Return to Laughter, Return to Joy!

“When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,

we were like those who dreamed,

Our mouths were filled with laughter,

 our tongues with songs of joy.

Then it was said among the nations,

 “The Lord has done great things for them.”

The Lord has done great things for us,

 and we are filled with joy.

Restore our fortunes, Lord, like streams in the Negev.

Those who sow with tears

 will reap with songs of joy.

Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow,

Will return with songs of joy,

 carrying sheaves with them.”

Psalm 126

“The Heart”

“God is far less interested in our activities and accomplishments as He is in knowing the character of our being,” -TLV

“For the Lord sees not as man sees… the Lord looks on the heart.”

-1 Samuel 16:7

“Moment By Moment”

“Moment by moment I’m kept in His love… Moment by moment I’ve life from above.”

-Andrew Murray, “Absolute Surrender”

We Praise Your Glorious Name!

“Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,

for everything in heaven and earth is Yours.

Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom;

You are exalted as head over all.

Wealth and honor come from You;
You are the ruler of all things.
In Your hands are strength and power
to exalt and give strength to all.

Now, our God, we give You thanks,
and praise Your glorious name.”

1 Chronicles 29:11-13

The God Of All My Days

“I came to You with my heart in pieces

And found a God with healing in His hands

I turn to You, leave everything behind me

And found the God that makes all things new

I look to You, drowning in my questions

And found the God who holds all wisdom

I trusted You, I stepped out on the ocean

You calm my hand among the waves

‘Cause You’re the God of all my days

Each step I take You made a way

And I will give You all my praise

My seasons change, You stay the same

You’re the God of all my days

In my worry, God You are my stillness.

In my searching, God You are the answer.

In my blindness, God You are my vision

In my bondage, God You are my freedom

In  my weakness, God You are my power

You’re the God of all my days.

Each step I take, You’ve made a way

And I will give You all my praise

My seasons change, You stay the same

You’re the God of all my days.”

 – from “God of All My Days” by Casting Crowns

Lyrics- John Mark Hall and Jason Ingram

En Route

“Forget yesterday.

Don’t worry about tomorrow.

Trust God today.”

 

Photo by Taryn Elliott on Pexels.com

“O The Deep Deep Love of Jesus”

 Oh the deep, deep love of Jesus

Vast, unmeasured, boundless, free

Rolling as a mighty ocean

In its fullness over me

Underneath me, all around me
Is the current of Your love
Leading onward, leading homeward
To your glorious rest above…

Oh, the deep, deep love of Jesus

‘Tis Heaven of Heavens to me

And it lifts me up to glory

For it lifts me up to Thee

Oh, the deep, deep love of Jesus

Spread His praise from shore to shore
How He loves us, ever loves us,
Changes never, nevermore

 Song By Audrey Assad

“A New Day!”

If life seems at its lowest ebb, because a day’s gone wrong,

Let not your heart be troubled, for a new day soon will dawn.

And we can never be quite sure, just what it has in store,

Since each one is so different, than the one just gone before.

As it penetrates the darkness, with its soft and tranquil beams,

It calms even the most restless soul, and brings new hopes and dreams.

So when a day’s been troubled, and the night is dark and long,

Lift up your fallen spirits, for a new day soon will dawn.

-Anonymous

“Our God, Maker of Heaven and Earth”

“O God, Our Help in ages past,

Our Hope for years to come.

Our Shelter from the stormy blast,

And our Eternal Home!

Under the shadow of Thy throne

Still may we dwell secure

Sufficient is Thine arm alone,

And our defense is sure.

Before the hills in order stood

Or earth received its frame,

From everlasting Thou art God,

To endless years the same.

O God, our Help in ages past,

Our Hope for years to come,

Be Thou our Guide while life shall last,

And our Eternal Home.”

From Hymn – “O God Our Help In Ages Past” – By Isaac Watts

“Be Not Conformed to This World…”

Should Believers in Christ Do Yoga?

“…Come out from among them and be separate, says ADONAI. Touch no unclean thing. Then I will take you in. I will be a father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says ADONAI- Tzva’ot.”

– 2 Corinthians 6:17-18

Click Below

Should Christians Do Yoga?

ALSO: https://biblereasons.com/yoga/

“If you died with Messiah to the basic principles of the world, why – as though living in the world – do you subject yourselves to their rules? Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”

Colossians 2:20-21

The Peace of God

“God, who loves peace, makes peace, and breathes peace, will be with us.”

“If the God of peace be with us, we shall enjoy the peace of God, which passes all understanding, even though outward circumstances should threaten to disturb.”

– Charles Spurgeon, “Faith’s Checkbook”

“You will keep in perfect peace one whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”

-Isaiah 26:3 TLV

Living Your “Blessed Life” Now

“I have come that they might have life, and have it abundantly!” – John 10:10 TLV

 

For Believers, “living  your best life now” is not found in this world or it’s ways. Our best life is yet to come for an eternity of days. But we can absolutely and most assuredly live our “blessed life” right now!

Jesus said,

“I have come that they might have life, and have it abundantly!” – John 10:10 TLV

This is the blessed life, the abundant life, the “I get to walk with Jesus everyday and experience His love and goodness!” life.

Praise God!

