There is a reason to sing.

http://youtu.be/kkdniYsUrM8 - All of Creation - Mercy Me

Revelation 5  NIV
Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. 4 I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”



6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits[a] of God sent out into all the earth. 7 He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. 8 And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. 9 And they sang a new song, saying:


“You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased for God
persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.

10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,
and they will reign on the earth.”


11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 12 In a loud voice they were saying:


“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!”

13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:

“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!”


14 The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.

There's a reason to sing.

There is a reason for us to sing praises to our glorious and awesome God.  But did you know that He sings over you?

http://youtu.be/yz7W85di7Qw  - More  sung by children's choir
Take a look at the mountains
Stretching a mile high
Take a look at the ocean
Far as your eye can see
And think of Me

Take a look at the desert
Do you feel like a grain of sand?
I am with you wherever
Where you go is where I am

And I'm always thinking of you
Take a look around you
I'm spelling it out one by one

(Chorus)

I love you more than the sun
And the stars that I taught how to shine
You are mine, and you shine for me too
I love you yesterday and today
And tomorrow, I'll say it again and again
I love you more

Just a face in the city
Just a tear on a crowded street
But you are one in a million
And you belong to Me
And I want you to know
That I'm not letting go
Even when you come undone

(Chorus)

I love you more than the sun
And the stars that I taught how to shine
You are mine, and you shine for me too
I love you yesterday and today
And tomorrow, I'll say it again and again
I love you more
I love you more

Shine for Me
Shine for Me
Shine on, shine on
Shine for Me

Did you know that God sings over you? 

God, the Creator of the Universe, sings over you with joy! 

Zephaniah 3:17 NIV 1984
The LORD your God is with you,
He is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing."

Our awesome God rejoices over us!  Think for just a minute how much He loves us.  And out of  His deep love, He has designed an incredible life of purpose and meaning for each of us. When we do things that work towards His purpose, I can just imagine the joy He feels.  His joy must fill the heavens.  And when God rejoicing, it must be so contagious that it spreads throughout the heavens!  Can't you just hear the angels joining in the celebration, singing for joy?

Heaven will be full of singing and praising and celebrating.  God paints us this beautiful picture throughout His Word.

Our ladies' class is doing Beth Moore's "Stepping Up" bible study on Wednesday nights.  It's a study of the Psalms of Ascent - Psalm 120-134.  It's a great study and our goal is to experience a closer relationship with our amazing God.  Last night as we listened to Beth's video, we learned how important song is to God.  I think most people are like me and  have a tendency to think of God being a stern judge sitting on a throne almost unapproachable.  But as we read His Word, we see that God rejoices over us.  He celebrates, and His mighty host of angels celebrate with Him.  

There is glorious singing going on in heavenly places.  Even Jesus breaks into song and praises the Father.

Hebrews 2:10-12 NIV
In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what He suffered.  Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are the same family.  So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters.  He says,

"I will declare Your name to my brothers and sisters;
in the assembly I will sing Your praises."

Last night's bible study made me look at God in a different way.  He who created song, rejoices over me! 
What a beautiful thought!  Music was not man's idea.  It was God's creation!

One other thing Beth Moore discussed was how song can lift our spirits and touch our hearts in a way that words can't.
She's right.  I can read the words to a song and be relatively unaffected by them.  But put those same words to music, and my heart overflows with emotion.  My attitude can be changed just by singing a song.  I have to credit my friends from the Christian Band - Mercy Me for showing me how to praise God with music and song.  The first time I heard "I can only Imagine", those words had such a powerful affect on my heart.  I felt like falling on knees at the thought of being in His presence - so unworthy in and of myself, yet so thankful to be covered by His precious blood.  That song gave me a way to express my worship and adoration to my God better than any thing I'd tried in the past.  That song of praise has meaning to me and I sing it from my heart. The funny thing is that  I can speak the words of the song and not be moved.  The moment I hear them set to music, those same words become my worship.  Music and song - right from God!

When I was younger I had just broken up with my boyfriend.  I had been monogamous, but he had been seeing another girl at the same time he was dating me.  I decided that was not going to work so I ended it.  Every morning I woke up feeling down.  My heart was broken.  I felt so sad.  But then as I got ready for work, I'd put on a cassette (remember before CD's?) and play a song:   "I will survive" by Gloria Gaynor.

http://youtu.be/DuRgQlfpD0U - I will survive!

