November 22, 2024

Learning and Instruction

April 22, 2015 by

Many of you have gone on Spring Break or are anticipating taking a vacation this summer.  It is a time to refresh spirit, soul, and body.  Over the next couple of weeks, our faithful bloggers will be taking a ‘spring break’ from writing so that they can come back to us refreshed and freshly anointed.
However, Girlfriends’ Coffee Hour website won’t ‘go black’!  We will be revisiting some of our favorite blogs and daily devotions which have blessed us in the past.  We pray that each of you, our faithful friends and readers, will continue to start your day meditating on the devotionals and songblogs, and be encouraged and blessed.

Let’s give each of our bloggers a big round of applause,
a hug, and the rest they so deserve.  God bless you, ladies!

SeekingHimLogo

The instruction of the LORD is perfect, renewing one’s life;
the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making the inexperienced wise.
The precepts of the LORD are right, making the heart glad;
the command of the LORD is radiant, making the eyes light up.
The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever;
the ordinances of the LORD are reliable and altogether righteous.
They are more desirable than gold—than an abundance of pure gold;
and sweeter than honey, which comes from the honeycomb.
Psalms 19:7-10 HCSB

Learning: the activity or process of gaining knowledge or skill by studying, practicing, being taught, or experiencing something; the activity of someone who learns; knowledge or skill gained from learning.

Instruction: a statement that describes how to do something : an order or command : the action or process of teaching : the act of instructing someone.

From the moment we are born we are learning.  We learn to breathe, we learn how to tell others we are wet, that we are hungry, that we are lonely, and that we are afraid.  We learn to be selfish.  We learn that crying brings someone to care for us.  We learn that we can engage people by smiling and cooing.  We learn we can ‘eat’  our toes, our fingers, and we then we discover we can move by learning to crawl, and then walk.

Then, while we are still learning, instruction begins.  We begin to observe how things are done, how things work.  Things like putting a block into the correct shape.   We are instructed as to how to put on a shirt, a pair of pants, how to comb our hair, how to brush our teeth.  Some go to daycare or have playdates, and here we learn to play nice with others, and not to hit or bite.  We learn to be kind and to have compassion.  We have learned at this point whom we should fear; whether it is a little person or a grown-up, we learn who we should stay far away from.

While in school we learn the ordinances (rules).  We learn what we can do, what is acceptable behaviour and what is not.  This is a precept.  We must become teachable and willing to learn.

I obey Your precepts and Your statutes, for all my ways are known to You.
Psalm 119:168

We may not learn about the Bible until later, or totally understand, but our heavenly Father gave us His precepts—His rules, His laws—on how we should live.  It does not matter when we begin to learn these, as long as we begin practicing them.  He wants us to enjoy the life He has planned for us.  We just have to be willing to trust Him.

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Father, thank You for loving us.  I ask for my heart to become humble and teachable.  I am not too old or too young to follow Your ways, to understand Your precepts.  I want to have such a fire about me which will cause those around me to have a fire, a desire to know You.  I want to learn.  I want to be taught.  I desire You, Father.  Thank You for Your Word and for this ministry.  Let us not grow weary in knowing You more intimately.  In Jesus’ name I pray and ask these things, amen.

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

Come And Worship

April 21, 2015 by

Many of you have gone on Spring Break or are anticipating taking a vacation this summer.  It is a time to refresh spirit, soul, and body.  Over the next couple of weeks, our faithful bloggers will be taking a ‘spring break’ from writing so that they can come back to us refreshed and freshly anointed.
However, Girlfriends’ Coffee Hour website won’t ‘go black’!  We will be revisiting some of our favorite blogs and daily devotions which have blessed us in the past.  We pray that each of you, our faithful friends and readers, will continue to start your day meditating on the devotionals and songblogs, and be encouraged and blessed.

Let’s give each of our bloggers a big round of applause,
a hug, and the rest they so deserve.  God bless you, ladies!

