Sunday, June 30, 2013
ChickLitGurrl™ :: high on LATTES and WRITING: The Passion for Writing Series: Author Jacqueline ...
ChickLitGurrl™ :: high on LATTES and WRITING: The Passion for Writing Series: Author Jacqueline ...: Jacqueline Moore is a Christian author who offers spiritual words of encouragement daily on her website at http://www.jacquelined...
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Do you Have a Song?
Music is what feelings sound like. ~ unknown
Scripture:
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12
I love gospel music. Gospel music has a way of putting into words, feelings and situations that you may be going through. Gospel music has a way of putting God's word into songs that minister to our very souls. Gospel music has a way of touching your very heart as though God himself is having a personal conversation with only you.
A few years ago, at the suggestion of a very good friend, I bought a cd collection that featured a number of today’s most popular songs. It's a four cd collection that has a title for each cd. For example, they are "Meditation and Strength", "Praise Party", "Trial and Triumph" and "Restoration and Praise."
Driving to work recently and listening to these awesome God inspired messages in song, there was one song in particular that really touched my spirit. It is called, "I Believe" by Marvin Sapp. Reverend Sapp is an ordained minister out of Grand Rapids, Michigan who used to sing with the group Commissioned. Reverend Sapp is known for interjecting mini sermons into his song performances.
This particular song speaks about the promises of God. It says "I believe in your promises. I believe what you said is true. I believe what you promised me. I believe that you'll come through. As is in his style of singing, he begins to preach.The words that he spoke during this particular song talked about the increased attacks on your life by satan. Reverend Sapp said "the devil is trying to discourage you. He has peeped into your future and sees what God has is store for you."
Saints, how many of you feel that song may be talking about you? I know I had a personal connection with it. Again, my God was ministering to me through music.
The point that I am trying to make is this; when there is a situation going on in your life and you have prayed about it, never be surprised on how God can answer you. Even in song.
During those times when you may not be able to open up your bible and read, there are other ways to receive the word of God. Music is just one.
Be Blessed
Prayer:
Father, we come giving thanks to You once again for Your word. Your message and direction, delivered in the reading and the hearing of Your word. Your word, delivered in song and praise. Your word, that You pass along from one saint to another. Thank You father for the gift of Your word. Lord, we come thanking You, not for anything one thing, but for life itself. We thank You for watching over us once again. We thank You for providing all of our needs. We thank You for family and fellowship. Lord, we thank You most of all for Your son, Jesus Christ. Now Lord, continue to keep us in perfect peace, full of Your joy, covered in Your grace and mercy and full of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Scripture:
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12
I love gospel music. Gospel music has a way of putting into words, feelings and situations that you may be going through. Gospel music has a way of putting God's word into songs that minister to our very souls. Gospel music has a way of touching your very heart as though God himself is having a personal conversation with only you.
A few years ago, at the suggestion of a very good friend, I bought a cd collection that featured a number of today’s most popular songs. It's a four cd collection that has a title for each cd. For example, they are "Meditation and Strength", "Praise Party", "Trial and Triumph" and "Restoration and Praise."
Driving to work recently and listening to these awesome God inspired messages in song, there was one song in particular that really touched my spirit. It is called, "I Believe" by Marvin Sapp. Reverend Sapp is an ordained minister out of Grand Rapids, Michigan who used to sing with the group Commissioned. Reverend Sapp is known for interjecting mini sermons into his song performances.
This particular song speaks about the promises of God. It says "I believe in your promises. I believe what you said is true. I believe what you promised me. I believe that you'll come through. As is in his style of singing, he begins to preach.The words that he spoke during this particular song talked about the increased attacks on your life by satan. Reverend Sapp said "the devil is trying to discourage you. He has peeped into your future and sees what God has is store for you."
Saints, how many of you feel that song may be talking about you? I know I had a personal connection with it. Again, my God was ministering to me through music.
The point that I am trying to make is this; when there is a situation going on in your life and you have prayed about it, never be surprised on how God can answer you. Even in song.
During those times when you may not be able to open up your bible and read, there are other ways to receive the word of God. Music is just one.
Be Blessed
Prayer:
Father, we come giving thanks to You once again for Your word. Your message and direction, delivered in the reading and the hearing of Your word. Your word, delivered in song and praise. Your word, that You pass along from one saint to another. Thank You father for the gift of Your word. Lord, we come thanking You, not for anything one thing, but for life itself. We thank You for watching over us once again. We thank You for providing all of our needs. We thank You for family and fellowship. Lord, we thank You most of all for Your son, Jesus Christ. Now Lord, continue to keep us in perfect peace, full of Your joy, covered in Your grace and mercy and full of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Sunday, June 23, 2013
This is a Test
Remember, The difference between school and life; In school, you're taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, you're given a test that teaches you a lesson. ~ Tom Bodett
Scripture:
Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? 2 Corinthians 13:5
How many of you know that every day we have a test? Everyday life can be a test. We are often tested to see what we know. Sometimes we are tested to see if we will do the right thing. If you are a parent, your children will often test your patience. Your boss, your skills, and sometimes, your mate will test your love for them.