Within the first couple beats I was dancing around the bathroom, singing into my hairbrush, revived and ready to face the day!  I felt unbeatable!  All because of a song. 

If Gloria Gaynor's song could lift my spirits and change the attitude of my heart, why don't I use song now to lift my spirits when I'm discouraged and down? 

While God was creating the Universe, the morning
stars sang together and all the angels shouted
for joy.  Job 38:7

Beth Moore reminded me of the importance of song in my life.  But she also helped me see God in a different light. 

Heaven is full of song and music and rejoicing.  And not just the heavens, even the rocks and hills cry out singing His praise!  Just read the Revelation of John and see how many times music and song are referenced.  From the very beginning, God tells us the morning stars sang together and the angels shouted for joy!  Job 38:7 .  God even dedicated a whole book in His Word to songs - the Psalms.  Music is important to God. 

Praise God in the morning and all throughout the day.  Praise Him with song when you're happy or when you're sad.  I promise you will feel better when you lift up a song of praise to the One who loves you more than anyone on earth has or will ever love you.

Psalm 150 NIV


1 Praise the LORD.
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heavens.


2 Praise him for his acts of power;
praise him for his surpassing greatness.


3 Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
praise him with the harp and lyre,


4 praise him with timbrel and dancing,
praise him with the strings and pipe,


5 praise him with the clash of cymbals,
praise him with resounding cymbals.


6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD.

http://youtu.be/KJd2oeePfh8 - Everything that has breath praise the Lord - Philips Craig and Dean

Am I Courageous?

http://youtu.be/cTYSirKUiVw - Courageous - Casting Crowns

Larry and I watched the movie "Courageous" last night.  What a powerful message full of God's truths!

The story line is about the importance of fathers in their children's lives.  Oh, I wished every  dad would watch

and take every word from that movie to heart!  One especially poignant moment is a scene between a father and

his 15 year old daughter.  She's at that age when the boys are noticing her, coming around wanting a little more than

friendship.  But her parents want her to wait until she's older to date.  She thinks her parents are to strict, after all,

she just wants to be "friends" with boys.  But dad knows some things that she doesn't know.  Listen to this truth:

•Girls, Trust Your Over-Protective Fathers – The character, Ken,  played by Nathan Hayes, handled his teenage daughter and dating. Here's the message: Girls, you need to know that all fathers were once teenage boys. We know how they think, what they feel, and what their motives are. You need to trust us on this one. And when the time is right, we will hand you over to the perfect person who will then protect you for the remainder of your life.

The movie is ripe with insight into the importance of a strong father being involved in the lives of their children.  Another
moment  in the movie, one of the young men who has pursued the character, Ken's daughter gets mixed up with the wrong crowd.  The young man is only 17 and he longs for acceptance but his father is no where around.  To feel like he belongs in this world of men, he turns to a gang:

Listen to his words:

•“Man, I ain’t got nobody.” – He's just been arrested and the police officer who just happens to be the father of the girl he's been pursuing, asks why he was hanging out with those types of guys. When dad's not involved physically, emotionally and spiritually, children will settle for anyone who offers acceptance.  Who will your child turn to if you don't step up and be his/her spiritual leader and role model? 

Being a godly father is not an easy task.  It requires dedication and commitment, unselfishness.  We have such a short time with our children to influence them for God, for good.   Fathers need more strength, more wisdom, more patience, more commitment than they are able to muster on their own.  Fathers need a Savior who will come along side and provide
everything  they need to be the leader of the family.  Through the power of the Holy Spirit living in us, we can do all things that God gives us to do.

•Fathers Need A Savior – The movie reminds us of how much we are in over our heads as husbands, fathers, wives and mothers. We can’t do it alone. We need friends. We need accountability. And we desperately need Jesus guiding us through this journey.
-------------------------------------------

Whatsoever we beg of God, let us also work for it. -- Jeremy Taylor


Being a good enough father or mother is not enough.  We need to be the best parents we can be.  Our children's future will be greatly affected by what we do as parents.  Our children are watching us.  If we treat our spouses with love and kindness, our children will expect their future spouse to treat them with love and kindness. If we encourage our spouses, our children will learn to encourage their spouses.  Do you want your daughter to think it's acceptable to be treated the way you treat her mother? Do you want your son to treat his future wife the way you treat your wife?  Do you want your daughters and sons to be the same kind of spouse you are to there father or mother?  If not, you better make some changes because your children are watching.  A picture is worth a thousand words, right?  What they see you do, they will most likely do themselves. If  we parents ridicule, insult, disrespect our spouses, our children will come to disrespect him/her, too.  We can singlehandedly undermine our spouse's authority in our children's lives with our words.  We take away part of our children's security when we teach them by our actions and words that their other parent isn't reliable or worthy of their trust.

