Sing-Along-Saturday

Diamonds

Today's song is 'Diamonds' by Hawk Nelson. Did you know diamonds are made of pure carbon? They form over millions of years when carbon is put under extreme pressure and heat deep within the earth. As I was researching diamonds I found this quote, "Rough diamonds are rare. And they are the hardest known natural substance. But in their raw form they are remarkably unremarkable! It is only through the diamond craftmanship of man that the full beauty of a diamond can be observed."  Isn't that amazing! Only in the hands of a craftsman does a diamond become beautiful. 

God is working his master craftsmanship in us. In our natural form we are remarkably unremarkable! But with His Spirit working within us, we become a unique and amazing pure diamond.  He knows just what it will take for us to draw close to him. He knows just what pressures it will take to make us sparkle and shine as he polishes away our rough spots! He is making diamonds out of us!


Click Here to Listen to Diamonds

Lyrics:
Here and now I'm in the fire, in above my head
Being held under the pressure, don't know what will be left
But it's here in the ashes
I'm finding treasure

He's making diamonds 
Making diamonds
He's making diamonds out of dust
He is refining
And in his timing
He's making diamonds out of us

I'll surrender to the power of being crushed by love
‘Til the beauty that was hidden isn't covered up
It's not what I hoped for
It's something much better

Oh The Joy of the Lord
It will be my strength
When the pressure is on
He's making Diamonds

I won't be afraid to shine
I won't be afraid to shine
I won't be afraid to shine

‘Cuz He's making diamonds out of dust
Making diamonds out of us



Quote from http://www.whiteflash.com/about-diamonds/diamond-education/diamonds-how-do-they-form.htm

Official found on you tube @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yf1ARbpB0gA

Success!

Study this book of instruction continually.  Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it.  Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.

Joshua 1:8 NLT

I was just reminded this morning that if I am not in God's Word then most likely the choices I make aren't in His will and most likely won't be successful in His big picture for me.  I won't know how to live Godly if I don't know how God wants me to live.  I won't know what to choose, when faced with difficult decisions, if I don't know what Jesus would do.  If I haven't spent time reading and getting to know God then I won't prosper in the blessings He has for me!  I will struggle to live a prosperous life if my mind is on the world and not fixed on living like Jesus.  It is so easy to get distracted!  It is so easy to get swept away by the things of this world, which is why God wants us continually meditating on His Word so that we can stay grounded.  Yes, he wants us to obey Him, but I think just the same He wants us to know His character and what He stands for so that we can live like that too.  Obeying God's instructions and knowing what He says and does in certain situations is what we should base our actions on.  If we don't know those things then our life can't be lived out like God wants and our success will be worldly success which won't last long nor will it impact the kingdom or carry through to eternity.  So to succeed in life we must know God's Word and use it when it comes time to make plans in our own life.  We must know it so well that in a moment of quick decisions we can make the right call and respond in the right way.  It is something that we must do from now until our death.........continue an open relationship with God and His promises and instructions.

Dear God, thank you for your instructions.  Thank you for giving me the Bible to lead my life decisions and to guide me through my life!  You are so patient with me and I long to get this right!  Please give me your wisdom and desire to live Christ-like.  Amen

Like an Olive Tree

But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God;

I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever.

For what you have done I will always praise you in the presence of your faithful people.

And I will hope in your name, for your name is good.

Psalm 52:8-9

King Saul was in pursuit of David. David's life was on the line, and as a result he was on the run and in hiding. He approaches a priest named Ahimelech who gives him food and arms him with Goliath's sword. David then goes into hiding.

However, Doeg, one of King Saul's herdsmen, hears the conversation among David and the priest and runs to tattletale to King Saul. As a reward, Doeg is given the go-ahead to kill Ahimelech and 84 other priests.

Prior to this verse David cries out to God in this psalm about the injustice of Doeg's massacre and Saul's pursuit. Evil is rampant and justice will come.

In contrast, David defends his own character by comparing himself to an olive tree in the house of God. Flourishing, alive, and in the presence of the Lord! David states his trust and  thankfulness to God and will forever praise His name.

Can you relate? Have you been treated unjustly? Are you enduring the pain of another's evil acts?

Look up my friend. Take your eyes off the evil and injustice of this world. Know that our God is just and will prevail and ultimately give evil its due. Focus on the Lord and his faithfulness. Focus on what he has done and praise His name. For He is good! Despite the circumstance you too can flourish like an olive tree in the house of God!

Choose To Be Free

Don't you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey?  You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living.

Romans 6:16

I thank God for the brave men and women who selflessly served our country, and continue to serve so that I we may have freedoms and safety in our land.  We have a great coutry with many freedoms that many others don't have the privilege to claim.  Thank God everyone in the world has the opportunity to claim freedom in Christ!  But that too, is a choice that not all take advantage of.  We are slaves to whatever we choose to obey and so if we choose sin, bitterness or drugs then we are a slave to those things.  If we choose God and life our lives devoted to His instructions then we are free.  Today we all have a choice and as we celebrate the freedom our country has we too can celebrate our freedom from choosing a God first life.  Enjoy your fireworks and your cookouts and your friends but never forget God's place in your life and choose to be free in Him, as well!    

Sunday Scripture

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever isnoble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Sing Along Saturday

Christ is our savior now and forevermore!  Jesus didn't just die for us all but for each of us!  He knows us individually and died with each one of us on His heart.  Praising our risen Lord this beautiful morning.  As we prepare to celebrate our country's independence, let us not forget our freedom in Christ, as well!  

Enjoy this song by Charles Billingsly  Now and Forevermore

God, Deliver Me!

Call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you , and you will honor me.

Psalm 50:15

God promises through this verse that he will deliver us from the trouble we face on this earth. Do you face sickness, marriage struggles, or a financial debt? Whatever it is you face today, God will deliver you when you call upon his name..

I am learning that God delivers us in a variety of ways, all according to what will bring us to seek and honor Him. He is always working for our best even when it doesn't feel the best.

One way is to deliver us from the trials: For example, a man facing cancer is completely healed through surgery to the astonishment of the doctors. God delivered the man from the illness.

God also delivers us through the trials: A woman has cancer. Though she is not immediately healed, through the trial she is a light to those who witness her godly character and strength as she leans on the Lord through the fire. God may choose to heal her body, but through the fire of cancer, she is being delivered.

God delivers us out of a situation and into a better place: A child battling cancer, though faithful prayers for healing are offered, dies and enters into heaven. 

Whatever it is that you face today, call upon the Lord and ask him to deliver you. Know that he will deliver you, though he may choose to do it in a way that you do not expect or in ways you fail to understand. Know that He is faithful!

"God does deliver- When we can't understand his methods we can trust his character!" 

                                                                                                                    -Jennifer Rothschild