Speaking Psalms, Hymns & Spirituals

Devotionals with songs: Speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:19-20

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LEAD ME TO THE CROSS “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. - Hebrews 12:1-3.

Can you picture the race? The runner intent on winning focuses only on the goal, the finish line. Nothing will stop him. He runs into a few snags on the way, a branch, a hot sweater, another runner, but each time he quickly brushes these things aside because he has his sight set on the goal–Jesus.

Jesus – the pioneer and perfector of our faith. Jesus who had so much faith in His Father’s plan, that he was willing to follow through even to death on the cross.

Where is your focus today? Are your eyes wondering, or have you completely stopped in your tracks?

Words from our sing today: Savior I come Quiet my soul remember Redemption’s hill Where Your blood was spilled For my ransom Everything I once held dear I count it all as loss

[Chorus:] Lead me to the cross Where Your love poured out Bring me to my knees Lord I lay me down Rid me of myself I belong to You Lead me, lead me to the cross

May God be with you in your journey today as you keep your eyes on Him.

Read Hebrews 12

Song of the Day: Lead me to the Cross

Prayer: Jesus, help me keep my focus on you that whatever bumps or detours or distractions that may come, I focus on You. Amen.

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REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS AND AGAIN I SAY REJOICE “ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:4-7.

Being joyful is not something we always remember. Sometimes when life looks so complicated and we want answers and to know HOW God is going to work it out, these are some comforting verses to remember!

Be joyful! God has it all figured out. He is near. He see and knows all your concerns. Stop worrying. Give thanks and present your requests to God and He will give you a peace that no one will understand.

On my mom’s wall is a plaque that says, “don’t worry about tomorrow, God’s already been there”.

Rejoice!

Read Philippines 4

Song of the day: Rejoice in the Lord Always

Prayer: Dear God, remind me today that you are near, that you know all circumstances, and when I am tempted to worry, fill me with rejoicing and peace. In Jesus Name, Amen

Picture from Flickr

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THE ANSWER

“ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,  “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” - Luke 2:8-14.

As humans on this planet, we have all suffered pain, loss, death. Have you ever thought what it would mean to not have a Savior? Can you imagine a world where there was no hope. No matter what we have been through Jesus is our answer our Savior.

The words of today’s song are:

I believe You are the answer to every tear I've cried

I believe that You are with me, My rising and my light.

Give me strength when I am weary

Give me hope when I can't see

Through the crosses I must carry

Lord, bind my heart to Thee

That when all my days are over and all my chores are done,

I may see Your risen Glory Forever where You are

Think of the Christmas Story....especially the shepherds who were in the fields. We don’t know their stories. But we can be sure that they each had their own problems and issues. Can you imagine how they must have told the story of hearing that beautiful music for the rest of their lives and what it felt like to run and see Baby Jesus.

Then think what Jesus birth and death means to you. And how even though we live in a world of sin, we will one day live with Jesus and see his “risen Glory Froever where He is”

Read the Christmas Story: Luke 2

Song of the Day: The Answer by Corrine May

Prayer: Jesus never let me take for granted or forget Your Precious Gift. Thank you that You are Answer. “Give me strength when I am weary, Give me hope when I can't see, Through the crosses I must carry, Lord, bind my heart to Thee.”

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GIVE ME OIL IN MY LAMP KEEP ME BURNING “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’ “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’ “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” - Matthew 25:6-13

Talk to just about anyone these days and they will tell you that we are in those last days mentioned in Revelation. We are bombarded with horrible news every day: merciless killings, shootings, crimes committed with no care to others etc. In fact for me, it is so easy to get caught up in all the horribleness of the times that I forget to fill my own lamp. I am a sleepy virgin. Oh, I know all about the midnight cry. I know Jesus is coming soon, but I find myself so distracted that I am afraid I have not been making sure that I fill my oil jar.

Have you spent time with Jesus today? Have you asked Him to fill you with His Holy Spirit so that you can shine brightly for Him? Have you filled your lamp?

Read about the parable of the 10 virgins in Matthew 25.

Song of the day: Give me oil in my lamp keep me burning by Smokey Mountain Jubliee Choir

Prayer: Lord, give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning. Send your Holy Spirit to my heart to prepare me. In Jesus Name, Amen.

(Picture from pintrist).

