Thursday, July 27, 2023

Jesus Is My Song


 
 When storm of life are raging and I look around me,
I see the crashing billows, and I am afraid.
But when I look at Jesus and cry to Him for mercy,
His outstretched hand reminds me He's the master of the waves.

When He is my joy, my joy is unspeakable.
When He is my strength, I can do all things.
When He is my peace, it passes understanding.
When Jesus is my song, I always have a reason to sing.

Often I am tempted to seek for contentment
In temporary pleasures this world offers today,
But when I look at Jesus, again I am reminded,
The peace and joy He gives me, they will never pass away.

When He is my joy, my joy is unspeakable.
When He is my strength, I can do all things.
When He is my peace, it passes understanding.
When Jesus is my song, I always have a reason to sing. 

― Niki Lott

Saturday, July 22, 2023

Let Your Heart Rejoice!


"Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart 
of them rejoice that seek the LORD. Seek 
the LORD, and his strength: seek his face 
for evermore." ― Psalm 105:3-4
 
 
Praise protects our hearts from being calloused by complaining and worrying. It builds a fortress of protection around our souls and guards us against defeat. It prepares us for what is to come, covers what is already done, and fills us with joy in the present moment. It turns our eyes from our problems and onto our Problem-Solver, and reminds us that our mountains of trouble are only small hills before the Lord. He sees the big picture and is in complete control, even when we are not.

Praise fixes our gaze on the eternal. Worry fixes our gaze on the temporary. Praise worships the beautiful work of Christ on the cross. Worry worships the what-ifs.

Praise lifts up others, equips us for battle, and spills over onto all who are around us. Worry tears down, distracts from our mission, and drags down all who hear.

Colossians 4:2 tells us to “continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.” Prayer and praise go hand-in-hand. Let’s put first things first this week: pray boldly and praise him abundantly. Because He is always good, no matter what may come.

― Gretchen Saffles