Can You Believe, Jesus Loves Me?

Love me when I least deserve it, because that’s when I really need it.

Swedish proverb

Jesus Loves Me

Jesus loves me! This I know,
For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong;
They are weak, 

but He is strong.

Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.

Jesus loves me when I'm good,
When I do the things I should,
Jesus loves me when I'm bad,
Though it makes Him very sad.

A simple children's song says it so well

not because of what we do but because of who he is

Not that we loved Him, but that He should love us! I know, incredible, isn't it?

The words to this gloriously simple song were written by two sisters, Susan Bogert Warner and Anna Bartlett Warner in 1860. William Batchelder Bradbury, who was born in York, Maine, found the poem and set it to music in 1862. While doing so, he also added the famous chorus.

~Let’s Just Praise the Lord        Bill and I received a letter not long ago that said, I don’t understand your song ‘Let’s Just Praise the Lord.’ Why do you say ‘just’? That doesn’t make any sense to me—just praise the Lord.        That same week there was a letter from a young mother who had buried their nine-year-old daughter a few days before. She said, “Our daughter was with us at your concert a year ago, and we sang together as a family with you, ‘Let’s Just Praise the Lord.’ I didn’t fully realize then why you say ‘Just’, but I do now. Sometimes we just go on praising the Lord, when there’s nothing else to do.” —Gloria Gaither ++++++++++ Let's Just Praise the Lord        (1) Let's just praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Let's just lift our hearts to heaven and praise the Lord; Let's just praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Let's just lift our hearts to heaven and praise the Lord!        (2) O we thank You for Your kindness, we thank You for Your love, We have been in heavenly places, felt blessings from above; We've been sharing all the good things, the family can afford, Let's just turn our praise toward heaven and praise the Lord.        (3) Just the precious name of Jesus is worthy of our praise, Let us bow our knees before Him, our hands to heaven raise; When He comes in clouds of glory, with Him to ever reign, Let's just lift our happy voices, and praise His name.

When things look so bleak and hopeless and life isn't worth getting up for...sing praise to the Lord and the world just seems to disappear for awhile...many times before I get out of bed in the morning I sing..
Praise Him, praise Him, all ye little children,
God is love, God is love;
Praise Him, praise Him, all ye little children,
God is love, God is love.

Love Him, love Him, all ye little children,
God is love, God is love;
Love Him, love Him, all ye little children,
God is love, God is love.

Thank Him, thank Him, all ye little children,
God is love, God is love;
Thank Him, thank Him, all ye little children,God is love, God is love

a simple child's prayer can get your day off to the right start!

Praise the Lord all you nations, Extol Him all you peoples.

For great is His love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.

Praise the Lord

 Psalm 117:1-2

Webster Dictionary

1. Extol(verb)
   to place on high; to lift up; to elevate
2. Extol(verb)
   to elevate by praise; to eulogize; to praise; to magnify; as, to extol virtue; to extol an act or a person

Psalm 109:30
With my mouth I will greatly extol the LORD; in the great throng of worshipers I will praise him.

"Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; and to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God." —Psalm 50:23

I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving. —Psalm 118:28

Live Forward Understand Backward

Live Forward Understand Backward is a link from Joyce Meyers Ministry.



I was excited to have Joyce Meyer talk to to this life challenge. I have talked and blogged about this subject since 2009 and it was great to hear her put meaning to what I have felt so many times.   "Now I see!  I wouldn't be in the place I am today if I hadn't gone through that!"

Does living in perfect health make me appreciate each morning more than the one before?
When I put 130,000 miles on my car with no repair bill, do I praise God for those four faithful wheels that have carried me so far?
Do I look back on my failures and see how far I've come beyond them?

I will look to what good has come out of all the stuff I thought had ruined my life.

I found a wonderful career at my present job
A move brought me closer to sharing the lives of so many I love
I get to live within walking distance of many things
Paved roads and sidewalks give me incentive to get moving in life
I learned a love of flowers

I was so down and alone,  I had no one but God to talk to, for the first time in my life!
...and that was a good thing!
So look back and understand what brought you to where you are at, and be grateful for it.  The God of the Valley, is the God on the Mountain, sang so beautifully by Lynda Randall is so very true, trust him in the bad times and praise Him when He has lifted you out of the pit.