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ALL HAIL THE POWER OF JESUS NAME -- “And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.” Matthew 28:9 (KJV)

Do you like to imagine what it would have been like if you had been there during the time of Jesus? Do you know that the sites of all the stories in Matthew can still be found today?

Matthew 27 starts with Judas’ betrayal of Jesus. He betrays him for 30 pieces of silver. When he realizes what he has done, he throws this money down in front of the priests.  “6 The chief priests picked up the coins and said, “It is against the law to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money.” 7 So they decided to use the money to buy the potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners. 8 That is why it has been called the Field of Blood to this day. 9 Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: “They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price set on him by the people of Israel, 10 and they used them to buy the potter’s field, as the Lord commanded me.” Matthew 27:6-10.

See this field of blood today here.

See the Garden of Gethsemane here.

Matthew 28 talks about Jesus resurrection. And later meeting with the disciples. Can you imagine what it must have been like to be them? They had misunderstood so much and even though Jesus had told them plainly of his death and resurrection, they did not fully understand everything until after. Our text for today, taken from the King James Version says that Jesus met them saying All hail, and then they came and worshipped him. When I read this passage it made me think of Today’s Song “All Hail the Power of Jesus Name”. Even though you are not able to see Jesus now as in Matthew 28, someday we will and I can imagine we will all love to sing this song in one huge Heavenly choir.

Read Matthew 27-28

Song of the Day: All Hail the Power of Jesus Name Sung by the First-Plymouth Church of Lincoln NE

Prayer: Jesus, we all hail your name, and crown you Lord of All. Thank you for saving us by your grace!

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 ONE THING I KNOW

“I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” - Luke 15:7

Have you ever felt that you made too many wrong decisions that there was no turning back? Have you ever felt that you have gone so far, that there is no saving you?

Romans 3 says that we are all sinners. God does not see us as any different, but that each one of us is a sinner in need of saving. In Luke 15 Jesus talks about the Good Shepard leaving all the other sheep in the fold to go find the one that is lost. God seeks each one of us. And He can heal your pain and make your life new.

Our song for today has some beautiful words for you:

God will take away your pain If you choose to let it go If there's one thing I know

I would never state my life on any lesser thing Then the cross of Christ where He gave His life to ease my suffering

And if there's one thing I know You were never left alone 'Cause you can always call on Jesus' name And if there's one thing I pray

It's that Jesus helps you find a way To make a change and listen to your heart God will take away your pain If you choose to let it go If there's one thing I know

Read the parable of the lost sheep from Luke 15

Read Romans 3 about how we are all in need a Savior.

Song of the Day: One Thing I Know by Selah

Prayer: Jesus, I am so glad, I can call on your name. Thank you that you can take my pain way and change my heart. Save me today. Amen.

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 YOU ARE MY HIDING PLACE

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

The Israelites had been led by Moses for over 40 years. He had been taking them to the promised land. Now their leader had died and Joshua was in charge. They may have wondered, will Joshua be able to lead us? Was this God’s plan for us? 

God tells both Joshua and the people, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Have you felt like God was leading you in a certain way, and things didn’t quite turn out how you thought they were going to? Usually on hindsight we can see and realize that of course God’s plan is the best because He does know the beginning from the end. But when we are actually in the situation, sometimes when our perception of what we thought was going to happen or be best turns out to be something else. God says….don’t worry. Don’t be afraid. I am with you wherever you go. You can have confidence that just as I have lead you in the past, I will continue to lead you.

Read about God’s message to the Israelites as they join Joshua in preparing to enter the promised land: Joshua 1

Song of the Day: You are My Hiding Place by Selah

Prayer. Father, as you lead me, please remind me that I can trust in You no matter what and that the place you are leading me to is the place You want me to be. Help me to trust.

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I WILL SING OF JESUS LOVE

"You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly....But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” -Romans 5:6&8

Romans 5 is a extraordinarily powerful chapter. It's theme is about the grace and love of Christ. It mentions in verse 7, “Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die“.

In the recent San Bernardino shootings, I read of a man who shielded a co-worker from the bullets ending up giving up his life to save hers. Can you imagine the cost of losing one’s own life to save anothers’? This is a hard concept to understand when we are thinking of other human beings. Imagine even more what it means to have the King of the Universe give up His life for you so that you could not only live now, but forever and ever. Stop and think about what that really means.

