Sing a Song of Victory!

Sing a song of victorious freedom through Christ!  Below is the song and lyrics of "My Name is Victory" by The Wilbanks.  It is another great marching song for Christians!  This song is personal "I", whereas “We are the People of God” song by Carmen is a group marching/dancing tune.  Both would be great blasting from floats in parades or wherever people marching together.  Let's take back the streets and parades for Jesus!  Can you see everyone singing it as a worship song in church or other public spaces with their arms raised in a "V" for victory  thanking Jesus? It makes me want to jump up and shout! This should be the anthem for every Christian church to thank God for our freedom and found liberty through Him   It could be July 4th fired-up with spiritual fireworks every Sunday!

Lift Your Arms - A Healing Testimony of Praise

I am a healthy person, especially good for my age.  Most of you readers do not know this, I have been dealing with right shoulder pain since mid-April.  I am one of those people who often thinks their aches and pains are stressed or pulled muscle and it will go away in a week or so with ice or a heating pad.  Well, this time it did not, instead the pain got worse and the area around my back shoulder blade was noticeably mree swollen than the other side.  After a few more days of ice instead of heat and ibuprofen making no difference in pain and very little with swelling, I called to get into the doctor.  His next open appointment was over two weeks away but they would let me switch that with my spouse, who was scheduled for the next day and he could come on the later date. This was a small blessing.  The doctor recommended more frequent ice sessions, a short regimen of theraphy, and larger doses of ibuprofen to see if it fixed the problem since I still had good range of motion.  I was praying and expecting a quick healing, instead the pain only seemed to get worse!  However the swelling did finally go down.

O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me. - Psalm 30:2 (ESV)

Since therapy did not work, I was sent for an MRI in May, which showed two muscles tears above the shoulder blade and inflammation in the shoulder joint.  I was referred to the Orthopedist that did my shoulder surgery several years before.  It would be almost two months before I could an appointment with the specialist! I made the appointment and asked to be put on a wait-list in case of a cancellation. By now, my spouse had to drive me everywhere because I could barely lift my arm.  I was wondering why God was not giving me a quick solution, which I was continually praying for.  A few days later, the Orthopedist receptionist called me to see if I was willing to go out-of-town for an appointment in mid-June. Another small blessing that we willingly took!  The Orthopdic surgeon said the old surgery still looked good so he gave me shots in the shoulder to relieve that, plus scheduled therapy to start the following week, and a perscription for a few pain pills.  The shots made me dizzy and nauseous.   So after being returned to in a seat in the waiting area and drinking half a can of soda, I was ok enough to walk to car with my son and spouse helping.  I took a nap after each therapy session once I finished an icing session because the pain pills made me sleepy.  Over the next few weeks, the pain got somewhat better and after about two months I could finally drive myself again.  I kept praying to be strong and healthy again.  Thank the Lord, I had the support I needed during this time [unlike poor Job with his friends and family].

Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, 

for you are my praise. - Jeremiah 17:14 (ESV)

However, there was still occasional bad pain.  When I went for my yearly physical at the beginning of this month, my doctor asked about the shoulder.  I said it was better, although I still had pain off and on, as well as  limitations in what I could lift.  Since it was no longer excruciating and keeping me from doing most things, I said it was something I could just live with [like Paul's thorn in the flesh].  

And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.” - Luke 8:48 (ESV)

About seven months after all this started on Sunday (November 10, 2024) at church, we had a movement of God for healing and help with other needs.  While we were praying for people, I got an impression that I should lift my arm as high as I could.  So I relied on God, lifted my right arm to a typically comfortable level, and continued to pray in the spirit as God led me.  As I prayed I could sense my arm going higher.  By the time we finished praying and praising God, I had no pain!  Praise Jesus!  It may seem like a small thing to some, but to me it was a miracle!  I felt like the woman who touched the hem of Jesus garment.  I feel it is a testimony that although we may go through things and not understand why, with God all things are possible and everything that happens has a purpose.  We may not understand the why yet, but someday we will.

Twelve Minutes with God

Feeling alone or abandoned?  Wondering how you can possibly survive with all the evil around today?  Are you thinking nothing can be done to improve your situation? 

