********************************************************
********************************************************
Jan 31,2007
Thoughts -- Prayers -- Breath
From: http://www.rbc.org/odb/odb-06-27-04.shtml

I love this quote from Charles H. Spurgeon ...

"Let your thoughts be psalms.
Let your prayers be incense.
Let your breath be praise."

Let your thoughts be psalms.
The 150 psalms have a variety of themes, including praise, God's character, and expressions of dependence on the Lord. Like David, throughout the day we can turn our thoughts into psalms by meditating on God's holiness, His worthiness of our worship, and how much we need Him.

Let your prayers be incense.
In the tabernacle of the Jews, incense was burned continually to offer a sweet savor to the Lord (Exodus 30:7-8). Our prayers are like incense to God (Psalm 141:2), bringing to His nostrils the pleasing scent of our adoration and need for Him.

Aaron must burn fragrant incense on the altar every morning when he tends the lamps. He must burn incense again when he lights the lamps at twilight so incense will burn regularly before the LORD for the generations to come.

May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.

Let your breath be praise.
The book of Psalms concludes with the words,

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!

Talking about God and offering Him words of praise should be as natural to us as breathing.

Keep the Lord in your thoughts, prayers, and speech today.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

********************************************************
********************************************************
Jan 23,2007
A City Set on a Hill

Let Jesus the 'Light of the world' shine thru you
Follow Him
Whoever follows Him will not walk in darkness
Follow Him
Whoever follows Him will have the 'Light of life'
Follow Him
Whoever follows Him will be light to the world
Follow Him
A city set on a hill cannot be hidden

Put on the clothes of righteousness
Compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience
Forgive as Christ forgives
Love as Christ loves
Then all will know you as His disciples

Let your light in such a way that your Father in heaven is glorified
Walking in the path of righteousness
Like the light of dawn
Shining brighter and brighter until the full day

Whoever follows Him will be light to the world
Follow Jesus
A city set on a hill cannot be hidden!

John 8:12
Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, "I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life."

John 1:4
In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.

Matthew 5:14-16
You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Proverbs 4:18
But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines brighter and brighter until the full day.

Daniel 12:3
Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.

Colossians 3:12-14
as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.

1 John 3:14
We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death.

John 13:35
By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.

***

After I posted this yesterday -- I was in my car -- the first song that played was Matt Redman's SHINE! The Lord really touched me with this. It was as if He said to me personally that this is one way I shine for Him -- thru my praise. The Lord used the lyrics on this song to really touch my heart. : )
__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________
“Shine” is a powerful plea to believers to take the gospel’s beautiful news to a broken, often cynical world. “Shine” is based on

Philippians 2:14-15
Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe.

Shine
Matt Redman

Lord we have seen the rising sun, awakening the early dawn,
And we´re rising up to give you praise.
Lord we have seen the stars and moon, see how they shine,
They shine for you,
And You´re calling us to do the same.
So we rise up with a song, and we rise up with a cry
And we´re giving you our lives.
.
We will shine like stars in the universe,
Holding out Your truth in the darkest place.
We´ll be living for Your glory,
Jesus we´ll be living for Your glory.
We will burn so bright with Your praise O God,
And declare Your light to this broken world.
We´ll be living for Your glory,
Jesus we´ll be living for Your glory.
.
Like the sun so radiantly
Sending light for all to see,
Let your holy church arise
Exploding into life,
Like a supernova´s light,
Set your holy church on fire;
We will shine.
.

Click below and select SHINE to play:
http://www.myspace.com/mattredmanmusic

***

Wow! This word fits!

Small Straws In A Soft Wind by Marsha Burns January 25, 2007

January 25, 2007: Behold, I am with you. I hold you in the hollow of My hand, says the Lord. I make a way where the way is not clear. Your praise will lead you into My presence where you can know My Spirit. Lift your voice in thanksgiving for the great miracle of My presence. Your worship is well pleasing to Me. Draw near, and let us have sweet communion together.

Psalms 100:4
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.


Praise Him!!

This coming into His presence, communing with Him also makes Jesus shine brighter thru you to the world!!! Sing and make music to the LORD with a steadfast heart!!!!!

Praise Him! Praise the LORD!
Sing and make music with a steadfast heart
Awake the dawn.

