Monday Meditation & Wednesday Worship on Friday

I still have WORDS on my mind.

I'm studying the book of James. Whew! That has caused a stir of introspection and a strong measure of consideration to the power of the tongue. Yes, conviction has resulted. And much praying of Scriptures relating to my words.

Here are some words from The Word to further encourage us...in all of our relationships.

No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another God lives in us and His love is made complete in us. (1 John 4:12 NIV)

 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another.... 

(Hebrews 10:24 NIV)

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (Ephesians 4:29)

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. (Romans 12:10 NIV)

Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. (2 Corinthians 13:11 NIV)

 

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. (Ephesians 4:2 NIV)

Be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. (1 Peter 3:8 NIV)

Fathers [and mothers], do not exasperate your children; instead bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:4 NIV)

Encourage one another and build each other up.... (1Thessalonians 5:11 NIV)

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32 NIV)

May all of our words speak life and love to those around us!

 I'm praying sweet blessings over the words you speak and hear today!

Wednesday Worship~Words

Reckless words pierce like a sword, 

but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

(Proverbs 12:18 NIV)

Pleasant words are a honeycomb,

sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

(Proverbs 16:24 NIV)

Praying our words bring life today,

Monday Meditation~The Power of Our Words

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. (Psalm 19:14 NIV)

The average person speaks thousands of words each day. Some sources say tens of thousands.

What power.

Power to hurt or to heal, to embitter or to encourage, to cut down or to challenge to new heights, to blast or to bless, to hinder or to help, to plant hatred or portray love.

James 3:10 says, "Our of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers [and sisters], this should not be." 

Let's make the words of David in Psalm 141:3 be the prayer of our hearts today. "Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips." May Paul's words to the church at Thessalonica inspire us to "Encourage one another and build each other up." (1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV) Join me in striving to "Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord." (Hebrews 12:14 NIV) 

Let's give Christ the POWER over the power of our words today! 

Praying with you and for you, 

What Are You Thirsty For?

As the deer pants for streams of water,

so my soul pants for you, my God.

Psalm 42:1 NIV

I have to tell you. My heart quickens with a little beat of joy each morning as I get to my coffee maker. The aroma filling the room just makes me downright giddy. I choose one of my favorite mugs, pour that delightful libation, add a dab of sugar and a splish of skim milk and I'm one happy girl!

Now as I wait for it to brew...actually sometimes I can't help myself and thank the Lord for minds that invent those little stoppy things that allow impatient folks like me to interrupt the process...I switch on my local Christian radio station and get my praise on.

Which draws me to what my soul thirsts for.

My soul thirsts for God, the living God. Psalm 42:2

Whether we realize it or not, He has placed within us a thirst that only He can satisfy. It's there. Nothing else will truly quench it. I love the Psalm of David that reads:

O God, You are my God,

earnestly I seek You;

my soul thirsts for You,

in a dry and weary land

where there is no water.

I have seen You in the sanctuary

and beheld Your power and Your

glory.

Because Your love is better than life,

my lips will glorify You.

I will praise You as long as I live,

and in Your name I will lift up my

hands.

My soul will be satisfied as with the

richest of foods;

with singing lips my mouth will

praise You.

Psalm 63:1-5

Do you feel the thirst? Is there a longing within you that needs to be satisfied? Run to Him, my friend! As Jesus said, Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Matthew 5:6.

I'm ready for that blessing!! Are you? It's right in His Word!

Wednesday Worship~Unfailingly Loved and Never Forsaken

Psalm 107:8-9 NIV

Let them give thanks to the LORD for His

unfailing love

and His wonderful deeds for men,

for He satisfies the thirsty

and fills the hungry with good things.

Isaiah 42:16 NIV

I will lead the blind by ways they have not known,

along unfamiliar paths I will guide them;

I will turn the darkness into light before them

and make the rough places smooth.

These are the things I will do;

I will not forsake them.

Isaiah 43:2-4 NIV

When you pass through the waters,

I will be with you;

and when you pass through the rivers,

they will not sweep over you.

When you walk through the fire,

you will not be burned;

the flames will not set you ablaze.

For I am the LORD, your God,

the Holy One of Israel, your Savior....

Since you are precious and honored in my sight,

and because I love you.

Monday Meditation~This Bears Repeating!

Don't you just love it when you're reading God's Word and you see frequent repetition of words or phrases?

Doesn't that cause you to stop and take note?

To marinate on the importance a truth uttered over and over.

And don't you especially love it when the message holds the great reminder of God's unfailing love toward you?

This morning as I read Psalm 107, I felt God's embrace in the reiteration there.

Psalm 107:1 *NIV

Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;

His love endures forever.

Psalm 107:8-9

Let them give thanks to the LORD for His 

unfailing love

and His wonderful deeds for men,

for He satisfies the thirsty

and fills the hungry with good things.

Psalm 107:15

Let them give thanks to the LORD for His 

unfailing love

and His wonderful deeds for men....

Psalm 107:21

Let them give thanks to the LORD for His

unfailing love

and His wonderful deeds for men.

Psalm 107:31

Let them give thanks to the LORD for His

unfailing love

and His wonderful deeds for men.

Do you feel the reassurance of His great love? Is your heart drawn to praise and thanksgiving for His unfailing love and the wonderful deeds He has done for you?

The chapter ends with these words:

Psalm 107:43

Whoever is wise, let him heed these things

and consider the great love of the LORD.

I'm heeding and considering! I hope you are too! 

Wednesday Worship~Go Ahead and Dance!

Praise Him with tambourine and dance.... Psalm 150:4 (HCSB)

What is holding you back?

And now that you're warmed up...

Oh, I just want to praise Him! How about you?

Praying that He puts a song in your heart, praise on your lips, and that you can worship Him in freedom today! He is worthy!

Monday Meditation~Free to Dance

Please forgive my feeble attempts at photography...in the dark...on my cell phone.

No matter how dim, the image of beauty is etched on my mind and in my heart.

I don't know how old she was. Maybe 5 or 6.

Her feathery blonde wisps wafted in the breeze. Her Sunday best dress twirled dutifully matching each rhythm of the orchestra, band, and singers.

As the musicians filled the air with songs of jubilant praise, I longed for her freedom. I wanted to share that little girl's unhindered expression of a heart abandoned in celebratory worship of the King of Kings.

Oh, I know He was pleased.

And I felt the Truth of prophecy that says "a little child will lead them." Isaiah 11:6b

One day we will be free like that little child!

Psalm 150

(HCSB)

Hallelujah!

Praise God in His sanctuary.

Praise Him in His mighty heavens.

Praise Him for His powerful acts;

praise Him for His greatness.

Praise Him with the trumpet blast;

praise Him with harp and lyre.

Praise Him with tambourine and dance;

praise Him with flute and strings.

Praise Him with resounding cymbals;

praise Him with clashing cymbals.

Let everything that breathes praise the LORD.

Hallelujah!