Praises 4 Him

No Longer Updating This Blog

2009-05-25T19:36:00.004-05:00

I want to thank you for following this blog. I have come to the realization that I cannot separate nor do I want to my everyday life from my spiritual life, so I will not be updating this blog. I am going to keep my other blog "Life From My Point Of View" with everyday happenings along with my love for Jesus.

The address is: http://iloveretirement.blogspot.com/

Our Conscience

2009-05-15T10:14:00.005-05:00

When we know that we're doing what's right, we feel better about ourselves. Why? Because we have a little voice in our head called our "conscience." Our conscience is a feeling that tells us whether something is right or wrong. Have you ever spent sleepless nights because you listened to the wrong voice. If so, that is the perfect time to repent and ask the Lord for another day to do what's right. We all make bad decisions sometimes. God has given us a conscience to help us. The Holy Ghost is to lead and guide you into all truth. Our conscience is an important tool. It truly helps when we pay attention to it!

The more we listen to our conscience, the easier it is to behave ourselves. Here's what I try to do: first I need to slow down long enough to figure out the right thing to do-and then do it! When we can do this, we'll be proud of ourselves...and other people will be proud of us too. This life is full of hard knocks when we choose our fleshly ways instead of God's perfect ways. I am so glad that His patience is tender and long suffering. One last thought - when we get those guilty feelings because we don't pray enough - it may just be the Lord pulling you into your prayer closet.

Blessings are Like Sunbeams

2009-05-11T21:53:00.003-05:00

The gospel of Christ is the highest blessing to give and the greatest blessing to receive.
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All other blessings are like sunbeams compared to the enormity of the sun, waves compared to the vast ocean, rocks compared to the mighty mountain, leaves compared to the tallest tree.
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When you carry the gospel to others, you bring the glory of God to their deepest darkness, the river of His delights to their desert places, the power of His might to their inner weakness, the tree of life to the barren places of their heart. Roy Lessin

A Blessing

2009-05-08T10:44:00.002-05:00

God has blessed you to make you a blessing.

He wants to give through your hands,

smile through your face,

care through your heart,

speak through your voice,

and shine through your eyes.

Like bread,

He will break you and multiply you.

Like a cup of cool water,

He will pour you forth.

Like a well-planted tree,

He will make you fruitful to every good work.

Roy Lessin

Hope

2009-05-03T14:00:00.005-05:00

There are few sadder sights on earth than the sight of a person who has lost all hope. In difficult times, hope can be elusive, but Christians need never lose it. After all, God is good; His love endures; He has promised His children the gift of eternal life.

If you find yourself falling into the spiritual traps of worry and discouragement, consider the words of Jesus. It was Christ who promised, "In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" (John 16:33 NKJV). This world is, indeed a place of trials and tribulations, but as believers, we are secure. God has promised us peace, joy, and eternal life. And of course, God always keeps His promises.

Never be afraid to hope - or to ask - for a miracle.

God is Interested

2009-04-27T23:37:00.004-05:00

God is interested in every individual. As he walked with Adam in the garden of Eden, he desires to walk with us. He wants us to become acutely aware that our walk is in the spirit and not in the natural realm of man's ideologies. Through fellowship with the Lord, we become like him and

we will obtain power from him to resist every fiery dart the

devil thrusts at us to destroy our faith in God.

The method of becoming wise to satan's strategies is through revelation of the Holy Spirit...not with carnal observance. The armor of God is available to us as we draw near to God in the spirit. Putting on the armor of God will give us spiritual perception as to what satan is "up to". Satan has only one weapon, DECEIT. He can only use that weapon on the mind. We must UNDERSTAND our God is ALL powerful ALL of the time. We must understand that His power is within us when we are filled with Him! The only way for the devil to defeat us is for us to get out from under the blood of Jesus. NOTHING is powerful enough to overthrow us as long as our faith is in Jesus Christ.

Psalm 92:1-5

2009-04-27T12:09:00.009-05:00

Psalm 92 1-5
IT IS A GOOD THING TO GIVE THANKS UNTO THE LORD, AND TO SING PRAISES UNTO THY NAME, O MOST HIGH:
To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night,
Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery; upon the harp with a solemn sound.
For thou, LORD, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands.
O LORD, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep.

I am so thankful this day to know the Lord and experience His kindness. What a privelage to know His name - Jesus. Today my heart leaps with joy to know His arms are around me. We may experience surprises tomorrow, but nothing surprises God. If trouble comes our way, it's only because He allowed it and will show His glory in it. We are safe in the arms of God.