He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. 

Psalm 40:2

What matters is that we build off what has happened, be grateful and believe that our experiences have given us and made us what we are today.  

Psalm 27:14 says, “Wait on the Lord, be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thy heart.

“Where we cannot trace His hand, we can trust His heart.” 

God's Word is a Light Unto My Path

"The unfolding of God's Word gives light, 

it imparts understanding to the simple" 

Psalm 119:130

Yes, even you! The Word of God is so clear and light-giving that even the simple find understanding. It does not take great intellect or mental powers to benefit from God’s word.

"It is painful to remember how much light may be shining around us on every side, without finding an entrance into the heart" (Bridges)   

His words are the doorway through which light shines to impart discernment to an otherwise naive people. We cannot live better without God’s unfolding light. 
 “Your instructions are a doorway through which light shines….” from the New English Translation....We desperately need God’s doorway of light.  We are not left in the dark. God invites us into His light. His Word offers to us light that gives instruction on how to walk the same path of holiness Jesus Christ trekked. excerpt from Paula White ministries

God’s Word imparts to us understanding for moral instruction. Not only do we need this, but we also long for it. “I open my mouth and pant, because I long for your commandments”       (Psalms. 119:131 ESV).

God's Word is a lamp unto my feet and a Light unto my path, Psalm, 119:105

No More 2nd Chances

My friend and encourager, Eric Elder offered this line in his prayer on Sunday,

Help us, Lord, not to make a bigger mess of the mess we’re in.  In Jesus’ name, Amen

And it is exactly what many of us do,....Well, I missed my curfew so might as well really deserve the punishment I'm gonna receive...I haven't gone to church for so long, I'm embarrassed to walk in now.....I missed the first two Lenton services so I'll never catch up or understand the theme...I've eaten half the bag of chips, might as well do it up good...I turned down a job that meant financial freedom and now we have nothing....

Remember this....God is NOT a God of 2nd chances because he will never abandon you...no 2nd chances needed or offered, He is faithful..He will not let you wander away...he is with you faithfully.
Here’s a hard fact about your mistakes: God’s providence (His all-wise governing of all things for His glory and for your good) includes your choices, your actions, and the consequences that flow from them. So when you make bad decisions, stupid mistakes, rash sins, or careless choices, yes, you will have to live with the consequences in this world.
But not alone. Not to your undoing. God has a hopeful plan for you beyond this world that spans eternity. And no mistake of yours can undo it

read more from Average Us

some messes wash off and others don't..But that doesn't mean we have to become victims of our mess. We can be free of it by finding the message inside the mess and sharing it with others.

God can change your "mess", because He is bigger than your mess.  Feed on His Word daily to give you the strength you need.

Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them. Psalm 34:19

When you have troubles or think you need a 2nd Chance, admit to God that you need His help and you will find He's been there all along...and don't forget to Thank Him for His faithfulness in being by your side.

Again from Eric's prayer, Thank You, Lord, for walking with us through these things.  Don’t run from the One who can help make it better. Confess your mess and let Jesus take it away. Thank You for Your Word.  Thank You for Your Word that gives us life, gives us warnings, gives us blessings. Thank You, Lord, that we can always come to You. Amen

The Benefit of Benefits

We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously...(Romans 12:6-8 NIV)

Benefits and fundraisers are planned and organized to help those in great need, be it for medical expenses, housing, loss of income, it doesn't matter, helping those in need is what we do best. The exercise of giving what we can and a little more, working in fellowship with others seems to gather us as one, in spirit and love for our friends.

Mark 12:41-44.....The Widow’s Offering

41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.
43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”

 It doesn't matter what our resources are, gifts from the bottom of our hearts and purses, mean so much. If money isn't available, give of your labor for it also is a gift. These organized benefits give opportunity to all who come willingly to help their friend.

Acts 4:34–37 (ESV)

34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold35 and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. 36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles 

Even if they do not possess the resources to help, they earnestly pray for those needs to be met.

• "And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."
  James 5:15-16 (NIV)

And Experience God's Peace

Joyce Meyer Ministries

Your peace is more important than anything that makes you mad. Allowing anger to fester and fuel up inside us paves the way to sin. Focus on God and your relationship with Him rather than the wrong that's been done to you, because your peace is more important.