It is time to reprogram your brain and renew your spirit.  How? Consider spending at least twelve minutes each day with God in prayer.  Forget the persistent "God knows" excuses for not praying - how I feel, what I need, when things are bad, where i need to go, who can help, why we need Him.  He wants you to talk to Him!  So ask for what you need, give God praise, trust Him, listen for His voice, and feel God's love.

Forget the excuse of "I don't have time to pray" - everyone has time to do something they value.  Do you value God?  Jesus believed prayer was important, you should too!  A relationship with God means more than time spent sitting in church or reading a devotional and then meditating on it.  Prayer is real communication with God and it leads to real spiritual growth.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 

by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, 

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, 

whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, 

whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." 

- Philippians 4:6-8 (NIV) 

“It has been found that 12 minutes of daily focused prayer over an 8 week period can change the brain to such an extent that it can be measured on a brain scan. This type of prayer increases activity in brain areas associated with social interaction compassion and sensitivity to others. It also increases frontal lobe activity as focus and intentionality increase." - Dr. Caroline Leaf, neuroscience PhD  + author of Switch On Your Brain and books on stress.  For more about how prayer changes the brain and body, visit Renewing All Things blog.

Personally, I have been doing this for a few months and am amazed at how much it has improved my attitude about things and increased my faith.  I walk daily for exercise and I spend the first 12-15 minutes of my walk praying and praising God.  I try not to ask for anything, instead I  use the time to acknowledge who He is and what He means to me.  I feel reassured that my awesome God has got this, He will take care of everything, He holds me and those I care about safely in his strong but loving hands.  Nothing is impossible for my God!  Indeed no thing is too small for Him to care about or too big for Him to conquer!

POST SHORT URL = https://tinyurl.com/6ddt7wft 

We Are Satisfied with Honey from The Rock

Brooke Ligertwood released a song "Honey In the Rock" based on scripture.  Lyrics for her pop version are in video below or get the text version.  If you want to listen to the song or buy single MP3 visit Amazon, or to buy a full CD with this song then go to her website.

But you would be fed with the finest of wheat; 

with honey from the rock I would satisfy you. - Psalm 81:16 (NIV)

If you like banjos, then you may want to check out an older blue grass song based on the scripture by various artists on YouTube or on Amazon.

And did all drink the same spiritual drink: 

for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: 

and that Rock was Christ. - 1 Corinthians 10:4 (KJV)

Trust God When Afraid or Anxious

If you are feeling anxious about things going on around you, then reach out to God.  You may be cautious during critical times, yet you are worried that something may happen to you or your family.  You may be witnessing things that concern you, which you never perceived as possible in the past. Do not fret, instead cry out to God and tell Him your concerns.  Do not fear, but have faith and believe that the all-knowing God will help you.  In a time and a way that is in accordance with His will, God will come to your aid. 

"What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. 

In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; 

I will not fear what flesh can do unto me." -  Psalm 56:3-4 (KJV)

What seems like insurmountable adversity to you, is nothing compared to the power and might of God.  As His child, there is nothing that mankind can do to you without God's permission.  He is your shelter, your fortress, your deliverer.  Keep your faith in God strong and remember to give Him the glory for all He does for you.  Praise God for His deliverance ,even before you see the results.  Keep thanking Him and reminding Him that you are trusting in His promises and for His best resolution to your concern or issue.

An Attitude of Gratitude in Thanksgiving Blessing

Does your family have a specific prayer they pray over the Thanksgiving or holiday meals? Some say the Lord's prayer, others a traditonal blessing, while a few have a favorite family or religious recitation.  Many go even further by going around the table and  having everyone present take turns saying something they are grateful for in the current year (aka grateful round).

When I was a child, my grandmother prayed over most of our family gatherings.  I noticed when she would ask other relatives to pray, they often did a very similar prayer.  I guess that came form hearing her so often.  Even decades later, when the 4th generation offers up a prayer, although their words may be different, they end theirs much in the same way my grandmother did.  I am not so sure the exact praying words are as important as the attitude of gratitude sent towards God.  

