November 23, 2024

Broken Hallelujah

May 12, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

I can barely stand right now
Everything is crashing down
And I wonder where You are

I try to find the words to pray
I don’t always know what to say
But You’re the one that can hear my heart

Even though I don’t know what Your plan is
I know You make beauty from these ashes

I’ve seen joy and I’ve seen pain
And on my knees I call Your name
Here’s my broken Hallelujah
With nothing left to hold onto
I raise these empty hands to You
Here’s my broken
Here’s my broken Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah

You know the things that have brought me here
You know the story of every tear
‘Cause You’ve been here from the very start

Even though I don’t know what Your plan is
I know You make beauty from these ashes

I’ve seen joy and I’ve seen pain
And on my knees I call Your name
Here’s my broken Hallelujah
With nothing left to hold onto
I raise these empty hands to You
Here’s my broken
Here’s my broken Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah

When all is taken away, don’t let my heart be changed
Let me always sing Hallelujah
When I feel afraid, don’t let my hope be erased
Let me always sing Hallelujah

Hallelujah

~ Sing this song with me as our prayer and worship today. ~

~  Song written and performed by The Afters  ~

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Isn’t is amazing how the Holy Spirit works within us to bring us before the Lord? No matter what we are walking through God is there.  He sees all…He knows all.  He has already planned our path.  We just have to choose which one to travel through.  Don’t get me wrong, I know this can be such a hard decision.

During my teenage years, I did not date that much.  I am not sure if everyone was afraid of my dad or what.  There was a guy that had a ‘fast’ reputation.  I had been riding back and forth with him while we were doing our clinicals through Northeast Community College at the Magnolia Hospital in Corinth, MS.  We had developed a friendship but nothing more.  One day he called to ask me out on a date.  My dad had answered the phone, so he knew who it was.  Dad told me, that I should not go, but that it was up to me.  Do you know how hard that was to turn him down?? I mean, he was cute, on the wild side, exciting, and all that a naïve country girl dreamed of!!!

But, I told him no.  I would assume he knew why.  Dad and I never really spoke of it again, that I remember.  I catch myself wondering what would have happened if I had taken the chance that he would have been a nice guy…you know the one that was just looking for a girl to say ‘no’ and be someone he could love and respect.

Our choices to serve God can be like that.  When we are given an opportunity to serve God by going on a mission trip or serving in the children’s area at our local church, we would be truly amazed at how we are blessed by the love that others give as we are giving to them.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for the parents you give us, whether we are born to them or chosen to be a part of their family. We choose to honor them and love them no matter their flaws. Just as you have loved us, flaws and all. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

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

Give Me Words to Speak

May 9, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Calloused and bruised/ dazed and confused
My Spirit is left wanting something more
Than my selfish hopes/ and my selfish dreams
I’m lying with my face down to the floor
I’m crying out for more

Give me words to speak
Don’t let my spirit sleep
‘Cause I can’t think of anything worth saying
But I know that I owe You my life
So give me words to speak
Don’t let my spirit sleep

Every night, every day/ I find that I have nothing left to say
So I stand here in silence awaiting Your guidance
I’m wanting only Your voice to be heard
Let them be Your Words

I just don’t understand this life that I’ve been living
I just don’t understand 
I just don’t understand these lies I’ve been believing
I just don’t understand 

~  Sing this song with me as our prayer and worship today.  ~

Singer/ Songwriter: Aaron Shust

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Haven’t we all been there…that place where we have come to a crossroad?  We have to decide whether we are going to follow God or suppress the Holy Spirit within us.  When we do walk against the teachings of God we can find refuge in Him when we repent.

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.
Proverbs 4:23

What does the phrase ‘guard your heart‘ mean to you?  Does this promote an image of someone in armour welding a sword or perhaps putting a wall around your heart?  In the song Aaron says “I just don’t understand these lies I’ve been believing”…and I thought of David and Bathsheba  (2 Samuel 11-12).  David had decided to stay home while his troops were away at war. One evening, looking off his rooftop, he spied a woman bathing.  Instead of guarding his heart he let it be filled with lust and then thoughts of adultery.

I am sure,in his mind, he thought he would not get caught. Tthen when Bathsheba sent word she was pregnant, his thoughts turned to lying to cover up what had occurred.  David sent for her husband in hopes that Uriah would sleep with his wife.  When Uriah arrived, David sent him to be with his wife.  Uriah would not lie with her, instead sleeping in the doorway of his home.  When David realized his plan was not working he decided to rid himself of being found in adultery.  So he sent Uriah back to fight, with orders to the commander to put him at the front of the fighting and to remove themselves from Uriah so he would be killed.  There are several times here that King David could have listened to the Holy Spirit, but chose instead to ignore Him.

