Tag: happy

Rain Down on us Good Words for some Son-shine!

Art by G of Legacy Studio & Co

Art by G of Legacy Studio & Co

“Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs it down, But a good word makes it glad” Proverbs 12:25.

Oh yeah, good words make a person’s heart glad.

God knows best. His Word is a rock. His Word is a rose. His Word to those who believe and receive Him is as a Coach, coming alongside,

to give a high-five. To say, “Come on, you can do this with Me. Let’s go!”

And God’s Word to a kid’s song is “just” plain fun and can move us forward when we feel stuck!

I wrote this song with a special needs child I had the privilege to teach and work with for many years. A few strums of the ukulele and a few Bible verses to focus on would be our delight for many days together.

For this combination of Philippians 1:6 and 1 John 4:4 we were “changed.”

God’s Word is powerful and can be loads of fun with a ukulele or a guitar. And God gave every human being alive a set of “strings.” So, even if you’re not a kid, find one and start singing some Bible, to increase in faith,

or come to faith for the first time. “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” Romans 10:17.

There is only one answer to the dark day we live in, Jesus.

He alone is able to change a heart. His Word is powerful and opens a door of faith in us to hear and receive.

An open, soft heart, is suddenly changed to belief. There is hope as the sun shines through the clouds.

Because faith chases away fear. God loves you. God loves me.

He is there for any who calls on His name. God is able to accomplish all that concerns you today. He is God Almighty.

And, He is love, (1 John 4:7-21*)

He paid your debt in full on the cross. And mine, and the debt of sin of the entire human race.

We can’t save ourselves. (We all need saving.) (Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23. )

Jesus came to save us and to finish the work He has for us. He gives us His Holy Spirit when we receive Him. He is our help. We can be confident in this.

I share this today with anyone who needs a song of truth and hope in Jesus to help chase the dark clouds away and bring a ray of Son-shine, (no matter what is going on!)

If you haven’t opened your heart to Jesus, do it today:

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.  Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.  

In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 

In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.  

Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.
 By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. 

 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.  Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.  So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. 

God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.  By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. 

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 
 
We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother 1 John 4: 7-21.

(My song words are slightly paraphrased,) “Being confident of this very thing that he who has begun a good work in you will perform it ’till the day of Jesus Christ” Philippians 1:6.

Being confident in this.

“For He who is in you is greater than he that is in the world.”

“For He who is in you is greater than he that is in the world” 1 John 4:4. (I’m just waiting to record some happy kids with this song.)

Let me know if you are blessed. And “like” the SoundCloud too if you do!

-Toni

His Eye Is on the Sparrow, I Must Know

Today I share an old pizza note as comfort and hope to any who chooses to “bite into” its goodness:

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And, resting on His goodness, I lose my doubt and fears, (His Eye Is on the Sparrow, (Songwriters: Gene Bartlett / Charles Gabriel / C.D. Martin).

God sees. God knows.

We. Need. To know. The “One Who” can do all things, especially—to love me. Unconditionally. Right now!

Immediately.

When I think of the trials humans across the world face today, especially the children, . . . we need to remember “Love.”

Oh, how we forget and wander off from this love of God. We forget, “God doesn’t see the same way people see. People look at the outside of a person, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).

God looks at my heart. But, my heart “ain’t pretty” on the inside, if I’m honest. God knows the thoughts I have and the words I think before I speak them! Psalm 139 tells me about this.

But God. Yes, He sees. He knows I need Him.

He knows we all need Him.

I’ve received His love for salvation. Many years ago, I received Jesus in my life, but I still live in this body of flesh. In this world, life is broken and the sharp edges of “flesh” HURT!

Jesus Himself told us we would face “tribulation,” but to be of “good cheer” because He has “overcome the world.” (John 16:33.)

God’s Word is a “present help in times of trouble” to those who believe, initially for salvation, and step by step through the thorns of life.

God’s Word, is breathed and inspired by “Love” Himself, (because God is love, 1 John 4:8). He never changes. He loves through the ages!

Do I trust in Christ?

My path may be cluttered with lots of directions, opinions, ideas, hurts, and rough edges. Everybody’s path is.

We must know Him more:

“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;
Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me

Why should I feel discouraged,
Why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely,
And long for heaven, heaven, and home,


When, when Jesus is my portion,
My constant Friend is He;
Oh, oh-oh, his eye is on the sparrow.

And I know, I know He watches over me.

This is how I can have inner joy. When I see His face and grace over me in each present moment:

“You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand” Psalm 16:11.

God brings my song back! He’s with me, loves me, and won’t give up on me, no matter what:
I sing because I’m happy. I sing because I’m free (free free free)

For His eye, his eye is on the sparrow,
And I know, I know He watches over me.

When Jesus is my portion. My constant Friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,
When songs give place to sighing when hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me. (Songwriters: Gene Bartlett / Charles Gabriel / C.D. Martin.)

Do I believe this? Am I His?

Has He sealed me with His Holy Spirit?

Yes, I believe!

Talk to God and let Him in, too.

But now, this is what the Lord says—
    he who created you, Jacob,
    he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
    I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

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; . . .

Do not be afraid, for I am with you;
    I will bring your children from the east
    and gather you from the west Isaiah 43:1-5.

Yes, I believe. His eye is on this sparrow.


I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free,
For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

“You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord,
    “and my servant whom I have chosen,
so that you may know and believe me
    and understand that I am he.
Before me, no god was formed,
    nor will there be one after me.
I, even I, am the Lord,
    and apart from me, there is no savior.

“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;
Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.”