Both the beginning of the chapter and the end of the chapter talk about this special grace and what great love that means.“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.“ Romans 5:1-2. And in the last part of the chapter it says, “But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, 21 so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Today’s song has some powerful words. Here are some of them:

Nothing good for Him I’ve done;

How could He such love bestow?

Lord, I own my heart is won,

Help me now my love to show.

Refrain

I will sing of Jesus’ love,

Endless praise my heart shall give;

He has died that I might live—

I will sing His love for me.

Read Romans 5

Song of the Day: I will Sing of Jesus Love

Prayer: Lord, “I will sing your love for me, endless praise my heart will bring, you have died that I might live, I will sing of Jesus love.” Amen.

Picture from Pintrist

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I WALKED TODAY WHERE JESUS WALKED

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; 2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved [a]you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God [b]as a fragrant aroma.“ Ephesians 5:1 (NASB)

Our 13 month old daughter surprised us twice when her grandmother was whistling for her and she whistled back. Babies are not known for whistling and I am quite sure that our 13 month old will have to learn to do it like any other child when she is older, but she was able to today because babies are good imitators. That got me to thinking about today’s verse: “..be imitators of God as beloved children and walk in love as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.: (Ephesians 5:1).

Be imitators of God. What does that mean? How would that look?

How can we be imitators of Jesus grace? Think about how when all the others were accusing Mary Magdalene, Jesus wrote in the sand so that her accusers went away. “Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”11 “No one, sir,” she said.“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” John 8:10-11

How can you imitate Jesus grace to others around you? When someone deserves condemnation, can you give them grace? Do you pray for them?

How can we be imitators of Jesus love? Think about how even when the Israelites were crucifying Jesus and He was under extreme amounts of pain. He had so much love even for those that were giving him extreme pain and ultimately death, and He still said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” John 23:34.

How can you imitate Jesus love towards others? Think of your most worse enemy. Could you die for that person? Jesus did. Can you pray for that person? Can you forgive them? Can you ask Jesus to help you have that kind of love for them?

How can you imitate Jesus spiritual life? There are many places in the New Testament where Jesus took time out to pray. In Luke 6:12 it says that Jesus prayed all night before choose His disciples and then taught all those around Him.

Today, as you listen to the song, “I Walked today as Jesus Walked”, think of Jesus life. I recommend reading through the gospels about Jesus time on earth. To imitate someone, we have to watch very closely and learn, just as a baby would do. Today, I invite you to walk where Jesus walked.

Read about Jesus Grace: John 8:1-11

Read about Jesus Love: Luke 23:26-43

Read about Jesus Spiritual Life and Teachings: Luke 6:12-49

Song of the Day: I walked Today Where Jesus Walked by Larnelle Harris

Prayer: Lord, help me to be an imitator of your grace and love. Lead me to have the spiritual life I need to have to be a good imitator of love for you. Lead me through the paths you took. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Picture from Pintrist

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WHAT A DAY THAT WILL BE

“I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.“ Philippians 3:10-11

Have you thought lately about what it will be like when we see Jesus? Paul tells us in Philippians 3, “18 For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things.20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.“

Our song for today says,

“What a day that will be, When my Jesus I shall see, And I look upon His face, The One who saved me by His grace; When He takes me by the hand, And leads me through the Promised Land, What a day, glorious day that will be”

Have you spent time with Him today? Do you know Christ? Do you know the power of his resurrection? Have you participated in his suffering and become like him in death? Death to self? (Philippians 3:10-11).

It is good to be reminded that we are not citizens of this world but of Heaven if we accept the grace and salvation of Jesus.

Read Philippians 3

Song of the Day: What a Day That Will Be by Heritage Singers

Prayer: Jesus, I can’t wait until the day I can see your face. What a day that will be! Remind me to set my mind on heavenly things. Please bring everything under Your control and transform my life not only on that wonderful day, but today. Amen

Picture from Pintrist

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DO YOU HAVE ROOM?

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.“ Revelation 3:20

This year, I was introduced to a new song that has such profound meaning. The chorus is:

Do you have room For the Savior?, And do you seek Him anew? Have you a place for the One who lived and died for you? Are you as humble as a Shepherd Boy, Or as Wise as Men of Old? Would you have come that night? Would you have sought the light? Do you have room?