Our God is one who allows freewill. Once David took Bathsheba into his home, after the mourning period, he married her. Then she gave birth to their son. At this time, Nathan was the prophet. God sent Nathan to David with a story about two men, one rich, one poor. The story, as it unfolded, enraged David. Then Nathan told David that he was the rich man.  David was shocked.  He humbled himself and God was merciful to him, but God would take the life of the child and bring conflict within David’s family.  David did not become haughty and deny what he had done.  David was assured that his God is merciful and would not destroy him.

If David could be forgiven of what he had done…then how much more can we be forgiven if we only humble ourselves and seek God’s face!  We have the Scriptures to help us through the troubles that come against us. By guarding our hearts and thoughts, taking each thought captive, identifying it and naming what it is, we can become stronger and assist others who have similar circumstances.

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Father, we thank You for Your redemption.  We stand before You wanting to feel Your loving arms around us.  You are awesome in power and magnificence. Thank You for the history of our heritage.  Thank You for adopting us into Your family.  In Jesus’ name, Amen!

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

Take Joy

May 7, 2014 by

SeekingHimLogo

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.  Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.  Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.  Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.  Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.  Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.   Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.  Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Ever been accused of doing something you did not do?  It can be an occasion to become angry, confused, and desperate.  Jesus was foreshadowing how His life was going to play out.  Even though He knew the outcome of His life, He still chose to let others in on God’s basic plan.  God wanted His people, Israel to come back to Him.  From the time that Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, they have done nothing but whine and complain.

In the New Testament we have Christ’s example to follow in order to honor Him. We also have the Apostle Paul and John the Baptist as examples of how to live and not become discouraged. Jesus was tasked to show and tell others about His Father in Heaven, about how to get to Heaven, and how to grow in our faith.  Paul showed us through his perseverance during his journey across the Middle East that teaching others about God’s love was more important than his own safety and comfort. While Paul was beaten, whipped, stranded, jailed, and shipwrecked, he never lost his passion and drive to share with others. The zeal he had used to persecute the Christians was the same he used to tell others the good news!

John the Baptist is an example of sacrifice for his beliefs. God sent John to be a messenger for Jesus’ ministry.  John was raised with rules and a different purpose than most other kids.  Being taught Scripture by both parents, he was raised in a strict Nazarene lifestyle—set apart and different.  I am sure he was persecuted for the way he behaved and how he was different while he was young and definitely during his ministry. The Holy Spirit was with John while he preached the coming of the Messiah. He was able to discern the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and other religious leaders when they came to hear him speak.

We all know the outcome of each of their lives. What is more important is how they lived. The desire to serve God was so overwhelming they could not stop themselves. I pray that we, also, would receive a desire like their’s to share the Lord’s love with others as we live our lives.

Filed Under: Seeking Him Daily Devotional Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Persecution For Our Lord

May 2, 2014 by

SeekingHimLogo

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.  Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.  Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.  Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.  Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.  Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

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Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:10

Here, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus is reminding those listening about the prophets who suffered in the Old Testament. We should be glad when we  are persecuted for our belief in Jesus Christ. When persecuted, we are associated with His meekness, with how He mourns over us when we willfully sin and how He shows mercy.  Jesus wants us to walk by faith, not by sight.

Jeremiah is one of these Old Testament prophets.  He was selected by God to call His people back to Him.  The leaders kept ignoring Jeremiah.  They felt all he had to say were negative things about them and about what was going to happen to them if they did not repent and turn back to God.  Jeremiah even cried out to God, asking why he was supposed to tell the people about the devastation awaiting them if they did not change their ways.

They said, “Come, let’s make plans against Jeremiah; for the teaching of the law
by the priest will not cease, nor will counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophets.
So come, let’s attack him with our tongues and pay no attention to anything he says.”
Listen to me, Lord;
hear what my accusers are saying!
Should good be repaid with evil?
Yet they have dug a pit for me.
Remember that I stood before You
and spoke in their behalf
to turn Your wrath away from them.
So give their children over to famine;
hand them over to the power of the sword.
Let their wives be made childless and widows;
let their men be put to death,
their young men slain by the sword in battle.
Let a cry be heard from their houses
when You suddenly bring invaders against them,
for they have dug a pit to capture me
and have hidden snares for my feet.
But You, Lord, know
all their plots to kill me.
Do not forgive their crimes
or blot out their sins from Your sight.
Let them be overthrown before You;
deal with them in the time of Your anger.