Psalms 23:6 says,

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,(that’s now!)

and I will dwell in the House of the LORD forever!” (that’s for eternity!)

So with that,

We can happily say, with peace and assurance, “I’m living my blessed life now!”

“Wait on the Lord…”

“Wait! Wait!

Let your waiting be on the Lord! He is worth waiting for.

He never disappoints the waiting soul.

While waiting, keep up your spirits.

Expect a great deliverance, and be ready to praise God for it.

“He shall strengthen your heart”

– Charles Spurgeon

“Wait on the LORD; and be of good courage, and He will strengthen your heart;

wait, I say, on the LORD.”

– Psalm 27:14

Seasons Change

“The seasons change and you change, but the LORD abides evermore the same,

and the streams of His love are as deep, as broad, and as full as ever.”

– Charles Spurgeon

“If You Love Me”

Jesus said: “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.”

– John 14:15 TLV

“There will be no peace in any soul until it is willing to obey the voice of God.”

– D.L. Moody

The Heart of Worship

“I will seek You in the morning. In the morning ADONAI, You will hear my voice…” (See Genesis 19:27)

I’m coming back to the heart of worship,

and it’s all about You

It’s all about You, Jesus.

I’m sorry Lord for the thing I’ve made it,

’cause it’s all about You

It’s all about You Jesus.

-Lyrics from “The Heart of Worship” by Matt Redman

Humility

“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon Him; for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, like a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, Who has called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.”

“To Him be Glory and Dominion Forever and Ever. Amen.”

I Peter 5:6-11

“Yes” and “Amen”

“Apply His promises to the problem and there’ll be no problem.”

 

“For all the promises of God in Him are “Yes”, and in Him “Amen”, to the glory of God through us.”

-2 Corinthians 1:20

“HALLELUJAH!” and “Amen.”

The Hat Rack

Here’s a “post from the past” at my daughter’s request. Blessings! – Faith

Once, many years ago, when visiting a new church for the first time,  an elderly lady  invited us to her house for dinner. We gladly accepted, and followed her home after service.  As we sat in her living room, we had a very pleasant conversation, and got  to know a little more about each other. She was a long-standing member of her church,  and well-loved by the congregation.  Although she was elderly, she was vibrant and enthusiastic, and very happy to talk about how much she loved the Lord, and all that He had done for her. She enthusiastically shared some of her many testimonies, and we talked a little about our faith experiences.  I mentioned how our two children, a son and a daughter, toddlers at the time, had been miracle babies, because I was told that I would never conceive, and even so, I was still praying and believing God for another baby.

She looked at me, with a smile in her eyes, and said, “You see that hat rack over there on the wall?” I answered, “Yes.” she said, “Whenever the Lord does something for me, I imagine that I’m hanging a hat on a hat rack…and every time he answers I just keep adding a new hat.  And the next time I find myself frustrated about something that I’m praying for, I  just take a look at that hat rack, and see all those hats hanging there, and I’m reminded of all the prayers that God has answered, (some that I may have even forgotten), and I am encouraged that He did it before and He’ll do it again.”

I really appreciated this example and made an effort to apply it in my own life. In fact the Lord did answer my prayer and blessed me miraculously with another sweet baby girl!

When I think back on this example, it reminds me of what young David said to King Saul, when he volunteered to fight Goliath…

“David said… The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, He will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine…” I Samuel 17:37

You see, the lion and the bear were hanging on David’s hat rack!!! He just took a look back, and was fully persuaded, that God would do it again. :)

“Has it been awhile since you took a look at your own hat rack?”

Surely God has blessed you and answered your prayers in the past, and hey, there’s always room for another hat, so

Just take a look back, have faith,  and,  like David, be fully persuaded that God will do it again!

Fixed on Jesus

“My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed…” – Psalm 57:7

“Fixed” by definition means, fastened securely in position, predetermined and not subject to or able to be changed…

“Locked-in”

“Fix your faith on Jesus and He’ll fix everything else.”

“Just One Drop”

Today is my 10 year anniversary of  Faithrises on WordPress, and in celebrating this, here’s a story that I posted  several years ago, back in 2012. I love to think back on this story. It reminds me of God’s miracle working power, and how He hears and answers when we pray. I hope that it will be a blessing for you today too! 

My youngest sister was getting married, and the wedding took place just before I was scheduled to have surgery. It was a beautiful wedding, and one of the special moments was watching my sister’s soon-to-be mother in law, walk down the aisle to be seated. She entered gingerly, because she had been very ill, and had traveled a long way in order to attend. I’m not sure what her illness was but you could see in her eyes the love that she had for her son, and how determined she was to be a part of this very special day. She leaned heavily on the arm of the usher who was escorting her in, and slowly made it to her seat. After the wedding, I had a chance to sit and talk with her.

It was my very first time meeting her, so I introduced myself and told her that I was so glad that she was able to come. I asked her how she was feeling and she told me a little about her condition. She mentioned how the Lord had blessed her, and that without Him she couldn’t have made it. She spoke of some sort of blood disorder, I’m not sure of the details, but what she said next would have a great impact on me. She said that she prayed that Jesus would bless her with  “just one drop of His blood”, because she knew that by His stripes we were healed. “Just one drop” she said, and she would be fine. I told her about my upcoming surgery and, being a woman of great faith, she encouraged me, and told me to trust in the sacrifice that Jesus has already paid for us.

