Tag: answers

When it feels like a sacrifice to praise, praise anyway.

Is life so heavy that the song in our heart is gone? In this day and age, between pressing schedules, unbelievable news reports, and sudden moments of loss, a song is the last thing on our mind.

Even so, the Bible encourages:

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. Hebrews 13:15

Through Jesus, trust in Him and His sacrifice for us, we are encouraged to offer to God a sacrifice of praise, continually.

Hymns are a great help to learn to praise. Everything created praises, according to All creatures of our God and King:

All creatures of our God and King, 
lift up your voice and with us sing 
alleluia, alleluia! (Paraphrase, William H. Draper. Author, St. Frances of Assisi, 1225).

Yes, the sun lifts its voice daily, the moon gives glory to God as the hymn brings melody to stir up heavy hearts with visions of hope and power:
Thou burning sun with golden beam,
thou silver moon with softer gleam,
O praise him, O praise him,
alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

We see these beauties everyday. They lift our eyes up above our earthly thoughts. This hymn ignites new direction of thought, vertical instead of horizontal.

From the weight of cares to praise to God. He is able to help in time of need.

We don’t have to be in church to worship God. We can praise God anywhere, but, there is added riches to efforts and investment of time when we come into the Lord’s house in a community, and

offer a sacrifice of praise.

We don’t always “feel” like praising God. Everyone walks through the doors of God’s house with individual pains and struggles, but a sacrifice of praise changes everything, especially . . . me.

Science has now proven the human brain functions in a more complete capacity when the thoughts and meditations are pleasant.

Praise to God brings supernatural change. The Creator of the Universe is near in our praise, that’s powerful.

We can praise God easily when things are going right, but can we praise before God “parts the Red Sea,” so to speak?

And when we make effort and sacrifice time to go to church, there is reward we don’t always see and don’t comprehend. God is found in hearts that seek Him. He draws near when we draw near to Him.

In church, the focus (should be) and is God. Not the other stuff that tries to take our thoughts, critique, distractions, etc.

He is the One who is able to do all things. Even if the song is not to our liking, we can make the willing choice to read it, speak it, and hear the truths.

With an open and willing mind, our hearts begin to see the common ground in the old hymn and admire it’s care to invoke praise through the trials:
Thou rushing wind that art so strong, 
ye clouds that sail in heav’n along, 
O praise him, alleluia! 

Yes, the winds are strong, the clouds are dark, God is greater and knows all things. O praise Him. Praise Him still.

Maybe, this is what, “be as a child means.” Children trust. Children believe.

And children are praisers. With their bright morning smiles and joyful eyes. With their energy and excitement, children bring praise.

The song of a child is pure and clear, much like the next verse speaking of the glorious sound of water:

Thou flowing water, pure and clear, 
make music for thy Lord to hear, 
alleluia, alleluia!

Everything gives praise, even warm fires and their glow, the hymn reminds that we watch praise to God wherever we go:
Thou fire so masterful and bright, 
that givest man both warmth and light, 
O praise him, O praise him, 
alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! 

What if the masses stopped to praise? Would we be a different people? Oh, wouldn’t God be pleased?

What would it look like if we would praise God more? Would we put down pointing fingers?

And all ye men of tender heart,
forgiving others, take your part,
O sing ye, alleluia!
Ye who long pain and sorrow bear,
praise God and on him cast your care,
O praise him, O praise him,
alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Alleluia, God alone can change the heart.

God alone is near and able to comfort sufficiently, those with a broken heart.

It’s a season to give praise to God and join all creation whose already singing. Perhaps one heart at a time, tuned up and praising more, we will witness a changed culture. A culture that returns to walk through the doors of God’s glorious house , worship Him in humbleness, . . .

Let all things their Creator bless,
and worship him in humbleness,
O praise him, alleluia!
Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,
and praise the Spirit, three in one. 

This is how the world will be turned upside down, when His people offer a sacrifice of praise, in season, . . . and out.

O praise him, O praise him, 
alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!




Source: Trinity Psalter Hymnal #248

I will focus on what matters most

“Have I not commanded you be strong and courageous, do not be terrified, do not be discouraged for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” God spoke to Joshua in His Word, and He speaks to me as well.

How about you?

