Tag: praise

Near to All

“The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth.” Psalm 145:18
This chapter of Psalms spoke volumes today. When the physical seems the most real to us, it is time to change the focus. David wrote this chapter after going through challenging times. David calls us out to praise the Lord. He illuminates the benefits of having a relationship with God. If nothing else, David was very candid with God. And David is candid with us. He shares the greatness and the goodness of God. God is merciful and compassionate. He is good to everyone. He is gracious and always keeps His promises. 
“The Lord helps the fallen and lifts those bent beneath their loads.” Psalm 145:14 (NKJV)
Do you have a load you cannot bear today? Call out to the Lord. Have you fallen and can’t seem to get up? Call out to the Lord. David said he would praise the Lord. Let us do that. Praise God today for His goodness and mercy. Praise God for your breath today. Do you have food, shelter, family and friends? Praise God. 
If you need any of this, praise Him anyway.  Verse 14 above says he lifts those who have fallen beneath their loads. The encouragement today is to trust God no matter what it looks like. God is faithful.
Be blessed

What Does Courage Mean to You?

Courage means “the ability to disregard fear.” I got this definition from the Reader’s Digest Oxford Complete Wordfinder published in 1996. Twenty-six years ago. Still holds true today.

His Presence is always with us.

However, what does God say about courage.

Genesis 46:3-4 – 3) I am God, the God of your father,” the voice said. “Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make your family into a great nation. 4) I will go with you down to Egypt, and I will bring you back again. You will die in Egypt, but Joseph will be with you to close your eyes.”

God was speaking to Jacob. He was going to be with him during this major situation in his life. God promised to be with him. Jacob’s God was God. No matter what he went through, including death, God would be with him. We will all die someday. I would rather die with God than without Him.

Jesus reassured the disciples in John 16:33 – “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

There are so many Scriptures that encourage and direct us to be of good courage. I shared one Old Testament and one New testament Scripture because courage is necessary when we are going through, even unto death. There is a need to focus on more than what is just comfortable for us. In fulfilling God’s plans and purpose for our lives, there is a need for courage. Each of us, individually, must dive into the Scriptures for our own lives.

When we have the courage to stand on God’s word, our life is in His hands. God is not going to tell you to do something He is not prepared to carry you through. When we have surrendered to the Almighty God, there is nothing He cannot do in our lives.

Do you have the courage to surrender to Him? The gift of salvation is free. Moving forward on this journey can sometimes be a challenge, but you are not going alone. He tells us to be of good courage, trusting and relying on Him. Praise God! Hallelujah and Amen.

He Loves Me

TRUST HIM

Romans 8:28 – “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.”

As I sit and ponder this, I realize that there are many times the choices I make are not the best. However, the Scripture above tells me that even then, God is working out the good for our benefit. I do give God the praise and glory today because no matter what He loves me and is always looking to give me what’s good for me in spite of my humanity.

This Scripture also gives me rest. Not saying I want to make the wrong choices. When I do though, God is right there making sure by His protection that it works out for my good. This is not to say there won’t be consequences. They may very well be there. He is still right by my side to make sure that I get through them. The comfort of God’s love for me is everything.

God’s Hand

I would like to encourage you today. No matter what, God is with you. His word states that he will never leave you nor forsake you. Psalm 9:10 – “Those who know your name trust in You, for You, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for You.” David wrote a good portion of the Psalms. His relationship with God is an excellent example of what that means. David was not perfect. He was repentant and humble when he did make some bad choices. And, he did.

God lets us know that making wrong choices doesn’t remove His love for us. His word shows us by the testimony of those gone before us. Stay the course because you can’t do anything He doesn’t know about or isn’t aware of.

Nothing can separate us from the love of God. And thank God for that!

Even when the skies are troubled…

Romans 8:35-37

Verse 35 – “Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean He no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?

Verse 36 – “As the Scriptures say, “For Your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”

Verse 37 – “No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loves us.”

Giving God the Glory

Giving God the Glory

Trust in Jesus

The promises of God are true. He is worthy of our praise. No one can do what the Lord does. He is faithful even when we are not. You got up this morning. You have breath in your body and are moving about. Did you you say thank you to the Lord? Did you praise Him because you got to see another day? Are you in comfort and warmth? Did you say thank you for your spouse, your children, your mom or dad? Answering these questions everyday are just part of the reason for praising God. Are you missing any of these things? Praise Him anyway. You are still here and there is still hope. What are you grateful to God for today?

Clouds of Glory

The above paragraph was the Precious Ponder. I wanted to add a little more thought to this subject. Praising God glorifies Him. How do you glorify God if you don’t praise Him? Giving thanks and praising Him shows that you you recognize the Lord and shows that you are cognizant of your blessings from Him. There is always much to complain about. Praising God takes your mind off the negative and reminds us that God is still in control no matter what it looks like, no matter what is going on around us. When the praises go up, the blessings come down.

Let us give God the glory that’s due Him. He is worthy of our praise. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!