The day of surgery arrived and I got up early to spend some time in prayer. I rehearsed in my mind all of the verses which had given me peace as this day approached, then I asked the Lord for something specific… I was told that there was a good chance that I would lose a lot of blood during this surgery, and my doctor told me that I’d have to make an appointment to donate my own blood at the blood bank in advance, as a precaution, in case I needed a blood transfusion during the surgery.  But I didn’t want to have a blood transfusion, so I prayed. I remembered the testimony and I prayed,” Lord, I ask that You would bless me with “ just one drop of Your blood”, so that I would not have to have a blood transfusion.”

After this I felt very calm and at peace.

We left for the hospital that morning and as we drove along, our two children, now 10 and 8 years old, were in the backseat. Although it was morning, it was still dark out and the kids were a little sleepy. Their faces were sad and solemn.  They didn’t want me to have surgery and were very  worried. I started happily singing praise worship songs and they listened in. Their faces brightened slightly, but they couldn’t bring themselves to sing along with me. I felt their love and concern for me, it warmed my heart, and I understood.

The surgery went well. I awakened to see all of my family, including my mom gazing down at me. I was still a little groggy, but so relieved and happy that the surgery was all over!  The next morning the doctor came in and said that there were actually 18 tumors that needed to be removed instead, of the 2 or 3 that he had anticipated, and that I had lost a lot of blood.   “Eighteen tumors?” I said. “No wonder I was in so much pain!” Then he said that although I had lost a great deal of blood, he decided not to give me a transfusion right then, and decided instead to watch me and wait until morning. He went on to say with some excitement and surprise that my blood count was now actually back up to normal! It was a miracle. I didn’t need more blood after all. I thought to myself,  “Thank you Jesus!” because I hadn’t mentioned to my family or my doctor that I really didn’t want a blood transfusion in the first place. This prayer was just  between me and the Lord, and He did it!

“Just one drop”…Just like I asked! It’s like the Scripture says:

“Ask, and it shall be given to you. Seek, and you shall find. Knock, and it shall be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it shall be opened.“ – Matthew 7:7-8 TLV

The Lord had given me just what I prayed for!  Quietly, I closed my eyes, exhaled, and felt a great big smile, deep down inside. :)

“A New Thing”

“Do not remember the former things,

nor consider things of the past.

Here I am,

doing a new thing;

Now it is springing up…”

– Isaiah 43:18 TLV

Because of Who You Are

Who am I

That the Lord of all the earth

Would care to know my name

Would care to feel my hurt?

Who am I

That the Bright and Morning Star

Would choose to light the way

For my ever wandering heart?

Who am I

That the eyes that see my sin

Would look on me with love

and watch me rise again?

Who am I

The the voice that calmed the sea

Would call out through the rain

And calm the storm in me?

Not because of who I am,

But because of what You’ve done.

Not because of what I’ve done,

But because of Who You are.

“I am a flower quickly fading.

Here today and gone tomorrow.

A wave tossed in the ocean.

A vapor in the wind.

Still You

Hear me when I’m calling

Lord, You catch me when I’m falling

And You’ve told me who I am

I am Yours… I am Yours.”

“Who Am I?”- lyrics by Mark Hall; song by Casting Crowns

 

“Thanksgiving and Praise”

“Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.

  Serve the LORD with gladness: come before His presence with singing.

Know ye that the LORD He is God: it is He that has made us, and not we ourselves;

we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise:

be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.

For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endures to all generations.”

-Psalm 100

“His Love Endures Forever”

“Praise the God of gods for His lovingkindness  endures forever.”

Psalm 136:2

“Dancing”

” You have turned for me my mourning into dancing:

You have put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness. 

To the end that my glory may sing praise to You, and not be silent.

O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.”

Psalm 30:11-12

“In Everything Give Thanks”

“In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

– Thessalonians 5:18

Thanks Be To God!

” …Thanks be to God who keeps giving us the victory through our Lord Yeshua the Messiah!”

– 1 Corinthians 15:57

“Eternal Life, Eternal Joy!”

“Look, He is coming in the clouds and every eye shall see Him…”  -Revelation 1:7

“Jesus is all the world to me;

I want no better friend.

I trust Him now; I’ll trust Him when

Life’s fleeting days shall end.

Beautiful life with such a Friend;

Beautiful life that has no end!

Eternal life, eternal joy,

He’s my Friend.”

Hymn – “Jesus Is All The World To Me” by Will Lamartine Thompson

“True To Him I’ll Be”

“Jesus is all the world to me;

And true to Him I”ll be.

Oh, how could I this Friend deny

When He’s so true to me?

Following Him I know I’m right;

He watches o’er me day and night.

Following Him by day and night,

He’s my Friend.”

 

Hymn – “Jesus Is All The World To Me” by Will Lamartine Thompson

“He’s My Friend”

“Jesus is all the world to me;

My friend in trials sore.

I go to Him for blessings, and

He gives them o’er and o’er.

He sends the sunshine and the rain;

He sends the harvest’s golden grain:

Sunshine and rain, harvest of grain–

He’s my Friend.”

