Training up a Child Today
The Ten Commandments were written on tablets of stone. The Laws were verbally given to the people at proscribed times in proscribed ways. There was no TV, internet, or I-phone and only a small percentage of the people actually knew how to read. Multigenerational families lived together and shared responsibility for maintaining family values and mores.
“These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up” (Deuteronomy 6:6-7).
The commandment to repeat these words to your children supposes that there will be time spent together in order to talk to one another.
I looked around during a recent visit by my grandchildren. The youngest was busy with a game on the WII. The oldest boy was playing an international strategy game and my granddaughter was doing something on her phone that I have absolutely no understanding of.
We did come together for dinner and lively conversation and I realized that I just didn’t have the patience to sit and complain about the way things used to be because, to tell the truth, things weren‘t so great “back in the good old days.”
I live in a different age and I feel it is my responsibility to find ways to share the Word and Spirit of God with my grandchildren in ways that they can hear.
“…clearly recalling your sincere faith that first lived in your grandmother Lois, then in your mother Eunice, and that I am convinced is in you also” (2 Timothy 1:5).
Decisions in our lives are presented in light of spiritual values as a fact of life. We talk about our obligations to each other and to the greater community in the spirit of the Christian way.
I do e-mails and text messages. I’ve bought almost every Veggie-Tales and Thomas The Train DVD and watch them with the grandchildren. We have heated discussions about the related themes and scriptures and values and I get to learn a lot about what the children think about many issues. My grandchildren can find related scripture and commentaries on the internet 100 times faster than I ever could in books and their resources are not limited to our library.
There is nothing preachy going on here and I am so very far from perfection but it warms my heart when I hear Christian values coming out of the mouths of every one of my grandchildren.
Proverbs 22:6 (King James Version)
6Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
My younger granddaughter put it this way: “I may not always do what you say, but I always know what I should do.” I believe she knows because we spend time in her real world dealing with real issues.
Ephesians 6:4 (New International Version)
4Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
It is my role to provide instruction in The Way. It is my role to find ways that are relevant to my children in this time
I thank You, Lord for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. I thank You, Lord, for giving me an open mind and flexibility that encourages communication about your Word. I thank You, Lord, for resources that help me to reach people I do not know and may never see with encouragement about your blessings and promises.
May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!
Friday, July 30, 2010
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Getting Updates
Getting Updates
2 Timothy 2:15 (King James Version)
15Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Anyone who works with computers knows that the computer has to be updated from time to time in order to function properly. The designers of the computers know that they will be learning more and more about ways to make the programs function more efficiently. These updates are a free and expected benefit and obligation involved in the use of computers.
Most users set their computers to automatically accept new updates. Those with more savvy in working with computers may choose to selectively decide which updates to install.
When we accept Christ into our lives we are like brand new computers. We function at lightening fast speed, we are open for massive input of information. We have expansive unused space to receive The Word on our “hard drives”.
Do we keep that high level of functioning over the months and years? Are we as hungry for data, for input as we were in the early days of our acceptance into the Body of Christ?
The bible is clear, from the old testament to the new, that we have an obligation to study the word of God, to continue getting updates. Some examples are:
Joshua 1:8 (New International Version)
8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
When we stay immersed in God’s Word we begin to understand that it is not natural knowledge that we seek but wisdom guided by the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 2:6-16 (New International Version)
Wisdom From the Spirit
6We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.
7No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.
8None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
9However, as it is written:
"No eye has seen,
no ear has heard,
no mind has conceived
what God has prepared for those who love him"
10but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.
The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.
11For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.
12We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.
13This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.
14The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.
15The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man's judgment:
16"For who has known the mind of the Lord
that he may instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ.
We must continue to seek God’s wisdom for our lives. We must be willing to put in the time to receive what God has so freely given us.
Jeremiah 9:23-24 (New International Version)
23 This is what the LORD says:
"Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom
or the strong man boast of his strength
or the rich man boast of his riches,
24 but let him who boasts boast about this:
that he understands and knows me,
that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness,
justice and righteousness on earth,
for in these I delight,"
declares the LORD.
It is my desire to be one of those in whom the Lord delights.
I always like to share good resources when I find them. There is a wonderful and simple “guide to studying the bible” at http://bible.org/article/studying-scriptures. It is not the be all and end all, but it is a good organizer for those who need help in developing a plan of “updating”.
May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!