Our reading today comes from Revelation 3. It is talking about the Laodicean Church – us! Starting in verse 17, it says: “You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. 19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.21 To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.“

There are so many distractions each and every day. Do you seek your Savior everyday? Do you have place in your heart for him this day and everyday? As you are beginning a new year, why not make a resolution to know him better? Why not try new ways to connect with him, to have room in your heart?

Read Revelation 3

Song of the Day: Do You Have Room? by Shawna Edwards

Prayer: Lord, please help me to seek you anew each day of this new year. Please remind me to make room for you in my heart and not let anything crowd you out. Let me hear you knocking on my heart and teach me new ways. Amen.

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IN TIMES LIKE THESE - YOU NEED A SAVIOR “ But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power.  2 Timothy 3:1-5

It was during World War 2 that Ruth Caye Jones, a house wife, jotted down the words to today’s song, In Times Like These. She had just read the first verse of today’s passage, “there will be terrible times in the last days”. Here are the words:

“In times like these you need a Savior / In times like these you need an anchor / Be very sure, be very sure / Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!

(Chorus) “This Rock is Jesus, Yes, He's the One / This Rock is Jesus, the only One! / Be very sure, be very sure / Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!”

VERSE 2: In times like these you need the Bible, In times like these O be not idle; Be very sure, be very sure Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock! This Rock is Jesus, yes He' the One; This Rock is Jesus, the only One! Be very sure, be very sure Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!

VERSE 3: In times like these I have a Savior, In times like these I have an anchor; I'm very sure, I'm very sure My anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock! This Rock is Jesus, yes, He's the One; This Rock is Jesus, the only One! I'm very sure, I'm very sure My anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!

In the last verse of Matthew 28, Jesus says, "surely I will be with you until the end of the age". He is our rock, our anchor through everything until the very end. In times like these, you need a Savior.

Do you know Him? Are you very sure? Does your anchor hold and grip the Solid rock?

Read about these times in 2 Timothy 3

Song of the Day: In Times Like These

Prayer: Lord, let me cling to you, my solid rock through everything in this life. Thank you that you can give unexplainable peace through any type of storm. Amen.

Picture from Etsy via Pintrist

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REDEEMED –HOW I LOVE TO PROCLAIM IT “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,because he has come to his people and redeemed them. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago)” - Luke 1:68-70.

In today’s Bible passage, John the Baptist had been born. His father, the priest Zachariah, had been unable to speak because when an angel told him that his aged wife would have a son and his name would be John and that he would be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he was born, Zachariah had asked how he could know for sure that this would happen. The angel responded that he was Gabriel and stood in the presence of God and that Zachariah would not be able to speak until the child was born. As his friends and neighbors asked the name of his newborn child, Zachariah wrote that his name would be John, and immediately he was able to talk and began to prophesy about Jesus and then about John who would prepare the way:“Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,because he has come to his people and redeemed them. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago)” - Luke 1:68-70.

Isaiah, one of those prophets from long ago, foretold many things about Jesus. In the first chapter of Isaiah he says, “Come now, let us settle the matter,”says the Lord.“Though your sins are like scarlet,they shall be as white as snow;though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” - Isaiah 1:18

Have you thought of yourself as redeemed? What does it mean to be redeemed, ransomed or purchased? Today, think of your Redeemer.

The words of today’s song were written by Fanny Crosby who became blind as a child. She wrote:

Redeemed—how I love to proclaim it! Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb; Redeemed through His infinite mercy, His child, and forever, I am. Redeemed, redeemed, Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb; Redeemed, redeemed,   His child, and forever, I am.

2 Redeemed and so happy in Jesus, No language my rapture can tell; I know that the light of His presence With me doth continually dwell.

3 I think of my blessed Redeemer, I think of Him all the day long; I sing, for I cannot be silent; His love is the theme of my song.

4 I know I shall see in His beauty The King in whose way I delight; Who lovingly guardeth my footsteps, And giveth me songs in the night

Read about the story of Zachariah and his prophesy in Luke 1.

Song of the Day: Redeemed - How I love to Proclaim it by Charles Nelson and friends

Prayer: Jesus, thank you for redeeming me and that I am your child forever. Thank you that though my sins are as scarlet, that you have made them white as snow. Amen.