The good news is we can also strengthen the relationship our children have with their father/mother by role modeling respect towards our spouse.  We don't have to agree with everything he/she does, but we owe it to our spouses to bring those disagreements to him/her in private - not in front of our children or friends.  Each of us  needs to be our spouse's number one cheerleader and encourager.  I'm ashamed to say that I don't always do that.  Some days it's really hard to be kind when my spouse isn't being very kind to me, but Christ tells me to be kind any way, and He will give me the strength to do it.  When I respond with kindness, my children are learning God's way.   His way is not always logical to me - especially in the heat of the moment - but His way is best.  We have to trust Him enough to obey His direction. 

1 Corinthians 13 tells us clearly God's way:
Be patient and kind
Don't allow jealousy or pride to control your thinking
Don't demand your own way
Don't be irritable
Keep no record of wrongs
Don't give up
Have faith
Hope
Endure in every circumstance

A gentle answer turns away wrath.  Proverbs 15:1

A wise woman builds her house; a foolish woman tears hers down with her own hands. - Proverbs 14:1

Be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults - Ephesians 4:2

Cloth yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. You must make allowances for each other's faults and forgive the person who offends you - Colossians 3:12-17


Don't become weary of doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Take advantage of every opportunity to do good to all people (including spouses) especially to those who belong to the family of believers. - Galatians 6:9-10

God gives us clear directions on how to live a life that honors Him. He knows what the future holds.  Who better to give us advice and direction on how to live our best lives?  Who loves you more than God?  Who has your best interest at heart - always?  Who created the universe and sustains it with a Word?  Can't we trust our Father who loved us enough to send His very own Son to die in our place?  Why?  So we could spend Eternity in heaven with Him.  Can't we trust Him when
He tells us how to be good fathers and mothers, and husbands and wives?   Or do we really think our situation is something new to Him? That His Words of wisdom don't apply in our circumstance?

I hope everyone will see the movie "Courageous".  I hope we all take it to heart and resolve to be not just "good enough" parents, but to be the best parents we can be.

Father, You are the perfect role model for us.  You are patient and kind.  You keep no record of wrongs.  You want what's best for us always and no matter how many times we choose our own way and fail, You're always there when we return Home.  Your love is unconditional.  You do not treat us as we deserve, for if You did, no one could be saved.  Father, forgive me for not being the best spouse and parent I can be.  Forgive me for not making that my priority.  Show me how to encourage my family.  Teach me Your ways, oh Lord, and write them on my heart so that anytime I face a conflict with my spouse or child, I will remember Your instructions.  Thank You for loving me and allowing me to call You my Father.  I want to be just like Jesus with everyone I meet, but most especially, I want to be just like Jesus to my children and my spouse.
Help Lord, I can't do this on my own.  I need Your strength, wisdom and guidance every day.  I ask these things in the Name of Jesus, my perfect Savior.  Amen.

http://youtu.be/4Z8bXcBRIU0 - I want to be just like You - Philips Craig and Dean


Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude.


It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.


It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.


Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. 1 Corinthians 13

http://youtu.be/ys4YgiZ392Y - "God with Us by Mercy Me

What is coram Deo?

from the website, www.unitedinChristJesus.org :


This phrase literally refers to something that takes place in the presence of, or before the face of, God. To live coram Deo is to live one’s entire life in the presence of God, under the authority of God, to the glory of God.

To live in the presence of God is to understand that whatever we are doing and wherever we are doing it, we are acting under the gaze of God. God is omnipresent. There is no place so remote that we can escape His penetrating gaze.

To be aware of the presence of God is also to be acutely aware of His sovereignty. The uniform experience of the saints is to recognize that if God is God, then He is indeed sovereign. When Saul was confronted by the refulgent* glory of the risen Christ on the road to Damascus, his immediate question was, “Who is it, Lord?” He wasn’t sure who was speaking to him, but he knew that whomever it was, was certainly sovereign over him.

Living under divine sovereignty involves more than a reluctant submission to sheer sovereignty that is motivated out of a fear of punishment. It involves recognizing that there is no higher goal than offering honor to God. Our lives are to be living sacrifices, oblations** offered in a spirit of adoration and gratitude.