 

Hymn- “Jesus Is All The Word To Me” by Will Lamartine Thompson

“Jesus Is All The World To Me”

“Jesus is all the world to me;

My life, my joy, my all.

He is my strength from day to day;

Without Him I would fall.

When I am sad, to Him I go;

No other one can cheer me so.

When I am sad, He makes me glad;

He’s my Friend.”

 

-Hymn -“Jesus is All The World to Me” by Will Lamartine Thompson

True Happiness

“It’s not how much we have, but how much we enjoy that makes true happiness.”

-Charles Haddon Spurgeon

With Thanksgiving

“O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our salvation.

Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto Him with psalms.

For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.

In His hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is His also.

The sea is His… He made it: and His Hands formed the dry land.

O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.”

Psalm 95:1-6

Harvest of Joy

“When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion,

We were like them that dream.

Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the nations,

The LORD has done great things for them.

The LORD has done great things for us; and we are glad.

Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the South.

They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.”

Psalm 126:1-5

“There Is None Like You”

There is none like You…

No one else can touch my heart like You do,

I could search for all eternity long and find

There is none, there is none

There is none like You.  -Michael W. Smith

“LORD, there is no one like You!

For You are great, and Your Name is full of power.

Who would not fear You, O King of nations?

That title belongs to You alone!

Among all the wise people of the earth

and in all the kingdoms of the world,

there is no one like You.”

Jeremiah 10:6-7

Total Makeover

“The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,

 Arise, and go down to the potter’s house,…

there I will cause thee to hear my words.

Then I went down to the potter’s house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.

Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD.”

“Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand...”

Jeremiah 18:1-6

“Spread The Love”

HUGS AND KISSES ARE GOOD FOR THE HEART, BODY, AND SOUL🧡

Hugs:

Reduce harmful physical effects of stress;

Calm deep pressure on children, tantrums, and mellows moodiness;

Help the body’s immune system, cures depression, and induces sleep;

Invigorate and rejuvenate

Increase heart rate and stabilize blood pressure;

Give a positive emotional state;

Bring out a surge of serotonin and dopamine, which are known as “feel good” brain chemicals.

Relieve pain, make you healthier and happier;

Help to overcome fear

Kisses:

Good for the heart, as it creates an adrenaline which causes your heart to pump more blood around your body.

Stress-reliever, lowering your cortisol ‘stress’ hormone.

Endorphins produced by kissing are 200 times more powerful than morphine.

Reduces anxiety and stop the ‘noise’ in your mind.

Increase the levels of oxytocin, an extremely calming hormone that produces a feeling of peace.

Great for self-esteem.  Make  you feel appreciated and helps your state of mind.

Those who kiss quite frequently are less likely to suffer from stomach, bladder and blood infections.

Those who kiss goodbye each morning live five years longer than those who don’t.

So, Here’s to Hugs and Kisses! 

“… Greet one another with a holy kiss.” – 1 Corinthians 16:20

“I Love It Here”

“Lord, I love the house where You live, the place where Your glory dwells.”

Psalm 26:8

“His Way Is Perfect”

“As for God, His way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried:

He is a buckler to all those that trust in Him.

For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God?

It is God that girdes me with strength, and makes my way perfect.

He maketh my feet like hinds’ feet, and setteth me upon my high places.

He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.

Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up,

… thy gentleness hath made me great.”

Psalm 18:30-35

The Peace of God

Be anxious for nothing, but in all things by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

“Write the Vision, Watch it Happen”

“Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, so he may run that reads it.

For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie:

though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not delay.”

Habakkuk 2:2-3

“Seasons Change…”

“… but the word of our God will stand forever.”

– Isaiah 40:8

Rest Assured

To trust in God means that He is our confidence; our minds are at rest, as we rely on His word, His integrity, His veracity, His faithfulness, and His unfailing love.

We don’t often hear stories about King Hezekiah, but he is one of my favorite examples of trusting in God. II Kings 18:5, says that Hezekiah trusted God like no other king before or after him.. What a wonderful way to be remembered, as someone who truly trusted in God. In the face of danger, at the threat of war from Sennacherib, king of Assyria, and even after the prophet Isaiah warned him that he would soon die, Hezekiah prayed to God, trusted Him to hear and answer, and God delivered him every time!

King Hezekiah’s sincere, unshakable, trust in God, serves as a great encouragement and example for us today, as we face life’s trials and difficulties. Like him, we too can be assured, that God cares, He hears our prayers,He sees our tears, and will not fail to deliver us, as we place our trust in Him.

“Never Once”

Never once did we ever walk alone

Never once did you leave us on our own

You are faithful, God You are faithful.

Scars and struggles on the way

But with joy our hearts can say

You are faithful, God You are faithful

Carried by Your constant grace

Held within Your perfect peace

Never once did we ever walk alone

Never once did You leave us on our own

You are faithful, God you are faithful”

 

From Song Lyrics – “Never Once” by Matt Redman, Jason Ingram, Tim Wanstall

Simple Pleasures

“There are difficulties in everything except in eating pancakes.”

-Charles Spurgeon

“Sometimes… You Gotta Fight!”

“…Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.”

“Put on the whole armor of God, so that you are able to stand against the schemes of the devil.”