Let your praises rise
Shining brighter and brighter until the full day
Praise the LORD among the nations
Praise Him among the peoples
For His great love stretches to the heavens
His faithfulness reaches to the skies
Great is His love and faithfulness
Be exalted, O LORD, above the heavens
Sun of righteousness rise
Rise with wings of glory
Let Your glory be over all the earth
Nations will come to your light
Kings to the brightness of your dawn.

Praise Him! Praise the LORD!
Sing and make music with a steadfast heart
Awake the dawn.

.
Psalm 57:7-11
My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast;
I will sing and make music.
Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre!
I will awaken the dawn.
I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations;
I will sing of you among the peoples.
For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;
Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.

Malachi 4:2
But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings.

.

Isaiah 60:1-3
Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.
See, darkness covers the earth
and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the LORD rises upon you
and his glory appears over you.
Nations will come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn.




The river is flowing fast today!! Praise Him!!

Sometimes we can best recognize God's majesty in stillness.

Psalm 46:10
Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I
will be exalted in the earth!

There is a refreshing, a restoration that comes in stillness.

Psalm 23:2
He leads me beside still waters; He restores my soul.

There is strength in stillness, in quietness and trust.

Isaiah 30:15
In repentance and rest you will be saved, In quietness and trust is
your strength.

Righteousness produces peace and quiet confidence.

Isaiah 32:17
The work of righteousness will be peace, And the effect of
righteousness, quietness and assurance forever.

Quietness is an expression of reverence.

Habakkuk 2:20
But the Lord is in His holy temple; let all the earth be silent before
Him.

In the stillness, in expectant listening, God whispers.

1 Kings 19:11-12
The LORD said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence
of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by." Then a great and
powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before
the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an
earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the
earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the
fire came a gentle whisper.

_________________________________________________________

Look how the Lord appears to Elijah. The LORD responds with a strong wind, an earthquake, and a fire to show His power, but

There was a strong wind - God wasn't in the wind.
There was an earthquake - God wasn't in the earthquake.
There was a fire - God wasn't in the fire.

Then in the stillness, in the quiet

a still small voice

God spoke, in a whisper.



Psalm 37:7
Be still and rest in the Lord; wait patiently for Him ...

Isaiah 53:5
But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed.

Matthew 8:16-17
When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: “ He Himself took our infirmities
And bore our sicknesses.”

Lord Jesus, thank You for Your perfect sacrifice, for paying the price for our sins, for bearing our sicknesses. Thank You for Your peace. Show each of us the truth of these promises, drawing each close to Your heart. Thank You that as each draws near -- each will have Your peace, Your healing, by Your stripes, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Timothy 1:17
Now to the King(Jesus) eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Psalm 46:10
Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!

Isaiah 30:15
In repentance and rest you will be saved, In quietness and trust is your strength.

Isaiah 32:17
The work of righteousness will be peace, And the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever.

Habakkuk 2:20
But the Lord is in His holy temple; let all the earth be silent before Him.
.
.
.

In Stillness
Karen Holland ... 1-17-07
.
Be still my heart
Be still my soul
Be still and rest in the LORD
.
In the stillness
In the quiet confident trust
There is strength
There is peace
There is silent reverence and awe
.
Be still my heart
Be still my soul
Be still and rest in the LORD
.
Expectantly wait
.
Listen in silence
.
Then
.
In a still small voice
.
God whispers.
.
.
.
1 Kings 19:11-12
The LORD said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by." Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.

Psalm 37:7
Be still and rest in the Lord; wait patiently for Him ... .
.
.

********************************************************
********************************************************
Jan 16, 2007
Fear Not

Fear not, do not let your hearts be troubled, do not be afraid
I AM with you
I AM your God
I AM your strength, your shield, your rock, your strong deliverer
I AM the maker of heaven and earth
I AM sovereign
I AM who I AM, the great I AM
Nothing is too hard for I AM.

Fear not, do not let your hearts be troubled, do not be afraid
I will strengthen you
I will uphold you
I will help you
I will not let your foot slip
I will not slumber or sleep
I will take hold of your right hand
I will hold you fast.

Fear not, do not let your hearts be troubled, do not be afraid
I AM peace, I AM love
My peace I give to you
My peace I leave with you.

Fear not, do not let your hearts be troubled, do not be afraid
For I have redeemed you
I have summoned you by name
You are mine.