(The picture is of a psaltery)

This Is The Day

2009-04-25T14:08:00.005-05:00

This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.Psalm 118:23-25

I can't stop thinking about this scripture today. I think of the difference it makes in our lives when we realize that God has given us another day. None of us know what tomorrow holds but as long as we are in His hands, we can rejoice. I am so thankful for this day and the breath to praise His name one more time.

Psalm

2009-04-21T10:00:00.002-05:00

Psalm 100 (King James Version)

Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

What a privilege to bless and praise His Holy Name. There is something about praise and worship that completes us.

Sunday Morning

2009-04-19T14:01:00.003-05:00

It's so good to wake up on a Sunday morning and know that I will be joining other Christians to worship our God and Savior. I'm thankful for the Holy Ghost which leads and guides me. I am never alone even if I feel like I am sometimes. I have learned to put my emotions aside and trust the word of God. I believe the scripture that says "if two agree on any one thing, then it shall be done". Period. It's so good to lift up my hands to give Jesus glory and honor. I can't wait until I bow at his feet and worship Him in person. Many signs of the rapture are here so I don't think it will be long before He takes us away. I'm doing my best to pray for my family, friends and neighbors.

Sisters Needing Prayer

2009-04-17T11:57:00.005-05:00

I know there are many more women that need prayer but today I would like to ask you to join me in prayer for two blogger sisters that are battling cancer. They are in the Masters Hands which are the best hands to be in.

Wanda had surgery yesterday for breast cancer and Cari has been battling for some time.

Here are their websites:
http://brushstrokesfromtheheart.blogspot.com/ &
http://undomestic.blogspot.com/

Thank you.

One Pair of Hands

2009-04-15T16:58:00.004-05:00

Praying & Fasting

2009-04-15T12:26:00.007-05:00

This is the day that the Lord hath made... Inside of this day we can have miracles & healing. He knows what we need and through fasting and prayer it can come about. Now is not the time to give up or turn around. Now is the time to get tougher against the enemy that wars with our soul. If we haven't fasted for some time and are physically able to do so, we need to skip that meal or two. We stand in awe in what that does in the spiritual realm. I have a friend that taught me to speak to my stomach and say "you're not going to eat right now". In this situation, we need to stand boldly in what needs to be done. We need to get this flesh under subjection. Yes you may get hungry and think you can't make it, but you can. The next meal is right around the corner. When you have finished your fast, you will be in wonder how God Almighty has worked. The sacrifice of the flesh is not always easy, but it's worth it. If we want dreams, visions, and a closer walk with Him, this is one of the best ways to get there. If we have had all of that in the past and no longer witness those things, we need to check our fasting and prayer level. Visions are real, miracles are real, and a closer walk with Him is real. Being in His presence is the most rewarding part of it all.

Title Change

2009-04-14T16:56:00.005-05:00

OK I admit it, I change titles as often as I move the furniture. I think this title will express more of what I am trying to accomplish. My other title "It's Not About Us Anymore" made it difficult for me to express how awesome God is, as I tried not to mention us. But I need to, in order to make witness of His miracles, healings and souls being saved. What He does through us, makes it about Him & us. But all glory will be given to Him alone.

Who knows, it may be changed again tomorrow.

Great Cartoons

2009-04-14T09:27:00.009-05:00

You may have received these in an email - I just had to post them. We don't see too many cartoons that are uplifting. Click on each one if you need to enlarge.
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Easter Sunday

2009-04-12T08:28:00.002-05:00

May you feel Gods love today. His love started long before the cross. But through that gruel day, we are able to live again. His mercy and love can see us through anything. By His stripes we are healed....

It's Good To Pray

2009-04-10T14:51:00.010-05:00

Can people see Jesus in us? It’s so easy to tell them that we are a Christian. But if talking about Jesus is all we can do, it’s not enough, for them or for us. Do we feel that emptiness when we realize it’s been some time since we’ve hit our knees in true repentance? When was the last time we went to prayer and all we could do was to utter praise?

We were created with a mixture of emotions that are moved when we see or hear something spiritual. When you watch a movie that glorifies God or hear about a miracle, do you experience the goose bumps? Do you get that warm and fuzzy feeling? If so, thank God because many have walked away and their feelings have become as stones. Did it make you want to cry, repent or rededicate your life to Him. It’s all a part of God’s plan.

Repentance not only reaches deep within our beings, but when we are finished, we are clean. When we allow God to remove all that is ugly and unbecoming within us, then and only then can He use us the way he intended. At this point, we won’t need to tell people who we are or who we belong to, it will flow from us. God wants to gently take us down the road that may be bumpy and long but He will never leave us nor forsake us. The closer we want to draw to Him, the more He will mold us.