“…Buckle the belt of truth around your waist, and

Put on the breastplate of righteousness.

Strap up your feet in readiness with the Good News of shalom.

Above all, take up the shield of faith with which you will be able

to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

And take the helmet of salvation

And the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

_ Ephesians 6:10-17

 

“Because I Love You…”

“My son, do not take lightly the discipline of ADONAI or lose heart when you are corrected by Him, because ADONAI disciplines the one He loves, and punishes every son He accepts.”

“It is for discipline that you endure, God is treating you as sons– for what son does a father not discipline?”

“Besides, we are used to having human fathers as instructors– and we respect them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live?” …He does so for our benefit, so that we may share in His holiness.”

“Now all discipline seems painful at the moment–not joyful. But later it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”

– Hebrews 12:5-11 TLV

“All The Way, Along The Way”

“…Be strong and courageous.

Do not be afraid;

Do not be discouraged, or dismayed,

for the LORD your God will be with you 

wherever you go.”

– Joshua 1:9

“Beloved”

“I will call those who were not My people, “My people,”

and I will call her who was not beloved “Beloved.”

and it shall be that in the place where it was said to them,

“You are not My people,”

There they shall be called sons of the living God.”

“…Yes, I have loved you

with an everlasting love…”

 Romans 9:25-26 and Jeremiah 31:2

“Trees of God”

“The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.” – Psalm 92:12

“Palms and Cedars are “trees of the Lord,” and it is by His care that they flourish. So it is with the saints of the Lord: they are His own care.

These trees are evergreen and are beautiful in all seasons. Believers are not sometimes holy and sometimes ungodly; they stand in the beauty of the Lord under all weathers. The followers of Jesus are the observed of all observers; like a city set on a hill, they cannot be hid.

The child of God flourishes like a palm tree, which pushes all its strength upward.

It has no growth to the right or left, but sends all its force heavenward and bears its fruit as near the sky as possible.

The cedar braves all storms and grows near the eternal snows, the Lord Himself filling it with a sap that keeps its heart warm and its bough strong.

Lord, so let it be with me.”

-Charles Spurgeon

My Future is Laid in Your Promise

“I am Your child, beloved.

And all of my days

My future is laid in Your promise

Jesus,

To the end of the age

I am not alone or forgotten

So I will not worry or fret

My God is the God who will never forget

All of His goodness and all of His promises

He’s holding my world in His hands”

 

Lyrics Excerpt from “Holding My World” -by Kristian Stanfill

 

Jesus Paid It All

“Jesus paid it all,

All to Him I owe;

Sin had left a crimson stain,

He washed it white as snow.”

Elvina M. Hall

“Sins Washed Away, Once For All”

“For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.”

“By His will we have been made holy through the offering of the body of Messiah Yeshua

once for all.”

Hebrews 10:4,10 TLV

The Lifter of My Head

“…You, ADONAI, are a shield around me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.” – Psalm 3:4 TLV

Happiness!

“Prayer is a privilege, and praise is a holiday.”

– Charles Spurgeon

Awesome Savior!

“…You did awesome things that we were not expecting,

You came down–

the mountains shook at Your presence!

For from days of old no one has heard, no ear perceived,

no eyes has seen God,

except You,

who acts on behalf of the one

waiting for Him.”

Isaiah 64:2

Because I Love You…

“Fear not for I have redeemed you,

I have called you by name,

you are Mine.

When you pass through the waters,

I will be with you,

or through the rivers,

they will not overflow you.

When you walk through the fire,

you will not be burned,

nor will the flame burn you.

For I am ADONAI your God,

the Holy one of Israel,

your Savior…

you are precious in My eyes,

honored,

because I love you…”

Isaiah 43:1-4 TLV

“Be Still My Soul”

Be still, my soul — the LORD is on your side!

Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;

Leave to you God to order and provide.

In every change God faithful will remain.

Be still, my soul–Your best, your heavenly Friend

Through thorny ways, leads to a joyful end.

Be still my soul! Your God will undertake,

To guide the future as in ages past.

Your hope, your confidence let nothing shake;

All now mysterious will be bright at last.

Be still my soul!

The waves and winds still know,

The Christ who ruled them while He dwelt below.

“Be still my soul…”

Hymn by- Katharina von Schlegel and Jean Sibelius

“Be still and know that I am God”

– Psalms 46:10 KJV, Psalms 46:11 TLV

Following By Faith

Faith never knows where

it is being led,

but it loves and knows

the One who is leading.

– Oswald Chambers

There Is No Peace In “Mindfulness”

“So letting your sinful nature control your mind, leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.” – Romans 8:6

“There will be no peace in any soul until it is willing to obey the voice of God.”

– D.L. Moody

“Jesus is The Prince of Peace.” – Isaiah 9:6

“May the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way…”

– 2 Thessalonians 3:16

“I Am In Awe”

“I am now, and will forever and eternally be, in awe of God, “Blessed be His Name”, who has been so personally close and near to me, while at the same time being the GREAT GOD of all creation; greater than anyone, anything, anytime, anywhere… in and outside of time, forever and ever… Only God is Awesome”

WHO IS LIKE THE LORD!?

“Who is like the LORD?….. NOBODY!

Who is like the LORD?…..No- no-no-no-no- NOBODY!