Jeremiah 18:18 – 23

While Jeremiah complains, he still completes the task God has laid before him. Jeremiah felt such an urgency to share God’s words, that he could not contain them.  In the New Testament, Paul of Tarsus would be an example of what it means to serve God and be persecuted.  Paul endured beatings, imprisonment, hunger, sickness, and lonliness for Jesus.  He was always willing to share the Gospel with those who wanted to hear and just as willing when the ears of unbelievers didn’t want to hear.  We are to plant the seeds of faith, the seeds of wonder, and let the Holy Spirit do the rest.

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Father, thank You for those that have followed the examples of Your prophets. Thank You for the missionaries of today, who are persecuted for sharing Your love, grace, and mercy with those who do not know You.  Surround them, Father, with Your protection as they persevere through their hardships and let the Holy Spirit bring peace in their distress, comfort when there are tears, and bring words of inspiration when they feel loss.  Let us learn more about these individuals so we may lift them up to You every day. Thank You, Father. In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Filed Under: Seeking Him Daily Devotional Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Something Beautiful

April 28, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

I see you sitting over there with your head in your hands
And the mess life’s made of your best laid plans
You really want to shake your fist
But you don’t know who to blame
Well you can blame yourself or The Man upstairs
Or the guy on the screen who says he cares
But all the shame and the blame won’t change a thing
What’s done is done
But grace has just begun

And God’s says
I’m gonna turn it into something different
I’m gonna turn it into something good
I’m gonna take all the broken pieces
And make something beautiful like only I could
So put it all in the hands of the Father
Give it up, give it all over to
The only one who can turn it into
Something beautiful
Something really beautiful

We know the world got broke when it took the fall
And here we are living in the middle of it all
Longing, waiting for the day when everything’s restored
But the best of the beauty that we get to SEE
While we’re living down here in this “yet to be”
Is to watch God take the most broken things
And to hear Him say,
“When I get through, you’re gonna be amazed”

‘Cause I’m gonna turn it into something different
I’m gonna turn it into something good
I’m gonna take all the broken pieces
And make something beautiful like only I could
So put it all in the hands of the Father
Give it up, give it all over to
The only one who can turn it into

Something beautiful
Something beautiful
Something beautiful
Put all the pieces in His hands
And watch Him turn it into something beautiful

God’s gonna turn it into something different
He’s gonna turn it into something good
He’s gonna take all the broken pieces
And make something beautiful like only He could
So put it all in the hands of the Father
Give it up, give it all over to
The only one who can turn it into
Something beautiful
Something really beautiful
Something beautiful
Something really beautiful

~  Sing this song with me as our prayer and worship today.  ~

~  Singer/Songwriter: Steven Curtis Chapman  ~

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When life becomes hard, we  call out to God and trust in Him…or we turn our back on God.  Steven Curtis Chapman lost his daughter to an accident several years ago.  In working through his pain, God was able to give him this song. Steven was able to use this in his pain and grief,  and give that away to others who are hurting.

Something Beautiful reminds us that hard times come into our lives.  The way we walk through the trial determines how we come out on the other side of it.  If we walk through it with our eyes on God, then it will not be so hard.  That does not mean we will not walk through the emotions…we will.  That is all part of the process.  You see, we believers have a Hope.  We have a Hope to see our loved ones when we get to heaven.

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I pray this song blesses you as you listen to it.  I pray that you are able to heal in ways you never would have imagined.  I pray that you will seek Him for your healing.  God does not want you to stay in one place.  He wants you to go out and share your story.  And never being ashamed of your past.  Let your past go and share your story with others.  You never know what sharing your story will do for others.

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

Enter the Peacemakers

April 24, 2014 by

SeekingHimLogo

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Matthew 5:9

Peacemakers:

a person, group, or nation that tries to make peace, especially by reconciling parties who disagree, quarrel, or fight

Do you know a peacemaker?  Are you a peacemaker?  All of my life it seems I have been a peacemaker.  I usually try to smooth ruffled egos, or try to sooth the person who feels that he/she is not respected enough.  Sometimes this is a tiring task.  It can take a toll on you and on how you help others if you are not careful.  Paul tell us in Galatians 6:9-10 (ASV) 

And let us not be weary in well-doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. So then, as we have opportunity, let us work that which is good toward all men, and especially toward them that are of the household of the faith.