Prayer isn't always easy or convenient but it’s worth every sacrifice we can make. We need to yearn for Him with every breath within us. We will be amazed how deep within His spirit He will take us. God uses people in miracles. We are His hands and feet. To be used in this area, His Word states that “this can only be done with prayer and fasting”. More on this in a future post.

Have you noticed people that aren't living for God are starting to feel like something is going to happen? Jesus wrote in His word that He will take us out of here someday and I truly believe that day is soon. The sign of the times are clear. If there was ever a time to pray, it is now.

Prayer Needed for a Blogger

2009-04-06T16:49:00.004-05:00

Today I came across Cari's blog. She is a very courageous woman battling cancer. Please visit her and offer a word of encouragement. Prayer does wonders. Her address is: http://undomestic.blogspot.com/

Growing Spiritually

2009-03-30T11:07:00.004-05:00

Our walk with God is continuous; it unfolds day by day, and it offers countless opportunities to grow closer to Him. As each new day unfolds, we are confronted with a wide range of choices: how we will behave, where we will direct our thoughts, with whom we will associate, and what we will choose to worship. These choices, along with many others like them, are ours and ours alone. How we choose determines how our relationship with God will unfold.

Are we continuing to mature in our love and knowledge of the Lord, or are we "satisfied" with the current state of our spiritual health? Hopefully, we're determined to make ourself a growing Christian. Your Savior deserves no less, and neither, by the way, do we.

Growing to spiritual maturity requires a plan. And remember this: Spiritual maturity is a journey, not a destination-and a growing relationship with God should be our highest priority.

He Is Our Today & Tomorrow

2009-03-27T20:48:00.004-05:00

Sometimes we can see the future clear and bright and sometimes we can't see it at all. Yet even when we cannot see the potential of tomorrow, God can. When we became believers, our challenge was to trust an uncertain tomorrow to an all-powerful God.

Do we feel comfortable to place our future into the hands of a loving and all-knowing God? Can we relax in the uncertainties of today, knowing that God has dominion over all of our tomorrows? If we can, we are wise and moving in the right direction. When we trust God with everything we are and everything we have, He will be our now and forever. He has promised to never leave us nor forsake us. He doesn't have fear or run away when our days get tough. He said that all things work together for the good to them that love the Lord. This means in the good and the bad times. Doesn't the bible say that the steps of a righteous man are ordered by the Lord? If we give God all of our needs and worries, He is faithful to see us through anything that comes our way.

When life seems unfair, we need to try spending more time trusting God and less time dwelling on if He can be trusted. He Can Be Trusted.

The Word of God

2009-03-23T22:08:00.007-05:00

Notes from Sunday's sermon:

The word of God will either humble us or anger us. It will always bring a reaction. If our heart is tender the word will open up to us. It is sharper than a two-edged sword that is able to cut open our heart so all pride and poison can bleed out. The word is able to take out feelings and thoughts that can hinder our walk with Him.. The Lord desires to take us to a place where He can talk to us.

You may not feel important to anyone else, but always remember that you are important to God. Our thoughts, if we are not careful, will lead us to believe that we know more than God when it comes to how situations should be handled. We will never know more than God. Sometimes we need to have a need that is so great that we don't know what to do. This will cause us to seek Jesus where He can meet that need. Your situation may be because He wants to get your attention.

If we are prideful, arrogant, or egotistical, it will show. It we are humble, giving and obedient, it will also show.

God knows how to do things....

Loving Others

2009-03-23T19:03:00.004-05:00

Love, begins and ends with God, but the middle part belongs to you and me. During the short time that we have here on earth, God has given each of us the opportunity to become a loving person-or not. God also has given us the opportunity to be kind, to be courteous, to be cooperative, and to be forgiving-or not. God gives each of us the chance to obey the Golden Rule, or to make up our own rules as we go. If we obey God’s rules, we’re safe and most of the time happier, but if we do otherwise, we’re headed to trouble and fast.

All choices that we make have consequences. The decisions that we make and the results of those decisions determine the quality of our relationships. It’s as simple as that.

1 John 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

Yearning for God

2009-03-14T13:49:00.005-05:00

Each day when I awake I find that my love for God is growing deeper. My desire to be so close to Him is consuming me. My yearning to pray has grown and He is faithful to meet me there. His word says to pray continually. Prayer is communication; praise is communication, reading His word is communication, treating others with respect is communication. Our wordless prayers can be numerous. Sermons on this topic are plentiful but until we can grasp some of the various ways for communication and follow through we can feel inadequate and a failure. Keep praying…even when you don’t feel him, hear him, and even when we think He’s a million miles away. He’s right beside us and in us when we are filled with the Holy Ghost. His Spirit gently guides us when we desire it. Prayer is not easy to fall in love with, but if we practice, it will become the most important part of our day.

