Category: Lamentations

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Faithfulness

“In the morning when I rise, In the morning when I rise, In the morning when I rise, give me Jesus! Give me Jesus, give me Jesus. In the morning when I rise just give me Jesus!”

Just a little chorus we used to sing but more than that it’s an attitude of the heart and the prayer on my lips each day. Just give me Jesus!

“Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him!” Lamentations 3:22-24 NKJV

I cannot explain the joy in my heart each day as I experience the Lord’s faithfulness – it’s new every morning.

Things don’t have to be going right – everything doesn’t need to be perfect, far from that. It’s in the imperfection of the moment, in the struggles, in the times when hope begins to fade that the Father’s great faithfulness undergirds and gives strength.

“O God, listen to my cry! Hear my prayer! 2 From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help
when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety, 3 for you are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me. 4 Let me live forever in your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of your wings!” Psalm 61:1-4 NLT

Let me pray for you.

“Father God, these friends of mine, some I have never met need to draw strength from you today. Some are discouraged, some are frightened, some feel lost and alone. By your Spirit, lead them to the rock of your safety. Be their portion. Show them your faithfulness. Lift their heads and show them Your unfailing love. In Jesus name.”

In the morning when I rise, all I need is Jesus!

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Throw Up Your Hands

in praise to the Lord!!

“The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. 23 Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. 24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!” Lamentations 3:22-24 NLT

Yesterday was a day of tiny miracles and heart filled praise.

It started before I even walked out the door. Reports of the goodness of God and answers to prayer. Before I the day was over I had heard from friends, family, neighbors and acquaintances of God’s goodness. Mended relationships, answers to medical questions, living situations set on course, financial blessings, safety and protection from imminent danger!!

“All my words fall short
I got nothing new
How could I express
All my gratitude?

I could sing these songs
As I often do
But every song must end
And You never do

So I throw up my hands
And praise You again and again
‘Cause all that I have is a hallelujah
Hallelujah
And I know it’s not much
But I’ve nothing else fit for a King
Except for a heart singing hallelujah
Hallelujah”

This song by Brandon Lake is one of my favorites that we sing in worship, “Gratitude”. I can sense the tears beginning to well up as I write you these words and silently sing “Hallelujah, Hallelujah”.

“Let all that I am praise the Lord;  with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. 2 Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. 3 He forgives all my sins  and heals all my diseases. 4 He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. 5 He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!…Praise the Lord, you angels, you mighty ones who carry out his plans, listening for each of his commands. 21 Yes, praise the Lord, you armies of angels who serve him and do his will! 22 Praise the Lord, everything he has created, everything in all his kingdom. Let all that I am praise the Lord.” Psalm 103 NLT

He fills my life with good things. I am justified freely, made right with God. Covered by His mercy, living by His grace, and strengthen by His might.

“But—When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, 5 he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. 6 He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. 7 Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.” Titus 3:4-7 NLT

Join me. Join all of creation! Throw up your hands and praise Him again and again. Sing hallelujah.

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Moved By Compassion

These are the words on my heart.

Compassion: sympathetic consciousness of others’ distress together with a desire to alleviate it

We are surrounded by so many people who are hurting. They have experienced betrayal, loss, reversal of circumstances, destruction and heart ache. I don’t think there’s ever been a time when there has been such heart ache culminated among my world of friends as there has been recently, and I know that God is moved with compassion on their behalf.

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” 25 The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;” Lamentations 3:22-25 NIV

In those times, when we feel we are all alone and no one sees how our hearts are breaking our Father sees and He is moved with compassion. He is faithful every morning and His compassion never fails.

“Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together. 4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. 5 Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.” Psalm 34:3-5 NIV

The Father’s compassion isn’t just for our personal application. We are instructed to be compassionate toward others.

Jesus was asked once who we should consider as our neighbor. This came from His teaching on how we are to love the Lord with all our strength and our mind and that we are to love our neighbors as ourselves.

He replied with the story of what we call the good Samaritan. A man had been badly beaten and robbed, left on the roadside to die. A priest came by and saw the man but did nothing to help him. Then a religious official came by, and he too ignored the man. Finally, a Samaritan came by. (As a side note, the Jew and the Samaritans had been at odds with each other for hundreds of years.)

“But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’” Luke 10:33-35 NKJV

Jesus then asked which of these men do you think was his neighbor.

“And he said, ‘He who showed mercy on him.’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.’” Luke 10:37 NKJV

I know for a fact that the Lord’s mercy and compassion are poured out on me each day. That’s His promise to me and He does not lie. And I pray that I will be moved with compassion each day toward those around me.

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Every Morning

What things do you do each morning? Well, there’s the obvious. Getting out of bed, making the coffee, brushing teeth, getting dressed, having something to eat, checking your email, kissing your mate. All of these are good, very good, but one is excellent.

