Have you ever thought what it will really be like to sing praises to God when we get to heaven?
I know I mentioned this song in a post a while ago but I have to post it again. I heard this song when I came in from my walk and I just started singing at the top of my voice. I just have such a vision of people gathered around the throne of the Father singing hallelujah. The hallelujahs in the song bring me to tears. I get so overwhelmed thinking of the day when I get to stand before the Lord and sing at the top of my lungs in worship to Him. I just can't wait for that day!
This weekend I wasn't feeling well. Since they say "Laughter is the best medicine", I decided to take that advice. I hopped on youtube and found some funny TV and movie clips. Feel free to take a gander when you have time. Maybe you'll find yourself laughing out loud!
I Love Lucy: The Operetta
The Court Jester: Danny Kaye
The Muppet Show: The Swedish Chef with guest Danny Kaye
•“‘If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes."(NIV)
•“What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.” (NLT)
•Jesus replied, "Why do you say `if you can'? Anything is possible for someone who has faith!" (CEV)
•Jesus said, "If? There are no 'ifs' among believers. Anything can happen." (The Message)
Jesus said those words after he went to go see a boy possessed by a spirit. The father wanted his son to be healed and freed. He came to Jesus and this is what the father said:
"… But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us." (vs. 22)
It is after those words that Jesus replies:
“‘If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes." (vs. 23)
Following Jesus’ words the father exclaims that he does believe and asks Jesus to help him with his unbelief. Jesus commanded the spirit to leave and the boy was healed!
Each of us struggle with our own “spirits”. Do we believe that Jesus has the power to do above what we could ever imagine in our own circumstance? Do we truly believe? Or do we just say we do to make ourselves somehow feel better? What is it to really believe?
There’s a saying that I have posted all over my house, car and work.
“Faith is not knowing God can, it’s knowing He will.”
I think that sums up a lot. Sure we can say, “God, I know you can work a miracle in my life, etc, etc, etc.” But to say, “God, you will work a miracle in my life”, that is going boldly to the throne of grace like we are told in scripture.
“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)
To me, that is showing ultimate belief not just saying yes you can but saying yes I know you will.
Here is a song that I can’t get out of my head once I hear it. It is one that I sing as loud as I can! It’s called, “All Things are Possible”. Here are the words:
Almighty God my Redeemer, my hiding place, my safe refuge No other name like Jesus, no power can stand against you My feet are planted on this rock and I will not be shaken My hope it comes from you alone, my Rock and my Salvation Your praise is always on my lips, your Word is living in my heart And I will praise you with a new song, my soul will bless you Lord
You fill my life with greater joy, as I delight myself in you And I will praise you with a new song, my soul will bless you Lord
My feet are planted on this rock and I will not be shaken My hope it comes from you alone, my Rock and my Salvation Your praise is always on my lips, your Word is living in my heart And I will praise you with a new song, my soul will be bless you Lord
You fill my life with greater joy, as I delight myself in you And I will praise you with a new song, my soul will bless you Lord
When I am weak you make me strong, When I'm poor, I know I'm rich for in the power of your name All things are possible, all things are possible
Your praise is always on my lips, your Word is living in my heart And I will praise you with a new song, my soul will be bless you Lord
You fill my life with greater joy, as I delight myself in you And I will praise you with a new song, my soul will bless you Lord
When I am weak you make me strong, When I'm poor, I know I'm rich for in the power of your name All things are possible, all things are possible
"But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." I Corinthians 15:57
One of the songs that really gets me ready to face the day head on is "Victory" by Yolanda Adams. It is a very uplifting song that describes life's troubles and how we can face them with the victory that we find in Christ. We can stand on the promises of God and have victory in every situation. Feel free to watch this video and listen to the words of this song. I hope it lifts your spirits and causes you to remember the great victory we have!
I've got, got the victory I've got the sweet, sweet victory in Jesus. Yes I do He is our mighty conqueror. In him I will trust all my battles he'll fight. I've got, got the victory I've got the sweet, sweet victory in Jesus. For me He died but He rose on the third day. That’s why I have true victory every day.