I seek to look away from the distractions of this world and look to the One Who loves me, and you, (and every single human being on this planet, for that matter), with a perfect love, our Jesus, there is no fail.

Because God’s love never fails.

Join me?

Let’s join the choir to sing joyful songs of thanksgiving to our King. It’s time for a wedding song: Psalm 45:1,

For the director of music. To the tune of “Lilies . . .” A wedding song. My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.

There is a time for everything. Today, I will, you will, we will persevere and overcome as we humble ourselves and adore our King and give Him the glory due His name.

“Afflicted city, lashed by storms and not comforted,
    I will rebuild you with stones of turquoise,
    your foundations with lapis lazuli (Isaiah 54:11).

God will rebuild us. We can trust Him. He is faithful and true. The good theme is His Word:

I will make your battlements of rubies,
    your gates of sparkling jewels,
    and all your walls of precious stones (Isaiah 54:12).

Will we hear the Word of the Lord? Will we let His Word encourage and heal?

All your children will be taught by the Lord,
    and great will be their peace (Isaiah 54:13).

I will . . .

believe God.

 In righteousness you will be established:
Tyranny will be far from you;
    you will have nothing to fear.

Terror will be far removed;
    it will not come near you.

If anyone does attack you, it will not be my doing;
    whoever attacks you will surrender to you Isaiah 54: 11-15.

We can count on Him. Only God can make all things good for those who love him: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose Romans 8:28.

Today, I will point to Jesus. He’s all I need.

Jesus is the name above every name. The name we can count on. He keeps all His promises.

Let’s spend time each day knowing full well each and every promise He has given to us.

Promises by Anneliese Rypkema

Fact, not feelings: "As thy day, thy strength shall be"

Feelings aren’t facts. But they are very real.
Feelings can whirl with tornado-type style. They make havoc of the present moments and solid things even fly wild.
Based on facts of circumstances and realities in this life, our hearts become ripped up in the midst of overwhelming feelings.
But all the while, one thing remains, though we can’t feel Him,
Jesus Christ stays.
We leave.
We mis-perceive.
But He’s present. God doesn’t change.
“Afflicted soul, to Jesus dear, Thy Savior’s gracious promise hear; His faithful word declares to thee That, “as thy day, thy strength shall be.” 
“Let not thy heart despond, and say, How shall I stand the trying day? He has engaged, by firm decree, That, “as thy day; thy strength shall be.”  (Poem found in CH Spurgeon’s Devotional Bible, p.142, based on Deuteronomy 22:35).
“Why should I continue to read,”some will say in the midst of the storm, “Why do you state that Jesus is God? Why does Jesus have to be in the mix? I can do fine with just God in all this.”
Others will say, “I need a lot more than Jesus right now. Get out! I really don’t want to hear you right now!”
The fact remains, God stays the same. Whether we believe or not – Jesus loves, period. You are precious, period. Yesterday this was true. Today this fact stands. Forever, He is God.
God is love.
Can we come close to understand?
“You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13. Words breathed from God in the Old Testament persuading, but not only that, these living words provide peace that’s alive. Living bread for a hungry soul.
Comfort true. Comfort whole.
“Let not thy heart despond, and say, How shall I stand the trying day? He has engaged, by firm decree, That, “as thy day; thy strength shall be.”  
“Your bars shall be iron and bronze, and as your days, so shall your strength be.” These are verses from the Living Word. When the Book is open to Deuteronomy. Chapter 33:25, and by chance one will open the dull looking Book, only to discover precious breath within each word.
“For it is not an idle word for you; indeed it is your life. And by this word you will prolong your days in the land, which you are about to cross the Jordan to possess.“Deuteronomy 32:47.
“As thy day, thy strength shall be . . .”  Will you believe?
Abide in Me.
“My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding— indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding,

 and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord

and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom;

from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” Proverbs 2:1-6.

Who was it that came down and rebuked the winds and the sea became sound?

“Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him.  Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping.  The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”
 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.
The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!” (Matthew 8:23-27).
“Afflicted soul, to Jesus dear, Thy Savior’s gracious promise hear; His faithful word declares to thee That, “as thy day, thy strength shall be.” 
“Let not thy heart despond, and say, How shall I stand the trying day? He has engaged, by firm decree, That, “as thy day; thy strength shall be.”