November 5, 2024

Forever

November 9, 2015 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Give thanks to the Lord
Our God and King
His love endures forever
For He is good, He is above all things
His love endures forever
Sing praise, sing praise

With a mighty hand
and outstretched arm
His love endures forever
For the life that’s been reborn
His love endures forever
Sing praise, sing praise
Sing praise, sing praise

Forever God is faithful
Forever God is strong
Forever God is with us
Forever
Forever

From the rising to the setting sun
His love endures forever
By the grace of God
We will carry on
His love endures forever
Sing praise, sing praise
Sing praise, sing praise

His love endures forever
His love endures forever
His love endures forever
Forever
Sing praise, sing praise
Sing praise, sing praise
Yeah
Forever you are faithful
Forever you are strong
Forever you are with us
Forever
And ever
Yeah

Chris Tomlin
Written by Lamont Herbert Dozier, Brian Holland and Freddie Gorman

*   ~   ♥   ~    ✞    ~   ♥   ~   *

Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;
His faithful love endures forever.
Let Israel say, “His faithful love endures forever.”
Psalms 118:1-2 HCSB

Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;
His faithful love endures forever.
Psalm 118:29 HCSB

Hallelujah! Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;
His faithful love endures forever.
Psalm 106:1 HCSB

Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;
His faithful love endures forever.
Psalm 107:1 HCSB

Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good. His love is eternal.
Psalm 136:1

Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;
His faithful love endures forever.
1 Chronicles 16:34 HCSB

Repetition emphasizes that which is important.  It makes a point obvious. My first thought was to write on the three obvious points that both this song and these scriptures make…

1) God is good. That’s who He is, it is a part of His character, His nature
2) His faithful loves endures forever
3) we are to give thanks to the Lord for the previous two reasons

But I kept getting hung up on forever.  Dictionary.com defines forever as: without ever ending, eternally; continually, always; an endless period of time.  ‘Limitless’ is another definition that comes to mind.  There is nothing on earth that can be described or defined this way. Yet multiple times forever is used in regards to God:

His throne is forever – Psalm 45:6
His love and mercy endures forever – Psalm 136:26
His reign is forever – Psalm 146:10
All God does lasts forever – Ecclesiastes 3:14
He destroys death forever – Isaiah 25:8
He is steadfast forever and His dominion is forever – Daniel 6:26

And these are just a few I found in the Old Testament. Very few things in this world are constant.  And there isn’t much we can depend or rely on. People and things will always let us down.  But God’s love is limitless. His mercy is bottomless, His dominion is boundless and His reign is endless. God is steadfast, faithful and enduring. When the world crashes down around us, He remains with us. Forever. Forever God is faithful.  So let’s sing praise:

Give thanks to the Lord
Our God and King
His love endures forever
For He is good, He is above all things
His love endures forever

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

You Love Me Anyway

November 8, 2015 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

The question was raised
As my conscience fell
A silly, little lie
It didn’t mean much
But it lingers still
In the corners of my mind

Still You call me to walk
On the edge of this world
To spread my dreams and fly
But the future’s so far
My heart is so frail
I think I’d rather stay inside

But You love me anyway
It’s like nothing in life that I’ve ever known
Yes, You love me anyway
Oh Lord, how You love me
How You love me

It took more than my strength
To simply be still
To seek but never find
All the reasons we change
The reasons I doubt
And why do loved ones have to die

I am the thorn in Your crown
But You love me anyway
I am the sweat from Your brow
But You love me anyway
I am the nail in Your wrist
But You love me anyway
I am Judas’ kiss
But You love me anyway

See now, I am the man who yelled out from the crowd
For Your blood to be spilled on this earth shaking ground
Yes then, I turned away with a smile on my face
With this sin in my heart tried to bury Your grace
And then alone in the night, I still called out for You
So ashamed of my life, my life, my life

You love me, yes You love me
How You love me
How You love me
How You love me

Sidewalk Prophets
written by Ben McDonald, Dave Frey, Mark DeLavergne

*   ~   ♥   ~    ✞    ~   ♥   ~   *

Some days are so hard that you can barely put one foot in front of the other. You really want to stay in bed and pull the covers over your head and let the world pass you by.  But even on these darkest days, there is a Father Who loves you so very much and He created you, just to spend time with you.  In fact, He knew that you wouldn’t be perfect and that you would have these days.  He even sent His only Son to die in your place so that you could spend eternity with Him.

