and my Salvation, my Stronghold; I will not be shaken.
My salvation and glory depend on God, my Strong Rock. My Refuge is in God.
Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts before Him.
God is our Refuge. Selah
Psalms 62:5-8

You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind is stayed on You,
because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You.
So trust in the Lord (commit yourself to Him, lean on Him, hope confidently in Him) forever;
for the Lord God is an everlasting Rock.
Isaiah 62:3 and 4

But I trust in You, Lord; I say, “You are my God.”
The course of my life is in Your power;
deliver me from the power of my enemies
and from my persecutors.
Show Your favor to Your servant;
save me by Your faithful love.
Psalms 31:14-16

I love this old hymn! Both the lyrics as well as the tune always lead me into His Presence and acknowledging that He IS on my side…and He DOES guide the future and the past…and the hour is coming when we WILL be forever with Him!  Take these promises made to God’s man, Jeremiah, and claim them as yours….

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord,
plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will hear you.
You will seek Me and find Me, when you seek Me with all your heart.
I will be found by you, declares the Lord….
Jeremiah 29:11-14

Sing along with me, friends!  Let us choose to be still before our God recognizing all that He has promised to do when we are in humble submission and in quiet rest at His throne.

in You i rest
in You i found my hope
in You i trust, You never let me go
i place my life within Your hands alone
be still my soul

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

I Am

July 18, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv
There’s no space that His love can’t reach
There’s no place where we can’t’ find peace
There’s no end to amazing grace

Take me in with Your arms spread wide
Take me in like an orphan child
Never let go
Never leave my side

I am
Holding on to You
I am
Holding on to You
In the middle of the storm
I am holding on
I am

Love like this
Oh my God to find
I am overwhelmed
With a joy divine
Love like this sets our hearts on fire

This is my resurrection song
This is my hallelujah come
This is why it’s to You I run

There’s no space that His love can’t reach
There’s no place where we can’t find peace
There’s no end to amazing grace

Singer/Songwriter: David Crowder (with Ed Cash)

 *   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   * 

Have you ever felt you would never be at peace?  Have you ever felt like an orphan, all alone in this world?  Yep, me too.  More times than I would like to count.

I can be worse than a dog with a bone. Replaying events and conversations in my head… worrying and fretting.  I am unable to still my mind.     Peace is elusive. These verses reassure me:

Psalm 29:11(HCSB)
The Lord gives His people strength; the Lord blesses His people with peace.

Psalm 35:27 (NLT)
Great is the Lord, who delights in blessing his servant with peace!

John 14:27 (NLT)
I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give.

John 16:33 (NIV)
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.

And that is all the reassurance I need.  There is no end to God’s amazing grace.

I posted this song on my FaceBook timeline last week.  It resonates with me.  As this song plays in my head I am reminded that there is no place, there is no space His love cannot reach.

Psalm 86:13(AMP) reaffirms this:
For great is Your mercy and loving-kindness toward me; and You have delivered me
from the depths of Sheol [from the exceeding depths of affliction].

If He can deliver me from my afflictions—from the very depths of Hell—His love can reach whatever mucky pit I am in.  The only place you and I can find love like this is wrapped in God’s arms.  His arms are always open wide just waiting for us to run to Him.  I am overwhelmed with joy.

So I run to Him — daily.  When things are good AND when things aren’t so good.  I hold on to Him tightly, especially during the storms.  He never lets go.  He never leaves my side.

This is my resurrection song
This is my hallelujah come
This is why it’s to You I run

I am holding on to Him. What are you holding onto?

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Dive

July 17, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

The long awaited rains
Have fallen hard upon the thirsty ground
And carved their way to where
The wild and rushing river can be found
And like the rain
I have been carried here to where the river flows, yeah
My heart is racing and my knees are weak
As I walk to the edge
I know there is no turning back
Once my feet have left the ledge
And in the rush I hear a voice
That’s telling me it’s time to take the leap of faith
So here I go

I’m diving in, I’m going deep, in over my head I want to be
Caught in the rush, tossed in the flow, in over my head I want to go
The river’s deep, the river’s wide, the river’s water is alive
So sink or swim, I’m diving in (I’m diving in…)