"this was the 2nd status update when I opened my Facebook page this morning.  After a fitful night of trying to sleep and recalling over and over in my mind, my "tuff" day yesterday, then looking up lyrics to ...Cleanse Me Oh Lord...on my smart phone and reciting over and over, pulling up my bookmarks of saved verses to allow God's peace to come over me and finally drift off to sleep.  My peace IS more important than others lack of kindness and gentleness towards each other!"

God says He will keep us in perfect peace if we keep our focus on Him.

"I love this version of Philippians regarding God's Peace"

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true,  honorable, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.”    (Paul speaking to the Philippians) Philippians 4:6-9

In order to experience God’s Peace we have to trust that whatever happens, after we have prayed, in a humble manner, knowing that God Loves us He will answer us. That means waiting on God’s perfect timing and GRACE.

Lord, thank you for this word of truth, help us all to trust that you hear us and answer us. Thank you for loving us so deeply, that you listen to and hear us. Only a loving God answers the cries of His children, bringing peace that will carry us through extraordinary life situations. We will trust in you and find the peace your word promises. In Jesus Precious Name, Amen.
(excerpts from Inspired Ministries)

The Word is Perfect

The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. Psalm 19:7 

The scriptures revive the soul because they are from God, the one who created the soul.  They communicate his desires and expectations for us.  They are God’s wisdom and encouragement for our lives.  They are perfect.

The principles of this world are twisted, killing the soul. The promises of this world are empty, stealing the soul.  But…. “The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul!”  

....the Word, the life-giving perfect instructions of God, through the work of the Holy Spirit, reaches deep into our spiritually comatose state and pulls us out.  The Word resurrects our spiritual vitality and restores our passion for Christ and His church.
read more of these wonderful words from David Soper

…the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.  Romans 15:4

Words are powerful. They can steal away hope, and they can give it back again. If mere words can feel like they take away life and give it back again, is it any wonder that God’s Words can do the same?  These words shape us. They can save us. They teach us how to live, but more than that, they give us life.  Amazing things happen to people as they hear and read God’s Word.  words from Adrian Wornock

Adjust Your Sails but Don't Let Go of the Rudder

All change is met with resistance but without accepting change there would be no progress.  But change doesn't have to erode your principles and if it is, then perhaps we have chosen the wrong path.

Principles are something different: a set of values that have to be adapted to circumstances but not compromised away.” 
― George Packer

“A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both.” 
― Dwight D. Eisenhower

The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.
 by William Arthur Ward


Mark 8: 36
And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?

Phillipians 4:11-12
 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 

But never adjust your life and give up your principles!
Know your sin and repent, 

1 John 5:5

Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one that believes Jesus is the Son of God.

Acts 3:19
Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord

"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment." —Ralph Waldo Emerson

A Spirit of Humility

Galations 5: 22-23 from the Good News

But the Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, and self control.  There is no law against such things as these.

The fine line between confidence and arrogance is humility, "the quality or condition of being humble; modest opinion or estimate of one's own importance, rank".
If you are confident in your abilities it's just a matter of moving forward and getting it done but the one that seems to lack confidence finds it necessary to boast and brag about what they can accomplish.

“Let someone else praise you, not your own mouth—a stranger not your own lips.” Proverbs 27:2

Pride is all about me, but confidence is the realization the God has given me abilities and created me to fill a unique role that no one else is called to fill. This is the role that will help a team and impact others.

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.  Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also the interests of others.  Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus…”  Philippians 2:3-5

Choose to serve rather than be served.

Meditation

Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.Author Unknown

Christian meditation
...is a form of prayer in which a structured attempt is made to become aware of and reflect upon the revelations of God. The word meditation comes from the Latin word meditārī, which has a range of meanings including to reflect on, to study and to practice. Christian meditation is the process of deliberately focusing on specific thoughts (such as a Bible passage) and reflecting on their meaning in the context of the love of God.
....is a sacred activity nourishing your faith that the Kingdom of God is within you
...is a function of the mind and the heart.  It is what we think about in our hearts and it is something we each do every day. Whether we realize it or not, we all spend a large portion of our time in some form of meditation. The thing is, what we meditate on may or may not be worth while.
...is believed to involve the inherent action of the  Holy Spirit to help us as Christians understand the deeper meaning of the Word of God.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. (Psalms 19:14)

Finally, brothers, 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. (Phillipians 4:8)



These verses tell us what we "should do" but ..do we?  Sometimes when I start to think unkind or judgmental thoughts toward others, I have to shift gears and look to the verses above.  If I don't I start to feed off those bad thoughts.  Memorization of these motivational verses helps to train my mind and move away from evil thoughts.