Thoughts from Thursday to Sunday, June 27th

Phase 5This post follows my post from Thursday. As I stated there, it was a rough week full of challenges. However, I have recouped. I would like to offer thanks to the bloggers who post the Word of God and share the timely truths that get us back on the right track. Although I do have my own Bible and read it, it is nice when the written word comes from those who speak the Gospel in what they write. I have been truly blessed the last couple of days reading the reminders that help us stay on track. Although I have been very busy, it is nice to be able to read the blogs when dashing here and there. Below are some posts worth reading to be re-energized to run this race.

 

Life Ministries | The Renewing of Your Mind

TheDaddyBlitz | The Haunting Gaze

TheViewfrom5022 | How to Win the War

Awethentiq Pete | Praise vs Problem

BeautyBeyondBones | I am not Invincible

There are some key points that I would like to put in this writing. It is so important to remember that the thoughts we entertain determine how we function on a day-to-day basis. I was really thinking the negative thoughts about my situation. I realized that although I am a believer, it is easy to fall back in to the habits that we have so deeply ingrained in our psyche. Hence, the flesh has risen again. I thought I had that under control. No, not really. It takes a daily, moment by moment walk with the Lord. You think you’ve got it handled and bam! Out of nowhere it seems those old habits reappear. I held a funeral for them, dead and thought buried for good.

The StormThe enemy takes advantage of this opportunity by adding fuel to the fire with more negative thoughts. We are the product of our daily habits. I found that I had slipped in the practices that had me right on track. Consumed by the “necessities” of life, like paying bills, etc. I found myself drowning. Although temporary, it is necessary for me to put this in the forefront to remember what happened. I am not sure when it happened, just how it happened. We find ourselves getting too busy for the right things on a daily basis. I pray in my car all the time. But what I wasn’t doing was the concentrated prayer. Setting time aside not to be distracted by the traffic, the drivers or the customers. Drive by prayer. Not good.

Precious_FamilyThat is not saying that God has not spoken to me, He most certainly has. It is necessary to give God the time, praise and worship He deserves without the extras. This is where we build strength and staying power. I say this because multi-tasking has become such the thing to do these days. You cannot do just one thing at a time. I believe it may be because our jobs now require that you do four things at once because it has to be done yesterday, we have lost the pleasure of enjoying what we do. With single parents having to do so many things just to provide a decent life for the families, we can’t afford to do one thing at a time, do it well and enjoy it. So we think. However, when the rat race becomes overwhelming, we have no choice but to stop and slow down. Revisit the priorities and take a stand.

Jehovah-Jireh

Today was a day for me to do just one job and it afforded me the opportunity to really meditate on what God has been saying to me. First of all, He has not left. He is still Jehovah-Jireh, my provider. He is still my comforter and my helper in time of need. He is still the one who knows my days and He is still the one who closes and opens doors. Although I have a lot coming at me, I still have the victory, thank you, Lord. He is bigger than any storm.

 

His Holy Omnipotence

His Holy Omnipotence_3Devotion today from Numbers 20. Chapter 20 begins with the cause of Moses missing out on entering the Promised Land because of His response to the Israelites in yet another session of complaining. These challenges caused Moses to go against God and react in the flesh. The Israelites had moved forward to the wilderness of Zin and they had no water. God said He would draw water from a rock for them to drink and all Moses had to do was speak to the rock. Now, in support of Moses, it can be very difficult to continue dealing with people who, no matter what you give them, are never satisfied. It is a reminder that we are all human and because of Jesus, we are considered righteous before God in spite of our human nature.

Numbers 20:6-13

  1. Moses and Aaron turned away from the people and went to the entrance of the Tabernacle, where they fell face down on the ground. Then the glorious presence of the Lord appeared to them,
  2. and the Lord said to Moses,
  3. ”You and Aaron must take the staff and assemble the entire community. As the people watch, speak to the rock over there, and will pour out its water. You will provide enough water from the rock to satisfy the whole community and their livestock.
  4. So Moses did as he was told. He took the staff from the place where it was kept before the Lord.
  5. Then he and Aaron summoned the people to come and gather at the rock. “Listen, you rebels!” he shouted. “Must we bring you water from this rock?”
  6. Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with the staff, and water gushed out. So the entire community and their livestock drank their fill.
  7. But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust me enough to demonstrate my holiness to the people of Israel, you will not lead them into the land I am giving them!”
  8. This place was known as the waters of Meribah (which means “arguing”) because there the people of Israel argued with the Lord, and there He demonstrated His holiness among them.

Moses was told to speak to the rock and yet, he struck the rock twice in his anger against the Israelites. He did not do as God commanded but Moses was a great servant for God. He trusted God even when his flesh got in the way. He was committed to God and God trusted Moses. God said this Himself.

His Holy Omnipotence_2Because God knows man [He created him] it was still necessary for the ultimate sacrifice, Jesus Christ, to come, die on the Cross and resurrect in order for Holy Spirit to be in us and help us in this nature thing. God is so in the very intricate details of our lives. This is a great reminder that He sees all. How great it is that in His omnipotence, He knew we would need the ever-present intercession of the Lord Jesus Christ when we miss the mark. We cannot remain holy even a little bit without Christ. Jesus’ resurrection is such an integral part of our lives and this story proves how much we so need it. When we consider the significance of the Resurrection in respect to the Old Testament, it should certainly motivate us to fall to our knees in praise and worship for what He has done for us and how much God truly does love us.

