November 23, 2024

Celebration

August 7, 2014 by

SeekingHimLogo

Shout triumphantly to the LORD, all the earth. Serve the LORD with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs. Acknowledge that Yahweh is God. He made us, and we are His— His people, the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name.  For Yahweh is good, and His love is eternal; His faithfulness endures through all generations.

Psalms 100:1-5 HCSB

How wonderful and glorious is the Lord our God!  Each morning is a new day, a new opportunity to praise His name and to celebrate His Creation.  How many times have we strayed and He has welcomed us back with open, loving arms?  Just like the prodigal son, God loves us so very much! Please enjoy this song!

I Will Enter His Gates

I will enter His gates with thanksgiving in my heart
I will enter His courts with praise
I will say this is the day that the Lord had made
I will rejoice for He has made me glad
He has made me glad
He has made me glad, I will rejoice for He has made me glad
He has made me glad
He has made me glad, I will rejoice for He has made me glad

–  Leona Von Brethorst, 1976 Maranatha Music  –

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Wake

July 31, 2014 by

SeekingHimLogo

I’m ready, God, so ready,
    ready from head to toe,
Ready to sing, ready to raise a tune:
    “Wake up, soul!
Wake up, harp! wake up, lute!
    Wake up, you sleepyhead sun!”

I’m thanking you, God, out loud in the streets,
    singing your praises in town and country.
The deeper your love, the higher it goes;
    every cloud is a flag to your faithfulness.

Soar high in the skies, O God!
    Cover the whole earth with your glory!

Psalms 57:7-11 (The Message)

David was so thankful!  David grew up relying on God’s great strength and guidance.  Whatever was placed in David’s way, God was there.  All David had to do was to call upon the name of the Lord.

Who is on your speed dial when trouble arises? Most likely it is a trusted friend or a parent. Sometimes it can be a counselor or our pastor. It should be our Lord.  We are human. We have a need to discuss our shortcomings and our fears with each other. A girlfriend and I were discussing our children and our fears for them. She was saying how she was afraid her son was going to make wrong decisions again and was holding on to him so tightly that he was suffocating. I explained to her how she needed to release those fears and give them to God. If we don’t do that, especially if they are older, they will run at the first opportunity they get. She mentioned how, now that her daughter in on her own, she does not worry so much about her. But because her son is still home, she does.

Maturity occurs at different stages for each of us. I did not move out until I was 23. Her daughter moved out at 21 and my son moved out at 22. My step-daughter moved in with us at 25 and has since moved into an apartment with a friend at 27. Life is an adventure that we should embrace and praise Him for. We need to find positives about each stage we and others are at in our lives.

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Father, thank You for Your unconditional love!  I give You praise for what has and what will happen.  Good or bad…You are always there, standing, watching, sending your Holy Spirit to prompt us when we need it.  Give us David’s heart and love he had for You.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Hope In Front Of Me

July 28, 2014 by

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!

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Majestic Name

July 23, 2014 by

Psalm 8

O Lord, our Lord,
    how majestic is Your name in all the earth!
You have set Your glory above the heavens.
Out of the mouth of babies and infants,
You have established strength because of Your foes,
    to still the enemy and the avenger.
When I look at Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
    the moon and the stars, which You have set in place,
What is man that You are mindful of him,
    and the son of man that You care for him?
Yet You have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
    and crowned him with glory and honour.
You have given him dominion over the works of Your hands;
    You have put all things under his feet,
all sheep and oxen,
    and also the beasts of the field,
the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea,
    whatever passes along the paths of the seas.
O Lord, our Lord,
    how majestic is Your name in all the earth!

Majestic – characterized by or possessing majesty; of lofty dignity or imposing aspect; stately; grand.

‘Majestic’ does not seem to totally describe our Lord, does it?  I am not sure there is a word in our English language that would capture the essence of our heavenly Father.  I am sure that is why the name for God is Yahweh. It was once considered to be blasphemous to say ‘Yahweh’ so the original pronunciation was lost.

The God we serve, pray to, and worship is more than words could ever begin to describe.  He is a feeling, a spirit who surrounds us day-by-day, and moment by moment.  We can never know enough or believe enough.  That is why we have been given grace and mercy.  These two things fill the gap where our humanity fails.  Dear ones, God is magnificent. He reigns over all the world, it’s people, and the rest of the galaxies.

This make me feel small and in awe that God would take notice of us.  Especially when He is surrounded by angels.  But God felt a need to create man in His own image.  He created us for companionship—sweet fellowship with Him that would be like none other.

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Father, thank You for caring for us. Thank You for loving us. We will never be able to live up to Jesus’ example, but we do strive to everyday. Sometimes we fail in such a big way…and sometimes we make the right decision.  Forgive us when we miss our target.  Help us to find our way to Your perfection.  Create in us a desire to serve You above all else in our lives.  In Jesus’ name, Amen!