Why do you suppose God wants to bless the peacemakers?  I like to think it is because of them that treaties are made, pacts are adhered to, and wars are stopped.  Some of these agreements may be for economic reasons but the peacemakers have a unique gift of diplomacy.  These people have a way of studying the opponent by learning the culture and other customs.   For instance…did you know that in Middle Eastern culture, when in negotiations, you are not to speak first?  It is a sign of weakness.  Silence is not the enemy and we should not be afraid to use it.

Today, look at your words and actions, do they glorify the Lord? Do your words honor God as well as lift up and exhort the person to whom you are speaking?  Growing up, did you hear the words, “If it isn’t nice, don’t say it.” How many times have I spoken and then replayed the scene in my mind of how I have failed to build someone up.  This is not meant to condemn but rather to reassure you that you, too, can become a peacemaker—a person who builds up.  To do this we need only to be silent, when we want to speak words that are not kind. Especially when  we use sarcasm to disguise words that would be intended to hurt and wound.

God wants to use us in all of our ways. We may not feel adequate but be assured that God will use you where you are and give you the tools you need to start fresh.  Begin you day with “God, help me to learn something about the person who tests me every day.  Show me his/her heart and give me the peace that You are in control. Let me look at him/her through Your eyes.”

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Difference Maker

April 21, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Yeah, isn’t it amazing how a man can find himself alone
Call into the darkness for an answer that’s he’s never known
Yeah, isn’t it amazing how God can take a broken man
Yeah, let him find a fortune, let him ruin it with his own two hands
And he climbs on up the hill on the rock on which he stands
He looks back at the crowd
He looks down at his hands and he says
I am a difference maker

Oh, I am the difference maker
Oh, I am the only one who speaks to him
And I am the friendliest of friends of God 

I am on the fence about nearly everything I’ve seen
And I have felt the fire be put out by too much gasoline
And we’re all strangers passing through a place and time afternoon
Life is but a vision in a window that we’re peeking throughA helpless conversation with a man who says he cares a lot
It’s a passive confrontation about who might throw a punch or not
We are all transgressors, we’re all sinners, we’re all astronauts
So if you’re beating death then raise your hand but shut up if you’re not

‘Cause I am the difference maker
Oh, I am the only one that speaks to him
And I am the friendliest of friends of God

     ~  Sing this song with me as our prayer and worship today.  ~

~  Songwriters: Bo and Bear Rineheart / Performed by NEEDTOBREATHE  ~

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Easter is an event we all look forward to each year with much anticipation, wonder, and awe.  The women look forward to being able to buy and wear new clothes and shoes.  Children look forward to the basket that bunny person leaves every year and being able to find all of those lost eggs.  Probably the best thing about Easter for me, though, is to tell the kids at church about how our Lord and Savior went to the Cross and died for all of our sins.  While we use a DVD curriculum we also have the ability to tell our kids how God has impacted our lives.

Difference Maker is about how some of us think that God only talks to us and that these are the only ones that make a difference.  Just as Paul says we are all members of one body and each of us have certain tasks to perform, we should not make others feel inferior.  Rather we are to build them up and tell God of their good deeds.  Even when those who serve alongside us might get hurt.  We are to love unconditionally…first in the church and then we will have a better ability to love outside the church.

For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.  For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.  For the body is not one member, but many.  If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?  And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?  If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing?  If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?  But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.  And if they were all one member, where were the body?  But now are they many members, yet but one body.  And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.  Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:  And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.  For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked:  That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.  And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
1 Corinthians 12:12-26 KJV

Could you imagine if we followed Paul’s advice, how much better we would be?  I want to strive to be more attuned to the needs of my brothers and sisters (members) of the church and love on them the way God intended.