There is a supernatural power
In this mighty river’s flow
It can bring the dead to life
And it can fill an empty soul
And give a heart the only thing
Worth living and worth dying for, yeah
But we will never know the awesome power
Of the grace of God
Until we let ourselves get swept away
Into this holy flood
So if you’ll take my hand
We’ll close our eyes and count to three
And take the leap of faith
Come on let’s go

I’m diving in, I’m going deep, in over my head I want to be
Caught in the rush, tossed in the flow, in over my head I want to go
The river’s deep, the river’s wide, the river’s water is alive
So sink or swim, I’m diving in, yeah
I’m diving in, I’m diving in, yeah
I’m diving in, yeah, here I go
Come on let’s go

 Singer/Songwriter: Steven Curtis Chapman

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What does it mean to take a leap of faith?  It means to dive in completely…to trust God with everything and hold nothing back.  No borders.  No fear.  Just complete and total faith in Him.  Wherever He calls you.  Knowing His plans for you are good as Jeremiah 29:11 states.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord,
plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

This excerpt from the devotional section of CBN.com sums it up so beautifully.

“The Bible says, in James 2:26, that faith without works is dead. I have learned that faith with works (action) is alive. Faith without works (action) can become an unfulfilled fantasy. For if I have faith that God is leading me, but I do not follow or act on it, then faith turns to doubt and my inaction leads to death; the death of my faith and the death of my dream. This is a horrible state in which to exist.

Unfulfilled faith creeps into one’s life like oil into water. Just as oil pollutes, leaving a nasty film which ruins the purity of the water – so doubt, solidified by inaction, covers the purity of faith; rendering it polluted, unfit, and unusable. Faith activated by works (action) skims the doubt that covers the water of life, cleans it, and recovers the purity of the gift that obedience brings to fruition.

We must be doers of the word and not just hearers. It is so human to hear the word, rejoice in what we hear, and then…. ponder. Pondering plants seeds of doubt, which grows into the mighty tree of procrastination, that bears the poisonous leaves of inaction.”

www.cbn.com/spirituallife/Devotions/markland_leap

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Oh Father, may we choose to take that leap of faith and dive in fully and completely, trusting in You.  Knowing that there is supernatural power in the flow.  In over my head I want to go…in Jesus’ name…amen!!!

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

Waterfall

July 16, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Oh God, my God I seek You
I wanna move when You move
You’re more than I could long for
I thirst for You

You’re an ocean to my soul
To my soul

Your love is like a waterfall, waterfall
Running wild and free
You hear my heart when I call, when I call
Deep calls, too deep
Your love is like a waterfall, waterfall
Raining down on me

Waterfall, waterfall

Oh God, my God I seek You
In this dry and desert land
You lead me to streams of mercy
Once again

You’re an ocean to my soul
To my soul

Your love is like a waterfall, waterfall
Running wild and free
You hear my heart when I call, when I call
Deep calls, too deep
Your love is like a waterfall, waterfall
Raining down on me

Waterfall, waterfall

It’s coming like a flood
I’m dancing in the rain
Everything I’ve done
Is covered in rivers of grace, amazing

It’s coming like a flood
I’m dancing in the rain
I lift up my hands
Your love never changes, amazing

Your love is like a waterfall, waterfall
Running wild and free
You hear my heart when I call, when I call
Deep calls, too deep
Your love is like a waterfall, waterfall
Raining down on me

Waterfall, waterfall

 

Songwriters: Chris Tomlin and Ed Cash

May I suggest you play this song as you read this post?

As I am writing this, it is raining outside, water is coming down in sheets, and dripping off the house and palm trees.  It is so peaceful and I am reminded of God’s love.  It washes all over me and so does His grace.  And just like the song says, His ‘love never changes.’  It is the only constant in our lives.

Water is something we thirst for and our bodies are created to need it always. And we need our God and we were created to thirst for more of Him.  He tells us  to come to the water and drink of the cup of eternal life.  You will never be thirsty again.  His love is like a waterfall—always flowing and so deep we cannot see the bottom.  He does hear us when we call and He is so worthy to be praised!  Don’t you just want to lift your hands to Heaven and sing this at the top of your lungs?

And when we are at the end of our rope and we are in the desert, He leads us to the stream to drink of His goodness.  There is always a well for us to drink from.   His love never runs out and His mercy never ends.  So today, let His love wash over you and accept His grace. You are His, therefore you are worthy.  If you are in the valley, there is a creek nearby.  Let God lead you there.  His love is like a waterfall.

