Sunday Scripture

But You, O Lord, are a shield about me, 

my glory, and the One who lifts my head.

Psalm 3:3 NASB

Sing A Long Saturday

Feeling weak and tired? Wondering if you have the strength for another day? Listen to Same Power by Jeremy Camp today. As I hear this song, I just have to raise my arms and praise God, ready to move the mountains before me with HIS POWER that is within me by his Holy Spirit!!

Click here to hear Same Power by Jeremy Camp
                                                          
                                                             "Same Power"

I can see 
Waters raging at my feet 
I can feel 
The breath of those surrounding me 
I can hear 
The sound of nations rising up 
We will not be overtaken 
We will not be overcome 

I can walk 
Down this dark and painful road 
I can face 
Every fear of the unknown 
I can hear 
All God’s children singing out 
We will not be overtaken 
We will not be overcome

The same power that rose Jesus from the grave 
The same power that commands the dead to wake 
Lives in us, lives in us 
The same power that moves mountains when He speaks 
The same power that can calm a raging sea 
Lives in us, lives in us 
He lives in us, lives in us

We have hope 
That His promises are true 
In His strength 
There is nothing we can’t do 
Yes, we know 
There are greater things in store 
We will not be overtaken 
We will not be overcome 

Greater is He that is living in me 
He’s conquered our enemy 
No power of darkness 
No weapon prevails 
We stand here in victory

Sing His Praises

I'm thanking you, God, from a full heart,

I'm writing the book on your wonders.

I'm whistling, laughing, and jumping for joy;

I'm singing your song, High God.

Psalm 9:1-2

Read this verse again! Sing his praises. God has saved you from your own sin. He has provided a way for you to spend eternity with him even though on your own you do not deserve to live with a holy, righteous God. He loves you beyond measure. Did you hear that... you are loved. Dear friend, you are loved. You are forgiven. Your past, your present do not define you. You are defined by the God who made you. You are defined by Jesus' blood on the cross for your sin. 

Whistle, sing, shout, jump for you today. You are His! Rejoice today! Turn up the praise music and SING HIS PRAISES!!

The Truth Will Set You Free

Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.

John 8:32 NIV

"I am being held captive by some circumstances in my life right now.  These things are, at times, consuming my thoughts and taking over my feelings.  I have some issues that need resolved and I don't know exactly what God wants me to do about them.  I trust that He has all the answers and, in fact, He has been faithful to reassure me of His presence in my life and encourage me to keep moving forward."  

Does this scenario sound at all familiar?  Do you ever just cry out for God to make your way so crystal clear?  Are you dealing with decisions and problems that seem out of your control and you just don't know how to approach them?  What is worrying you?  What is confusing you?  How can you overcome your chains and find freedom? 

I have some questions and today, for the first time, I realize that these questions I seek to answer......the wisdom I so desperately need, is the only thing that will set me free from my chains.  Jesus said it Himself, "the truth will set you free" and so I am seeking God's truth in the things that hold me down.  I am devoting my quiet time to studying what God says about the things that I am struggling with.  The only answer I will be sure of is the answer that comes from God.  I don't want to mess this up and I don't want to disobey God's calling so I will seek the truth to set myself free from the confusion and chaos in my life.  I will let my difficulties draw me closer to God instead of the opposite.  I will allow my discomfort to take me deeper.  I will seek God's truth and so be set free!  Won't you join me?

Dear God, give me Your wisdom.  Lead me to the write place in Your Word that will teach me and set me free.  Give me your advice and lead me in my day.  My peace comes from You and knowing Your truth.  Let my chains be broken and give me new freedom to make the choices that follow your laws.

All he does is just and good and all his commandments are trustworthy.

Psalm 111:7

Pointing Others to God During Difficult Times

As all the men of Judah stood before the Lord with their little ones, wives and children,

2 Chronicles 20:13

I love this story of King Jehosephat facing a huge battle that, without the help of God, would be impossible to win.  I love how desperate he was when he heard the news that three large armies were on their way to attack his people.  He ordered the people of Judah to fast and  begged the Lord for guidance (2 Chron. 20:3) He stood before his community and cried out to the Lord as He prayed, "O Lord, God of our ancestors, you alone are the God who is in heaven.  You are ruler of all the kingdoms of the earth.  You are powerful and mighty; no one can stand against you!" (2 Chron 20:6)  

The thought of all of this gives me chills.  Jehosephat chose God above all other resources and possibilities.  He was in charge of leading a many people to chosing God first.  In this moment of worry and threat he lead his people to believe God was in charge and that God was capable of saving them even though the enemy was fast approaching.  It makes me think of my problems and especially the ones that include more people than just myself.  I have a godly responsibility to point to God as my saving source and strength.  In my moments of fear I have two choices......God or man.  I can look to man for answers or look to God.  God may very well lead me to man, but going to Him first will give us peace and guidance in our situations.  And it wasn't just a few people in the community that he had influence on.  In the scripture above it states: "all the men of Judah stood before the Lord with their little ones, wives and children"  King Jehosephat in his confidence and faith led a whole community into believing that God was the only answer to their problem.  

If we continue the story we can see that they were so sure in God that they led their army with singing and praising because they were so thankful for the battle they were sure to win by God's hands.  I am encouraged to see the results of a good and faithful believer.  I want my life to mirror that of this moment in Jehosephat's carreer when he pointed people from the worry and devestation to trusting in the One God who had the power to save them.  I wish to do this in my fear and hard times.  I want to gather all of my littles and friends and their families and pray to God for the things we need.  I want to be able to share a belief so concrete that it doesn't matter what I am standing up against, I can be confident in God's ability to save me in what ever way He sees fit.  

In preparation I will pray to Him and spend time with Him and trust in His Words to me through wise counsel and the bible.  And I will count on my accountability partner to keep my mind on right thinking.  Yes, it's true......I am not always positive.  I am not always putting God first, especially when my mind wanders and allows satan to discourage or attack me.  I have a friend who can see that on my face, who can hear that in my voice and understand that because she herself has been there too.  I can't express the importance of an accountability partner to get us through life's ups and downs!  It's just so darn essential!!

Think upon your life.  What can you do to be more like King Jehosephat?  Pray on it, ask God to show you and be willing to change.  Grab hold of your faith and flourish!  Grab hold of your faith and share it with the men, their little ones, wives and children :)  

reading from 2 Chronicles 20                 

The Lord Thrills Me!

You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me! I sing for joy because of what you have done.   (Psalm 92:4)

 As we focus on giving thanks, let us just praise God this week for His Salvation! If everything else in the world is wrong, God is still right and His salvation through Christ is enough! 

Why not start a thankful list and have your family add to it!

Instead of seeing the negative, focus on your own, your family's, and your friends' strengths and give thanks for them.

 Change your focus. It's all a matter of perspective and you have the choice- think positively! You are saved-- because of no other reason, it's a great day!

Sing Along Saturday

God is a good good Father!  The song chosen today is one that I heard recently at a concert and singing along with the words on the screen really touched my heart.  Just proclaiming over and over that it's Who He is and that the love we recieve is because of who we are.  It's really so simple.  God's love is amazing and it's available to all just because of who we are.  The words simple, and gentle were made to calm a heart and refocus a mind.  I hope you appreciate it as much as I do.  It has gotten me through a tough week of so many unknowns but the one and only thing I can truly count on in my crazy unexpected life it that I have a good good Father in my good good God.

Good Good Father by Chris Tomlin