“They are to stand every morning and evening to thank and praise the Lord. ” I Chronicles 23:30 NLV

Yes, there is no better way to start the day than thanking God for His goodness and faithfulness.

We are told to come to Him with our cares and our weariness, come with our heaviness, come with our pain. Come with our praise because He is God.

“ O Lord, be kind to us. We have waited for You. Be our strength every morning. Save us in the time of trouble.” Isaiah 33:2 NLV

“We are still alive because the Lord’s faithful love never ends. 23 Every morning he shows it in new ways! You are so very true and loyal! 24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my God, and I trust him.” Lamentations 3:22-24 ERV

When we don’t receive instant answers we can get discouraged. Our mind begins to tell us that God isn’t interested in us or that our needs are too small. There is nothing farther from the truth.

“O Lord, in You I have found a safe place. Let me never be ashamed. Set me free, because You do what is right and good. 2 Turn Your ear to me, and be quick to save me. Be my rock of strength, a strong place to keep me safe. 3 For You are my rock and my safe place. For the honor of Your name, lead me and show me the way.” Psalm 31 NLV

Don’t give up. Don’t get discouraged. Continue to put your hope and trust in the Lord.

“The Lord is right and good in all His ways, and kind in all His works. 18 The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth. 19 He will fill the desire of those who fear Him. He will also hear their cry and will save them.” Psalm 145:17-19 NLV

Every morning, as sure as there is a sunrise, the Lord is faithful. Trust Him.

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I’m Sure!

Welcome to another morning of God’s mercy and grace. Yes, I’m sure.

The sun will come up this morning, the earth is still rotating on its axis, birds will sing, waves will rush to the shore and God’s love never ceases.

“We are still alive because the Lord’s faithful love never ends. 23 Every morning he shows it in new ways! You are so very true and loyal! 24 I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my God, and I trust him.’” Lamentations 3:22-24 ERV

Sitting with my hot cup of coffee, in the quiet of the morning hour, it is well with my soul!

Does that mean that everything is perfect? No worries, no problems? Does it mean I have no unanswered questions? On any given day, whether bombarded with challenges and difficulties or relaxed and filled with joy I have learned to be sure.

“Faith makes us sure of what we hope for and gives us proof of what we cannot see. 2  It was their faith that made our ancestors pleasing to God.

3  Because of our faith, we know that the world was made at God’s command. We also know that what can be seen was made out of what cannot be seen.

4  Because Abel had faith, he offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. God was pleased with him and his gift, and even though Abel is now dead, his faith still speaks for him.

5  Enoch had faith and did not die. He pleased God, and God took him up to heaven. This is why his body was never found. 6 But without faith no one can please God. We must believe that God is real and rewards everyone who searches for him.” Hebrews 11:1-6 CEV

Did you read that? Faith makes us sure and gives us proof. We cannot please God without faith. By faith, we believe that God is real and He rewards us for seeking Him.

When we are seeking for God, searching for Him like something that was lost, we focus on Him. When we focus on Him, He keeps us in peace.

“God, you give true peace to people who depend on you, to those who trust in you.” Isaiah 26:3 ERV

I’m reminded of a father who brought his son to Jesus for healing.

“Jesus asked the boy’s father, ‘How long has this been happening to him?’ The father answered, ‘Since he was very young. 22 The spirit often throws him into a fire or into water to kill him. If you can do anything, please have pity on us and help us.’ 23 Jesus said to the father, ‘Why did you say ‘if you can’? All things are possible for the one who believes.‘ 24 Immediately the father shouted, ‘I do believe. Help me to believe more!‘” Mark 9:21-24 ERV

That’s what searching for God does. It helps us believe more. This was exactly the reaction that Jesus was hoping to see in this father’s heart.

Our confidence in God grows when we spend time in His presence.

“So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved grace, and we will find help.” Hebrews 4:16 CEV

Our heavenly Father does not lie. When He tells us to come, He means it. He rewards us for coming. He rewards us with grace, help and peace in our time of need.

I’m sure!

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Don’t Be Shy

I knew the moment I opened my eyes this was going to be a day of praise! You may ask, how did you know?

The lyrics of a song we were singing Sunday were energizing my soul!

“I’ve got one response
I’ve got just one move
With my arms stretched wide
I will worship You

So I throw up my hands
And praise You again and again
‘Cause all that I have is a
Hallelujah, hallelujah
And I know it’s not much
But I’ve nothing else fit for a King
Except for a heart singing
Hallelujah, hallelujah

So come on my soul, oh, don’t you get shy on me
Lift up your song, ’cause you’ve got a lion
Inside of those lungs
Get up and praise the Lord
Oh, come on my soul, oh, don’t you get shy on me
Lift up your song, ’cause you’ve got a lion
Inside of those lungs
Get up and praise the Lord
Come on my soul, oh, don’t you get shy on me
Lift up your song, ’cause you’ve got a lion
Inside of those lungs
Get up and praise the Lord” Gratitude by Brandon Lake

I can remember one of the first times I was in a worship service when people around me were lifting their hands in worship. I was so uncomfortable; we didn’t do things like that in the church I was raised in. If the message was exceptional, you might hear one or two Amens but that was it.