Gratitude, Thankfulness and Appreciation

This Life
God Is in the Details

Sounds like these three are all in a boat together, having the same meaning. There are subtle differences in these three words that increase understanding of God being in the details of life. In reading this morning, all three of these words were used. I use Psalm 100:4 to express my understanding these subtle differences.

Thankfulness_conscious of the benefit received (mindful)
There’s more to these three, keep reading!

Exalting the Lord

This devotion was spent pondering the word exalt.  The definition includes to glorify; to praise; to elevate in rank,honor, power, character, and quality.  I looked into elevate, meaning to raise up; which is archaic or rare.  I want to use that definition today.  We need to raise up the Lord.  I realize that the Lord already sits on the right hand of the Father, elevated to that position by God Himself.  We can, however, elevate or exalt the Lord in our lives.  By our conversation and our behavior, we can exalt the Lord, the world or the enemy.  Psalm 21:13 – “Rise up, O Lord, in all your power.  With music and singing we celebrate your mighty acts.” (NLT)  With music and singing, we celebrate.  How often do we truly understand the element of music in our worship to the Lord?  We can exalt the Lord by singing and making melody in our hearts to Him.  How can we do that except our minds are stayed on Him? Our minds being fixed on who He is and all that He has done for us. (NLT) Psalm 57:11 – “Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens.  May your glory shine over all the earth.”  As bright as the stars are and as far in the heavens as they reside, how much more is the glory of God? The Word says that God would make the rocks cry out if there was none to worship Him.  He is exalted simply as our Creator. (NLT) Psalm 99:5 – “Exalt the Lord our God! Bow low before His feet, for He is holy!”  I think about the word exalt and the meaning to glorify, to praise, and to elevate.  This should be daily practice.  We surrender ourselves to much less worthy things.  Can our Lord get the glory and praise that’s due Him for His precious sacrifice?  We should declare to make praise a daily exercise as part of our worship.  When we do, we open the door for more of the Lord’s transforming power.  When the praises go up, the blessings come down.  (NLT)

Sandra R. Vercellono Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible New Living Translation, Copyright © 1965, 2004.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL 60189.

Faith that Grows

Devotion – John 4:46-54 (NLT)

Faith is a gift that grows as we use it.  How do we recognize if we are walking in faith?  We say we believe, but our actions of anxiety do not portray the faith we say we have. (Phil. 4:6 – “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.  Tell God what you  need, and thank Him for all He has done.”  Do we believe God enough (the faith of a mustard seed) to “prepare our field for rain”  or to “move the mountain?”  (Matt. 17:20 – “You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them, “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard see, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move.  Nothing would be impossible.”)

This devotion speaks about the father who believed Jesus for his son’s healing. Before he even made it home, his son was healed because of his trust in the words that Jesus spoke to him.  Verse 50 says “Then Jesus told him, ‘Go back home.  Your son will live.” How much do we believe Jesus for our children’s healing?  I believe that because there is so much emotional disorder in our society today, our children are suffering in such a major way.  Do we really believe Jesus for their healing?

As I walk through my own journey of emotional disorder in my family, I must say there are days I am challenged. But as I write today, I am challenged to stand on the Word of God; to practice this faith I have in reality.  As this father did, trust in the Words of Jesus.  We mature or grow in this walk of faith as we  practice it, trusting and praising.

Praises are evidence of trust.  Why?  Because praise reveals confidence, hope, believing that God is not only willing but able to meet our every need.  He is worthy to be praised!

Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible New Living Translation, copyright  1965, 2004.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL 60189.

Life and Death

Proverbs 18:21 – “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”

I believe what the Word says.  We are in covenant relationship with God by and through the blood of Jesus Christ.  I believe that in this covenant we have so many blessings that we short change ourselves on because we are not speaking them out.  The Bible is very clear on speaking life and death.  It is in the power of tongue.  The impact of words is so powerful and if we truly thought about the truth of that, we could grab hold of a life-changing principle.  God SPOKE this world into being. The above Scripture states a truth that once we grab hold  and walk in that principle, we would be the head and not the tail.  Our lives would be lived in abundance.  There are so many ways that we can speak “life” into our lives.  One is praise. Praise should come forth because God is God.  We should praise Him for who He is, our Creator.  We should praise Him because “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”  God allowed His son to be crucified on the Cross to allow us reconciliation from the fall from grace.  We should praise Him for what He’s done in us and through us.  God has changed lives so magnificently that praise should be welled up in us waiting for the opportunity to bless someone because of what He’s done.  Praise should come forth because of the Holy Spirit.  God is so good that He gave us help to worship Him!  How awesome is that! Praise should come forth because of what He’s yet to do.  God said that He would never leave us nor forsake us.  Now, if these are not reasons enough to praise Him, speak life into your environment, I don’t know what to tell you.  This I will say though, I will praise the Lord.  

“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!” Psam 150:6 

Sandra V.

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