I love to sing this song as it reminds me again and again of the need to bless God's name no matter what situation I may be in...It is irrelevant! Just meditating on the words is soothing to my aching soul!!!! Lord Jesus, I choose to worship You and give thanks at all times, Blessed be Your NAME!!!
Blessed Be Your Name
By Matt Redman
Blessed be Your name
In the land that is plentiful
Where your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in,
LordStill I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in,
Lord Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in,
Lord Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
You give and take away
You give and take away
But my heart will choose to say
Lord blessed be your name
Blessed be the name of the lord
Blessed be your name
Blessed be the name of the lord
Blessed be your glorious name
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Monday, January 12, 2009
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
I just know the refrain of this beautiful song. And as I sing and truly focus my thoughts on my Saviour and Lord, I pray dear Lord that "the things of this world would grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace" Will you sing with me??
O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!
Refrain:
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
O’er us sin no more hath dominion—
For more than conquerors we are!
His Word shall not fail you—He promised;
Believe Him, and all will be well:
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!
By Helen .H. Lemmel
O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!
Refrain:
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
O’er us sin no more hath dominion—
For more than conquerors we are!
His Word shall not fail you—He promised;
Believe Him, and all will be well:
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!
By Helen .H. Lemmel
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Knowing God's will
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5 :16-18
What is God's will for my life? How often has this qs. troubled my soul, I cannot recount. But God's Word is so clear and so wonderfully has His will spelled out that I fail to see sometimes. I have asked this to myself several times. Is it because I want something stupendous to undertake or am I just blind? I don't know.
Here we have Paul, who has clearly written what God requires of me in Christ Jesus:
To rejoice at all times
To pray without ceasing
To give thanks in all circumstances.
Is this really hard to follow or is my heart so stuck upon doing the things I desire? Oh!!! May it never be O Lord!!! I desire to do Your will. To be glad in You and ask of You and give thanks to You is what my heart wants to do!!! Only in Your strength can this be achieved.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Favorite verses
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." Ephesians 2:8-9.
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose. " Romans 8: 28
"For the Lord will not cast off forever, but, though he cause grief, He will have compassion according to the abundance of His steadfast love; for He does not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men." Lamentations 3:31-33
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose. " Romans 8: 28
"For the Lord will not cast off forever, but, though he cause grief, He will have compassion according to the abundance of His steadfast love; for He does not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men." Lamentations 3:31-33
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Resolved
Borrowing the words of Jonathan Edwards to write some thoughts of what I desire to accomplish or at least tune my heart in that very direction……with His grace alone….
“BEING SENSIBLE THAT I AM UNABLE TO DO ANYTHING WITHOUT GOD' S HELP, I DO HUMBLY ENTREAT HIM BY HIS GRACE TO ENABLE ME TO KEEP THESE RESOLUTIONS, SO FAR AS THEY ARE AGREEABLE TO HIS WILL, FOR CHRIST' S SAKE.”
Some resolutions of Jonathan Edwards that I would desire to see take root in my own feeble life…..
Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.
Resolved, to act, in all respects, both speaking and doing, as if nobody had been so vile as I, and as if I had committed the same sins, or had the same infirmities or failings as others; and that I will let the knowledge of their failings promote nothing but shame in myself, and prove only an occasion of my confessing my own sins and misery to God.
Resolved, to think much on all occasions of my own dying, and of the common circumstances which attend death.
Resolved, if I take delight in it as a gratification of pride, or vanity, or on any such account, immediately to throw it by.
Resolved, never to do any thing out of revenge.
Resolved, never to suffer the least motions of anger towards irrational beings.
Resolved, to maintain the strictest temperance, in eating and drinking.
Resolved, whenever I do any conspicuously evil action, to trace it back, till I come to the original cause; and then, both carefully endeavor to do so no more, and to fight and pray with all my might against the original of it.
Resolved, to examine carefully, and constantly, what that one thing in me is, which causes me in the least to doubt of the love of God; and to direct all my forces against it.
Resolved, to study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.
Resolved, never to count that a prayer, nor to let that pass as a prayer, nor that as a petition of a prayer, which is so made, that I cannot hope that God will answer it; nor that as a confession, which I cannot hope God will accept.
Resolved, to ask myself, at the end of every day, week, month and year, wherein I could possibly, in any respect, have done better.
Resolved, never to allow the least measure of any fretting uneasiness at my father or mother. Resolved to suffer no effects of it, so much as in the least alteration of speech, or motion of my eye: and to be especially careful of it with respect to any of our family.
