Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 5:18-20 NLT
Have you ever been listening to the radio when a song comes on that takes you back to another time and another place? You know exactly where you were and who was there with you and what you were doing and where you were going and what you were wearing. It's amazing, isn't it? Music seems to define and even seal things in our lives. Truly a gift from God.
I've been going through an old hymn book - and I'm finding a treasure trove of old hymns that become as alive to me today as they were when I was a little girl, exuberantly beating the tambourine in time to the music - the words still in my spirit. Singing the slower ones that captured the soul with the dissonant followed by the concordant, writing the harmonies on the heart.
Some take me back to great memories - Anne Beatty playing all 88 keys and singing in her rich, contralto voice. Others take me back to not-so-great memories, when the song was the solace for my soul during hard times. But all of them cause me to remember that God was there each and every step of the way, as "Mama" Lutz used to sing, ♪♫ Each step I take...♫♪ because as His Word promises, He will always be there each and every step of the way.
Just so you know, I'm not stuck in a time warp. There are songs on the charts today that speak to my spirit and bring comfort and joy to my soul - but what they all have in common - whether it is Casting Crowns or Chris Tomlin, Mozart or MercyMe, Gaither or GRITS, Jimmie Bratcher or Jars of Clay - is someone wrote them. Those songs that touch your heart - be they praise, passion or an appeal - they were born through someone's walk with the Lord. 2 Corinthians 1:4 NLT tells us, "He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us." Seeds sown, watered by tears, producing a harvest. Will you give thanks for that?
Prayer:
Father,
Thank You for touching our lives in such ways that we cannot begin to properly express our gratitude. Thank You for providing the words to sing when we cannot find the words to pray. Thank You for never leaving us. Thank You for music and the melodies. We give You all honor, all glory and all praise. In Jesus' Name Amen
Showing posts with label Hymns. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hymns. Show all posts
Monday, August 11, 2025
Tuesday, September 11, 2018
Great Gratitude
Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 5:18-20 NLT
Have you ever been listening to the radio when a song comes on that takes you back to another time and another place? You know exactly where you were and who was there with you and what you were doing and where you were going and what you were wearing. It's amazing, isn't it? Music seems to define and even seal things in our lives. Truly a gift from God.
I've been going through an old hymn book - and I'm finding a treasure trove of old hymns that become as alive to me today as they were when I was a little girl, exuberantly beating the tambourine in time to the music - the words still in my spirit. Singing the slower ones that captured the soul with the dissonant followed by the concordant, writing the harmonies on the heart.
Ephesians 5:18-20 NLT
Have you ever been listening to the radio when a song comes on that takes you back to another time and another place? You know exactly where you were and who was there with you and what you were doing and where you were going and what you were wearing. It's amazing, isn't it? Music seems to define and even seal things in our lives. Truly a gift from God.
I've been going through an old hymn book - and I'm finding a treasure trove of old hymns that become as alive to me today as they were when I was a little girl, exuberantly beating the tambourine in time to the music - the words still in my spirit. Singing the slower ones that captured the soul with the dissonant followed by the concordant, writing the harmonies on the heart.
Some take me back to great memories - Anne Beatty playing all 88 keys and singing in her rich, contralto voice. Others take me back to not so great memories, when the song was the solace for my soul during hard times. But all of them cause me to remember that God was there each and every step of the way, as "Mama" Lutz used to sing, ♪♫ Each step I take...♫♪ because as His Word promises, He will always be there each and every step of the way.
Just so you know, I'm not stuck in a time warp. There are songs on the charts today that speak to my spirit and bring comfort and joy to my soul - but what they all have in common - whether it is Casting Crowns or Chris Tomlin, Mozart or MercyMe, Gaither or GRITS, Jimmie Bratcher or Jars of Clay - is someone wrote them. Those songs that touch your heart - be they praise, passion or an appeal - they were born through someone's walk with the Lord. Seeds sown, watered by tears, producing a harvest. Will you give thanks for that?
Just so you know, I'm not stuck in a time warp. There are songs on the charts today that speak to my spirit and bring comfort and joy to my soul - but what they all have in common - whether it is Casting Crowns or Chris Tomlin, Mozart or MercyMe, Gaither or GRITS, Jimmie Bratcher or Jars of Clay - is someone wrote them. Those songs that touch your heart - be they praise, passion or an appeal - they were born through someone's walk with the Lord. Seeds sown, watered by tears, producing a harvest. Will you give thanks for that?