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Angels from the realms of glory
Wing your flight o’er the earth
Ye who sang creations story
Now proclaim Messiah’s birth

Come and worship
Come and worship
Come and worship
Worship Christ the newborn King

Shepherds in the fields abiding
Watching o’er your flocks by night
God with man is now residing
Under shines the Infant light

Saints before the altar, bending
Watching, longing, hope and fear
Suddenly the Lord descending
In His temple shall appear

 Bebo Norman
Written by James Montgomery

*   ♥  ~  ✝  ~  ★    *

Oh, to be first-time parents!  Remember the fears, the concerns of not knowing if you were going to know how to care for the child?  What if they did this, or if they had that, is this normal, should I call a doctor?  Everything had to be perfect—new clothes, new crib, new bottles, new car seat, new everything.  But then, imagine, Mary and Joseph. They were not home, they were in a stable behind a hotel.  There were no more rooms or homes for them to visit.  No friends they could stay with.  At least Joseph was able to find a place warm, dry, and slightly comfortable for Mary and his soon-to-be-born stepson.

Then, once Mary had Jesus, everything changed.  Having cleaned out a manger in which to lay Jesus, after wrapping Him in swaddling clothes, they began to have visitors.  Shepherds came to see the wonder of the promised Messiah…the one the Angel told them would be in a stable.  Both Mary and Joseph were tired, but excited to see Jesus, and to welcome these strangers with news of the angelic host proclaiming the birth.

*   ♥  ~  ✝  ~  ★    *

As we celebrate the birth of our Savior, let us Come and Worship the love our Father in heaven has for us His people.  Without God desiring a relationship with all of us, Jesus would not have been born.

Thank You, God, for loving us so much that You would send
Your Son, Jesus, to earth to live among us!

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

Fulfilled Promises

April 15, 2015 by

Many of you have gone on Spring Break or are anticipating taking a vacation this summer.  It is a time to refresh spirit, soul, and body.  Over the next couple of weeks, our faithful bloggers will be taking a ‘spring break’ from writing so that they can come back to us refreshed and freshly anointed.
However, Girlfriends’ Coffee Hour website won’t ‘go black’!  We will be revisiting some of our favorite blogs and daily devotions which have blessed us in the past.  We pray that each of you, our faithful friends and readers, will continue to start your day meditating on the devotionals and songblogs, and be encouraged and blessed.

Let’s give each of our bloggers a big round of applause,
a hug, and the rest they so deserve.  God bless you, ladies!

SeekingHimLogo

Remember the word to Your servant,
In which You have made me hope.
This is my comfort in my affliction,
That Your word has revived me.
Psalms 119:49-50

David is reminding God of a promise to make David’s line to have a continuation on the throne.  God does not need reminding, but sometimes we need the reassurance that God had not forgotten us.  Doubt and sin creeps in trying to steal our promise.  We have to be ever so diligent to not allow those thoughts.  God wants us to know joy and to remember the promises He continues to fulfill today.

Abraham was promised a son.

On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying,
“To your offspring I give this land, from the river of Egypt
to the great river, the river Euphrates,”
Genesis 15:18

Isaac who was not born to Abraham and his wife Sarah until they  were very old. God wanted to provide a miracle and show  Abraham that God could be trusted. God also told Abraham that his children would be in captivity and brought out after four hundred years of that bondage.

It was by faith that Moses’ parents hid him for three months when he was born.
They saw that God had given them an unusual child,
and they were not afraid to disobey the king’s command.
Hebrews 11:23

When Moses was born God had a plan that he would lead the people of Israel out of captivity to the Promised Land.  Moses was raised in a life of luxury.  But he also was reminded of his heritage and had to flee from Egypt because of his desire to protect his people.  It was not his time to begin the deliverance.  God had plans to grow Moses into a shepherd.  He needed to become patient and humble.

Ever feel like God puts you through a time of patience building?  I know I have had my share of those.  Because I am headstrong, rebellious, and stubborn.  I am sure God just shakes His head at me.  I try it on my own.  Then I realize I need to turn back to Him and let Him handle the heavy lifting.  I just have to be willing to follow His word.

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~   ♥   ~   *

Father, help me follow Your direction.  Forgive me for doing my will and not seeking Yours.  Help me discern Your will for my life.  Give me the courage to follow what You lay on my heart.  I want to be a vessel You use to further Your kingdom here on earth.  Thank You for allowing me to call You Father.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

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

More Of You

April 14, 2015 by

 

Many of you have gone on Spring Break or are anticipating taking a vacation this summer.  It is a time to refresh spirit, soul, and body.  Over the next couple of weeks, our faithful bloggers will be taking a ‘spring break’ from writing so that they can come back to us refreshed and freshly anointed.
However, Girlfriends’ Coffee Hour website won’t ‘go black’!  We will be revisiting some of our favorite blogs and daily devotions which have blessed us in the past.  We pray that each of you, our faithful friends and readers, will continue to start your day meditating on the devotionals and songblogs, and be encouraged and blessed.