Every sin that we would ever commit has already been paid for…with love. Every lie that had ever been told has been forgiven…by love. Every wrong has been redeemed…by love. When you think that all is hopeless, God whispers to you, “Beloved, you are Mine and I love you…”

The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying:
“I have loved you with an everlasting love;
I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.”
Jeremiah 31:3

So as you listen to this song today, I pray that you feel loved and adored by your Heavenly Father!

*   ~   ♥   ~    ✞    ~   ♥   ~   *

Let us pray: Dear Lord, thank You for loving us and for wanting to spend time with us.  Thank You that no matter what we do or think or say that there is no end to Your forgiveness for us.  Your grace is sufficient and free and when Jesus came to take our place, Heaven became our home…and, oh, how grateful we are.  Lord, wrap Your arms around those who are hurting today, whose hearts have been broken.  Give them comfort and joy and peace in the midst of their circumstances. We love You and praise You.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

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

All Eyes On You

November 6, 2015 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv
Everything else fades away
When You step on the scene
In my heart take center stage
And I’ll follow Your lead

Yeah let me step aside
And put Your name in lights
Headline this life

All eyes on You
In everything I do
Everywhere I move
Let Your love shine through
So all the world can see
You’ve taken over me
Let me be a reflection of Your truth (and turn) 
All eyes on You

You burn brighter than a million stars
And nothing can compare
Let me shadow who You are
Every second and everywhere

Yeah I was blind but now I see
You gave it all to set me free
So everyday till my time is gone
I’ll live my life turning eyes on

No matter where I am
No matter who I’m with
With everything I do let it point to You

OBB
~  Zach, Jacob, and Nich Oswald

*  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

I have been offering support to the families of hospice patients for almost six years now.  I have been blessed to witness many stories, struggles, and victories over the years.  Through everything I’ve heard, there has been one general thought that continues to present itself.  This thought surrounds the loss of direction, a loss of focus.  We tend to not know where to look or turn, if even for an instant, when something unexpected occurs.  Not just in grief, but also in fear, in sadness, in anger, we tend to lose focus on where we need to be looking—on Who we need to be looking at.   This song states perfectly Who we do, in fact, need to be focusing on—“All eyes on You…”.

In everything, we need to be focusing on and walking towards and planting our hearts and minds on one thing…on one Person, God.  The Bible states numerous times that He is our Strength, our Refuge, our Fortress, our sense of Strength.  And when we focus on Him during those unexpected times, as well as during the good times, really during all times, we will never lose focus.  We will never feel lost, and we will be an example to those around us to do the same.

Ladies, remember today to keep all eyes on Him, in everything we say and in everything we do.

*  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

Let’s pray: Dear Heavenly Father, You are the only direction we need, when we need to know where to go.  You are the beacon of Light for us and for the world.  Your love guides us when it seems as if nothing else will.  Thank You for that love that shines through our darkest times.  In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

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

You Are My Hiding Place

November 4, 2015 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

You are my hiding place
You always fill my heart
With songs of deliverance
Whenever I am afraid
I will trust in You

I will trust in You
Let the weak say
I am strong
In the strength of the Lord

Selah
written by Michael Ledner

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble;
You surround me with songs of deliverance.  Selah.
Psalm 32:7

Sometimes we find ourselves in the place where we want to hide…to be in a secret spot…away from trouble and strife. At those times, it is best not to run and isolate; and try to be alone. It is best to seek our God.

Then you will call upon Me, and you will come and pray to Me,
and I will hear and heed you.
Then you will seek Me, inquire for, and require Me [as a vital necessity]
and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:12 and 13

To know God’s promises brings such peace and comfort to our minds, does it not?  Here we read of His particular promise to hear when we call and His promise to be found when we seek Him.  His promise to us (to me and you!) is so simple! Listen…

my part: call upon Him…seek Him with my whole heart
His part: He will hear and heed…He will be found

The psalmist surely understood these promises!  David was chased, hunted down by Saul and his army.  He had to hide in caves and amongst the rocks on the cliffs.  He was all alone during most of this time…alone—except for the abiding Presence of his God!  David knew that his God would hide him.