Truly I've been through the storm and rain. I know everything about heartache and pain. But God carried me through it all without His protection I'll surely fall. I’ve been broke without a dime to my name. But all my bills got paid because I called on Jesus name. You can't tell me that God isn’t real 'cause I've got the victory and that why I’m still here.
I'm not worried about material things I don’t have. I'm just blessed cause I know that my Savior’s there. Because I know that my blessing is on the way I can't see it right now but I stand by faith. I've fought many, many battles in His name. I've held up the blood-stained banner and proclaimed. That Jesus is the truth to the light. Believe me when I say he will make it right.
Yeah I got the victory yeah I got the victory yeah, yeah, yeah And if you got the victory sing along with me Yeah I got the victory yeah I got the victory Yeah, yeah, yeah Sing it with me I've got the victory
We all worry. We all allow our imaginations to run wild. This morning I woke up thinking of Matthew 6:34:
"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
Matthew 6:25-34 is all about worry. If you have time check out the whole passage.
Here is another version of the verse:
"Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes." (The Message)
What an excellent way of putting it! I hope that encourages you today to leave your worries behind you and don't allow them to fester in your mind. That is of no benefit. Focus on God and He will bring you through whatever today or tomorrow has is store. Reading that promise makes me feel at ease...at peace...
My song today is a magnificent classical piece. I actually had this song played in my wedding. I just love it. It's such a serene and calming song. It's Clair de Lune by Claude Debussy. Many of you might be familiar with Fantasia by Walt Disney. This video clip is a deleted scene from Fantasia. Please take the time to listen to this peaceful song. I hope it will touch your heart & spirit and give you calmness in the midst of anything you might be facing today.
And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 (NIV)
God promises that my needs will be provided. That doesn't say my wants or wishes or dreams. It says my needs and that gives me great hope in knowing that no matter what I may want, God's provision is the best and that is all I need.
Check out some other versions of this great promise:
And my God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (Amplified)
My God will use his wonderful riches in Christ Jesus to give you everything you need.(New Century Version)
And my God will give you everything you need because of His great riches in Christ Jesus. (New Life Version)
My God will meet all your needs. He will meet them in keeping with his wonderful riches that come to you because you belong to Christ Jesus. (New International Reader's Version)
One of my favorite times of the day is when I have a heart to heart talk with God. It may be in the car on the way to work, while I'm taking a morning walk, while I'm getting ready for the day or even when I'm swimming in the pool. I talk (outloud) to God like He is right there with me as I'm doing these various activities. It is such a sweet time for me and my heavenly Father. We have such power in prayer. I wish we really realized that. We have such power in the name of Jesus. I believe when we pray "in name of Jesus" that satan shudders. There is a quote from The Kneeling Christian that says, "Satan laughs at our toiling, mocks at our wisdom, but trembles when we pray." Prayer is our biggest defense against satan and his attacks. We have the power on our side. Why don't we take hold of it and use it? One of my favorite songs is "In the Name of the Lord". An excerpt from the lyrics read:
When My Plans Have Fallen Through And When My Strength Is Nearly Gone When There's Nothing Left To Do But Just Depend On You And The Power Of Your Name
And When We Call Upon Your Name Your Strength Through Weakness To Show We Can Know The Master Plan Extend The Masters Hand When We Come In The Name Of The Lord
There Is Strength In The Name Of The Lord There Is Power In The Name Of The Lord There Is Hope In The Name Of The Lord Blessed Is He Who Comes In The Name Of The Lord
Check out the song as sung by Sandi Patty. I hope it will impress upon you the power, the strength and the hope we do have in Jesus Christ our Lord!
And all things, whatsoever you shall ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive. Matthew 21:22
Therefore I say unto you, What things so ever you desire, when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them. Mark 11:24
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Philip. 4:6
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12
Casting all your care upon him; for he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7
I waited patiently for the LORD; He turned to me and heard my cry. Psalm 40:1
Have you ever thought what it will really be like to sing praises to God when we get to heaven?