2 Timothy 2:15 (King James Version)
15Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Anyone who works with computers knows that the computer has to be updated from time to time in order to function properly. The designers of the computers know that they will be learning more and more about ways to make the programs function more efficiently. These updates are a free and expected benefit and obligation involved in the use of computers.
Most users set their computers to automatically accept new updates. Those with more savvy in working with computers may choose to selectively decide which updates to install.
When we accept Christ into our lives we are like brand new computers. We function at lightening fast speed, we are open for massive input of information. We have expansive unused space to receive The Word on our “hard drives”.
Do we keep that high level of functioning over the months and years? Are we as hungry for data, for input as we were in the early days of our acceptance into the Body of Christ?
The bible is clear, from the old testament to the new, that we have an obligation to study the word of God, to continue getting updates. Some examples are:
Joshua 1:8 (New International Version)
8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
When we stay immersed in God’s Word we begin to understand that it is not natural knowledge that we seek but wisdom guided by the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 2:6-16 (New International Version)
Wisdom From the Spirit
6We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.
7No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.
8None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
9However, as it is written:
"No eye has seen,
no ear has heard,
no mind has conceived
what God has prepared for those who love him"
10but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.
The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.
11For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.
12We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.
13This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.
14The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.
15The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man's judgment:
16"For who has known the mind of the Lord
that he may instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ.
We must continue to seek God’s wisdom for our lives. We must be willing to put in the time to receive what God has so freely given us.
Jeremiah 9:23-24 (New International Version)
23 This is what the LORD says:
"Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom
or the strong man boast of his strength
or the rich man boast of his riches,
24 but let him who boasts boast about this:
that he understands and knows me,
that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness,
justice and righteousness on earth,
for in these I delight,"
declares the LORD.
It is my desire to be one of those in whom the Lord delights.
I always like to share good resources when I find them. There is a wonderful and simple “guide to studying the bible” at http://bible.org/article/studying-scriptures. It is not the be all and end all, but it is a good organizer for those who need help in developing a plan of “updating”.
May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
The Gift of Sleep
Isaiah 40:28-31 (New King James Version)
28 Have you not known?
Have you not heard?
The everlasting God, the LORD,
The Creator of the ends of the earth,
Neither faints nor is weary.
His understanding is unsearchable.
29 He gives power to the weak,
And to those who have no might He increases strength.
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
And the young men shall utterly fall,
31 But those who wait on the LORD
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.
How can we run and not be weary, walk and not faint unless we place our trust in God and are renewed by the restful sleep that only He can provide?
Psalm 127 (New International Version)
A song of ascents. Of Solomon.
1 Unless the LORD builds the house,
its builders labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
the watchmen stand guard in vain.
2 In vain you rise early
and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat—
for he grants sleep to those he loves.
If you have never suffered from insomnia you might not know the precious value of sleep. Peaceful sleep is truly a gift from God. Sleep that is without worry, without tossing and turning; sleep that refreshes and renews readying you to enjoy the blessing of a new day is truly more precious than gold.
Here I go again to the Psalms. David had a good understanding of the things that got in the way of the blessing of sleep as well as the way to return and capture this gift from God.
Psalm 4:8 (New International Version)
8 I will lie down and sleep in peace,
for you alone, O LORD,
make me dwell in safety.
I found this wonderfully simple prayer of comfort which I wish to share.
Matthew 11:28-30 (New International Version)
28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
I invite you to accept this wonderful gift, freely given by our Lord.
May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!
28 Have you not known?
Have you not heard?
The everlasting God, the LORD,
The Creator of the ends of the earth,
Neither faints nor is weary.
His understanding is unsearchable.
29 He gives power to the weak,
And to those who have no might He increases strength.
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
And the young men shall utterly fall,
31 But those who wait on the LORD
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.
How can we run and not be weary, walk and not faint unless we place our trust in God and are renewed by the restful sleep that only He can provide?
Psalm 127 (New International Version)
A song of ascents. Of Solomon.
1 Unless the LORD builds the house,
its builders labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
the watchmen stand guard in vain.
2 In vain you rise early
and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat—
for he grants sleep to those he loves.
If you have never suffered from insomnia you might not know the precious value of sleep. Peaceful sleep is truly a gift from God. Sleep that is without worry, without tossing and turning; sleep that refreshes and renews readying you to enjoy the blessing of a new day is truly more precious than gold.