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Father, I know that You speak to others and work through them.  I have seen it in my walk through life.  How You have put people in my life to help me grow and mature.  Help me, inspire me by Your Holy Spirit to seek You in all that I do and say.  Help me to remember to include others in what could be a great blessing in their life.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

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

Joy

April 16, 2014 by

SeekingHimLogo

We have now entered the season of Lent.  For many Christians, Lent is taken as a time of preparation for the celebration of Easter where God miraculously redeemed mankind by resurrecting His Son from the dead. It is also a time to consider what Jesus said and did; and how we should be living in light of His Words.  ✞ ♥

During this season, here on the Seeking Him devotional blog, we have chosen to focus our devotionals on Jesus’ instructions and admonition communicated in Matthew chapter 5—the Beatitudes.  Jesus said, “Blessed are…” and He went on to give instruction as to how to be “blessed.”  To be ‘blessed’ is to ‘be happy, or to be envied.’   Truly for the Christian, we ARE blessed—oh, how very blessed we are!  Those who observe our lives should clearly be able to tell that we ARE blessed—and that we KNOW it! ✞ ♥

Please consider Jesus’ instructions along with us.  We pray that our words will encourage you and spur you on to be prepare your hearts for the joyous celebration of His Resurrection!  ✞ ♥

Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

One summer our family travelled by Greyhound bus from Walnut, MS to Fresno, CA to spend a few days with my mom’s newly-found family. It was a three day  (and night) trip there and back…while spending three or four days in California.

It was such an adventure. Mom who was allergic to anything that bites had a reaction to red ants;  my brother, Terry, got so blistered from the sun that he had ‘bubbles’ on his back…and Dad and I didn’t have anything go wrong.

There was this one thing that has stuck with me though—Aunt Ramona recanted a dream.  She says she was dreaming and in it she was weeping for joy because she was about to touch the feet of Jesus.  Her husband, being concerned, woke her up because she was crying out in her sleep.  She says she fussed at him because she was that close.

I can only imagine what that dream must have felt like—the joy, the excitement, the pure worship that was in her heart!  What a precious gift she received.  I want to have dreams like that so, one day, when I stand before my Savior, I can say, ‘I practiced this in my dreams.’  Although this still would not prepare me for the awesome experience of being among all that is Holy and Pure.

The Pure

The Greek word for “pure” is katharos (used 27 times in the New Testament).  Fundamentally, it signifies that which is clean, or free from contaminating substance (cf. Danker et al., Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, 489).  Or as William Barclay contended “that with a spiritual import, ‘pure’ may describe the heart that is free of unadulterated “motives” (Commentary on Matthew, I.101).   (https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/610-who-are-the-pure-in-heart)

I feel that this “being pure” should be the goal of every Christian. To clear our minds of what others may feel or perceive except from the Holy Spirit. When we listen to the ungodly and go to them for advice we are most usually led astray because they speak from a world view. But when we seek Godly counsel from those who dwell daily in God’s presence we should be able to quickly discern what is evil and different from what counsel we would have gotten from our worldly friends.

As we seek to have pure hearts, it would follow that our thoughts would have to follow as well. What does it look like to have pure thoughts? To me it would mean guarding what I read, what I watch, and what I participate in. I guess you would call me a God Nerd. Not a Bible Thumper, but a God Nerd. Now that does not mean that I do not have my weaknesses. I still do, but I do my best to not participate or indulge in them.

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Father, as we learn to trust You and know Your Word more, I say ‘Thank You’ for your love, acceptance, and encouragement that is present each day. Help me give away what you have given to me. I want to learn to serve you more and to serve your people with joy in my heart!  In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Filed Under: Seeking Him Daily Devotional Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Just Be Held

April 14, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Hold it all together Everybody needs you strong
But  life hits you out of nowhere
And barely leaves you holding on
 
And when you’re tired of fighting
Chained by your  control
There’s freedom in surrender
Lay it down and let it go
 
So when you’re on your knees and answers seem so far away
You’re not alone, stop holding on and just be held
Your world’s not falling  apart, its falling into place
I’m on the throne, stop holding on and just  be held
Just be held,  just be held
 
If your eyes are on the storm
You’ll wonder if I love you  still
But if your eyes are on the Cross
You’ll know I always have and I  always will
 
And not a tear is wasted
In time, you’ll understand
I’m  painting beauty with the ashes
Your life is in My hands
 
Lift your hands, lift your eyes
In the storm is where  you’ll find Me
And where you are, I’ll hold your heart
I’ll hold your  heart
Come to Me, find your rest
In the arms of the God who won’t let  go
 

~  Sing this song with me as our prayer and worship today.  ~

 ~ Songwriters: Bernie Herms, John Mark Hall, Matthew JosephWest ~

~ Performed by Casting Crowns ~

 *  ~  *  ~   ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥    ~  *  ~  * 

As we travel through life, we often come to a crossroad.  Most of us choose our paths without thinking beyond today or tomorrow.  We make our choices on what feels good, not thinking about the eternal  consequences.  Then once we are on the chosen path we become confused and sometimes angry with the outcome. Sound familiar?  I know…I have been there.  My choices twenty-five years ago affect me now, today.  These are through regrets, unrecognized dreams and heartbreak. If I chose to stay there, I can drown and succumb to the guilt and shame.  But I chose not to!  I chose to let it go and let God HOLD ME!