In the book of Exodus, the children of Israel were tested by God to see if they could follow his instructions. He provided Manna for their nourishment. They were told to go out and gather only what was needed for the day. Now being that men will be men, some gathered more than was needed and tried to save some for later. But the next day, the Manna that was saved was full of maggots and smelled.
Even though the Israelites had seen God perform great miracles and supply all that was needed, some still couldn't pass the test. Sometimes, we forget what we have learned. When it comes time for our test, we barely get a passing grade.
Sometimes we forget how important our tests can be. Our tests are the things that increase our knowledge and our faith. Our tests are life’s lessons. We have been given all of the answers for our test.
All we have to do is read our Basis Instructions Before Leaving Earth.
And remember, there is to Testimony without the test.
Be Blessed
Prayer:
Father, we come before the throne of grace to thank You for all of our blessings. We thank You Lord, for supplying all of our needs. We thank You for the book of life that teaches us and guides us in all that we do. Thank You Gather for all that we are and all that You are to us. Praise God. Amen.
Scripture:
Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? 2 Corinthians 13:5
How many of you know that every day we have a test? Everyday life can be a test. We are often tested to see what we know. Sometimes we are tested to see if we will do the right thing. If you are a parent, your children will often test your patience. Your boss, your skills, and sometimes, your mate will test your love for them.
In the book of Exodus, the children of Israel were tested by God to see if they could follow his instructions. He provided Manna for their nourishment. They were told to go out and gather only what was needed for the day. Now being that men will be men, some gathered more than was needed and tried to save some for later. But the next day, the Manna that was saved was full of maggots and smelled.
Even though the Israelites had seen God perform great miracles and supply all that was needed, some still couldn't pass the test. Sometimes, we forget what we have learned. When it comes time for our test, we barely get a passing grade.
Sometimes we forget how important our tests can be. Our tests are the things that increase our knowledge and our faith. Our tests are life’s lessons. We have been given all of the answers for our test.
All we have to do is read our Basis Instructions Before Leaving Earth.
And remember, there is to Testimony without the test.
Be Blessed
Prayer:
Father, we come before the throne of grace to thank You for all of our blessings. We thank You Lord, for supplying all of our needs. We thank You for the book of life that teaches us and guides us in all that we do. Thank You Gather for all that we are and all that You are to us. Praise God. Amen.
Thursday, June 06, 2013
Pealing Back the Layers of Life
Life is like an onion: you peel it off one layer at a time, and sometimes you weep. ~ Carl Sandburg
Scripture:
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; Ecclesiastes 3:3-4 New King James Version (NKJV)
The Merriam Webster dictionary defines life as the quality that distinguishes a vital and functional being from a dead body. Life is the essence of who we are on this earth and is further defined by our existence in this world. Life is the combined accumulation of our experiences. Life is the sequence of physical and mental experiences that make up the existence of an individual and can be one or more aspects of the process of living. Life or live, is after all, what we do.
The above scripture from the book of Ecclesiastes has been described as a book of perspectives. It is implied that it was written by King Solomon who was considered a very wise man. King Solomon’s ultimate purpose for writing this book was to give Christians a chance to see the world through the eyes of a person who is trying to find meaning in life.
Most every form of worldly pleasure is explored by the writer, and none of it gives him a sense of meaning. In the end, the writer comes to accept that faith in God is the only way to find personal meaning. He decides to accept the fact that life is brief and ultimately worthless without God. The writer advises the reader to focus on an eternal God instead of temporary pleasure.
Life teaches us that sometimes we choose things we THINK will make us happy. However, true happiness can only be found when we seek God first.
Be Blessed
Prayer:
Father God, far too often we seek pleasure in all the wrong things and in the wrong places. Lord, forgive us when we fail to see that eternal happiness can only be gained by seeking first the kingdom of God. Father, we realize that sometimes we make choices that are selfish and self-serving. We allow worldly things to distract us and to temporarily turn our attention away from You and Your word. Forgive us. Lord, help us to keep You at the forefront of all our decisions. Help us to keep our eyes on the prize of the most high calling. Help us to not be swayed by him who seeks to destroy us. Lord, we love You. We thank You for fresh grace and mercy. We thank You for always allowing us to opportunity to turn away from evil and return home to You. We thank You most of all for Your Son, Jesus Christ. It is in His name that we submit this prayer. Amen.