God's Timing is Best

2009-03-11T15:19:00.001-05:00

Most of us are impatient for God to grant us the desires of our heart. Usually, we know what we want, and we know precisely when we want it: right now, if not sooner. But when God’s plans differ from our own, we must trust His infinite wisdom and His infinite love.
As busy people living in a fast-paced world, many of us find that waiting quietly for God is difficult. Why? Because we are fallible human beings seeking to live according to our own timetables, not God’s. In our better moments, we realize that patience is not only a virtue, it is also the essence of wisdom and the foundation of trust.
Trust God’s timing. God has very big plans in store for our lives, so we must trust Him and wait patiently for those plans to unfold. And remember: God’s timing is best, so we can’t allow ourselves to become discouraged if things don’t work out exactly as we wished. Instead of worrying about our future, entrust it to God.

Have you questioned: God Are You Still There?

2009-03-08T17:12:00.005-05:00

Since we have a human nature, we have at one time or another questioned and wondered – God where are you? This question crosses our mind especially during times such as a death of a loved one, illnesses, loss of jobs, divorce and situations that hit us hard. All of us face difficult days. Sometimes even the most optimistic people can become discouraged, and we are no exception. If we find ourselves enduring difficult circumstances, perhaps it’s time for an extreme intellectual makeover-perhaps it’s time to focus more on our strengths and opportunities. And less on the challenges that confront us. The Bible states that God is everywhere we have ever been and everywhere we will ever go. He is with us throughout the night and all through the day; He knows our every thought; He hears our every heartbeat. He doesn’t hide from us when the going gets rough; His love is too great for that. He puts His loving arms around us and gently guides us through those hard days. He took the stripes on His back for our healings and became the extreme sacrifice for our salvation. To question His loyalty is to disagree with His word and this is a dangerous place to be. When times get tough we need to quote scriptures and never stop praying. If we stop praying, we open the door for doubt, fear and despair. Speak to God with the assurance that He is listening.

When we earnestly seek Him, we will find Him because He is here, waiting patiently for us to reach out to Him…right here…right now. And make no mistake; our soul does indeed thirst for God. That thirst is planted in your heart, and it is a thirst that only God can quench.

Nobody can find Him for you. God is searching for you; it’s up to you-and you alone-to open your heart to Him and let Him do the perfect work.

Deuteronomy 4:29 But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul

Don't Let Bitterness Destroy Us

2009-03-05T20:55:00.001-06:00

Bitterness can destroy us if we let it… so we must not let it!
If we get caught up in the intense feelings of anger or regret, we know all too well the destructive power of these emotions. How can we rid ourselves of these feelings? First, we must ask God to free us from these feelings. Then, we must learn to catch ourselves whenever thoughts of bitterness begin to attack us. Our challenge is this: We must learn to resist negative thoughts before they hijack our emotions.
Barbara Johnson has this sound advice: “It is better to forgive and forget than to resent and remember.” And she’s right –it’s better to forget than regret.

Philippians 3: 13-14 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

It's Just Stuff

2009-03-04T13:47:00.003-06:00

Here’s something we need to remember about stuff: It’s not that important!
Many people are in love with money and the things that money can buy. God is not. God cares about people, not possessions, and so must we.
We should not be too concerned about the clothes we wear, or the things we own. And above all, we should never let our self-esteem depend upon the things that we own.
The stuff that we own isn’t nearly as important as the love that we feel in our heart-love for our family, love for our friends, and love for our Father in heaven.
Too much stuff doesn’t ensure happiness. In fact, having too much stuff can actually prevent happiness.

Can we relate to the excitement of purchasing that "special something" but felt another round of emptyness by the next day. We must be careful not to get caught in the trap of thinking this is how to obtain joy. True and lasting happiness along with joy can only come from God.