Prayer:
Father,
Thank You for touching our lives in such ways that we cannot begin to properly express our gratitude. Thank You for providing the words to sing when we cannot find the words to pray. Thank You for never leaving us. Thank You for music and the melodies. We give You all honor, all glory and all praise. In Jesus' Name Amen
Tuesday, June 20, 2017
Not-so-simply Love
We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.
Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. We love each other because he loved us first.
1st John 4:16-19 NLT
Do you remember your first love? Do you remember how that felt? You could talk for hours. You were content just to sit and bask in the presence of your beloved. Just to be near was enough. You wanted to be better - to be more - to be everything that person "deserved" so you would be loved in return. Ahhhhh...first love...
Oh, you just knew that person was perfect... or at least, perfect for you.
What about love that has stood the test of time? Day in and day out, week in and week out, months in and months out. Years... Your love has matured. You are committed. And you'll take the tried and true over the giddiness of new. Oh, you wish he didn't ________ or wouldn't ___________ or that he would ______________. And her? If she would just ______________ or not ________________. You know what I'm talking about. However, you realize the only perfect person was crucified for being perfect and there is no one else who even comes close to being in danger of crucifixion for perfection.
What if there really was such a thing as a perfect love? A perfect mate? A perfect relationship? Someone who was perfect for real, but at the same time would overlook your imperfections? Someone who could see past any physical flaws or your neediness or your inabilities. Someone who would love you no matter what you did, no matter what you said, no matter what you looked like. Someone who spoke the love language of your heart. Someone who knew exactly what it would take to love you and make you feel that love all the way inside. Someone who never leaves, is always there. Someone whose whole goal is relationship with you. Someone who wants what is best for your life - to promote you and the abilities you have and who will do and has done everything necessary to make that happen. Someone who has proven to be steadfast and true through the test of time and for all eternity.
Let me arrange the introduction. His Name is Adonai. God the Lord. Your ultimate perfection is guaranteed through His perfect love gift - His Son, Jesus Christ. God doesn't just love. He IS love and He commands us to love.
Prayer:
Father,
♪♫ O to be like Thee! Blessed Redeemer, this is my constant longing and prayer. Gladly I'll forfeit all of earth's treasures, Jesus, Thy perfect likeness to wear. O to be like Thee! O to be like Thee! Blessed Redeemer, pure as Thou art. Come in Thy sweetness. Come in Thy fullness. Plant Thine own image deep on my heart. ♪♫* In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
* hymn "O To Be Like Thee" by Thomas Chisholm and William Kirkpatrick
Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. We love each other because he loved us first.
1st John 4:16-19 NLT
Do you remember your first love? Do you remember how that felt? You could talk for hours. You were content just to sit and bask in the presence of your beloved. Just to be near was enough. You wanted to be better - to be more - to be everything that person "deserved" so you would be loved in return. Ahhhhh...first love...
Oh, you just knew that person was perfect... or at least, perfect for you.
What about love that has stood the test of time? Day in and day out, week in and week out, months in and months out. Years... Your love has matured. You are committed. And you'll take the tried and true over the giddiness of new. Oh, you wish he didn't ________ or wouldn't ___________ or that he would ______________. And her? If she would just ______________ or not ________________. You know what I'm talking about. However, you realize the only perfect person was crucified for being perfect and there is no one else who even comes close to being in danger of crucifixion for perfection.
What if there really was such a thing as a perfect love? A perfect mate? A perfect relationship? Someone who was perfect for real, but at the same time would overlook your imperfections? Someone who could see past any physical flaws or your neediness or your inabilities. Someone who would love you no matter what you did, no matter what you said, no matter what you looked like. Someone who spoke the love language of your heart. Someone who knew exactly what it would take to love you and make you feel that love all the way inside. Someone who never leaves, is always there. Someone whose whole goal is relationship with you. Someone who wants what is best for your life - to promote you and the abilities you have and who will do and has done everything necessary to make that happen. Someone who has proven to be steadfast and true through the test of time and for all eternity.
Let me arrange the introduction. His Name is Adonai. God the Lord. Your ultimate perfection is guaranteed through His perfect love gift - His Son, Jesus Christ. God doesn't just love. He IS love and He commands us to love.
Prayer:
Father,
♪♫ O to be like Thee! Blessed Redeemer, this is my constant longing and prayer. Gladly I'll forfeit all of earth's treasures, Jesus, Thy perfect likeness to wear. O to be like Thee! O to be like Thee! Blessed Redeemer, pure as Thou art. Come in Thy sweetness. Come in Thy fullness. Plant Thine own image deep on my heart. ♪♫* In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
* hymn "O To Be Like Thee" by Thomas Chisholm and William Kirkpatrick
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