Some days you will win and some days you will lose, but do not give up!
Feed your mind, feed your heart ...
What then is Christian meditation? It is the deliberate practice of turning our hearts and our minds to the full time task of bringing the word of God to life in the daily activities of our lives
God wants to change us from the inside out
We *cannot* change ourselves. God uses many ways to accomplish this but the primary tool he uses is his own word recorded in the Bible.  If we use it and put it to use, he will be able to enter into our lives and form us into what he wants us to be.  Meditation of the Word of God will renew our mind and change our hearts.

My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises. 

(Psalms 119:148)

 

 

Dear Lord...I can do nothing without you...lead me to meditate on Your Word daily, that I might lead others to see Your good works in me. Thank you for putting this 30 challenge before me, to renew my mind and put your promise back in my heart.  I need you with me Lord.  I pray this in Your Holy Name, Amen.

Developing a Habit

Micah 6:8...“He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

I have decided to give up games on my computer during Lent and find more productive ways to use my time.  They say it only takes 30 days to develop a habit, and I want a new one! I can only better my spirit by putting better things in my mind.  Studies have shown if you eat more sugar, you want more sugar, if you reach a great score you want a bigger and better unbeatable score...so it only stands to reason if I want to learn about God and how to walk humbly with him, I need to seek him more, study his Word more and it will be become a never ending passion. 

Rick Warren writes, "Nothing great is ever sustained in life without passion. Passion is what energizes life. Passion makes the impossible possible. Passion gives you a reason to get up in the morning and go, "I’m going to do something with my life today."....... You’ve got to have passion in your life.
A paraphrase of the verse, Mark 12:30, from The Message "Jesus said, ’Love the Lord God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy." Circle the word "passion". That word, in Greek, is the word "heart."

Mark 12:30 NIV...And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength: this is the first commandment.

Colossians 3:23 He says "Whatever you do, do it with all of your heart as unto the Lord and not unto men." 

Loving God with all our heart, will engage us to every thing by which he will be pleased. (commentary by Matthew Henry.)

Dear Lord...Help me to seek your Word and fill me with the Passion of learning to walk with you, with all my heart.  I thank you for the strength of your Word and the Power of its message to me.  I ask this in your precious name. Amen.

Keep Him With You

"They Can't Take That Away from Me" is a 1937 song (see 1937 in music) written by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin.  The lyrics include "the way you wear your hat, the way you sip your tea", and "the way you hold your knife, the way we danced till three." Each verse is followed by the line "no, no, they can't take that away from me." The basic meaning of the song is that even if the lovers part, though physically separated the memories cannot be forced from them.

American Prisoners of War in Vietnam kept their faith, their sanity and their hope alive by sharing the Scriptures, prayers and sacred songs they had long ago stored up in their hearts. And thus even though they were deprived of the printed word, the Word was yet able to sustain them. Memorization takes effort and time, but the rewards are worth it all. Whether at work or traveling, in school or at some social event, the memorized word is there to keep us pure and to guide us aright.

 Hiding the Word in our hearts is one of the most important things we can do.  The more you use the Scriptures, the longer they stay in your memory. When you are being tempted, it is nice to have the power to just say “It is written…”  Having God's Word in our heart and mind, not in the car or on the dresser, helps us to witness to others and defend the faith no matter where we are.

The reference for each verse is the hardest for me, someone suggested learning verses by topics and that seems a good thought,  to quote Julie Andrews, "I'll simply remember my favorite things or in this case, verses,  then I won't feel so bad".


 when I am sad I will recite....Psalm 34:17,18...
When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

when I am afraid Psalm 56:3...
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.


when I need guidance  Proverbs 3: 5, 6...
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your way acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.



when I want to give encouragement..Phillipians 4:6...
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God


Dear Lord...Help me to keep your Word in my heart, that I might continually call on You in times of trouble or in moments I need to praise You for all that is around me.  Amen.