But then one day when I was home with our toddlers, I started singing an old hymn and our oldest came in and lifted up her hands to me. She wanted to be picked up. As I lifted her up, with tears in my eyes, I realized why those people were lifting their hands in praise.

They weren’t shy about their gratitude and their lifted hands was a way of being picked up by the Father and embracing His presence!

With the song above on my heart, I raised my hands all by myself in my quiet living room and praised God for his faithfulness and love. “I’ll praise You again and again with a hallelujah”.

“Let us lift up our hearts and our hands to the God of heaven.” Lamentations 3:41 ERV

Don’t be shy! When we lift up our hands to the Father, He bends down and lifts us up to where we are close to His heart.

“Lord, I praise you with all my heart. I sing songs of praise to you before the gods. 2 I bow down toward your holy Temple, and I praise your name for your love and loyalty. You are famous, and doing what you promised will make you even more famous! 3 When I called to you for help, you answered me and gave me strength.” Psalm 138:1-3 CEV

“Everyone who serves the Lord, come and offer praises. Everyone who has gathered in his temple tonight, 2 lift your hands in prayer toward his holy place and praise the Lord.” Psalm 134:1-2 CEV

It might seem a bit strange at first but don’t be shy; lift up your hands and praise the Lord!

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Abiding Love

I’ve been sitting here for the better part of three hours thinking about the abiding love of God. I am at a loss for words so I will let God’s word speak.

“ I pray that Christ will live in your hearts because of your faith. I pray that your life will be strong in love and be built on love. 18 And I pray that you and all God’s holy people will have the power to understand the greatness of Christ’s love—how wide, how long, how high, and how deep that love is. 19 Christ’s love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love. Then you can be filled with everything God has for you.” Ephesians 3:17-19 ERV

I read once that God’s love is like the ocean, you can see where it begins but never where it ends. There is no end to the love of God!

“But then I think about this, and I have hope: 22 We are still alive because the Lord’s faithful love never ends. 23 Every morning he shows it in new ways! You are so very true and loyal!” Lamentations 3:21-23 ERV

“ I have loved you, just as my Father has loved me. So remain faithful to my love for you.” John 15:9 CEV

The word remain in other translations is abide. Abide means to live or stay in the place of God’s love. We abide in God’s love by staying in His word. It’s through the word of God that we learn the depth of His love.

See what happens when we live or stay in God.

“Live under the protection of God Most High and stay in the shadow of God All-Powerful.
2 Then you will say to the Lord, ‘You are my fortress, my place of safety; you are my God, and I trust you.'” Psalm 91:1-2 CEV

Occasionally we lose our way. Occasionally we wander off, but God always remains faithful in His love for us.

“I am your servant, but I have wandered away like a lost sheep. Please come after me, because I have not forgotten your teachings.” Psalm 119:176 CEV

Hundreds of years after King David wrote those words Jesus said this:

“ If any of you has 100 sheep, and one of them gets lost, what will you do? Won’t you leave the 99 in the field and go look for the lost sheep until you find it? 5 And when you find it, you will be so glad that you will put it on your shoulder 6 and carry it home. Then you will call in your friends and neighbors and say, “Let’s celebrate! I’ve found my lost sheep.” Luke 15:4-6 CEV

That my friends is the depth of God’s abiding love!

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Love Without End

I’m a big country music fan – real country. You know Randy Travis, Tracy Byrd, Barbara Mandrell, Travis Tritt, Lorrie Morgan, Vince Gill and George Strait.

This morning it was the words of a George Strait song that sneaked into my heart during my quiet time.

“They said, “Let me tell you a secret about a father’s love
A secret that my daddy said was just between us
You see, daddies don’t just love their children
Every now and then It’s a love without end, amen
It’s a love without end, amen”

Whether married or single, a couple or alone, this Valentine message comes to all of us from the Father above. We can never truly love or be loved until we experience His marvelous, wonderful, unconditional life-giving love. It’s a love without end!

The love we have, give and experience on our own is only a shadowed comparison of the love that He offers us through Christ.

“How great is God’s love for all who worship him? Greater than the distance between heaven and earth! 12 How far has the Lord taken our sins from us? Farther than the distance from east to west!” Psalm 103:11-12 CEV

“The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. 23 Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.” Lamentations 3:22-23 NLT

Never ending, east-from-west kind of love. Stop and think about that. If you ever start to go east and continue in that direction, never turning back, you will never go west. You will always continue in an easterly direction, it will be a never-ending path. Each morning His love is new and fresh; as long as we experience morning, we will experience an outpouring of His love.