Let’s give each of our bloggers a big round of applause, a hug,
and the rest they so deserve.  God bless you, ladies!

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

 

I made my castle tall
I built up every wall
This is my kingdom and it needs to fall
I want You and no one else
Empty me of myself
Until the only thing that’s left is

More of You
Less of me
Make me who I’m meant to be
You’re all I want all I need
You’re everything
Take it all I surrender
Be my King
God, I choose
More of You
Less of me

More of You

This life I hold so close 
Oh, God I let it go
I refuse to gain the world and lose my soul
So take it all I abandon everything I am You can have it
The only thing I need is

All to You, I surrender
All to You, my blessed Savior
I surrender all

Colton Dixon
written along with Ben Glover, David Arthur Garcia

* ~ ♥ ~ ✞ ~ ♥ ~ *

Walking through life everyday, we can become complacent.  Not searching for any more than what we have right now, right here.  But, God does not want us to live that way.  He wants us to live life to the fullest.  He wants us to seek Him and seek His ways. Until we do that, we will never experience the life He holds. We can be safe…we can be ‘free’;  but are we really?  Are we truly free if we have to come to the same job everyday, perform the same tasks everyday, and are not living for Him?

  • When was the last time you told someone about your walk with God?
  • When was the last time you were on your knees with God?
  • When was the last time you were in His word, seeking His will for you?

You may say, ‘I am too old’ or ‘I am too young.’  Perhaps you may even say, ‘I am not physcially able to do anything.’  Sister in Christ, you are able. You can pray.  You can say positive words to a hurting person. You can even post things to your Facebook page to encourage someone.  You never know when your words, your actions, your kindess will impact a person who needs a touch from God.

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

Martha Shows Her Faith

April 10, 2015 by

SeekingHimLogo

Recorded in the Gospel of John, our Lord made seven statements referring to Himself as I AM…

I AM The Light of the World
I AM The Bread of Life
I AM The Door
I AM The Good Shepherd
I AM The True Vine
I AM The Way, The Truth, and The Life
I AM The Resurrection and The Life

Each week during this season of Lent and into Easter, here on the Seeking Him blog, we will be focusing our devotionals on a different aspect of Jesus’ revelation of Himself as I AM.  The aim of Lent should be to prepare our hearts for the remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice—His trial and torture, the Crucifixion and His death…and above all, the celebration of His Resurrection from the dead.  We pray that this will be a great encouragement to each of you who read them.  And that all of us will consider the significance of Jesus’ words and, through them, be helped as we remember and are thankful for all Jesus went through during the last few weeks of His life on this earth.

*  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

And even now I know that, whatsoever Thou shalt ask of God, God will give Thee.
Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.
Martha saith unto Him, I know that he shall rise again
in the resurrection at the last day.
Jesus said unto her, I AM the Resurrection, and the Life:
he that believeth on Me, though he die, yet shall he live;
and whosoever liveth and believeth on Me shall never die.
Believest thou this?
She saith unto Him, Yea, Lord: I have believed that Thou art the Christ,
the Son of God, even He that cometh into the world. 
John 11:22-27 ASV

Lazarus had passed away.  Mary and Martha were heartbroken that Jesus had not made it back in time to heal their brother.  Little did they know Jesus knew Lazarus had passed and was going to use his death as a way to minister to the sisters and to test their faith.

Martha was the first to meet Jesus.  She ran out to meet Him and gently asked why He had not been there earlier.  Jesus knew she was going to ask and was not hurt or angry.  Jesus explained that He would raise Lazarus up and He meant now, not later in the last days.  As He told her, “I AM the Resurrection, and the Life: he that believeth on Me, though he die, yet shall he live….”  Upon telling her these things—and that we would never die—He asked her if she believed what He said.  She stated ‘yes’, and declared that He was the Christ, the Son of God.

She would not deny who He was, even in deep sorrow.  She had probably seen many of His miracles and was counting on Him to perform another one.   That somehow, someway, He would help her and Mary.  And then, when He called forth Lazarus from the grave, many believed on him. For who could call the dead to life, unless they were of God!

Even Jesus wept about Lazarus’ death.  When He asked where they had laid Lazarus’ body, He went to the tomb, asked for the stone to be removed and called Lazarus out of the grave. He called Lazarus by name…out he came, still wrapped in his grave clothes. Everyone was astonished! Mary and Martha were grateful to Jesus for bringing their brother back to be with them.