With all that has happened in the past two years, we should reflect on the many blessings we still have over the holidays.  If you do not have a memorized  prayer or prefer to do a reading to express your gratitude, you might consider reading or reciting Psalm 100 (inset is ESV).  It is only 5 verses long, yet the words truly indicate a grateful heart.  This can done instead of a prayer, before the blessing, or following the "grateful round."

Our God Will We Serve and Obey

It is time for Christians to renew their covenant with God to worship Him only and follow His laws.  No idols of money, flesh, or other earthly things.  Serving God by doing His will, studying His word, looking heavenward, and helping His church to succeed.  Hear His voice by reading the Bible, praying, and waiting expectantly for His direction.  For those who remain: loyal to God, reverence Him, follow His commandments, trust in God, praise and worship Him, thank God for His blessings, and truly love Him  -- He will be loyal to them  

"And the people said ... The Lord our God will we serve,

and his voice will we obey." - Joshua 24:24 (KJV) 

Remember God is loving and forgiving, but He expects to be number one in your life.  Do not forsake God to follow after people or seek for things.  God expects you to learn and share His word through from the Holy Bible.  Do not try to fool God by rituals or religious practice over service to Him, He knows your true heart.  To be sure you stay in His service, always check any thing others say to you  ot that you are feeling against what God teaches in the Bible.  If you need clarification, pray for it - even if you have to do so more than once to hear from God.

 

Spiritual Mountains to Climb

On Sunday, my pastor delivers a wonderful message on "Getting Ready to Climb."  You can find the video of his sermon on Facebook and notes on the church website.  He focused on decision-making and three spiritual mountains we are to climb for:

1. US (me) - example in Mark 11:22-24
2. OTHERS - example in Exodus 31:18
3. GOD - example in Matthew 17:1-2

The 3 mountains teaching concluded with "It is hard to determine which mountain is which until we begin climbing, however ... Every mountain brings you face-to-face with God."

"The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the Lord, 

At the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.  

The heavens declare His righteousness, 

And all the peoples see His glory." - Psalm 97:5-6 (KJV)

Afterwards, my spouse and I discussed the various ways that mountains and valleys are used in everyday life as metaphors.  Speaking:

• Emotionally: feeling happy equates to the high of a mountain top, whereas being sad is compared to the low inside the valley
• Mentally - studying hard to learn something is climbing the mountain, being an expert is the mountain top. being a novice is the valley below the mountain, not learning or researching is choosing to stay in the valley of ignorance or doubt
• Physically: climbing a mountain compares to working hard towards a goal and the top is success, falling down the mountainside is a setback, the valley can be flourishing and frutifull, or the might be flooded with problems 
• Spiritually:  only praying to God from the valley of need, praising God for blessings from the top of the mountain

If you have other "mountain" scriptures  or examples you wish to share, please add a comment on this post to let us know your thoughts.

There is Nothing Better than the Lord Who Can Turn Graves into Gardens

The below song is relevant for healing all the hurt that is going on in the hearts of people in this angry world today.  Below is the "Gtaves into Gardens" song with lyrics video sung by Elevation Worship.  If you know your Bible, you will recognize that many of the bridge lines come from psalms and stories in God's Word.  Their CD or MP3 on Amazon #ad.  If you are boycotting Amazon, check out ElevationWorship.com for other purchasing options.

"Wherefore thou art great, O Lord God: 

for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, 

according to all that we have heard with our ears." - 2 Samuel 7:22 (KJV)

Nothing Can Stop An Unstoppable God!

Our help in difficult times comes directly from God - the Unstoppable God!  The God who makes all things possible and is never deterred by what seems like impossible odds to mankind.  Amazingly true song lyrics are sung by Sanctus Real in their song Unstoppable God (CD or MP3 available on Amazon #ad) in official "groovy graphics" video with lyrics below.  Miracles do still happen! Victory is still His!  God always conquers, yes, God wins!

"Ah Lord God! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power

 and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:"  -  Jeremiah 32:17 (KJV)

All Things Are Possible with God

With all that is happening on the earth, you may be asking "Who can save us?"   You see people who are afraid, some are concerned, and others who are haughty over a particular situation.  Jesus Christ assures His followers, when things seem impossible for man to change - God is still in control!  God is on your side, if you are a Christian living a righteous life.