Whenever I hear anything spoken in conversation of any person, if I think it would be praiseworthy in me, Resolved to endeavor to imitate it.
Resolved, not only to refrain from an air of dislike, fretfulness, and anger in conversation, but to exhibit an air of love, cheerfulness and benignity.
Resolved, very much to exercise myself in this, all my life long, viz. with the greatest openness, of which I am capable of, to declare my ways to God, and lay open my soul to him: all my sins, temptations, difficulties, sorrows, fears, hopes, desires, and every thing, and every circumstance.
Resolved, to confess frankly to myself all that which I find in myself, either infirmity or sin; and, if it be what concerns religion, also to confess the whole case to God, and implore needed help.
Let there be something of benevolence, in all that I speak.
“BEING SENSIBLE THAT I AM UNABLE TO DO ANYTHING WITHOUT GOD' S HELP, I DO HUMBLY ENTREAT HIM BY HIS GRACE TO ENABLE ME TO KEEP THESE RESOLUTIONS, SO FAR AS THEY ARE AGREEABLE TO HIS WILL, FOR CHRIST' S SAKE.”
Some resolutions of Jonathan Edwards that I would desire to see take root in my own feeble life…..
Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.
Resolved, to act, in all respects, both speaking and doing, as if nobody had been so vile as I, and as if I had committed the same sins, or had the same infirmities or failings as others; and that I will let the knowledge of their failings promote nothing but shame in myself, and prove only an occasion of my confessing my own sins and misery to God.
Resolved, to think much on all occasions of my own dying, and of the common circumstances which attend death.
Resolved, if I take delight in it as a gratification of pride, or vanity, or on any such account, immediately to throw it by.
Resolved, never to do any thing out of revenge.
Resolved, never to suffer the least motions of anger towards irrational beings.
Resolved, to maintain the strictest temperance, in eating and drinking.
Resolved, whenever I do any conspicuously evil action, to trace it back, till I come to the original cause; and then, both carefully endeavor to do so no more, and to fight and pray with all my might against the original of it.
Resolved, to examine carefully, and constantly, what that one thing in me is, which causes me in the least to doubt of the love of God; and to direct all my forces against it.
Resolved, to study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.
Resolved, never to count that a prayer, nor to let that pass as a prayer, nor that as a petition of a prayer, which is so made, that I cannot hope that God will answer it; nor that as a confession, which I cannot hope God will accept.
Resolved, to ask myself, at the end of every day, week, month and year, wherein I could possibly, in any respect, have done better.
Resolved, never to allow the least measure of any fretting uneasiness at my father or mother. Resolved to suffer no effects of it, so much as in the least alteration of speech, or motion of my eye: and to be especially careful of it with respect to any of our family.
Whenever I hear anything spoken in conversation of any person, if I think it would be praiseworthy in me, Resolved to endeavor to imitate it.
Resolved, not only to refrain from an air of dislike, fretfulness, and anger in conversation, but to exhibit an air of love, cheerfulness and benignity.
Resolved, very much to exercise myself in this, all my life long, viz. with the greatest openness, of which I am capable of, to declare my ways to God, and lay open my soul to him: all my sins, temptations, difficulties, sorrows, fears, hopes, desires, and every thing, and every circumstance.
Resolved, to confess frankly to myself all that which I find in myself, either infirmity or sin; and, if it be what concerns religion, also to confess the whole case to God, and implore needed help.
Let there be something of benevolence, in all that I speak.
God's infinite wisdom displayed
I am reading ,"Trusting God, even when life hurts"by Jerry Bridges probably the third time and yet there is so much to grasp and mull over!!! It is very important to trust God and the way He runs this universe and more so how He chooses to run my life.....Nothing honors God more when we choose to trust Him completely when life makes no sense at all!!!
The question I ask myself again and again, Is God my Father worthy of my trust?? Absolutely!!! Even when circumstances are difficult and painful? Yes!!! God is good and He is my Creator. He can do as He pleases!!!
"I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the LORD, do all these things." (Isaiah 45:7)
I have always struggled with my height and especially when people pass me over as a kid or think I'm a teenager!! It's a great compliment for a lady to be thought of as very young....Trust me, it feels good...But every coin has two sides of it!!! And I won't go into the detals of it either.....
That's why I love this verse from Psalm 139.....
"I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalm 139:14)
And this is for all those who struggle with the way you look... Think about it.....God made you that way because He wanted you precisely that way!!!
I love what Rev. James Hufstetler said......