Jesus wants us to trust and love him as Martha and Mary did. To have faith that Jesus would help in our times of sorrow and fear. He will always be beside us, comforting us, and showing us how to be brave and face our fears. We are to be overcomers and doers of His word. He is an example of what we can do and accomplish in His name.

Do you believe on Jesus?

*  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

Father, thank you for sending your son Jesus to be an example for us. Help us when we doubt, when we fear. Help us be overcomers and seek in your word how we can be imitators of your Son. Thank you for your grace and mercy present each and every day. Protect from the attacks of the evil one. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen!

 

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

The Easter Song

April 7, 2015 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Hear the bells ringing
They’re singing that you can be born again
Here the bells ringing
They’re singing Christ is risen from the dead

The angel up on the tombstone
Said He has risen, just as He said
Quickly now, go tell his disciples
That Jesus Christ is no longer dead

Joy to the word, He has risen, hallelujah
He’s risen, hallelujah
He’s risen, hallelujah

Hear the bells ringing
They’re singing that you can be healed right now
Hear the bells ringing, they’re singing
Christ, He will reveal it now

The angels, they all surround us
And they are ministering Jesus’ power
Quickly now, reach out and receive it
For this could be your glorious hour

The angel up on the tombstone
Said He has risen, just as He said
Quickly now, go tell his disciples
That Jesus Christ is no longer dead

Keith Green
Written by Annie Herring

*  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.
Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.
If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.
1 Corinthian 15:17 

Jesus paid the final price for our salvation in Him.  No matter what we have done in our past, right here and now, we can begin again.  Jesus is alive and He does live.  He lives inside of us once we ask Him to become Lord of our lives.  He will not make us do anything we do not want to do.  All He asks is that we serve Him with all of our hearts.  We need to give every fear, hurt, pain, injustice, hate, love, and concern over to Him.  We are to not have any worries or concerns.

For God so loved the world, that he gave His only Son,
that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world,
but for the world might be saved through him.
Whoever believes in Him is not condemned,
but whoever does not believe is condemned already,
because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
John 3:16-18

*  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

Lord Jesus, I ask You to come into my life and forgive me of all my sins.  I confess my sins before You this day.  I denounce Satan and all his works.  I confess Jesus as the Lord of my life.  Thank You for saving me.  I believe with my heart and I confess with my mouth that You rose from the dead.  I am saved.  Write my name in the Lamb’s Book of Life.  Today is my God-day with the Lord Jesus!  I pray this prayer to the Father in the name of Jesus. Amen.

(Prayer shared from Jesse Duplantis Ministries website)

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

Know The Father Through His Son Jesus

March 30, 2015 by

SeekingHimLogo

Recorded in the Gospel of John, our Lord made seven statements referring to Himself as I AM…

I AM The Light of the World
I AM The Bread of Life
I AM The Door
I AM The Good Shepherd
I AM The True Vine
I AM The Way, The Truth, and The Life
I AM The Resurrection and The Life

Each week during this season of Lent, here on the Seeking Him blog, we will be focusing our devotionals on a different aspect of Jesus’ revelation of Himself as I AM.  The aim of Lent should be to prepare our hearts for the remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice—His trial and torture, the Crucifixion and His death…and above all, the celebration of His Resurrection from the dead.  We pray that this will be a great encouragement to each of you who read them.  And that all of us will consider the significance of Jesus’ words and, through them, be helped as we remember and are thankful for all Jesus went through during the last few weeks of His life on this earth.

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”  Jesus answered, “I AM The  Way and The Truth and The Life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me.  If you really know Me, you will know My Father as well.  From now on, you do know Him and have seen Him.”  Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”  Jesus answered: “Don’t you know Me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father.  How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?  Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in Me?  The words I say to you I do not speak on My own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in Me, who is doing His work.  Believe Me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves.  Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in Me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.  And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  You may ask Me for anything in My name, and I will do it.

John 14:5-14 

Jesus loves me.  Jesus loves you.  When you and I study the Bible, we are learning about the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  The words we read are inspired by the Holy Spirit.  Nothing is written where the power of God did not move the people to write, translate, and compile the book we know as the Bible.