If God is for us?

Who can be against us?

He will keep His promise.

There’s nobody like Him, NOBODY LIKE HIM!

What can separate us from the love of Jesus?

He will keep His promise!

There’s nobody like Him, NOBODY LIKE HIM!

There is none in heaven or earth like You. There is none in heaven or earth like You!

Lord we declare, who can compare?

Who would even dare?

THERE IS NO ONE LIKE YOU!!!!!

Who is like the LORD?

No-no-no-no-no NOBODY!”

Praise and Worship Song, “Who is Like The Lord” -by Israel Houghton

“And I say “Hallelujah!!! and Amen!!!” to that.

Trouble In The World

“Shalom to you and all who are in Messiah.” -1 Peter 5:14

“Yeshua answered…”

“These things have I spoken to you,

so that in Me you may have shalom.

In the world you will have trouble,

but take heart!

I have overcome the world!”

-John 16:33 TLV

“What Does God Require?”

“There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes, and yet is not cleansed from its filth.

There is a generation whose eyes are so haughty, whose eyelids are lifted up disdainfully.

There is a generation whose teeth are swords and whose molars are knives, to devour the poor from the earth and the needy from humanity.”

“What Does God Require?”

“He has told you, humanity, what is good, and what ADONAI is seeking from you:

Only to practice justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.“

Open your mouth on behalf of those unable to speak,

For the justice of all who are destitute.

Open your mouth,

judge righteously,

plead the cause of the poor and needy.”

Proverbs 30:12-14, Micah 6:8, Proverbs 31:8-9 TLV

“Hope Beyond Hope”

“Hope Holds On…”

Abraham…

In hope beyond hope, he trusted…

He did not waver in unbelief concerning the promise of God…

…Strengthened in faith, giving glory to God

He was fully convinced

that what God has promised, He also is able to do”

(Excerpt from, Romans 4:16-21 TLV)

“Only For God”

“My soul, wait in stillness, only for God —

For from Him comes my expectation.

He alone is my rock and my salvation,

My strong tower —

I will never be moved…

My refuge is in God

Trust in Him at all times, you people.

Pour out your heart in His presence.

God is our refuge.” “Selah.” – (which means, pause and think about it. 😊 🍁)

-Psalm 62:6,3,9 TLV

“Will the True Worshippers Of God, Please Stand Up?”

“LOVE IS PROOF”— “If You Love God, You Will Love One Another”

“…An hour is coming — it is here now– when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such people as His worshippers. – John 4:23

“It is clear who are the children of God and who are the children of the devil by this– Anyone who does not act righteously, or love his brother, is not of God.”

“For this is the message you have heard from the beginning– we should love one another.”- 1 John 3:10-11

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord!’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day. ‘Lord, didn’t we prophesy in Your Name, and drive out demons in Your Name, and perform many miracles in your Name?’ Then I will declare to them, “I never knew you. Get away from Me, you workers of iniquity!” – Matthew 7:22

“Loved ones, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are from God.

For many false prophets have gone out into the world.”- 1 John 4:1

Survival Kit

“In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

– 1 Thessalonians 5:18

“He Stills The Storm”

“So they cried out to ADONAI in their distress,

and He brought them out of their troubles.

He stilled the storm to a whisper —

the waves were hushed.

They were glad when it became calm

And He led them to their desired haven.”

-Psalm 107:28-30 TLV

The Trumpet Shall Sound

“O, Happy Thought!”

“For the Lord Himself shall come down from heaven with a commanding shout,

with the voice of the archangel and with the blast of God’s shofar

and the dead in Messiah shall rise first.

Then we who are alive, who are left behind, will be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air —

and so shall we always be with the Lord.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 TLV

Like a Watered Garden

“They Will Never Languish Again”

Languish Defined

“To lose vitality… to grow weak or feeble… to suffer from being forced to remain in an unpleasant place or situation.”

“Their life will be like a watered garden,

and they will never languish again.

For I will turn their mourning into joy

And I will comfort them,

And make them rejoice out of their sorrow…

My people will be satisfied with My goodness…”

“The LORD will guide you continually,

and satisfy your needs in parched places,

and make your bones strong;

and you shall be like a watered garden,

like a spring of water,

whose waters never fail.”

Jeremiah 31:11 and Isaiah 58:11

“Hope Beyond Hope”

“In hope beyond hope, he trusted …

And without becoming weak in faith… he did not waver in unbelief concerning the promise of God.

Rather, he was strengthened in faith,

giving glory to God. 

He was fully convinced that what God had promised,

He was also able to do.”

Romans 4:18-22

“Planted, Rooted, and Grounded”

“Your Word, O LORD, is like air to my lungs, and water to my soul.”

“Let Your precious Word be like my bones, like my very skeleton, which is my framework, which strengthens me and enables me to stand.

And like the blood, coursing through my veins, empowering me at every point with life, health, and healing, so let Your Word course through my veins reaching every cell, tissue, and organ.

And as the life of the body is in the blood, manufactured in the marrow, let Your Word be as a seed planted within my very marrow, life springing forth as a great tree, reaching to the heavens, bearing much fruit in my life, to Your Glory and for our good.”

“In Yeshua’s Name, I pray. Amen.”