God’s love brought heaven to earth, something only God could do. Love came wrapped in the form of a man; a man named Jesus. Jesus was the embodiment of love, even on the cross His love spoke, asking forgiveness for those who were responsible for His crucifixion.

His love for us brought Him to death and that same love brings us to life!

“ But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. 21 So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 5:8 & 21 NLT

“Give thanks to the God of heaven. His faithful love endures forever.” Psalm 136:26 NLT

I’m not sure if you’ll receive candy or flowers, a card or a gift today but one thing I know for certain is that we will all receive a love without end, Amen!

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The Power of Love

Have you bought any Valentines this year? I was just thinking about the card boxes we made when I was in elementary school. For some reason, I can still picture the box I made and took to my third-grade class.

Maybe that year was more memorable because we had just moved back to my hometown and I was in a new school, making new friends. I was the “new” kid, the outsider, and I wanted to fit in so badly. Eight years old wanting to be accepted…

I remember carefully choosing each Valentine and putting a classmate’s name on it, some were more special than others. I had to let my new friends know I cared. Mom made a plate of cookies for the class party, heart shaped and frosted with white, pink or red icing. Those were a hit!

It may seem silly for me to be sharing these childhood memories but it’s a reminder to me of the power of being loved.

When I opened God’s word this morning, I was met with these words.

“What if I could speak all languages of humans and even of angels? If I did not love others, I would be nothing more than a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 What if I could prophesy
and understand all mysteries and all knowledge? And what if I had faith that moved mountains? I would be nothing, unless I loved others. 3 What if I gave away all that I owned
and let myself be burned alive? I would gain nothing, unless I loved others.” I Corinthians 13:1-4 CEV

Yes, those verses precede some of the most quoted verses in the Bible, they are from the love chapter, I Corinthians 13.

Paul was an educated man, passionate, and giving. He had been maligned, stoned, shipwrecked, beaten and imprisoned all for the message of Christ. How did he keep going? How did he continue to preach? Why was he so driven to deliver the message of Christ? He knew his sacrifice was useless without love.

“Love is patient and kind, never jealous, boastful, proud, or 5 rude. Love isn’t selfish or quick tempered. It doesn’t keep a record of wrongs that others do. 6 Love rejoices in the truth, but not in evil. 7 Love is always supportive, loyal, hopeful, and trusting.8 Love never fails!” I Corinthians 13:4-8 CEV

Love doesn’t give up – it endures. God never gives up on us.

“…I think about this, and I have hope: 22 We are still alive because the Lord’s faithful love never ends. 23 Every morning he shows it in new ways! You are so very true and loyal! 24 I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my God, and I trust him.’” Lamentations 3:21-24 ERV

You may be like that little eight-year-old girl who was hoping to fit in. Let me tell you the truth she has learned. God is faithful and His love never fails. He is waiting to show you just how much each and every morning.

That’s the power of love!

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Think On This

I wonder how often we overlook the important because we are focused on minute details.

Sometimes we allow the “little” things to block us from what truly matters. I heard a Bible teacher comment on this verse in Philippians and it gave me a greater perspective of what my daily mindset should be.

“Christian brothers, keep your minds thinking about whatever is true, whatever is respected, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever can be loved, and whatever is well thought of. If there is anything good and worth giving thanks for, think about these things.” Philippians 4:8 NLV

Thinking on what is good, pure, lovely, true and worthy of respect will stop us from jumping to wrong conclusions. When we deal with others we should be slow to take offense. It’s possible that the other person has just had a very bad day and they didn’t mean to be rude or critical. Think on what is good, loving and kind.

Let God’s love flow to them, showing them His compassion. Afterall, doesn’t God extend His loving-kindness to us even when we are at our worst.

“The Lord’s kindness never fails! If he had not been merciful, we would have been destroyed. 23 The Lord can always be trusted to show mercy each morning. 24 Deep in my heart I say, ‘The Lord is all I need; I can depend on him!'” Lamentations 3:22-24 CEV

Each day is filled with challenges but we have God’s example and His strength to handle them in a way that brings God glory.

I want you to stop and think about the most difficult person you have ever encountered. Now, with their picture in your mind think about God’s love.

“Do not trouble yourself because of sinful men. Do not want to be like those who do wrong. 2 For they will soon dry up like the grass. Like the green plant they will soon die. 3 Trust in the Lord, and do good. So you will live in the land and will be fed. 4 Be happy in the Lord. And He will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Give your way over to the Lord. Trust in Him also. And He will do it. 6 He will make your being right and good show as the light, and your wise actions as the noon day.” Psalm 37:1-6 NLV

Don’t fret, trust God, do good, be happy. Think on these things and let God handle the rest!

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