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HOW GREAT THOU ART “ God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways;he does great things beyond our understanding.” - Job 37:5

Has there ever been a time in your life where you were totally amazed knowing that God definitely intervened in your life in an amazing way? Do you ever wonder how many times He has done that without you being aware. Sometimes, when we aren’t seeing the miraculous we tend to forget these moments that helped to build our faith. It is good to remember those awe moments, to remember not only the big things, but the small things God has done in our lives.

Today’s song comes in part from a poem written by Carl Gustav Boberg in Sweden in 1885. His inspiration for the poem came when he was walking home from church near Kronobäck, Sweden, and listening to church bells. His poem is titled “Store Gud”. It was later translated into English by an English missionary Stuart K. Hine, who also added two original verses of his own.

Think about your own life. Think about those times when you know their was divine intervention. As you sing this song in your mind throughout the day, think about all the marvelous things God has done for all of us.

1.     O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder,         Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made;         I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,         Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Chorus:

        Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,

        How great Thou art, How great Thou art.

        Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,

        How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

2.     When through the woods, and forest glades I wander,         And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.         When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur        And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.

3     And when I think that God, His Son not sparing,        Sent Him to die - I scarce can take it in:        That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing,        He bled and died to take away my sin:

4.    When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation        And take me home - what joy shall fill my heart!        Then shall I bow in humble adoration,        And there proclaim, my God how great Thou art! 

Read of some of the wonders of God: Job 37

Song of the Day: How Great Thou Art by the Mormon Tabernle and Choir

Prayer: Great God, thank you for all the ways you have intervened in my life. Let my soul sing your praise today, “How great Thou art!” Amen.

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BECAUSE HE LIVES

" But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." 1 Peter 2:9

In the end of Matthew, we read about a woman who came to the tomb where Jesus had been laid after He was crucified:

"The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” Matthew 28:5-10 

Can you imagine what it would have been like to be the woman who saw the angel at the tomb, and then to see Jesus after He had risen? This was not what any of them had expected and it would take a bit for all of it to sink in, for them to remember the words He had spoken earlier telling them time and again that on the 3rd day He would rise again. 

This chapter ends with The Great Commission and Jesus promise to be with us until the end of the age: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28: 19-20 

Today's song says: 

Because he lives, I can face tomorrow Because he lives, All fear is gone Because I know He holds the future And life is worth the living, Just because he lives.

Through whatever we face each day, Jesus is there with us. He holds our future. And life has it's meaning because He Lives! 

 Read Matthew 28. 

 Song of the Day: Because He Lives by The Heritage Singers

 Prayer: Dear Jesus, please remind me that every day of my life holds purpose because of what You have done for me. Help me to reach others for You, and thank you that You are with me even until the very end of the age. Amen.

Photo by Stephanie Flores Photography

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NO MORE NIGHT

"This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.“ - 1 John 4:17-18

There are so many terrible things happening in our world. Horrible violence and killing of people because of different beliefs. There is a lot of fear. The verse that keeps coming to my mind is today’s text. "In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear.”

God is perfect love. And in the end, the Bible promises that there will be: ” No more night, no more pain No more tears, never crying again And praises to the great, “I AM” We will live in the light of the risen Lamb". So when your life is touched by death, sadness, loss, fear etc. Remember this is only our temporary home. Some day we will live where there is no more night.

Read about God's perfect loved reflected in you through Jesus. 1 John 4

Song of the Day: No More Night by Christian Edition

Prayer: Lord cast out any fear with your perfect love. Thank you that one day we will live with You with no more night, pain or tears. Amen

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OH HAPPY DAY

“ and giving joyful thanks to the Father,who has qualified you[f] to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:12-14.

Knowing that Jesus has saved us, doesn’t that make you happy? It is definitely something to celebrate! Colossians 1 talks quite a bit about this great thing that Jesus has done for us. “ In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace.”

Have you truly understood God’s grace? He has washed your sins away. Your red stains are white.

What has washed away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.  What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. 

Can you imagine how the disciples felt when they finally understood what Jesus had really done for them? Before that, they had no idea what his real mission was. I am sure they felt like singing.

Be Joyful! Jesus has rescued you.

Read Colossians 1

Song of the Day: Oh Happy Day by the Heritage Singers

Prayer: Jesus Thank you for washing my sins away. Thank you for making me whole again. Thank you for giving me a happy life in you.