To live all of life coram Deo is to live a life of integrity. It is a life of wholeness that finds its unity and coherency in the majesty of God. A fragmented life is a life of disintegration. It is marked by inconsistency, disharmony, confusion, conflict, contradiction, and chaos.

The Christian who compartmentalizes his or her life into two sections of the religious and the nonreligious has failed to grasp the big idea. The big idea is that all of life is religious or none of life is religious. To divide life between the religious and the nonreligious is itself a sacrilege.

This means that if a person fulfills his or her vocation as a steelmaker, attorney, or homemaker coram Deo, then that person is acting every bit as religiously as a soul-winning evangelist who fulfills his vocation. It means that David was as religious when he obeyed God’s call to be a shepherd as he was when he was anointed with the special grace of kingship. It means that Jesus was every bit as religious when He worked in His father’s carpenter shop as He was in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Integrity is found where men and women live their lives in a pattern of consistency. It is a pattern that functions the same basic way in church and out of church. It is a life that is open before God. It is a life in which all that is done is done as to the Lord. It is a life lived by principle, not expediency; by humility before God, not defiance. It is a life lived under the tutelage of conscience that is held captive by the Word of God.

Coram Deo . . . before the face of God. That’s the big idea. Next to this idea our other goals and ambitions become mere trifles.
 
http://coramdeochorus.org/song.html - Coram Deo Chorus

Holy Father, if only I could live each second remembering that You see every move I make and You hear every word I say.  Father, You even know the thoughts of my heart.  Lord, I want to make You proud.  I want to honor You with my life.  Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.   Be glorified in my life. You alone are worthy of all my praise and devotion. In the blessed Name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Joy in the morning - it's coming so hold on!

Then call on Me when you are in trouble,

and I will rescue you, and you will give Me glory.”

Psalm 50:15


  http://youtu.be/Bo-mp_m3nj8 -   Through It All – Selah

I must admit, there are days when I get a prayer request, and it just breaks
my heart. I don't understand why good people have to suffer so much. I
plead for God's mercy and healing, "Please Lord! Help them!" Sometimes, I
wonder why He won't just fix it, make it better. Haven't they been faithful
to trust Him? Wouldn't redemption from this horrible suffering be a
testimony to others of His faithfulness? It's not fair, LORD! Please make
it better!

But my ways are not His ways. I'm not in control, and honestly, that's a
really good thing. My vision is so limited. God sees the present, past and
future. He knows how every action, every event, will affect others. I have
to trust that HE wants what's best for me and for my friends. He loves us
more than we can possibly understand. His plan for us is good, not evil.

So I trust Him.

I know that the greatest injustice of all was Jesus suffering and dying on
the cross for my sins. He did nothing to warrant such a horrible death. He
was so good to everyone. There was no reason for Him to suffer the way He
did. No reason except that through His suffering, we could be redeemed. We
could be saved. Jesus thought our spending Eternity with Him in Heaven was
worth all the pain.

As I think about the struggles my friends are going through, I weep for
them. But then God reminds me that Jesus understands our suffering more than
anyone. It wasn't fair for Him to have to take our punishment. But He did
it. He trusted His Father, and He went through it all for the joy set
before Him. Our redemption, our future with Him was purchased by His
suffering. And He knew it was worth it.


Hebrews 12:1-3
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to

the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down,

especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance

the race God has set before us.  We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus,

the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy


awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now He is seated                                                                              in the place of honor beside God’s throne.  Think of all the hostility He
endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.


Prayer
Holy Father, help us keep our eyes on Jesus. Whatever You allow in our
lives, LORD, use it to draw us closer to You. Help us not listen to the lies
of the Enemy as he whispers discouragement and defeat. You have already
given us Victory in Christ. Remind us, Father, than no one understands our
pain better than our Savior who took on our sins.  He knows the weight of
the pain and suffering we endure because He endured it all for us.  Help us to
turn to Him for comfort and courage to face whatever comes. 
Lord, help us to look for the opportunities You have placed right in the middle
of our suffering. And even if we don't ever see Your purpose in our struggles,
help us to trust You and Your great love for us.
Through it all, Lord, strengthen our faith and our trust in
You. You have said that the suffering may last for a while, but joy will
come in the morning. Even if that morning is not until we wake up in heaven
with You, help us to hold on to Your Hand until then. In Jesus' Precious
Name we pray. Amen.

http://youtu.be/MniOtRnCO9I - Before the Morning - Josh Wilson


Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.


Psalm 30:5b NLT