For in the day of trouble He will hide me in His shelter;
in the secret place of His tent will He hide me;
He will set me high upon a rock.
Psalm 27:5

For David this was literally true.  For us, however, most of our ‘hiding’ is not out in the wilderness.  Our hiding is in plain sight—we hide our hearts, our feelings, our thoughts.  But we can turn to the One Who loves us so and seek Him.  And when we do, He will be found.  And He will hide us in His shelter.

Think back…maybe you don’t need to go too far into your memories…to a time when you called out to your heavenly Father and sought Him with all your heart.  When, perhaps, you were going through a situation and you needed His protection over your heart. When He heard you…and was found by you…and He hid you (your feelings, your thoughts, your heart).  How did you feel then? Did you have that “…peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, <which> will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus?” (Philippians 4:7) I trust you did!

And so I encourage you, my friends, cling to His promises and purposefully take a stand on them!  He will hide you!  Trust Him knowing that,

I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living!
Wait for the Lord;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the Lord!
Psalms 27:13 and 14

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Lord, thank You for Your promises!  Thank You for Your love!  Thank You for the joy of knowing You will hide us!  Thank You for the peace we have that is beyond our ablity to understand…but we do trust You and we do believe!!!  Thank You in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

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

Already There

November 3, 2015 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

From where I’m standing
Lord, it’s so hard for me to see
Where this is going
And where You’re leading me
I wish I knew how
All my fears and all my questions
Are going to play out
In a world I can’t control

When I’m lost in the mystery
To You my future is a memory

‘Cause You’re already there
You’re already there
Standing at the end of my life
Waiting on the other side
And You’re already there
You’re already there

From where You’re standing
Lord, You see a grand design
That You imagined
When You breathed me into life
And all the chaos
Comes together in Your hands
Like a masterpiece
Of Your picture-perfect plan

When I’m lost in the mystery
To You my future is a memory

One day I’ll stand before You
And look back on the life I’ve lived
I can’t wait to enjoy the view
And see how all the pieces fit

One day I’ll stand before You
And look back on the life I’ve lived

Casting Crowns
Songwriters: Matthew West, John Mark Hall, Bernie Herms

*   ~   ♥   ~    ✞    ~   ♥   ~   *

This morning my mother-in-law, Martha, got up to tell my husband she was not feeling well.  She had been up since 2 a.m. with a headache and could not go to sleep.  You see, she had fallen on Saturday afternoon and bumped her head.  Nikki and I did not tell John, because Martha had asked us not to.  So I had to tell him what happened with her by my side and he fussed, but she quieted him down.  So off to the emergency room they went at 4:10 a.m.  Thank goodness they were able to get in and out quickly.  They performed a CT scan and she is fine.  They came back home, he went to work, she started preparing breakfast, and I left for work.  I am glad it was nothing.  But there are some things we need to work out still with her in the household. I should have told John so we could have taken her Saturday afternoon and had her checked out then.

As we get older and have to live with our children or in a facility for seniors, God is there to watch over us.  He knows what our future holds.  It is up to us how we are to live it.  Should we live in fear or in dread?  No, God is already there, waiting, preparing the way for us. All we have to do is seek His will for us with earnest intentions and know with confidence that God will work it all out for His glory.  Look at Paul…he knew from visions God had given him what was waiting for him in Jerusalem, and he still pursued the mission God had given him (Acts 20:17-38).  Paul knew what was most important.

*   ~   ♥   ~    ✞    ~   ♥   ~   *

Father, help us develop the passion Paul had to serve You no matter what.  Help us to achieve and see joy and opportunity to do our best for you in all situations.  We have lost our way and do not see what we need to do any more.  Give us courage to tell others about You.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

 

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

Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door

November 2, 2015 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

In my closet
A spot is worn from hours and hours upon my knees
I step inside
The quiet’s like a doorway to a world of peace

One thing I don’t worry ’bout
I can’t wear my welcome out

I keep knock, knock
Knockin’ on heaven’s door
I keep talk, talk
Talkin’ cause your answer, Lord

Won’t be stop, stop
Stoppin’ so be listening for me
I’m knock, knock
Knockin’ on heaven’s door