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Following Him

July 15, 2014 by

SeekingHimLogo

You’re blessed when you stay on course,
    walking steadily on the road revealed by God.
You’re blessed when you follow His directions,
    doing your best to find Him.
That’s right—you don’t go off on your own;
    you walk straight along the road He set.
You, God, prescribed the right way to live;
    now You expect us to live it.
Oh,  that my steps might be steady,
    keeping to the course You set;

Psalms 119: 1-5 (The Message)

As David encourages us, we will be blessed as we stay true to following God. Just like our relationships, we are to keep pushing forward for understanding. When we study His word, God is faithful to speak to us as we ask for understanding.

We see families sacrificing their time for a child’s dream or passion. What if we could turn that kind of commitment into serving our Lord? There are hurting people out there that need to know God’s unconditional love. We do our best. And God sees our efforts. As long as our intentions are to honor Him, we will be blessed.

God did not give us rules to restrict our living, He gave us rules to protect us. But because we have the nature of Adam, we sin. Then He gave us Jesus. Jesus lived life on earth as an example of perfect living. Jesus loves his Father and was obedient unto death on that horrible Roman cross.

 

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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)

 *   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   * 

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!

 *   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   * 

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: , , , , , ,

Knowing When…

July 9, 2014 by

SeekingHimLogo

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

Many Bible versions carry an introduction to Psalm 34, similar to this: “A psalm of DAvid when he feigned madness before Abimelech, who drove him away and he departed.”  How many of us could act deranged, as David did? I would think it would be hard to carry out. But David had the forethought to act crazy and get out of his precarious situation. We may think that we would not be creative enough to get out of dangerous situations but we all are. We have lived life enough and have friends whom we have watched get themselves out of trouble.

David talks about blessing the Lord and praising Him. What does that look like to you? Do you think you can do it? It takes practice and conscious thought which will turn into unconscious actions. Speaking scripture, praying, especially when someone enters your thoughts, and relying on the Holy Spirit, our Helper, will enable us to pray and praise continually. If you are like me, you get started and then forget. Do not be discouraged. God understands and is waiting patiently for us. Practice, Practice, Practice.

“My soul makes its boast in the Lord” (verse 2). Have you had a miracle in your life? Each of us have circumstances in our lives that could have broken others. But because of our faith in our Lord, we have overcome. We have turned from victim to survivor! We can boast in our Lord, for He has been faithful to place people in our lives to lift us out of that pit. However, if you are currently in a time of testing or trial, keep your eyes fixed and focused on God. As Psalm 46:1 states: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”  Know, feel God’s Presence, seek Him when you become desperate. The Bible records in several different books the words of God assuring us He will never leave us. In the Old Testament, when encouraging Moses, God assured him he would not be alone (Deuteronomy 31:5-7). When Joshua took over after Moses died, God assured him that He would be with Joshua just as he was with Moses. (Joshua 1:5). And in the New Testament, Paul reminds us to keep ourselves free from the love of money and to be content with what we have because of God’s promise in Deuteronomy (Hebrews 13:4-6).

Corporate worship. We can receive the joy of the Lord when we praise and worship Him by ourselves. But there are times when we are to share our joy and become encouraged by participating in worship as a group with like-minded people. Philippians 2:1-3 says:

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.

Coming together to worship and praise allows opportunities to fellowship with each other. Often we get stuck in our own world and tend to not see others who are suffering and who need a caring touch, an encouraging word, or just a smile. Today, find that person. Even one who appears odd. Show them God’s love a few times and see if their demeanor changes. They may be odd because of walls placed to shield them after years of hurt, disappointment, and resentment. Who knows, you may be their angel.

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Father, help us to be more like Your servant David. Allow the Holy Spirit to show us areas to shine in others lives and where we need to let Your light shine in us! Help us to leave our pain, resentment, disappointment, any negative thought at the foot of the Cross where Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice so that we may be free. Thank You for loving us and grafting us into Your family. We love You and praise Your name today and forever more!  In Jesus’ name, Amen!!!!

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Names of God

July 7, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Elohim, the Creator
Jehovah-Shammah, the Lord is There
My Master, Adonai
El Elyon, the God Most High
Yhwh, You Are the Lord
Jehovah-Rohi, My Shepherd
Mekaddishkem sanctifies you
The Lord our Righteousness, Jehovah-Tsidkenu
Worthy is Your Name; Worthy of all my praise

El Roi, the God Who Sees
You are My Banner, Jehovah-Nissi
The All Sufficient One, El Shaddai
Jehovah-Jireh, You Will Provide
Rapha, the Lord Who Heals
Shalom, You are my Peace
The Lord of Hosts, Jehovah-Sabaoth
El Olam, the Everlasting God
Worthy is Your Name; Worthy of all my praise
Worthy is Your Name; Worthy of all my praise

 

Our God is worthy of our praise! We all need to remember these wonderful name for which we are to call upon our Lord. He is faithful to be there, even when we do not expect it. Copy these names and remember them. Who knows when we are in a place to encourage and share the names of the Most High with others.