Feeling His loving, forgiving, comforting arms around me is my only true Father I have ever known.  There are no strings attached,;He does not want anything from me other than for me to serve Him with my whole heart and let others know of how He loved me.  As stained and ugly as I was, He loves me.  He wants to tear away the scars, and replace them all with His love, grace and mercy.  I do not deserve any of it.  Only through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus am I able to enter the holy Presence of God, our Creator.  And for that I will be forever grateful.

 *  ~  *  ~   ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥    ~  *  ~  * 

Father, thank You for loving me enough then, to send Your Son Jesus to atone for me.  Forgive me for the choices I have made that have not honored You. Forgive me for the words I have spoken out of fear, anger and disappointment.  Let me learn from Your examples in Scripture to be a better, mom, sister, daughter, wife and friend.  In Jesus’ name I ask these things, Amen.

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

Relationships

April 8, 2014 by

We have now entered the season of Lent.  For many Christians, Lent is taken as a time of preparation for the celebration of Easter where God miraculously redeemed mankind by resurrecting His Son from the dead. It is also a time to consider what Jesus said and did; and how we should be living in light of His Words.  ✞ ♥

During this season, here on the Seeking Him devotional blog, we have chosen to focus our devotionals on Jesus’ instructions and admonition communicated in Matthew chapter 5—the Beatitudes.  Jesus said, “Blessed are…” and He went on to give instruction as to how to be “blessed.”  To be ‘blessed’ is to ‘be happy, or to be envied.’   Truly for the Christian, we ARE blessed—oh, how very blessed we are!  Those who observe our lives should clearly be able to tell that we ARE blessed—and that we KNOW it! ✞ ♥

Please consider Jesus’ instructions along with us.  We pray that our words will encourage you and spur you on to be prepare your hearts for the joyous celebration of His Resurrection!  ✞ ♥

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Matthew 5:7 NIV

The word mercy for me conjures up memories of scenes from movies portraying Christ.  Dictionary.com gave this meaning: “compassionate or kindly forbearance shown toward an offender, an enemy, or other person in one’s power; compassion, pity, or benevolence: Have mercy on the poor sinner”. How many times have we been shown mercy in our DAILY walk?  I shudder to think of how I may unknowingly have offended my heavenly Father.

Then I began to think, “How do I show mercy to others?”  Do I become short when I am pressed for time and someone asks me questions?  Yes, unfortunately I feel like I do sometimes.  My boss is an excellent example of showing mercy and being fair.  No matter how busy she is, she takes the time to speak with that person and make them feel valued.

Christ is a perfect example of mercy.  When the woman who was caught in adultery was brought before Jesus for Him to condemn and punish her, He showed her mercy.  He was gentle in His reproach to the men of the synagogue, to the point that they slowly turned away, one by one (see John 8:1-11).  He did not need to be told her background…He already knew her story.  But He also knew the hearts of the men who had brought her to Him.  Jesus loves us unconditionally, and He wants to know us.  His Father will discipline us when necessary, but Jesus will always intercede on our behalf.

My mom told me one day she was mad at me because of a dream she had.  It was this:  Someone had broken into our store.  She had hit the man over the head with a cast iron skillet and knocked him unconscious.  She told me to watch over the man and make sure he didn’t leave while she went to get help.  When she came back she was shocked to see that I was dressing the man’s head wounds! She laughed and I said, ‘Well that sounds like me doesn’t it?’  She just shook her head.

I want to continue to be that person and show compassion and mercy toward others.  When we pray and listen to the Holy Spirit, He will direct our paths and help guide us in our choices.  This will go so far in our own relationships with family and friends.  Remember there are those who watch and learn from your actions and reactions.  Just remember you can start a new way of thinking today. No matter how old you are, with the Holy Spirit, you can begin practicing mercy and compassion toward others.  Once you begin to extend it in all situations, you will feel a new lease on life…a refreshing of your spirit.

*  ~  ♥  ~   ✞   ~  ♥  ~  *

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your gift of mercy.  Show us, Lord, how we can use this gift in our everyday lives.  In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Filed Under: Seeking Him Daily Devotional Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,
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