Can you hear Jesus’ frustration with Philip?  (Though I am not sure I may not have asked the same question.)  Through their training and living with Jesus, the Apostles may have just looked at him as just a man with an anointing from God.  Not as Who He truly is—Jesus being the image of God.  This thought is pretty cool though.  Just think of being around Jesus, who is the image of God, for three years.  I would imagine I might  just take for granted Jesus being with us everyday, not thinking He was going to ever leave.  I would, not intentionally, not listen as intently. I would hear, but not really.  Then once He was gone I would regret not having been more intentional in listening, as well as noting everything being said…watching the miracles being performed…wishing I had asked for God to anoint me in much the same way as His Son.

This reminds me of Elisha and Elijah in the Old Testament.  In this record, just before Elijah was taken up to be with God, Elisha asked for the anointing of Elijah’s power, to do God’s work with His people. Just by taking up Elijah’s robe, Elisha was able to continue to do God’s great work among the Jewish people. In reading about the prophet, I just realized the young boy Elisha healed through God…was Habakkuk. Just amazing how God works in everyone’s life!!!

God is wonderful.  He coordinates, orchestras our lives in ways we never realize.  This Easter season, look for ways to bless others and to be a blessing.   Ask the neighbor if they want to go to an Easter celebration with you, or if they would like to have lunch or dinner with you and your family this year.  If you do this already, expand and invite others.  Be a blessing. God will reward you greatly.

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Thank You, Father, for Your love.  Thank You for watching over us and keeping us safe in all areas of our life.  Give us opportunities to be a blessing in other’s lives.  Help us to be a willing vessel to be used by you to further Your Kingdom.  In Jesus’s name, amen.

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

Up From the Grave He Arose

March 28, 2015 by 
psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv
Low in the grave He lay, Jesus my Savior 
‘Waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord 

 Up from the grave He arose
 With a mighty triumph o'er His foes
 He arose a Victor from the dark domain
 And He lives forever, with His saints to reign 
 He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose

Vainly they watched His bed, Jesus my Savior 
Vainly they sealed the dead, Jesus my Lord 

Death cannot keep its prey, Jesus my Savior 
He tore the bars away, Jesus my Lord

 
David Thornton
Written by Robert Lowry
*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

What a way to celebrate Easter by singing this song with all of your heart!

As the disciples waited in the upper room…barely speaking to one another or even looking at each other.  None of them were blameless. All of them deserted Jesus in the end.  Then one of the women comes running to tell them that Jesus was gone from His grave.  Suddenly, there is hope, there is an excited expectation…though still mingled with  doubt.

Then, running out to the tomb, they see for themselves that it is indeed empty.  How can this be?  Who could have rolled the stone away and taken His body?  Then an angel appears telling them that Jesus has risen and asking them why do you look for him here?

In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?  …The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ … Then they remembered His words.  …Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.

excerpts from Luke 24:5-12 

What a glorious day for the disciples! To know that the past three years were not in vain and that they were going to be spreading God’s word to all the nations.

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Father, thank You for the hope and promise of bringing more people into Your Kingdom.  I pray for hearts and minds to be opened to receive Your wonderful news of everlasting life with You!  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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

The Good Shepherd is Selfless

March 18, 2015 by

SeekingHimLogo

Recorded in the Gospel of John, our Lord made seven statements referring to Himself as I AM…

I AM The Light of the World
I AM The Bread of Life
I AM The Door
I AM The Good Shepherd
I AM The True Vine
I AM The Way, The Truth, and The Life
I AM The Resurrection and The Life

Each week during this season of Lent, here on the Seeking Him blog, we will be focusing our devotionals on a different aspect of Jesus’ revelation of Himself as I AM.  The aim of Lent should be to prepare our hearts for the remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice—His trial and torture, the Crucifixion and His death…and above all, the celebration of His Resurrection from the dead.  We pray that this will be a great encouragement to each of you who read them.  And that all of us will consider the significance of Jesus’ words and, through them, be helped as we remember and are thankful for all Jesus went through during the last few weeks of His life on this earth.

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

I AM the Good Shepherd.  The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.
The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep.
So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away.
Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it.
The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
I AM the Good Shepherd; I know My sheep and My sheep know Me—
just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father—
and I lay down my life for the sheep.