Let us pray: Dear God, we thank You for Your love for us that flows so freely. Thank You that You are the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.  Lord, we praise You for Who You are.  You are our Creator and our Father.  You are our Stronghold and our Portion, and You are all we need.  In the times when we feel unworthy, You draw us close and fill us with Your love and peace.  Thank You for letting us feel Your presence.  We lift up our hands today in praise!  We are grateful for everything You give, for all You give is good.  We pray this in Jesus’ name, amen.

 

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

Greater

July 14, 2014 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
Everyday I wrestle with the voices
That keep telling me I’m not right
But that’s alright

‘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

(He’s greater, He’s greater)

There’ll be days I lose the battle
Grace says that 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)

My God is greater than he who is living in the world

Songwriters/Singers: MercyMe (along with Ben Glover, David Garcia)

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Ever felt persecuted for being slightly different?  I have.  Most of my life I have been different from most other kids my age.  You see, I came from a dysfunctional family.  My birth parents were not able to care for me so I was brought up by my aunt and uncle.  I felt from an early age that I did not ‘belong’ to them.

Then when I went to school, and I felt rejected by the kids.  No one would play with me on the playground at recess.  Oh, how I cried one time!  Then we moved to the country from the city.  Away from neighborhood friends that I had made to having no friends.  (Or so I thought.)  Here I was able to attend a school where they were nice and friendlier.  They still teased me and I was not able to accept it at that time, but looking back that was the happiest time of my young life.  As I became older, I was able to go to church and there I received the good news about God and how He loved me enough to send Jesus to die for me on the Cross for my sins.

Jesus was there for me when I went through some bad times—circumstances thrust upon me and circumstances of my own creation.  I can only rely on my heavenly Father for my strength.  His grace is sufficient for me to get through my issues. As time goes by, little things come to mind that I need to forgive and release their hold on me. That is why my God is greater than all of the hurt, all of the words spoken and not spoken.  God gives us healing words—words to flow over our wounds to heal them.  Praise God!

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Father, thank You for being greater than my issues. Thank You for Your Word that will forever speak to me and those who have listening ears.  I love You and pray that You will forgive us when we try to fix things on our own without seeking You and Your wisdom first.  Thank You for being there when I needed You!  In Jesus’ name, Amen!

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

Waiting Here For You

July 13, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

If faith can move the mountains
Let the mountains move
We come with expectation
Waiting here for you, I’m waiting here for you

You’re the Lord of all creation
And still You know my heart
The Author of Salvation
You’ve loved us from the start

Waiting here for You
With our hands lifted high in praise
And it’s You we adore
Singing Alleluia

You are everything You’ve promised
Your faithfulness is true
And we’re desperate for Your presence
All we need is You

Waiting here for You
With our hands lifted high in praise
And it’s You we adore
Singing Alleluia
Singing Alleluia

Songwriters: Chris Tomlin, Jesse Reeves, Martin Smith

Performed by Martin Smith and Jesus Culture

 *   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   * 

This song sings of the proper heart-attitude of one who is waiting in expectation of God’s blessing. It sings of quiet confidence in the Creator of the heavens and the earth…and His not being so big to not know the depths of each of our hearts. It tells of desperately needing yet expectantly waiting for God. It speaks the praises of one who is convinced that God is present and faithful and loving.

As I’ve been listening again (and again) to this song, I’ve thought of some folks I know who are currently praying and waiting. Their desires and expectations run quite the gamut as they wait…

  • as a loved one is dying, and expecting God to give them relief and comfort
  • for God’s provision in the area of their finances
  • for God’s blessing and healing of division in their marriage
  • for the safety and return of a loved one serving in the military overseas
  • to see God provide reconciliation amongst family members
  • on God’s timing to move their family cross-country
  • for miraculous healing from cancer
  • for the birth of their first child

Their needs are varied and their needs are great.  These are not small, inconsequential matters.  Yet each one is waiting expectantly and remain convinced that God will provide. Their hope is in Him.