"You are the result of the attentive, careful, thoughtful, intimate, detailed, creative work of God. Your personality, your sex, your height, your features, are what they are because God made them precisely that way. He made you that way He did because that is the way He wants you to be.....If God had wanted you to be basically and creatively different he would have made you differently. Your genes and chromosomes and creaturely distinctiveness-even the shape of your nose and ears-are what they are by God'd design." From the book -On knowing oneself"
It's settled in my heart......I am fearfully and wonderfully made......
The question I ask myself again and again, Is God my Father worthy of my trust?? Absolutely!!! Even when circumstances are difficult and painful? Yes!!! God is good and He is my Creator. He can do as He pleases!!!
"I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the LORD, do all these things." (Isaiah 45:7)
I have always struggled with my height and especially when people pass me over as a kid or think I'm a teenager!! It's a great compliment for a lady to be thought of as very young....Trust me, it feels good...But every coin has two sides of it!!! And I won't go into the detals of it either.....
That's why I love this verse from Psalm 139.....
"I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalm 139:14)
And this is for all those who struggle with the way you look... Think about it.....God made you that way because He wanted you precisely that way!!!
I love what Rev. James Hufstetler said......
"You are the result of the attentive, careful, thoughtful, intimate, detailed, creative work of God. Your personality, your sex, your height, your features, are what they are because God made them precisely that way. He made you that way He did because that is the way He wants you to be.....If God had wanted you to be basically and creatively different he would have made you differently. Your genes and chromosomes and creaturely distinctiveness-even the shape of your nose and ears-are what they are by God'd design." From the book -On knowing oneself"
It's settled in my heart......I am fearfully and wonderfully made......
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
For unto us a Child is Born
I love Christmas, simply because it reminds me of the generosity of our Great God towards a sinner like me. And it displays Christ's humility as He chose to come in the form of a Man to dwell among us!!!
He is truly Emmanuel, God with us!!
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Peace and Quiet
The last few days have been very difficult for me. And all I desire is some peace and quiet, and what better person to seek from, than the Prince of Peace Himself, Jesus Christ my Lord. The following hymn just entered my mind and just singing it quietened my soul!
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Refrain
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
Refrain
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
Refrain
For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.
Refrain
But, Lord, ‘tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh trump of the angel! Oh voice of the Lord!
Blessèd hope, blessèd rest of my soul!
Refrain
And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.
Refrain
Monday, November 3, 2008
The Glory Of The Cross
There is so much truth spelled out in this song about the wondrous work of God on the cross and how God's glory shines brightly on the cross. Sang this song at church last Sunday and was truly blessed.
"The Glory Of The Cross"
What wisdom once devised the plan
Where all our sin and pride
Was placed upon the perfect Lamb
Who suffered, bled, and died?
The wisdom of a Sovereign God
Whose greatness will be shown
When those who crucified Your Son
Rejoice around Your throne
And, oh, the glory of the cross
That You would send Your Son for us
I gladly count my life as loss
That I might come to know
The glory of, the glory of the cross
What righteousness was there revealed
That sets the guilty free
That justifies ungodly men
And calls the filthy clean?
A righteousness that proved to all
Your justice has been met
And holy wrath is satisfied
Through one atoning death
What mercy now has been proclaimed
For those who would believe
A love incomprehensible
Our minds could not conceive?
A mercy that forgives my sin
Then makes me like Your Son
And now I’m loved forevermore
Because of what You’ve done
Words and music by Bob Kauflin
As recorded on Songs for the Cross Centered Life
© 2000 Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI).
"The Glory Of The Cross"
What wisdom once devised the plan
Where all our sin and pride
Was placed upon the perfect Lamb
Who suffered, bled, and died?
The wisdom of a Sovereign God
Whose greatness will be shown
When those who crucified Your Son
Rejoice around Your throne
And, oh, the glory of the cross
That You would send Your Son for us
I gladly count my life as loss
That I might come to know
The glory of, the glory of the cross
What righteousness was there revealed
That sets the guilty free
That justifies ungodly men
And calls the filthy clean?
A righteousness that proved to all
Your justice has been met
And holy wrath is satisfied
Through one atoning death
What mercy now has been proclaimed
For those who would believe
A love incomprehensible
Our minds could not conceive?
A mercy that forgives my sin
Then makes me like Your Son
And now I’m loved forevermore
Because of what You’ve done
Words and music by Bob Kauflin
As recorded on Songs for the Cross Centered Life
© 2000 Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI).
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Desire a quiet soul...