John 10:11-14

From the beginning of time people have laid their lives down in order to protect the sheep.  When Jacob left Laban to go back home (taking his wives, servants, flocks and herds, and household goods), Laban became furious.  Not because Jacob left secretly, but because he had a good worker, someone who cared for the flocks, leaving:

Thus I was: by day the heat consumed me and the frost by night,
and my sleep fled from my eyes.
Genesis 31:40

Jacob lost many nights of sleep to make sure the sheep were well cared for.  Sheep have to be watched because they wander away.  They have to be sheared at the right time because of the closeness of their wool.  If it is not shaved at the right time or they can easily become infested with parasites and die.

If God cares enough for the sheep to have those kind of shepherds like Jacob, how much more will He care for us…?  God’s love is so immense.  It is so full of goodness, and will help us overcome our feelings of inadequacy. As long as we lay our feelings down at His feet, we will be able to overcome them.  God loves us so much.  The fact that He sent His Son to die on the Cross is evidence of His great love.

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Father, help us to have faith in Your Word.  Forgive us when we doubt.  Help us build our faith and trust You will always be there even more than when Jacob was there for his sheep.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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

He’s Alive!

March 17, 2015 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

The gates and doors were barred
And all the windows fastened down
I spent the night in sleeplessness
And rose at every sound
Half in hopeless sorrow
And half in fear the day
Would find the soldiers breakin’ through
To drag us all away

And just before the sunrise
I heard something at the wall
The gate began to rattle
And a voice began to call
I hurried to the window
Looked down into the street
Expecting swords and torches
And the sound of soldiers’ fee

But there was no one there but Mary
So I went down to let her in
John stood there beside me
As she told us where she’d been
She said they might have moved Him in the night
And none of us knows where
The stone’s been rolled away
And now His body isn’t there

We both ran toward the garden
Then John ran on ahead
We found the stone and empty tomb
Just the way that Mary said
But the winding sheet they wrapped Him in
Was just an empty shell
And how or where they’d taken Him
Was more than I could tell

Oh something strange had happened there
Just what I did not know
John believed a miracle
But I just turned to go
Circumstance and speculation
Couldn’t lift me very high
‘Cause I’d seen them crucify Him
Then I saw Him die

Back inside the house again
The guilt and anguish came
Everything I’d promised Him
Just added to my shame
When At last it came to choices
I denied I knew His name
And even if He was alive
It wouldn’t be the same

But suddenly the air was filled
With a strange and sweet perfume
Light that came from everywhere
Drove the shadows from the room
And Jesus stood before me
With His arms held open wide
And I fell down on my knees
And I just clung to Him and cried

Then He raised me to my feet
And as I looked into His eyes
The love was shining out from Him
Like sunlight from the skies
Guilt in my confusion
Disappeared in sweet release
And every fear I’d ever had
Just melted into peace

He’s alive, He’s alive
He’s alive and I’m forgiven
Heaven’s gates are open wide
He’s alive, He’s alive

Written and sung by Don Francisco

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I cannot think of a better song to represent suffering for your actions and attitudes.  The guilt and shame we carry for an act for which our head knew we should not do, but our fear and emotions reacted first.

Peter is such an excellent example of this and how much Jesus loves us. We may not walk physically with Jesus as Peter did, but He is right there, waiting on us to call upon Him as we would a trusted friend.  Jesus, of all people, knew what Peter was going to do but He also knew what Peter was capable of once he was forgiven and released from his sin.  Sisters, that is what God wants for us! He wants us to be released from our guilt and shame…to turn away from our sin…to rely on God’s love, grace, and mercy.

Another great example of Jesus’ forgiveness and love is the woman who was caught in adultery (Luke chapter 7) and brought before Jesus to be condemned.  I cannot imagine how she felt, appearing before all of the people, with her sin being proclaimed in the open, in front of the temple. As the men were trying to trick Jesus, He cleverly reminded them to not be so hasty in their attempt to throw stones.

Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—
as her great love has shown.
But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.
Luke 7:47 NIV

God loves His people, Jews and Gentiles alike. He does not want to condemn us…our sins, yes…but not us.  Jesus commanded husbands to love their wives as He loves.  Unconditionally, without reservation, without restraint.

Today, seek out areas where you can love more and better and  unconditionally.  Today, ask for the Holy Spirit to show you where you are forgiven and let the ‘strange,  sweet perfume’ surround your senses (as this song describes Peter’s experience). Wow!

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Father, we love You! Thank You for the reminder from Don Francisco of Your unconditional love. I want a most intimate relationship with You.  Help me shrug off all of the years of guilt and shame.  Help me surrender them all to You so You can build a brand-new me that honors and glorifies You in everything I do.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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