I’m not a poet
No, it’s not like me to speak in flowery words
Not a prophet
Not at least in these parts
That would be unheard of

But my heart speaks loud and clear
And since my prayers are answered here

Whisper what you’re feeling
Shout it at the ceiling
Nothing’s gonna fall on deaf ears
Ask Him for His mercy
Pray away your worries
What do you want heaven to hear
Bless the world around you
Pray His peace surrounds you
Thank Him for His favor
Simply praise the Savior

Avalon
Written by Grant Cunningham & Matt Huesmann

*   ~   ♥   ~    ✞    ~   ♥   ~   *

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.
Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all he has done.
Philippians 4:6 NLT

This verse is one of my life verses.  It was one of my grandmother’s favorites. It saw our youngest daughter through times of trouble in high school and she often included it in her email signature.  It is multiple life lessons wrapped up in one concise verse—applicable anytime, anywhere.  Prayer is a power tool in our toolbox of life.

I hold conversations with God throughout the day.  But, after seeing the movie “War Room”, I wondered if my prayers could be more—if I could be a prayer warrior like Miss Clara.  This song reminds us of three things we can do to make our prayers more fervent and earnest.  As I started searching for Scriptures on prayer I found the same 3 lessons.

Prayer requires Persistence, Participation, Privacy

Persistence
In Luke 11:9 (AMP) Jesus calls us to be persistent.

“So I say to you, Ask and keep on asking and it shall be given you;
seek and keep on seeking and you shall find;
knock and keep on knocking and the door shall be opened to you.”

Sometimes prayer isn’t a “one and done” kind of thing.  If we don’t get an answer, Jesus reminds us to keep asking until we do.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 AMP reiterates this – “be unceasing and persistent in prayer”.  Effective prayers require persistence.  So “keep knock, knock, knockin’ on heaven’s door…“.

Active Participation
Matthew 26:41 AMP tells us,

Keep actively watching and praying
that you may not come into temptation;
the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

We need to be aware when we pray, blocking out distractions. Have you ever been talking to someone and realized they were not giving you their full attention? Annoying, isn’t it? Imagine how God feels when we pray like that. 1 Timothy 2:8 AMP gives us instructions on how to be actively involved in our prayers.

Therefore I want the men in every place to pray,
lifting up holy hands, without anger and disputing
or quarreling or doubt [in their mind].

(As I read that verse an image of hands lifted in surrender, palms outstretched to God came to mind).  Exodus 9:29 NLT gives us an example of Moses doing this: ““As soon as I leave the city, I will lift(stretch out, spread out) my hands and pray to the Lord.”  Prayer requires active participation, mentally as well as physically.  So “keep knock, knock, knockin’ on heaven’s door...”

Privacy
Matthew 6:6 HCSB is a well known verse instructing us to pray in private:

But when you pray, go into your private room,
shut your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Continuing in verses 5 and 7 are additional reasons why we are to pray privately.

Whenever you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites,
because they love to pray standing in the synagogues
and on the street corners to be seen by people.
I assure you: They’ve got their reward!
When you pray, don’t babble like the idolaters,
since they imagine they’ll be heard for their many words.

Prayer isn’t for show or about maintaining a reputation.  Prayer is about communicating with God.  Job 16:17 NLT reminds us our prayers are to be pure. Exodus 8:29 and 9:29 say that Moses “went out” from the Pharaoh before praying. Numerous times Jesus prayed in private: “…He went off to the mountain to pray,” (Luke 6:12 NASB) and “… as He was alone praying, that His disciples joined Him,” (Luke 9:18 NKJV).

Praying privately keeps us focused on Who we are talking to and what we are praying about.  I want to have “…in my closet a spot is worn from hours and hours upon my knees“.  I want to be that kind of prayer warrior, don’t you?

Praying in private also gives us the opportunity to “hear” God’s reply.  And I don’t want to miss that.  So “keep talk, talk, talkin’ cause Your answer, Lord…”

Our prayers can bring us peace, intercede on the behalf of others, provide comfort, make our requests known and give us the chance to express our gratefulness to God.  I want my earnest, fervent prayers to “availeth much” (James 5:16 KJV).  To paraphrase Philippians 4:6…

Ask Him for His mercy
Pray away your worries
Bless the world around you
Pray His peace surrounds you
Thank Him for His favor
Simply praise the Savior

Because that is what prayer is really all about, isn’t it?