“From Night into Day”

“It is not hard for the LORD to turn night into day. He who sends the clouds can just as easily clear the skies.” – Charles Spurgeon

“To Everything A Season”

“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:”

A time to be born, and a time to die;  a time to plant and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

A time to kill, and a time to heal;  a time to break down, and A time to build up;

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and A time to dance;

A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;

A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and A time to speak;

A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.”

-Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 TLV

“All The Days of My Life”

“And even to your old age I am He; and even to gray hairs will I carry you: I have made and I will bear; even I will carry, and deliver you.”  

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life…” 

Isaiah 46:4 and Psalm 23:6

Let My Soul Look Up

I am Thine, O Lord

I have heard Thy voice

And it told Thy love to me

But I long to rise

In the arms of faith

And be closer drawn to Thee

Consecrate me now

To Thy service Lord

By the power of grace divine.

Let my soul look up

with a steadfast hope

And my will be lost in Thine

 

Hymn- “I am Tine, O Lord” – by Fanny Crosby / W.H.Doane

Like Dew

May teaching tickle like rain,

My speech distill like dew —

Like gentle rain on new grass,

Like showers on tender plants.

For I proclaim ADONAI’s Name,

Ascribe greatness to our God!

From the “Song of Moses” – Deuteronomy 32:2-3

All The Way, Everyday

All the way my Savior leads me;

What have I to ask beside?

Can I doubt His tender mercy

Who through life has been my Guide

Heavenly peace, divinest comfort,

Here by faith in Him to dwell

For I know whate’er befall me

Jesus doeth all things well.

Yes, I know whate’er befall me

Jesus doeth all things well.

Hymn- “All The Way My Savior Leads Me” by Fanny Crosby

A Fresh Start

“Lord help me to begin to begin”

– George Whitefield

“Day by Day” — A Lamp & A Light

Isn’t This Beautiful!

Blessed be my Lord! Day by day He bears our burdens- the God of our salvation! Selah -Psalm 68:20

via Day by Day — A Lamp & A Light

 

“Love So Amazing, So Divine”

 “When I survey the wondrous cross     On which the Prince of Glory died

My richest gain I count but loss      And pour contempt on all my pride

Were every realm of nature mine    My gift would still be far too small

Love so amazing, so divine

Demands my soul, my life, my all.

Hymn- “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” by Isaac Watts

“By Trusting”

“By trusting you are being protected by God’s power for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

You rejoice in this greatly, even though for now for a little while… you have been distressed by various trials.

These trials are so that the “true metal” of your faith… may come to light in praise and honor and glory at the revelation of Yeshua Messiah.

Though you have not seen Him, you love Him.

And even though you don’t see Him now, you trust Him…”

– 1 Peter 1:5-8 TLV

“Pressed Down, Shaken Together”

“Give, and it shall be given to you– a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, overflowing, will be given into your lap.” – Luke 6:38

“O Yes, He Cares”

“Does Jesus care when my heart is pained

Too deeply for happiness and song;

As the burdens press, And the cares distress,

And the way grows weary and long?

O Yes, He cares, I know He cares! His heart is touched with my grief;

Though the days are weary, The long nights dreary,

I know my Savior cares… O Yes, My Savior cares!”

 

Hymn- “Does Jesus Care?” –By J. Lincoln Hall and F.E. Graeff

“You First”

“Humility can be summed up in just two words… “You first.””

“Like A Mighty Stream”

“The Bible verse that Dr. Martin Luther King quoted most often was Amos 5:24,

“But let justice roll down as waters and righteousness as a mighty stream.”

The prophet Amos was saying,

(As most of the Hebrew prophets were saying)

that what God wants is justice and right living rather than religious ceremonies for their own sake.”

Quote from: Steve Hollaway@Harbor Church

“What Does the Bible Say?…”

“Rescue those being dragged off to death,

Hold back those stumbling to slaughter.”

“If you say, “Look, we didn’t know this.”

Won’t He who weighs hearts perceive it?

Won’t He who guards your soul know it?

Won’t He repay each one according to his deeds?”

Partiality in judgement is not good.

Whoever tells the guilty, “You are innocent,”

People curse him

And nations revile him.

But for those who convict the guilty

There will be delight– good blessing will come upon them.”

-Proverbs 24:11-12 and 23-25 Tree of Life Version

 

“What Does God Require?”

“He has told you, humanity, what is good, and what ADONAI is seeking from you:

Only to practice justice,

to love mercy, and to

walk humbly with your God.”

– Micah 6:8 TLV

“A Time and A Season”

“To everything there is a season,  A time for every purpose under heaven.”

-Ecclesiastes 3:1

“As You Love Yourself”

And Jesus answered…

“Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Mark 12:29-31

When My People Pray

“When My people, over whom My Name is called,

humble themselves and pray

and seek My face and turn from their evil ways,

then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin

and will heal their land.”

– 2 Chronicles 7:14

All My Days

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

all the days of my life

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord

forever.”

-Psalm 23:6

“Do You Trust Him?”

“WE HAVE A BIG GOD. WE HAVE A WONDERFUL JESUS.

WE HAVE A GLORIOUS COMFORTER.

GOD’S CANOPY IS OVER YOU AND WILL COVER YOU AT ALL TIMES,

PRESERVING YOU FROM EVIL.