 

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

No Man Is An Island

July 1, 2014 by

SeekingHimLogo

From His dwelling place He looks [intently] upon all the inhabitants of the earth—
He Who fashions the hearts of them all, Who considers all their doings.
No king is saved by the great size and power of his army;
a mighty man is not delivered by [his] much strength.
Psalms 33:14-16

How mighty is our God!  He is the One Who can command the world to be made from nothing, into what we have now. In seven days, God spoke into existence each thing that exists. From the birds of the air and the annoying mosquitoes to the horses and, finally us, He created us for companionship.

Companionship means ‘the good feeling that comes from being with someone else‘. I would imagine that the companionship that exists in heaven is wonderful. Everyone getting along, no arguing, no complaining, no chores, no nagging backaches! Just imagine that—no more pain. Thinking on this reminded me of this song. We sung this in choir in high school in 1979. No on can stand alone, no matter what he/she make think.

No Man Is An Island

No man is an island, no man stands alone
Each man’s joy is joy to me
Each man’s grief is my own
We need one another, so I will defend
Each man as my brother
Each man as my friend

No man is an island far out in the blue
We all look to One above
Who our strength doth renew
When I help my brother
Then I know that I plant the seeds
Of friends    that will never die

I saw the people gather
I heard the music start
The song that they were singing
Is ringing in my heart

No man is an island, no man stands alone
Each man’s joy is joy to me
Each man’s grief is my own
We need one another, so I will defend
Each man as my brother
Each man as my friend

 *   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   * 
Father, we know we cannot stand on our own.  Help us demonstrate this to those around us.  Help us to shine our light to others and also to not be afraid to show when we are desperate and in need.  You have placed people in our lives who can help strengthen us for when we feel afraid and are lost.  Thank You for Your love. In Jesus’ name, amen!

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God’s Great Dance Floor

June 30, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

I’m coming back to the start
Where You found me
I’m coming back to Your heart
Now I surrender
Take me
This is all I can bring

I’m coming back to the start
Our God is freedom
And here we feel Your heart
Your heartbeat for us
Take me
This is all I can bring

You’ll never stop loving us
No matter how far we run
You’ll never give up on us
All of heaven shouts: ‘let the future begin’
Let the future begin

Take me
This is all I can bring

I feel alive, I come alive
I am alive on God’s great dance floor
I feel alive, I come alive
I am alive on God’s great dance floor
I feel alive, I come alive
I am alive on God’s great dance floor
I feel alive, I come alive
I am alive on God’s great dance floor
I feel alive, I come alive
I am alive on God’s great dance floor
God’s great dance floor!

Songwriters: Martin Smith, Nick Herbert, Chris Tomlin
Performed by Chris Tomlin, Passion Band

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

“No matter how far we run, You’ll never give up on us.”  To me, this speaks to mankind. Just think, that for over two thousand years after Jesus was on the earth, most things have not changed.  From the beginning of time, our ancestors lived life as the best they could. They chose to follow God or not. They chose to have joy or sorrow in their hearts.

Look at what God has done for His people, Israel. He chose to make them from a promise He made to Abraham. His family were idol makers. God knew something about his heart and chose to test him through making him wait for the birth of his only son into the promise. At the birth of Isaac there was a celebration of life. I like to think of God being impressed by Abraham’s trust and of Isaac’s trust of his father. Isaac had to accept God in his own life and learn to trust him.

We rear our children in the church, but they have to make trusting God their own. Our kids think life shows them what and who God is in their life. But it is up to us to guide them into making right choices. Just as the kings of Israel knew who God was, some decided not to follow after God. They chose to lead the people astray. God cannot make someone want to follow Him, our hearts have to be willing to accept God.  We also need to remember to celebrate the small victories, so we do not get weighed down with the world’s problems.  We need to dance on God’s big dance floor!

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Father, help us to remember to celebrate life.  Often times we make our lives too hard or complicated.  We forget to look out past the weeds to see the beautiful butterflies or animals that You have created for our and Your enjoyment.  Thank You for the little treasures we receive—the bird songs, the crisp morning air, the baby’s cry, the ability to get up out of our beds.  Thank You for the inspiration music gives to us to dance!  Thank You, in Jesus’ name.  Amen!

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