Here I go again to the Psalms. David had a good understanding of the things that got in the way of the blessing of sleep as well as the way to return and capture this gift from God.
Psalm 4:8 (New International Version)
8 I will lie down and sleep in peace,
for you alone, O LORD,
make me dwell in safety.
I found this wonderfully simple prayer of comfort which I wish to share.
“Dear Lord,
I need you now because I am full of stress and anxiety. Reading your Word brings comfort, as I ask you to come and take my heavy burdens. I take each burden, one by one, and lay them at your feet. Please carry them for me so that I don't have to. Replace them with your humble and gentle yoke so that I will find rest for my soul today. I receive your gift of peace of mind and heart. Thank you that I can lie down tonight in peace and sleep. I know that you, Lord, will keep me safe. I am not afraid because you are always with me. Please keep me daily, Lord, in your perfect peace.
Amen” http://christianity.about.com/od/prayersforspecificneeds/a/stressanxiety.htm
Matthew 11:28-30 (New International Version)
28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
I invite you to accept this wonderful gift, freely given by our Lord.
May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!
Sunday, July 25, 2010
I'VE GOT A FEELING (EVERYTHING'S GONNA BE ALRIGHT)
I'VE GOT A FEELING (EVERYTHING'S GONNA BE ALRIGHT)©
I've got a feeling everything's gonna be alright
I've got a feeling everything's gonna be alright
Oh, I've got a feeling everything's gonna be alright
Yeah, be alright, be alright, be alright
Yeah, I've got a feeling everything's gonna be alright
Oh, I've got a feeling everything's gonna be alright, gonna be alright
I've got a feeling everything's gonna be alright
Oh, be alright, be alright, be alright
Wait a minute
My mother told me everything's gonna be alright
My mother told me everything's gonna be alright
My mother told me everything's gonna be alright
It's gonna be alright, be alright, be alright
I was waken in the middle of the night with God telling me “Everything’s gonna be alright” I feel a comfort in my spirit knowing that He has me securely under His wings.
Psalm 23 (King James Version)
The LORD Is My Shepherd
A psalm of David.
23The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
The words of David comfort my heart again. I thank You, Lord,.
May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!
Saturday, July 24, 2010
The Body of Christ
The Body of Christ
2 Timothy 2:15 (King James Version)
15Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
When my granddaughter and I saw the movie “The Book of Eli” she asked if it were possible for someone to remember the entire bible. I know two women who can almost quote the bible verbatim. These are women who have truly studied and I know that, if God placed it on their hearts to do this, they would be able to quote the bible verbatim.
That is not my gift .
It may not be yours.
1 Corinthians 12:12-20 (New International Version)
12The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ.
13For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
14Now the body is not made up of one part but of many.
15If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body.
16And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body.
17If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?
18But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.
19If they were all one part, where would the body be?
20As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
But I don’t believe it diminishes our gifts in any way. We must each find the role within the body that God has assigned to us. We must find our role and pursue it with diligence.
Ephesians 4
Unity in the Body of Christ
1As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.
2Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
3Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
4There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called—
5one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
My dad was accustomed to saying “Sweetie, if you plan to be a ditch digger, plan to be the best ditch digger on the planet”. As parts of the Body of Christ, be we ears, toes, arms or nose, we must plan to be the best part of the body that is within our reach.
14Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.
15Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.
16From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
I believe the easiest way to accomplish this is to give it over to God in prayer and to be wiling to follow as He leads. Asking God daily “What would You have me to do? Then being willing to put the time in to prepare for the work seems to be the way.
Ephesians 1:22-23 (New International Version)
22And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church,
23which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
I thank you, Lord, for allowing me to be a member of the body. I thank You, Lord, for giving me work to do as a member of the body I ask that You keep my mind clear and focused on You.
May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!
2 Timothy 2:15 (King James Version)
15Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
(Beginning today you may share this work with a friend simply by clicking a button on the bottom. I hope to learn more and more effective ways to present this work as we go along. This is all a part of the process of studying because we want everything we do for the kingdom to be worthy of approval.)
When my granddaughter and I saw the movie “The Book of Eli” she asked if it were possible for someone to remember the entire bible. I know two women who can almost quote the bible verbatim. These are women who have truly studied and I know that, if God placed it on their hearts to do this, they would be able to quote the bible verbatim.
That is not my gift .
It may not be yours.
1 Corinthians 12:12-20 (New International Version)
12The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ.
13For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
14Now the body is not made up of one part but of many.