Luke 12:15 (King James Version) 15And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

How Do We Handle Peer Pressure

2009-02-26T20:09:00.004-06:00

Can we say that we are a people-pleaser or a God-pleaser? Hopefully, we can say we’re far more concerned with pleasing God than we are with pleasing our friends. Even being a devoted Christian, we may still feel the urge to impress our friends and acquaintances-and sometimes that urge can be strong and overwhelming.
Peer pressure can be good or bad, depending upon who our peers are. If our friends encourage us to follow God’s will and to obey His commandments, then we’ll experience positive peer pressure, and that’s a good thing. But, if we let someone encourage us to do foolish things, then we’re facing a different kind of peer pressure and we’d better beware.
We always have choices. We can choose to please God first, or we can fall victim to peer pressure. The choice is ours along with the consequences. Those who follow the crowd will usually get lost in it.
Since we can’t please everybody, it would be better trying to please the people who are trying to help us become a better person.

Purpose

2009-02-25T18:07:00.001-06:00

“What on earth does God intend for me to do with my life?” It’s an easy question to ask but, for many of us, a difficult question to answer. Why? Because God’s purposes aren’t always clear to us. Sometime we wander aimlessly in a wilderness of our own making. And sometimes, we struggle mightily against God in an unsuccessful attempt to find success and happiness through our own means, not His.

Are we genuinely trying to figure out God’s purpose for our life? If so, we can be sure that with God’s help, we will eventually discover it. So we keep praying, and keep watching. And rest assured: God’s got big plans for us…very big plans.

Discovering God’s purpose for our lives requires a willingness to be open. God’s plan is unfolding day by day. If we keep our eyes and our hearts open, He’ll reveal His plans. He may have quite a few lessons to teach us before we are fully prepared to do His will and fulfill His purposes.

Gratitude

2009-02-24T14:00:00.003-06:00

For most of us, life is busy and complicated. We have countless responsibilities, some of which begin before sunrise and many of which end long after sunset. Amid the rush and crush of the daily grind, it is easy to lose sight of God and His blessings. But, when we forget to slow down and say “Thank You” to our Maker, we rob ourselves of His presence, His peace, and His joy.

Our task, as believing Christians, is to praise God many times each day. Then, with gratitude in our hearts, we can face our daily duties with the perspective and power that only He can provide.

Need to Love God's People

2009-02-22T15:13:00.000-06:00

You can't love God without loving God's people...

Do We Have The Answers?

2009-02-22T14:30:00.016-06:00

In Matthew
Jesus made the statement: I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men?

Jesus made the statement: You must first answer my question then I’ll answer your question. Have you ever been in the place where you wonder why God doesn’t answer your questions? Could it be that we haven’t answered the questions that He has asked us? We wonder “what question is He asking me?” He may be asking us if we are willing to obey "all" of his word or trying to direct us about an obstacle in our lives. Could it be that maybe He’s talking to us through convictions and we let them roll off our sleeves long enough that we miss his conversation? Are we waking up at night thinking we just can’t sleep but maybe it's Him gently calling us to prayer at a time when nothing else can distract us? Our spirit knows when He is calling. Each one of us have witnessed his tug - I pray that we will answer so we can hear Him answer. True peace comes when we are right with Jesus. We will never be perfect, and he doesn't expect us to be. He just wants us to be a willing vessel that will heed to His call...

He truly wants us to have the answers to some of our questions. Don't forget prayer and fasting, and the more you pray the more you want to pray. A little sacrifice will soon feel like no sacrifice at all because our love for God is stronger.
Above all else this week, seek God...

Renew A Right Spirit Within Me

2009-02-19T18:01:00.005-06:00

One scripture I have memorized is:

Psalms 51:10
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
According to my bible the word “right” means steadfast.
So I went to Dictionary.com and the word steadfast means the following:
1) Marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable; “firm convictions”; “a firm mouth”; “steadfast resolve”; “a man of unbendable perseverance”; “unwavering loyalty”.
2) firm and dependable especially in loyalty; "a steadfast ally"; "a staunch defender of free speech"; "unswerving devotion"; "unswerving allegiance".

I have always thought a right spirit meant just to do what’s right towards God and others. To be nice, giving, understanding and so on. I never took it deeper with the meaning of being steadfast, firm, loyal and unswerving. I would like to think that I am these things, but now this has given the scripture a whole new meaning to me. When I pray for a "right spirit", I will now understand that Jesus will be working on me to be more dependable, usable, not given to unbelief, trusting more. I could go on and on. The words are flooding my mind to how much deeper this scripture goes.

If you have more insight to this scripture, I would love to hear your thoughts.

You're Not Alone

2009-02-18T16:06:00.000-06:00

Sometimes we may feel all alone. But Jesus said He would never leave us nor forsake us. Sure, I wish I could see him sitting beside me or walking with me, but that's not going to happen. We need to know by faith that He is there. Each time you can imagine this in your mind, your faith will grow and you will always know that He is beside you.