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

Hello My Name Is

November 1, 2015 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Hello, my name is regret
I’m pretty sure we have met
Every single day of your life
I’m the whisper inside
That won’t let you forget

Hello, my name is defeat
I know you recognize me
Just when you think you can win
I’ll drag you right back down again
‘Til you’ve lost all belief

Oh, these are the voices. Oh, these are the lies
And I have believed them for the very last time

Hello, my name is child of the one true King
I’ve been saved, I’ve been changed, I have been set free
“Amazing Grace” is the song I sing
Hello, my name is child of the one true King

I am no longer defined
By all the wreckage behind
The one who makes all things new
Has proven it’s true
Just take a look at my life

What love the Father has lavished upon us
That we should be called His children
I am a child of the one true King

Matthew West

*   ~   ♥   ~    ✞    ~   ♥   ~   *

When you look in the mirror…what do you see?  When you talk to yourself…what names do you call yourself?

In the morning, when the alarm clock goes off late and the lunches aren’t made and that pair of shorts that she just had to wear…well, they aren’t quite dry….  Your name becomes ‘failure’.  You say things like, “I ALWAYS mess up everything.”  “I will NEVER succeed at this mom thing.”  But God says: “You are My child and I love You”

The LORD appeared to him from far away.
I have loved you with an everlasting love;
therefore, I have continued to extend faithful love to you.
Jeremiah 31:3

Perhaps you have been struggling with a habit, and you have been so good; and then you have a hard week and you mess up.  You call yourself…”mistake.”  But God calls you “beloved.”  He loves you so much that He sent His own Son to die in your place!

For God loved the world in this way:
He gave His One and Only Son,
so that everyone who believes in Him
will not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16

Perhaps your marriage isn’t what you thought it would be…and everywhere you look, you see everyone else succeeding at their marriage.  Maybe you have been previously married.  You label yourself a “mess-up.”  But God sees you as His beautiful child that just needs to lean on Him a little bit more.  He wants you to know that nothing is impossible when He is involved!

For nothing is impossible with God.
Luke 1:37

Next time that you are tempted to call yourself names, make sure to use the ones that your Father gave you!  And if you don’t know any, please read His love letters to you in His Word.

Because you are…

  • loved
  • wanted
  • redeemed
  • forgiven
  • free
  • embraced
  • beloved
  • white as snow…and so much more!

And most of all, you are HIS!

*   ~   ♥   ~    ✞    ~   ♥   ~   *

Let us pray: Dear God, Your voice is the only one that matters.  Thank You for loving us so much and for sending Jesus to die in our place. Lord, some days we believe those lies that the enemy whispers in our ear and we get so discouraged.  Please forgive us for allowing these words to define us for You have already named us and claimed us as Yours.  I pray today that Your voice is the only one that we hear and that the names we call ourselves from now on only come from You!  Oh Lord, You are our Fortress and our Provider.  You are the only constant in our lives and we trust in You!  We love You and praise You.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

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

Brave

October 30, 2015 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

No one ever told me this would be easy
But I never knew that it could be this hard
Oh, the worry, the worry, the worry is weighing on me
Could you help me break down all these question marks
And make me

Brave…I’ll fight like a soldier
Brave…Rise like a warrior
Brave…Won’t stop ’til the final day
Brave…I want to be stronger
Brave…Going to be bolder
Brave…Look up and I see the way
You make me brave

I know, I know I’m no superwoman
But impossible is possible with You
So no, no, no more running, no more hiding
Strike the fire so I’ll be fearless too
And make me

None go with me
Still I’ll follow
Through the joy and
Through the sorrow
Cross before me
World behind me
There’s no turning back

Moriah Peters
Written along with: Matt Bronleewe, Joel Smallbone

Lyrics to I Have Decided To Follow Jesus – S. Sundar Singh

*   ~   ♥   ~    ✞    ~   ♥   ~   *

I’m always telling my kids that they can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens them…and that nothing is impossible with God…and that He is always in control.  But I wonder if I believe that myself.