UNDER HIS WINGS SHALL YOU TRUST.

THE WORD OF GOD IS LIVING AND POWERFUL, AND IN IT’S TREASURES YOU WILL FIND ETERNAL LIFE.

IF YOU DARE TRUST THIS WONDERFUL LORD, THIS LORD OF LIFE, YOU WILL FIND IN HIM EVERYTHING YOU NEED.”

– Smith Wigglesworth

 

Even In The Storm

Yet Will I Trust Him

“Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him…” – Job 13:15

“LORD, I trust You. No matter what.

In every situation I give You thanks.”

“Come What May, Still I Rejoice”

In All Things, At All Times, I Will Rejoice In You, LORD

“Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall there be fruit on the vines..”

“Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.”

Habakkuk 3:17-18

“Why Things Happen As They Do”

“Why things happen as they do

we do not always know,

And we cannot always fathom

why our spirits sink so low.

We flounder in our dark distress,

we are wavering and unstable,

But when we’re most inadequate,

the Lord God’s always able-

For though we are incapable,

God is powerful and great,

And there’s no darkness of the mind that

God can’t penetrate…

And while He may not instantly

unravel all the strands

Of  tangled thoughts that trouble us,

He completely understands-

And in His time, if we have faith,

He will gradually restore

The brightness to our spirits

that we’ve been longing for.

So remember there’s no cloud too dark

for God’s light to penetrate

If we just keep on believing

and have faith enough to wait.”

  -Helen Steiner Rice

Peace Be Yours

“Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God

and of Jesus Christ our Lord.”

-2 Peter 1:2

Take Courage

Look ahead

with courage

Trust God

and

Be strong

Joy

comes in the morning

and

Again will come

the dawn.

“O Grave, Where Is Your Victory?”

“Christ The Lord is Risen Indeed!”

“Death, where is your sting?  Grave, where is your victory?”

“…Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through Jesus Christ our Lord!”

1 Corinthians 15:55-56

“It Is Finished”

Good Friday “The Seven Words”

Amazing Grace

“Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me.

I once was lost but now I’m found, was blind but now I see.

Through many dangers toils and snares, I have already come

His grace has brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.”

 

“Amazing Grace” by John Newton

“Remember Me”

 

“And He took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.” Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.” Luke 22:19-20

There are many traditions, holidays, and ceremonies, that we observe and hold in remembrance, and many of them in the name of Christianity. We celebrate birthdays, and Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter, and that’s fine, they are special days, and it’s good to celebrate, but there is one thing that the Lord has asked us to observe, in remembrance of Him, and the sacrifice that He made to redeem us, saying, “Do this as oft as you will, in remembrance of me.”  II Corinthians 11:25

As we remember the last supper today, we are also reminded of Christ’s sacrificial love for all of us…We are reminded of His tremendous suffering, and the price that He paid to save us, and that by His grace, through faith, we are saved.

Thank you, Lord Jesus.

Temple Cleansed

   “In the Temple, He found the merchants selling oxen, sheep, and doves; also the                     moneychangers sitting there. Then He made a whip of cords and drove them all out…”           – John 2:14-15

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me…”

This week, as I remember the events leading up to the crucifixion, I reflect on how Christ “cleansed the temple”of moneychangers and how, because of His love, and by His blood, we too can be made clean and renewed by His Holy Spirit.

“He Watches Over You”

“I will lift up my eyes to the mountains — from where does my help come?”

“My help comes from ADONAI,  Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip.

Your keeper will not slumber.

Behold, the Keeper of Israel

neither slumbers nor sleeps.

ADONAI is your keeper. ADONAI is your shadow at your right hand.

The sun will not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.

ADONAI will protect you from all evil.

He will guard your life.

ADONAI will watch over your coming and your going

From this time forth and forever more.”

Psalm 121  –Tree of Life Version

“My Strength, My Shield, My Song”

“The Lord is my strength and my shield;

My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped:

Therefore my heart greatly rejoices;

And with my song will I praise Him.”

Psalm 28:7

“Hosanna, Please Save!”

It’s very timely, and interesting too, to know that the Hebrew  word for Hosanna is Hoshiana which means “Please save!”

And so, this Palm Sunday, as we remember what Christ has done for us, we can again say:

“LORD please save!”

“Hosanna in the Highest!”

“Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the LORD!”

Matthew 21:9

God Will Take Care Of You

“Be not dismayed whatever betide,

God will take care of you.

Beneath His wings of love abide,

God will take care of you.”

“He will cover you with His feathers and under His wings will you find refuge. His faithfulness is body armor and shield.” – Psalm 91:4

 

Hymn- “God Will Take Care Of You”- by C. Martin and W.S. Martin

 

God Is Our Refuge

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

“ADONAI is good as a refuge in the day of distress and He knows those who

take refuge in Him.”

Psalm 46:1, Nahum 1:7

No Power of Hell

“No guilt in life, No fear in death,

This is the power of Christ in me

From life’s first cry to final breath,

Jesus commands my destiny

No power of hell, no scheme of man

Can ever pluck me from His hand

Till He returns or calls me home

Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand.”

Song- “In Christ Alone” – By Getty and Townsend – Sung by Adrienne Liesching