This is how I “know” Love. By drawing near to Him and believing His eye is on me. On you. On all the children who cry out to Him.

Let the children who believe in Jesus sing:

I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free,
For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me!

I will . . . be free, in Him.

Oh, that I had wings like a dove! For then I would fly away and be at rest. Indeed I would wander far off Psalm 55:6.

Ever feel the need to breakout, but there are many urgent and needful occupations taking all our time? Psalm 55:6 speaks our heart.

“As for me, I will call upon God, And the LORD will save me. Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, and He shall hear my voice.” Psalm 55: 16, 17.

We fight for solutions.

Jesus hears. The Bible promises this. And Jesus prays for those who put their trust in Him.

I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world; but for those You have given Me, for they belong to You John 17:9.

All Mine are Yours, and all that are Yours belong to Me; and I am glorified in (through) them…And [now] I am no more in the world, but these are in the world and I am coming to You. Holy Father, keep in Your name [in the knowledge of Yourself] them whom You have given Me, that they may be one, as We [are one] (John 17:10,11, Amplified).

Moments of discouragement come when tired and overwhelmed, and our thoughts tempt us to give up. We say things like,

“The prison bars will never open, I can’t be free.” And that is true if it has to do with me, but God . . . 

For with God nothing  will be impossible Luke 1:37.

With men  this is impossible, but with God all  things are possible.  Matthew 19:26.

God is faithful to direct our steps, to give us grace through our work.

The question is, Do I want to be free in my heart? Am I willing to let go, “like a bird from prison bars have flown?” 

God wants me to trust Him. To live by faith today and fly.

Jesus’s love never fails—He came through, He’s got the key to the prison. 

His word speaks. Are we listening?

“I appeal to you . . . I beg of you in view of all My mercies, 

 decide today.

Present all you are . . . as a living sacrifice.

Be devoted.

Be set apart.

Be well pleasing to Me.

Don’t worry about fitting into this world.

Be changed.

 Be set free from the bondage that this world puts you in.

Change your mind.

Get new ideas.

Put on a new attitude.

Your life will prove what is good and acceptable and perfect in the will of God.

(Paraphrased Roman 12:1,2).

Response? 


“I will hear. I will receive. I will yield to Jesus with a thankful heart.”

He will be faithful to help each of us be set free in heart, to sing again.

Some bright morning when this life is over, I’ll fly away
To a land on God’s celestial shore, I’ll fly away

When the shadows of this life have gone, I’ll fly away
Like a bird from these prison walls I’ll fly, I’ll fly away
I’ll fly away, oh glory, I’ll fly away
When I die, hallelujah by and by, I’ll fly away

Just a few more weary days and then, I’ll fly away
To a land where joy will never end, I’ll fly away

I’ll fly away, oh glory, I’ll fly away
When I die, hallellujah by and by, I’ll fly away.

I’ll Fly Away, Albert E. Brumley in 1929

The Greatest “Along the Way” Story Ever Told, Again and Again.

In our fast-paced days in this culture, I hope to help us learn to change gears and bring in some whole-hearted conversations about God as we go along the way.

Many people understand and agree The Bible to be the Word of God.  Making time to seek God in His word is a daily challenge. And talking about the things of God a whole other test.

We face hardship and brokenness,

but in this greatest of all stories, “along the way,” perhaps we can be strengthened to see Jesus, not in our heads, but 18 inches lower, in the retelling of it:

News stories are often the talk of town, but there is one that had everyone in town talking.

Two men left Jerusalem sad and weary after a prophet of dynamic works and word, blessed by God and all the people around, known as Jesus the Nazarene had been betrayed and sentenced to death. They were talking and a stranger joined them,

“What’s the conversation about?”

They had no clue it was Jesus. They didn’t recognize Him, so one of them answered,

“Are you the only one in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard what’s happened during the last few days?” (1)

“The One about to deliver Israel is dead. It’s been three days. And not only that, some women said they couldn’t find his body and they saw an angel that said, ‘he’s alive.'”

“And there were some friends that went and said they found it empty as the women did, but they didn’t see him.”

As they talked along the way, the stranger said to them, 

“How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken!Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. (2)

Can you imagine a 5-7 mile walk with Jesus sharing Himself in all of the words of Moses and the Prophets? The Alpha and Omega speaking the stories himself.

But even greater is when they saw it was He:

 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. (3)

Let’s keep our eyes and ears open and may the Lord give us help to see Him as these two men did:

When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them.  Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. (4)

We too, go along our way, not recognizing Jesus, but, as the bread is broken, God allows brokenness in our lives. It is then that our eyes are willing to see Jesus. Our hearts are opened to  the blessings of God, far exceeding anything we can comprehend or attain on our own.

Children face times of discouragement and brokenness as well. How beautiful to retell this story where Jesus broke the bread and blessed it.

When we invite Jesus in to heal our broken state, He blesses us.

Our hearts begin to burn, and a hunger and thirst is kindled within us to know him more.

 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” (5)

Yes, our hearts burn, and we go to tell the story to anyone who has ears to hear, like these two men on their journey after Jesus had died.

They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together  and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” 

 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread. (5)

Jesus is the broken bread. He’s been poured out for us. His blood on the cross is what allows for our healed lives.

Can you see Jesus break the bread and bless it?

His Word is our healing, peace, and rest. His Story is Love for all who ask.

(1) Luke 24:18, The Message

(2) Luke 24:25-27, NIV

(3) Luke 24:28-29, NIV

(4) Luke 24: 30-32, NIV

(5) Luke 24: 33-35, NIV