Do I believe that I can do anything with God on my side?  Or do I tend to run and hide?  Doubt and avoid?  I think we can all relate to the words of this song; we want to be stronger, braver, bolder… We want to be so many things that we feel we aren’t.  I see this song as an anthem, as a reminder from our Heavenly Father that through Him we can do anything.  Remember that impossible is possible with Him.

I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13 NKJV

*   ~   ♥   ~    ✞    ~   ♥   ~   *

Lord, we often forget that with You anything is possible.  That with You we can accomplish anything.  Thank You for the reminder through this song that we can be brave.  Despite what we are facing we can move forward with You on our side.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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

I Can Leave It In Your Hands

October 29, 2015 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

The dawn is breaking and I can hear Your whisper on the breeze
The world is waking and I am here to meet You on my knees
When I’m with You my soul finds rest
‘Cause I can leave it in Your hands

The day keeps coming pulling me a million different ways
I’m always running but never seem to catch the things I chase
When I’m with You my soul finds rest
‘Cause I can leave it in Your hands

Every sorrow, I leave it in Your hands
Every sickness, I leave it in Your hands
All my failures, I leave ‘em in Your hands
Amen. (I leave it in Your hands)

So I am laying the weight of all these burdens at Your feet
No more waiting ‘cause You’ve already won my victories
In Jesus my soul finds rest
‘Cause I can leave it in Your hands

Every promise, I leave it in Your hands
Every healing, I leave it in Your hands
And my future, I leave it in Your hands
Amen. (I can leave it in Your hands)

It’s Your hands that form the mountains
Your hands set boundaries for the seas
And in Your hands You hold tomorrow
The same hands that took the nails for me

Unspoken  
Mike Gomez, Jon Lowry, Chad Mattson and Ariel Munoz
*  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *
Where would we be if it were not for choosing to ‘leave it in His hands’?  We can proclaim our trust as the psalmist did.

But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord,
I say, “You are my God.”
My times are in Your hand…
Psalms 31:14 and 15

These could easily have been similar words to what Ezra voiced in his prayers to his God.   Many things were performed by God through the life and ministry of the priest Ezra and it was very apparent that Ezra’s life was in God’s hand (Ezra 7: 6, 9, 28).  Most notably were the events which led to Ezra being commanded to come before King Artaxerxes (the son of Ahaseurus (Xerxes)—yes! THAT Ahaseurus…the husband of Esther!) to write a most important letter to be carried throughout the kingdom which determined that much wealth and “things” were acquired for the beautifying of the Temple in Jerusalem. (You can read the whole amazing record here.)

On the first of the first month he started out from Babylon,
and on the first of the fifth month he arrived in Jerusalem,
for upon him was the good hand of his God.
For Ezra had prepared and set his heart to seek the Law of the Lord
[to inquire for it and of it, to require and yearn for it],
and to do and teach in Israel its statutes and its ordinances.
Ezra 7:9 and 10

Ezra wrote (‘scribed’) the king’s decree and also accompanied the letter throughout the kingdom. He thoroughly understood the magnitude of this event and praised God saying,

Blessed be the Lord, the God of our fathers [said Ezra],
Who put such a thing as this into the king’s heart,
to beautify the house of the Lord in Jerusalem,
and Who has extended His mercy and steadfast love to me
before the king, his counselors, and all the king’s mighty officers.
I was strengthened and encouraged,
for the hand of the Lord my God was upon me,
and I gathered together outstanding men of Israel to go with me to Jerusalem.
verses 27 and 28

God’s hand accomplishes small and mighty things!  The point is not in the enormity of His blessing but the point is His sovereignty!  Our God has had the entire world and the lives of every person ever born ‘in His hand’ all along.

The prophet Isaiah was given many strong encouraging AND admonishing words to speak to God’s people.  He had told them just how to pursue God when fasting and they chose to do it their own way…and they did not receive the things they were asking of the Lord.  And Isaiah plainly told them why “the Lord’s hand” was against them.

Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened at all, that it cannot save,
nor His ear dull with deafness, that it cannot hear.
But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God,
and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.
Isaiah 59:1 and 2

We, as well, must always have the true fear of the Lord in our hearts compelling us to believe (and obey!).