15If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body.
16And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body.
17If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?
18But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.
19If they were all one part, where would the body be?
20As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
But I don’t believe it diminishes our gifts in any way. We must each find the role within the body that God has assigned to us. We must find our role and pursue it with diligence.
Ephesians 4
Unity in the Body of Christ
1As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.
2Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
3Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
4There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called—
5one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
My dad was accustomed to saying “Sweetie, if you plan to be a ditch digger, plan to be the best ditch digger on the planet”. As parts of the Body of Christ, be we ears, toes, arms or nose, we must plan to be the best part of the body that is within our reach.
14Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.
15Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.
16From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
I believe the easiest way to accomplish this is to give it over to God in prayer and to be wiling to follow as He leads. Asking God daily “What would You have me to do? Then being willing to put the time in to prepare for the work seems to be the way.
Ephesians 1:22-23 (New International Version)
22And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church,
23which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
I thank you, Lord, for allowing me to be a member of the body. I thank You, Lord, for giving me work to do as a member of the body I ask that You keep my mind clear and focused on You.
May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!
Friday, July 23, 2010
Refuge under the wings of the Lord
Refuge under the wings of the Lord
As I study today I am led to the book of Ruth, and to the story of a woman who was an outsider but who was taken under your wings of refuge.
Most of the studies of the book of Ruth that I have heard concentrated on her relationship with her mother-in-law and her devotion to this woman. It is through this relationship that she is introduced to the Most High God.
Many have been introduced to God but not all have stayed to form a relationship. For some of us I think the difference is the fervent prayers of a righteous person; but it is also important that there be fertile ground. I believe that Ruth’s spirit provided fertile ground upon which the seeds of Naomi’s prayers could be cultivated.
Ruth 2 (New International Version)
11 Boaz replied, "I've been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband—how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before. 12 May the LORD repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge."
James 5:16 New International Version (©1984)
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
Proverbs 15:29 (New International Version)
29 The LORD is far from the wicked
but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
Father; God, I come this morning in prayer requesting simply to be kept securely under Your wings of refuge. I know that within your arms of protection no harm can befall me. I sincerely thank You for all you are in my life. I thank you for the sincere prayers that were lifted up for me for so many years. I thank you for the grace extended to me when you brought me into the fold of your love. I thank you for the precious gift of the Holy Spirit and the guidance of Your Word every day.
I thank you for friends and family and the comfort of fellowship.
I am so grateful that my grandchildren know about the power of prayer. I thank you so much for planting me in a church where sincere prayer is so much a part of the fellowship. I thank you for the Tabernacle of Higher Learning Prayer Box and your attentive ear to the prayers of the righteous.
I thank you for the warmth and comfort of love, love of family and love of friends.
I ask you now, Father God, to extend your arms of protection around all of those I love. I ask you to bring them under your wings of refuge. I ask that you place them in the right place with the right attitude for a spark to be lit that shows them the path to you.
I ask You, God, to make my life a quiet witness to You that draws my loved ones and provides them opportunities to know the wonder of your love..
May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!
I love you, Lord
And I lift my voice
To worship You
Oh, my soul rejoice!
Take joy my King
In what You hear
Let it be a sweet, sweet sound in Your ear
As I study today I am led to the book of Ruth, and to the story of a woman who was an outsider but who was taken under your wings of refuge.
Most of the studies of the book of Ruth that I have heard concentrated on her relationship with her mother-in-law and her devotion to this woman. It is through this relationship that she is introduced to the Most High God.
Many have been introduced to God but not all have stayed to form a relationship. For some of us I think the difference is the fervent prayers of a righteous person; but it is also important that there be fertile ground. I believe that Ruth’s spirit provided fertile ground upon which the seeds of Naomi’s prayers could be cultivated.
Ruth 2 (New International Version)
11 Boaz replied, "I've been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband—how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before. 12 May the LORD repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge."
James 5:16 New International Version (©1984)
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
Proverbs 15:29 (New International Version)
29 The LORD is far from the wicked
but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
Father; God, I come this morning in prayer requesting simply to be kept securely under Your wings of refuge. I know that within your arms of protection no harm can befall me. I sincerely thank You for all you are in my life. I thank you for the sincere prayers that were lifted up for me for so many years. I thank you for the grace extended to me when you brought me into the fold of your love. I thank you for the precious gift of the Holy Spirit and the guidance of Your Word every day.