"Lord my heart is not haughty, nor my eyes lofty. Neither do I concern myself with great matters, nor with things too profound for me. Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with his mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me. O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time forth and forever." Psalm 131
I love this Psalm coz it is a simple reminder that I need not be hassled about the why's of my life. Let God be God. And I need to trust Him like a child that trusts his mother. To have a soul calm and composed and resting quietly in the hands of my Heavenly Father is what I desire.
I love this Psalm coz it is a simple reminder that I need not be hassled about the why's of my life. Let God be God. And I need to trust Him like a child that trusts his mother. To have a soul calm and composed and resting quietly in the hands of my Heavenly Father is what I desire.
Friday, October 3, 2008
What a friend we have in Jesus!!
What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.
Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield you; you will find a solace there.
Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised Thou wilt all our burdens bear
May we ever, Lord, be bringing all to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright unclouded there will be no need for prayer
Rapture, praise and endless worship will be our sweet portion there.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
A heart full of praise!
"Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name." Hebrews 13:15
When does praise to God become a sacrifice? It is very convenient to praise God when we are comfortable and things seem to be going our way. But what happens when we are stuck in a difficult trial or a painful circumstance? Do we still continue to praise God??
When we choose to rise above our difficult circumstances and praise God, it becomes a sacrifice, a fruit of our lips which is very precious in our Father's sight. Don't let your heart be troubled, God is very near, a ever present help in times of trouble. Our God is worthy of our praise. Continue to thank Him for all the benefits He so generously bestows.....Giving thanks is the best antidote to a complaining spirit!!!
Thursday, September 11, 2008
New things anew!!
"Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it?” Isaiah 43: 19
Yesterday I heard some news which immediately signaled that a change was near. Thankfully I was not upset but I knew a lot of things were going to change. I know God is in complete control of everything, hence I have nothing to be scared about. When God takes away something it is always for our good. These times are precious as we lean more on Him.
Whenever God has taken something out of my life, He has always replaced with something much much better. And I have learnt to depend on Him more and experience His Sufficiency.
I love this verse from Isaiah 43, where God talks about doing a new thing in the lives of Israelites. How much more for His children? Heavenly Father I trust in you completely and the plans that are in store. You are good and You always do good!!
Yesterday I heard some news which immediately signaled that a change was near. Thankfully I was not upset but I knew a lot of things were going to change. I know God is in complete control of everything, hence I have nothing to be scared about. When God takes away something it is always for our good. These times are precious as we lean more on Him.
Whenever God has taken something out of my life, He has always replaced with something much much better. And I have learnt to depend on Him more and experience His Sufficiency.
I love this verse from Isaiah 43, where God talks about doing a new thing in the lives of Israelites. How much more for His children? Heavenly Father I trust in you completely and the plans that are in store. You are good and You always do good!!
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Forgiveness
A dear sister in Christ once told me that if you have truly learnt to forgive, you have achieved much! That statement has never left me since then. All of us struggle with forgiveness and nobody is an exception here. Yes! It is difficult to forgive someone who has sinned intentionally against us and does not care. It hurts!
I struggle with this often. But this verse reminds us of how we have been forgiven in Christ. Let's think about our own sinful lives and how much we have offended Our Holy God and still do. It is a fearful place to be. But thanks be to God that we are completely forgiven in Christ. What a precious gift!
If Christ has freely forgiven me, why am I holding back?? Let's give back what has been given freely to us. Forgiveness!!! Let's continue to forgive one another continuously just as our Savior continues to do so with us.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Wait and Watch!
"My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him." Psalm 62:5
We live in a world that is bustling with activity and we are constantly on the move. When was the last time you actually slowed down and rested? We have become so impatient and restless that we sulk when God seems to take a lot of time to answer our prayers.
This used to trouble me a lot earlier about God's delay in answering my prayers. But then slowly I realized that these waiting periods can be a blessing when I turned my soul to look to God alone. Slowly my dependence on began to grow.
It is one thing to wait and another to wait silently upon God alone! The reward is much sweeter than what you can dream of. You are slowly drawn in a closer fellowship with Him.
We live in a world that is bustling with activity and we are constantly on the move. When was the last time you actually slowed down and rested? We have become so impatient and restless that we sulk when God seems to take a lot of time to answer our prayers.
This used to trouble me a lot earlier about God's delay in answering my prayers. But then slowly I realized that these waiting periods can be a blessing when I turned my soul to look to God alone. Slowly my dependence on began to grow.
It is one thing to wait and another to wait silently upon God alone! The reward is much sweeter than what you can dream of. You are slowly drawn in a closer fellowship with Him.
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