My soul, wait only upon God and silently submit to Him;
for my hope and expectation are from Him.
He only is my Rock and my Salvation;
He is my Defense and my Fortress, I shall not be moved.
With God rests my salvation and my glory;
He is my Rock of unyielding strength and impenetrable hardness, and my refuge is in God!
Trust in, lean on, rely on, and have confidence in Him at all times, you people;
Pour out your hearts before Him.
God is a refuge for us (a fortress and a high tower). Selah
Psalms 62:5-8

And we wait also for the <soon> return of our Lord to the earth to gather the saints.  This is a constant yearning expectation of ours!  Come quickly, Lord Jesus!

…So Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time,
not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.
Hebrews 9:28

Perhaps, there is something that you are waiting for God to do in your life. Just as Jesus will faithfully fulfil His promise to return to the Earth, He will also fulfill His promises for your life. We always base our expectations and our hope on the Truth—God’s Holy Word. God will bring every promise He has ever made to pass. He is faithful.

Yes, in the path of Your judgments, O Lord, we wait [expectantly] for You;
our heartfelt desire is for Your name and for the remembrance of You.
Isaiah 26:8

Just as Isaiah encouraged the people of Israel, so the same Truth applies to our hearts as we endeavor to faithfully walk as we wait on the fulfillment of God’s promises.

Isaiah 40:28-31 says,

Do you not know?  Have you not heard?  The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.  He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom.  He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.  Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

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I pray for you that you will have courage and strength as you wait upon the Lord for deliverance and for Him to fulfil His plans and purpose for your life.  No matter where you are today in your waiting for the Lord…if you have been waiting one day or one year…I pray you are filled with expectation!  No matter how large and life-changing your need might be, or perhaps it is very small and intimate—known only to you and your heavenly Father, I pray that You are filled with expectation.  I pray that your expectation is focused solely on the goodness, the grace, the mercy, the lovingkindness of the Great I AM.  I pray that you sing HalleluJAH in worship-filled praise today as you wait…and that you will sing HALLELUJAH! when your expectation is fulfilled by His love and grace.

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

Ancient Of Days

July 12, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Blessing and honor, glory and power
Be unto the Ancient of Days
From every nation, all of creation
Bow before the Ancient of Days

Every tongue in heaven and earth shall declare your glory
Every knee shall bow at your throne in worship
You will be exalted oh God and your kingdom
Shall not pass away, oh Ancient of Days

Your kingdom shall reign over all the earth
Sing to the Ancient of Days
For none can compare to your matchless worth
Sing to the Ancient of Days

Every tongue in heaven and earth shall declare your glory
Every knee shall bow at your throne in worship
You will be exalted oh God and your kingdom
Shall not pass away, oh Ancient of Days

Oh Ancient of Days
Oh Ancient of Days
Oh Ancient of Days
Oh Ancient of Days

Your kingdom shall reign over all the earth
Sing to the Ancient of Days
For none can compare to your matchless worth
Sing to the Ancient of Days

Composed by Ron Kenoly

 *   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   * 

As I looked, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took His seat.
His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of His head was white like wool.
His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze.
Daniel 7:9

There are only three verses in the entire Bible that use the title, ‘Ancient of Days’: Daniel 7:9, 13, and 22. Verses 9 and 13, refer to God the Father on the Throne, and verse 22 speaks of Jesus Christ coming as Judge in the end-times.

Throughout the Bible there are many more verses that refer to God’s eternalness and His justice. The Ancient of Days deserves our reverence and worship.   Here’s just a few:

Isaiah 43:13

  • God refers to Himself from ancient days (eternity to eternity,) meaning that He existed before time was created (Genesis 1.)

Psalm 90:2

  • He is from everlasting to everlasting.

Isaiah 44:6

  • God is the First and the Last.

Revelation 1:8

  • Jesus says of Himself,

“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending…
which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.”

Revelation 4:8-11

Each of the four living creatures … Day and night they never stop saying:
‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, Who was, and is, and is to come.’

Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne and Who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him and worship Him who lives for ever and ever.  They lay their crowns before the throne and say: ‘You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they were created and have their being’” (Revelation 4:11).

Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and Your dominion endures through all generations.
The Lord is trustworthy in all He promises and faithful in all He does.
Psalm 145:13

What an awesome God! I am humbled that this mighty and eternal God is merciful in His judgment and trustworthy in His promises, and yet calls me (and you) to Himself.

Before Me every knee will bow; by Me every tongue will swear.
They will say of Me, ‘In the Lord alone are deliverance and strength.’
Isaiah 45:22-23

That’s where I want to be—on my knees confessing Jesus as my Lord!