I thank you for friends and family and the comfort of fellowship.
I am so grateful that my grandchildren know about the power of prayer. I thank you so much for planting me in a church where sincere prayer is so much a part of the fellowship. I thank you for the Tabernacle of Higher Learning Prayer Box and your attentive ear to the prayers of the righteous.
I thank you for the warmth and comfort of love, love of family and love of friends.
I ask you now, Father God, to extend your arms of protection around all of those I love. I ask you to bring them under your wings of refuge. I ask that you place them in the right place with the right attitude for a spark to be lit that shows them the path to you.
I ask You, God, to make my life a quiet witness to You that draws my loved ones and provides them opportunities to know the wonder of your love..
I love you, Lord
And I lift my voice
To worship You
Oh, my soul rejoice!
Take joy my King
In what You hear
Let it be a sweet, sweet sound in Your ear
May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Gratitude and Praise
Gratitude and Praise
I want to make sure that my songs of praise are sincere, that I take time out of the busy day that my God has made to say a heartfelt “Thank You Lord". I met a stranger in the hotel lobby this morning who just praised “another beautiful day the Lord has given us.” His words were a reminder to me of the wonder and glory of God and my need to say Thank You.
James 1:17 (New International Version)
17Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
Thank you. Lord.
Have you ever stopped to wonder why you feel so good when you are praising and thanking God? I am amazed at the joy I receive from praising my God. I think about the poor folk who think it must be a burden to worship God, who wonder why anyone would want to start their day in prayer and worship and I think, how jealous they would be if they knew the pure joy in worshipping The Lord.
Psalm 9
A psalm of David.
1 I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart;
I will tell of all your wonders.
2 I will be glad and rejoice in you;
I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.
David says, “I will be glad and rejoice in you.” He acknowledges that praising God makes him feel happy. What a wonder this is.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (New International Version)
16Be joyful always;
17pray continually;
18give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
At our church we recite an affirmation acknowledging that our offerings are a portion of the bounty that God provides.
Our gifts of praise and thanksgiving must also be recognized as a portion of the bounty of joy that God provides. We give him praise out of the overwhelming love that He has so freely given to us.
Thank You Lord.
May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

I want to make sure that my songs of praise are sincere, that I take time out of the busy day that my God has made to say a heartfelt “Thank You Lord". I met a stranger in the hotel lobby this morning who just praised “another beautiful day the Lord has given us.” His words were a reminder to me of the wonder and glory of God and my need to say Thank You.
James 1:17 (New International Version)
17Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
Thank you. Lord.
Have you ever stopped to wonder why you feel so good when you are praising and thanking God? I am amazed at the joy I receive from praising my God. I think about the poor folk who think it must be a burden to worship God, who wonder why anyone would want to start their day in prayer and worship and I think, how jealous they would be if they knew the pure joy in worshipping The Lord.
Psalm 9
A psalm of David.
1 I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart;
I will tell of all your wonders.
2 I will be glad and rejoice in you;
I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.
David says, “I will be glad and rejoice in you.” He acknowledges that praising God makes him feel happy. What a wonder this is.
I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU LORD -Judy Marshall, BMI
I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU LORD
FOR EVERY TIME YOU HEARD ME PRAY
JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALWAYS BEING THERE
WHEN I WAS SO DOWN AND OUT
YOU CAME ALONG AND MADE ME WANT TO SHOUT
I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU LORD...THANK YOU LORD
IF I HAD A THOUSAND LIVES TO LIVE
I'D GIVE THEM ALL TO MY LORD
HE'S BEEN SO GOOD TO ME
HE'S MADE THE GOOD TIMES OUT NUMBER THE BAD
HE'S BEEN THE BEST FRIEND THAT I EVER HAD
I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU LORD...THANK YOU LORD
I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU LORD
FOR EVERY TIME YOU HEARD ME PRAY
JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALWAYS BEING THERE
WHEN I WAS SO DOWN AND OUT
YOU CAME ALONG AND MADE ME WANT TO SHOUT
I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU LORD...THANK YOU LORD
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (New International Version)
16Be joyful always;
17pray continually;
18give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
At our church we recite an affirmation acknowledging that our offerings are a portion of the bounty that God provides.
Our gifts of praise and thanksgiving must also be recognized as a portion of the bounty of joy that God provides. We give him praise out of the overwhelming love that He has so freely given to us.
Thank You Lord.
May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

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