.
.
.
Isaiah 41:10,13
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
For I am the LORD, your God,
who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
I will help you.
.
Psalm 139:9-10
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
.
Exodus 3:14
God said to Moses, "I AM who I AM."
.
Jeremiah 32:17
Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.
.
Psalm 121:1-3
I will lift up my eyes to the mountains;
From where shall my help come?
My help comes from the LORD,
Who made heaven and earth.
He will not allow your foot to slip;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
.
Psalm 18:1-2
I love you, O LORD, my strength.
The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.
He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
.
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
.
Isaiah 43:1
Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

Small Straws In A Soft Wind by Marsha Burns January 16, 2007 January 16, 2007: I hear your heart-cry. I know what you need even before you ask, says the Lord. And, I am with you and leading the way, but you must yield yourself completely to Me in total faith and trust that I will direct your steps. Relinquish all that worries you. My ways are higher than your ways, and I will do what is ultimately best for you spiritually. Put yourself in My hands, and I will take care of you. Matthew 6:27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?

***

Spiritual Eyes

Mark 8:22-23
They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand ...

Place all of your hope in the LORD
Trust in Him
He will take you by the hand
He will open your eyes to His light
Jesus, the light of the world
Whoever follows Jesus will never walk in darkness
Jesus is the only way we can "see" spiritually

Place all of your hope in the LORD
Trust in Him
Reach for His hand
Let Jesus take you by the hand
That you may have your eyes opened to "see" and walk by faith
He will guide you and direct you in the way you should go

Trust in the LORD with all your heart!

Psalm 33:18,22
Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, On those who hope in His mercy,
Let Your mercy, O LORD, be upon us, Just as we hope in You.

Isaiah 48:17
I am the LORD your God,
who teaches you what is best for you,
who directs you in the way you should go.

John 8:12
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have a light of life'.

Psalm 32:8
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.

2 Corinthians 5:7
... We walk by faith, not by sight ...

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

********************************************************
********************************************************
Jan 13,2007
The Bible: You Can Believe It!

The Word of God has proven it can be trusted. It has never made false promises. It has never given us reason to think it is a collection of fables and lies. One clear confirmation of its reliability is the accuracy of its prophecy.

Some of the most dramatic examples of fulfilled Bible prophecy are those concerning Christ. Isaiah 52:13 - 53:12 and Psalm 22, for instance, record specific details about His death by crucifixion hundreds of years before this terrible form of execution was ever practiced.

Whenever the Bible speaks prophetically, it is accurate. Hundreds of prophecies have been literally fulfilled. On this basis, we have good reason to believe everything the Bible has to say. It has already proven itself!

********************************************************
********************************************************
Jan 10, 2007
Hiding Place

Psalm 32:7, 10-11
You are my hiding place;
You will protect me from trouble
and surround me with songs of deliverance.

Many are the woes of the wicked,
but the LORD's unfailing love
surrounds the man who trusts in him.
Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous;
sing, all you who are upright in heart!

Psalm 91:1-2
He that dwells in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust."

Psalm 143:9
Rescue me from my enemies, O LORD,
for I hide myself in you.

Psalm 62:1-2
My soul finds rest in God alone;
my salvation comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.

Psalm 26:3-4
You will keep in perfect peace
him whose mind is steadfast,
because he trusts in you.
Trust in the LORD forever,
for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.



Let all who make the Lord their hiding place; abide in Him. He alone is our Rock, our fortress, our refuge. He alone is our salvation. In this secret place there is perfect peace, perfect rest, perfect protection.

Passionately seek the Lord with all your heart. The secret place is the Lord's manifest presence. Enter in thru adoration, prayer, intimate praise and worship. Trust Him completely. In the secret place remain still, all strivings cease. Be covered with His love and favor, completley safe.

Let all who take refuge in the Most High be glad
Let them ever sing for joy, in the light and warmth of His presence.


Psalm 5:11-12
But let all who take refuge in you be glad;
let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may rejoice in you.
For surely, O LORD, you bless the righteous;
you surround them with your favor as with a shield.

********************************************************
********************************************************
Jan 2,2007
Remember Your First Love

Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.

Remember when you first discovered the absolute joy that comes from walking with Jesus? Do you remember when you met him, really, for the first time? When what He had to say to you, and for you, first really hit home?

The unexplainable joy! You were so excited about your relationship with the Lord Jesus, and what was happening, that you wanted everyone to know. The world looked different, the colors richer, everything was changed -- made new.

How does your love for Jesus now compare to this first love? Has it faded? Or grown cold?

Jesus repeatedly challenges His followers to love Him, not just serve Him. Devotion always precedes duty.

Remember your first love, reignite your heart. The above scripture tells you how!