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Dear Lord Almighty, the Ancient of Days, You are from everlasting to everlasting!  You, and You alone, are worthy of all glory, honor, and praise.  You are our merciful Lord, Savior, and Judge.  Thank You for keeping all of Your promises.  We look forward to spending now and eternity worshipping and serving You.  In the Precious name of Jesus, Amen.

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Click here for a wonderful article giving further understanding of the term ‘Ancient of Days’.

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Your Grace Finds Me

July 10, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

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

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

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

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

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

 Singer / Songwriter Matt Redman (with Jonas Myrin)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Overwhelmed

July 9, 2014 by

I see the work of Your Hands
Galaxies spin in a Heavenly dance, oh God
All that You are is so overwhelming

And I hear the sound of Your Voice
All at once it’s a gentle and thundering noise oh God
All that You are is so overwhelming

I delight myself in You
Captivated by Your beauty
I’m overwhelmed, I’m overwhelmed by You

And God, I run into Your arms
Unashamed because of mercy
I’m overwhelmed, I’m overwhelmed by You

I know the power of Your Cross
Forgiven and free forever You’ll be my God

And all that You’ve done is so overwhelming
I delight myself in You
In the Glory of Your Presence
I’m overwhelmed, I’m overwhelmed by You

And God, I run into Your arms
Unashamed because of mercy
I’m overwhelmed, I’m overwhelmed by You

You are Beautiful, You are Beautiful
Oh God, there is no one more Beautiful
You are Beautiful, God you are the most Beautiful

You are Wonderful, You are Wonderful
Oh God, there is no one more Wonderful
You are Wonderful, God You are the most Wonderful

Yes, You are Glorious, You are Glorious
Oh God, there is no one more Glorious
You are Glorious, God you are the most Glorious

I delight myself in You
In the Glory of Your Presence
I’m overwhelmed, I’m overwhelmed by You

And God, I run into Your arms
Unashamed because of mercy
I’m overwhelmed, I’m overwhelmed by You
I’m overwhelmed, I’m overwhelmed by You

There is no one more Beautiful
God You are the most Beautiful  

 Sung by Big Daddy Weave  (Music and Lyrics by Mike Weaver/Phil Wickham)

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Have you ever just heard God’s voice so clear, over the noise of all that is around you?  As we were coming home the other night from our anniversary dinner, kids included, this very song came on and I felt His presence.  I heard His voice and I was overwhelmed.  I immediately went to iTunes and found it and downloaded it so I could be taken away to that place again. A place that I literally felt like I was sitting at His feet and looking at the glory that shone around Him and I was calm. Isn’t He just amazing?

Just to see the work of His hands, the green grass and color splashes all over in the different flowers. To see the oceans and the sandy beaches and the sea shells that make perfect homes for the sea critters. Only God. And to hear the sound of His voice, in loud yet gentle ways, is so overwhelming. The thunder and lightning and rain at just the right times. I’m in awe of our Creator.

“Lord, the way You wait patiently for us to find our way home after a hard, tiring road we took, and the grace and mercy that are ours for free, a gift from You, the Lover of our souls. The Cross that Your Son died on to save us from our sins, so that we could live free here on earth and one day go to Heaven to be with You for eternity, is so overwhelming and we are forever grateful!”

When the chorus plays, I turn it up really loud and I can’t help the tears that fall at the sound of His name, “God, all that You are, is so overwhelming…I delight myself in You, captivated by Your beauty, I’m overwhelmed by You…God, I run into Your arms, unashamed because of mercy, I’m overwhelmed by You…You are beautiful, oh God, there is no one more beautiful…You are wonderful, oh God, there is no one more wonderful, You are the most wonderful!”  Chills run down my spine that the Lord of everything is in love with me and that He is overwhelmed by me and I by Him. And He loves you so much.  So today, find a phrase of this song, write it on a notecard in big letters, and place it somewhere that you will see it and be reminded of all that He is and all that He has done and the love He has for all of us and the love you have for Him. I pray you hear Him today….

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Let us pray:  Oh Lord, all that You are is overwhelming. Your beauty is beyond compare and Your mercy is so freely given even though we don’t deserve it. Thank You for open arms that wrap us in them and shelter us from this world that sometimes is too much. And may someone hear today from this song, the hope and the message that You want for them to hear. We love You and we praise You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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