"For humans this is impossible, but for God all things are possible." - Matthew 19:26 (ISV) 

As you wonder, given the circumstances, can people still be saved?  You must remember that Jesus can save anyone, although they must want His salvation for Him to act.  Prayer and repentance has to proceed salvation.  Pray for His guidance and direction in your life.  Stand strong in your faith.

So the correct question should be: do you/they want to be saved?  Are you/they willing to give-up the life you/they now have to follow Jesus?  Are you/they willing to abandon selfish desires for whatever is God's will?  If the answers are YES, then God can do anything and will control events for His faithful followers.

"There are some things that people cannot do, but God can do anything." - Mark 10:27 (CEV)

When things seem impossible turn to God for empowerment and miracles.  He can turn your: fear into strength, pain into health, defeat into triumph, poverty into blessings, sorrow into joy. God is the real source of everything relevant to this life and eternity that you could ever need.  Live for Jesus, love others like Jesus, and He will love you for it.  His love saves you,  His love saves others too.  

"What is humanly impossible is possible for God." - Luke 18:27 (GNT)

When God provides His protection and comes through for you, be sure to give Him the glory.  For it is with God and through Him that all are saved.  The power to accomplish the perceived impossibility can only a come from God.  So give Him all the praise.  Do not risk your salvation by being prideful and claiming victory through yourself or another human.  

Bottom line, be humble, submit to God's will, and trust that He will provide the best way for you.

Using Your Spiritual Presents from God

As a Christian, who wants to grow in your spiritual relationship with God, you should be earnestly praying for the spiritual gifts that God wants to provide to the Church through you.  Once you have a gift, you are expected to use it for serving others, building-up your Church, and for the glorification of God. Whether or not you feel you have received a spiritual gift, as a Christian, you are to be an example of and a witness for Christ.  Thanking God always for the many ways He has blessed you and can use you for His glory.

"But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves:
for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. Use hospitality one to another without grudging. 
As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another,
as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 
If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God;
if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth:
that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ,
to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen."  - 1 Peter 4:7-11 (KJV)

The gift(s) of the Holy Spirit use your talents, give you certain abilities, and allow you to accomplish much for the kingdom of God.  However, you are still warned to be watchful of the those in the world who wish to destroy God's people and there may even be people who mock your gift(s).  You must remember the gifts are for God's use and you can not be boastful about  yourself in what He has given you or does through you, rather than glorifying God for all He has done.  Continual prayer is required to stay in communication with God and His will for your life and actions.

Praise God Anyway

Praise God Anyway is the theme in one of the thirty-eight lessons in Susan Kerr's devotional "Intersections of Grace" (available on Amazon #ad)  where she introduces the accronym PGA. Praise God Anyway (PGA!)  In her study, she references the confinement verses in Acts listed at the bottom of this post.  There are more examples in the Bible, a few are noted below along with relatable questions for yourself.  

"Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.

Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name." - Psalm 63:3-4 (KJV) 

In Habakkuk 3:17-19, he is suffering because his garden and cattle are not producing enough to eat.  Even so, the prophet praises God anyway.  Could you praise even if you have no food, lost property, unable to achieve goals or other types of profit?  Instead, should you consider the home, family, and blessings you do have and be thankful for those?

Job 1:2 shows that even though Job has lost his wealth, family, health and is wrongly accused; he may have become depressed however, he refuses to abandon God and praises Him anyway.   If you are going through illness,being lied about, or suffering the loss of a loved one - could you praise God anyway?  Can you be grateful for your past and look toward Gods future plans for you?

"Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: 

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (KJV) 

Psalms 57 was composed by David (the slayer of Goliath and future king) when he was tired, sacred, and living in a cave. However, he praises God anyway.  Should you praise God anyway when you are afraid, depressed, or feeling alone?  Would things turn around for you if you look at what you have, where you have come from, and what joy could be there for you if you just praise the Lord?

In Acts 16:25-36, Paul and Silas are in chains within a prison for refusing to ignore their calling of God.  Even so, they sing praises to God anyway.  Would you praise God anyway if you were unjustly confined, lost your job, or your candidate did not win the election.  Instead could you consider the freedoms you do have and be grateful for those?

PGA!