Therefore, let us fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest,
any one of you may seem to have come short of it.
For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also;
but the word they heard did not profit them,
because it was not united by faith in those who heard.
For we who have believed enter that rest….
Hebrews 4:1-3

God’s heart (and His accompanying hand of provision and blessing) is to always provide what is good and best for those who seek Him.  As Unspoken sings, “every sorrow…sickness…failure as well as every promise…healing…and our future” are best left in His hand.  Amen?

*  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord
with all your heart and mind
and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.
In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him,
and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.
Be not wise in your own eyes;
reverently fear and worship the Lord
and turn [entirely] away from evil.
Proverbs 3:5-7

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

He Knows My Name

October 28, 2015 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

He counts the stars one and all
He knows how much sand is on the shore
He sees every sparrow that falls
He made the mountain and the seas
He’s in control of everything
Of all creatures great and small

He knows my name
Every step that I take
Every move that I make
Every tear that I cry
And He knows my name 
When I’m overwhelmed by the pain
And can’t see the light of day
I know I’ll be just fine ‘cause He knows my name

I don’t know what tomorrow will bring
I can’t tell you what’s in store
I don’t know a lot of things
I don’t have all the answers to the questions of life
But I know in Whom I have believed

He knew who I was when He carried the cross
He knew that I would fail Him but He took the loss

 The McRaes
Written by Annie and Kelly McRae

*  ~  ♥  ~   ✞   ~  ♥  ~  *

For I am persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither death nor life,
nor angels nor principalities, nor things impending and threatening
nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth,
nor anything else in all creation
will be able to separate us {me!} from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38 and 39

This passage seems to have been my almost constant confession this past week or so….  Oh, and how I endeavor to cling to these promises!  I want to say, as Paul did, that ‘I am persuaded…’ though, I must admit, that I do falter in my persuasion.  And times do come when my little heart is not quite so brave.  But here’s what I do know….

…Nevertheless I am not ashamed:
for I know whom I have believed,
and am persuaded that He is able
to keep that which I have committed
unto Him against that day.
2 Timothy 1:12

And I remember, and am greatly encouraged, as I read through the Scriptures and see the strong evidence of God’s provision in the lives of His people…for example, His man Job.  Job went through much but he knew his life was in the Almighty’s sovereign and powerful hand.  And so, he could say this–

But He is unchangeable, and who can turn Him?
And what He wants to do, that He does.
For He performs [that which He has] planned for me,
and of many such matters He is mindful.
Job 23:13 and 14

I know that You can do all things and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.
Job 42:2

See, me, myself, on my own?…well, I get weary; and I am not strong at times.  But not my God!  Oh, He is able!  He is unchangeable!  He is faithful!  He can do all things!  He keeps His promises!  And so I trust His Word(s).  Therefore when I remember He has said, “I formed you and made you,” “I will never leave you nor forsake you,” “My grace is sufficient for you…” I am encouraged and strengthened!

One of my favorite Scriptures is Psalm 139—it is such a beautiful prayer of praise to Almighty God!  Throughout this psalm, David acknowledges God’s providence, His sovereignty, His foreknowledge, His provision, His protection, His wisdom, and truly, His love.

Below are excerpts from Psalm 139…may I suggest you read these verses aloud, allowing Your eyes and ears and mind to take them in. Consider them, my friend; dwell on them.

And may your heart be reminded and strongly encouraged as you remember that God Almighty, your heavenly Father, truly KNOWS your name.  He knows you—every step, every move, every tear, every pain, all your heartache, all your ways.  He knows all about you, inside and out, before and behind, sitting down and rising up. He knows your inward parts, your frame, your thoughts, your words, all your ways, all your days.

He knows y.o.u., my friend…He knows your name!

O Lord, You have searched me and known me.
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
You understand my thought from afar.
You scrutinize my path and my lying down,
And are intimately acquainted with all my ways.
Even before there is a word on my tongue,
Behold, O Lord, You know it all.
You have enclosed me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is too high, I cannot attain to it.
For You formed my inward parts;
You wove me in my mother’s womb.
I will give thanks to You,
For I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Your works,
And my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth;
Your eyes have seen my unformed substance;
And in Your book were all written
The days that were ordained for me,
When as yet there was not one of them.
How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand.
When I awake, I am still with You.

Filed Under: Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,
« Previous Page
Next Page »